In the movie Act of Valor, featuring real Navy SEALS, Lieutenant Rorke spotted a live grenade that a combatant dropped toward him and his troops from the floor above them. To save his men, he dove on the grenade and sacrificed himself.

Jesus demonstrated a superior act of valor when he sacrificed his life for ours on the cross to save us from sin.

Daily we choose how we sacrifice. It may be a business event for your child’s game, or time with friends for time with your spouse. You may choose to sacrifice an evening of entertainment for extra time to study for class or work on your business. Whatever it is, we understand that to gain a particular result or at least make progress, we would need to take time, energy, or resources from another area, if even temporarily.

Sometimes we lack clarity on why we must sacrifice. But when we do, we succumb less, or not at all, to distractions.

Today review the WHY for your next milestone, goal, or dream. Write it out, with clarity. If you have already, do it again. Hold it in the front and center of your mind, daily. Persist until you get there.

Ask God for clarity, for when you have doubts, strength for when you get tired, grace for when you slip up, humility for when you succeed. These elements will fortify you for sacrifice – to exhibit and continue to exhibit your own act of valor.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

(NASB, Philippians 4:19)

Imagine you and your spouse seated next to each other. How many unknown seats are between both of you occupied by other versions of the both of you? There may be one dealing with past hurts, another one with persistent feelings of insecurity, another one carrying a sense of unworthiness of love and commitment as well as many others.

At some point you must decide not to allow any inappropriate version of you to come between you two. When you decide, you will face tough conversations about who you are and what you need from your spouse as support. You will choose to not act defensively when your spouse makes overtures toward you for love or connection that you may have requested in a different way – your way. You would choose to get professional help when you realize you are not conquering your demons on your own. You would admit your part in misunderstandings or causes of conflict without waiting for your spouse to do so. You may do any one of these or other courageous actions or multiple at the same time.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

(NASB, Ephesians 6:12)

Your spouse is not your enemy, but forces of darkness are. Strive to view him or her as your partner in life – as an ally instead of a foe. Together, both of you are better able to fulfil your purpose as a unit and individually.

Some days are better than others and the path in marriage is not always rosy. But it is critical to strive to maintain the right perspective of your spouse and your union. Also, remove the middle person or persons in between.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

(NIV Psalm 133:1)

Kodak was founded in the late 1880s, became a titan in photography in the 1970s and filed for bankruptcy in 2012. Although Kodak was in the picture business, they did not have the right picture of the future.

Analysts surmised that there are three reasons for its downfall.

1. Remaining stagnant – even though the company noticed that online photo sharing was the new wave, they failed to see that it was not just a new way to expand their printing operations.
2. Complacency – even though Fuji, their primary competitor, was offering a better film, Kodak was not responsive.
3. Organizational rigidity – the executives felt they could still thrive on past successes and conducted business as usual even though there were other voices to the contrary.

There are lessons from Kodak’s downfall we can adopt even in our personal lives.

1. Anticipate change and be receptive to new ways to operate.
2. Heed the voice of wise counsel by including them in your decisions.

Even though we live in a world of change, we still need an anchor and God does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.

(NASB, Hebrews 13:8)

Let us include God in the picture, or in our mastermind, because His words provide wise counsel.

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

(NASB, Psalm 147:5)

Towards its genesis toothpaste manufacturers needed a way to make their product more appealing even though there were oral health benefits. Finally, they added mint flavor to promote a fresh sensation after brushing and toothpaste became a hit. Today it is customary to have some type of flavor in toothpaste.

The benefit of toothpaste was there but needed a minty fresh component to improve the allure.

Are you trying to market yourself or a product and cannot seem to break through to your audience? You need to change your package or presentation.

One evening I was watching a YouTube video of a mother who initially tried to influence her baby to willingly eat the healthy food presented, with little success. Eventually, the mom got a second little spoon, with chocolate. Mom advanced the chocolate to the child’s mouth, and it popped open to receive. Mom then slid the right food into the opened mouth. This was repeated multiple times to get the baby to consume the desired menu item.

You know you have the right stuff! However, the quality of your marketing is critical to finding and engaging your preferred audience.

In bible times multitudes followed Jesus because His messages were properly targeted to those who needed to hear His words, whether corrective or inspirational, or needed healing, whether physical or spiritual.

God desires that you use your gifts and calling to bless, inspire and encourage others. Use a minty fresh vehicle so your mission is fulfilled to its capacity.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.

(NASB, Philippians 1:6)