Developing A Winning Mindset

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My goal is to learn something from everything I read.

As I take notes on what I’ve read...I ask God how to take the thoughts I've written down and make them applicable to my life.

Your mindset is simply a collection of the dominant thoughts in your life.

Proverbs 4:23 in the New Century Version says:

"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

If you want to be a winner . . .spiritual or otherwise. . .you need to learn how to collect, assimilate, activate and utilize the dominant thoughts in your life.

Here are seven ways to develop a winning mindset.  They’re not the only ways but they are the seven God directed for this teaching.

1.         Divine Direction

You can listen to all the financial gurus . . . infomercial kings or spiritual swamis . . .but if you want your success to be lasting. . .you’d best seek divine direction about your ideas, your plan and the ultimate journey to the winner’s circle.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible says:

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”

There is NEVER an acceptable excuse for any believer not knowing what to do or which way to go.

If we try to figure things out on our own . . .to solve our problems by ourselves then we don’t need God.

Simply said, only one of you will be working on and through the problem, situation or attack. . .that’s either you or Him.

As the verse says, you must “. . .listen for God’s voice in everything you do. . .”

The reason you listen for His voice . . . is because He’s the one that will “. . .keep you on track.”

One more scripture . . . Isaiah 48:17 says:

“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

Not only should you quit worrying and listen for His voice. . .but realize He’s the only One who will teach you to profit.

According to Strong’s Concordance the word profit is the Hebrew word ya`al (H3276) which means to:  “gain, benefit, profit.”

Child of God, be encouraged when you follow His divine direction.  .He will sustain you through every attack and even cause you to “gain, benefit and profit” from the attacks of the enemy.

But the key is to follow His direction.  We must understand and obey the words found in Isaiah 48:17.  Listen to the scripture once more but in the Message Bible translation:

“I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well.  I show you what to do, where to go.”

2.         Develop Knowledge

I’ve always been gifted with numbers.

I can tell you almost exactly the number of people in a crowded room or auditorium with just a glance.  I can count cash in my head with amazing accuracy.  I can look at a large stack of mail and tell you with startling exactitude the number of pieces even when the count is larger than 50.

Having said that. . .I never made great grades in Algebra, Trigonometry or Calculus for two reasons.

First, I never saw the need. . .meaning under no scenario could I figure why I needed to master these mathematic courses.

Second, and most importantly, my lack of motivation caused me to never fully understand the concepts.

Get ready for this next statement.

It’s impossible to succeed at something you don’t understand.

Knowledge allows you to navigate the future while avoiding pitfalls, sinkholes or minefields.

It’s been said that “knowledge is power.”  If that’s true and I believe it is. . .then a lack of knowledge diminishes the power over you have over your own destiny.

The Word confirms that knowledge is power in two amazing verses.

Proverbs 8:14 in the Amplified Bible says:

“I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power.”

When you know what you need to know. . .you know you’ve got what it takes to succeed.

Proverbs 24:5 in the Message Bible says:

“A strong man knows how to use his strength, but a person with knowledge is even more powerful.”

3.         Develop Confidence

If you’re not confident in your knowledge, attitude and abilities then you will become complacent in your efforts.

“Brother Harold, I understand confidence is important but it’s hard to have it when no one has ever had confidence in me.”

Oh, I’m sorry.  Let me give you a little sympathy. Okay, that’s enough.

Why should I have sympathy for someone who’s making a statement that is absolutely false?

Psalm 71:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

“For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence.”

While having others validate you, believe in you and have confidence in you is important, it’s not a deal breaker in your life any more. 

If you’ve got faith. . .then you will grow in confidence.  It is a progressive benefit from living the Word.  The nourishment you receive gives you strength to face whatever challenges come your way every day.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

When your confidence is born in faith. . .it gives you a boldness. . .a knowing that you can achieve anything. . .regardless of the obstacles.

1 John 5:4 says:

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”

Faith creates confidence which births boldness which produces happiness.

2 Corinthians 7:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.”

When you’re confident in who you are, what you know and what you’re doing. . .it shows.

Your confidence will be contagious to those around you. . .giving you uncommon favor in everything your hands find to do.

Several weeks ago, I posted this next statement on my Twitter/Facebook pages and I want you to get it deep inside of you.

Fear flees when confidence in God’s Word shows up.

Psalm 86:7 in the Message Bible says:

“Every time I'm in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll answer.”

1 John 5:5 in the Message Bible says:

“And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours. “

4.         Develop Motivation

What gets you going in the morning?

. . .an alarm clock? 

. . .the words “it’s time to get up” spoken softly at first but increasing in volume with each passing tick of the clock?

. . .the smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen where the auto brew clicked on at its appointed time.

For me, it’s none of the above.

From the moment my eyes open. . .I’m ready to glorify God, terrify the devil and maximize the opportunities set before.

Am I this way because I’m in ministry. . .nope, I’m been that way since the 10th grade.

I remember sitting in an Algebra II class. . .when I wrote out the 19 things I needed to do to be the youngest United States Senator ever elected from North Carolina.  I spent time in the class planning my future instead of learning something that would never impact that future.  Said with due respect to all math geeks and teachers everywhere. That kind of math has its place but I knew it wasn’t in my life.

My motivation was my future.  Where did my dreams come from. . .our Heavenly Father.

Perhaps you dreamed of being a major league ball player or an astronaut for NASA . . . regardless of your dream… your ability to dream big allowed you to go higher than those who aren’t dreamers.

The word motivation is not found in any of the 12 translations I checked but here are seven scriptures that motivate me and should motivate you too.

First, you are a work of divine art

Ephesians 2:10 says:

“For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Second, He wants you to find happiness

Psalm 37:4 says:

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Third, He will even show you how to be happy

Psalm 37:23-24 says:

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they may stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” 

Fourth, He has given you potential that’s still unknown to you

Ephesians 3:20 says:

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Fifth, you may not understand it all. . .but He will direct you to the right path for you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 20:24 in The Living Bible says:

The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Sixth, your focus needs to be on where He directs.

Ephesians 6:7 says:

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

Seventh, He has created you without limitation for the job you are called to do.

Philippians 4:13 says:

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” 

I can’t think of any better motivation than the Word of God. It is living power from within.

5.         Develop A Strategic Plan

Proverbs 24:6 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory.”

Too many believers fail to understand they’re in a war.

If you weren’t in a war. . .then why would God tell you about your spiritual armour?

Ephesians 6:11 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.”

If the enemy is employing strategies and deceits. . .simply put. . .it means he’s waging war on you.

How serious is the war against you?  Consider the words of Ephesians 6:13 in the Message Bible:

“This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”

Our weapons may not be carnal. . .but his surely are.

The enemy uses seduction…

- to get you into debt

-  deception to ruin your marriage

- rationalization as to why you aren’t tithing

- and manipulation to convince you that where you are is where you will stay for the rest of your life.

But with the right strategies you can defeat the enemy. . .and be the winner God created you to be. Those strategies are found in the Word.

Wow…I was looking at Ephesians 6:13-18 which describes our spiritual armor when God showed me an amazing parallel in the Message Bible translation.

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

I’m going to share those parallels with you . . . but not right now so stayed tuned in to hear this ongoing revelation.

For this teaching just understand you need strategies if you want to defeat every attack of the enemy and win the war for your future.

6.         Develop Resourcefulness

If I were to ask you if you were a resourceful person many of you would say “yes.”  But for some, there might be a hesitation or even a small doubt based on past perception created by someone else’s view of you or perhaps your own performance.

I can scripturally prove that you’re resourceful even beyond your current level of expectation.

Dictionary.com defines resourceful as:

“Having inner resources; adroit or imaginative; "someone who is resourceful is capable of dealing with difficult situations.”

I must tell you that when I first read this definition . . .I got a huge smile on my face and a bubbling inner joy and knowing.

“Inner resources.”

Can you say “Holy Spirit?”

That’s right. . .the Holy Spirit is your inner resource.

Ephesians 3:16 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened 

and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].”

There are seven things you can know about this inner resource but I’m only going to give you three in this teaching.

First, the Holy Spirit strengthens you when you’re overwhelmed by adversity.

Romans 8:26 in the Amplified Bible says:

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.”

Second, the Holy Spirit will never withhold knowledge or ability from you.

1 Corinthians 1:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

“That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all.”

Third, the Holy Spirit will cause you to profit.

1 Corinthians 12:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.”

Your inner resources become your outward resourcefulness.

Exodus 31:3 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“I have filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, making him highly skilled, resourceful, and knowledgeable in all trades.”

7.         Develop Thankfulness

Thankfulness should be a continual expression in the life of every winner.

As long as we recognize the origin of our creativity and opportunities then we will continue to live without limitation.

I want you to write down how God has blessed you in the past 24 hours. . .in every area of your life.  Then, I want you to praise Him for it.

“But Brother Harold, I lost my job this year, what do I have to be thankful for?”

Even though nearly everyone has experienced financial setbacks…we have plenty to be thankful for.  There are too many basics in life that we take for granted.

The fact that you are able to read these words. . .that’s plenty to be thankful for. . .there are lots of folks who would love the opportunity to see and read.

“But Brother Harold, my house was foreclosed on, what do I have to be thankful for?”

As you read these words, are you able to breathe on your own. . .without help?

I could go on with the ‘Brother Harold list of complaints’ I receive . . . but here’s the bottom line. The only way to escape what you’re going through is by praising God for what you’ve got.

Colossians 2:7 in the New International Version says:

“. . . rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 4:2 in the New International Version says:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 3:15 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”   

I particularly like the Message Bible translation of Colossians 3:15 which says:

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”

Our thankfulness will create fruitfulness in our lives thus ensuring our success as a winner in the life we are blessed to be living. 

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