Who determines the life we live, the obstacles we overcome, and the goals we reach? We do! Others may influence us for good or bad. Problems will hinder progress. But in the final analysis, I am the one individual who succeeds or fails with my life. No one else!
Listen to the words of a failure: “I can’t”; “I don’t know how”; “I don’t have the time”; “Let someone else do it”; “I’m afraid”; “It’s too hard.” On and on the excuses go for losers.
Now, listen to the words of a winner: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) “For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you; so we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
Failures come with various names such as Saul, Balaam, Judas, Ananias, Sapphira, Demas, Diotrephes, Hymenaeus, Alexander, Haman, and Cain. Winners come with various names too. Think of Gaius, Ruth, Esther, Peter, Daniel, Onesimus, Epaphras, John, Cornelius, Epaphroditus, Timothy, Paul, Titus, and Mark. All of these winners were criticized at times, discouraged, misunderstood, weak, and sinful. However, the difference between the winners and the losers was determined by each individual. They got what they wanted.
It was through God that the winners became winners, but they personally applied themselves and were determined to be winners. The losers did it their own way, without God, and losing was inevitable for them. So it is with us. With God, we all can be winners. But we must make up our minds which we want to be.
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