Have a Burning Desire

A burning desire is the starting point of any accomplishment. It may sound unreasonable but most people do not have a strong desire for anything. Those who know what they want and go after it usually get what they want.

Human nature is to want. However, if our “want to” is not bigger than our circumstances then we’ll live a limited life. How big is your want to? Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results. Throughout history, those who had a strong desire changed the world. You too can change your world with a burning desire to get anything you want.

Once, a young man asked Socrates the secret to success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river. When the water got up to their necks, Socrates took the young man by surprise and dunked him under the water. They boy struggled to get out but Socrates was stronger and held him down. When the boy started to drown, Socrates raised the boy’s head out of the water. The first thing the young man did was to gasp for air. Socrates asked, “What did you want the most when you were under water?” The boy replied, “Air.” Socrates said, “That is the secret to success. When you want something as intensely as you wanted air underwater then you will have it.” This illustration may seem too drastic but friends, there’s no shortcut to success. An acorn has to decide if it wants to become a giant oak tree over a period of struggle and persistence to survive or lunch for the squirrel.

Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.” Many Christians do not know what the Bible has promised them because they don’t make time to read “the will.” When we take time to study God’s Word, we can learn what God has promised us and appropriate it for the good of others. When you have a burning desire for something you will do anything to get it.

In Mark chapter 2:1-12, Jesus is confronted with a paralytic. When his four friends couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd in and outside the house where He was teaching, they climbed on top of the building. What they did next was unthinkable! It wasn’t even their house but they tore open the roof and lowered the paralytic down right in front of Jesus. I’m not sure if it was the burning desire of the sick person or the desperation of his friends, who didn’t want to have to carry him around any longer, that healed this man. However, one thing is for sure, they displayed their faith in God and they had a burning desire to see this paralytic healed. When Jesus saw their faith, He healed the paralytic and forgave his sins. That is a shining example of a burning desire. These friends wouldn’t take no for an answer. A burning desire will compel you to take action. What is your burning desire? Do you have a promise from the Bible to go after it? Today is the day, now is the time.

The scripture says, “For He satisfies the longing soul. And the hungry soul He filleth with good” (Psalm 107:9 ASV). What that means is you have an open invitation from your heavenly father. If you desire the salvation of your loved one, you have it. If you need healing -- it’s yours. If you are struggling for resources -- He is your Provider. If you’re having sleepless nights, God has promised sound sleep. If you’re fighting a legal battle, the victory is yours. Job, promotion, increase, and influence can all be yours if you want it badly enough. How big is your want to? Are you ready to breakout and prosper? Don’t just do it for yourself, do it for your family. Do it for your community and your country. Together, let’s change our world for Jesus!

Whatever you desire, make sure you’re helping others. When your desire lines up with God’s, you can achieve anything. I proclaim and declare that you’ll fulfill every obligation. You will live in divine health. You’ll have meaningful relationships. Your business will thrive again and your family will not be ashamed. Good days are ahead of us. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I love you and I’m praying for you!

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 ESV).

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You Have What It Takes

Our attitude is one of the greatest assets we have. We can use it to our own advantage or we can use it against ourselves. When we accept that we’re complete in Him we don’t have to strive for success.

I heard of an older man who made his living selling balloons at a fair. He had balloons of many different colors, including red, yellow, blue, and green. Whenever business was slow, he would release a helium-filled balloon into the air. When the children saw the balloon go up, they all wanted one. They would come up to him, buy a balloon and his sales would go up. All day, he continued to release a balloon whenever the sales slowed down. One day, the balloon man felt some tugging at his jacket. He turned around and a little boy asked, “If you release a black balloon, would that also fly?” Moved by the boy’s concern, the man replied gently, “Son, it is not the color of the balloon; it is what’s inside that makes it go up.”

The same principle applies to our lives. It’s not so much what’s around us that matters but what’s on the inside that counts. Here’s what I’ve learnt in life. We don’t need a lot of talent, education, connections or a ton of money to succeed in life. We need the anointing of God. When God breathes in your direction, it will take you further than someone who has exceptional talents. In case you’re wondering, God has anointed you with favor like a shield (Psalm 5:12).

Once, Jesus was teaching to thousands of people. It was getting late and people were hungry. Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “I want you to give them something to eat.” They were in the middle of nowhere. There were no grocery stores or other source of food. At first glance, it may seem like Jesus was asking them to something impossible. But here’s the key. God will never ask you do something without first giving you to ability to it. The size of your problem is an indication of the size of your victory that awaits you. Your miracle right now is within your reach. You can handle it. You have what it takes.

At the command of Jesus, the disciples began to make all sorts of excuses. Finally they said, “Jesus, all we have is five loaves of bread and two fish from a little boy but what is that among so many?” Jesus said, “Bring them to me.” He blessed it and the rest is history. What situation you’re in? Bring it Jesus. He will bless it and make you overflow.

Like a helium balloon, what makes you go up is what’s inside. Are you powered by Jesus inside or are you striving on your own? William James of Harvard University said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds.” When we have the right mental and spiritual attitude, we can achieve anything in life.

You have what it takes! You lack nothing. You’re not stuck. You have options. God is breathing in your direction. Healing is yours. The legal situation is there to propel you to the next level. One touch of God’s favor is going to bring you the biggest client in your business. You’re not an orphan left alone on earth to fight life through on your own. Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit is your Helper.” Instead of looking at how bad your situation is why don’t you look at how big your God is? He turned water into wine, parted the red sea, raised the dead and fed thousands. Certainly, He can take care of you. Friend, you have what it takes. God is working. Give Him some praise. The answer is on its way. I’m praying for you!

“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:10 NLT).

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Look Beyond Your Circumstances

When we are faced with difficulties, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the situations in our lives. Problems, trials, and temptations come to everyone. True champions are those who learn to look beyond their circumstances and who hope in God’s interventions.

Anyone can complain but you are better than that! When we face problems with a winning attitude, we will see everything from a different perspective. The bigger the problem, the bigger the victory! The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. That means, when you’re living a God-pleasing life, everything will turnout for your good. What looks like a setback is actually a setup to propel you to the next level.

If you received a negative report from your doctor, don’t just look at it and say this is my lot. The people in medical science are doing everything that can to get you well. But there are times when the problem is beyond the doctor’s abilities. You have to make up your mind and say, “I know I will overcome this sickness; this too shall pass. I’m not moved by what I see; I’m going to live by what I know.” When you look beyond your circumstances and put your faith in His Word instead of your fate, God will honor you.

Recently I was ministering in Laos. While it is a beautiful country, it is one of the five communist countries still remaining in the world. Pastor Khamphone has suffered much persecution in the hands of the communists but God has always been faithful to Him. Once, he needed $40,000 to complete the roof of his church. He had no way of coming up with such astronomical amount. So he prayed. One day Pastor Khamphone received a phone call from a stranger. He went to pray for this businessman who was in dire straits. After prayer pastor Khamphone came home not expecting anything. The next day the Laotian businessmen sent a bag full of money. When they counted, it was exactly the $40,000 they needed to complete their church roof! In your times of difficulty, remember that God has ways that we do not know about. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Today Pastor Khamphone leads 700 churches! King David said, “Those who hope in the Lord will not be ashamed” (Psalm 25:3).

You may be going through a fierce financial battle. Don’t throw up your hands and say, “This is not working. There’s no way I can pay my bills on time. I will spend rest of my life paying off my mortgage.” These may be your financial affairs but don’t underestimate God’s intervention. Once, Jesus was faced with tax collectors. Jesus didn’t have a bank account or a secret stash of cash hidden somewhere. He ordered Peter to go fishing. Odd as it was, Peter obeyed and the very first fish he caught had a gold coin in its mouth to pay for their taxes. What’s my point? When you’re in a financial crisis, go fishing. Seriously, Jesus created the world’s wealth yet He taught us to trust in God’s provision in times of our needs.

Friend, don’t be a rollercoaster Christian – up when you have some good news and down when you don’t see anything happening. I’m not making light of your grave situation but I am asking you to cast all your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you. He loves you too much to let you suffer. You may have even brought this situation upon yourself but don’t you dare make excuses for your bad brakes breaks. Our God is slow to anger and full of compassion. He’s a merciful God. Plead mercy! Trust in Him and learn an expensive lesson. Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick” (Mark 2:17 NIV).

Let me speak a blessing over your life. You will overcome every obstacle standing in your way. You will live and not die and proclaim the works of the Lord. You will come out of your financial challenges better off than ever before. You will lend and not borrow. You will meet the person of your dreams. You will go on that mission trip. Your business will thrive again. Your children will serve God. You will live the happy, healthy, and abundant life Jesus died for. Instead of considering your circumstance, consider your God. I am ministering in India but I’m praying for you today!

Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40 NIV)?

Be a Person of Influence: www.buildinternational.org

Invite Sandy Anderson to Speak: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

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