................................................................................................
Obtaining
Your Turnaround
Rock-Solid Principles
to Obtain Your Turnaround
Dr. James
Russell
The Bureau of Economic
Analysis (BEA) released its third and final estimate for
third quarter GDP.
Real output grew at an annual
3.2 percent rate in the third quarter, compared to 3.1 percent in the second
quarter.
If the fourth quarter also
grows at a rate of 3 percent or more, it would be the first time in 12 years of
3 percent growth for three connective quarters.
The Census Bureau reported November
new home sales at a very strong annual rate of 733,000—17.5 percent above
October (the largest percentage increase in 25 years) and 26.6 percent above
the year ago number.
The median new home price is
$318,700 (down 0.3 percent for the month, but up 1.2 percent for the year).
The U. S. labor market is strong and strengthening. Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) shows via its data document that
the current 4.1 percent unemployment rate is the lowest in 17 years.
During 2017, we have seen a
record low (with 45-plus years of data) Latino unemployment rate and the lowest
black unemployment rate in 17 years.
Approximately 17 million jobs
have been added, including 171,000 in manufacturing.
Stock market prices incorporate current and expected economic
conditions and profits. The U. S. stock market has been on a roar.
To date, the Dow Jones
Industrial Average stock index has established 70 all-time record highs during
2017—an average of a new record about every four days.
Before this year, the Dow had
never increased 4,000 points in a single year. During 2017, it increased more
than 5,000.
The newly signed "Tax Cut and Reform" law should add
significant stimulus to the economy and will benefit most families.
The Tax Foundation expects the
law to add another 1.7 percent to GDP, increase wages 1.5 percent and create
339,000 new jobs.
On the personal side, a near
doubling of the standard deduction, increasing the child tax credit and
lowering all tax rates will benefit most individuals and families.
A new tax calculator from
MarketWatch allows those interested to compute their expected federal tax
liability under the new law.
The U. S. economy is at the beginning of a turnaround. Some
argue that the economic improvements have been large enough to call it a
turnaround.
Regardless of what it is
called, things have improved.
The standard of living has
improved, more people are working, wages are up slightly, stock prices
are at near record highs and the new tax law will put more money into most
peoples' pockets.
Many believers need a personal turnaround, and God is the author
of these. His Word gives principles which are to be followed and examples of
people(s) throughout the ages who have obtained theirs.
The first book of Chronicles describes the sons of Reuben, the
Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who were facing the Hagrites, among
others.
From their experiences, we
can discern five principles of victory:
o Principle
1: Be brave and courageous (they were described as "valiant");
o Principle
2: Be equipped (they possessed weapons);
o Principle
3: Be skillful (they were skillful in the use of these weapons);
o Principle
4: Pray (they cried out to the Lord in battle); and,
o Principle
5: Trust in the Lord (their prayers were heard because they trusted in the
Lord).
The
sons of Reuben, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh numbered forty-four
thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and
sword, to shoot with a bow, and who were skillful in battle, who went to war.
They made war with the
Hagrites, namely Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.
They were helped against
them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were delivered into their
hand, for they cried to God in the battle, and He heard their prayer because
they trusted in Him (1 Chronicles 5:18-20).
The story of Gideon also gives insight into how to experience
turnarounds (Judges 6-9).
Israel was oppressed by the
Midianites. The Lord used Gideon to defeat 135,000 Midian soldiers with 300
men.
The principles gleaned from
His experiences will help all of us obtain our turnarounds if we apply them to
our lives.
The Lord does not change. But
perhaps we need to change.
o
Principle 6: Expect miracles. Gideon had a correct understanding
of miracles, even though at first he had only heard about them.
"Then Gideon said to him, 'O my
lord, if the Lord is with us, then why has all this happened to us? Where are
all His miracles that our fathers told us about?'" (Judges
6:13a).
o
Principle 7: Recognize your esteem and ability come from the
Lord. Gideon suffered from low self-esteem. The solution was recognizing the
Lord was with him.
"And he said to
Him, 'O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in
Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house.' Then the Lord said
to him, 'But I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one
man'" (Judges 6:15-16).
"The angel of the
Lord appeared and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O mighty man of
valor'" (Judges 6:12).
o
Principle 8: Make sure you are hearing from the Lord before
taking action.
Gideon wanted to make sure
that he wasn't deceived. He asked for signs three times (Judges
6:17, 36, 39).
We don't necessarily have to
ask for a sign, but we should be sure we are hearing from the Lord. Check the
Scriptures. Get wise, godly counsel.
o Principle
9: Have faith and be obedient. Once assured that he was hearing from the Lord,
Gideon was obedient in all.
It takes faith to tear down
your father's idols, to reduce your army from 32,000 to 300 and to attack an
army of 135,000.
o Principle
10: Give thanks and dominion to the Lord. Gideon expressly gave dominion
to the Lord.
"Gideon said to
them, 'I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you. The Lord
will rule over you" (Judges 8:23).
Having just celebrated the most miraculous birth in history, let
us decide to give Him the glory by overcoming. He is able. He is willing.
Dr.
James Russell is a
professor of economics at Oral Roberts University.
No comments:
Post a Comment