2017: Year of Increase

Another New Year has rolled into our lives and most of us are excited about it. How we set our sails in our attitude and expectations determine what we will experience this year. I believe and declare that 2017 will be a year of increase!

No matter how much or how little we have, there must always be a hunger in us to grow bigger, better, and brighter. When we have the desire to be a better person, have more to help more, then we’ll see increase and growth in a measure we’ve not known before.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6 NIV).

Nothing great in life happens by default. In order to achieve success and significance, we must live by design. Every thought, word, and action justifies or cancels how we intend to live. In order to have great influence, we have to put action behind our intent. Let me share a few thoughts that are vital to making this a blockbuster year.

1. Have a positive mindset. What goes into our mind determines how we live. Eight out of the ten spies of Israel saw themselves as grasshoppers in their own mind (Numbers 13:33 NAS). As a result they never entered the Promised Land. How you see yourself is how everybody sees you. I challenge you to look in the mirror as God does. He has some out-of-this-world plan for your life. Will you agree with God? You’re a Child of the Most High. You’re intelligent, purposeful, disciplined, favored, focused, victorious, the head and not the tail. You’re above and not beneath. You have God’s can do power to propel you into your next level of success.

2. Speak what you want. Most of us are accustomed to saying what we see or have experienced in the past. Faith is to say it before you can see it. It’s not enough to have a vision of victory. You have to relentlessly call it in. Jesus taught this vital principle in Mark 11:23 – You shall have whatsoever you say. Don’t just use words to describe your situations; speak words to change your circumstances. Scripture says, let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich.” I know many people who are satisfied with what they need but they don’t feel confident to ask God for what they want. This is a terrible way to live. God has no problem giving you any good thing. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). I encourage you to believe God for the impossible. Our extra-ordinary God loves to fulfil our extra-ordinary expectation!

3. Enlarge your sphere of influence. We’re product of our environment. A mighty oak tree is limited within the confinement of a small pot. In the same way, you too have been endowed with great gifts and talents but for them to come to fruition, you must surround yourself with people who are bigger, better, and brighter than yourself. Enroll yourself to further your education. Attend conferences and seminars to enhance your knowledge. Meet new people. Be in places of inspiration. Who speaks into you loudest will determine how high you will rise in life.

Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”

Friend, as you stand in the threshold of this New Year, set your mind on high and lofty goals and ambitions. You’re God’s dream personified on earth. God can do anything but often He is limited to our own belief, words, and actions. May I challenge you to start this year with great expectations from God? Write down your goals, dreams, and aspirations. Be liberal in your thinking of what God and you can do. Make your goals public with a specific completion date. Speak and share your vision with like-minded people who believe in you. Most of all put your trust in God. He thinks so much of you! His dream for you is greater than your own. Pay attention to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit throughout the day. Read God’s Word daily. Most of our problems will dissolve if we do what the Bible says. Friend, I believe and declare that 2017 will be a Year of Increase. More joy. More influence. Better relationships. More finances. Better health and a life of peace, pleasure, and prosperity. I love you and I’m praying for you and your success.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV).

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2016: Year of Fulfilment

“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance” (Psalm 65:11 NIV).

It’s hard to believe but another new year has rolled in and most of us are full of eager anticipation. While some talk of uncertainty, most of us are ready to grab life by the horns and run with it. I believe and declare that 2016 will be a year of fulfilment. So dream BIG!

I’ve found that it is as easy to have a hopeful attitude as it is to be negative. Either way, it affects the outcome of our lives. Some people freeze to death in winter while others go skiing. When we’re purposeful and enthusiastic about life, we make history and change the world.

In 1952, a Kiwi mountain climber attempted to scale Mt. Everest at 29,000 feet but he was unsuccessful. Shortly after his experience, he was invited to give a speech in front of a packed audience.

In spite of his heroic attempt to top Mt. Everest, Hillary considered himself a failure. He stepped away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform. Clenching his fist at a picture of the summit, he shouted, “Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I’ll beat you the next time because you’ve grown all you’re going to grow…but I’m still growing!”

Soon after that, on May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mount Everest. Since that day, thousands of climbers have achieved the same feat as the Kiwi.

Like Hillary, you may not have seen all of your success yet. You’ve labored hard and seen little fruit. Your business still hasn’t taken off. The sickness has lingered on and the wayward child has no sign of getting on the right path. If you’re feeling a little lost and uncomfortable, take courage from Sir Edmund Hillary. Greatness didn’t come to him in one attempt but he had to grow into it. You, too, are growing and this year will be the fulfilment of your dreams.

Friend, just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. God is working. If you stick with it and stay in faith it will happen!

High achievers are those who are intentional about their purpose. Don’t just accept the status quo and go with the flow. Inside each one of us is a sleeping giant. When we get intentional about our goals, dreams, and purpose, we will wake up the giant and conquer the world.

In Mark chapter 5, the Scripture records a story of a woman suffering with a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years! She had come to meet Jesus but He was surrounded by people. Looking at her circumstances, this woman could have easily given up on her dream and gone home. She could have made dozens of excuses but she had her mind set. She thought to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can be healed.” Through sheer determination, faith, and iron-feast resolution, this poor woman touched the hem of Jesus and immediately, she was made whole. Jesus looked at her and said, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

I believe God is telling us the same thing, “Live well, live blessed!” Let’s take some risk of faith. If we become intentional and trust God with our health, finances, and the salvation of our loved ones, God will do great miracles. Just like Sir Edmund never stopped growing and succumbed to a temporary setback, we should go forward and confront our fears head on. The woman with the issue of blood looked past her limitations and got her miracle. You have everything in you to succeed as well. Don’t die with the dream still in you. If you believe and keep a good attitude then you’ll experience mighty breakthroughs.

Keep growing. Be intentional. Be on the lookout for God’s goodness. He is going to open miraculous doors for you. He will shower you with favor. Good breaks are in your immediate future. He will give you the desires of your heart. Get excited and anticipate because I believe and declare 2016 will be your year of fulfilment. I love you and I’m praying for you!

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You’re a Magnet for God’s Blessings

“Truly, goodness and gracious love will pursue me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6 ISV).

We just got back from a mission trip to India and Nepal. Because of your prayers, love and support, we were able to reach over 60,000 people. We give God all the glory!

We literally met tens of thousands of people during our time there. Everywhere we went, God’s people asked us to pray for their problems. We did and prayers were answered.

One of the most common problems we heard was, “I’ve been walking right, doing right, and honoring God but still I’ve not seen any breakthroughs.” I’ve heard this statement many times in my life. Today, let us look at how to become a magnet for God’s blessings.

Let me start by saying this: if you’re walking in integrity, God will bless you. When you honor God with your life, you don’t have to look for the blessings because they will find you! No one can take a blessing that has your name on it.

Don’t be discouraged because your healing has not manifested yet. Let us not quit because your financial problems still exist. Do not despair if your loved one is not yet serving God. God knows what you need and how to get it to you.

This is what happened to a young lady on our recent trip to Nepal. Reshma is 19 years old. She is a new Christian and on fire for God. When she heard through someone that we were having a meeting, she decided to come in spite of having no transportation due to the oil shortage in the country. She came to the meeting very discouraged and despondent because she didn’t get selected for a medical scholarship. As she listened to our message, God gave her new hope and inspiration. We were able to comfort and connect with her after the meeting and now we’re looking at finding a scholarship for this young lady.

What happened? Reshma was in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. She was seeking God first worshipping Him. She wasn’t seeking a blessing, the blessing found her!

God will do the same for you. I’ve found three principles that will unleash God’s blessings upon your life.

First, DECIDE what you want. Too many God-loving people are drifting through life because they never identified what is it that they want. Jesus often asked people, “What do you want me to do for you?” Frequently, the needs were too obvious but still He took the time to ask this question. Why is that? I believe God wants us to decide what we want. If we want a spoonful of blessing, we’ll get just that. But if we dare to ask for big things, it will not bankrupt heaven. Today, I want you to be specific in your prayers and make sure to ask God for some BIG things. God can do in a split second what you can do on your own in a lifetime.

Second, DECLARE what you want. You cannot have a poor mouth and expect to live a rich life. Do not sabotage your blessing by speaking words contrary to God’s Word. Wake up every morning and say, “I’m blessed. I’m confident. I’m secure. I’m healed. I’m highly favored. I have the mind of Christ. Something good will happen to me today.” The Bible says, “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you” (Job 22:28 NAS).

Third, EXPECT God’s blessings to find you. Most people give up on their dreams because it hasn’t happened in their timetable. Don’t let that be you. If God was to pull back the curtains and show you what He’s about to pour down on you, you would be amazed. Friend, you’ve come too far to turn back now. Healing is yours. Prosperity is yours. Peace and joy are yours. Goodness and mercy and forgiveness are yours. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. You’re about to enter into your Promised Land. Be specific and call in your blessing throughout the day. Expect good things to happen to you and your loved ones and begin to thank God for the miracles He has done in the past. When you do these things, you’ll be amazed how God’s blessings will chase you down. Like a magnet, the blessed life will follow you around. I love you and I’m praying for you!

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God Wants You to Prosper

Most Christians are taught that money and God cannot mix. We’re indoctrinated to believe that somehow poverty is holier than riches. This negative way of thinking has kept people poor more than anything else. When we embrace prosperity (body, soul and spirit), prosperity will come.

Jim came from a very poor and humble background. When he was young, his father lost his job. The family had to live in a camper van in a relative’s yard. They all worked as janitors and security guards at a factory. Jim himself had to work an eight-hour shift after school.

Broke as a joke, it was no laughing matter for Jim to dream big and envision himself making it big in life. He had an unusual talent; Jim could make anyone laugh. In 1985, a broke and depressed Jim drove his old beat-up Toyota up to the Hollywood hills. Sitting there overlooking Los Angeles, he wrote himself a check for $10 million for “acting services rendered.” He post-dated the check five years and put the check in his wallet. The check remained there until it deteriorated but he made it. Jim made millions with his comedy and acting. Today, a Hollywood superstar, Jim Carrey is worth $150 million!

Why do some people prosper and others don’t? One simple answer is vision. Most people are content with a “me and my four and no more” mentality. Others dream dreams – big dreams and work towards them. They realize that life’s not just about them but making an impact on others. Like Jim Carrey, you may be broke right now but if you keep the right vision of prosperity in front of you, one day you too can influence many for God.

Today, change your thinking. See yourself as prosperous. Believe that God wants to prosper you. Everything about God is lavish and expansive. He created the universe, the diamond mines, and the oil fields. He’s not going to be unsettled if you begin to experience abundance. Your desire for wealth is from Him. He knows that you want to help people and bless the world with the Good News of Jesus. It takes great resources to change lives.

Don’t depend on your paycheck or business. Scientists have discovered that our brain is active when we sleep. Your mind is so active during sleep that it can even make new discoveries! How is that possible? That’s God speaking to you in your sleep! Make God the Source of your life. He will give you ideas and inventions. Your stocks will suddenly double. Your roofing business will explode because of a storm coming through your city. Your main competitor will move to another state. A sudden inheritance will come into your hands. You’ll save tens of thousands of dollars through a lower paying mortgage refinancing. A sudden promotion will take you from being the receptionist to CEO of the company! Friend, God has ways to prosper you that you haven’t yet considered. Don’t look to the east, west, north or south for promotion; look up!

In the Bible, Abraham is called to be the father of faith. He believed in God’s promises even when his circumstances looked impossible. He was a hundred years old when the promised son, Isaac, was born. This was a great victory for God. What many people do not know or talk about is that Abraham came from an idol-worshipping family. But when He began to follow the True and Living God, he began to prosper. “The man [Abraham] became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy” (Genesis 26:13 NIV).

It is interesting that many Christians embrace Abraham for his unflinching faith but they don’t want to talk about his wealth. The Bible says in Ephesians 3:14, “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (ESV). Abraham honored God with his faith and God had no trouble making him one of the richest men of his time. God wants to prosper you!

Today, believe that it is God’s will to promote you. See yourself with great resources and then you’ll have it. Make a list of ways you’re going to give to God’s work when your income doubles, triples, even quadruples. Not even the sky is the limit. It’s our own limited thinking that keeps us in lack. God is all about abundance. Just keep the focus on others instead of yourself. Believe that you’ll make more this year than any other year before. I pray and declare that you’re blessed to be a blessing. You’re strong. You’re creative. You’re full of God’s health and healing. You’re the head and not the tail. You’re above only and not beneath. You’ll lend and not borrow. If you believe and act towards it, you’ll eat the good of the land. I love you and I’m praying for your influence to increase!

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2 NAS).

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Do What You Can

Not even a mosquito gets slapped on its back until it starts to act. Too many of us have too much knowledge in our head and do too little when it comes to action. It has been said that information is power. But power is released only when we act on the information we have.

I have met Christians around the world who say, “I’m waiting for more revelation from the Lord.” I understand what they’re trying to say but I always tell them what I’m saying to you. If we act on what we already know, not only God will reveal more of Himself to us but we’ll begin to see the power of God manifested in our lives like never before. Knowledge doesn’t change anything; action does!

Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say” (John 14:23 NLT). One action is more valuable than a thousand good intentions. When we act on what we know, we unleash the power of God to work on our behalf. This is why faith is so important. It is not enough to just believe in what God can do but you have to act on what you know. Every person who received a miracle from Jesus not only believed, they acted on their faith. Action is a trigger to miracles!

Wilma Rudolph was born into a poor home in Tennessee. At age four, she had double pneumonia with scarlet fever — a deadly combination — which left her paralyzed with polio. She had to wear braces and the doctor said that she would never be able to talk again. Her mother heard the doctor’s report but she believed in God more. She told Wilma that with God-given ability, persistence, and faith she could do anything if she’d just act on it. That seed of faith took root in Wilma’s heart. She said, “I want to be the fastest woman in track on this earth.” At the age of nine, against all odds, Wilma removed her brace and took the first step. At the age of 13, she entered her first track meet and she placed last. Wilma didn’t quit. She kept working towards her dream until one day she came first in the competition.

At the age of 15, Wilma attended Tennessee State University where she met coach Ed Temple. After much hard work, sweat, and tears she earned a place in the Olympics. In the 100-meter final, Wilma was to compete against Jutta Heine who had been undefeated. But Wilma won the gold medal. She beat Jutta a second time in the 200-meter race. In the 400-meter relay, Wilma again faced Jutta. Wilma dropped the baton at the start as she watched Jutta shoot past her. Instead of lamenting, Wilma picked up the baton and ran like a thunder bolt to beat Jutta for third time and win her third gold medal. A paralytic woman became the fastest women on earth at the 1960 Olympics, all because she was brave enough to take the first step when the brace came off.

You are born to make history if only you take the first step that is in front of you. A Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the single step.” If you want to do something big, start by doing something small.

Friend, what impossible situation are you facing today? If you’re looking for your dream job – get out there and send some resumes. If you’re looking for a new client, pick up the phone and make those calls you’ve been meaning to. If you’re lonely, get out there and meet some new people in church, youth groups, or other social events. If you need healing, don’t just confess the scriptures on healing but get up and do something by faith as if you have been healed already. If you have a mountain of debt, don’t wait to win a million dollars in a lottery; instead make the payments as you can, talk to your creditors and explain your situation to them. If you need more revelation of God’s will for your life, act on what you already know. Knowledge is good but action is the proper fruit of knowledge. If you take the step of faith and do what you know, you’ll be amazed at the miracle you create for yourself. God works where there’s faith and action. Take an action towards your faith and you’ll see and eat the fruit of your action manifested in your life.

“Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like” (James 1:24 MSG).

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God is Not Finished with You

Many people today are sitting on the sidelines of life because they feel that they’ve passed their prime time. As time goes on, they feel they’ve missed the opportunity. However, God never put the gifts and dreams in you without having every intention of bringing them to pass.

If you’re breathing, you’re a candidate for God’s use. Your whole life is the sum of the opportunities you have in front of your right now. Don’t die until you’re dead. If you’ve done nothing with the purpose God put in you, He still wants to use you. If you made some major mistakes and taken some detours in life, He still wants to bring out the gifts and talents He deposited in you. You’re not late. You’ve not missed the mark. God is not finished with you yet!

My children have cats that they rescued from our neighborhood. We have a plastic screen in our kitchen door opening up to the backyard. These kitties love to sit by the door, watch the birds fly around and daydream about catching them. When they were little, they’d often try to scratch the screen, wanting to get out. My kids would repeatedly tell them how they should not do that. As they grew older, they became conditioned to the restrictions. Now they limit themselves to be content just sitting by the door watching the birds fly around. They can rip apart the plastic screen with their sharp claws anytime they want. But because they’ve been so conditioned against it, they just sit there by the door (for which I’m thankful) and allow their destiny to fly by.

Many times, we are like these cats. We’ve been told by our friends and loved ones why we can’t achieve the goals and purposes of our hearts. We look back at the mistakes we’ve made and disqualify ourselves. Instead of looking forward to what God has for us, we lick the wounds of what didn’t work out. We think we’ve lost the window of opportunity.

People buy into these lies and spend the rest of their lives in regret – looking back. Truth is, if God was done with you, you wouldn’t still be here. Obviously, God doesn’t want us to repeat our mistakes. He doesn’t want us to live the same mediocre life that we once did. However, if we don’t believe that God is not through with us, then we’ll spend the rest of our lives trying to go forward in reverse. Don’t bury your gifts and talents, empty yourself of them.

Every great man and woman of God had some flaws. Moses was a murderer. David was an adulterer. Gideon was insecure. Rahab (lineage of Jesus) was a harlot. Elijah was moody. Ruth was a widower. Isaiah was depressed. Paul was a persecutor of the Church. Peter was short-tempered. Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead! Friend, no matter where you fit into this list, your past is not too great for God to forgive. God is not finished with you. You’re not washed up. You’re not beyond God’s use. Your best days are still right in front of you. The seeds of greatness are in you. Rise up, dust yourself off, and start right where you are. 

This is what Joseph did in the Bible. His own brothers threw him in the pit and then sold him to the merchants. He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. His fellow prisoner forgot to return the favor but God did not forget Joseph. The pains of a Christian are all growing pains. When faith is stretched, it grows. Like Joseph, you’ve gone through the pit and the prison. Now it’s time for you to take your place in the palace. You will rule over things that once dominated you. God has every intention of fulfilling the dreams and purposes He put in you. My challenge to you today is to not die with the dream still inside of you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” The future of your God-given destiny is held in your own belief. You can choose to live the dream or, like our cats, you can sit and watch your destiny fly by. God wants to take you from your pit to your palace. You’ve put in all the hard work; now it’s time for you to enjoy the dividends of your distress. God is not finished with you. This is your time to rise again!

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

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April will be Amazing

Our expectations have a lot to do with what we experience in life. What we constantly think about, we’ll eventually bring about. Our lives are an aggregate of our thoughts, words, and actions. If we dare to believe God for the best, we’ll eat the good of the land.

I believe April will be amazing for those who believe. Wake up every day of this month believing that today is going to be your day. Most people lose an hour at the beginning of their day and spend the rest of the day recapturing it. How we start the beginning of this month is how it will end. Don’t be a victim of complacency. Each day is a gift from God. Learn to squeeze every drop of life from each day. Enjoy, relax, laugh but live with a purpose in your heart.

One of the things that makes God mad is when we put limits on what He can do. The Israelites doubted God and questioned, “Can God?” Doubt anything you want but never doubt the fact that God wants to bless you. Instead of asking “Can God?,” say empathically, “God can!” When we doubt, we question God’s ability to perform. You cannot have a poverty mentality and live in prosperity. You cannot think sick and live healthy. You cannot talk defeat and expect to live in victory. Say, “I’m healed. I’m prosperous. I’m victorious. I can do all things through Christ.”

A few weeks ago my backyard looked gray and dead. In fact, my whole neighborhood, and maybe yours, looked the same. Finally, my friend Lino, who helps me with the yard work came and chopped down some of my plants. It was a pathetic sight – dead, dry, and lifeless. Life may have dealt with you in the same way. Your sickness has gone from bad to worse. The finances look bleak. Your projected goals in the business have not quite produced. I have good news for you!

Last week, I was watering the plants in my backyard.  Do you know what I found? Little green leaves shooting out of the “dead” branches. My plants are coming back to life! They were never dead in the first place. Just because things in your life may look dead, it doesn’t mean they are. God is working behind the scenes to resurrect your dream. What looked impossible will be made possible. Your health will spring forth. Wayward children will find their way home. The addiction will be gone. The contract will land on your desk. Sales will close and your relationships will blossom again. God is not dead and neither are you!

You will never gain what you’re unwilling to go after. This is the time of the year when we think about our Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. One thing we often forget is that Jesus died for us so that we can live for Him. His death was not just meant to be material for a horror movie. He endured excruciating pain and suffering so that we can live an exhilarating life. We’re underestimating the price He paid for us unless we actively seize our destiny every day.

This is what Mistry did in Calcutta, India. She became a widow at the age of 23 because they couldn’t afford proper treatment for her husband. She was uneducated and had no social background. Even though she was devastated, she made a silent resolution to herself – “One day, I will build a hospital for the poor who cannot afford to pay.” In the following years, she worked relentlessly as a vegetable seller, bricklayer, and a household maid. She would earn two cents an hour and save most of it to build her dream hospital. Her four children worked alongside whatever she was doing to save up for the dream. Now 47 years down the line, Humanity Hospital stands tall and proud, serving the poor, free of cost, since 1996. Her son, Ajoy, is a doctor at her hospital, which has 12 doctors and over 25 beds. Humanity Hospital is a testament to a single woman’s grit, determination, and never-say-die spirit against all odds.

As you stand at the threshold of a new month, let me ask you a question. What are you pursuing with your life? What miracle do you believe God will provide? What’s burning in your heart and won’t go away? If you believe, go after your dreams and appropriate the power that Jesus died to give us, you can accomplish any goal, purpose, and destiny. You have what it takes. Today is a new day, a new opportunity. Let’s seize the day and build on a momentum that has taken us our whole life to get to. I believe and declare: April will be amazing!

“A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense” (Proverbs 12:11 NLT).

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Making Plans for a Successful Year

I’ve never met anyone who planned to fail. Yet, thousands of people are dissatisfied with their lives because they don’t have any set goals. If we’re not making plans to succeed then by default, we’re planning to fail.

Millions of people made New Year’s resolution this year but unfortunately, most have already fumbled. Statistics show that 75% of people maintain their resolutions, through the first week. Six months later, only 46% continue on with their goals. By the end of the year, a staggering 90% of people never make it. If this is you, I have some good news.

Today, let me introduce you to another approach of making plans to succeed. I call it PGP or Personal Growth Plan. Each year, I set goals in the five categories of life that impact me the most. Under each heading, I write down 3-5 specific goals. PGP works because it makes room to fail but allows the grace to get up and go again. Let me share these that might help you also.

1. God. Our success on earth is directly correlated to our connection with heaven. If we build our lives in the firm foundation of our God, we will have the Midas touch in everything we do. If we want to succeed in life, we can’t afford to not spend time with our Maker. Make plans to read the Bible every day. Pray and worship throughout the day. Talk to someone about Jesus at work. Attend church and get involved serving people. Go on a mission trip. Let’s plan to encounter God more deeply and intimately. Draw near to God and He’ll draw near to you!

2. Family. Every family has some defunct but your family is the only people God Himself handpicked for you! Our families sacrifice the most, yet often, they’re the ones who are most neglected. At the end of your life, you’re not going to ask for another day at the office or brag on your corporate achievement; you would want to be surrounded by the family you love. Set aside dedicated time to spend with your spouse. Go on a date with your kids and grandkids. Plan a weekend getaway. Play games together. Have fun and be intentional about making memories. Don’t shortchange your family. Invest in them.

3. Relationships. We’re created to live in community. The quality of our life will depend on the relationships we build. Learn to take genuine interest in people. Find a way to meet new people. Be loyal to your old friends. At work, invest in your boss and co-workers. Be hospitable. Invite your friends and neighbors to dinner. Call people just to check on them. Pray with people. The best relationships are a two-way street. What you put in is what you’re going to get out of it.

4. Finances. Our financial affairs reflect where our hearts are. The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV). Don’t follow money; instead, follow God and money will follow you. We’re selfish by nature. One of the best ways to cure greed and selfishness is to have a generous heart. This year try these simple steps for financial fitness. Work to make money > Give > Save > Invest. Use a budget and percentage to dictate where your money should go. If you really want to hit a home run with your finances, support Israel.

5. Health. We’ve all heard the saying, “Health is wealth.” It is! No matter whether you’re trying to lose a few pounds or fighting a serious health issue, you are in control of more than you think. Take simple steps to boost your health. Eat a balanced diet. Drink more water. Cut down on carbs, sugar, and sodas. Exercise regularly. Sleep at least 6-8 hours a day. Our God is still the Healer – this is your year to reclaim your health!

Friend, our God is a progressive God. What you’ve experienced in the past is going to pale compared to the success God has reserved for you this year. Get your hopes up, take corresponding action, and thank God for a bumper crop year. 2015 will be a wow year! God will give you something to talk about. He has already pronounced His blessing over you. Will you believe and act on it? I’m praying for you and yours!

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance” (Psalm 65:1 NLT).

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Dream with Your Eyes Open

Yet another year has just unfurled and everyone is excited about it. A new year brings new hope and new opportunity. God is poised to do great things but it will take our cooperation to make 2015 a great year. How we envision our future is how it will play out in real life.

Many people never arrive at their destiny because they only dream with their eyes shut. What we see with our spiritual eyes is far more real than what transpires in the natural world. If we’re to fulfill our destiny, we need to know and embrace God’s purpose for our lives and then go for it. Today let’s look at a few steps to reaching our God-given potential.

First, you must decide. I say this respectfully but most people don’t know what they want. Unless we know our purpose, we’ll drift through life never appropriating our dreams. Many are scared to ask God for big things. They think they’ll deplete heaven’s resources by asking for divine health, a hundred-thousand dollar promotion at work, or the ability to go on a mission trip. Hogwash! Our God wants us to have confidence in Him. It is His delight to give us the desires of our hearts. God wants to prosper your body, mind, spirit, and soul. Jesus often asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Decide what you want. What you see is what you’ll get.

Second, believe in God’s promises. If you can find it in the Bible, you can have it. God is still making custom made dreams to fit your life. Never question, “Can God?” Instead say, “God can and I can!” When we put our unwavering faith in God’s ability to perform, then we’ll see our wildest dream come to pass. In order to believe in God’s promises, you have to read God’s Word. There is every kind of promise imaginable mentioned in the Bible. Write down the promise fitting to your dream. Meditate upon it day and night. Thank God for it and it will surely come to pass. All things are possible if we only believe!

Third, act upon your faith. Charles Blondin was a famous French tightrope walker in the mid-1800s. Once, he was performing a stunt over the mighty Niagara Falls. He crossed the 160 feet above the Falls several times. He even carried a stove and cooked an omelet while crossing the treacherous waters. On one occasion, he was blindfolded and he pushed a wheelbarrow as he walked the tightrope. The crowd, “Ooooohed” and “Aaaaaahed!” Blondin suddenly stopped and asked the audience, “Do you believe I can carry a person in this wheelbarrow?” People cheered, “Yes, yes, you’re the greatest in the world. You can do anything!” When Blondin came down, he said, “Ok. Get in the wheelbarrow…”  The Blondin story goes that no one did!

Many people view God and His ability to perform much like Blondin’s audience. We know that God’s promises are true. We’ve seen God’s power at work in our lives and in the lives of others. However, when we need to experience God the most, we chicken out. We don’t want to take risk and our confidence is punctured. Today I want to remind you that God is not going to just repeat what He has in the past but He will outdo Himself because He is a progressive God. You too can enlarge your vision and dare to believe God for the impossible. Do your due diligence. Put in the hard work. Go for the kill. Do all you can and then ask God to do what you can’t.

Fourth, confess God’s promise to you. Research shows that whatever you hear yourself say is what you’ll have the faith to obtain. Thousands of athletes and high achievers follow this principle to accomplish their goals. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Our words are carriers of our dreams. Don’t use words to describe your situation; speak words to declare your destiny! Jesus said, “Whatever you say, you shall have.” It takes the same effort to bless or curse your own future. Speak what you believe and you’ll have what you speak!

Fifth, achieve your dream. Dreams alone cannot take you to your destiny. You have to take corresponding action towards your goal. Persistence will take you where talent alone can’t.  When you do your part, God will do His. When we’re serious about our dreams, we’re going to go all out to achieve our goals. We don’t have to envy, compete, or act desperate. A quiet confidence in God’s power and iron-willed resolute will get the job done. At the threshold of this year, I challenge you to dream big and expect great things. God wants to bless you so that you can become a blessing to others. I’m praying for you and I believe in you!

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2 NAS).

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A Season of Miracles for You

I must admit, this is my favorite time of year. I love the festivities, the hustle and bustle of people shopping for their loved ones, and celebrating the greatest gift the world has ever known — Jesus. I love Christmas!

One of the ways to celebrate the birth of our Lord is to keep the right perspective. Things don’t always have to be perfect in order to enjoy life. The quality of our life depends on how grateful we are for the things we already have. If we’re only happy and content with stuff we want and having it our way all the time, then we’ll spend most of our lives disappointed.

Recently, I saw an advertisement where the man asked the genie for a million bucks. As he wished, boom it happened! The man expected cash but he was surrounded with male deer in and around his house. He was disappointed. This is comical but many of us respond to life in similar fashion. We don’t seem to enjoy the 99 things God has blessed us with but instead, mourn the one thing we don’t have. Don’t let that be you!

I’ve found that one of the best ways to draw God’s blessings into our lives is to be thankful for what we have. When we’re bragging, we won’t be nagging.

While most of us are celebrating the joyous season of Christmas, many are genuinely hurting. Some are disappointed about the way this year didn’t pan out for them. Others made deliberate mistakes and now they’re licking their wounds, feeling sorry for themselves. Yet there are some who experienced a tragedy of losing a loved one or they’re going through a physical, mental, or financial challenge. No matter what opposition you’re facing today, I’ve got good news for you. God is about to turn your mourning into dancing. He will take your mistakes and turn them into miracles. This is the crux of the message of Christmas. No matter how impossible your situation looks, it’s about to change! Luke 4:19 in the Amplified version says that Jesus came “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].”

This is why I love Christmas! I’m reminded of God’s free flowing favors abounding over me, my family, and friends like you. Religion is binding and it teaches us that we have to be good in order to receive God’s blessings. While I’m not trying to promote sloppy Christianity, we would be wise to understand that our best efforts to please God are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We cannot earn God’s favor with our good works but we can accept His free gift of Salvation and favor upon our lives. And for a sinner like me, that’s music to my ears! I accept everything God has for me with deepest gratitude in my heart. I recommend you do the same.

I love to watch parents shopping for Christmas for their children. One thing that always impresses me is the list. It has names and gifts matching to the names. This list is the most divine list in the world. Naughty or nice; no matter what the child has done through the year — his grades, her attitude, or even their history of disobedience —the list only contains blessings for their children. The Bible says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13). God has a list of blessings beside your name.

Friend, today let’s remember that we’re in a season of miracles. God is not keeping track of your wrongs but your faith in Him. He is not mad at you; He is madly in love with you. You don’t have to play an outsider anymore because God has circled you in. You’re not an outcast, you’re outstanding! If you come to Jesus just as you are, He will accept you and turn your sorrow into joy. You want to honor God with your life but you don’t have to impress Him anymore. Jesus has done that for you. Just embrace and accept the free favor of God’s love, forgiveness, and restoration over your life. Christmas is not just history it’s about God’s richest blessing coming over your life to meet you at the point of your need today. This is your season of miracles. What do you need? Ask boldly! God is in good mood to give you the miracle you need.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32 NIV).

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December Will Be Dazzling

It’s easy to look at what didn’t work out this year. Sales may be down. Relationships may not have worked out. You may not have gone as far as you hoped but don’t write this year off yet. God is not finished with you!

You’ve prepared this whole year to get to today. Don’t focus on what didn’t work out. Instead, trust and believe God that December will be the best month of the year. No matter what the expert says, or your industry’s predictions are, you can expect a dazzling month in sales, peace, joy, promotion, health, increase, and breakthroughs.

Your future is your property. Only you and God can dictate what your future will be. Our lives produce our expectations. If we have limited expectations, then we’ll see limited results. No matter what your situation may look like, today is a new day. God is doing a new thing. He will heal you. He will fill your pocket with resources from sources you don’t even know. You will have plenty for your family and plenty leftover to bless the world.

God is not a Santa Claus checking you twice to see whether you’ve been naughty or nice. He knows we fail so He loved us while we were yet sinners. Now go and sin no more. Thank God, His love for us is a decision and not based on our performance. He intends to bless and honor you in spite of your shortcomings because you’re His child! Don’t let religious bigots convince you otherwise. God’s heart of mercy is far greater than your propensity to sin. He knows your name and He knows your frame. Do your best to honor Him today!

In Matthew chapter 8, a Roman officer came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.” The centurion said, “Just say the Word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus replied, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” The young servant was healed that same hour!

Friend, you may be facing some adverse circumstances in your life right now. You may not think God wants to help you. But I’ve got good news for you. Let me remind you what His Word says. You’re the child of the Most High. You have the mind of Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. He always causes you to triumph. He took our pain and bore our sicknesses and suffering. He is Jehovah Jireh — the Lord our Provider. He is Jehovah Rapha — God our Healer. You’re the apple of His eye. You’ll live and not die and proclaim the works of the Lord. Most people want to see before they can believe. But first, believe and then you’ll see. This is called faith. All of God’s promises are yes and amen. Just like the centurion, God’s Word works for everyone who believes.

Don’t try to figure out everything with your natural mind. You’re not limited by your paycheck, your business, or the doctor’s report. A sudden inheritance will come into your hands. The IRS will pay you back. Rebates and bonus checks are on their way. A relative you’ve not heard from will send you a large sum of money. The real estate will sell for more than you expected. Your marriage will be restored. You’ll hit natural gas, oil, and precious stones. I’m not saying these things just to get your hopes up. This has happened to friends I know and those who put their trust in God. He wants to bless you so that you can be a blessing to others!

Friend, no matter how desperate your situation may look, cast all your cares upon Jesus because He cares for you. His provision will make your dream a reality. I’m not just talking about money. How about more peace, promotions, joy, health, healing, influence, restoration, and reputation? December will be dazzling but you have to believe that God is a Rewarder of those who seek Him diligently. You have to be expecting in your heart. God will meet you at the point of your expectation. All things are possible to them who believe. I pray and proclaim December will be dazzling for you and your family.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

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