You're Created for More

Even though it is God’s plan to bless us, we can hinder His plan with our limited thinking. One of the worst things you can do is to go against God’s will to bless you. Today He is planning your increase. He has more in store for you than you can ever imagine. He can do more in a split second than what you can do for yourself in a lifetime. God is a God of promotion and He is poised to help you.

Cara Wood was only 17 when she worked as a waitress at a local restaurant near Cleveland, Ohio. She was hard worker, bright, and cheerful.  One day a customer came in whose name was Bill Cruxton. Bill, a widower with no children, went to the restaurant every day for his meal. He always sat in Cara’s section and, after a while, took a liking to her. He said that if he had had any grandkids, they would have been just like her. Bill and Cara became fast friends and Cara even helped him around the house and ran errands for him.

At the age of 82, when Bill died, he made sure Cara was the only beneficiary of his half-a-million-dollar estate. Cara was able to pay off her college education and went on to make a living by investing the inheritance.

Friend, just like Cara, God has increase, promotion, and means for you that you do not know of. “May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children” (Psalm 115:14 NIV). See, it is God’s plan to increase you. But you have to believe and embrace it. Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have a way. Simply thank God that promotion is coming, healing is coming, wealth is coming, and salvation and deliverance are coming for your family.

The 1960 Summer Olympics were held in Rome, Italy. 20-year-old Wilma Rudolph made history by winning three gold medals in track and field. People lovingly nicknamed her “The Tornado” – the fastest woman on earth. Wilma was acclaimed to fame but her life didn’t start off that way. She was born prematurely at only 4.5 pounds and the 20^th of 22 siblings. At the age of four, Wilma contracted severe polio. Doctor told her parents that she would never walk again. She spent two years bedridden.

With the help of a special leg brace and a shoe Wilma learned how to walk again. At the age of 11, without her parents’ knowledge, she began to take off her leg brace and play with other children. Her passion was running. One day she caught the eye of a coach from Tennessee State University. He invited her to try out for the team. Wilma not only qualified for the team but, at just 16 years old, went on the win a bronze medal in the 1956 Olympics. Four years later, Wilma Rudolph became an international sensation by winning three gold medals!

Let’s not limit God. If anybody could have made excuses, it should have been Wilma. But she didn’t and neither should we. Wilma remained willing and open to new possibilities. Her faith was so strong that she defied medical science! Friend, you too were created for more. If you stay in faith, you will climb new heights and go on to make history!

Today, I encourage you to stir up the dreams God has put in your heart. Don’t say, “Can God?” Instead say, “God can!” Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). I pray and declare that your best days are still out in front of you. With God’s help, you will climb to the pinnacle of your success. God is with you and more importantly, He is for you. You are created for more!

God Will Pay You Back

We’ve all had unfortunate things happen to us. Someone takes advantage of us. Someone steals our just rewards. Even a lack of recognition for our hard work can hurt our feelings. We don’t have to be numb to our feelings but if we keep a good attitude when the wrong thing is happening to us, then God will pay us back in due time.

My 14-year-old son Daniel is in Royal Rangers (the Christian version of Boy Scouts); he’s been enjoying this program for several years now. Once a week, he gets to hang out with a group of boys and do boy things. He has always worked very hard for his merits therefore he is ahead of most kids his age.

Recently they had a graduation ceremony. Daniel was the youngest of the lot to get the Gold Medal Award (GMA). Unfortunately, not all of leaders were in favor of him getting the recognition even though he had met all the requirements. It was a long, drawn out drama and finally they allowed him to receive the honors he had earned. 

Maybe you’ve been done wrong. You worked hard for the commission but the sale went to another person. The house you were hoping to buy was sold under your feet. You may have gone through the training, putting in the extra hours, but you didn’t get the promotion you were praying for. You cleaned the house all day but you weren’t appreciated for it. You may have been betrayed in a relationship or a business partnership. No matter who did you wrong, God will pay you back with double the honor.

This is what happened to my son Daniel. Not only did he get his Gold Medal Award in time, he got to meet with the Mayor of our city (pictured here). His outpost had sent many requests before for previous candidates but this was the first time the city officials decided to recognize Daniel in front of the whole city council. Not only that, it was broadcasted live! Even though a few people were against my son, God honored him in front of higher authorities and a greater audience. God paid him back double for his troubles. In the same way, if you keep your peace and stay in faith, God will pay you back more than what you’ve lost.

People do unpredictable things when they’re hurt, insecure, jealous, or threatened by another person. If you try to defend yourself, God will stand back. But if you take the high road, keep calm, and stay in peace, the Lord will fight the battle for you. I’ve learned that the higher you rise the more critics will come out of the woodworks. But if you stay in faith and trust God instead of taking revenge, He will make things right for you. The world may not be fair but God is!

This is what happened to a man named Mordecai in the Bible (Book of Esther). He was a Jew and once he had saved the king’s life from a certain coup. Unfortunately, nobody remembered his contribution to saving the king’s life. One night, King Ahasuerus couldn’t sleep. He ordered his servants to bring him the book of the records from the library. Of all the thousands of books, they picked the one with Mordecai’s story in it. There it was found that Mordecai had saved the king’s life from an assassination plot. It prompted the king to ask, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” They said, “Nothing.” Long story short, it was Mordecai who was honored through the city and his enemy Haman was hung in the gallows. We should never wish evil against our enemies. But rest assured, God knows how to make it up to you. He will never allow you to go through a tough situation without honoring you for it.

Friend, no matter who has done your wrong, today it is time for you to give it up to God. He cannot fight for us as long as we take matters into our own hands. But if we trust him with our troubles, He will do what we cannot do. He will not only reward you but He will make sure that he does it in front of your enemies. Our God is a great equalizer. You’re the head and not the tail. You’re only above and not beneath. He will not cause you to shame.

Today, I challenge you to let go and let God. Like my son Daniel, He will honor you in public. Just like Mordecai, He will bring you to remembrance at the right time. Don’t seek revenge on those who have done you harm. If you release those offenses to God, He will make you soar like an eagle. You’ll go to new heights that you’ve never dreamed of before. I love you and I’m praying for you.

“Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” (Isaiah 61:7 NLT).

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Add a Little Favor in Your Day

Rewards, promotions and satisfactions are great motivation to work hard, be creative and be productive. For many of us, our self-worth is deeply rooted into the work we do. W-O-R-K is one my favorite four-letter-words in the Bible. I believe part of our God given purpose in life is to work and not be lazy.

However, I know too many people who are trying too hard. We should never be slave to anything – not even work. Today I want us to consider a better approach to work. Have you ever tried to cook? You may have done everything right – applied exact temperature, put in the precise ingredients but food taste terrible simply because you forgot to add a little salt in your cooking.

This is how we often go about our business. We try to do everything within our own power. We use our connections, skills and exert our influence. It is good to do our due diligence but today I’m asking you to call in God’s favor in everything you do. This week, be more favor-minded. You’re His son/daughter. He wants to give you preferential treatment at work. One touch of God’s favor will turn everything to your advantage. When we trust God more than our own skill, we’ll experience a new level of peace and productivity like never before. Will you trust Him today? I know you will. I’m praying for you!

“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:3 NLT).

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Your Harvest is Ready

The changing weather in Texas is very welcomed by all. Going from scorching heat to a pleasant weather is a long-waited relief. Everywhere you go there’s a sense of celebration. It is the harvest season!

Often what goes on in the natural is a picture of what’s going on in the spiritual realm. Just as in the natural it is the harvest season, I believe many of our friends are about to enter into your season of harvest. You’re going to throw aside the rags of lack, mediocrity and needs and embrace the abundance God has prepared for you. This is your time. You’ll reap the blessings of all the hard labor you’ve put into planting and nurturing your seed. Your harvest is ready!

Long time ago, I lived in the beautiful country of Nepal. Its people are very poor and the main livelihood is agriculture. I will never forget the joy, celebration and excitement during the harvest season. The whole family is out in the field. There’s a sense of celebration. They may be living off the bottom of the barrel but they know that their harvest is coming and everything will be alright. You too my friend, is about to enter into your season of harvest.

Some of our co-workers in India work among the slum dwellers. They minister to the poorest of the poor who spend all their day looking through the garbage or doing menial jobs. Their ambition is to find something – in the trash. Our evangelists are faithful to share the Gospel with them. By the grace of God a large number of slum-dwellers have come to know the Lord. Their prayer to God has been for a better life. You know, there’s a special place in God’s heart for the poor. One day the slum-believers got news that the government was going to widen the road and their little shacks were going to be demolished. They’re in total despair! But they prayed and trusted the Lord for their safety and protection. Not many days from the “bad news” they got another report. The local government was going to give them substantial amount of money so each of them can have their brick and mortar house. They also promised one government job (steady income) for each family for the rest of their lives for the inconvenience of having to move away from their “homes.” What looked like a disaster for the slum-dwelling believers became a huge blessing from the Lord.

You may be facing a financial challenge. Some of you’re going through a health issue. Others of you are staring at a problem that’s not going away. The legal problem seems to be going against you. Friend, I’ve got good news for you. You’re about to enter into a season of harvest. God is going to wipe away your tears and cause you dance for joy. He is going to make your crooked path straight. He will make a river in the desert. God is going to release abundance upon you in such measure that it will thrust you years ahead. Get ready for your harvest. When it comes, you’ll be stunned at the goodness of God. Start praising Him now!

This is what happened to the children of Israel in bondage. They’re grinding stones, making bricks and God saw their misery. Something about our struggles that touches the Father heart of God. You know the story. He raised Moses to deliver His people out of bondage into the Promised Land. When they left, they didn’t just leave empty handed. Their captors handed them all their treasures. When you’re in peace with God and obedient to His commands, He will cause even your enemies to be good to you. It was the greatest exploits in history!

Friend, you’re precious to God. He knows your situation. He cares about you greatly. He is your heavenly Father. This is your season of harvest. Do not fret. Do not worry. Welcome the season of harvest. Just like the farmers in Nepal and the slum-dwellers in India, God will turn your mourning into dancing. Like the Israelites, He will vindicate you. There’s a sweet sense of change in the air. Get ready for your season of harvest. When it comes it will change everything in your life.

“You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest” (John 4:35 NLT).

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Stay Hungry

Much of life’s success is our desire to get what we want and be what we want to be. While we should not be driven by fame, prosperity and vain glory, we should always have a passion for life. When we lose our purpose, we begin to die.

Many people today are going through the motion. Like a robot they get up, get dressed and rush to their work place. They live for the weekends and life’s never exciting for them. They eat the bread of complacency and idleness in their spare time. They’re breathing but there’s no life, purpose, excitement or zeal in them.

Yesterday, I was in Target with my daughter Cassandra. We came across an associate who was working very diligently. She had a big smile on her face and every time we passed by her, she radiated positive energy. When we went to the checkout counter the same young lady was there. Again, she was very friendly, energetic and had a smile on her face. My daughter noted immediately and said, “Wow! She’s friendly and excited about her work!” I said, “Yes, she’s going to go places in life.”

When we’re at our job or business, we must have the same enthusiasm and zeal for our work. This is where many Christians are failing. We’re great in church but we act like we’re serving the devil on Monday through Friday. This attitude affects our performance. It devalues what we’re capable of doing in the marketplace. On the contrary, when we’re hungry and passionate about doing our best in the marketplace we draw in God’s favor and continue to rise to the top. The higher we go the more influence we’ll have. The more influence we have the better witness we can be for our Lord at our work. Being a passionate worshiper in Church is great but when we’re on top of our game at work, we’re being a witness for our Lord among the non-believers. Let’s get hungry and up our game to please the Lord at our workplace.

Daniel in the Bible was in a foreign land. He worked among the heathen people. Daniel and his friends had excellent work ethic. This brought great favor to Daniel. As a result “God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief” (Daniel 1:9). Daniel had a gift of interpreting dreams just like you have a gift from God. When the decree went out to kill all the wise men of the country, Daniel interpreted the king’s dream. “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). In modern times, you can say, “all the employees were threatened to be sacked from their job. But when they saw Daniel’s excellence and performance at work, he was spared and promoted to be the manager of the whole department!”  Friend, you’ll not be at your current position forever. Blossom where you’re planted and your promotion will come sooner than you think. You’re the light of the world in the marketplace. Shine don’t whine!

I heard about a world famous cellist in his eighties. He practiced five-six hours every day. When a reporter asked him why he still practiced every day, the famous artist said, “I think I’m getting better at it!” What would happen if we as Christian would rise up and perform better every day? I believe just like king Nebuchadnezzar, we’ll have company presidents running to us offering us promotion, more control and influence at our work place. Let us remember, we don’t work unto people, we work unto our Lord. Our job is our ministry! Let’s become the best representation of God in the marketplace. You’re not only there for a paycheck you’re preaching a sermon with your life. What people see in you is what people believe about your God.

Let me proclaim a blessing over you today. “You’re smart. You’re intelligent. You’re creative. You’re disciplined. You are surrounded by favor. You are in the right place at the right time. You are the solution and not the problem. You have keen insight and nifty inventions. You save your company from waste and you add to the company’s bottom line profit. You provide a vital service; you cannot be replaced but only be promoted to a higher position.” Stay hungry. Promotion comes from the Lord.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35 NIV)

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How to Increase Your Audience

No matter what we do, we all want more people in our lives that will contribute to our growth and well-being and vise versa. The more people we can reach the better our chances of winning.

Today we’ll look at increasing our audiences/customers from a business point of view but these principles will work in every industry. It will work if you want to grow your friends circle, church membership or even better your relationship with family.

Let me make something clear. God wants you to have a bigger influence. There is no if, but or maybe about it! He wants you touch more people with your products and services. Your business is bound to succeed because God’s DNA is in you. Everything He does, He succeeds and so can you! You must get this winning attitude deep in your spirit. There must be a champion in you before you can see it happen in the natural realm. God wants you to have a bigger impact. Here are some thoughts and ideas to guide you.

Set aside time to think. Your brain is the most valuable asset God has given you. Average people use less than 10% of their brain. You and I should be the most successful people in the world because we not only have a brain but His Holy Spirit of creativity lives in us. When we set aside creative time to connect with God and His ideas, we’ll draw in a bigger audience. Remember, the devil drives but God guides. Spend less time on your business plan and more time with your Creative Genius!

Focus on customer satisfaction. Don’t start from what makes you more profit. Instead ask yourself, “How can I best meet a need?” When your desire to serve is greater than your hunger to make money; you’ll have more customers than you’ll know what to do with them! Recently, a friend went to eat at Chic-Fil-A and she was served the wrong food. Immediately the associate apologized profusely, she brought her the correct food and returned her money for the inconvenience. You know what my friend did? She came home and wrote about her experience on Facebook. A dis-satisfied customer may tell their friends but a satisfied customer will tell it to the world!

Offer something valuable. The scripture says, “Give and it shall be given to you.” Before you ask for their business, offer something valuable to your audience. For example there are many free email services that you can use to send out helpful information regarding your industry to build an audience. Something practical, something interesting and something valuable that will improve the quality of people’s lives. When you add value; you build a bigger audience. That is what our Master did. Jesus didn’t have a product or services but He deposited value in people. Is there any wonder crowds followed Him everywhere!

Give your audience a sense of belonging. I don’t watch TV but I remember a show from the 80s called, “Cheers!” Their tag line was, “Where everybody knows your name.” Anyone can market to the masses but it’s your specialized and custom made care that will build you the biggest audience. If you’re willing to pay more for a tailor-made suite, people will be willing to pay you more for your tailor-made services. Napoleon Bonaparte was French political and revolutionary leader. He was an expert at making people feel important and included. It is said that he wandered through his camp greeting officers by name and asking them personal questions about their family and hometown. Give your audience a sense of belonging. A loyalty program, recognition, a stake in the company can all keep people more loyal to you. What makes you feel committed? Offer the same to others.

Friend, God wants you make a bigger impact. He will aid you with everything you need if you simply make up your mind to serve more people. Don’t ask WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) rather ask yourself, “What Can I Do For Them?” Take time to think. Aim to please. Offer something valuable. Give them a reason to come back to you. Soon you’ll build an audience that will touch the globe. I’m praying for you!

“Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others” (I Corinthians 10:24 NLT).

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Promotion Lies Within Your Problem

No matter where you are in life there will be challenges. It’s not so much the problems that beset us but our attitude toward it. When we go through tough times with a positive outlook, it is much more bearable and even cut short.

Challenges are a way of life. When one problem is solved another will arise. If we’re always trying to question God, question people getting all tied up in a knot over our struggles then our strength is small. How we handle a setback will determine how God will set us up.

There is a famous story in the Bible when Jesus was asleep in a boat. In the middle of the sea a great storm arose. The little row boat was about to flip over. The disciples were scared and frantically woke Jesus up from his sleep. They said, “Jesus, how can you be sleeping? Can’t you see we’re about to die? Don’t you care?” Jesus did two things. He challenged them to have more faith in God and then He rebuked the storm. Many Christians today have faith but they forget to rebuke their storm.

When you encounter a problem, always remember that it didn’t come to stay but it came to pass. You may have gone through a series of misfortunes but remember that your setback is a stepping stone to the next level. Maybe you don’t like your boss at work. Don’t complain about it. Just know that your current position will become a stepping stone to take over his job someday. Maybe you’re waiting tables right now. If you have the right attitude, God will promote you to be the manager of that place. You may have gone through a bitter divorce; instead of closing up like a sow bug stay open to be used by God to minister to other couples and marriages that are going through a rough time. Consider this: Without Goliath there won’t be David. Without larva breaking free from its cocoon there will be no butterflies. Without your trials there will be no greater you! When we look at our setback as God-ordained set ups then it’s easier to go through a difficult situation with a positive attitude.

This is what happened to Ruth. She was a young lady, living in a foreign land. Suddenly she got news that her husband had been killed. On her own free will, Ruth decided to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Jerusalem. Naomi didn’t have a lot to offer back home but she had a relative by the name of Boaz. Ruth was allowed to pick up the left over grains after the reapers. It was a hand to mouth struggle but Ruth had a stellar attitude. She didn’t complain; she didn’t blame her bad luck. She knew that her setback was going to turn into a setup. Sure enough, Boaz began to like Ruth. They fell in love and got married. Imagine! One day Ruth was working in the field and in the next day she became the owner of the field. Could it be you?

What am I saying? The size of your trouble is an indication of the size of your destiny. Don’t try to pray every uncomfortable situation away from your life. Your promotion lies within your problem. Remember, a kite always rises against the wind. You’re born to soar. The problem you’re facing doesn’t have the power over you. You have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead residing in you. You’ve got what it takes. This setback is a test. On the other side of your test is victory and promotion. Remember, nothing happens to you; everything happens for you!

In the scriptures, Paul taught Timothy and the church to endure hardship. He didn’t pray for all their troubles to go away but He prayed that God will make the people strong. You too my friend, are strong in the Lord. What doesn’t kill you will only make you strong. The Holy Spirit of God that created the majestic universe is lives within you as your Helper. Jesus our Lord is personally interceding for you to the Father. God is staging your comeback! Today, look at your setback as your stepping stone. Where you are is not the end of your story. You have miles to go. Jesus is in the boat to calm your storm. Like Ruth you too will go from working in the field to owning the field. Now Rejoice. For the joy of the Lord is our strength. Can I get a smile now? You look so much better with a smile! I’m praying for you.

“Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever” (Isaiah 61:7 The Message).

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