One of the primary keys to success in life is. . .drum roll. . .persistence.  We must learn to keep on keeping on if we want to be a winner in life.

Perseverance is in the New Testament 32 times and its most frequently translated as:

“patience; endurance; patiently waiting”

The term literally means “remaining under” or standing firm despite opposition.

In life, we will face many challenges. . .and adversities.

Human nature will want you to rationalize that other people seem to have it easier than we do. . .and in some cases, that may be right.

But the Bible says that joy is based not on an absence of difficulty but on discovering your gifts and developing them for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.

Booker T. Washington said:

During the past few weeks on our Rich Thoughts For Breakfast conference calls we've discussed scriptural insights to living a better life.

These insights are all contained in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible which says:

“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.”

As I’ve read and re-read that verse in preparing the teachings. . .I was stirred by Ecclesiastes 5:19 which says:

“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it.”

The word capacity ignited in my spirit and God showed me seven ways to expand our capacity for success as we move in His blessing flow.

But first, let’s lay a foundation for this teaching.

I’ve read Isaiah 54 many times. . .generally focusing on verse 17 particularly in the Amplified Bible which says:

God wants us producing fruit in our lives. . .manifesting the gifting and blessings of the Lord.

God wants us to greet each new day realizing that we have the opportunity to plant “seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing.”  God wants us to attempt great things for Him.

Without question, God wants us to understand that “the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. . .” (John 10:10)

However, I don’t feel God wants us focusing on the first part of that verse. . .where the emphasis is on the attacks of the enemy.  God wants you and I to grasp, manifest and make alive the last part of John 10:10 in our lives.

“. . .I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“. . . My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“. . . I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows).”

This is a good verse to personalize. 

Are you facing any giants today?

How do your giants compare with Goliath?

1 Samuel 17:4 says:

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”

Based on the King James Version of the Bible six cubits and a span would make Goliath over nine feet tall.

When you consider the average height of a man in Biblical times was five feet three inches. . Goliath was truly a giant.

1 Samuel 17:5 says:

“And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.”

According to my historical research Goliath’s helmet weighed roughly 66 pounds and his brass coat weighed roughly 175 pounds.

Can you imagine your 9’ neighbor carrying a 175-pound backpack and a 66 pound Yankee hat?

I’ve written about purpose dozens of times. . .but I feel impressed to discuss it again. . .from a little different perspective.

Dictionary.com defines purpose as:

God Has A Purpose For Your Life.

Without your purpose identified firmly in your mind, you will wander through life, never quite feeling that you’re “in the flow.”

And let me be clear, your PURPOSE may have nothing to do with how you make money (your job)…because you can make MONEY in many ways.. that may not be directly related to your purpose . . . although you can still glorify God while doing your job.

Purpose gives meaning to WHY you’re doing what you’re doing.

There are seven questions that help determine where you are with regard to knowing and walking in your purpose.

1.      Are You Willing And Ready To Change?

The real question is. . .are you willing to change regardless of what other people think or the consequences?

Exodus 2:14 in the New Living Translation says:

“The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?”  Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.”

Moses wanted to change the plight of the children of Israel.  In a fit of moral outrage he slayed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite.

As he began to fully realize the implications of his actions. . .he knew things were going to change.

Motives are what makes us do what we do.

According to dictionary.com the word motive means:

“Something that causes a person to act in a certain way; do a certain thing; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way.”

Motivation to a Christian is like gas in the tank of your car.  It gives you what’s desired and/or necessary to be a success in your Christian life.

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited.  It’s not hereditary.  It can’t be passed from parent to child no matter how hard we try.

Motivation is not circumstantial or environmental. . .it’s an inner working.

It’s also important to point out that motivation can be good or ungodly.

Here are examples of seven Biblical characters and what motivated them to accomplish their God-given goals.

Understand what the will of the Lord is…

Ephesians 5:15-17 in the English Standard Version says:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

The scripture warns us to be careful how we walk out our Christian life.  There are plenty of unwise people in the world. But we are able to walk in wisdom of His will if we choose to do so. 

There are three main keys that lead us to the will of the Lord.  

The first one is reading the Bible.  If we want to know how and what God thinks, we need to read His book.

Many people say they want to but they don’t know where to start.  If you’re wondering where to start, start at the beginning.  If you think it’s too long, remember the old saying… the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Remember, life is not a sprint, it’s a life-long journey.

Reading through the Bible in a year is okay if you don’t feel rushed.

There’s an old saying “what a difference a day makes.”

In fact, it was made into a great song by the late Dinah Washington . . .but it’s so much more than a song.

Every day we have the opportunity to make a difference.   How can we make a difference in our days?

William Arthur Ward, well-known for his inspirational quotes, offered some pretty good advice when he said:

“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.”

There are 149 days left in this year . . .each one a unique opportunity for us to make 2021 the greatest year of our lives.

Here are seven success habits to make a difference in the 149 days that lie ahead.

First, walk in the perfect will of God.

Have you ever heard someone refer to another person as someone with a strong will?  If so, that could be a spiritual problem unless the person is passionately pursuing the will of God. 

We’re not put on this earth to fulfill our will or that of a domineering parent or a controlling spouse or anyone else. 

Here are eight things. . .we need to know about the will of God.

# 1    We’re on planet earth for one reason. . .and that’s to do the will of our Heavenly Father.

John 6:38 in the New Living Translation says:

Let’s establish a couple of facts.

First, no matter how anemic your bank account may be. . .you’re not broke.

Second, even though your money may run out before the month does. . .you’re not broke.

Before going any further. . .let’s define the word broke which according to dictionary.com it means: “without money, penniless.”

I know people who have a six-figure income who talk about how broke they are.

And by the same token, I hear from people receiving government assistance talking about how broke they are.

If you’ve ever said that or felt that way , let’s figure out why and eliminate it from your life.

Let’s start with several questions.   

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible says:

“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot.

“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work.

“It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. . .”

Reading and re-reading theses verse again. . .we knew God was giving us a powerful revelation we were to share with His children.

Here are seven questions to help us discover God’s plans for us.

1.  Where do you want to go?

The key to success is to determine why you are where you are. . .where God wants you to be. . .create a plan to get there. . .and start where you are with what you’ve got.

Hosea 14:9 in the Message Bible says: