Monitor Your Input
February 16th, 2007 | Michael Pink
I want to continue the discussion today on the first thing that affects our results and that is the INPUT we allow through what we watch, listen to or read, etc. This one is so important that if we only focused on getting the right input, the desired result would be inevitable.
Stay with me a moment. Suppose you marinated your mind in the Scriptures, read and listened to teaching materials that inspired and instructed, avoided gossip, shut down negative and licentious input and spent time alone with the Father. Your thoughts would inescapably be centered in good things (Phi 4:8), which unavoidably get into your heart, from the abundance of which comes your words which steer your course of actions, determining your habits. Aren’t our consistent actions (habits) what produce the results we are experiencing? Not sure? Look in the mirror and see if you can guess what kind of consistent actions (or lack thereof) are evidenced by the result you see.
If you don’t like where you are, look where you’ve been. They’re connected. It’s painful, but true. However, we can change that - Right now. You’ve already made a good decision by reading this email/blog. Subscribe to others like Os Hillman’s TGIF. Before retiring for the evening in front of the television and watching many programs you don’t even like, set aside an hour and get some good input from others who have achieved what you want to achieve. Spend a few bucks and get some DVD’s like our very popular Taking Back the Gates conference featuring many highly successful Christian entrepreneurs.
In fact, we have been researching some absolutely outstanding sources of input. Ones that are significantly impacting my life and we plan on sharing them with you soon - Probably in March. The point is that there are many excellent sources of INPUT and we all need to partake of them more often.
To be continued…
P.S. I have two events to tell you about. I am speaking at the BusinessLeadershipSchool hosted by Strategic Christian Services and my mentor Dennis Peacocke in Santa Rosa, CA Feb 22 – 24. See www.scsbusiness.org for details.
On that same weekend in San Antonio, TX is another great conference geared towards folks who want their own family business operated online. Some remarkable speakers with phenomenal success stories and how to application will be there as well. See http://pink.familye-biz.com for details.
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February 19th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Excellent post pertaining to Phil 4:8! I would add “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he will be”
February 19th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Yes, it is true we need to submerge ourselves in the truth and good things of the Word of God. Does that, however, require that we are to be wordly ignorant of what is going on in our government and the globalist agenda directing it with the directive of desroying our sovereign nation?
I would hope that after reading scripture and serving the body of Christ at church that it would instill strength of spirit and courage to address these issues to hold off the serious consequences this country is heading for. Or, maybe we are just suppose to live in our quaint spiritual lala land.
Dr. Stephen C. L’Hommedieu, DC
February 19th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Stephen… You already know the answer to your question. The church has been preoccupied with building the church but in my opinion has done very little in the political arena, the business arena, the arts arena, the media arena, etc. If we rise up and involve ourselves appropriately in the various fields we are called to and take responsibility in the areas you have mentioned, we can change the outcome.
February 19th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Excellent point Michael. I find when reading the OT, that God-fearing individuals where found at the “gate” of the city (seat of authority). I also find that Paul was very knowledgeable of learned and political matters. In addition, even though it does not expound upon the fact that many of the disciples mentioned throughout the Book of Acts were from various places, the fact that they were, would give support that the early Christian Community was aware of a much larger community.
A clsoing though on the either or question posed: I do not see anywhere in the Word of God that it indicates our life here on earth is to be anything less than what Jesus’ was, and he was fully devoted to His assignment. I know of many kingdom-minded individuals who are involved in our government, as this is their calling, I also know of just as many that could not tell you anything more than who the president is because they are meeting the needs of street people and do not have the time.
All of which is to agree with the thought that as we begin to unite within the kingdom of God and support the differences each family member has, we will begin to see more and more lost ground reclaimed in the name of Jesus because of the love we share one with the other.
Shalom,
February 19th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Good point Bob. It shows why we need each other. We each have God-given gifts and need to use them to bring glory to God.
I agree with Micahel taht the church has been to busy building itself and, I would add, on doctrinal issues, and not enough time influencing our culture and world.
One of the reasons that I beliee the next revival will come from the workplace is that the church has become irrelevant to a growing segment of society. There are many who are open to God, but don’t want to become a “christian”.
February 19th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Your right Bob, Jesus was fully devoted to the purpose given Him. And yes, we all should be devoted to our calling whatever that may be the Lord has put in our hearts.
But at this time in history there are activities occurring that require the awareness of Christians, all Christians, not only those that feel they have a calling, because it affects evryone.
It is at a time when our congress has sold out this nation and there are too few to oppose them. It is only the whole Christian community taking a stand that can hold off this out-of-control process.
Those holding prominent positions seemed to be more concerned with self-preserving interests and maintaining political correctness than doing anything that concerns taking a strong position to preserve the spiritual foundation this country was founded upon. This is not implied to Michael.
So what do we do? We become more Christ-like? I’m asking what does that mean in this situation?
Of course, the problem I see is that God told us that there would be a New World Order. Maybe we are to just act as sheep led to slaughter?
February 20th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Shalom, Stephen:
I do not anywhere in God’s Guideline for living that we should have anything but FREEDOM, rejoicing in this reality, asd well as investing most of our time in relishing in what THAT really means for us now (during this blink of an existence) and for eternity!
With this being stated, I am not saying that we do not have tribulations, especially since we are told in Corinthians that we will have them…but it is followed with the encouragement that (my paraphrase) we have a good testimony coming! Since we are told that we are led into victory ALL the time, whatever we encounter is no more than an opportunity to:
1) Reduce the size of the log in our eye - so we can better discern the needs of others - from an inward view as opposed to an outward one.
2. Have the dross scooped from our live in order to become that vessel of honor that He would use to set the captives free.
Both of these are basically saying that when we encounter adveristy, what we are made of surafces, thus, allowing us to remove more of the “old things” and become new!
I couldn’t ell you, or anyone, what exactly these individuals you are referring to hold in their heart. I don’t know how much they have had to overcome to get to the place they are at. And, I certainly do not know the pressures they have to walk through every single day.
What I do know, and this is from the bottom of my soul: those of us that are kingdom-minded, bought and paid for and have been set straight on the course our Hevaenly Father has for us should begin to seek unity within the body, casting off every single accusation the Accuser of the Brethren brings to our minds and fight back with words of affirmation, encouragement, and compassion.
I was beat down for many years by Christians who always wanted to bring up the dark and doubtful; and I have only within the last 5 years begun to break free of those mindsets that sucked up over 2 decades of new life that should have been lived as a joint-heir that would one day rule nations, instead of one who was constantly looking at the faults and failings of myself and others.
They will know we are His by our agape, one for another.
Shalom