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Weekly PowerBreak Messages

PowerBreak is a weekly feature, designed to given you some power from God's Word as you begin your week. This internet newsletter has been sent out continuously for over three years as the list of recipients continues to grow. If you would like to receive PowerBreak messages via email each week, please send your request to Bob at email address above.

The name PowerBreak was taken from Bob's endurance races where each water stop was a quick refueling, or a break for power on the go. Bob designed the PowerBreak to be that for all who receive the messages each week. A quick thought and power from the Word of God for people on the go.

PowerBreak Messages for December, 2001

In the old testament there was a lady who did what she had to do and then some… her name was Rebekah. The "and then some" principle was taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount where He told us to be ready to walk the extra mile. You can’t do the extra until you do the first and "then some." It’s a great principle of giving your employer or your customers more than they are paying for. And then some.. When you see the top athletes excelling and making it look easy it is because they took the time to practice and then some. Michael Jordon shoots the required foul shots in practice and then some.

As you think about "and then some" in your day, consider five traits the Bible identifies as "and then some" characteristics.

1. ENTHUSIASM - Enthusiasm is a fire that spread and warms everything. People who excel add enthusiasm to their work. In the book of Colossians we read, "Whatever your task is, put your whole heart and soul into it, as work done for the Lord, and not merely for men." Col. 3:23
2. SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS - One of Steven Covey’s seven habits was taking time to sharpen the ax everyday but most people don’t find the time. It’s like it says in Eccl. 10:10, "If the ax is dull, and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." It takes more than desire to really excel - it takes skill! Remember - you are never wasting time when you are sharpening the ax by sharpening your skills.
3. KEEP YOUR WORD - Reliability is a trait that will set you apart from the rest. People who excel are people upon whom you can count. "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful they are, but just try to find someone who really is!" Prov. 20:6 (GN) Reliability beats talent in the long run.
4. MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE - Complainers never excel at anything other than complaining. "Do all things without grumbling or arguing.. and you will shine like a light in a dark world." Phil. 4:14-15
5. DO MORE THAN EXPECTED - Every successful person has discovered the secret of doing more than is required. Call it the Rebekah principle, the "and then some" principle or the "going the extra mile" principle - (see Matt. 5:41) - if you want to excel don’t miss this one. It’s the big one - do more than what is required and you’ll excel at whatever you do.

Oscar Hammerstein told of seeing the top of the head of the Statue of Liberty from a helicopter and being impressed at the incredible detail the artist had labored to produce and probably never expected anyone to see. The artist had no idea that someone would fly over the statue someday and see it but he did it just the same - because he was given to excellence.

When you are tempted to cut corners - and think nobody will ever know - remember God sees and knows and God has given you a formula for excellence in the Bible - do what you have to do, "and then some."

Godspeed.

Bob Brubaker

In the book of Zechariah we find the prophet delivering a message of rebuke to the people of his day from God. The rebuke was a result of the people being discouraged, thinking something that the effort to rebuild the Temple of God - because it wasn’t as consuming as the original was inferior. So they started in this "What’s the use" type of attitude. Ever been there? Done that? We all have a tendency to get discouraged when the response of people to a project is not as great as we had anticipated. We get shattered when we don’t lose weight as quickly as we thought. We get distraught when people with whom we are working are not doing what we think they should be doing. In other words when we are not getting the results that we want we have a tendency to want to cash it in. But listen to the words of God to His people.

"You do it!"

So many times we wait for God to do something great for us and He is waiting for us to put forth the effort so He can do something great through us.

I was reading an a quote from Teddy Roosevelt this past week in which he said it was better to have tried and failed four times than to have never tried at all. Wow! If we could just get that into our heads we'd be more apt to work out of our comfort zones and actually try a few new things and really see what God can do through us.

There is an account of Jesus feeding the multitude of people in each of the books known as the "gospels" in the New Testament. You'll find the miracle accounts in Mark 6:34-44, John 6:1-13, Matthew 14:13-21, and Luke 9:10-17.

At the end of the account it says there were Five thousand men present. Of course, when you consider the number of women and children present it probably totals nearly 15 thousand people. Of course 5 thousand or 15 thousand people fed with five loaves and two fish that were multiplied and everyone went away satisfied is a miracle no matter how you cut it.

The making of the miracle is really quite fascinating. Jesus knew he was going to feed the multitude. This miracle, like all His miracles was not to show off purpose driven. One purpose was to get his disciples out of their comfort zones to see God work through them. They came to Jesus and told him of the problem and He simply told them to give them something to eat. It was impossible task that would require faith. If it had been possible it would not have required to the faith to move forward. What are you waiting for God to do? The delay may not be God stalling but His waiting for you to take responsibility and move out in faith to do the impossible.

As the disciples discussed the impossibility of the situation, Jesus simply told them to do an assessment of what they had on hand. They didn't have much but they did have the lunch of a boy who turned over his five small loaves and two fish. Too many of us would write off our what we have as the disciples did this small out amount of food to cover the task at hand. But the boy gave what he had, gave it immediately, and he gave all that he had to Jesus.

What a lesson? When we jump in with both feet to try something - no matter how impossible it seems we can expect God to begin to do something great through us. Jesus took what was presented too him, as small or insignificant as it seemed, and gave thanks (before the miracle) and presented it to the disciples to distribute. The account goes on to tell us everyone was satisfied and there were twelve baskets left over.

The Bible reminds us that God is able to do more than what we could ever ask or dream (Ephesians 3:20). So if you want to see God do something great in your life - step out of your comfort zone. Begin to do what you can with what you have. Presenting your life, your talents, your problem, and your impossible situation to God, along with all your resources. Begin to give thanks for what He is going to do and look for Him to do what you could never do. That's living by faith.

Godspeed.

Bob Brubaker