You Have More in You

You know there is more in you. You dream about it. You see it and feel it in every fiber of your being. .You even daydream about the untapped potential that is burning in your heart. You can try to ignore that burning desire. Your thoughts will tell you, I am too old. I am too young. I am not disciplined enough. I have missed too many opportunities. I have suffered too many setbacks. I am too much of this or not enough of that. It is not meant for me. Your mind will tell you many things, but your heart tells you that there is more in store for you. Do not brush that off. That is your destiny calling you. Those feelings and desires are signs that there is more in you. If you trust them and stay in faith, being your best, you will climb to new heights and go on to make history.

Sometimes, when we have tasted a little success, our complacency can keep us from God’s best. You may be satisfied with your current position in your job, but could it be that you have the potential in you to manage your department? You may be working for a company and there is a growing sense of dissatisfaction brewing in you. Could it be that God is prompting you to start your own company? Or how about feeling you have reached the pinnacle of your success and now it is time for you to give back. Could it be that God is leading you to start a ministry and get involved in missions, helping the poor and widows in foreign lands?

When Sir Edmund Hillary failed in one of his attempts to scale Mt. Everest, he was called to give a speech on his experience. He paused at one of the slides of Mt. Everest, shook his fist and announced, “Mt. Everest, you’ve grown all you can but I will grow bigger from my experience and conquer you!” Soon after, Edmund Hillary became the first person to climb Mt. Everest.

What about you? Are you growing? Are you stretching? Are you looking for new ways to advance your career, influence more people? You have seeds of greatness in you. You were not created to just live and die and nobody knew you were here. You were destined to leave your mark. Since God put the dream in you, He will equip you to fulfill it.

Sometimes when we have suffered a setback or things are not happening on our timetable, we tend to give up on our dreams. We did not get the promotion, the doctor’s prognosis was not good, or a relationship did not work out. Life has a way of pushing our dreams down. Now it has been years and we are convinced that the good life has passed us by. We bury the relationship, we bury the promises to get healed, and we stop trying to get free from addictions. But there are seeds of greatness still in you. Just because you gave up does not mean God gave up on the promises He made to you. What He started, He will fulfill. Do not bury your dreams under low self-esteem, disappointments, and mediocrity. The dream is still alive. There is more in you. If you dare to believe, God will bring it to pass.

This is what happened to Moses in the Bible. As a young man, God gave Moses a dream that he would lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses was excited about his future but he made a mistake. He saw an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew slave, so he killed the Egyptian. Moses had to flee the country and spend 40 years in the backside of the desert hiding. I can imagine how he felt—condemned, disappointed, and finally he buried his dream. He thought he had blown it and now he did not deserve what God had put in his heart. But God is so merciful. He does not give us what we deserve. Even when we give up, He does not abort a dream. At the age of 80 God visited Moses in a burning bush and revived his dream. God told him what He had told him 40 years earlier: go back to Egypt and deliver my people. Moses went and did just as God had promised. He delivered the people of God out of Egypt.

Have you buried a dream because life happened? Did you give up on a promise that God gave to you? I encourage you to stir up the dreams God has put in your heart. If God did not have another victory ahead of you, you would not be here. You have more in you. Your destiny is calling you. Your best days are still out in front of you. If you dare to believe and act on it, you will climb to the pinnacle of your success. God is with you and, more importantly, He is for you. Do not let limited thinking or a failure in the past hold you back. Today is a new day. You have what it takes. You can be who you want to be. You can do what you want to do. You can have what you want to have. Release what is in you. You cannot awaken someone who is pretending to be asleep. Awaken your dreams. Take the limits off. There is no limit to what you and God can do. There is more in you.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT). 

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Coming Out Better

We all go through challenges and difficulties that we do not always understand. I know plenty of people who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus, but God never ends in a minus. He will bring you out of this mess and turn it into your message. Not only will He restore what you have lost, but you will come out of this better than you were before. 

I recently talked to a friend who fought a legal battle for five years. It was a long and exhausting struggle, and we kept praying for breakthrough; however, the court date kept getting pushed back, the deposition required more time, and there seemed to be no way to settle the dispute. The pandemic lockdown meant that there were no court hearings for several months. Then, out of the blue, my friend got a call inviting him to talk to the judge via Zoom video conferencing, and the opposition agreed to settle the case immediately. My friend not only got back everything he had lost, but he also received 1½ times more than what he had originally invested in this case. All legal and corresponding expenses were paid in full, and it ended up costing the other party five times what my friend had originally asked for.

You may be facing challenges now. You may feel like something was taken from you that cannot be replaced. Perhaps you feel pressured or as though you are being squeezed for resources. The job market is down, and your health is not improving. Despite what you are facing, God is saying, “You are going to come out of this better off than before!” Once you experience God’s favor, healing, and promotion, you will look back and say, “Everything turned out for my good.” Without Goliath, David would forever be known as the shepherd boy. Without Pharaoh, the Israelites could not have plundered the Egyptians and entered the Promised Land. You too will come out of your difficulties with flying colors. God will make the enemy pay double for your troubles. 

When you see where God takes you—the favor, the promotion, the blessing, you will look back one day and say, “It all turned out for the best!” David will tell you that it was good that Goliath showed up. The Israelites will tell you that it was good that Pharaoh restricted them. Now stay in faith and trust that God has your back. He would not allow the pressure if it were not going to work for your good. You are going to come out strong, healthy, vindicated, promoted, and much better than you were before. On that day you will say, “That enemy didn’t defeat me; that enemy blessed me.”

The Book of Daniel tells the story of three Hebrew teenagers who refused to bow to an idol under King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. When news of their rebellion reached the king, he was furious and had the boys thrown into a blazing furnace. The fire was so hot that the soldiers who threw the youths in were instantly killed. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, however, were untouched. Their clothes, hair and skin were unburned, and they did not smell like fire. Notice how God restores.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” When you come out of your trial, difficulties, or heartache, no one will be able to recognize the loss because there will be no scars, bruises, or damage to you or your reputation. God will restore your health, marriage, business, and mind. There will be no sign of depression, the marriage will thrive, and you will accomplish things that you had given up on. There will be no smell or sign of fire on you.

You may feel like you are in a fire right now or drowning in debt. The child maybe off course. The injustice and discrimination in the world seem unfair and unbearable. Let me remind you that you are coming out of this better than you were before. After living in slavery for 430 years, the Israelites left Egypt with great wealth. After five years of intense legal battles, God restored my friend to more than he could have hoped for. The Hebrew teenagers did not even smell like smoke after being in a fiery furnace. You may feel like going through some heat right now, but you are coming out stronger. You will rejoice, celebrate, and produce more in your future than you thought was possible.

Do your part and trust God to come through for you. He works on behalf of those who have faith. Thank Him in advance and say, “Father, thank you for my healing! Thank you for the salvation of my loved ones! Thank you for causing my business to prosper! Thank you that I will lend and not borrow! Thank you for helping me know and serve you better! Thank you for making a way, where I do not see a way!” When you declare His goodness, you release faith which is more powerful than positivity. You may be at a disadvantage right now, but you will come out of this vindicated, promoted, health restored, without the smell of smoke. In Jesus’ Name!

“You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 KJV).

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Supernatural Reversal

We all go through loss, discouragement, and defeat. Sometimes we lose our health, the stock market investments, or a friend who walks away without a reason. The good news is that what you have lost is not always permanent. God is about to turn things around for you suddenly!

I recently ordered a pair of jeans online. When I went to pick them up from a retail store, it wasn’t the right one. I asked the clerk to cancel the order. He did it without a fuss and returned the funds back to my account. I realize that life is more complicated than that, but I wonder how many of us do the complete opposite? We tend to easily accept negative situations, or a crisis involving our health, family, or finances. The Scripture says, “The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy.” It also says, “If a thief is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole” (Proverbs 6:31). So, whatever the enemy has stolen from you, you can reclaim it seven times over with penalty and interest!

The losses you suffered have not been fair. You may not see how things could ever improve again. You do not know how your investments will bounce back. You do not see how a relationship could be restored. The good news is that you do not have to know because God already does! He is initiating a supernatural reversal. Right now, He is working behind the scenes, lining things up in your favor. He is bringing the right people across your path. He is opening doors that no one can shut. You may have written off your future, but God does not abort a dream. Nor does He change His mind. What He started; He will finish. All you have to do is believe and thank Him for it!

In 2 Kings Chapter 6, Elisha was running a school for prophets. As the disciples grew in numbers, one of them proposed to expand the facility. Elisha agreed and they all went down to the River Jordan to cut down trees and bring them back. As one of the men was cutting down a tree, the axe head fell into the river. He cried out, “Oh no, master! It was borrowed!” Elisha asked, “Where did it fall?” The man showed Elisha the spot. The prophet cut off a piece of wood and threw it into the water. Miraculously, the axe head floated up to the surface. The disciple reached for it and picked it out of the water.

Can you imagine Elisha’s boldness commanding a solid piece of iron from out of a fast-flowing river? That is because he knew that the power of God was operating in his life. Like Elisha, you too have the power to recall what belongs to you. Your health can be restored. Your children will become Christ-followers. Your investments will start to soar again. Your marriage will be healed. Like Elisha, do not settle for a negative report. God has given us the power and authority to receive whatever we ask Him for (Mark 11:24). You may ask, “Sandy, do you really think God will hear my prayers? Doesn’t God have bigger things to deal with?” Can I tell you something? “You are God’s biggest deal!” He cares about every intricate detail of your life. He delights in the prosperity (body, mind, and soul) of His servant—that’s you (Psalm 35:27)!

Some of my friends are facing heavy losses from the slowing economy, crashing stock markets, and the lack of business. I am telling them what I am telling you now: Do not be afraid! God is saying to you, “I am your Source. I am not limited by natural circumstances. I am your Protector, your Healer, and your Provider. I will bring supernatural reversal to all you have lost. You will lend and not borrow. You will be the head and not the tail. I will bless you so that you can become a blessing to the world” (Deuteronomy 28:12-13 ESV). Do not look at your adversities and think “My situation is hopeless.” Jesus said, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

John Chapter 11 tells the story of Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, who had fallen ill. When Jesus first heard about it, he seemed unfazed. He said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” He made his way to Lazarus’ house. By the time Jesus arrived, his friend was dead and in a tomb for four days. He did not consider the natural circumstances. By faith, Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out of the grave. Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Friend, are there things dead in your life? Jesus is saying, “The dream within you is not dead, it is just asleep!” Dare to call them back! God does not start something and not finish it. If you believe it, God will fulfil the dream He put in you. He will bring about what He promised. Now do your part and start talking like it is going to happen. Thank God for it in advance. If you believe, you will see a supernatural reversal in an unprecedented way. You and everyone around you will be amazed and see the glory of God. Do you believe it? I know you do. I love you and I am praying for a supernatural reversal in your future with speed and finality!

“God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he'll have compassion on you; he'll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered” (Deuteronomy 30:3 MSG).

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Living Under God’s Protection

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been dominating the world news, economy, stock markets, air travel, and life as we know it. There is fear and panic among people everywhere. But as believers, we can not only survive but also thrive through these turbulent times. 

Living under the protection of God is a big topic in the Scriptures. God has made specific provisions for those who choose to live under His protection. While many people are motivated by fear, the people of God can rest in peace, knowing that He is in control of our lives. He will not let any evil to come near us. We are not ignorant or condescending, but we do not have to let a virus dictate our lives. Let us look at seven things you can know/do during this time!

1. Do not fear. God is in control. He does not do anything random. He has a plan and a purpose. No matter what happens in our world, it must pass through the courts of heaven. God does not bring evil upon us but works through situations that we face. Do not get God mixed up with the devil. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). The affairs of our lives do not catch God by surprise. He is not wringing His hands thinking, “What am I going to do now?” He is not calling on the angels to discuss a bailout plan. No. He already has a solution before the problem began. God said, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).

2. You have insurance. Before the various plagues struck the Egyptians, God said, “I will make a clear distinction between my people and your people…” (Exodus 8:23 NLT). One of the benefits of following Christ is that we are immune from the crisis around us. A ship does not drown when it is surrounded by water. A ship’s integrity is compromised only when water gets inside it. In the same way, you may be surrounded by plague but do not let it get inside of you. God promised, “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you” (Exodus 23:25 NKJV). 

 

3. Spend quality time with your loved ones. There is never enough time to spend with the people we love and care for. During this time of limited movement, take the time to bond with your family and loved ones. Sometimes the people who sacrifice the most for us are least appreciated. Why not pick up the slack and start serving your family a little more. Love and assist your family by being available and doing chores together like cooking or cleaning. Spend one-on-one time with your kids and let them know how important they are to you. 

 

4. Protect yourself. We are in the world but not of this world. Just because we’re Christ-followers does not mean we have to throw away our brains. Protect yourself by washing your hands frequently with soap. Avoid physical contact such shaking hands and giving hugs. Keep a distance of four to six feet between you and others. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Take vitamins and supplements to boost your immune system. 

 

5. Have a personal revival. When we are forced to distance ourselves from others and when we cannot even go to church for fellowship, it makes for a great time to experience a personal awakening. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Let us use this time of isolation to grow closer to God. Be still and ask the Holy Spirit if there are areas in your life where you can come up higher. When we are vertically strong, we will be horizontally successful also. 

 

6. Talk about Jesus. Seasons of uncertainty and crisis are some of the best times to share the gospel as many hearts are open, willing, and receptive to the things of God. You do not have to be obnoxious about it. Nor do you have to barge into people’s lives waving a Bible, preaching guilt and condemnation. Be sensitive and on the lookout for those who are distressed and overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. We are the salt and light of the world. Let us use these opportunities to bring hope, healing, and wholeness through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

7. Declare God’s Word. Step away from the news and social media and tune into God’s promises. Shield yourself and your family by proclaiming Psalm 91 as often as you can. Let me say a prayer of peace, protection, and provision over your life: “Father, I declare that fear and anxiety leave your people immediately. I command the death and destruction of Coronavirus around the world. I proclaim sickness, disease, crisis, calamities, and plagues to flee from us. I thank you for protecting our children and senior citizens from catching anything that would be detrimental to their health. I thank you for strength and speedy recovery over those who have been infected. I declare that the only thing we will catch is the goodness of God, mercy, strength, health, longevity, favor, abundance, and a satisfied life.” You said, “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV). Lord, we believe and receive your peace and protection in Jesus’ Name Amen.” 

 

“A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:7 NKJV).

 

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God Will Provide for Your Financial Needs

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

Worry is a universal problem; especially, during the holiday season. There’s nothing wrong with having passing thoughts or concerns but when worry dominates our mind, we’re missing out on God’s best for the present.

Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. He was one of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and of the 20th century; renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory.

Once, shortly before a major concert in front of a packed audience, a member of Arturo Toscanini's orchestra approached the great conductor with an expression of complete terror on his face. "Maestro," the musician fretted, "my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. Whatever will I do? We are to begin in a few moments." 

 

Toscanini looked at the man with utter amazement. Then he smiled kindly and placed an arm around his shoulders. "My friend," the maestro replied, "do not worry about it. The note E-flat does not appear anywhere in the music that you will be playing this evening."

How many times have we done the same?

Erma Bombeck said, “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”

Worry keeps us busy but doesn’t solve any problems. The measure of our ability to enjoy life greatly depends on our aptitude to deal with worry. If you’re prone to worrying, you can get over it simply by training and channeling our focus to do what we can with what we have.

A recent survey by Readers Digest from 16 countries around the world showed money, family, health, and the state of the world as top concerns in 16 different countries around the world.

Money tops the worry list because it applies to us daily. Money is not the most important thing in life but it touches everything important in our lives. It is an age-old problem that has plagued mankind. Listen to what Jesus said about our daily needs:

“So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT).  

While the promise is clear that God will take care of us, too many of us worry about our finances more than we ought to. Don’t just look at what you have but what God has reserved for you. Your paycheck is not your source. Don’t put your trust in your bank balance, stocks, or investments. Saving and living frugally are Godly principles but don’t put your faith in them. Make God your Source and you’ll never have to fret about money again.

With every bill, there’s a provision attached to it!

Once the tax-collectors came to Peter to collect what was owed. They didn’t have the money. Jesus told Peter, “Go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours" (Matthew 17:38 NIV). Friend, God knows what you need and how to get it to you. You’re insured!

Corrie ten Boom, who suffered inhumanely in a German concentration camp said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

 

I wonder how different our lives would be if we stopped worrying about things we cannot control and started focusing on the things we can. Let today be the beginning of a worry-free life. God has you in the palm of His Hands. You’re a hand-picked child of the Most High and a privileged member of His family. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will provide. I pray and declare that you’ll have more than enough and plenty left over to bless the world.

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Turn Up Your Expectation

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him" (I Corinthians 2:9 NLT).

Expectation is a powerful motivator. Every living being should expect that something better will come along. When we’re expecting something new, we can endure extreme circumstances. If we want to live a large life, then we must have consistent and high expectations.

Many people find it hard to expect anything big from God because they think they’re going to offend God by asking for too much. Others feel they don’t deserve anything good. Truth is, our lives often directly reflect our expectations.

We have a cat named Rue. She’s one of the four kittens my children rescued from the snowy weather. Now, Rue is almost two years old. Every morning when I get up, I make myself a cup of tea. Without fail, Rue comes up to me rubbing against my legs, expecting to get a treat by crying with her pathetic voice. I love Rue’s attitude of faith. Every single morning she gets up expecting! There have been times when I didn’t want to give her anything but was moved by her expectation; I’ve been compelled to give her treats. Like Rue, it will do us all good if we wake up each morning with expectancy.

God often meets us at the point of our expectation.

Often we lower our expectations in life because of a major setback or a series of setbacks we experience. I don’t want to minimize your experience but unless we learn to shake off our negative experiences, we won’t be able to enjoy all that God has in store for us.

A negative experience can be your best teacher or it can be your worst enemy. How we deal with a negative experience will determine the quality of life we’ll enjoy.

Successful people know how to put a negative experience behind them quickly and move forward with positive expectations in life.

In 2 Kings chapter 4, there’s a famous story about the Prophet Elisha, a widow, and her two boys. After the death of her husband, the poor widow almost starved to death. When Elisha asked for something to eat, she obeyed and fed the man of God. In a gesture of gratitude, the Prophet asked the widow to borrow as many jars as she could from her neighbors. In a miraculous act of God’s power, the small jar of oil that she had kept pouring out oil and filling containers of various size. Here’s what I want you to see. The oil from the jar kept flowing until the widow’s son couldn’t find another vessel to pour oil into. In today’s context, we can say the oil ran out at the same moment the expectation was gone. The oil continued to flow up to the point there was an expectation of a miracle from God.

In the same way, could it be that our miracles have clogged up because of our lack of expectations? Needless to say, people will disappoint you. Even those who you love and are close to you will let you down at times. But if we learn to put our hopes and expectations in God, He will never let us down. Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment” (Matthew 8:13 NIV).

Get up each morning expecting something special from God. When you stand in front of the bathroom mirror, say out loud, “Something goooood is going to happen to me today!” Expect people to be good to you. Expect your children to excel in life. Expect the lights to stay green and the traffic to open up for you until you cross. At work, expect your boss to like you. Expect preferential treatment. Expect customers to flock to you. Expect your business to prosper. Expect the healing to spring forth today. Expect your strained marriage to be turned around. Expect each and every day to be miraculous. Your life will directly correlate to the expectations of your heart. So why expect small things when you can have big things and become a blessing to others? Turn up your expectation – that’s all you’re going to get! I pray and declare that you’ll achieve every goal, every purpose, and every dream God put in your heart. Something goooood is going to happen to you today!

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