Difference Makers - Part 1

This past week I have had the fortune to train under Bobby Soules. For those who don’t know Mr. Soules has a bit of a legacy. Here is an excerpt from the book eLeadership. "Bobby Soules is a hero at SBC. Fellow managers flock to see what he does. His employees love him. His supervisors extol his virtues." Not a bad way to start a chapter of a book. From day one I could see that Bobby Soules had something behind him. So I payed extra close attention and I’m thankful I did. Bobby was a difference maker and he started to make a difference when he walked in the room. He wasted no time either and let us know we needed to start with ourselves.
Change your thoughts.
Probably the most common excuse is people think they can’t make a difference. Well there is one important thing to remember about that. If you think you can, your right. If you think you can’t your right. You see everything you do starts with your thoughts. It’s quite a simple chain of events.
Though creates action.
Action creates habit.
Habit creates lifestyle.
Lifestyle creates character.
If you don’t believe that your thought life is that important check out what the Bible has to say about it.

For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly - Mark 7:21-22

Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death - James 1:14-15

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature - Romans 13:14

Change Your Actions.
Another common excuse I hear when it comes to people not stepping out to make a difference is they say they don’t have the skill. Well the truth is most people don’t have the skill. However that is ok. When it comes to making a difference what you need to personally possess is about 30% skill, and 70% attitude. Think about Moses. He didn’t possess the skill that where needed to free his people from Egypt. He was a studdering, murderer who was confused about his heritage. What he had was the right attitude. So let’s look how you can change your attitude.
1.No Whinning – Be Grateful
Do all that you do cheerfully as unto the Lord and not unto men. - Colossians 3:23
2.No Frowning – Smile More
I will leave off my sad countenance and be cheerful – Job 9:27
3.No Grumbling – Have peace
Do everything without complaining or arguing – Philippians 2:14
4.Don’t show anger – Show joy
Better a patient man than a warrior; a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city – Proverbs 16:32
5.Don’t be disrespectful – Show reverence
Honor one another above yourselves - Romans 12:10
6.Don’t be selfish – Give willingly
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4
7.Don’t be stubborn – Ask for forgiveness
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:8-9

Take Ownership
So if God has a plan for us, if we submit to that plan there is something very important to remember. If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me. Take one of Jesus’s parables found in Matthew 25:14-30. Here is a story of a ruler who when out of the land and left his servants with money. In the scripture the money was called talents which is more than a thousand dollars. Two servants took what they where given and made the best they could out of it. They increased the money they where given. They took action, took ownership and made a profit. One big one small but both where told "Well done good and faithful servants." The other servent took the money and hid it in the ground and did nothing with it. He was scared because it wasn’t his money. He didn’t take ownership and his thoughts and actions deceived him because he was stripped of the money given him and it was given to the other servants.

There is a serious lesson to be learned here. First off, if you want better things in life. Make better choices. It’s really clear that the wise choices lead to a measure of success and that those where both well rewarded. Also take care of your talents if you don’t it will be given to someone else. God has a goal for you and he has given you the talents to do it. If you don’t then someone else will be reaching your goals. It really comes down to taking ownership for your life and making better choices for it. You can’t do the same things over and over and expect different results.

But don’t worry. You don’t have to do this by yourselves. You have help, you have been given strength and the tools you need to make these changes.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10

Lets face it without this help we are useless to try to change ourselves.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

So today I will pray that each of you have the strength to renew yourselves in Christ. As always if anyone has prayer request or need help, please contact me.