In order for any of us to be successful in life, we have to be disciplined enough to put in the necessary work, dedication and time that is required for us to stand in the position that we hope for. Nothing comes easy in life. Everything that is worth attaining will take a special sacrifice on our part. In the bestselling book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell says that it takes roughly ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. We have to be dedicated in what we wish to attain. We have to put aside every distraction and focus on what we wish to achieve. We have to believe in ourselves and trust that the gifts that God has placed within our being is sufficient enough for us to reach that goal, dream or aspiration. (Psalm 139:14) (Isaiah 43:18)

No matter what your hearts desire may be, I want you to know that it is attainable, but you must have the discipline, the drive, the tenacity and a strong belief in yourself to reach towards that goal without wavering until you have grasped what you have sought after so diligently. Always remember that failing doesn't mean that you have failed, it just means that you found a way that does not work. Push past any failing, stand against any discouragement, rise above any naysayer and believe that you and God are a majority. If He has spoken to your heart or has placed a great dream within your being, do your absolute best to attain it and stand in your victory. Don't give in, don't give up, but continue on in faith believing until you take a hold of what was once only a dream in your heart. (Psalm 138:8) (Psalm 37:3-7)

I hope this message inspires and challenges you to believe in yourself again and reach for every goal and desire that is within your heart.


BUILDING A BOAT

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I will prepare, and some day my chance will come.” When his chance came, he was ready.

During his seminary years, one priest-in-training owned a favorite T-shirt. Across the front was emblazoned: “Expectant Father.” His chance came and he, too, was ready.

When your chance comes, will you be ready?

I know that sports stories don’t speak to everyone, but if you’ll indulge me, I think Wayne Gretzky has something powerful to teach us about preparation. Former ice hockey superstar Gretzky knew the value of being ready. He broke almost every record imaginable and is generally thought to be the greatest hockey player of all time.

“The Great One,” as he is often called, is not particularly big – he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed about 170 pounds during his career. He never skated particularly fast, his shot was not high-powered and he often placed dead last on regular strength tests administered to his team. So what made him so great?

Gretzky attributes his stardom to practice and preparation. He practiced stick handling in the off-season with a tennis ball, as the ball was harder to control than a puck. In practice he innovated. He practiced bouncing the puck off the sideboards to his teammates until that technique became a regular part of his play. Then he worked on bouncing the puck off the net. He became so accomplished at these maneuvers that he sometimes said, “People say there's only six men on the ice, but really, if you use the angle of deflection of the board, there's seven. If you count the net, that's eight. From the opening face-off, I always figure we have 'em eight-on-six.”

The Great One was so great because, when his chance came to make an impact, he was ready. And because he was ready, chances came again and again.

I’ve learned this: it doesn’t matter what awaits me just across the sea if I haven’t built a boat. 

Many years ago a friend and I were talking about a speaking engagement I had accepted in Los Angeles. “I’d love to go places and speak or lead seminars,” she said. 

I asked her, “What would you speak about? What do you want to teach?” 

“I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to write a book and lead seminars,” she said, “but I’ve never gotten around to it.”

I’ve heard her speak – she has a great ability to relate to people. She has a charismatic personality. She is intelligent and articulate. I have no doubt she could excel in such a field.

We talked about her need to develop expertise in an area about which she is passionate. We talked about how she might look for opportunities to lead local seminars and teach courses. And we talked about steps she might take toward writing her book, something she had wanted to do for years.

But after a number of years, she has still done none of those things. If her chance comes, she will not be ready. And more likely, since she is not ready, her chance will probably never come.

I often hear people say, “If only I had a chance.” Maybe it’s a chance at a new position, a bigger challenge or to do something different. Perhaps they are waiting for a chance to prove themselves or a chance to really make a difference.

But I wonder -- if I were offered that new challenge today, would I be ready to meet it? Am I prepared to take full advantage?

It’s not enough for me to dream about exotic, new places. I need to build a boat.

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 8:3-6 “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet.”

Jeremiah 33:2-3 “Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name; Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Psalm 145:14-19 “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

Psalm 138:6-8 “Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today’s Selected Poem: ENRICHING THOUGHTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem157.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony30.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry