Unlocking Your Success In 2019

. .

Since we began the Rich Thoughts for Breakfast outreach six years ago in January. . .we’ve had over 2,200 daily morning conference calls and 162 of those have the word success in the title.  A total of 1,566 teachings mention the word success at least once.

You would think that I’ve covered the topic rather thoroughly BUT GOD directed us to teach on it once again and from a slightly different perspective.

Let’s look at Unlocking Your Success In 2019.

1.      Decide what you want.

Psalm 119:130 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).”

Have you ever taken time to have a planning session with yourself?  A time in which you formulate plans for your future success.

Dr. Seuss once said:

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own, and you know what you know.

And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

Question…

Have you ever written down what you want to achieve tomorrow, next week, next month or year?

If not, January is a great time of the year to do it.  Why not spend an hour or two this coming week on what you want to accomplish during 2019.  In fact, you might spend an hour or two every day this week.

Prior proper planning will precipitate positive performance and positions you for greater success.

J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of the Lord Of The Rings books, once said:

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

What do you want to do with the time you’ve been given?

Not only decide what you want to do. . .but talk it over with God in your 2 Chairs meeting tomorrow.

I trust you’ve been listening to Rich Thoughts For Breakfast for the past twelve days.  We been teaching from this amazing book.  If you’ve missed the teachings or the playbacks. . .you can go to www.haroldherring.com and listen to the podcasts that started on January 2nd.

Do you need God’s direction. . .His answers. . .His solutions … then ask Him while in the 2 Chairs.

Psalm 5:3 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].”

Psalm 5:3 in the New International Version says it this way:

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

2.      Determine if it’s what God wants.

What you think determines how you act.

The Contemporary English Version of Philippians 2:5 says:

“And think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”

How do you put into shape what you think . . . meaning . . . your attitude?  The answer is found in Hebrews 4:12:

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

If you think like He thinks . . . if you focus on the Word of God. . .you will have the most positive mental attitude ever known to the mind of man.

If God wants you to be prosperous . . . and He does . . .because 3 John 2 says:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

If God wants you to be successful and He does . . . look at Joshua 1:8:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

If God wants you to win every battle and He does . . . 2 Corinthians 2:14 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.”

How does what we want line up with what God wants for our lives?

If we’re following God’s directions. . .then we will always and ultimately be successful.

Proverbs 16:3 in the New Living Translation says:

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

As Jeremiah 29:11 says. . .God will give you the future you hope for. . .yes. He will ensure your personal success.

Psalm 20:4 in the New Living Translation says:

“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”

But the key. . .is for your desires. . .plans and actions to line up with what He wants you to achieve for His Kingdom.

Somebody once said:

“When God throws something your way, catch it.”

2 Corinthians 5:9 in The Living Bible says:

“So our aim is to please him always in everything we do, whether we are here in this body or away from this body and with him in heaven.”

3.      Your aptitude, altitude and attitude will determine your success.

One of the greatest books I’ve ever read is “See You At The Top” by master motivator and Southern Baptist leader, Zig Ziglar.

In “See You At The Top” (which I strongly recommend you read) and among his other writings, Zig has made some profound statements like:

“It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.”

“If you can dream it, then you can achieve it.”

“You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

Great quotes. . .thought provoking. . .rich thoughts.  However, here is my favorite Ziglar quotation:

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Here is the Harold Herring paraphrase of that quote:

“It’s not your aptitude that determines your altitude but it’s your attitude that makes you somebody.”

In other words, it’s not how smart you are. . .it’s your attitude toward others and yourself. . .that guarantees your success.

Booker T. Washington once said:

“The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts.”

What you do. . .is determined by what you think you can do. . .which is a reflection of who you think you are and how you act and react based on what’s programmed into your mental hard drive.

Your aptitude is defined as:

“capability; ability; talent: readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence.”

The word aptitude is actually found in several translations of the Bible. . .the most meaningful of which is in Daniel 1:4 when talking about the Israeli children taken captive to Babylon.  The Today’s New International Version says it this way:

“Young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.”

Your attitude is what takes you through the challenges of everyday living.

What kind of attitude should you have?  HIS. . . yes, the answer is that simple.

Philippians 2:5 in the New Living Translation says:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

4.      Set your priorities.

The late Stephen Covey, the author of 7 Habits For Highly Effective People, once said:

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Covey also defined success as:

“Keep the main thing, the main thing.”

To be successful in 2019. . .your spiritual priorities must be straight.

Keep God first in your life, not just in your passive agreement, but in your daily actions.

Here are three scriptures that speak to a proper assessment of your priorities.

Matthew 6:33 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being rightthe attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

This verse is the spiritual prescription for change as it contains the proper progression in our lives.

We need to continually assess our priorities to make sure they’re right and we’re on track to make 2019 a real success.

If you were to Google scriptures on priorities. . .almost every listing has Matthew 6:33 first.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

This verse contains the proper scriptural progression.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Seek his righteousness

And

All these things will be added unto you.

Is paying off your mortgage a thing?

Is having all your debts paid in full a thing?

Is having money to send your children or grandchildren to a proper university a thing?

Is having a proper retirement income a thing?  Then “. . .seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

I love Matthew 6:33. . .I call it the Success Principle 633.

However, there is another verse which I really like when it comes to priorities.

1 Kings 22:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray you, for the word of the Lord today.”

Before you do anything else. . .ask God what He thinks. . .what His priorities are.

What’s your first priority when you wake up in the morning?

Is it to review your to do list. . .to drink your coffee and read the newspaper or scan the headlines on your favorite news service?

If you’re a coffee drinker, by all means get your coffee. . .and by the way, have everything ready each morning so all you have to do is flip the switch on the coffee maker.  I do realize some people like their coffee first thing.

Next, spend time with the Lord.  Pray, read the Word and meditate in whatever order works for you. 

If a rendezvous with your Heavenly Father in the 2 Chairs is not your first priority each morning then your priorities are out of whack.

If you want God to show up for you … are you showing up for Him?   

How do you get from where you are. . .to where He wants you to be . . . soaring high in His glory, honor and thought processes.

By setting your priorities and then following them.

5.      Protect Your Mind.

Purpose in your heart. . .that from this day forward. . .you will not allow negative, ungodly, self-defeating thoughts in your mind.

If the enemy tries to sneak one in your mind. . .flush it immediately.  That’s right; send it down the drain into the sewage dump where it belongs.

As a counter measure designate a specific time every morning where you get into His Word and His presence. . .so you can work on your mental renovation.

There is an old saying. . . “what you think about, you speak about and what you speak about, you bring about.”

Proverbs 4:23 in the New Century Version says:

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

The enemy wants to control your mind.

If he feeds negative, sinful images of the past into your present. . .he’s wanting to remind you of past sins. . .and create guilt in your mental hard drive.

Here are two scriptures we need to keep in the forefront of our minds.

First, 1 John 1:9 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

Second, Isaiah 43:25 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Personalize.

“I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels <<Your Name>>’s transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember <<Your Name>> sins.”

6.      Guard Your Heart.

I realize that we quote Proverbs 4:23 and talked about its effect on our life two weeks ago but it’s so important in our lives.  We need to really comprehend what the verse is saying to us.

The King James Version says:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for issues is (tote sa uff) tō·tsä·ä (H8444) is a real estate term and it means:

“borders, the parameters”

Your heart sets the borders of your life.

The outside circumstances don’t set the borders of your life; it’s what’s in your heart that sets the boundaries or determines the course of your life.

The New Living Translation of Proverbs 4:23 says:

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Consider this thought. . .every time you have a rhema revelation from the Word of God and begin meditating on it. . . you are expanding the borders of your life.

On the other hand. . .if you’re not searching or meditating in the Word. . .then your borders are set where you are.

When you start talking about the promises of God. . .His promises. . .what the Word offers you. . .the possibilities of your life. . .the things you desire will soon become a reality. . .as you expand the borders of your life.

As you expand the boundaries of your life. . .you will find that often the most negative people you’ll encounter are those closest to you.  Family members and well-meaning friends may love you and mean well in their own way. . .but that’s not enough.

As a counter measure, find at least one new friend who is so positive about life that he or she ought to be your twin.

If there is no one in your life like this. . .ask God about finding one tomorrow morning when you’re sitting in the 2 Chairs.

If you don’t even know of such a person then make the acquaintance of one or more through CDs and MP3 teachings by anointed teachers like me . . . who is so positive that when I take two aspirin they feel better.

This is critical for you to make 2019 your greatest year ever.

7.      Watch Your Mouth.

Renovating a mind is like renovating a house . . . it takes time.  In the process you will find your mind thinking negative thoughts. That is when you need to tell your mind to KEEP QUIET and your mouth to SHUT UP.

The first part of Proverbs 13:3 in the Amplified Bible says it well:

“He who guards his mouth keeps his life…,”

I’ve proven in seminars around the world that the words of your mouth will always override the thoughts of your mind.

Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord by speaking the pure and positive out loud to yourself.

As a counter measure, memorize and personalize key scriptures which you can speak when the enemy seeks to download a nasty, negative virus into your mental hard drive.

Psalm 141:3 in the Amplified Bible begins by saying.

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].”

The Living Bible translation of Psalm 141:3 is a bit more direct.

“Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed.”

To live victoriously. . .there will be times to talk and times to. . .as the verse says keep your mouth shut.

What should guide your conversation?

Ephesians 4:29 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”

I’ll be honest. . .I don’t completely live my life this way. . .but I strive to be positive, encouraging and uplifting with my words.

While I don’t use foul, profane, worthless or vulgar words. . .not all my speech is always good for the building up of others.

Truthfully, I strive toward that. . .it’s my goal.   Am I perfect in doing this. . .absolutely not but the point is to get better at it every day.

All seven points in this teaching are essential to your future success but I want to repeat the last three.

First, protect your mind.

Second, guard your heart.

Third, watch your mouth.

It is a great start to a successful 2019. 

Since we began the Rich Thoughts for Breakfast outreach six years ago in January. . .we’ve had over 2,200 daily morning conference calls and 162 of those have the word success in the title.  A total of 1,566 teachings mention the word success at least once.

You would think that I’ve covered the topic rather thoroughly BUT GOD directed us to teach on it once again and from a slightly different perspective.

Let’s look at Unlocking Your Success In 2019.

1.      Decide what you want.

Psalm 119:130 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light; Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).”

Have you ever taken time to have a planning session with yourself?  A time in which you formulate plans for your future success.

Dr. Seuss once said:

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own, and you know what you know.

And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

 

Question…

Have you ever written down what you want to achieve tomorrow, next week, next month or year?

If not, January is a great time of the year to do it.  Why not spend an hour or two this coming week on what you want to accomplish during 2019.  In fact, you might spend an hour or two every day this week.

Prior proper planning will precipitate positive performance and positions you for greater success.

J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of the Lord Of The Rings books, once said:

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

What do you want to do with the time you’ve been given?

Not only decide what you want to do. . .but talk it over with God in your 2 Chairs meeting tomorrow.

I trust you’ve been listening to Rich Thoughts For Breakfast for the past twelve days.  We been teaching from this amazing book.  If you’ve missed the teachings or the playbacks. . .you can go to www.haroldherring.com and listen to the podcasts that started on January 2nd.

Do you need God’s direction. . .His answers. . .His solutions … then ask Him while in the 2 Chairs.

Psalm 5:3 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].”

Psalm 5:3 in the New International Version says it this way:

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

2.      Determine if it’s what God wants.

What you think determines how you act.

 

The Contemporary English Version of Philippians 2:5 says:

 

And think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”

 

How do you put into shape what you think . . . meaning . . . your attitude?  The answer is found in Hebrews 4:12:

 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

 

If you think like He thinks . . . if you focus on the Word of God. . .you will have the most positive mental attitude ever known to the mind of man.

 

If God wants you to be prosperous . . . and He does . . .because 3 John 2 says:

 

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

 

If God wants you to be successful and He does . . . look at Joshua 1:8:

 

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

 

If God wants you to win every battle and He does . . . 2 Corinthians 2:14 in the Contemporary English Version says:

 

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.”

 

How does what we want line up with what God wants for our lives?

If we’re following God’s directions. . .then we will always and ultimately be successful.

Proverbs 16:3 in the New Living Translation says:

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

As Jeremiah 29:11 says. . .God will give you the future you hope for. . .yes. He will ensure your personal success.

 

Psalm 20:4 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”

 

But the key. . .is for your desires. . .plans and actions to line up with what He wants you to achieve for His Kingdom.

 

Somebody once said:

 

“When God throws something your way, catch it.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:9 in The Living Bible says:

 

“So our aim is to please him always in everything we do, whether we are here in this body or away from this body and with him in heaven.”

 

3.      Your aptitude, altitude and attitude will determine your success.

One of the greatest books I’ve ever read is “See You At The Top” by master motivator and Southern Baptist leader, Zig Ziglar.

 

In “See You At The Top” (which I strongly recommend you read) and among his other writings, Zig has made some profound statements like:

 

“It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference.”

 

“If you can dream it, then you can achieve it.”

 

“You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”

 

Great quotes. . .thought provoking. . .rich thoughts.  However, here is my favorite Ziglar quotation:

 

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

 

Here is the Harold Herring paraphrase of that quote:

 

“It’s not your aptitude that determines your altitude but it’s your attitude that makes you somebody.”

 

In other words, it’s not how smart you are. . .it’s your attitude toward others and yourself. . .that guarantees your success.

 

Booker T. Washington once said:

 

“The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts.”

 

What you do. . .is determined by what you think you can do. . .which is a reflection of who you think you are and how you act and react based on what’s programmed into your mental hard drive.

 

Your aptitude is defined as:

 

“capability; ability; talent: readiness or quickness in learning; intelligence.”

 

The word aptitude is actually found in several translations of the Bible. . .the most meaningful of which is in Daniel 1:4 when talking about the Israeli children taken captive to Babylon.  The Today’s New International Version says it this way:

 

“Young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.”

 

Your attitude is what takes you through the challenges of everyday living.

 

What kind of attitude should you have?  HIS. . . yes, the answer is that simple.

 

Philippians 2:5 in the New Living Translation says:

 

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

 

4.      Set your priorities.

The late Stephen Covey, the author of 7 Habits For Highly Effective People, once said:

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Covey also defined success as:

“Keep the main thing, the main thing.”

To be successful in 2019. . .your spiritual priorities must be straight.

 

Keep God first in your life, not just in your passive agreement, but in your daily actions.

 

Here are three scriptures that speak to a proper assessment of your priorities.

 

Matthew 6:33 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being rightthe attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

 

This verse is the spiritual prescription for change as it contains the proper progression in our lives.

 

We need to continually assess our priorities to make sure they’re right and we’re on track to make 2019 a real success.

 

If you were to Google scriptures on priorities. . .almost every listing has Matthew 6:33 first.

 

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 

This verse contains the proper scriptural progression.

 

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

 

Seek his righteousness

 

And

 

All these things will be added unto you.

 

Is paying off your mortgage a thing?

 

Is having all your debts paid in full a thing?

 

Is having money to send your children or grandchildren to a proper university a thing?

 

Is having a proper retirement income a thing?  Then “. . .seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

 

I love Matthew 6:33. . .I call it the Success Principle 633.

 

However, there is another verse which I really like when it comes to priorities.

 

1 Kings 22:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray you, for the word of the Lord today.”

 

Before you do anything else. . .ask God what He thinks. . .what His priorities are.

 

What’s your first priority when you wake up in the morning?

 

Is it to review your to do list. . .to drink your coffee and read the newspaper or scan the headlines on your favorite news service?

 

If you’re a coffee drinker, by all means get your coffee. . .and by the way, have everything ready each morning so all you have to do is flip the switch on the coffee maker.  I do realize some people like their coffee first thing.

 

Next, spend time with the Lord.  Pray, read the Word and meditate in whatever order works for you. 

 

If a rendezvous with your Heavenly Father in the 2 Chairs is not your first priority each morning then your priorities are out of whack.

 

If you want God to show up for you … are you showing up for Him? 

 

How do you get from where you are. . .to where He wants you to be . . . soaring high in His glory, honor and thought processes.

 

By setting your priorities and then following them.

 

5.      Protect Your Mind.

 

Purpose in your heart. . .that from this day forward. . .you will not allow negative, ungodly, self-defeating thoughts in your mind.

 

If the enemy tries to sneak one in your mind. . .flush it immediately.  That’s right; send it down the drain into the sewage dump where it belongs.

 

As a counter measure designate a specific time every morning where you get into His Word and His presence. . .so you can work on your mental renovation.

 

There is an old saying. . . “what you think about, you speak about and what you speak about, you bring about.”

Proverbs 4:23 in the New Century Version says:

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

The enemy wants to control your mind.

 

If he feeds negative, sinful images of the past into your present. . .he’s wanting to remind you of past sins. . .and create guilt in your mental hard drive.

 

Here are two scriptures we need to keep in the forefront of our minds.

 

First, 1 John 1:9 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

 

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

 

Second, Isaiah 43:25 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

 

“I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

 

Personalize.

 

“I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels <<Your Name>>’s transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember <<Your Name>> sins.”

 

6.      Guard Your Heart.

 

I realize that we quote Proverbs 4:23 and talked about its effect on our life two weeks ago but it’s so important in our lives.  We need to really comprehend what the verse is saying to us.

 

The King James Version says:

 

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

 

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for issues is (tote sa uff) tō·tsä·ä (H8444) is a real estate term and it means:

 

“borders, the parameters”

 

Your heart sets the borders of your life.

 

The outside circumstances don’t set the borders of your life; it’s what’s in your heart that sets the boundaries or determines the course of your life.

 

The New Living Translation of Proverbs 4:23 says:

 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

 

Consider this thought. . .every time you have a rhema revelation from the Word of God and begin meditating on it. . . you are expanding the borders of your life.

 

On the other hand. . .if you’re not searching or meditating in the Word. . .then your borders are set where you are.

 

When you start talking about the promises of God. . .His promises. . .what the Word offers you. . .the possibilities of your life. . .the things you desire will soon become a reality. . .as you expand the borders of your life.

 

As you expand the boundaries of your life. . .you will find that often the most negative people you’ll encounter are those closest to you.  Family members and well-meaning friends may love you and mean well in their own way. . .but that’s not enough.

 

As a counter measure, find at least one new friend who is so positive about life that he or she ought to be your twin.

 

If there is no one in your life like this. . .ask God about finding one tomorrow morning when you’re sitting in the 2 Chairs.

 

If you don’t even know of such a person then make the acquaintance of one or more through CDs and MP3 teachings by anointed teachers like me . . . who is so positive that when I take two aspirin they feel better.

 

This is critical for you to make 2019 your greatest year ever.

 

7.      Watch Your Mouth.

 

Renovating a mind is like renovating a house . . . it takes time.  In the process you will find your mind thinking negative thoughts. That is when you need to tell your mind to KEEP QUIET and your mouth to SHUT UP.

 

The first part of Proverbs 13:3 in the Amplified Bible says it well:

 

“He who guards his mouth keeps his life…,”

 

I’ve proven in seminars around the world that the words of your mouth will always override the thoughts of your mind.

 

Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord by speaking the pure and positive out loud to yourself.

 

As a counter measure, memorize and personalize key scriptures which you can speak when the enemy seeks to download a nasty, negative virus into your mental hard drive.

 

Psalm 141:3 in the Amplified Bible begins by saying.

 

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].”

 

The Living Bible translation of Psalm 141:3 is a bit more direct.

 

“Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed.”

 

To live victoriously. . .there will be times to talk and times to. . .as the verse says keep your mouth shut.

 

What should guide your conversation?

 

Ephesians 4:29 in the Amplified Bible says:

 

“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”

 

I’ll be honest. . .I don’t completely live my life this way. . .but I strive to be positive, encouraging and uplifting with my words.

 

While I don’t use foul, profane, worthless or vulgar words. . .not all my speech is always good for the building up of others.

 

Truthfully, I strive toward that. . .it’s my goal.   Am I perfect in doing this. . .absolutely not but the point is to get better at it every day.

 

All seven points in this teaching are essential to your future success but I want to repeat the last three.

 

First, protect your mind.

 

Second, guard your heart.

 

Third, watch your mouth.

 

It is a great start to a successful 2019.

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