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At first, we thought it was kind of creepy. But she said, “Think about it. If your life had ended last night, what would you want people to say about you? How would they describe your personality? Your character? What do you want to be known for? What do you want to accomplish in your life? What kind of contributions do you want to make?” She said, “Don’t write what people would say right now. I want you to write what you want people to say when your life is over.” At the end of class, when we handed our papers in, she said, “Class, I want you to know that you have not just written your obituary. You have just written your dreams.” And she added, “Now, go live them.” You need to write your own obituary—your God-given dreams. It will become your life’s mission statement, the way you want to be remembered. It will be a guideline to live by. Then when temptation comes, all you have to do is get out your piece of paper and ask, “Does this line up with what I want to fulfill during my time period on earth?” Sit down at your computer or with your journal and write your obituary—your God-given dreams, your life’s mission statement—today. Chop It Into Daily Visions How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you go after a big dream? One day at a time. “C” is for chopping it up into daily visions. Any way you look at it, your future is hidden in your daily routine. Success is not one big event that happens in your life. It’s a result of daily disciplines that lead you into God’s perfect will. You see that with my dad, Brother Kenneth Copeland and other strong men and women of faith. It wasn’t one big event that caused them to be where they are today. The Copelands still listen to the Word, still speak the Word, still guard their mouths, still guard their hearts, still do all those things that got them where they are. Daily habits are what lead us into God’s plan. I am convinced you have to have daily doses of the Word of God in order to stay focused on your assignment. I’ve had enough experience to know that you can’t just fulfill God’s assignment on your own. You have to have a plan, and part of that plan is hearing the Word every single day until it becomes a part of your life—like brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t skip a day brushing your teeth. You shouldn’t skip time with the Word either. There have been so many times that I’ve put on the Word for even just 10 minutes in the morning before my jog or while driving to get my daily burrito—and during that 10 minutes I received exactly what I needed for that day. It’s amazing what 10 minutes of the Word can do for your focus. We have to do things like this on purpose to stay focused. Start a habit of hearing the Word every day. Put a CD player on your bathroom vanity along with a big note that says, “PUSH PLAY.” It will keep you focused. Soon, you’ll begin to think differently, act differently and see things differently. Things that used to tempt you will now be easily seen as traps—because God’s Word brings light and overcomes darkness every time. Do What God’s Telling YoU to Do “U” need to do what God’s telling you to do. You might read an article like this and get excited and think, 'I’m going to do that! I’m going to write my mission statement. I’m going to start listening to the Word every day. I’m going to make an investment in my life.' But once you start, it’s easy to compare yourself to others—others who aren’t doing anything—and get lax like them. It’s easy to relax, to compromise. Do what God is telling you to do, because at the end of day the only person you’re going to answer to the Lord for is you. When you stand before God, you’re only going to give an account for your life. It’s time to rise above the status quo. Average people never make the history books. We have to be willing to do more than others if we want God’s best. There’s an old saying: “Average is as close to the bottom as it is the top.” Don’t settle for being an average Christian, pastor, businessperson, spouse, parent or anything else. Start at the Top Again Lastly, “S” stands for “Start at the top again.” In other words, all the things you know to do, you have to keep on doing. Joyce Meyer once asked a man who had been in ministry more than 40 years, “If you could tell me one thing that would help me stay focused in my life and ministry, to not give in to temptation, what would it be?” He thought for a minute, then said, “Whatever you did to get to where you’re at—don’t stop doing it.” Once you get where you want to go, ask yourself what got you there. Hearing the Word. Speaking the Word. Having daily disciplines in your life that you never stop. That’s what will make all the difference. That’s what you must never stop doing. Start at the top and do it again. Keeping Your Focus We all know people who never seem to advance. Years go by and nothing changes in their lives. They’re doing the same thing, dealing with the same situations, still in relationships they shouldn’t be in, still battling the same addictions. That’s not God’s best for our lives. God has an assignment that only you can fulfill. He’s given you an allotted time on earth to do what only you can do, but you have to stay focused. God wants you to fight your own battles and win. Fix your fences. Write your “obituary” and keep that mission statement in front of you. Listen to the Word daily. Don’t compare yourself to others. Keep doing what makes you successful. Then you will accomplish your God-given assignment. V About: Terri Savelle Foy, daughter of Jerry and Carolyn Savelle, is the senior vice president of Jerry Savelle Ministries International and founder of Terri Savelle Foy Ministries. For information or ministry materials write to Terri Savelle Foy Ministries, P.O. Box 1299, Crowley, TX 76036; or go to terri.com. JULY '14 : 35

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