February 25, 2014
Performance and Life
Take responsibility for your performance and life.
Whether you realize it or not, God has already given you everything you need to live the life He’s called you to. You don’t need to feel stressed out, worried or afraid. You don’t have to wonder if you’re “good enough” to receive from God because God’s love has nothing to do with your performance. He has already blessed you and given you everything you need. The world’s system tells us to strive, toil and scrape to get what we want. Our culture puts limits on people because of their natural abilities, resources, background or circumstances. But with God, there are no limits! You are equipped, well able and strong. You are covered by His grace and mercy, and you are empowered to do all He has called you to do! The next time you start thinking “I can’t…” or “I don’t have what it takes…,” attack those negative thoughts with the truth by declaring, “I have what it takes; I am well able; and I am equipped by His divine power at work in me!” Are you ready for a life change?
February 21, 2014
Survival Mode
So many people today are living in “survival” mode.
They have a mentality that says, “If I can just make it through…” or “If I can just get by…” Of course, there are some seasons that are more difficult than others. Sometimes it’s challenging to get a vision for the future. But if you are constantly living with a survival mentality, you are missing out on your purpose in life. If you are living in survival mode right now, I believe that today can be your turning point. If you’ll take that step and begin to say, “My days of survival are over; my days of winning have begun,” then I believe you will see a turn around in your life. Even if you’re in a tough time right now, remember tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Get out of survival mode and get into success mode today. You were created to much more than just get by. Today is the day you begin to make a difference. Your purpose is too big to set on the sidelines another day. Are you ready to move into success mode today?
February 20, 2014
Living the High Life
Live in the present moment and live the high life.
So many people today are living overwhelmed, exhausted and overburdened by the pressures of life. They’ve allowed themselves to live on autopilot, day in and day out, not living at their best. Not enjoying their life at all. If that’s you, now is the time to get your fire back! Let me encourage you to press past the things that would try to hold you back. “It’s high time to wake up.” Notice what I said, Not just time but high time. That means it’s incredibly important because you are coming into a destiny moment! You are sitting on the launching pad. God is about to thrust you to a new level! Now is not the time to be passive, sloppy or undisciplined. Now more than ever, it’s time to get focused and start moving forward! Why is this so important? You are closer to seeing that dream come to pass than you’ve ever been. You are closer to meeting the right person, closer to that healing, closer to that breakthrough, win, and solution than you have ever been. You may not be able to see it, but it can see you! Your victory is right around the corner. It’s high time to do what God is asking you to do today. Are you living the high life?
February 19, 2014
Living Frustrated
Everyone has opportunities to get upset and be frustrated every single day.
Sometimes it’s the little things — we can’t find the car keys, traffic is backed up, somebody was rude, or what should have taken an hour ends up taking four hours. Something happened and now you are frustrated and all bent out of shape. There will always be something that can sour your day, but if you are going to be successful, you have to maintain the right approach. You can’t let the little things trip us up. In other words, don’t let the little things in life stop what God has planned for your future. I’ve heard it said, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.” Make sure you respond to life with a positive attitude and the right perspective. Sure, things may irritate you, but don’t let that irritation last into the next moment. Let it go. Don’t try to control everything around you. Instead, release it to God knowing that His plans are for your good. Are you prepared for the best season of your life?
February 1, 2014
Life Storms
Everyone faces the storms of life.
Sometimes we have the faith to be delivered from the storms instantly; sometimes we have the faith to walk through the storms. However,no matter which route you take, you can be sure that God is right there with you. He will equip you and sustain you. He will give you the grace, the supernatural empowerment, to make it through. Today, maybe you are facing a storm and can’t quite see a way out. Maybe you’re not sure what the answer is. All you have to do is take it one step at a time by saying, “God, I know You have a good plan for my future.” “God, I am doing better today than I was yesterday.” “God, I know You are leading and guiding me.” With every step you take, know that God is doing a work in your life. Know that He is with you, and He will comfort you. Keep moving forward. Keep taking those steps of faith and keep walking through the storm into the place of victory He has prepared for you. Are you going through a life storm today?
January 20, 2014
Be the Best You
It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us.
When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more talent, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle. There will always be someone ahead of us. But, it’s a very freeing thing when you realize, “I’m not competing with you. I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbor to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with people at school or work. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbor or my family. Instead, I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be.” Stop focusing on the outcome and keep working your process. Be who you were created to be and you will find your inner peace, happiness and joy. Are you being your best today?
January 13, 2014
Above Average
It’s easy to fall into “destination disease.”
That’s when you’re comfortable where you are. You’re not stretching, not learning anything new. There is nothing wrong with being happy where you are, but you have to remember, you have so much more inside of you. You were created to increase, to grow, to stretch and sharpen your skills. Studies tell us that the average person only uses 11% of their brain. Think about how much more potential we all could be tapping into. Maybe you’re an accountant. That’s good, but don’t settle there. Why don’t you go get your CPA license? There’s a new skill you can develop. That gift will make more room for you. Maybe you’re an electrician, a mechanic, a plumber. That’s great, but what steps are you taking to improve? I believe in this day and age, if you are at the same skill level today as you were five years ago, you’re at a disadvantage. Today, shake out of that “destination disease” and start sharpening your skills. Keep stretching, keep growing and keep moving forward into the life of blessing God has prepared for you. Are you ready to move into above average?
January 6, 2014
No More Waiting
What could be worse than to come to the end of life filled with regrets?
“If only I had pursued that dream. If only I had been more disciplined. If only I had taken that step of faith. If only I had forgiven.” Don’t let that be you. You may have put things off a lot longer than you should have, but the good news is that it’s not too late to get started. You can still become everything God has created you to be. Today, make the decision to stop making excuses. If you always make excuses, you’ll always have one. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. It says in Ecclesiastes, “If we wait for all the conditions to be just right, we’ll never move off of dead center.” Make a decision to just do it! Be a now person. Your destiny is calling out, and it’s never too late to be all that God has created you to be. Have you been waiting too long to live?
December 27, 2013
High Quality
What you think about determines the quality and direction of your life.
Naturally, people who think positive, uplifting thoughts have happier, healthier, longer lives. They are less stressed, more vibrant and enjoy better sleep. That’s why the scripture encourages us to think on good things — things that are true, noble and lovely. Some translations say to “fix your mind” on them. When you fix your mind on noble things, you close the door to the negative voices and open your heart to allow God to work in your life. Choose today to fix your mind on good things. Do whatever you need to in order to keep those good thoughts before you. Write them on note cards and put them in a place where you can see them. As you fix your mind on the goodness of God, you will do better in every area of your life. You will be filled with His peace and victory, and you’ll see every dream and desire in your heart come to pass. Are you thinking on good things today?
December 26, 2013
Load Up
This morning when you woke up, what was the first thing that went through your mind?
Maybe you have a deadline to meet or a to-do list a mile long. Maybe you are facing a challenge or going through a difficulty in a relationship that’s consuming your thoughts. Today, I want to encourage you, instead of focusing on what your circumstances have to offer, focus on what God has to offer you. His mercies are new every morning, and His compassion never fails. He has victory in store for you today. He has provision in store for you today. He has joy in store for you today, and He has peace in store for you today. He daily loads you with benefits! The key to “loading up” these daily benefits is setting your focus in the right direction. You can’t wait to see how you feel, what kind of mood your spouse is in, or what the traffic is like. No, you have to set your focus by saying, “This is going to be a great day. I am blessed and cannot be cursed! I know God is directing my steps and something good is going to happen to me today!” Are you ready for a great upcoming year?