The Simple Truths of Service

There is a website that I find very inspirational. It is called Simple Truths. The website is https://www.simpletruths.com/ If you enjoy the video below, I would encourage you to visit the site and click on motivational videos to see even more.

On the site you can order motivational books. In addition, there are several short videos that you can watch that are kind of summaries of some of the books available. The categories of videos are Happiness, Inspirational, Leadership, Motivation, Personal Growth, Professional Growth, Positive Attitudes, and Teamwork. As a school counselor, I used these movies to get across a point that I was trying to discuss. The movies engaged the students and I believe inspired them in a positive way. In whatever field you are working in, whether it is in ministry or the workforce, or if you just want to watch short inspirational videos, I highly recommend that you look through the list of videos available. You may be able to use one or more of them to inspire, educate or encourage others.

The story below is one of my favorites and it is based on a true story. I believe you will be touched by this story of Johnny the bagger. Let's follow Johnny's example and do likewise.

Do You Want To Be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise?

Who doesn't want all those things for themselves? There are probably thousands of books written on those subjects, so how can we know which way is the best way? In my opinion, some of the best advice can be found in the Bible in the book of Proverbs. What is kind of amazing is that there are 31 chapters in this book. One for each day.

Here are some samples to get you started: Why read Proverbs?

Proverbs 1:3 "To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity." Proverbs 1:34 "But he who listens to me (wisdom) shall live securely and shall be at ease from the dread of evil."

Proverbs 3:1-8 "...But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you...So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones....

Proverbs 3: 3-18 "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver and its gain than fine gold. She (wisdom) is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast."

These are just a few samples of the instructions for living your best life.

If you are interested in becoming healthy, wealthy and wise, my challenge to you is this: In preparation to receive, pray and ask God to reveal His truths to you as you read. Read one chapter of Proverbs each day. Think about what you read and take notes or highlight the verses that stand out for you. At the end of the month, review your notes and you will have your personal recipe for success. May God bless you mightily as you seek His wisdom.

GODS TEAMS - GOAL ACHIEVING SYSTEM

I had written three previous books about goal setting and achieving. When I was a counselor at a Christian School and wanted to help students learn how to achieve their goals, I wanted to created a system in which God was an integral part. I came up with the acronym GODS TEAMS. It represented all the components necessary to be successful in achieving goals. I asked the students to create a short term goal and to see if they could accomplish it using the GODS TEAMS system. They used the system and were all successful.

Since we are beginning a new year and many people are thinking about how they can make their lives better by changing a few things, I thought I would share my ideas with you. Each letter represents an action you can take to achieve your goals. They are not in the order in which they should be done, so I have numbered each step to help you navigate the system.

2. G - GOAL - What do you want to accomplish?

6. O - OBSTACLES - What is keeping you from achieving your goal?

7. D - DRAFT - Draft a plan to overcome each obstacle that is preventing your success.

5. S - STEPS - What small steps do you need to take to accomplish your goal?

3. T - TIME - When do you expect to accomplish this goal? Is this a short or long term goal?

8. E - EVALUATE - Are the steps you are taking working? What aspect is working and what is not?

What needs to change? What will you do instead that you think will work better?

9. A - ADJUST - Make any adjustments needed so that you can be successful. Evaluation and

adjustment should occur periodically, perhaps once a week or once a month, to keep you on

track.

4. M - MEASURE - When creating a goal, be specific enough so that you have an easier target to

hit and so that you will know when you have achieved it. Ex. Rather than lose weight, your

measure could be lose 10 pounds in six months. Rather than read more scripture, your

measure could be to read, meditate and take notes on one scripture per day. Rather than

exercise more, your measure could be to walk for 30 minutes 3 times per week.

1 S - SEEK - seek God's plan for you in all you do. When you are working in accordance with His

plan, life is a lot easier. In Matthew 11:28-30 ESV, Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

If it is easier for you to follow the steps in order, here they are: Seek the Lord; Set your goal; Set your time frame in which to accomplish the goal; How will you measure successfully completing the goal?; Decide what steps you need to take to be successful; What obstacles can you foresee holding you back?; What can you do to avoid or overcome those obstacles?; Evaluate your progress and adjust as needed.

Another piece of advice I would like to share is this: As you set your goals and develop your visions, keep your ideas to yourself, or just between you and God, until you have accomplished what you set out to do. The reason is this. When we speak of our great plans to our friends and family, they are supportive and congratulatory. Sometimes speaking about it and getting accolades from others feels as if we have actually accomplished a goal, so in essence, we sabotage ourselves by not moving forward with the work it takes to get things done. If you can share with others and continue to work on your goals, more power to you. But if you find that after sharing, you are not actually doing, be aware of what is happening and recognize this as a possible obstacle to your success. When you recognize it, you can avoid it

I have given you steps you can take to ensure your success, but I believe the greatest factor in successfully accomplishing any goal in your life is having a made up mind. When you have made a decision and nothing will sway you from following your plan, you have a made up mind. I have found in my own life, that any time I accomplished anything extraordinary, it was because I was single minded. I visualized what I wanted and moved forward, not allowing anything to get in the way of my success.

May God bless your efforts as you go forward with your visions for 2023.

If anyone is interested in purchasing my book, Goal Achieving Tools: GODS TEAMS and More by Frances Marx, please visit Amazon.com and type in the title and author name. Thank you.