Keeping Your Dreams ALIVE!

Daily Encounter

A Week-day Devotional by Dick Innes of ACTS International

1. Does the Devil Attack Christians?

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”¹

A Daily Encounter reader writes: “Please help me. I am being attacked by the devil. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong. I don’t know what to do. I am praying to the Lord daily but something is truly cursing me.”

Obviously I don’t know if this person is being attacked by the devil or not, because I don’t know enough about him/her or the circumstances he/she is facing. Yes, I believe strongly in the devil and yes he does attack Christians. I also believe in his demonic emissaries, but there isn’t a demon behind every tree, nor is there one under every stone.

There are several reasons besides the devil why so many things can go wrong all at once. First, we happen to live in a broken world and things go wrong for all of us at times. That’s par for the course. Learning to cope with, resolve, or live with these situations is all part of helping us to grow in maturity.

Second, certainly the devil is the originator of all evil and sin, but often things go wrong because of our poor choices. For instance, the title of a talk I have given is: “The Devil Didn’t Make Me Do It—I Can Foul Things Up All by Myself.” And I certainly can. Blaming the devil for my bad choices can be a handy excuse to hang on to if I don’t want to grow up and accept responsibility for my actions.

Third, when we have unresolved personal problems—such as unresolved anger, hurt, guilt, etc. —we can give the enemy a foothold. Once we bring these problems to the light and seek God’s help and wise counsel to resolve them, the devil loses his foothold.

Fourth, to defend against the enemy, as today’s Scripture advises, we need to put on the whole armor of God. Also, without being compulsive or over-dramatic we can quietly repeat: “Jesus Christ is Lord and Lord of my life.” That is one statement that Satan hates!

Finally, and not the least unimportant is that we need to ask God to reveal to us the reality of what is happening to us, remembering that often we don’t want to face reality because deep down we are afraid to face the real cause/s behind our problems.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, when the enemy assails and things go wrong, please show me what is of the devil and what is of myself—and give me the wisdom to know the difference. If from the enemy, help me to put on the whole armor of God, and if from myself, give me the courage to face the cause of my problems and get the help I need to overcome. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ephesians 6:11, 14-18 (NKJV).

This article is intended for true network marketers – those individuals who joined a company with the intention of going beyond mere product consumption. These are the people with an earnest desire to build a business and create a full time income for themselves. If this is NOT you, close this window (or tab), go to the kitchen and pour yourself a nice cold glass of your company’s product. If this IS

But there is a major pitfall to this, a near fatal business mistake that effects a large number of Network Marketers, including myself at one time. BLIND LOYALTY.

Don’t get me wrong. Like I’ve said, it’s important to believe in and be faithful to the product and company that you’ve teamed up with. The trouble is that networkers often follow this to the nth degree and become so enthralled in their company that they end up throwing all rationality out the window. They stick by their company and defend it fiercely, rabidly even and it becomes the center of their business world.

How can you make sound business decisions when you’re looking through the tainted eye glasses of emotion? The answer is YOU CAN’T.

Strong emotional attachment to anything will cloud your judgment and hinder your ability to make smart business decisions. So it’s important that we maintain clarity when we’re building our Network Marketing businesses because it’s exactly that – A BUSINESS. Approach everything analytically and rationally. If you’re company is putting up good numbers, you’re making money and management is making smart decisions that benefit the distributors, then by all means stay with your company. But if the numbers are down and your checks are down and the management is making mistakes, it may be time to reconsider.

Some Advice

Education is the key to making sound business decisions. If you make certain that you and your team are educated on the ins and outs of the Network Marketing industry, you are ensuring that they are properly equipped to make the right choices at the right times based on reason and not emotion.

No matter how you might feel about your company and its products, you must not allow your emotions to sway your business decisions. Now because we participate in a largely a relationship touchy-feely business, this can be difficult. But you have to remember that keeping emotions separate from business is what distinguishes a Network Marketing leader from a Network Marketing consumer.

Which one are you?

Tags: aim global, alive, choleduz, mychoco

Dear Marvin,

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed as I’ve built my
businesses and helped tens of thousands over the
years, it’s that some lessons, if learned and lived by,
will never get old and will always turn heads and raise
eyebrows if implemented correctly and consistently.

Here are my top 5:

1. SELF-DISCIPLINE SEPARATES WINNERS FROM WISHERS

Plato said, “The first and best victory is to conquer self”.

Do you know the story of the poor child from the country-
side? She was born pre-mature and nearly died. Then she
contracted pneumonia as an infant. She survived that and
then got Scarlet Fever. Somehow she survived that! And
then got Polio!

When she was 12 years old, her mother taught her about
self-discipline. She mastered HERSELF. Even though she
was in a brace, she stayed disciplined in healing herself.
Her discipline led to complete healing. Combined with her
vision, she decided to become a world-class runner.

Everyone laughed.

But she had discipline on her side. At the age of 20,
Wilma Rudolph became the fastest woman on the planet.
She won three Gold Medals in one Olympics!

The most successful net workers are disciplined.  They
know their strengths and maximize them, and they know where
they need to do better and set out to improve themselves.

Where do you need discipline? Do you need to work your
business every day? Do you need to eat healthy ALL the time? Do
you need to exercise every day? Do you need to do more follow-up?
Get a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly method of operation and
stick to it!

Your self-discipline determines your results. Really!
Just think of Wilma.

2. COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS

Someone once said, “Courage is fear that has said its
prayers”.

I know some of you have a lot of pain and fear in your life.
You’re not alone. But these things give you a chance to
show your courage and bring out your true character.

It’s easy to be happy and productive when things are
going great, but what inspires us are those who do it when
things are not so good.

Christopher Columbus set sail for the New World while
most people thought he would fall over the edge of the
earth. When his men were starving, tired and scared, his
courage gave them hope. When they fell apart again and
decided to mutiny, he drew from his deepest courage and
said, “Kill me now and you will surely die. But sail on
with me and I can promise you the hope of finding more
gold than you could ever imagine.”

Sometimes you need to say that to yourself. Times do
get tough, but that’s your test! Say your prayers and
sail on.  When you least expect it, land will appear
over the horizon.

3. THE BEST TEACHERS ARE THE GREATEST STUDENTS

Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, once said, “a
great master has the eyes of a novice”. Where can you learn?

Do you feel like you’ve learned it all? Do you sometimes find
it hard to get out of your own way?

EVERYONE, even the leaders in their companies, had to do the
hard things to get ahead. Everyone starts in the same place.
But the most successful ones are those who kept their eyes
focused on the end result and never wavered.

Be a student first.  Listen to advice from the experts. Invest
in your prospecting education and you’ll reap the benefits over the
long term.

To make the best investment in your education you can make
this year, one that will pay you back with interest for many
years to come, just click here:

http://www.maxsteingart.com/ coaching

4. PASSION IS THE EXCLUSIVE DOMAIN OF THE EXTRAORDINARY

Have you ever been graced by the presence of a person
with complete, undeniable passion for life?
They are so magnetic. Their enthusiasm is contagious and
they seem to bring forth this amazing positive energy.

People with passion make things happen. It’s in their
cells. They don’t have it, make it, create it… they
have become it.  They have that ‘wow’ factor.  They are
in the zone all the time and it shows.

Bill Cosby said it well, “Anyone can dabble, but once
you’ve made a commitment, your blood has a particular
thing in it, and its very hard for people to stop you.”

Passion is unstoppable.

Passion was the force behind some of the greatest
achievements in the world and it constantly gives us
inspiration if we let it.

For example, if Joan of Arc can liberate France then you
can liberate yourself and your downline from old sales
and prospecting methods and live to fight another day.

If Andrew Carnegie can build an empire of steel then you
can certainly build an empire of like minded entrepreneurs.

How do you get passion? First, you must act passionate.
If you’re not passionate, act like you are anyway. That
mind-set will guide you to find reasons to be passionate,
and then you won’t have to act anymore, it will become
part of you.

Second, hang around passionate people. You are a
combination of the five people you hang around most.
So find some passionate people and just hang
around them.

Third, find a purpose in life that inspires you.
Nothing will make your life more satisfying than
knowing you are on purpose with your life.

When you discover passion, you discover the secret
of the rich, and the domain of the extraordinary.

5. SERVICE IS THE ONLY TRUE LEADERSHIP

If you want, you can lead by fear.

Many have done it.

Think about Hitler, Genghis Khan, and Stalin. They
were effective in the moment, but their leadership
didn’t last.

Or you can lead with love. Think about Gandhi and
Mother Teresa. Their leadership lasted well beyond
their death. They lived a life of service to others.

The same is true with network marketers. Look at the
companies that have stood the test of time. Their true
focus was the service of others. They’ve committed
themselves to their organization first and their own
wealth second. They are true servant leaders. Then look
at the money games and the over-hyped get-rich-quick
schemes that plague this industry.

You hold the power to improve yourself and a multitude
of others.  What will you do with that power?  If you
decide to use it, then join me for One on One Personal
Coaching at this link:

http://www.maxsteingart.com/ coaching

Carpe Diem!  Seize the Day!!

Warmest Regards,

Max Steingart
The Master of Internet Prospecting

P.S. The 65% Off Special Savings that is normally
reserved for past students is still up on the website
because my webmaster is AWOL.  Grab the BIG
savings before it comes down.

Go to:  http://maxsteingart.com/ bootcamp/alumni/

P.P.S.  If you sign up for personal coaching I’ll put you
in my next Boot Camp for free.

Go To :  www.maxsteingart.com/coaching
and I’ll put them in this Boot Camp for free

Tags: discipline, focus, network marketing, passion, service

If this question was addressed to six people it is possible that six different answers would be given: one might say he is a good living man, another that he is a member of a church or chapel, or that he is a person who does charitable work in aiding needy people, and so on. Let us look at the word `Christian’ again, and suppose we pronounce it differently, calling it CHRISTian, it will remind us that such a person has some relationship to Christ in the first place.

If we ask in what way, we shall be wise if we turn to His own divine statements and give them serious consideration. The answer to our question is not to be found in the various opinions which come from the human mind; these will only lead us into error and disillusionment. What more reasonable than that we
should turn to the `fountain head’ Himself? Why did Christ come to this world of ours? These are His own words:

`The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost’ (Luke 19:10).

`I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. … I came not to judge the world, but to save the world’ (John 12:46,47).

These words are surely clear. Christ came to dispel darkness and doubt and to give LIGHT. Christ came not to condemn but to SAVE. This being so, it is obvious that there must be a fundamental need in the human heart for enlightenment and salvation; but what is salvation? As you begin to consider this please put from your mind all thoughts of churches, reformation, ordinances, baptism, whether infant or adult, for in its essence the salvation which Christ spoke of has nothing to do with these things. Many there are around us whose idea of salvation is that it results from a way of living, moral or religious, and is intimately connected with some religious rite or ceremony. Multitudes have conceived their own conditions of salvation or have accepted the conditions laid down by others and, having fulfilled these requirements, they rest in the false security of self deception. They may have met the requirements of men, but they have fallen short of the requirements of God.

In this leaflet we wish to avoid theological language and to use great plainness of speech so that all who read can understand. The subject is so vastly important–actually there can be nothing more important–that at all costs we must avoid having our minds clouded by human opinion. Consequently, we shall turn away from men however good they may be and go direct to theteaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the verse already quoted (Luke 19:10) He has stated that the purpose ofHis coming was to SAVE, and those to whom this work applies are describedby Him as LOST. Let us add another statement of His regarding this purpose:

`They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Mark 2:17).

It is clear from these words that Christ’s mission was not directed to good people but to the unworthy, those whom He described as LOST and as SINNERS. Now this is not flattering to human nature, but before you turn away from it, my dear reader, just ask yourself honestly whether, in spite of any good behaviour which you strive after, perhaps these terms truthfully describe you? It is not a question of big sinners or little sinners. One sin makes a sinner just as one lie makes a liar. Even if your self-control is so strong that you never commit any act or speak any word that is wrong (which is improbable), what about the inside–your thinking? Have you never indulged in sinful thoughts? Remember that of Christ it is said:

`He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man’ (John 2:24,25).

He sees inside and knows every thought, and while men may deceive one another with externals, there is no deceiving Him. Apart from this, as one looks around and considers the present appalling condition of world affairs with its mounting armaments and gigantic weapons of destruction, its terrible threat of
war, suffering and death, one would have thought that these things of themselves would prove that there is something radically wrong with the human mind. There can be no doubt that salvation is a necessity and it was for this express purpose that Christ came. A sinner needs a saviour whether he knows it or not, but this saviour must be the one of God’s providing, and the one He has provided is the Lord Jesus Christ. Saving the lost is His business. He has never failed nor can He fail.

There are no exceptions in connection with sin and failing for `All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23) therefore all need a Saviour and that includes YOU. Do not turn away because this does not pat you on the back and flatter you. Do not indulge in wishful thinking, but be absolutely honest with yourself in this matter. You can settle the question of your own salvation by answering the following questions: Is the Lord Jesus Christ my personal Saviour? Do I as a sinner belong to Him? Have I put my trust in Him and in Him alone? If the answers are `YES’, you are saved, because you are linked by simple faith with Him who is the only Saviour of mankind. If the answers are `NO’, you are lost and the final condition of the lost is one of condemnation and perishing eternally.

`For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not PERISH, but have everlasting LIFE’ (John 3:16).

`I am come that they might have LIFE’ (John 10:10).

`He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already’ (John 3:18).

So, in all solemnity, it is a question of LIFE or DEATH and that eternally. To be linked with Christ means life eternal for you; to be divorced from Him means eternal death. Note that salvation comes to you from Him by the avenue of faith. You are not saved by faith itself–it is the object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ that saves. Your faith is merely the channel by which His salvation reaches you and becomes your own possession. Faith, belief and trust mean the same thing. If you have faith in a man, you trust him. If you trust him you have faith in him. If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ you have all that God requires of a sinner in order to be saved.

It may be asked–is there no other way of salvation? In the words of Christ Himself the answer is NO.

`I am the door: BY ME if any man enter in, he shall be saved’ (John 10:9).

`He that entereth not by the door … but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber’ (John 10:1).

`I am the WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but BY ME’ (John 14:6).

Men may talk of working out their own way of salvation, but all such efforts in the light of these words must end in deception and death because they ignore the only way God recognises, i.e., Christ Himself.

There is a further question that may be put: How can God save me through Christ? It is entirely beyond the capabilities of the finite mind to grasp this in all its fulness, but the Apostle Paul summed it up when he said:

`For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Cor. 5:21).

There is a wonderful transference here. He takes your sin and bears it away and pays the penalty in your stead, which is death. Hence His atoning death on Calvary’s cross. You take His righteousness by simple trust in Him and the free gift of eternal life in the place of condemnation and death; and not only this, but His almighty power which will enable you to live, in the fullest sense of the word, a life of peace and joy, in spite of all circumstances.

God’s way of salvation then is plain. You are a failing creature, a sinner. You need a Saviour. There is only one Saviour, and He is Jesus Christ. When you put your trust in Him and rely entirely upon His all sufficient work and merit, you are saved and that for all eternity and the question which heads this leaflet is then answered as to what a real Christian is. It is YOU if you have taken this one vital and necessary step. If you have not, then we would urge upon you, with all the earnestness at our command, that you do it NOW. You cannot guarantee to-morrow, therefore let not this day pass before you go to God quietly, simply, and in all sincerity and tell Him that you are a sinner; that you realise your need of salvation and will put your trust in the only Saviour of sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of mind, the joy, the sense of a real purpose in life which will surely follow have to be experienced to be believed. If you turn away and reject Him, things can never be the same for you again. At least, you will not be able to say that you did not know. Do not be concerned or afraid of what other people may do or think. What does this matter when eternal things are at stake? Never mind how much you have sinned and failed in the past; remember He said that He came to call sinners not righteous people, and therefore He
came for YOU. He will not turn you away for He has given you this promise:

`Him that cometh to ME I will in no wise cast out’ (John 6:37).

`He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them’ (Heb. 7:25).

He can be your Saviour here and now, and you can be a Christian in the truest sense if you will put your trust in Him and receive His salvation and transforming power. This can only be done by yourself. No one can do it for you. The question is: WILL YOU?

Think well before you say NO, FOR YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY HANGS UPON YOUR ANSWER.

¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥  ¥

This, and many other publications are obtainable from:
The Berean Publishing Trust
52a Wilson Street,
LONDON EC2A 2ER England

I received this email from a friend and network marketing colleague, and I am thinking this may help change the mindset of people who have reservations about networking. Enjoy!

“Dear Marvin Pagkanlungan,

Robert Kiyosaki wrote the international bestseller Rich Dad. Poor Dad, which has held the top spot on the New York Times for almost 6 years.

He has given keynote addresses and has taught workshops to entrepreneurs all over the world. He wrote an article speaking highly about Network Marketing:

What sinks New Businesses?

1. our schools train students to be employees who look for jobs rather than train entrepreneurs who create jobs and businesses.

2. The skills required to become a good employee are not the same skills required to become a good entrepreneur.

3. Many entrepreneurs fail to build a business. Instead, they work hard at building jobs that they own. They become self-employed rather than business owners.

4. Many entrepreneurs work long hours and are paid less per hour than their employees. Hence, many quit out of exhaustion.

5. Many new entrepreneurs start a business without e nough capital and real life experience.

6. Many entrepreneurs have a great product or service but lack the strong business skills to build a successful business.

That being said, the Network Marketing and Direct Selling Industry is recognized by many to be the fastest-growing business model in the world today.

It is also the most controversial. Many people still have a negative perception about Network Marketing organizations and that they are pyramid schemes. Yet in reality, the biggest scheme is the traditional business corporation, with one person at the top and all the workers below him/her.

People who want to be entrepreneurs should consider joining one of these businesses before they quit their jobs. Why?

Many of these companies provide essential sales techniques, business building, and leadership skills not found anywhere else.

One of the most valuable benefits from associating with a reputable orga nization is that it trains the mind-set and teaches courage; both required becoming an entrepreneur.

You will be come more familiar with systems required in building a successful business. The entry fee is typically quite reasonable and the education learned can be priceless.

If I were starting my entrepreneurial career all over again, I would start with a network marketing or direct sales business, not for money but for the real-world business training I could receive. - Robert Kiyosaki

I thought you would enjoy this. I sure did.

Take care

Sincerely,
Mike Garrard”

Tags: aim global, alive, network marketing

A FIGHTER’S ATTITUDE by Joey Concepcion

Many wonder how Pacquiao reached this level of success in his boxing career.One could relate it to the many successful entrepreneurs today and how they are able to succeed in their businesses.

First, noticeably, are the values of passion and hard work.Manny is clearly passionate about his boxing career.It goes beyond just earning money.Coming from a very humble beginning in General Santos, his desire to have a better life is immense.This brings about a greater passion for a skill.Hard work is something that is needed.The intensity of hard work comes from the motivation.It is all about how you really want it.This hunger is clearly seen among those who come from poverty.That super energy we see in Pacquiao during his fights is basically what has brought him to where he is today.

Likewise, those successful entrepreneurs, even the Taipans, were once poor and they started with humble beginnings.Focus is something that is also very important.So far, Manny has remained committed to the sport of boxing, and not politics.Losing in the last election for a congressional seat to represent the first district of Cotabato was a blessing for him.He remained focused on his boxing.Sometimes, even entrepreneurs lose focus and deviate from the skillas that they are good at.They enter businesses they are not good at and then start losing money.I myself, as an entrepreneur, know the importance of being focused on a business that you know well, which also matches the skill you best have.

Even if people say that the odds are against himbecause Oscar de la Hoya has many titles and has the reach and height advantage, Manny has the mindset of a fighter.This YES attitude is also seen in many successful entrepreneurs.They always maintain a positive attitude and look at problems with an eye for opportunity.They inspire others more, rather than discourage others, shunning the crab mentality that many Filipinos still have.

The “Yes the Filipino Can!” attitude will turn this nation’s doubting people into positive thinkers.The Pacquiao fever should further inspire people that the “Yes” attitude can indeed change your life for the better.

============================

Psalm 100 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good & his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

We are living in an age when material things occupy the thoughts and ambitions of most people. Our minds have been concentrated on the increase in the cost of living and economic problems. The current rate of inflation is alarming with the prospect of shortages or even famine. Hard times seem to await us. These conditions affect us all and indeed it seems to be a worldwide situation. No wonder that we all wonder what the future holds.

As Christians, should we not be more concerned about spiritual matters rather than material things? It my be opportune at this time to ask ourselves whether our minds are set on things above, rather than things on earth.

George T. Foster - Devotional Messages

Tags: bible lessons, bible understanding, bible verses

Long ago in a small village [or so the story goes] there was a place known as the House of a Thousand Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the door with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as he could.

To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1,000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1,000 great smiles just as friendly. As he left the house, he thought to himself, This is a wonderful place; I will come back and visit often.

In the same village another little dog, who was not as happy as the first one, visited the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked through the door. When he saw the 1,000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1,000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, “This is a horrible place, I will never come back here again.”2

All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflection do we see in the faces of the people we meet? And what kind of face do they see in you and me?

From Tentmaker, www.tentmaker.org.

Five surgeons from big cities are discussing which profession makes the best patient to operate on.

The first surgeon, from New York , says, “I like to see accountants on my operating, table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.”

The second surgeon from Chicago responds, “Yeah, but you, should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded.”

The third surgeon, from Dallas, says, “No I don’t agree, I really think librarians are the best, everything inside them is in alphabetical order”.

The fourth surgeon, from Los Angeles chimes in: “You know, I like construction workers and mechanics… Those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over.”

But the fifth surgeon, from Washington, DC shuts them all up when he observed: “You’re all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There’s no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine, and the head and the ass are interchangeable”.