December 31, 2012

Finishing 2012 Strong

Take the time to find positive things that others are doing. Focus on their strengths and encouraging them in their gifted area.

On this the last day of 2012, keep training yourself to look for the best in others. In 2013, make it your goal to always find the good, the positive in others. See what they are good at, their strengths and then encourage them in that area. For too often it is easy to see the negative and weaknesses in other people. However, that doesn’t build them up, that doesn’t encourage them. If you really want to make a difference in others, then you will have to be different. I understand that in some people you will have to look really hard to find something good, but it is there. Chances are they have been told how useless they are, how no good they are, how no one will ever love them. With that in mind, just telling them one time that they have a purpose, they have a destiny, that God loves them; probably won’t be enough. Take the time to be a positive influence in their life. Make this coming year the greatest year ever; not only for them but yourself as well. Are you going to be a difference maker in 2013?

December 30, 2012

Focusing on the Right

Always find good things to dwell on in your mind. Keep your mind focused on the good, the pure, the loving.

As we draw near to the end of another year I, like most of you, will look back over this past year, reflect for a moment, then start to focus on 2013. There have been some awesome things take place and some devastating things take place this year. I want to encourage you to focus on the good and take that with you into the new year. Take the extra time and make the extra effort to find the good in everything. Make it a lifestyle. Keep your mind clear and clean from all the negative stuff that has tried to get you distracted this year. Comfort those that need comforting. Encourage the people that need to be encouraged. Love all, all the time. Be that person that makes a positive difference in those around you. You are a special, unique and gifted person. Take from 2012 and add it to 2013 to make it the best year ever. Stay focused on the good, the pure, and the loving.

December 29, 2012

Show Some Love

Never withhold love; in the process you generate more as you go along.

In our culture today, so many people are confused about what love is. We love pizza, movies and sports, but we also love our family or spouse. If we look to the Word of God, we see God’s definition of love. First Corinthians 13 tells us that “love is patient and kind. It does not envy, nor boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not seek its own way, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love believes, hopes and endures. Love never fails.” This is how God responds to us, and this is how we should respond to the people in our lives — with patience, kindness, hope, humility and love. The Bible tells us that God is love, and His character never changes. Today and every day, know that God loves you with an everlasting love. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is for you and has a good plan for you. Receive His perfect love today and let Him transform you from the inside out. His love is the greatest love and will last throughout all eternity. We desire to be loved, therefore, don’t withhold your love from others. Know that the more you give love the more you will receive it back in return. Is there someone in your life today that you need to show some love toward?

December 28, 2012

Overwhelming Kindness

Stop all the negatives with overwhelming kindness.

Kindness isn’t just about being nice; it’s looking for ways to improve someone else’s life. It’s bringing out the best in others. When you start your day, don’t just spend time thinking about yourself or how you can make your own life better. Think about ways you can make someone else’s life better, too! Ask yourself, “Who can I encourage today? Who can I build up?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else can give. Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. We are responsible for how we treat the people that are placed in our lives. We are supposed to bring out the best in our family and friends. Look for creative ways to encourage those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up, too. Keep showing kindness so you can move forward into the blessing and freedom He has for you. Is there someone today that you need to show overwhelming kindness toward?

December 27, 2012

The Right Choice

You can learn a lot by observing people who are able to keep themselves in their own zone of peace, happiness, and love.

Peace, happiness, and love aren’t just random feelings; they are a choice. It’s a decision that we have to make by an act of our will. All throughout life, you’re going to have plenty of opportunities to lose your peace, your happiness, your love. We all go through disappointments. We all have times when things don’t go our way. It’s very easy to let the circumstances of life make us sour and dejected until we just go through the motions of day-to-day living. But if you’re going to live in victory, if you’re going to thrive the way God intends, you’ve got to make the decision that you’re going to enjoy your life. You’ve got to choose to be happy in spite of your circumstances, every single day. Today you have that choice. Make the positive, process minded choice to go with peace, happiness and love. You will see that your circumstances may not change, but you certainly will change. Be proactive as you go through the day. Make the decision that no matter what is going on I will stay positive by responding, not reacting. Are you ready to make that choice today?

December 26, 2012

The Right Vision

Working the wrong vision is an enormous cause of frustration and giving up. Make sure your process is your process.

God created us as visual beings. It all starts with what you see in your mind’s eye. Everyone has their own mental picture of the way they see themselves, their family and their future. This picture determines what kind of life you live. If you have an image of success, victory, health, happiness and love, you will naturally gravitate toward that. But if you have an image of frustration, defeat and mediocrity, that negative mental picture will keep you from God’s best. Remember, if you’re going to be successful, you have to first see yourself as successful — the way God sees you. If you are seeing your life in a way God didn’t intend; then you will be stay frustration and discouraged. Get the right vision, make sure you are working your process and not someone else’s. You have greatness inside of you whether you believe that or not. There is a plan for your life and God is waiting for you to work your process. Don’t spend another day out of your plan and process. Is the vision you have for your life the right vision?

December 25, 2012

Christmas Past

Maybe your past shouldn’t have happened to you, but that has no logical bearing on where you are going and where you’ll end up.

Click to listen to podcast

Is there something that you’ve done in your past that you’re not particularly happy about? A choice that you regret? The good news today is that you can be free of guilt and condemnation. You don’t have to live with that burden any longer. God’s mercies are new every morning. He’s not ever going to run out of compassion. He’s not ever going to run out of forgiveness. He’s not ever going to say, “Well, this is the last time I’m going to give you mercy.” No, you can have a new beginning every single day! Let that truth sink down deep into your heart right now. If there is anything from the past that you may still be carrying, take a moment and call on His faithfulness. Call on His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Let Him refresh and restore your soul right now. Thank Him for the work He is doing in your life and enjoy a fresh new beginning today. What a wonderful Christmas gift for you. Is there something in your past that is holding you back that you need to let go of?

December 24, 2012

Giving Away Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a choice. You can choose to hold it in or release the gift of forgiveness.

There is power in forgiveness and unforgiveness. When you release the gift of forgiveness you have the power of love operating in your life. When you withhold forgiveness from another person you hold the power of death inside you. Would you rather operate in love or death? Hint, choose love. You desire forgiveness right? Then give away the gift of forgiveness in order to receive it. There are people you don’t even know that you need to forgive. Someone cut you off in traffic, someone said something about one of your kids, somebody did something that cost you your job. You may not know who it was, but you are withholding forgiveness from them. What good is it doing? It isn’t hurting them, but it is killing you. You are not forgiving someone who may have hurt you, but you don’t know the whole story. You don’t know whey they did what did or said what they said. It really doesn’t matter; forgive them. Then there are those that hurt you and knew they were; yet did it anyways. What do we do with them? Another hint; forgive them. For Christmas this year, give the gift of forgiveness and see the difference it makes in your life. That’s right, forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself. When you forgive others, it is actually given to you. Hey, they may never know you had unforgiveness towards them. It is about you in this case. By forgiving others, you receive the peace and love of the gift. Is there someone you need to forgive today?

December 23, 2012

Feeling Great

The highest level of greatness is living and working in the true greatness zone, the place of your potential.

I want to remind you that you are full of incredible potential. When God created you, He deposited seeds of greatness inside of you. He’s given you your own dreams and desires. You have something to offer that no one else has. But too often, we allow adversities, disappointments and setbacks to push these things down, until one day, we find that we’re not pressing forward anymore. We’re not stretching; we’re not believing to rise any higher. When adversity comes, it’s easy to think, “Why is this happening to me?” The answer is because the enemy knows what’s on the inside of you. He’s going to do everything he can to keep that seed from taking root. But, he will only be successful if you let him. He can’t stop you unless you quit. During the difficult times, remember that the gifts and callings God has placed within you are still there. Don’t become stagnate in pursuing your dreams. It’s time to get your fire back! It’s time to press forward. It’s time to dig deep inside and take hold of the marvelous destiny God has prepared for you. Are you ready to explore the greatness inside of you today?

December 22, 2012

Task Focused

Just play your game from your heart, and don’t obsessed about winning. Just play the game to your best ability every play.

When you focus on doing your best and being the best you that you can be, the results will come. In sports we say, don’t watch the scoreboard, play hard every play. We can bring this concept over to your life outside of sports. Don’t be so concerned about the outcome of a situation, just do your absolute best no matter what it looks like. When you focus on what you can do and not on anything else, you will see more clearly. Don’t allow the external factors to distract you from doing what it is you are supposed to be doing. Stay task focused. There are going to be situations and people that try to get you distracted. Stay focused and do your work. You have the capability to make a huge difference in the world. Stay on your task. Don’t let the scoreboard in get your eyes and mind. Keep you eyes and mind on what you are doing. Are you task focused today?