6 Reasons Why We Cannot Achieve Greatness

I tend to like the saying "excuses are tools of the incompetent"- quoted from Unknown.

We tend not to be great because of "ourselves". Greatness has nothing to do with our circumsatnces, it has everything to do with out mindset.

You cannot be great or destined to do great works unless you believe and know you can.  It is the saying we all learned in elementary school: " I think I can, I think I can, I know I can".

There are 6 reasons I would like to expound on from a sermon message I received a couple of weeks ago.

6 Reasons why we cannot achieve greatness

1. Availability: We often settle for things and situations because it is within our reach. We tend not to want to come out of our comfort zone.
2. Ignorance: We are not great because of our own ignorance. We are not great because we don't know and/or think that we are great.
3. Consensus: We tend to listen to what everyone is saying about ourselves and then start to believe it. For example, if everyone tells you, you are going to be like your mama, who is a drug addict you start believing that , that is all you are capable of.
4. Laziness: We are not great because we are lazy and not willing to put in the work that is necessary to be great.
5. Momentum:We are not great because the excitement for change has died down because we have been in the same circumstance/predicament for years.
6. Passivity : We are not great because we have a nonchalant attitude. Agreeing to everything without thought.

Meditate on John 14: 12-16 and Acts 4:32-35

The grace of God allows us to be GREAT! It allows this in two ways:

1. By being able to believe that we have GRACE.
2. Believing that we are currently under the "GREAT GRACE" of God.

Great Grace produces:

1. Great Power
2. Great Witness

This GREAT GRACE power lies within us dormant, until it is released. Start thinking and believing "tomorrows is going to be greater than today". 

New Years Resolution?

Did you make a new years resolution this year? What was it about? Did you make one to strengthen or start a relationship with God? If so, that's GREAT!!!

But I must say, I am not a fan of "new years resolutions". I believe people do not need to wait 365 days, 52 weeks before they decide to make a lifestyle change.

In order to accomplish any plan set you have to set short term and long term goals and be diligent in executing each goal. This is your "road map".  A plan without action is a failing plan. You must plan to succeed. 

It's not enough to say "I am going to read the entire bible in one year" for example. You must outline realistic expectations such as how many chapters a day will you read and for how long? What will you do it if you get off track, how will you make up the chapters if you did not read? This goal requires a plan in which you must articulate and be detailed to ensure success on executing this particular goal.

Any goal that you have in mind can be achieved by implementing the steps listed above. 

Proverbs 14: 8 (KJV) 

" The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit". 

James 4:17 (KJV) 

"To them that noeth to do good , and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

2 Corinthians 9:6 (KJV) 

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." 

Renewing of Your Mind

"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." Colossians 3:10

We are forgiven of our sins and because of this we are free from our old ways. We no longer need to be chained to guilt or behave immorally. Instead, allow yourself to be renewed and refreshed. Learn the heart of God by reading the Bible today and putting into action the teachings of Christ. It is with him you will find freedom. 

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." 

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." 

Ephesians 4:22-25 (NIV)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) 

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) 

Million Dollar Question

This week I was asked a "million dollar question":

What helps me obey God?

I sat and pondered on this question for a moment and then I responded which I will share with you.

I obey God because if I do not what else do I have?

The things in life I have experienced, because of the choices I made, has resulted in me relying on God as my primary source of existence, life, purpose, etc.

Without the realization of God and His purpose, then I am just going through the motions of life as a FOOL. I wake up everyday to go to work for a paycheck, then I come home eat, sleep, and then do it all over again. What kind of life is that?

With the realization of God, I am made anew--I am refreshed to have a sense of purpose. Through the realization of God I am a new creature. All the wrong I have done has been erased!!! Knowing this gives me peace. On this alone, I will follow and obey God for his GRACE that he has given me that I do not deserve. He should of struck me dead for the things  that I have done, but instead he said :

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

"Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." Matthew 6:25 (KJV)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Therefore, I obey God because he is the only one who has been there for me. When family and friends turned their back on me , God stood right by my side. He stayed with me through my "mess". He took a beating and was persecuted for my "foolishness". For that, I will obey God because obeying Him is good for me. When I do not obey God, all "hell breaks loose"and I am not at peace. But when I obey God my path is set straight and I see the light before me and I am at peace. Thanks be to God for his GRACE!!

"There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

Why do you obey God?

Our Hearts Must be Right to Follow God

I think sometimes as Christians, we get in the habit of thinking following God is easy--just do what the Bible says and follow the commandments and we are SAFE!!!!

Well that's not true---if it were, then we would not have needed Jesus to come down off his throne to save us. Thank goodness!!! By HIS GRACE, we do not have to live like that anymore.

Consider this scripture:

Matthew 19:16-22

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

From this we can see the rich man was grieved...his heart was sad because he had to sell all his possessions. It is important to note that we do not have to be poor in order to follow God or to even be considered as a Christian. The issue becomes when we allow our money/things to become more important than God. That was the issue with this rich man.

Therefore, it doesn't matter how many laws we keep or how good we are. If our hearts aren't right then we are not considered his.

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

Luke 10:27 (KJV)

"..Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind....