1 Chronicles‬ ‭12:32‬ ‭(AMP‬) - Of the tribe of Issachar, (they were) men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, two hundred chiefs; and all their relatives were at their command;”

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We all need an Issachar spirit right now. They were men “who understood the times”. We need to recognize and know what times we’re living in right now. This is a time that will make many people and break many people. This could be a moment of great opportunity or great loss. We are living in a moment that could change our lives for the better or worse. It is, therefore, vitally important for us to know that but, like Issachar, we must also know what we should do about it. The Tribe of Issachar didn’t just understand the times that they were living in, but they also knew what “Israel should do” at that time. If you know what’s happening around you and you know what to do about it, you could wind up being extremely successful. So, what you do about it?  First, learn the.....

 

 

Lesson that the ant  teaches us....

 

Proverbs‬ ‭6:6-8 (AMP‬‬) - Go to the ant, O lazy one; Observe her ways (or pay attention to how she operates) and be wise (having wisdom is the ability to acquire accurate information and then use it accurately to obtain the desired result. So, the scripture is saying to observe what the ant  does and then apply it to your life, by imitating her), (So, the Ant) Which, having no chief, Overseer or ruler (In other words, the ant doesn’t need to be told what to do, she just instinctively does it.  The reason why most people don’t do well at business is because they don’t do well if someone is not telling them what to do and when to do it. The ant, however, is self starter and a “go getter”.), (The wisdom of the ant  is that) She prepares her food in the summer And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.

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The first lesson that we learn from the ant  is preparation. The ants  greatest strength is her ability to prepare for the rough times. While every other animal 🦓 is out playing during the summer, the ant  is gathering and storing food in preparation for the harsh winter 🥶 months. Therefore, while the other animals are hungry, in the winter ️, the ant has stored up enough food 🥘 to make it through the winter. That’s a lesson that we all desperately need to learn. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to be prepared for emergencies. They say that 63% people don’t have $500 of savings to cover a minor emergency. With that being the case, we see why so many people are in devastation right now. Now, that’s not the throw stones at anyone, it’s just the stating of a fact. This pandemic should teach us all the valuable lesson of the ant, which is to prepare for rough times. All of us need to have 3 months of expenses saved up for your family. This also taught me the importance of having 3 months of expenses for our ministry and my business. I have a goal to purchase multiple real estate  properties. After acquiring each property, my first goal will be to rent out all of the apartments and then save three months worth of expenses for that property, and each subsequent property. That’s the first lesson that the ant  has teaches us. Prepare for the winter 🥶. 

 

The second lesson that we learn from the ant  is team work. Although an ant  is strong, relevant to his body size, a single ant  can only do so much. That’s why teamwork is so important. In order to prepare for the winter ️, they have to carry huge leaves  and food 🥘 that would be impossible for a single ant to do by itself. That’s why you see a gang of ants  carrying one piece of food. They work together so well that, when they’re carrying an object, they are all moving in the same direction at the same time. This is what is meant when it is said that you should work smarter, not harder. With that being said, there is no way to be successful without building a strong team. You need people if you’re going to be successful. You may be able to do a lot on your own, but you will be able to do much more with a team. Sometimes we can get the mentality that, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. That mentality won’t get you very far. If you’re going to be successful, you have to have a team mentality. You need to find people that will help you lift the heavy weight. You must find people that are strong 🏽 in your area of weakness. That way, you can concentrate on the things that you’re gifted at doing. 

 

Ok, so that’s the first success key  from the book of Proverbs. Next, you have to....

 

 

Be willing to Work...

 

Proverbs‬ ‭13:4(‭AMP) - The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.

 

This is the problem with most people. They desire and crave things, but their laziness sabotages their success. As the scripture states, “lethargy overcomes ambition” in their life. The word lethargy means “lack of energy or enthusiasm”.  Ambition is defined as “a strong desire to do or achieve something”. You will never succeed if you’re lacking energy and enthusiasm. When you’re lazy, your desire for comfort will drown your desire to achieve something great. Success takes a lot of work, and the lazy person doesn’t want to work. They want success handed to them, and it doesn’t work that way. 

 

 

Don’t be lazy....

 

Proverbs‬ ‭6:9-11 (AMP‬‬) How long will you lie down, O lazy one? When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]? “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”— So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely] And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].”

 

Proverbs‬ ‭19:15‬ ‭(AMP‬) - Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity], And the idle person will suffer hunger.”

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Take Advantage of God Given Opportunities.....

 

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9:11‬ ‭(NLT‬) - I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance (or opportunity), by being in the right place at the right time.”

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Speak Right....

 

Proverbs‬ ‭13:2-3 (‭AMP) - From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is for violence. The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin. 

 

Proverbs 18:20-21 - A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled (e.g. Whatever you speak, you will have to eat). 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

 

Proverbs 18:20&21 (GNT) - You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. 21 What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.

 

Did you know that you have power in your lips?  Did you know that you have a miracle or a curse in your mouth? My question to you is, "What are you saying?" and "Is that really what you want?".  You see, your words have the power to produce both blessings and curses in your life, because death and life are in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  Most people, with their mouth, destroy their future.  God has given us creative power in our tongues.  We can use this power to create an amazing life or to wreak havoc in (or destroy) our lives. That's why it's important that we watch what we say. If you don't want it, don't speak it.  If you want to live the good life, learn to speak right things.  Therefore, only say it if you really want it.  You see, your words can either work for you or against you and the devil knows that.  That's why he wants to penetrate you.  He realizes that he can't curse you, but he can use you to curse yourself with your words.  He just needs to get you to say it.  If he can get you to say that you're nothing, you'll start believing it.  If he can get you to say, that you'll never make, you never will.  He just needs you to say it.  Why? Because you are the most believable person in your life. If you say it, you'll believe it. 

 

 

Live Right....

 

Proverbs‬ ‭13:21-22‬ ‭(AMP) - Adversity pursues sinners, But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.”

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When you’re walking with God, you may run into trouble, every once in a while. But, when you’re living a life of sin, adversity will be looking for you. There’s a big difference in running into trouble, and trouble running after you. Eventually, living for God will pay off. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does come. You will be rewarded, with prosperity, for a life lived for God. As the scripture states, the sinners wealth (right now) is being stored up for those that are living righteous lives. Eventually, they will have to turn it over.