The Way to Change Things … a Mother’s Day Message by Bev Herring

There are really three ways to run a church.

First, the Pastor can do it all.

Second, the church can pay for everything to be done.

Third, develop people to handle all the details.

The problem with the Pastor doing it all...is that the church must rely on the capabilities and strength of one person or couple.  So the church ends up, at the best, limited, and at worst the couple gets totally burned out.

But...you can also use money.  It just takes a lot of it to finance a church budget...even a small church. 

Your reaction to adversity . . .will determine how you’re viewed.

If you’re viewed as someone who seemingly goes nuts every time something doesn’t go your way…it will be what people believe about you.

If you continually lose it.

. . .not only will others see you that way. . .but more importantly. . .you will begin to believe that’s your typical response and it will become a habit.

In a negative context. . .you become what you believe you will be. . .by how you act and react.

Conversely, if your reactions are governed by applying the fruit of the spirit. . .then you will become what the Word says you will be.

Matthew 9:27-31 in the Message Bible says:

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.”

10.  A successful man/woman is an ordinary person who steps outside their comfort zone to take a risk.

  9.  Think of one thing you can do TODAY to improve the quality of your life TOMORROW…then do it.

  8.  If you don’t act on a God idea…you will never experience what might have been.

  7.  Your future is not determined by what others do…but rather what you do.

  6.  If we want to change where we are in life…we must believe God will do what He says He will do…regardless of our circumstances.

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  If you’re in debt…your life is not your own.  Not only that…but your money is going to make somebody else rich.

  4.  If you think nobody is thinking about you right now…you’re wrong.  “. . .the Lord is thinking about me right now.” Ps 40:17 TLB          

  3.  “My people are destroyed (bound) for a lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) Ignorance, not Satan, will destroy you…so get wisdom.

  2.  There are three kinds of wealth.  Financial wealth is what you have.  Personal wealth is who you are.  Spiritual wealth is what you do with what you’ve have.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Every word you speak is a seed.  Your words will produce a harvest…the only question is…what will you be producing?

Do you feel like you’ve been going through bad stuff?

Are you convinced that you shouldn’t have to deal with the mess you’re dealing with?

What you’re facing at the moment may stink . . . but that doesn’t necessarily change the circumstances.

Recently, I was reminded of a story that was told by former President Ronald Reagan.

The story concerns twin boys around six.  Each of the boys had developed extreme personalities that worried their parents.  One was a total optimist . . .happy, giggling all the time. . .while the other twin was a total pessimist, crying and whining about everything.

Have you ever thought about how you’d like to be recognized?

Genesis 37:19 says:

“And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.”

The dreamer cometh.  I think I like that.

The context of this scripture may have been made in a negative way…but Joseph’s dreams are what sustained him through every trial and brought victory and preservation to his brothers when they needed it the most.

10.  An unspoken prayer will always go unanswered.

  9.  If you have God…you lack nothing.  If you don’t have God…you lack everything.

  8.  In God’s economy…your success is never at someone else’s expense.

  7.  Never spend more time listening to a critic or cynic than you do listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

  6.  Believing things will change without you changing…makes as much sense as watering artificial plants.

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  If we haven’t written down the desires of our hearts…we’re not serious about their manifestation.  Habakkuk 2:2-4

  4.  If you decide to stay as you are…then you will stay where you are in life.  Three key words…learn, change and improve.       

  3.  God’s Word overrides…overrules…overcomes fear and overflows with blessings for those who walk by faith.

  2.  Straying from God is not a result of what’s in your bank account but rather what’s in your heart.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Don’t let people you’ve known in the past…keep you away from your future.

If only. . .I could have gone to college.

If only. . .I graduated from the right college.

If only. . .I could find a job.

If only. . .I could find a better job.

If only. . .I could make more money.

Have you ever come across someone whom you haven’t seen in years and the very first thing they say to you is. . . “Wow, you’ve changed so much that I barely recognized you.”

Some people fail to recognize a change in your appearance, maybe a change in your hair color, radical new cut or even hair loss.

While some people will recognize the change in your outward appearance few may recognize the inward changes in your life.

There are also times that we may not recognize someone because of a change in their conversation, behavior, attitude and/or character.

While you may on occasion fail to recognize someone for one reason or another. . .there is one thing you will never fail to recognize.

If you feel like you’ve been caught in your comfort zone. . .if it feels like your spinning your wheels but moving no closer to your goals. . .then this teaching will give you practical insight on how to move from where you are. . .toward your destiny.

Here are seven practical ways to energize the move toward your destiny.

#1 Use The Ability You've Got.

President Theodore Roosevelt said:

10.  Allowing someone to steal your joy disconnects you from God’s presence. “In God’s presence there is the fullness of joy.” Ps 16:11

  9.  A step of faith requires us to look beyond our circumstances.

  8.  God does not change His mind…there is no expiration date on His promises. (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8).

  7.  Your salary is not your source but a seed for changing your destiny.

  6.  If we allow God to change us…we won’t have to ask Him to change our circumstances.

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  When we realize we have the authority over all the power of the enemy…we will never feel inadequate another day in our lives.

  4.  Poverty steals more than your money…it robs you of your dreams, your future, your hope and your ability to bless those you love.         

  3.  Money that you sow into the Kingdom of God may leave your bank account…but it never leaves your life.  Galatians 6:7

  2.  Be the one who initiates change…even while others hesitate.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Never be in such a hurry that you overlook or take for granted the gift that is today.  Maximize every moment.