Your 4:8 Potential

First off this morning, precious ones -I encourage you to get the book "The 4:8 Principle" by Tommy Newberry.  Much of the last weeks posts have been taken from this life changing book.  My "recommended reading" section has the link to purchase it online.

Yesterday we talked about how a positive self concept reflects our identity as God's children and enables us to reach our full potential.  Your self concept is so key to what your life looks like and where you end up.  Today and tomorrows' blog will be dedicated to sharing 8 steps that can help you take your self concept to a whole new level.  It is going to help you figure out where you are right now, and what needs to be adjusted to get you moving forward.  Remembering according to the 4:8 principle you will experience more of whatever you DWELL on!  "If you dwell on your strengths, your God-given worth, and your future potential, you will be amazed at how differently you will view yourself"   Are YOU ready!??

Step one: Recognize the true source.  Real self worth or value can ONLY come from the understanding that you have a God that is intensely in love with you, that YOU are His joy, that you understand that the foundation to be empowered to live is His love for you.  I feel like I have just now realized that the foundation for the power He has to do anything is His incredible extravagant love for us.  His power is the power of His love.  So for you to be empowered to have a life change or to understand your value or self worth has to come from the foundation of understanding His love for you.  He believes in you, and can't wait to see you start living with this revelation - He is for you NOT against you...Heaven believes in YOU!  It's huge - I KNOW!  Too many of us have based our self worth on what OTHERS think about us.  BUT if you depend on OTHERS to determine your self worth - can it be called SELF worth.  Needing approval from others is a HUGE trap.  What you are saying is-( important to get this point )- is that what they feel about you is more important than what GOD says!.  Stay focused on His promises - You have already been approved! (Jer 31:3) Your love for yourself should mirror His love for you- this is critical because you will only RECIEVE what you believe deep down you are worthy of recieving.

Step Two: Forgive others without exception - and mean it!  you must forgive everyone in your life.  (all the silly spineless, nasty, crappy, gutless, spiteful, mean, harmful, insensitive, disrestpectful,  on purpose painful things - did I leave anything out?)  Life is too short to hold on to the negative, no matter how "justified" it might seem to hold on to it.  Never let an old wound fester due to excessive attention.  When you carry around biterness, hostility and other emotional baggage, you live in the past and cannot possibly realize your potential.  This is key - it is IMPOSSIBLE to feel terrific about yourself when you are lugging aorund resentment toward another person!  Make forgiveness part of your daily ritual (I'm serious, this is REALLY important - because you can pick up offense and not even realize you are carrying it...you HAVE  to do a daily diagnostic check!) Your spiritual and emotional life depends on you becoming a "pereptual forgivenss machine!"

Step Three - Forgive yourself early and often - and mean it!- it is so important to forgive yourself without reservation for your stupid choices, inappropriate thoughts, llimiting words, negative beliefs and any other self defeating things you've ever done.  Becuase we are not perfect, (who KNEW!) this will be an ongoing process! (good to know!)  AND when you do - don't expect to feel something immediately - the emotional blessing of forgiveness often lags behind the actual act of forgiveness..just keep accepting God's grace and restoration by faith...eventually as you make this a daily practice you will begin to see the difference it is making in your life!  Remember yesterday is in the history books, you can't change it any more than you can change WW2, but TODAY you are making history~!  Guilt isn't practical- it forces you to experience the present moment while paralyzed by past mistakes.  Learning from the past is much more practical than reliving it!  Make forgiveness a daily practice

Step Four - Focus on your God-given strengths - Everyone of us has a unique design and purpose that God has prepared for us.  "This means there is no future in worshipping your weaknesses."  Forget about your shortcomings and think about God instead.  You are qualified right now to do whatever God wants you to do.  Surrender the idea that you need something or someone else to make you complete.  As a child of God you already have everything you NEED!  Stop comparing yourself with others intead focus on unyeilding self develpment.  Ask yourself repeatedly "how am I better, stronger and wiser today than I was yesterday.  Focus on improving yourself.  Concentrate on progress, not perfection. Honor God by constantly raising your standards.  If you have had a hard time figuring out what your strengths are,  ask a good friend to help you define what your strengths are.  Write them down, focus on them, and daily ask God for strategy on how improve (reading books, taking classes, serving in the church with the gifts you already have so you can build experience and watch God bless those gifts as you give them to Him!)

Okay, dear ones, it was a long one today, but I am committed to seeing all of you walking in your purpose and destiny, and ENJOYING this 'ROAD TRIP' called life...

Now...... go make Jesus famous today!

xxxoxoxoxox

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