March 13, 2024 • 17 mins
Unlock the keys to a life brimming with growth and excellence as we traverse the spiritual terrain that profoundly shapes who we are. On today's Faith Walk, I, Don Carpenter, divulge seven transformative strategies from Proverbs 4, aimed at guiding you towards the pinnacle of personal development. Imagine a heart so guarded that negativity bounces off it, and a tongue that speaks life into your biggest, boldest dreams. Together, we'll embrace the dynamic dance of faith, one that doesn't just step forward but leaps into the unknown with conviction and courage.
This episode is not just a conversation; it's an invitation to stand tall amidst giants, drawing inspiration from the Josephs of our time, and tuning into the whispers of divine direction. I'll share the power of encouragement, the wisdom found in the company of the great, and the unparalleled strength that comes from acknowledging our missteps. Whether you're at a crossroads or simply seeking reinforcement on your journey, let this be the sign to take that leap. Walk with me as we cast fear aside and, hand in hand, march towards a horizon of unending growth and relentless pursuit of our God-given potential.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Hello, this is Faith Walk.
My name is Don Carpenter, Ipreach the things concerning the
kingdom of God in the name ofJesus Christ, and today I've got
an exciting broadcast for you.
I'm going to be talking aboutseven keys.
To stay on the cutting edge,I'd like to read you something
(00:33):
from the Word of God, the mostpowerful word that's spoken on
the planet today.
This particular reading istaken from Proverbs, chapter 4,
and I want to read you fourverses out of this chapter,
beginning with verse 23.
Watch over your heart with alldiligence, for from it flow the
(00:54):
springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitfulmouth and put devious speech far
from you.
Let your eyes look directlyahead and let your gaze be fixed
straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet,and all your ways will be
established.
(01:14):
Powerful, powerful word of God.
I have found that in my lifetimeand I have found this in pretty
well every successful personI've ever talked to or met.
We have to constantly becommitted to a standard of
(01:36):
excellence.
Do our very best.
Don't judge yourself againstsomebody else.
I always say they don't walkyour road and you will go always
beyond and above the call ofduty.
You will be constantly aware ofwhat is happening.
(02:00):
Speak to yourself life all thetime.
You are building faith and youare bringing healing to past
experiences and memories, andyou are determined that you're
going to move ahead.
This is where you are right now.
(02:23):
Don't doubt for one moment thatyou're doing things incorrectly
.
When you follow on to know theLord, jesus Christ, you will
find that your heart will bepurposed to always have a
(02:44):
standard of excellence.
You will have your insecuritiesdealt with.
These are all things that arefleshly, things that are
involving pride, all of thosethings.
They need to be put far, farbehind us because, remember, god
(03:04):
wants you to be very successful.
So, according to 1 John, godeven wants you to prosper in
everything that you do.
The future is very promising.
Don't get bogged down in thehurts in the past.
(03:27):
These are things which I findthat I have to have.
This kind of attitude.
I accept responsibility, Idon't make excuses.
And listen to me.
Here's something else A lot oftimes we get in our heads and in
our minds what we think isperfect, what we think is really
(03:50):
.
Maybe deep down, we might thinkwe'll never get there.
But avoid the paralyzing gripof perfectionism.
Do your very best and God willcome on the scene and he will
help you.
Well, I wanted to talk to youtoday about seven keys to stay
(04:12):
on the cutting edge.
Number one keep dreaming you.
I believe everybody has to havea dream.
I believe everybody does have adream.
Unfortunately, there are thosewho have given up on their
dreams, but we are not of thatthinking.
(04:37):
We're not all those kind ofwalkers.
We are people who will dreamand when we dream, we will dream
godly dreams.
You can have confidence in thatand God will start to, I
(04:59):
believe, more and more all thetime, will help you perfect your
dreams.
He will see how that you canmake your dreams possible.
Get them started, step outthere.
Let's do it.
You remember reading aboutJoseph in the book of Genesis
(05:20):
and you know what got him introuble with his brothers.
Well, I suspect there were manythings, but he was always
dreaming that the family evenmentioned it to him that he was
nothing but a dreamer.
But he dreamed god's dream.
God dreams.
He dreamed dreams that God wasspeaking into his life, purpose
(05:46):
for his life.
Always keep dreaming, nevergive up on your dreams.
And if you never give up onyour dream, you will stay and
that will help you to stay onthe cutting edge of where you
have to go by faith.
Number two you will stay on thecutting edge if you listen.
(06:14):
Now, it's very important who welisten to, what we let enter our
ears.
It is extremely important thatwe hear god words into our lives
.
Jesus, this is one of thesecrets that Jesus was able to
(06:39):
be current when he was on theearth.
Now I know he was god in theflesh, but you know what he did
every day, every day, he onlydid that which he seen and heard
of the father.
The reason that he could workthe way he did is because he had
the ability to listen, and thatwill keep you on the cutting
(07:05):
edge.
Never think for a moment thatyou know everything.
Don't think for a moment thatyou can't learn anything new.
I'm always listening.
One of the things that I haveused over my lifetime is that
when I feel that God is speakingto me about something, I keep
(07:30):
my ears open to what I heararound about me.
What are the messages that I'mhearing in the sermons?
What are people saying whenthey talk?
Spiritual talk?
I'm listening because I want tohave the direction of the Lord.
I need encouragement and I needto know that that God is with
(07:53):
me at all times, so listeningwill keep me on the cutting edge
.
The third key that I want you tothink about today is this one
Keep growing, no matter how oldyou are.
I want us to think of thisgrowing in a spiritual aspect,
(08:17):
in our, in our makeup, ourcharacter and from any other
areas of our life.
The third key to stay on thecutting edge is keep growing
your good seed.
You're planted in good soil.
(08:40):
The Lord made no mistake whenhe chose you, and you answered
the call and you are allowingyourself to be encouraged by the
Lord.
The Lord is going to surroundyou with great people who are
(09:01):
going to encourage you becausethey want you to grow, and
that's what encouragement does.
Every time that you or I findourselves being encouraged, we
are growing.
Growing is a key to staying onthe cutting edge.
(09:27):
The fourth key for staying onthe cutting edge is Take action
in spite of your fears.
Don't be afraid to step out byfaith.
Faith is like that, isn't it?
Faith is an action, ability,skill.
(09:52):
Action is what propels usforward.
Action is what we must have inorder to stay on the cutting
edge and to keep moving in.
I'm not going to allow fear totake over.
I have found this is what I'vefound I have found that when I
(10:13):
take action, amazingly I get abetter understanding of what I'm
to do.
Sometimes, if I sit and I tryto observe and think about it
too long, I have found that youcan become bogged down or you
may just give up altogetherBecause fear is constantly
(10:35):
saying you can't do it, nobodyis going to listen to you.
Take action, hallelujah.
Know what Jesus?
He's with us, the Lord Jesus.
He's with us in all of ourvalleys.
He's with us when fear may evenappear to be the greatest.
Take action.
(10:56):
Action will break fear andsmash it all to pieces.
Key number five to stay on thecutting edge.
Stay around strong people.
Never keep away from them.
(11:21):
Walk with strong people.
Stay away from complainers andpeople who talk others down.
Stay away from them.
They are filled with nothingbut heartache and burden and
they think that you know theycan't do it, so therefore, they
(11:42):
don't think anybody can do it.
You are a man, you're a womanof faith and God wants you to
become friends with strongpeople.
People who speak strength,people who speak faith, people
(12:02):
who do it, people who say thisis the way, walk in it.
And they walk in it and theysay come on, let us go together.
The strong people say, yes, theopposition will be there.
Yes, it will seem likeeverything is coming against us,
but we can overcome this storm.
Strong people will build yourfaith.
(12:23):
Strong people are such.
It is imperative that you beinvolved with strong people.
And you know what.
When you're strong, people wantto be around you because you
give them hope.
You give people who are filledwith anxiety and fear.
(12:47):
They're going to say, oh, Ijust love being around them
because they just encourage meso much.
You are a strong person and Igot good news for you.
This is one of the keys tostaying on the cutting edge Not
just you hanging around, but youbeing strong.
So you're going to make itNumber six pace yourself.
(13:14):
You're not going to accomplisheverything at once.
I often say let's prioritize.
Don't get bogged down, becausesometimes, when you're moving by
faith or you will find,sometimes, when you start to do
something, there's this otherthing that suddenly pulled in.
It's got to be done, andanother thing has got to be done
(13:34):
and this has got to be lined upand, before you know it, you've
got so many things in so manydirections and it can get
overwhelming.
Sometimes you can get wearyfrom it.
Pace yourself, prioritize, dowhat you can do and you don't
(13:58):
need to be racing and going likea rocket.
Remember, pacing yourself isone of the keys to staying on
the cutting edge.
Pace yourself.
And number seven you will beable to keep going because you
(14:26):
will repent of your sins.
You will know that when itwasn't right, the right decision
or whatever, you're willing toadmit that it was a wrong
decision and that you are goingto do better.
You are committed to living aholy life.
You are committed to beingsuccessful.
(14:48):
Don't think of that as sayingwell, pastor Don, that is just
so religious.
Listen to me, you're aspiritual being and as a
spiritual being, and especiallywhen you're born again, you've
(15:09):
asked Jesus to come into yourheart and your life.
You've gone on.
You've been water baptized,you've been filled with the Holy
Spirit.
You live a spiritual life.
And these keys that I'm givingto you yes, they work to a limit
on those who don't know theLord, but they are fully open to
(15:35):
believers.
These seven keys to staying onthe cutting edge Number one keep
dreaming.
Number two listen.
Number three keep growing.
Number four take action inspite of your fears.
(16:03):
Number five be friends, listenand accompany, be around strong
people.
Gather strong people into yourlife.
Number six pace yourself.
(16:24):
Put everything in order andwalk it out in the strength that
you have.
And number seven when you makemistakes, admit it and let's
move on.
Well, I trust today that youare encouraged by this.
(16:47):
If you would like to meet apray for you, you can always let
me know and also go to mywebsite.
I'm always keeping it updatedand you will get a lot of
encouragement there.
My website is doncarpentercaDoncarpenterca.
(17:08):
My name is Don Carpenter.
God bless you and I'll be withyou again soon.
Hello, this is Faith Walk.
My name is Don Carpenter, Ipreach the things concerning the
kingdom of God in the name ofJesus Christ, and today I've got
an exciting broadcast for you.
I'm going to be talking aboutseven keys.
To stay on the cutting edge,I'd like to read you something
(00:33):
from the Word of God, the mostpowerful word that's spoken on
the planet today.
This particular reading istaken from Proverbs, chapter 4,
and I want to read you fourverses out of this chapter,
beginning with verse 23.
Watch over your heart with alldiligence, for from it flow the
(00:54):
springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitfulmouth and put devious speech far
from you.
Let your eyes look directlyahead and let your gaze be fixed
straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet,and all your ways will be
established.
(01:14):
Powerful, powerful word of God.
I have found that in my lifetimeand I have found this in pretty
well every successful personI've ever talked to or met.
We have to constantly becommitted to a standard of
(01:36):
excellence.
Do our very best.
Don't judge yourself againstsomebody else.
I always say they don't walkyour road and you will go always
beyond and above the call ofduty.
You will be constantly aware ofwhat is happening.
(02:00):
Speak to yourself life all thetime.
You are building faith and youare bringing healing to past
experiences and memories, andyou are determined that you're
going to move ahead.
This is where you are right now.
(02:23):
Don't doubt for one moment thatyou're doing things incorrectly
.
When you follow on to know theLord, jesus Christ, you will
find that your heart will bepurposed to always have a
(02:44):
standard of excellence.
You will have your insecuritiesdealt with.
These are all things that arefleshly, things that are
involving pride, all of thosethings.
They need to be put far, farbehind us because, remember, god
(03:04):
wants you to be very successful.
So, according to 1 John, godeven wants you to prosper in
everything that you do.
The future is very promising.
Don't get bogged down in thehurts in the past.
(03:27):
These are things which I findthat I have to have.
This kind of attitude.
I accept responsibility, Idon't make excuses.
And listen to me.
Here's something else A lot oftimes we get in our heads and in
our minds what we think isperfect, what we think is really
(03:50):
.
Maybe deep down, we might thinkwe'll never get there.
But avoid the paralyzing gripof perfectionism.
Do your very best and God willcome on the scene and he will
help you.
Well, I wanted to talk to youtoday about seven keys to stay
(04:12):
on the cutting edge.
Number one keep dreaming you.
I believe everybody has to havea dream.
I believe everybody does have adream.
Unfortunately, there are thosewho have given up on their
dreams, but we are not of thatthinking.
(04:37):
We're not all those kind ofwalkers.
We are people who will dreamand when we dream, we will dream
godly dreams.
You can have confidence in thatand God will start to, I
(04:59):
believe, more and more all thetime, will help you perfect your
dreams.
He will see how that you canmake your dreams possible.
Get them started, step outthere.
Let's do it.
You remember reading aboutJoseph in the book of Genesis
(05:20):
and you know what got him introuble with his brothers.
Well, I suspect there were manythings, but he was always
dreaming that the family evenmentioned it to him that he was
nothing but a dreamer.
But he dreamed god's dream.
God dreams.
He dreamed dreams that God wasspeaking into his life, purpose
(05:46):
for his life.
Always keep dreaming, nevergive up on your dreams.
And if you never give up onyour dream, you will stay and
that will help you to stay onthe cutting edge of where you
have to go by faith.
Number two you will stay on thecutting edge if you listen.
(06:14):
Now, it's very important who welisten to, what we let enter our
ears.
It is extremely important thatwe hear god words into our lives
.
Jesus, this is one of thesecrets that Jesus was able to
(06:39):
be current when he was on theearth.
Now I know he was god in theflesh, but you know what he did
every day, every day, he onlydid that which he seen and heard
of the father.
The reason that he could workthe way he did is because he had
the ability to listen, and thatwill keep you on the cutting
(07:05):
edge.
Never think for a moment thatyou know everything.
Don't think for a moment thatyou can't learn anything new.
I'm always listening.
One of the things that I haveused over my lifetime is that
when I feel that God is speakingto me about something, I keep
(07:30):
my ears open to what I heararound about me.
What are the messages that I'mhearing in the sermons?
What are people saying whenthey talk?
Spiritual talk?
I'm listening because I want tohave the direction of the Lord.
I need encouragement and I needto know that that God is with
(07:53):
me at all times, so listeningwill keep me on the cutting edge
.
The third key that I want you tothink about today is this one
Keep growing, no matter how oldyou are.
I want us to think of thisgrowing in a spiritual aspect,
(08:17):
in our, in our makeup, ourcharacter and from any other
areas of our life.
The third key to stay on thecutting edge is keep growing
your good seed.
You're planted in good soil.
(08:40):
The Lord made no mistake whenhe chose you, and you answered
the call and you are allowingyourself to be encouraged by the
Lord.
The Lord is going to surroundyou with great people who are
(09:01):
going to encourage you becausethey want you to grow, and
that's what encouragement does.
Every time that you or I findourselves being encouraged, we
are growing.
Growing is a key to staying onthe cutting edge.
(09:27):
The fourth key for staying onthe cutting edge is Take action
in spite of your fears.
Don't be afraid to step out byfaith.
Faith is like that, isn't it?
Faith is an action, ability,skill.
(09:52):
Action is what propels usforward.
Action is what we must have inorder to stay on the cutting
edge and to keep moving in.
I'm not going to allow fear totake over.
I have found this is what I'vefound I have found that when I
(10:13):
take action, amazingly I get abetter understanding of what I'm
to do.
Sometimes, if I sit and I tryto observe and think about it
too long, I have found that youcan become bogged down or you
may just give up altogetherBecause fear is constantly
(10:35):
saying you can't do it, nobodyis going to listen to you.
Take action, hallelujah.
Know what Jesus?
He's with us, the Lord Jesus.
He's with us in all of ourvalleys.
He's with us when fear may evenappear to be the greatest.
Take action.
(10:56):
Action will break fear andsmash it all to pieces.
Key number five to stay on thecutting edge.
Stay around strong people.
Never keep away from them.
(11:21):
Walk with strong people.
Stay away from complainers andpeople who talk others down.
Stay away from them.
They are filled with nothingbut heartache and burden and
they think that you know theycan't do it, so therefore, they
(11:42):
don't think anybody can do it.
You are a man, you're a womanof faith and God wants you to
become friends with strongpeople.
People who speak strength,people who speak faith, people
(12:02):
who do it, people who say thisis the way, walk in it.
And they walk in it and theysay come on, let us go together.
The strong people say, yes, theopposition will be there.
Yes, it will seem likeeverything is coming against us,
but we can overcome this storm.
Strong people will build yourfaith.
(12:23):
Strong people are such.
It is imperative that you beinvolved with strong people.
And you know what.
When you're strong, people wantto be around you because you
give them hope.
You give people who are filledwith anxiety and fear.
(12:47):
They're going to say, oh, Ijust love being around them
because they just encourage meso much.
You are a strong person and Igot good news for you.
This is one of the keys tostaying on the cutting edge Not
just you hanging around, but youbeing strong.
So you're going to make itNumber six pace yourself.
(13:14):
You're not going to accomplisheverything at once.
I often say let's prioritize.
Don't get bogged down, becausesometimes, when you're moving by
faith or you will find,sometimes, when you start to do
something, there's this otherthing that suddenly pulled in.
It's got to be done, andanother thing has got to be done
(13:34):
and this has got to be lined upand, before you know it, you've
got so many things in so manydirections and it can get
overwhelming.
Sometimes you can get wearyfrom it.
Pace yourself, prioritize, dowhat you can do and you don't
(13:58):
need to be racing and going likea rocket.
Remember, pacing yourself isone of the keys to staying on
the cutting edge.
Pace yourself.
And number seven you will beable to keep going because you
(14:26):
will repent of your sins.
You will know that when itwasn't right, the right decision
or whatever, you're willing toadmit that it was a wrong
decision and that you are goingto do better.
You are committed to living aholy life.
You are committed to beingsuccessful.
(14:48):
Don't think of that as sayingwell, pastor Don, that is just
so religious.
Listen to me, you're aspiritual being and as a
spiritual being, and especiallywhen you're born again, you've
(15:09):
asked Jesus to come into yourheart and your life.
You've gone on.
You've been water baptized,you've been filled with the Holy
Spirit.
You live a spiritual life.
And these keys that I'm givingto you yes, they work to a limit
on those who don't know theLord, but they are fully open to
(15:35):
believers.
These seven keys to staying onthe cutting edge Number one keep
dreaming.
Number two listen.
Number three keep growing.
Number four take action inspite of your fears.
(16:03):
Number five be friends, listenand accompany, be around strong
people.
Gather strong people into yourlife.
Number six pace yourself.
(16:24):
Put everything in order andwalk it out in the strength that
you have.
And number seven when you makemistakes, admit it and let's
move on.
Well, I trust today that youare encouraged by this.
(16:47):
If you would like to meet apray for you, you can always let
me know and also go to mywebsite.
I'm always keeping it updatedand you will get a lot of
encouragement there.
My website is doncarpentercaDoncarpenterca.
(17:08):
My name is Don Carpenter.
God bless you and I'll be withyou again soon.
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