Give yourself a fighting chance

Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”

I am the son of a preacher. Grew up in a Christian home.

Very modest home and humble circumstances

Education was seen as the only key

Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 10:16 ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

God made everything, even the evil for the day of trouble Proverbs 16:4 “The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.”

I had to make some bold decisions that didnt make sense to some

How you carry yourself is key

People will praise you but dont let their praise distract you. Keep on pressing towards the mark of the high calling

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Proverbs 3:5–8 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marriane Williamson

Get Wisdom - Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

Be strong and of good courage

Whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might. Stay focused on the mark

Choose a good name, c

Think about these things (Create in me a clean heart and purify me)