Last Thursday I spoke at the annual sales meeting for a local business.  I spoke on the subject of six non-neogtiables you need to survive in today’s economy.

Yesterday I shared with you non-negotiables #1 & 2.  Today, I reveal the next two non-negotiables.

For review, non-negotiables # 1 & 2 are:

1.  You need a SAVIOR.
2.  You need a NAME.

Now let’s discuss non-negotiables #3 & 4.

3.  You need a PASSION.

What is it that drives you?  What is it that motivates you?  What is that wakes you in the morning?  What is it that keeps you going when times are tough?  Whatever that is, that is your passion.

Some people are passionate about being the best.
Some people are passionate about making money.
Some people are passionate about being #1 in the sales force.
Some people are passionate about being successful.
Some people are passionate about living in a big house.
Some people are passionate about owning an expensive car.

Those things, in and of themselves, are not evil.  Getting rich or driving an expensive car or being rich are not necessarily immoral.  Actually, none of those things are either moral or immoral.  It is the use of those things that makes them moral or immoral.

What are you passionate about?

Several years ago, God introduced me to a passion that revolutionized my life.  Several years ago, I learned of a passion that kept me going when I was tired, that kept me motivated when everything else around me was falling apart, that woke me each morning.  In fact, I am more enthused about this passion today as I have ever been, and that same passion gives me more fuel each morning I rise.

In the Latin, that passion is SOLI DEO GLORIA.  In the English, it is GLORY TO GOD ALONE. God’s glory is my passion.

The Bible says this about God’s glory:

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory.”

Romans 11:36

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

This is what is so great about making the glory of God your passion, you never run out of motivation.  Actually, your motivation increases with each waking day.

So, non-negotiable #3, you need a passion.

4.  You need a COACH

Every successful person has at least one coach, one mentor, one leader in their life.  If you plan to be successful in this economy, you need a coach.

Most people do not want a boss, they want a coach.  You need a coach to thrive in today’s economy.

I have had the great fortune of having four coaches in my life.  Three of the coaches are retired from actively coaching me, yet I stay in touch in each one.  One of them I speak to everyday, in fact, I spoke to that coach during my drive here tonight.

The first coach in my life was my father.  My father coached me in the basics of life.  He taught me what it meant to be a Christian.  He taught me to be a gentleman.  He taught me to remember I had a name to live up to – Whitley.

The next coach was my pastor when I was in college.  His name is Bob Barnes.  He taught me how to study the Bible, and how to practice the presence of God.  I am forever indebted to that man.  

The next coach was a pastor I served with on a church staff. Dr. Harry Lucenay taught me the basics – how to marry them, how to bury them, how to cry with them, how to laugh with them. 

He taught me how to preach and how to teach.  He taught me how to lead.  He taught me how to lead a church, a staff, and, most importantly, he taught me how to lead myself.

Thankfully, all of those coaches are still alive today, and I can still call them periodically when I need them.

There is a fourth coach I have with me at all times.  He guides me.  He directs me.  He helps me make decisions.  This coach has made me a better husband, a better father, a better friend, a better pastor.  I spoke to this coach on the way over here tonight.  This Coach is the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised His Coach to every believer.  Jesus said that He was leaving this earth after His resurrection, so that He could send the Holy Spirit (Coach) to be our Counselor.

Non-negotiable #4, you need a coach.

So, let’s review the first four non-negotiables:

#1, you need a Savior
#2, you need a name
#3, you need a passion
#4, you need a coach

What else do you need?  Tomorrow, we consider non-negotiables # 5 & 6.