I can remember reading a fitness article a long time ago saying you need to picture yourself getting stronger while in the gym.  Now, the key is you also have to work out while you’re there!  When I read it, I have to confess that I thought it was a bunch of junk, but now I’m not so sure.  Not because of just physical fitness, but because of a universal principle.

The way you see yourself pulls you toward that image as your future.   Those who see themselves as intelligent, move the direction of good grades and honor’s classes. People who think of themselves as movers and shakers tend to do a lot of moving and shaking.  It’s not the results first and the action later, but the thought or mindset first, then the results.

Those who see themselves as fat and hopelessly addicted to food, eat too much.  They sabotage their own future by picturing it in their minds.  “I always eat too much, or whatever they put on my plate, I’m gonna eat it!”  So, they do.

The Bible shares with us that God chose us and that this decision caused Him great delight, therefore, we are beautiful in God’s eyes.  When you start seeing yourself as the beautiful child of God that is worth dying for, guess what?  It starts impacting your decisions for the day, the places you go, the people you hang around.  You start acting and looking a lot more like God.

You are no longer a slave to fear, bad past, mistakes, habits, hurts, hang-ups, or anything else you can name.  You are a child of God.  Say it out loud, “I am a child of God.”  And, keep saying it and you’ll start to live that way and be renewed from the inside out.

Some of us are just too good at expecting failure.  If you’re conjuring up a future that hasn’t even happened yet, and exaggerating the worst possible scenario, it’s no wonder you’re stressed.

Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to do the opposite?  Like, what if we imagined having success in advance instead of failure?  What if we got good at visualizing the best possible outcomes before they happen?

Throughout the Scripture, God was always trying to get His people to see the possibilities instead of the problems.  Whether it was a Red Sea, enemy forces, sickness or even death, God imagines what could be a good outcome.

Picturing the desired results and announcing it is an effective way to push yourself toward that action.  Sure, it’s scary to step out in faith, but it’s even worse to sit back and turn into a complainer who claims everyone gets all the breaks.

If you expect rejection, it’s a lot easier to live a mediocre life. But, who wants to live with that strategy? Better to attempt making it great now rather than mourn failure later.

Get out there and attempt something great for God and let your friends notice who’s expecting now.

Over the past two weeks we’ve been looking at the story of Nehemiah to learn how to make a difference.  The reason is, there’s something inside of each of us that wants to make a difference.

One of the first things we learned is you start with a burden.  What breaks your heart that also breaks the heart of God?  For some it might be human trafficking, or child poverty, and for others illiteracy.  There are countless other causes of course.  But, to change the world it has to be YOUR burden, YOUR cause, YOUR sense of calling.

Next, you pray about it and seek the face of God asking what He would have you to do.  You look around for Him to point out others in your life that can help you in your dream after they see your passion.

Then, you must get clarity on what it is that you will do to make a difference.  What exactly is it you feel you must do?  If you can’t define it, you can’t do it.  Take it from something broad “I want to help poor people” to “I want to help these poor people that live here.”

Get your plan put together.  This is where the homework comes in.  You have to talk to people, read, listen to lectures, and go tour locations to come up with a strategy.  You don’t have to have the whole thing figured out, but what is your next step?  Don’t let yourself freeze up.  Get up and take the next step no matter how small it is today, then tomorrow take the next step, then the next, then the next and keep going.

John Wesley said, “Light yourself on fire and people will come from miles around to watch you burn.”  What can you get lit up about?  What passion do you have that stirs your soul?  Does it involve kids, youth, seniors, disabled, poor, ethnic, near or far away?  My challenge to you is find out what it is and get so on fire about it that it spreads and makes a difference.

Just yesterday our nation remembered the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  His leadership helped pull the nation together in a non-violent way to confront racism.  He truly had an incredible impact upon our country in a time of unsettledness.  The power of his words stirred the hearts of many and brought hope of change.

In much the same way, Nehemiah of the Old Testament was used of God to bring hope and vision to those who had lost it.  His inspiring words and personal courage led people to do more than they had done before.

This weekend, we launch a new four-week series called NEHEMIAH: Making A Difference.  What we will learn is that Nehemiah wasn’t anything special, extraordinary or overly gifted.  But, he was simply willing to be used and gave everything he had to make a difference.  This series will inspire, challenge and encourage you to be more than are right now.  Discover the passion, drive, and power to make a difference in this world.

Also, to have greater impact, join a small group experience during this series.  You can sign up for Life Groups from our website: www.crossroadsavon.com

Guest post by John Money:

The Lord loves when His people seek Him in prayer and fasting.  He loves that we are seeking Him as a church body and as individuals during this 21 day time of fasting and prayer.

I wholeheartedly believe that many in our church body will be receiving a fresh calling from the Lord during our time of fasting together.  Jesus wants us to make disciples and he wants to send us on missions for Him.

Prayer and fasting can get you to the place of receiving a fresh calling/mission from the Lord.  Barnabas and Saul received their call to church planting and world missions while they were fasting and praying at their home church in Antioch.  At the time, neither of them were lead pastors.  The Lord had big plans for them and He spoke during their fast.

² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3)

I am excited about what the Lord is doing to grow His kingdom and expect that He will bring clarity of calling to many within our church who are seeking His purpose for their lives.

He may be calling you to a new level of service.  I pray that you hear Him speaking by his Holy Spirit as he says, “Set apart for me……for the work to which I have called them.”

We have many ways of checking in with people, “What’s up?”, “What’s happening?”, or these days “Sup” (for texting).  I’m just wondering what your reply is when asked?  Are you excited to tell them the answer?  Are you doing something so incredible with your life that you can’t wait to share it?  I hope so, because if not, you’re not living a life of purpose. 

As a Christian that believes you were put here on this planet for a divine purpose and destiny, your answer can’t be, “Nothin’ much.” 

No matter who you are married to, where you work, or what challenges you face, there’s a way to birth a dream for an incredible purpose.  Jesus was born in a cave (or stable if you prefer).  But, Oh what a dream that was launched! 

Sure, there are always excuses for not doing something great with your life, but a full devoted follower of Jesus won’t tolerate them.  There’s just not enough time to waste it meandering around. 

What vision do you think God might have for your life?  What great thing have you ever sensed God calling you to do?  Then, go do it.  Take a step today.

This past Sunday I reminded our congregation that God has a vision for your life.  Not just some lives, but all.  No one is here by accident and therefore each of us has a role to fulfill in God’s grand story.  How are you doing with yours?  I need to ask that because it is far too easy for us to get caught up in mindless work, texting, email, web searches and hide from the vision God has for us. 

The constant barrage of information and inputs deliver a perfect distraction from living a life that matters.  By asking yourself if you’re living God’s true vision, it brings you face to face with the truth. 

Only when we allow ourselves to turn off the noise can we hear the voice of God.  The alternative is an hour after you have kept up with the world. you may not have anything to show for it.  Sure, you know that some movie star is splitting with their spouse, but what have you done to change the world? 

There are millions and millions of us busy searching the internet, connecting, responding, and wasting a lot of time.  Here’s an experiment:  turn off the noise for a while and see what happens to your productivity.  Do you find yourself getting more done?  Doing work that really matters?  Living more of your divine destiny?