The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election

July 5, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , , Leave a comment

Noah's Ark

Noah’s Ark

Quote: “Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or church assemblies. God alone makes them!” – J. Oswald Sanders

One morning my brother-in-law was mowing the lawn and saw his little 5-year-old boy, Jacob, standing on the neighbor’s patio in front of their patio glass door peering inside their house.  As my brother-in-law quietly walked over to see what Jacob was doing, he could hear the neighbor’s large dog inside the house barking loudly at Jacob.  Surprisingly, Jacob was not afraid of the barking dog. Instead, with his fire engine red hair, he was bent over staring squarely at the disgruntled dog – behind the glass door no matter – and saying, “You want a piece of me. You want a piece of me…”  Something tells me that my nephew is not only a very funny little boy, but also a future leader in the making!

When we look at the great spiritual leaders of the Bible like Noah, Elijah, and Paul, to name a few, there is one thing I observe that they all had in common.  Each of them were willing to stand strong in the face of adversity to complete the leadership assignment that God had specifically called each one of them to accomplish for Him. I believe the reason they were able to do this is not because of any natural courage they possessed as leaders, but rather because of their faith in God to supernaturally protect them, empower them, and provide for them everything they needed to fulfill God’s special call on their lives.  Each one of them possessed a supernatural courage that only comes from personally knowing God, obeying Him, and knowing that He was for them regardless of the adverse situations they had to face. If this was not so, Noah would have never been able to continue building the ark in the face of community ridicule, Elijah would have run scared from the prophets of Baal, and Paul would have wallowed in self pity as a shackled prisoner in chains. 

I’ve heard it said that just because a person stands in a garage, it doesn’t make them a car. Well, the same is true of spiritual leaders. Just because someone has a leadership position given by men, it doesn’t make them a spiritual leader anointed by God.  Spiritual leaders are specially elected and qualified by God alone through the purifying tests and trials of each person’s specific faith walk and supernatural calling in God.  Psalms 75:6-7 states, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” Additionally, the Lord makes it clear in His Word that He establishes all positions of authority including spiritual authority. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 of The Living Bible states, “Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength.” Therefore, with a spirit of faith and humility, be the spiritual leader that God specifically makes you to be as He qualifies you completely to fulfill His special call and leadership assignment on your life!

The Make It Happen Servant Leadership Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Led By Servant Leaders!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Special Election, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide

February 26, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Quote: “Faithfulness is the courage to incarnate the gospel in creative ways!” – Mark Batterson

Have you ever wondered about the strength and magnitude of a powerful rising tide that indiscriminately raises all ships?  Think about it for a moment.  No matter what, when a tide rises, it raises all floating ships.  There is no escaping a rising tide; therefore, the only thing a ship can do is rise with the tide as it rolls in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe that a rising tide that raises all ships is like people who possess an abundance mentality and seek to win in life by helping other people win in life.  Through the indiscriminate use of their extraordinary God-given talent and potential, abundant thinking people understand the principle of sowing and reaping and realize that as they work to help other people win, they too will win.  In other words, if they help raise the success tide for other people, professionally and personally, the principle of sowing and reaping will raise the success tide for them as well.  The supernatural kingdom effect of abundance thinking inspired by the infinite goodness and mercy of God is as real and powerful as a natural rising tide. 

So then why don’t people naturally embrace an abundance mentality that helps other people win in life?  I believe it is because people have lost a primal wonder of how abundantly great and good God’s nature is in our own lives and have replaced it with a misdirected primal self-reliance on our human nature which is mostly scarce and competitive in an unredeemed state.  In fact, our society emphasizes and reinforces competitive behaviors from very early in life where we are taught that to win, someone else must lose.  As a result, we are effectively programmed to think that helping others will cause us to lose what is actually not even ours in the first place.  When we do this, we believe there isn’t enough of God’s goodness to go around for everyone; but, this is simply not true because Psalms 23:6 states, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”  Therefore, if you don’t possess such a primal abundance mentality inspired by God, you may think that the only way you can become successful in life is if other people fail in life.  Then, selfish human nature will likely cause you to work against the tide by trying to sink other people’s ships rather than helping to sail their ships.  Unfortunately, this will wear you out and actually work against you in the end.

Thomas Edison believed that there is actually more opportunity than there are people to see it; therefore, instead of draining your energy working against people, start thinking like Thomas Edison and begin sharing your thoughts, time, power, influence, knowledge, praise, finances, love, respect, beliefs, authority, talents, strengths, and potential with other people to help them win in life.  When you give from an abundant heart grounded in the love of God, God will see that your generosity is returned back to you and so much more.  Your life success will actually grow as you help other people become successful in life, just like the rising tide that raises all ships.  With a spirit of faith and generosity, don’t be afraid of becoming a primal tide of God’s abundant goodness and mercy towards others, but rather abundantly celebrate God-given opportunities to help others rise in life and enjoy the primal tide of God’s abundant goodness and mercy in your life as well!

The Make It Happen Abundant Celebration Value: “Make It Happen” People Celebrate Accomplishments Abundantly!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Primal Tide, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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The Make It Happen Moment ® Embrace Life

February 12, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , 3 Comments

Quote: “Look forward to the harvest, and remember, where there is struggle, there is life!” – Zig Ziglar

One day I was struggling with some difficult life circumstances, so in my office at work I inquired of the Lord about the matter.  “Lord, why is this happening to me?  I know that You are building my character in this situation, but I don’t understand why it has to be like this.”  Before I could descend too far into a pity party, I heard the Lord respond in His still small voice, “This is happening to you because through it, I am putting a message in you that when it comes out, it will be all Me!”  Now that gave me something to seriously ponder…the Lord wanted to use me (Wow!), but He needed to work out some things in my character before He could do so (Ouch!).  Furthermore, in the midst of my troubling circumstances, the Lord encouraged me regarding His perfect plan and purpose for my life, and even though I didn’t fully understand the struggle, with His abiding presence, I knew I could rest in the peace of Psalm 18:3 as the Psalmist David, declaring in my spirit, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!” 

The Lord is so awesome that He has since helped me to even better understand what He was talking about when He spoke to me on that day in my office. In a teaching, Jewish Rabbi, Curt Landry, shared that the making of a Jewish Shofar – a holy trumpet – actually represents how the Lord shapes and molds each of us into a holy vessel separated unto Him for His kingdom use and glory.  In Rabbi Landry’s lesson, he taught that in order for a Shofar to exist, an animal has to first give its life so that the horn can be cut away for use as a Shofar.  This symbolizes the death that each of us experiences when we first give our life to the Lord and are spiritually born new in Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul clearly explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:17 stating, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  Then, after the horn is cut away, the priest puts the horn in boiling water so that it will become soft and malleable – able to be shaped by his hands.  This represents how the Lord, our Perfect High Priest, will allow the tests and trials of life to soften us, shape us, and develop a teachable spirit within us.  Once the horn is taken out of the boiling water, the priest then twists and turns it in a special way so that it will be able to produce the right joyful sound unto the Lord.  This represents how the Lord will allow difficult life challenges like the one I was experiencing to directly prepare us for His specific calling and perfect purpose for our lives that will bring Him glory. 

Lastly, the priest puts the handcrafted vessel in a dry wilderness place to let it properly dry out before drilling the small pointed end of it to complete the mouthpiece necessary for making the joyful sound for which the Shofar was created.  This represents the lonely time period when the Lord is perfecting our total dependence upon Him before He fully releases us into our anointed calling for which He created us.  While such a time may feel like the Lord has abandoned us, I have found that it is in this time that we actually discover His faithfulness to His promise in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave us nor forsake us as well as learn the benefits found in James 1:4 of letting patience have its perfect work in us so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing in God. Therefore, with a spirit of faith and commitment, embrace life and all its struggles because God is in complete control, shaping and preparing us for His perfect plan and destiny in His kingdom.

The Make It Happen Abundant People Value: “Make It Happen” People Possess A Positive Attitude!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Embrace Life Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Embrace Life, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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Inheriting The Promises Of God

February 5, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Leadership Insights , , , , , , 4 Comments

Hebrews 6:11-12 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” NKJV

Do you know that inheriting the promises of God in our lives is more like a marathon race rather than a sprint race? Not sure. Well then, let me ask you to consider Noah. He didn’t build the ark in a day. It took more like 100 years to build the ark. Or what about David? He didn’t become king overnight. No, it took many years of running for his life before he became the king of Israel. Or how about Abraham? Did he become the father of many nations in a week?  No, he didn’t.  For each of these heroes of faith, it took a long time for the promises of God to be fulfilled in their respective lives.  Unfortunately, it is no different for you and I; therefore, the sobering reality is that inheriting the promises of God in our lives is definitely more like a marathon race and not a sprint race.

If you have ever run a 10k race (6.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), and a marathon (26.2 miles), you quickly discover that there is most definitely a difference between each of these races. In fact, running a marathon race versus a sprint race requires another whole level of discipline and painstaking diligence in order to successfully run the race to the end.  With that said, it’s interesting to me that the writer of Hebrews 6:11 says that we “should show the same diligence until the full assurance of hope until the end” indicating that the race of faith will require diligence to finish.

Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines diligence as: persevering application; being diligent is characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : PAINSTAKING

In other words being diligent is not easy. Notice that I didn’t say doing diligence. Being diligent is not a doing work, but rather a PAINSTAKING being work in and through us as we run the race of faith and persevere in our faith to the full assurance of hope until the end. Furthermore, being diligent in a persevering application of faith requires patience. For example, constructing  a new building  takes a persevering application of faith and patience. Launching a new campus or a new business takes a persevering application of faith and patience. In fact James 1:4 states, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” NKJV

In my devotional studies, I’ve learned from Rick Renner’s, Sparkling Gems From The Greek, that the word patience comes from the Greek word hupomeno which means “having the kind of attitude that hangs in there no matter what, never gives up, refuses to surrender to obstacles, and turns down every opportunity to quit.” So then, let me ask this question. Where do you think this kind of staying power or patience comes from?  The Bible says that it comes from the Holy Spirit and is in fact one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 states,  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” NLT 

When we have the Holy Spirit fruit of patience operating in our lives, nothing can stop us, nothing can break us, no challenge is too difficult for us, no opposition is too fearful, and no dream is too big…because God is WITH us and He is FOR us!

As an illustration let me share how the Holy Spirit fruit of patience helped me to successfully complete the 2007 Florida Ironman triathlon. In the days leading up to the race, I have to be honest that I was a little nervous and a lot afraid, especially when two nights before the race at the kick-off dinner for the athletes, a short video was shown of the prior year race.  I’m not sure if it was meant to encourage me or what, but what it did do was scare the heck out of me.  After watching 2,500 people run into the water like penguins at the north pole and start swimming out into the deep blue ocean one on top of the other for 2.4 miles, I thought…I’m gonna die.  And if I don’t die in the water…how in the world am I going to ride my bike 112 miles and THEN run a 26.2 mile marathon.  I couldn’t help but think, WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Seriously though, I had intimidating thoughts that I might not be able to finish the race. I also had fearful thoughts that my body might just shut down and quit on me.  Did I properly count the cost in my training or was I going to look foolish by not being able to finish what I started? Did I really hear from the Lord about doing the race or was I just trying to find my identity in something outside of Him? As I was wrestling with these questions in my mind the day before the race, the Lord encouraged me that He was with me and that the whole thing was about learning to be patient in Him…learning patience in the 3 years of training that it took to properly prepare for the Ironman and learning patience during the most significant physical challenge of my life at that time.  

So early in the morning around 4 am on Race day, I got up and went on the balcony of our condo overlooking the beach to spend time with the Lord and pray for the patience and strength I would need for the day in order to finish the race. I asked the Lord to be with me throughout the day and I prayed Isaiah 40:31 for His supernatural patience and strength during the race.

“But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

All through-out the race, I prayed this verse in my spirit, took my thoughts captive, and enjoyed my race with the Lord.  When I finished the swim, I was so excited that I had not actually drowned, I couldn’t stop thanking the Lord for being done with that stage and actually being alive… I finished the swim in 1 hr 18 minutes which was a great time for me.

On the bike, I was trained well and was staying disciplined to my heart rate training…no more than 78% of my maximum heart rate; however, 70 miles into the race, I experienced a sharp opposing headwind which caused me to have to drop my pace to around 15 mph instead of the 20 mph that I trained for and had set as a goal.  In fact, at mile 90, the headwind had been so persistent for 20 miles that I had to stop on side of the road to take a short break and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to get some needed strength and refreshment.

Do you know that when we are taking steps of faith and begin moving in the direction of God’s promises for our lives, it is very likely that we may experience opposition from the enemy; therefore, we must be prepared for it and respond with a continued persevering application of faith and patience. Plus, when we are in a long enduring season of faith, we have to remain disciplined in persevering applications of faith and patience if we are going to inherit the promises of God…because all seasons eventually change if we don’t give up. Daily prayer, bible reading, small group, fasting, praise, and refreshing in the Holy Spirit are all great spiritual disciplines that can help us build faith and patience on our journey towards the inheritance of God’s promises in our life. 

At mile 106, the headwind turned into an awesome tailwind and I finished the bike stage at 6 hrs and 15 min which was about 30 minutes later than my training goal.

As I started into the 26.2 mile marathon run, my wife and children along with my mother-in-law and father-in-law were all there to encourage me and cheer me on which was a huge boost for me.  And then 6.5 miles later, my parents, my sisters, my brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews were all at the other end of a 13.1 mile loop to continue cheering me on and encouraging me to finish the race.  Their encouragement and support reminded me of the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 that watch us as we run the race of faith in Christ.  Hebrews 12:1-2 states,  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” NKJV

Having my family cheer and support me at critical stages of the race was a huge encouragement that helped me run the race with endurance.  It is the same way for each of us in our personal races of faith in Christ.  Having spiritual family there to support you in the midst of life’s challenges, obstacles, hopes, and dreams is a huge part of the endurance success factor.  As I ran and took each step towards the finish line, I continued praying in the spirit as I thanked God for my family, thanked God for the beautiful sunset, and thanked Him for the ability to actually run the race. In fact, when I crossed the finish line after a long race of 12 hrs and 53 minutes, I walked across the line with my arms raised in the air giving all praise and glory to my heavenly Father for being with me the whole way and giving me everything I needed to strongly finish the race. And lastly, it was a great joy to see my training partner also finish strong and cross the finish line fulfilling our mutual commitment to run the race of life together in the wisdom of Proverbs 27:17 which states in the New International Version of the Bible that “As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another.”  

Finishing Is Better Than Starting. Patience Is Better Than Pride

Topping it all off as God generally likes to do, later that week after the race was over, in my devotional time with the Lord, He led me to discover the scripture verse of Ecclesiastes 7:8 in the New Living Translation of the Bible which states, “Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” How awesome is that?  As a certified finisher of the 2007 Florida Ironman, I can personally testify that finishing is certainly better than starting and patience is certainly better than pride. How much more awesome will it be when you and I inherit the fullness of the promises of God through faith and patience as we cross the finish line of our race of faith in Christ? So my prayer is that you will inherit the promises of God in your life through faith and patience by hanging in the race of faith no matter what, never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles, and turning down every opportunity to quit because God is with you and He is for you! Amen!

For a cool short video recap of the 2007 Florida Ironman race, Click Here.

Inheriting The Promises Of God Copyright 2012, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint the leadership article, Inheriting The Promises Of God, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

End Of The Spear

December 18, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede Leadership Insights , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Nate Saint

When Steve Saint was only five years old, his father Nate Saint, left on a plane with four other missionaries – Jim Elliott, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming – to reach the indigenous savage people group known as the Auca Indians.  On the day his father left, little young Steve did not know that his father and the other missionaries would all be speared to death by the Waodani tribe and he would never see his father again.  However, instead of allowing this tragic experience to mark his life with bitterness and unforgiveness, Steve learned how to forgive the men who killed his father by actually going to live with his aunt among the Waodani tribe when he was 10 years old.  Through his family’s tenacious missionary efforts and Steve’s willingness to forgive his father’s transgressors, the Waodani people became believers in Christ.  Through Steve’s outrageous act of love and forgiveness, the man who actually killed Steve’s father was transformed by God and became Steve’s brother in Christ – powerfully demonstrating the good news of the Gospel.

The Power of Forgiveness

I’ve heard it said that there is nothing more powerful in human affairs than the act of forgiving the least and even the most unforgivable offenses.  I believe this is true simply because of the reality of the Cross in my own life.  At the Cross, Jesus looked at His guilty offenders (you and I through the sin of Adam) and He forgave us by freely giving His life that we might have life.  Like Jesus, Steve Saint’s father, Nate Saint, gave his life as a martyr so that others – guilty offenders – might have an opportunity to receive the power of forgiveness through the Cross.  As a legacy to his father’s martyred life, Steve pressed through his painful loss to help complete his father’s mission by demonstrating the power of the gospel through the incontestable act of forgiving his father’s killers.  What else can the heart of a person do but melt at the foot of the Cross, when they have committed an unthinkable, unpardonable sin against another and that person chooses to forgive their offense.

Give What You Cannot Keep To Gain What You Cannot Lose

In his life, Steve Saint quotes one of the missionaries killed with his father as saying, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” From his painful life experiences, it is evident that Steve learned how to allow what the enemy meant for evil to be turned to good by giving into his heavenly Father’s hands what he could not keep – his relationship with his natural father – in return for the eternal life of his father’s killers and many others through the powerful demonstration of the gospel in his own everyday life.  In fact, it has been written about Steve that his life has been shaped by James 4:17 and other similar verses stating, “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do, but doesn’t do it, sins.” With such a powerful verse shaping Steve’s life, it is no wonder the powerful impact that he is having in his missionary efforts around the world. 

Dead Faith Is Worthless

In my opinion, Steve Saint’s everyday faith is an inspirational testament to the responsibility that all Christ followers have to fulfill the Great Commission by demonstrating our own faith through good works that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. About the purpose and course of his life, Steve Saint states, “I have long dreaded the thought of getting to the end of life and regretting that I allowed my own timidity or other people’s expectations to determine the course of my life. I had decided at a much younger age that several of my beliefs should determine the course of my life.  I believe that Waengongi, the Creator, has an epic script into which my minute presence has been written.” For “Great Commission” works to be fulfilled and completed in each of our lives, I believe that all Christ-followers must believe as Steve Saint, that our Creator – Father God – has a good plan for each of us and He will be faithful to complete the good work He begins in us as the Author and the Finisher of our faith.  And if we dare to be so bold to believe the fullness of God’s Word for our own lives, we would have no need to be concerned with “dead faith” which Steve says “is as worthless as a 5-day old chewed up piece of gum.”  Therefore, as we live life at the end of the spear, trusting the Lord to teach us all things, lead us into all truth, and direct our steps on a daring faith adventure into eternity with Him, may our faith never be dead on the journey.

Question: As a Christ follower in the marketplace, how do you live your life at the “end of the spear”?  

End of the Spear Copyright 2011, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint the leadership article, End of the Spear, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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The Make It Happen Moment ® Lion Chase

December 8, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , , Leave a comment

Quote: “Lion chasers don’t hide from the things they fear.  They chase lions into pits!” – Mark Batterson

Contemplating my future, I fought some momentary bouts of fear in my mind as I answered personal questions of faith and destiny.  Would I let the safety and security of more than 16 years of dedicated service as a corporate leader supersede my faith in God and possibly steal the adventure and excitement of completely fulfilling my destiny in the Lord? Would I be content as a lion caged by the safe confines of a certain job or would I embrace a potential departure into a faith-filled future as a lion chaser in the kingdom of God?  With the peace of God in my heart and the support of family, natural and spiritual, I overcame my fear and embraced what many might consider unthinkable, crazy, reckless – I gave up the emotional safety net in a steady tenured company position, for instead, a steadfast trust in the Lord to direct my steps into the good plan that He has for me as a lion chaser in His kingdom!   

Spiritually speaking, do you know the oldest strategy in the devil’s toolkit is to try to steal, kill, and destroy our destiny in God through personal fear and intimidation in our minds?  In fact, 1 Peter 5:8 states, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  Notice the Word of God says that the devil walks about like a roaring lion; therefore, we can conclude that he really isn’t a lion at all, but rather, he’s nothing but a lying devil.  His roar is only meant to scare us through fear and his false accusations in our minds are only meant to intimidate us into thinking that we must live our lives less than the full potential that God has destined for us. 

But praise God that the devil was totally and completely defeated by Jesus at the Cross of Calvary and not only that, Jesus has given us His authority to put the devil completely under our feet.  In Luke 10:19 Jesus says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy [the devil and all his demons], and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  This means that we don’t have to be “fraidy” cats when the devil is trying to steal our destiny in God by holding us captive to our personal fears.  Instead, as believers with a spirit of faith as well as the mind of Christ, we can be lion chasers in the kingdom of God with the authority in Christ to chase the devil into a pit and totally overcome his scare tactics in the battlefield of our minds!

Furthermore, Romans 8:31 states, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Believing in the present that God is for us and not against us makes all the difference when leaving yesterday’s memory and reaching for tomorrow’s dream.  In chasing our God-given dreams, lion chasers choose to believe God and seek Him because Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  With a spirit of faith, embrace your future and your destiny in the Lord as a lion chaser who believes God because with Him all things are possible!

The Make It Happen Risk-Taking Value: “Make It Happen” People Takes Risks In The Pursuit Of Excellence!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Lion Chase Copyright 2010, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Lion Chase, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

The Make It Happen Moment ® Faith In Action

October 24, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , , , Leave a comment

Care Bear Portrait

Care Bears

Quote: “I couldn’t care more!” – John Maxwell

Have you ever observed someone who cares so much that they live life full of energy and passion to serve others and solve problems that make a difference in life?  Perhaps some additional qualities come to mind when thinking of people whom possess such enthusiasm for life:

  • An infectious positive attitude
  • A compassionate heart willing to meet the needs of others
  • A flexible nature able to embrace, accept, and create change for the better
  • An unexplainable optimism in the midst of uncertainty
  • A teachable spirit full of curiosity and desire to discover the unknown

Unfortunately, I think many people find it difficult to naturally demonstrate this kind of enthusiasm for life on a consistent basis because this kind of enthusiasm isn’t found naturally, but rather supernaturally through faith.  A writer named Henry Chester stated that “enthusiasm is…no more or less than faith in action.”  So then what is “faith in action”? Romans 10:17 says that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  The Apostle James encourages us to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only.”  Therefore, faith in action – enthusiasm – simply means hearing the Word of God and doing it in real life terms. When someone has this kind of faith operating in their lives, it becomes easy to be enthusiastic about doing things that make a difference in the lives of others because the Lord tells us in Matthew 25:40 that when we take care of the needs of others, we actually take care of Him.  As you ponder this reality, the compassion of the Lord will stir your faith into action and move you to enthusiastically serve others with the heart of God.  Giving glory and honor to the Lord, the Author and Finisher of our faith, enthusiastically serve others and solve problems that make a difference in life!

The Make It Happen Service Enthusiasm Value: “Make It Happen” People Are Service Enthusiasts!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

Edited by The Make It Happen Moment ® Editorial Team

The Make It Happen Moment ® Faith In Action Copyright 2005, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Faith In Action, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

Believe That You Receive

October 9, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , Leave a comment

Scripture

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I [Jesus] say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Observation

In this verse, Jesus teaches His disciples to have faith in God when they pray because with God all things are possible.  In this teaching situation with Jesus, the disciples were astonished that a fig tree which Jesus had cursed the day before actually had withered away and died by His Word.  In response to their astonishment, the Lord makes an even more astonishing declaration to His disciples – if we have faith to believe what we say when we pray, it will be done. Wow, what a tremendous promise from our Lord!

Application

As I pray about having overcoming victory in the trials and challenges that I experience in life, I can take great comfort in knowing that the Lord hears my prayers and by faith I will have what I say when I believe in Christ to receive the answer to my prayers.  This means that even if my faith is as small as a mustard seed, there is no mountain or trial in life too big for the Lord to remove when I respond in prayerful faith, boldly speaking to the mountain, and believing to receive the promises of God regarding my situation. The mountains in my life may be big; however, the Maker of mountains – my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – is simply bigger and His faithfulness reaches to the heavens!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are El Shaddai, my All Powerful and All Sufficient Heavenly Father!  Thank You for the authority given to me to come boldly before Your throne of grace and ask for the seemingly impossible situations in my life to be made possible by Your faithfulness to respond to my faith – even if my faith may be as small as a mustard seed.  When I pray, in faith, I believe that I receive what I say because all of Your promises are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus to Your glory through us! Thank You for hearing my specific prayers and answering them in Jesus Name!  I love You Jesus! Amen!

Believe That You Receive Copyright 2011, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, Believe That You Receive, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

Affirmed To Be Alive

October 2, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , , , Leave a comment

Scripture

Acts 25:18-19 “When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him [Paul] of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”

Observation

In these verses, Paul is being brought before King Agrippa accused by the Jews as “a plague and a creator of dissension among all the Jews around the world” because of his fervent testimony about Jesus.  In the face of such accusation, Paul stood firm in faith with courage before the king and eloquently expressed the good news of the gospel and the hope that was in him through Christ.

Application

To be a light in the present darkness of this world, I must be willing to risk the approval of people by sharing the good news of the gospel to those who are perishing.  In doing so, some people may bring false accusation against me because of their pride and offense with the name of Jesus and the good news of His kingdom.  However, like Paul, I can stand firm in the face of such accusation with the courage of Christ knowing that Jesus is with me and will be faithful to be my very present help in time of need. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord my Righteousness!  Thank You for giving me the courage to stand firm in faith as I affirm to others through my testimony that You are alive and Your kingdom reigns. Give me boldness in Christ to share the good news of the gospel with others and the wisdom to build Your kingdom in my sphere of influence. I love You Jesus! Amen!

Affirmed To Be Alive Copyright 2011, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, Affirmed To Be Alive, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

Say The Word

August 28, 2011

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , 3 Comments

Scripture

Luke 7:6-7 “Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Observation

In these passages, Luke records Jesus’ encounter with the astonishing faith of a Roman centurion. The centurion had a servant who was sick and about to die so he sent elders of the Jews to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.  However, before Jesus could even get to the centurion’s house, the centurion sent friends to Jesus saying that the Lord did not need to visit his house, but only say the word and his servant would be healed.  Because the centurion understood authority, he also understood the power of a word spoken with authority and therefore had great faith in the power of the Lord’s spoken word to heal his servant.  As a result, Jesus marveled at the centurion’s great faith and the servant was healed.   

Application

The same is true today for me as it was true for the Roman centurion – there is power and authority in the spoken word of God.  In John 6:63, Jesus says “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” and John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Because of the Word of God, I know that Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever Heb 13:8).  And furthermore, I know that the Lord is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34 KJV) and He is a respecter of faith (Heb 11:6).  Therefore, as I demonstrate my faith in God and speak His Word over my life, I will see the power of His Word fulfilled in my life just like the centurion did more than 2,000 years ago.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner! Thank You Lord for fulfilling the promises of Your Word in my life as I believe Your Word, speak Your Word, pray Your Word, and live Your Word each day of my life for all of Your promises are yes and amen in You to Your glory through us. I love You Jesus! Amen!

Say The Word Copyright 2010, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the personal devotion, Say The Word, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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