12 Jun I Can! ~Developing a “whatever it takes attitude”! Part 3

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Let’s review our key Scripture for this series: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).  

Last month we shared that the Greek word translated “strengthens” is the word endunamao and it literally means “empower”.  Therefore you could translate this powerful verse “I can do all things through Christ which empowers me.”  

We shared that most of the time (and understandably so), “Christ’s empowerment” is what is emphasized.  Recently the Lord gave me some revelation that emphasizes a different portion of this powerful verse: “I can”.  Many times we are waiting on “Christ’s empowerment” but He is waiting on our “I Can!” I believe Christ places His strength on those of us who have an “I can do it” attitude!

Let’s review four types of people in life:

  1. Cop-outs…they have no God-given goals and make no decisions
  2. Hold-outs…they have God-given goals but are afraid to respond to the challenge
  3. Drop-outs…they have God-given goals but quit when things get tough
  4. All-outs…they have God-given goals and get them done…whatever it takes!

In this series my goal is to help you become an “All-out”.  

We began sharing…

10 Keys to Kindling an “I Can” Attitude:

       1. Reject an “I can’t” attitude (Mark 2:4).  

Remember these important nuggets:  

  • Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they will limit you!  
  • If you think your problem is special…it will be especially hard to overcome!
  • It is easier to go from failure to success, than excuse to success.

      2. Take the bull by the horns (Phil. 3:12).

This verse tells us, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  The Greek word translated “apprehended” denotes to “grab a hold on”. 

Remember this: If you want milk, don’t sit in the middle of a field in hopes that a cow will back up to you!

This week let’s continue with…

       3. Enter the “No Moan Zone” (Phil. 2:14).

Here the Bible tells us, “Do all things without mumbling and complaining.”  I did a Greek study on the word translated “all things” and I was amazed to find that it means…all things!  “What about my boss?”…all things! “What about my church?”…all things! “What about my spouse?”…all things! “What about politicians?”…well…no, all things!

I remember I was traveling to see my in-laws from Nashville to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  If you know anything about the route it is long, flat and boring. After leaving I-40 you go through a series of toll booth after toll booth.  After the third toll booth I began to complain to my wife about all the toll booths. It was through that situation that God began to teach me the following:  Complaining is inadvertently criticizing God’s ability to take care of you.  Yes, I know…ouch!

Remember this:  Complainers are not obtainers.  Moaners are loaners. Grumblers are fumblers and gripers get the vipers!

        4. Empathize don’t criticize (Ezek. 3:15).

This country is full of “haters”.  I have never seen a generation so critical of anyone who succeeds.  I don’t remotely understand this attitude. When it comes to the successful, I learned a long time ago, don’t criticize…analyze.  If you observe the successful long enough, success secrets will begin to emerge.  

Empathize, don’t criticize.  Remember this: Compassion always flows from another man’s shoes.  Isn’t it amazing how empathetic we can be towards ourselves and how critical we can be towards others?

It all depends on your point of view:

  1. When another takes a long time…he’s slow.  When I take a long time…I’m thorough!
  2. When another doesn’t do it…he’s lazy.  When I don’t do it…I’m busy.
  3. When another does something without being told…he’s over-stepping his bounds.  When I do something without being told…it’s initiative.
  4. When another overlooks etiquette…he’s rude.  When I overlook etiquette…I’m original.
  5. When another pleases the boss…he’s a brown noser.  When I please the boss…I’m a team player.

When another gets promoted…he got a lucky break.  When I get promoted…it’s a reward for hard work.

Join us over the next few months as we continue to share wisdom principles from our series: “I Can!” Developing a “whatever it takes” attitude!