Rom 12:9-21

9 Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them.

Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.

10 Love each other with brotherly affection and

take delight in honoring each other.

11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12 Be glad for all God is planning for you.

Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.

13 When God's children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, I

f they need lodging, for the night.

14 If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian,

don't curse him; pray that God will bless him.

15 When others are happy, be happy with them.

If they are sad, share their sorrow.

16 Work happily together. Don't try to act big.

Don't try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don't think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that

everyone can see you are honest clear through.

18 Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone,

just as much as possible.

19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.

Leave that to God, for he has said that he

will repay those who deserve it.

[Don't take the law into your own hands.]

20 Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry.

If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be

"heaping coals of fire on his head." In other words,

he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you.

21 Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.

THIS MORNING I AM GOING TO FINISH SHARING WITH YOU SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE TO TRY AND MOTIVATE YOU TO OVERCOME ANY OF THESE HABITS YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR LIFE AT HOME, AT WORK AND AT CHURCH. ARISTOTLE SAID: "WE ARE WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO." IF OUR HABITS ARE GOOD HABITS WE WILL REPEATEDLY DO THE RIGHT THINGS TO BRING A CONTINUAL LIFESTYLE OF EFFECTIVENESS, OF PROSPERITY, OF BLESSING. OUR HABITS, BOTH GOOD AND BAD ARE LIKE SEEDS THAT WE SOW THAT WILL PRODUCE A CORRELATING HARVEST IN OUR LIVES. IT WOULD BE TO OUR ADVANTAGE TO OVERCOME ANY OF THESE BAD HABITS SO THAT GOD CAN BLESS US WITH A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST OF BLESSING, PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS. IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO PROSPER IN EVERY AREA OF YOU LIFE AS YOU WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS WORD AND FULFILL THE CONDITIONS REQUISITE TO HIS PROMISES. WE CAN’T JUST LIVE ANY WAY WE WANT AND EXPECT SUCCESS BASED ON GRACE EXCLUSIVELY BECAUSE IT WON’T HAPPEN. GRACE WILL ABOUND TOWARDS YOU AND SPARE YOU GOD’S JUDGEMENT AND WRATH BUT YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO REAP THE HARVEST OF BAD HABITS THAT YOU SOW. SO AGAIN IT IS ONLY TO YOUR BENEFIT THAT YOU OVERCOME THESE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE.

THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE IN SOME CASES IS FOUR WORDS; "I DIDN'T HAVE TIME." WE NEED TO LEARN TO PRIORITIZE OUR TIME AND TO PLAN FOR OUR DAY OR WE WILL LOOSE TIME AND WASTE TIME.

A LOOSER IS A PERSON WHO HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF OPPORTUNI- TIES TO LEARN WHO HAS SUCCESSFUL ROLE MODELS BUT CHOOSES NOT TO TRY. PEOPLE WITH LOOSING ATTITUDES SAY I CAN'T. PEOPLE WITH WINNING ATTITUDES SAY I CAN TRY.

3. HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE STOP GROWING AND LEARNING.

THE ONE THING I'VE NOTICED ABOUT GROWTH IS THAT IT TAKES EFFORT. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PERSON CONTINUE TO GROW AND CONTINUE TO LEARN.

Prov 29:18

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

THERE ARE SO MANY AVERAGE CHRISTIAN WHO ARE LIVING MEANINGLESS LIVES, DOING NOTHING FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES OR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THEY CONSTANTLY MAKE WRONG CHOICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO DIRECTION. THAT WHY MOST CHRISTIANS QUIT GROWING IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO SENSE OF DIRECTION AND PURPOSE FOR THEIR LIVES AFTER THEY’VE BEEN SAVED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THIS LACK OF DIRECTION IS THE MAJOR CAUSE FOR APATHY TO DEVELOP IN A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE. YOU SEE, IF I HAVE NO PLAN FOR MY LIFE AND NO GOAL FOR MY LIFE THEN WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT I DO WITH MY LIFE. IT DOESN’T, BUT IF I DO HAVE A PLAN THEN IT DOES MATTER WHAT CHOICES I MAKE.

Eph 1:11-12

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things

after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

2 Tim 1:9

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

A MAN BY THE NAME OF BILL STOPPED AND ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS AT A FORK IN THE ROAD. THE PERSON THERE ASKED, "WELL WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?" BILL REPLIED, "I DON’T KNOW." AND THEN THE OTHER PERSON SAID, "THEN IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER." AND THAT’S WHERE SOME OF GOD’S PEOPLE ARE. WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. SO HAVING A PURPOSE WILL SET A COURSE OF DIRECTION FOR YOU LIFE. WHEN YOU GOT SAVED GOD GAVE YOU A PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.

Eph 3:9-11

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God,

who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed

in Christ Jesus our Lord:

NOW, WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SHARE FROM YOU DIDN’T COME FROM A CHRISTIAN SOURCE BUT IT STILL CONTAINS TRUTH THAT CAN HELP YOU FULFILL YOUR DESTINY IN CHRIST. HERE IS ANOTHER DEFINITION OF A PURPOSE: A PURPOSE IS NOT A GOAL. A GOAL IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE REACHED, A PURPOSE IS NEVER ACHIEVED. IT EXISTED BEFORE YOU GOT HERE AND LIVES ON AFTER YOU’RE GONE. PURPOSE IS LIKE DIRECTION, LIKE GOING WEST. NO MATTER HOW FAR WEST YOU GO, THERE’S STILL MORE WEST TO TRAVEL. BUT IT KEEPS YOU ON TRACT. YOU USE YOUR PURPOSE TO SET YOUR COURSE IN LIFE. YOU DON’T INVENT PURPOSE, YOU DISCOVER PURPOSE AND GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING. I DISCOVER IT, I DON’T INVENT IT BUT THEN I HAVE TO SET SOME GOALS TO GET TO THAT PURPOSE FOR MY SPACE OF TIME IN THIS LIFE.

Rom 8:28-30

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

GOD’S MAJOR PURPOSE IN EVERY CHRISTIAN’S LIFE IS THAT WE BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON. WE HAVE EMBARKED ON A LIFE LONG STRUGGLE TO INCREASE IN GODLINESS AND DEVELOP HIS CHARACTER IN OUR LIVES. THE REASON IT’S A STRUGGLE IS BECAUSE THE FLESH OFTEN OBJECTS AND STALWARTS THE PROCESS OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CHANGE. HE IS CHANGING US FROM GLORY TO GLORY EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. OUR LIVES AFTER SALVATION ARE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF GOD’S WORD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BIRTH MATURE SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO CAN ENFORCE CHRIST’S VICTORY ON THIS EARTH UNTIL JESUS COMES TO CONFIRM THE WORK WE INITIATED SINCE THE DAY OF PENTECOST. HE HAS SET BEFORE US A GREAT PURPOSE THAT WAS HERE LONG BEFORE WE GOT HERE AND WILL CONTINUE TO UNFOLD THROUGHOUT ETERNITY. GOD HAS SAVED US FOR ALL THAT AND MORE. OF ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH, WE ARE A PEOPLE OF DESTINY AND ETERNAL PURPOSE. THE CHOICES WE MAKE ARE CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS WE HAVE IN THIS LIFE AND IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME. HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE HABITUALLY EMBRACE HIS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES AND SO RUN, NOT AS ONE THAT BEATS THE AIR AND WASTES TIME, ENERGY AND RESOURCES, BUT FINISHES WELL, BRINGING HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD!

THAT DESIRED END? IF MY GOAL IS TO LOOSE 20 POUNDS TO

MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH AND SERVE GOD LONGER THEN I MUST

HAVE A PLAN. YOU CAN GET COUNSEL FROM A DOCTOR AND A

DIETICIAN AND LEARN TO EAT WELL AND EXERCISE ON A REGULAR

BASIS. AS THE DAYS AND WEEKS GO BY YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR

SUCCESS. FIRST YOU LOOSE 5 POUNDS AND THEN TEN AND THEN

FIFTEEN AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU LOST 25 POUNDS. NOW

THE SAME THING APPLIES IN YOUR FINANCES, YOUR

RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR BUSINESS AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU

PLAN TO CHANGE OR DO. YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR PROGRESS

JUST SO LONG AS YOU HAVE A PLAN AND A STRATEGY.

HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE WHERE THEY ARE GOING. THE AVERAGE MAN DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH HIS LIFE YET HE WANTS ANOTHER ONE WHICH WILL LAST FOREVER. YOU SEE, WHAT’S ETERNAL LIFE GOOD TO YOU IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING NOW. THE GRASS ALWAYS LOOKS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE BUT A MAN DIRECTED BY GOD’S PURPOSE HAS A PLAN TO GET THERE AND CAN ACHIEVE GREATER SUCCESS THAN THOSE WHO CAN ONLY VISUALIZE IT.

2 Tim 1:7

7 For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

5. HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO CHANGE. THIS IS A BIG ONE FOLKS. ERIC HOFFER IN HIS BOOK, "THE ORDEAL OF CHANGE," SAYS, PEOPLE WILL CLING TO AN UNSATISFACTORY WAY OF LIFE RATHER THAN CHANGE TO GET SOMETHING BETTER FOR FEAR OF GETTING SOMETHING WORSE. THAT MEANS I KNOW THIS IS NOT WORKING AND I KNOW THIS ISN’T WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE BUT I’M TOO AFRAID TO CHANGE BECAUSE I MIGHT MAKE MATTERS WORSE. SO PEOPLE REFUSE TO CHANGE AND THEY LACK FLEXIBILITY. MARK TWAIN SAID, "THE ONLY PERSON WHO LIKES CHANGE IS A WET BABY."

Mal 3:6

6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore

ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

LISTEN, GOD’S NOT GONNA CHANGE CAUSE HE DOESN’T HAVE TOO BUT WE DO. IN FACT THE ONLY THING THAT’S PERMANENT IS CHANGE SO YOU BETTER GET USE TO IT AND SEE CHANGE AND BEGIN TO SEE CHANGE AS SOMETHING GOOD AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHANGE. IBM SAYS IF ITS NOT BROKEN DON’T FIX IT BUT THE BIBLE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT OUR LIVES ARE BROKEN AND MESSED UP AND DRASTICALLY NEED SOME CHANGES AND RENOVATIONS, MOST OF WHICH HAPPEN AFTER SALVATION. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW YOU’RE SAVED IN AN INSTANT BUT IT TAKES YEARS OF PAIN, SUFFERING, CROSS BEARING AND CHANGE TO BECOME WHOLE, COMPLETE AND MATURE IN CHRIST.

2 Cor 3:18

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

WHY DO PEOPLE RESIST CHANGE. THE #1 REASON IS FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. #2 LACK OF EXPOSURE TO NEW THINGS AND NEW IDEAS. #3 VESTED INTEREST. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW YOUR DREAM IS SOMEBODY ELSE'S NIGHTMARE. YOU ARE AFRAID NEEDS WON’T BE MET. #4 FAILURE TO COMMIT ADDITIONAL TIME. #5 INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE. #6 NEGATIVE PAST EXPERIENCES. #7 SPIRITUAL APATHY AND #8 A FEAR OF FAILURE. PEOPLE IN BUSINESS, PEOPLE IN CHURCH OR PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP OR PEOPLE IN GENERAL THAT RESIST CHANGE YOU LIMIT YOUR FUTURE. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE A CHANGE AGENT. NOW THE BEST WAY FOR A LEADER OR A PERSON TO CHANGE YOUR MARRIAGE OR YOUR CHURCH OR YOUR BUSINESS IS TO CHANGE YOURSELF FIRST! ALL GOOD CHANGE BEGINS IN YOU. ARE YOU WILLING TO DO IT ANOTHER WAY AND HOW COME THE CHURCH ISN’T? WE ALWAYS HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES, "IS THIS PRODUCING WHAT WE WANT AND IS THIS TAKING US WHERE GOD WANTS TO GO? IS WHAT WE ARE DOING BIBLICAL AND RIGHT CAUSE IF ITS UNBIBLICAL WE WILL STOP IT. LISTEN IF YOU WANT A DIVINE RESULT YOU MUST FOLLOW DIVINE PATTERN AND NOT THE TRADITIONS OF MEN. WHAT WORKED TEN YEARS AGO FOR REACHING LOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WON’T WORK TODAY SO WE HAVE TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE. AND WHAT IS TRUE FOR THE CHURCH IS TRUE FOR YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR LIFE! SO ALWAYS BE OPEN TO CHANGE.

Rom 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

LISTEN, YOU MIND IS LIKE A PARACHUTE, IT WORKS BEST WHEN OPENED. DON’T BE NARROW MINDED AND CLOSED TO NEW IDEAS AND NEW PERSPECTIVES OF THINKING. YOU HAVE TO READ NEW BOOKS, GO TO CONFERENCES, BUY A TAPE AND LISTEN TO IT AND EXPAND YOU PERSPECTIVE AND GET NEW IDEAS FOR PERSONAL CHANGE AND GROWTH AND BE STIMULATED AND CHALLENGED AND INSPIRED TO DO SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE. PEOPLE THAT RESIST CHANGE ALWAYS LIMIT THE FUTURE, THEY ALWAYS LIMIT THEMSELVES AND BECOME INEFFECTIVE AND REMAIN DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE MARRING OF SIN. SO LET’S BE OPEN TO CHANGE AND WANT CHANGE IN OUR LIVES CAUSE PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO CHANGE ARE PEOPLE WHO WON’T GROW. SO PEOPLE WHO ARE INEFFECTIVE REFUSE TO CHANGE.

1 Cor 15:33 (NIV)

33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

1 Cor 15:33

33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

Matt 18:15

15 "If a brother sins against you, go to him privately and confront him with his fault. If he listens and confesses it, you have won back a brother.

Prov 13:20

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:

but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

SUCCESS IS BUILT BY RELATING WELL TO OTHER PEOPLE. WHO ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS? ARE THEY NEGATIVE? ARE THEY QUESTIONABLE IN CHARACTER OR ARE THEY GOOD FOR YOU. IF THEIR BAD, CUT THEM OFF IMMDEIATELY. CUT THOSE RELATIONSHIPS OFF THAT HOLD YOU IN LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES TO

SUCCEED. IT IS ALWAYS PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP YOU OR HURT YOU, ADD TO YOU OR SUBTRACT FROM YOU.

IT IS WELL TO REMEMBER THAT THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNIVERSE, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, IS COMPOSED OF OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU ARE JUST ONE PERSON AND GOD ALWAYS BUILDS RELATION-ALLY.

Ps 127:1

1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

THE WORD FOR "HOUSE" IN PSA 127:1 IS NOT TALKING ABOUT A STRUCTURE BECAUSE IT REALLY MEANS A "FAMILY." GOD IS BUILDING A FAMILY OF PEOPLE THAT RELATE WELL WITH HIM AND WITH EACH OTHER. NOBODY’S EVER GONNA WIN FAME, RECOGNI-

ITION OR ADVANCEMENT JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK ITS DESERVED CAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE HAS TO THINK SO TOO. INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE DON’T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS SO THEY JUST BLOW UP ONE RELATIONSHIP AFTER ANOTHER. ALEX HALLEY SAID, IF YOU EVER SEE A TURTLE SITTING ON A FENCE POST YOU KNOW HE DIDN’T GET THERE BY HIMSELF." NO, YOU WON’T SUCCEED WITHOUT THE HELP OF OTHER PEOPLE.

NOW LET ME ASK YOU THIS, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ADVANCEMENT AT WORK OR THAT NEW PROMOTION THAT’S COMING IN A FEW MONTHS? IF SO, YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS IT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU MAKE AT WORK. IF YOU ARE BREAKING ONE RELATIONSHIP ONE AFTER ANOTHER YOU WILL BE INEFFECTIVE AND ABORT YOUR POTENTIAL TO SUCCEED. YOU NEED THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH WHO ARE BELOW YOU AND ABOVE YOU TO HELP YOU SUCCEED, SO DON’T WALK ON THE LITTLE PEOPLE OR THOSE LESS EDUCATED OR UNSAVED THAN YOU ARE. YOU NEED TO LEARN SOME BASIC RELATIONSHIP SKILL AND IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OR YOUR BOSS SENDS YOU TO A CONFERENCE, TAKE THE HINT AND CHANGE AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUILDING A CAREER, A MARRIAGE, A FAMILY, A CHURCH OR A BUSINESS.

Eph 4:32

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

OPRAH WINTHREY HAD A SHOW ABOUT GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO SHE CALLS ANGELS. ONE MAN WAS THE OWNER OF HIS LOCAL CLEANING COMPANY. HE WAS RUDE TO ALL OF HIS EMPLOYEES. HE WOULD DEMAND THIS AND DEMAND THAT AND CURSE AND SWEAR AND STORM OFF IN A RAGE SHUTTING A DOOR IN SOMEONE’S FACE. HE DECIDED TO CHANGE OR WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS REPENT, IT’S A CHANGE OF MIND (A CHANGE THINKING) AND A CHANGE OF DIRECTION. HE DECIDED TO TRY AND BE NICE AND POLITE TO HIS EMPLOYEES. HE BROUGHT THEM GIFTS AND SAID PLEASE AND THANK YOU AND ASKED PEOPLE TO DO THINGS AND STOPPED COMMANDING THEM. HIS WHOLE COUNTENANCE CHANGED AND EVERYBODY THAT WORKED FOR HIM CHANGED TOO. INSTEAD OF CONTENTIOUSLY LYING, CHEATING AND STEALING FROM HIM, NOW THEY WANTED TO WORK FOR HIM AND THEY WANTED TO DO A GOOD JOB FOR HIM BECAUSE HE WAS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS INSTEAD OF BRIDGES AND WALLS THAT SEPARATE AND DIVIDE. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE LONG TERM SUCCESS UNLESS PEOPLE BELIEVE IN YOU AND CAN VOUCH FOR YOUR GOOD CHARACTER AND GOOD WORK ETHIC.

7. HERE’S THE LAST ONE: HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE DO NOT PAY THE PRICE TO BE EFFECTIVE. THEY WON’T PAY THE PRICE TO SUCCEED. PAUL HARVEY SAID, "YOU CAN TELL YOU’RE ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS CAUSE ITS UPHILL ALL THE WAY.’ THERE IS NO SUCCESS WITHOUT SACRIFICE.

Matt 16:24-25

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mark 10:17-22

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master,

what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?

there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not,

Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master,

all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved:

for he had great possessions.

JONAS SAULK, IN 1949, WANTED TO FIND THE CURE FOR POLIO. HE WORKED 16 HOURS A DAY SIX DAYS A WEEK FOR FIVE YEARS TO BRING THE WORLD RELIEF FROM THE CURSE OF POLIO. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TAKE LESS MONEY OR A LOWER JOB FOR A BETTER FUTURE. WHEN I STARTED THIS CHURCH I HAD TO CHANGE MY JOB CAUSE MY DEPARTMENT WAS WORKING SUNDAY OVERTIME EVERY WEEKEND. I DIDN’T LIKE MY NEW POSITION AS WELL BUT THEN I WAS SACRIFICING TO BUILD SOMETHING ETERNAL FOR THE FUTURE. NOW IT MIGHT NOT SEEM TO BE TOO MUCH NOW BUT IF YOU WILL BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE WITH ME AND STICK OUT THE STIGMATISM OF BEING SMALL AND GIVE GOD THE TIME HE NEEDS, WE CAN GROW AND CHANGE AND BECOME ALL HE WANTS US TO BECOME.

NOW HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A COST IN TAKING A RISK AND VENTURING OUT TO START A NEW COMPANY OR A NEW BUSINESS OR A NEW AREA OF MINISTRY. ABRAHAM WAS CALLED OUT OF THE UR OF THE CHALDEES TO A PLACE GOD WOULD SHOW HIM.. HE STEPPED OUT BY FAITH AND RISKED IT ALL TO FOLLOW GOD AND IS TODAY CALLED THE FATHER OF OUR FAITH.

REAL AND LASTING SUCCESS DOESN’T DEAL WITH EDUCATION, IQ, STATUS IN SOCIETIES EYE OR WHETHER YOU’RE LIMITED IN SOME WAY CAUSE ITS ALWAYS A PRICE ISSUE. ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE A BECAUSE ANY WHERE ALONG THE WAY YOU CAN STOP AND PUT A LIMIT ON YOUR SUCCESS. YOU MAY HAVE TO MAKE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION, YOU MAY HAVE TO COMMIT MORE TIME TO IT,

YOU MAY HAVE TO BUY A BOOK OR GO TO A CONFERENCE AT YOUR EXPENSE BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT COST YOU IF YOU WANT TO GROW AND BE SUCCESSFUL AND EFFECTIVE IN LIFE, IN MARRIAGE, IN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND IN BUSINESS. MOST CHURCHES, MOST BUSINNESS AND MOST PEOPLE STOP GROWING WHEN THE PRICES BECOMES TOO HIGH TO PAY. PERHAPS WE THOUGHT THE SACRIFICES WE MADE WERE SUFFICIENT TO SUCCEED BUT WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE NO MATTER WHAT IT COSTS.

Luke 14:28-33

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

LET ME READING YOU SOMETHING FROM A BOOK CALLED, "RE PACKING YOUR BAGS." IN OUR INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE IN THEIR 60’S, 70’S AND 80’S A CONSISTENT THEME EMERGED. MOST PEOPLE DON’T LOOK BACK ON THEIR LIFE AND FEAR DEATH BUT WHAT THEY FEAR MOST IS THAT THERE LIFE WAS MEANINGLESS AND THEY HAVEN’T LIVED AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE. SOMEONE ONCE SAID IN A MOVIE, "THE ONLY THING ARE THE RISKS YOU DIDN’T TAKE." HERE’S THEIR VOCABULARY: "IF ONLY I HAD DONE THAT, I WISH I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT JOB, INVESTED THAT MONEY. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH REGRET. TONY COMPOLLO INTERVIEWED PEOPLE 90 AND OVER AND THE SAME THEME WAS CONSISTENT WITH THEM: THEY FELT THEY DIDN’T TAKE ENOUGH RISKS. LISTEN, EVERY RISK HAS A GREAT PRICE CAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW THE OUTCOME WHEN YOU TAKE IT. NOW I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT FOOLISH RISK BUT CALCULATED RISK BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD, GODLY COUNSEL AND THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. PGA GOLF PRO JOHNNY MILLER SAID, " IF YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO WHAT NOBODY ELSE IS WILLING TO DO. NOW HERE’S WHAT JESUS SAID, "TO WHOMSOEVER MUCH IS GIVEN, OF HIM WILL MUCH SHALL BE REQUIRED."

LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE, IN BUSINESS, IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS THEN YOU MUST BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FROM THE BEGINNING UNTIL THE END. ITS NOT HOW YOU START THE RACE THAT COUNTS ITS HOW YOU FINISH. HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR SUCCESS.

NOW LET ME REVIEW ALL OF 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE PEOPLE AND IF GOD HAS SPOKEN TO YOU ABOUT 1 OR 2 OR 3 OF THEM THEN PRAY ABOUT IT AND ESTABLISH A STRATEGY FOR GROWTH AND CHANGE: