“What On Earth Are YOU Doing?”

Many of you know I cherish the women who raised me. My memories of them are priceless and often I find myself reflecting on a word spoken by one of them or reliving a childhood episode that causes me to rethink taking an action or pursuing something with reckless abandon. Recently I was at a crossroads and dealing with a dilemma in my life that caused me to be hesitant to move forward with power and confidence. As I debated the issue, something my grandmother would say to me just seemed to set me straight and prompted me to take the action necessary and proceed with assuredness.

The summers I spent with my grand parents were the most influential, beneficial, and developmental times of my life. I remember when my grand mother would witness me doing something flippant, halfheartedly, or thoughtless she would pose a question to me; not as if she was requiring an answer but more rhetorically. She would assert:

Boy, “WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING!”

Her assertion to me was to ‘examine the activity I was engaged in and consider if it was the best use of my time, talent and abilities.‘ Oftentimes as I pondered her question; I realized that I was mindlessly engaged in activities that were not going to produce any meaningful benefit to me and I would ultimately be settling for less than what I was capable of achieving.

Likewise, I think we tend to do the same given our place in God’s kingdom. Let ask you, “What On Earth Are YOU Doing?”

God said,

‘Let US make man in our image, after OUR likeness, and let them have dominion over ALL the earth, so God created man in His OWN image, in the image of god He created him, and God BLESSED them and said unto them; ‘Be fruitful and multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it’                                                                                                                                                          (Genesis 1: 26-28 KJV)

You are created in the image of God, the Creator Himself to have dominion and power over the earth; ARE YOU LIVING THAT REALITY? As you review your daily actions and activities be it in your occupation: pursuing your dreams, achieving your highest ideals, or making your mark on the world; are you living like you have God’s “DNA” in YOU? Are you walking with a DOMINION attitude?

What On Earth Are YOU Doing? Are you being ‘fruitful and multiplying; replenishing and subduing the earth’ with your time, gift, talent, or opportunities to give, create, or earn? According to the bible, you have everything within you to live the life God has purposed you to live. He thought enough of you to not just create you, but to do so IN HIS IMAGE!

Start TODAY to move into the place God created you to be in by recognizing and pursuing it with every fiber of your being!

This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr, “The Bible Millionaire,” Encouraging YOU to Live, Above Only! 

 

 

You have the power to change any environment, situation, circumstance or state, however; change won’t come by revisiting, reshuffling, and regurgitating the same old same old. Change takes place when you REPLACE old behavior, systems, habits, and modus operandis  with radical, extraordinary, and unequivocally different thoughts and actions!

“I REFUSE!”

 

After a rousing and electrifying yet controversial speech the crowd had dispersed. In the stillness of the moment the aftermath of what had just taken place was still resonating with one young reporter covering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his increasingly vocal public condemnation of the United States’ escalating role in the war in Vietnam. Earlier, as Dr. King spoke the reporter noticed the intrepid and undaunted manner in which Dr. King delivered his speech; more distinguishable than on previous occasions. As he met with Dr. King in the holding area after the speech he discovered the reason for his focused and piercing demeanor.

Something revealingly significant lying on the table between them caught his eye. He observed tucked inside the handwritten manuscript of Dr. King’s 1967 speech vehemently opposing the war—a war for which he endured being slanderously vilified by both white and black leaders for opposing—scribbled in the margins of the speech written in Dr. King’s gradient cursive style were the words: “I REFUSE TO PLAY IT SAFE!”

Dr. King knew his position was one that was neither popular nor convenient, however; his conscious dictated that he must take a stand against what he felt was an “unjust” war; regardless of the feathers it ruffled.

Ironically, when you decided to take to a stand for what you believe or make a monumental change in your life, circumstance, or situation you probably encountered opposition as well. Some of your new-found views may not be popular with those in your circle nor will they be convenient for you to implement and at times you may be tempted to “Play it safe.” My suggestion…DON’T!

“REFUSE TO PLAY IT SAFE:”

Scared

Apprehensive

Fearful

Encumbered

Refuse to play it: “Scared”— Don’t allow FEAR to stop you. God has given you “the mission” and “the permission;“ GET ON WITH IT!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and on love, and of a sound mind.      (2 Timothy 1: 7 NKJV)

Refuse to play it: “Apprehensive” —You can not be tentative in your actions and approach to taking on the challenges or the events that precede great accomplishment; what others will say or be concerned about how you will be received doesn’t matter. Have confidence in your calling. Be bold, brazen, and blessed!

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?     (Psalms 27: 1 NKJV)

Refuse to play it: “Fearful”—Fearfulness prohibits most great accomplishment and progress towards your dream and success. Jesus assures us that peace we need for the challenges we face is always available to us through Him.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.     (John 14: 27 NKJV)

Refuse to play it: “Encumbered”— Being encumbered with doubt, hesitation, and procrastination weighs you down and hinders taking action; erodes confidence and stifles progress. Self-imposed barriers and burdens cloud our thinking and causes us to deliberate too long and miss great opportunities to make a difference.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.     (Hebrews 12: 1-2 NKJV)

Jesus “Refused to play it SAFE” for YOUR sake! Therefore you can endure whatever is necessary on your road to achieving your dream. The journey experienced by pioneering leaders are the stuff of legends and that’s what will make your accomplishments legendary. Refusing to “play it SAFE” may not easy but it is worth it to get to where you are destined to be.

Like Jesus and Dr. King after Him; take your stand; “Refuse to play it SAFE!”

This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr. the “Bible Millionaire” encouraging YOU to Live Above Only!

 

STIR UP THE GIFT!

 

Do you know someone whose GIFTED? I’m willing to bet you do! We all were sent to this earth by the Creator to make an impact, contribution or difference! Not only did God instill that gift them, but many of them are being propped up by the prayers of someone else who sees that gift working in them also and their desire is to see that gift manifested.

I am reminded of this by an experience in my life when I was younger. Every summer up until my teenage years my siblings and I would spend the summer with our grand parents in Mississippi; those were some of the richest and most endearing times in my life. Every summer one of the things I would do to past the time would be to take some of my grandfather’s old paint buckets and turn them upside down place them on sticks and play them like drums. After a while I must admit; I got pretty good at playing them and I would have the entire neighborhood rocking!

After after about three or four years of this routine, I looked forward to going there  for the summer and playing those drums (buckets). I decided that I wanted to play drums professionally when I grew up and remember times when I would walk to the music store from our house…about five miles away, just  to look at the drum sets and play them. Whenever my grandmother would visit us in Tennessee I would plead with her and my mother to take me to the music store so I could play them. When I turned twelve of thirteen I got my first job—outside of having a paper route—doing yard work on Saturday’s for friends of my dad to earn money to buy a set. Those Saturday’s were hot, but I didn’t mind….I was on a mission.

One Saturday after work my mother came to pick me up from my job. As we pulled up to the house I noticed my grandmother’s car in the drive; they never mentioned she was coming, but it didn’t matter; I was glad to see her. Everybody was grinning at me when I walked into the house. When I went into my room, there sitting in my room was a brand new chrome set of “Slingerland” drums! The very set I had drooled and dreamed over at the music store! My grandmother had come up and purchased the drums for me. She said she saw how my eyes would light up when I took her to the music store to see and play them…but what she said next FLOORED ME! She said; “I want to STIR UP THE GIFT!”

I remember being speechless, humbled, and grateful all at the same time, you see my grandmother was a custodian at the elementary school, she didn’t make a lot of money and those drums cost $650.00 BACK THEN! To have someone believe in you that much to”stir up the gift” is a feeling and obligation to make good on their belief in you that I can’t express in words. I did go on to make her and my mom proud and use that gift to bless others around the world. I rehearsed relentlessly and got some tremendous opportunities to play and record music with some of the greats in Memphis music history.

I am also reminded of another young lad whose gift was noticed by someone of influence…the Apostle Paul! He noticed that Timothy had a gift to minister to God’s people that was instilled in him at a young age by his mother and grandmother. The Apostle Paul would not let Timothy’s gift go unnoticed or undernourished:

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.      (2 Timothy 1: 5-6 NKJV)

The Apostle Paul took it upon himself to nurture, encourage, and support Timothy for the sake of the kingdom of God. How about you? Is there someone in your life whose talent, gift, skill, or anointing you see and can influence? Perhaps you are capable of encouraging and supporting them and their gift. I’ve found that one of the greatest blessings in life is to be a blessing to someone else. Go, “Stir Up The Gift!”

This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr. “The Bible Millionaire” encouraging YOU to LIVE ABOVE ONLY!

 

 

LETS GET RICH!

We hear the expression, “Get Rich” everywhere. Ads promising you fame, fortune, and “getting rich” with no effort. All you have to do is  BUY their product, service, or program and instantly, you’re there! My question is:

What does it mean to you to be TRULY RICH? Money? A Big house? Luxury cars? Material possessions?

There came a point in his life when the richest man in history pondered this very question sitting in the midst of all his regal splendor that those of today would pail in comparison. Something was missing! Here’s his account:

4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments[a] of all kinds.

9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.

11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.        (Ecclesiastes 2: 4-11 NKJV)

King Solomon had everything MATERIALLY, however; it did not satisfy him. How about you, what are you going after that society has labeled as making you “successful?”

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not advocating or knocking having riches and wealth, in fact; IT’S WHAT I TEACH! What I am suggesting here is that YOUR getting RICH  is FULFILLING and aligned with your purpose! MY definition of RICH:

Rewarded

Immeasurably

Creating

Happiness 

God’s plan for the gift you have to give to the world is not only to give you joy and happiness but to also create happiness in others. That’s what was missing in Solomon’s situation; his riches were only material goods that benefited HIM and HIM only…there was no “profit” in it! They were not FULFILLING to him!

My take:

“You will get RICH by “enriching” the LIVES of  others.”

–The Bible Millionaire

You may be asking; “Donnye, How do I apply the biblical concept for getting RICH?“

Here are 5 Steps for making this happen:

GIVE more than others deem necessary! Your life and business will flourish immensely when you commit yourself to being a basis for help and beacon of hope for others!

LOVE more than others deem prudent! When you love unconditionally, it reflects in your spirit. I saw this posting on one of the social media sites about love; it went like this:

That about sums it up don’t you think?

ENCOURAGE more than others deem sufficient! Nothing pays greater dividends than to encourage someone on their journey to success!

SUPPORT more than others deem wise! When you support someone else’s dream, you help to give them the foundation they need to see them through the challenges they will inevitably encounter on their road to success.

You are on the road to incomparable riches, fulfillment, and joy following this prescription for getting there.

Come on; LET’S GO GET RICH!

This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr., The “Bible Millionaire” encouraging YOU, to Live Above Only!

“Your GREATEST BATTLES and most STUBBORN ENEMIES are often fought IN YOUR MIND!”

—The Bible Millionaire

“MY FEET HURT!”

Above Only Living

On a crisp uneventful evening December 1, 1955 a forty-two year old seamstress boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama headed home after putting in a full day of labor at the department store where she worked. After a brief survey of her available options, she found solitude in a seat near the front and settled in it for the brief ride on the first leg to her destination.

Shortly afterwards, the bus arrived at another of it’s scheduled stops and a white man boarded the bus. Given that there were no seats vacant in the front of the bus; the seamstress was commanded by the bus driver to relinquish her seat to the man and proceed to the back of the bus, to which she simply replied:

No!

She knew she was running afoul of the law in place at the time, nevertheless; on this day it didn’t matter….she…

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What’s YOUR GAME?

 

 

 

All eyes were upon Him as He gracefully rose to read and teach in the synagogue; as was His custom since His youth in His family’s adopted home city of Nazareth. However, this time was different from all the rest; there was something different about Him! He was about to reveal His reason for being on the earth and that reason would CHANGE THE WORLD…FOREVER! He spoke:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty  them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.                                                                                                                                                                      (Luke 4: 18-19 KJV)

As the eloquence and power of His words resonated in the walls of the synagogue and the hearts and minds of the people; he took his seat. Jesus had just publicly stated His GAME:

Godly

Anointed

Magnificent

Endeavor

He acknowledged His purpose for being on the earth. The Father had “anointed” Him to take on the  “magnificent endeavor” of redeeming mankind back to Him! Wow…what a task! Your GAME may not be as monumental as Jesus’ and it doesn’t have to be, however; discovering it will be the greatest discovery you will make in this lifetime. Noted author and humorist Mark Twain veraciously stated:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

― Mark Twain

No truer statement could have been made for why discovering and pursuing your GAME is so imperative to living a happy fulfilled life. Upon your creation, God destined you to do something; something for which you are to deliver to the world. History has proven this in the lives of others who have come before you; people such as:

Abraham- The “Father” of many nations

Moses- The “Great Deliverer”

David- “Great King” of Israel

Esther- The “Great Queen”

Bazelel- The “Craftsman”

George Washington-The “Founding Father” of America

Thomas Jefferson- The “Great Communicator”

Abraham Lincoln- The “Great Emancipator”

Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu- (Mother Teresa) The “Blessed Teresa of Calcutta”

Martin Luther King, Jr- The “Preeminent leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement”

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi- (Mahatma Ghandi) The “Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism”

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela- The “South African anti-apartheid revolutionary”

These and countless others through the years-known and unknown-have felt the calling of God in their lives to achieve something significant during their pilgrimage on the earth for the betterment of mankind. Some were thrust into their Godly Anointed Magnificent Endeavor, some were lead into it by a conviction in their hearts, and others went after a dream that burned inside of them, regardless; they stepped forward at the appointed time and achieved something magnificent!

What about YOU?

Perhaps you were not created to make a national statement or liberate a nation, however; there is something grand and magnificent you were created to do in your GAME?

What is it that God has anointed and appointed YOU to do?

You might be lamenting; ” Donnye, I don’t know what it is! How do I discover my GAME?”

First, I suggest you start by asking yourself; “What am I really good at?” “What ‘Geeks’ (something for which you are naturally gifted and enthused to do) me?”

When God decided to have a tabernacle build to dwell in among the Children of Israel, He summoned Moses up to Mt Sinai to inform him of His plan:

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying See, I have called by name Bazaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass. And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (Exodus 31: 1-5 KJV)

YOUR ANOINTING was given to you by God for a distinct and definite purpose…His purpose! Let’s get busy discovering your Godly Anointed Magnificent Endeavor! 
This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr. the “Bible Millionaire” encouraging you to Live Above Only!

 

 

“MY FEET HURT!”

On a crisp uneventful evening December 1, 1955 a forty-two year old seamstress boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama headed home after putting in a full day of labor at the department store where she worked. After a brief survey of her available options, she found solitude in a seat near the front and settled in it for the brief ride on the first leg to her destination.

Shortly afterwards, the bus arrived at another of it’s scheduled stops and a white man boarded the bus. Given that there were no seats vacant in the front of the bus; the seamstress was commanded by the bus driver to relinquish her seat to the man and proceed to the back of the bus, to which she simply replied:

No!

She knew she was running afoul of the law in place at the time, nevertheless; on this day it didn’t matter….she refused to move!

In response, the driver stopped the bus and the police was called to the scene where subsequently the seamstress was arrested. Later, as she recounted her experience of the incident, she was questioned as to why didn’t she move and give up her seat to the white man when she knew she was in violation of the law. After pondering the question posed to her, her response was plain-spoken; she stated:

“I don’t really know why I wouldn’t move.” She later commented; “There was no plot or plan at all, I was just tired…MY FEET HURT!”

How many of us can relate to her sentiment? Oftentimes there are no bells that go off, no special lights that flash that signals our desire to take a stand, start a movement or revolution, or engage in a grand scheme to change the course of human history. Many times great change or advancements in life both personal and professional begins with our simply being ‘TIRED OF HURTING!’

It may not be your FEET that’s “hurting!” Could it be that you are tired of your:

FAITH HURTING?- Are you trusting in YOURSELF and YOUR way of walking by SIGHT and always coming up short rather than trusting God and learning to exercise your FAITH in Him? Failing to trust God in your Earthly pilgrimage will lead to disappointing, discouraging, and devastating results. Learn to lean on Him for comfort, consolation, and clarity.

FAMILY HURTING? Are you estranged, distant, or at odds with family members? Perhaps you are: on the verge of a divorce, there’s no communication, or you’re holding on to a grudge that is destroying your relationship! Make a decision today to put your pride aside and reconcile, rekindle, or renew your family dynamic. Satan’s primary aim is to destroy the family unit God created and takes great pleasure in seeing you suffer in the midst of your family turmoil. Don’t give him that pleasure, take your power back.

FEELINGS HURTING? Are your feelings hurt by something someone said or did to you? Are you overwhelmed by the events of you life: job, family, responsibilities…etc? Release the hurt and pain of confusion, constriction, and confinement by reading God’s word and what He has to say about you! Jesus loves and believes in you so much He was willing to die to prove it….and He did!

FRIENDS HURTING? Is there someone in your life whose hurting? Go to them with and ear to listen without judgment of them or their situation. Sincerely offer them a willingness to help in any way that you can. They may just need to know there’s someone in their corner to be there for them with a kind ear and shoulder to lean on. Don’t try to offer any advice… just listen.

FINANCES HURTING? Are your finances hurting? Perhaps you have more “month” left at the end of your money; we’ve all been there at one time or another! Don’t fret about it! Understand you have a FISCAL issue! Fiscal issues must be solved using ‘Fiscal” means. Don’t make the mistake as we often do of equating your “SELF-WORTH” to your “NET-WORTH!” Find an accountant to help you evaluate your options. There are dozens of ways available to earn more income that can help you solve your fiscal issue; investigate them.

Like Mrs. Rosa Parks whose “FEET” hurting caused her to take a stand; why not take a stand against what’s hurting you beginning TODAY!

This is Donnye D. Collins, Sr., the “Bible Millionaire” encouraging you to: Live Above Only!