AN ENEMY CALLED AVERAGE BY JOHN MASON (NUGGETS #11 & # 12)
NUGGET #11
THE NOSE OF THE BULLDOG IS SLANTED BACKWARDS SO HE CAN CONTINUE TO BREATHE WITHOUT LETTING GO-(WINSTON CHURCHILL)
Persistent people begin with their success where most others quit. We Christians need to be known as people of persistence and endurance. One person with commitment, persistence, and endurance will accomplish more than a thousand people with interest alone.
In Hebrews 12:1 6 we read: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The more diligently we work, the harder it is to quit. Persistence is a habit-so is quitting.
Never worry about how much money, ability, or equipment you are starting with; just begin with a million dollars worth of determination. Remember: It is not what you have; it’ is what you do with what you have that makes all the difference.
Many people eagerly begin ” the good fight of fight,” but they forget to add patience, persistence, and endurance to their enthusiasm. Josh Billings said, “Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. “You and I should be known as “postage stamp” Christians.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. For as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Peter tells us, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14). And wise Solomon points out, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before Kings” (Proverbs 22:29)
In the Far East the people plant a tree called the Chinese bamboo. During the first four years, they water and fertilize the plant with seemingly little or no results.
Then the fifth year, the again apply water and fertilizer-and in five weeks time the tree grows ninety feet in height! The obvious question is whether the Chinese bamboo tree grew ninety feet in five weeks or five years? The answer is that it grew ninety feet in five years. If at any time during those five years the people had stopped watering and fertilizing the tree, it would have died.
Many times; our dreams and plans appear not to be succeeding. We are tempted to give up and quit vying. Instead, we need to continue to water and fertilize those dreams, nurturing the seeds of the vision God has placed within us; because we know that if we do not quit, if we display perseverance and endurance, we will also reap a harvest. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “By perseverance the snail reached the ark” W e need to be like that snail.
======================================================
NUGGET #12
WE CAN GROW BY OUR QUESTIONS AS WELL AS BY OUR ANSWERS.
Here are some important questions we should ask ourselves:
1. What one decision would I make if I knew that it would not fail?
2. What one thing should I eliminate from my life because it holds me back from reaching my full potential?
3. Am I on the path of something absolutely marvelous or something absolutely mediocre?
4. If everyone in the United States of America were on my level of spirituality, would there be a revival in the land?
5. Does the devil know who 1 am?
6. Am 1 running from something, or to something?
7. What can I do to make better use of my time?
8. Would I recognize Jesus i f I met Him on the street?
9. Who do I need to forgive?
10. What is my favorite scripture for me, my family, and my career?
11. What impossible thing am 1 believing and planning for?
12. What is my most prevailing thought?
13. What good thing have I committed to do that I have quit doing?
14. How have the people I respect earned that respect?
15. What would a truly creative person do in my situation?
16. What outside influences are causing me to be better or worse?
17. Can I lead anyone else to Christ?
18. In what areas do I need personal development?
19. What gifts, talents, or strengths do I have?
20. What is one thing that I can do for someone who has no opportunity to repay me?