There’s Another Chapter In Front of You!

Did you know that God has already recorded every part of your life from the beginning to the end? He knows every disappointment, every loss, every challenge; and the good news is that with Him, your story ends in victory! The bible says, “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

God has written out a plan to bless and prosper you. Here’s the key though: when you go through a disappointment, when you go through a loss, don’t stop on that page in your life. You have to decide to keep moving forward! There’s another chapter in front of you, but you’ve got to be willing to take the next step.

Sometimes, we get so focused on what didn’t work out that we stay stuck, reliving the disappointment. If that’s you, I want to encourage you today to recognize that you’ve been on that page long enough. It’s time to let it go and turn the page to the new chapter God has in store!

You have free will so, yes, you can CHOOSE to stay right where you are. But why, when you have the promise of better things just up ahead? You may not understand what’s happened, it may not have been fair – but remember, the next chapter is full of blessing and favor! So do yourself the favor of making a decision to let go of the old so you can move forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!

Wrong Relationships

Do you ever get around a certain person and feel an uneasiness or an unrest? Something inside says, “Stay away. That’s trouble.” That's you picking up on the vibration of the person or situation. It may seem small, but if you will pay attention and take direction from this guidance system it can keep you from heartache and misfortune.

We tend to ignore this most when it comes to people, usually because there's a fear of being lonely. You might say, “Well, if I don’t hang out with them, I may not have any friends.” No, if it's a person meant to be in your life, you will know.

Search your spirit and be honest with yourself - you'll feel if they will be a benefit to you, or not. If there are already toxic relationships in your life you should take the time to address it, and if necessary, move on. 

Remember, if you don’t let go of the wrong people, the right people don’t have a shot at entering the picture.

Favor That Lasts A Lifetime

Let this truth sink down into your spirit today: God’s favor is not for a season; it’s for a lifetime. How do we obtain God’s favor? The bible tells us that when we honor His word, when we obey His commands and walk in mercy and truth, that’s how we find favor in God’s sight. When we do our part, God will do His part.

Today, if you are believing God for something, maybe a turnaround in a relationship, career or your health, stand firm that God’s word is true. Even if it seems to be taking longer than you thought, when you put, AND KEEP, Him first place in your life He promises to pour out His favor on you.

When those defeatist thoughts try to tell you, “It’s not going to happen. I never get any good breaks.” Turn it around and say, “Father, I want to thank You for Your favor on my life, on my relationships, on my career, on my future. I am Your child and I know Your favor is not temporary. I believe You and thank You for a lifetime of favor!”

There’s Nothing Ordinary About You!

God has an assignment for you that nobody else can fulfill. God needs you. He needs your gifts, your smile, your love, your passion. You are a part of His divine plan. You have something to offer that nobody else can offer. 

Nobody has your exact personality, your exact looks. There is something unique about you. Don’t wear that “average” label. If you think you’re average, then you’ll be average. If you think you’re ordinary, then you’ll live an ordinary “get by life,” and never do anything great.

The truth is, there is nothing ordinary about you! You have the fingerprints of God all over you! The Creator of the universe breathed His life into you! He crowned you with His favor. You have royal blood flowing through your veins!

Friends, the bible says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.” You have a destiny to fulfill, something greater than you’ve ever even imagined. Embrace His truth, embrace His love, and embrace the blessings He has in store for your future!

Finding Strength And Joy

Do you need more strength and joy in your life? The bible says, “Honor and majesty are found in His presence; strength and joy are found in His sanctuary. When you have God’s joy, you have His supernatural strength. There’s nothing that can come against you when you are filled with the strength and joy of your Creator.

Notice this verse says that strength and joy are found in His sanctuary. One translation says they are found “where He is.” And do you know “where He is?” His Spirit is alive in every believer, but in His word He promises that He inhabits, or manifests, in the praises of His people.

That means when you begin to praise and worship God, either corporately in a church setting or privately in your personal time, God is there. You are in His sanctuary. Anytime you feel depleted or overwhelmed, just begin to talk with Him. Declare His goodness and faithfulness. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. He’ll fill you with His joy and strength so that you can live as an overcomer and have peace no matter what your circumstances.

How? Not by MY might, nor MY power but…

The bible says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” In the original Hebrew, the word “spirit” in this verse literally means “breath.” This scripture is saying that the breakthroughs that are coming in our lives are not going to happen just by our talent or who we know. It’s going to happen because God breathes in our direction. God will shift the winds that blow healing, promotion and restoration our way.

How are you going to get well? The medical report may say it’s impossible. But when God breathes in your direction, health, wholeness and restoration are headed toward you. How are you going to accomplish your dreams? You may not know the right people, or have enough money, or feel like you have the talent. Maybe not, but God is sending the ideas, resources and right connections your direction.

If you will stay faithful and keep obeying God, then things will change. You will come into abundance. You will get well. If you’ll keep seeking Him and trusting Him, the breath of God will shift things in every area of your life!

The Health Value of Keeping Your Peace

It’s so easy to let the pressures and distractions of life pull our thoughts away from our Creator. It doesn’t take long before we’re so focused on worldly things that we feel overwhelmed and all stressed out. But, we weren’t meant to live anxious about life; we’re meant to live in peace. The bible says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

Did you know the best thing you can do for your health is to set your heart at peace with God? Peace isn’t just a feeling, it’s a powerful position. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” In other words, we can be settled in our minds and hearts when we are in alignment with God’s will for our lives. It is a position of life, strength and confidence!

Today, I encourage you to choose to keep your heart at peace by staying focused on your heavenly Father. Give life to your body by staying in agreement with Him. Let His peace guard your heart so that you can be equipped to live the abundant life He has promised to you!

The Promise of Blessings That Chase After You

Deuteronomy 28:2 says if you obey God’s commands that His blessings will chase you, and overtake you. This means that you won’t be able to outrun the goodness of God when you’re careful to do what He directs you to do.


Your heavenly Father longs to be good to you! He wants to help you accomplish your dreams and overcome your obstacles. He wants to amaze you with His goodness and mercy. We should wake up every morning with the attitude, “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do today!


I encourage you to make room in your heart and mind for what God wants to do in your life. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll see His hand of blessing overtake you and bring you to higher levels in every area of your life!

Make Room For Increase!

God wants to bless you abundantly, but we have to give what we have in order to make room for growth in that area. Not just in your time and money but in ALL things, you must first show that you’re willing to give so that you show you’re mature enough to receive.

We have to remember that we’re stewards over the resources God has given us. When we are good and faithful stewards of the things He’s already blessed us with, He entrusts us with more. The bible says He will open the windows of heaven!

Have you ever thought about what kind of blessing would be so great that there would not be room enough to receive it? It may be hard to comprehend, but when we’re faithful to give and share in what He’s already blessed us with, that’s the kind of return God promises.

I encourage you today to be a giver. Start looking for ways you can be a greater blessing to others. As the bible says, if you will test Him in this principle of giving you can be sure He will move mightily on your behalf!

Giving Your Absolute Best

Can you imagine what it must have been like for the wise men when they saw Jesus? He was just a child in a stable surrounded by animals, but these wise men recognized that He was the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the Savior of the world.

They immediately fell on their faces to worship Him. But it’s important to note what they did next. The bible says they presented Him with gifts as part of their worship. And they didn’t just give any old thing they had; they gave Him their absolute best – costly gold, frankincense and myrrh.

When we give God our “absolute best,” be it our time, talent or resources, it‘s an important act of worship. We’re saying with our actions, “God, You mean more to me than anything. Because You’re so awesome, I want to give You everything that I am.”

It pleases Him when we come to Him with this attitude. When we draw near to Him with an open and humble heart, He draws near to us. Remember to always give Him your BEST if you want to see Him open the doors of increase in every area of your life!

“Perfection”

Have you ever set “perfection” as a goal on your list? That may seem a little strange or unobtainable to many, but in God’s eyes, perfection isn’t about performance. In fact, it isn’t about behavior at all. The bible says, “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

What God is looking for is a heart that is perfect toward Him. The bible says that people look on the outside, but God looks at the heart. That means He is more pleased with someone who has a heart set on Him, who may mess up often, than He is with someone doing all the “right things” but for all the wrong reasons.

The condition of your heart is extremely important to God. When you have a right heart, you are humble before Him. You seek His ways. You get up each day with a desire to please Him. You submit every area of your life to Him, and you are willing to make adjustments and receive correction so you can grow and come up higher.

As you prepare for this week, I encourage you to make knowing Him your number one priority. Yield yourself to Him and let Him shape your character. Seek Him diligently and as you set your heart on Him you will see Him cause you to rise higher and develop in every area of your life!

Your Plans Will Succeed!

We all have dreams that we’re hoping will come to pass. We should always be praying and believing – that’s all part of faith. But there’s another part of faith that oftentimes people leave out, and that is putting action behind your faith.

The bible says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.”

In other words, when we really believe God, we obey Him. We can pray all day long, “God, get me out of this problem.” But if you really want to get God’s attention and see Him move in amazing ways, take it one step further and DO something to exhibit your faith. 

You can’t get it done by works alone – it does take faith, BUT you must let your actions prove your faith. Maybe you need a turnaround in a relationship. Are you being the one to show love and forgiveness? Maybe you need a financial breakthrough. Are you being responsible with the money you do have? Maybe you lost your job. Are you polishing your resume and knocking on new doors?

The bible says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” I want to encourage you today to make sure you put action behind your faith, then watch Him crown your effort and come through in exceedingly abundant ways!

Destination Disease

Too many people suffer from “destination disease.” In other words, they’ve reached a certain level or obtained a certain goal and now they’re coasting in life, off of what they’ve already learned.

Studies tell us that 50% of people, after they graduate from high school, will never read an entire book the rest of their life. One reason is that people see learning as a PERIOD of life instead of a WAY of life. They think, “I’m out of school. I’m done with my training. I’ve got my job.”

Friend, God didn’t create us to be one dimensional beings. To reach one level and stop. Regardless of your age or station in life, you should be constantly learning, improving your skills, and getting better at what you do. Make your “pursuit of excellence” an endless pursuit. Always look for ways to improve and develop.

The key is that you have to take responsibility for your own growth. Growth is not automatic. There are tons of resources, even many which are free, that will help elevate you in some way.

What steps are you taking to get better? Are you reading books, listening to teaching CDs, taking online courses, attending workshops, going to seminars (or even more convenient: webinars)? Do you have any mentors?

Today, I want to encourage you to decide that you’re not just going to coast through life relying on what you’ve already learned. You have amazing potential yet to be tapped into! Develop your talent and become all that God created you to be!

Staying Spiritually Hydrated

In the natural, every day we get thirsty. Water is what we need to sustain life. When we are out in the heat or exerting our bodies physically, even more water is required to keep us hydrated and functioning optimally.

Spiritually, we need water every day, too. To live a balanced life, we need to refresh our hearts and minds as much as we need to refresh our bodies. Jesus said, “I am the Living Water. If you drink of Me, you will never thirst again.”

During the day, we all have things that come against us spiritually. We all feel the heat, so to speak. It’s easy to get upset or stressed out, but that’s when you need to take a two-minute break and go drink of the Living Water.

Get quiet and say, “God, I need You. I’m asking You to help me stay strong. Help me to stay in peace.” Remember, He is the only one who can satisfy your spiritual thirst. Seek Him and you will find rest and refreshment for your soul.

Which Will You Choose To Activate?

Every single one of us deals with fear, but that doesn’t mean we have to be controlled by it. If you’re going to rise to new levels, overcome every obstacle and see your God-given dreams come true. Here’s the key, you must activate your faith, not fear.

It’s a simple choice you and I get to make every day. Activating your faith, rather than activating your fears, is one of the most important things you can do to live a more victorious, more peaceful life.

The bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” That means you can say NO to fear, doubt and insecurity because those things are not from God. Instead, you can say YES to faith and live a bold, victorious, fearless life.

Fear and faith have something in common. They both ask us to believe something is going to happen that we cannot see. Both fear and faith are powerful forces, but you get to choose which of these you want to activate in your life.

When you choose faith over fear, it activates God’s power. Instead of focusing on your problems, choose instead to focus on God’s promises. Here’s a quick reference for whatever source of fear you may be experiencing today:

-If things are tough at work right now, God has promised to pour out His favor.

(Psalms 30:5)

-If you’ve received a discouraging report from the doctor, healing is coming your way.

(Isaiah 53:5)

-If there is a struggle in your finances, remember God is going to provide for your every need.

(Philippines 4:19)

-If your child or someone you care about has gotten off track, God is going to bring them back.

(Proverbs 22:6)

-If you’ll activate your faith by standing on God’s promises, you will see God do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could even ask or think!

(Ephesians 3:20)

This Week’s Challenge!

When something good happens, do you recognize that it’s God at work? Right away, that’s when you need to thank Him for it. Start making sure you give Him the credit.

Some people claim that God isn’t doing anything in their lives. But, I’m convinced that God is constantly showing us His goodness – it’s just that some folks aren’t recognizing it for what it is.

This week I challenge you to look for God’s fingerprints on your life. The bible says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” If you’re going to taste God’s goodness, you have to realize that every good break, every time you were protected, every door that opened, every advantage that you’ve had is God working in your life.

Don’t make the mistake of taking His favor for granted. Recognize Him and thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness, and you will see it increase in every area of your life.

Preventing Your Past From Limiting Your Future

Don’t allow your past to limit your future. In other words, don’t let the way somebody treated you, or what they did or didn’t give you, keep you from pressing forward and becoming all that God has created you to be.

The people who raised you may have had addictions or negative mind sets, but that doesn’t have to be YOUR future. You can be the one to break that negative cycle. Maybe they had anger issues or never amounted to much, but you don’t have to keep letting that curse imprison you.

Right now, in this very moment, you can be the one to say, “No more. This is a new day! I may have had an unfair past, but I’m not going to have an unfair future! I know God put a blessing on me before anybody could put on a curse, and I’m not going to let my past limit my future.”

Today, know that your loving, heavenly Father is for you! The bible says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Friend, I urge you to turn to Him so you can break free from the bondages of your past. When you choose to put Him first in your life, nothing can stop your divinely-designed, amazing future!

I Am!

God said, “Be still, and know that I am.”  When God created Adam, He put him in the Garden of Eden, a quiet and peaceful place. That’s where God met with Adam and spoke with him – in a place of peace.

We all know that today’s life can be very noisy. Everyone is in a hurry and on top of that, we download app’s to help us be even more busy. If we allow it, all of this can cause us to live stressed, uptight and on edge.

In the midst of the whirlwind of activity going on around us, we have to learn to not let the busyness, the frustration and stress, get on the inside of us. It may be hectic on the outside, but deep down in your spirit, you can be at rest because you know God has you in the palm of His hand.

Maybe you’ve been worried for a long time, or stressed because a dream hasn’t come to pass YET, or upset over a challenge you’re dealing with. Just like God met Adam at a place of peace, God is saying to you, “There may be trouble all around, but I am calling you to a place of peace. Be still and know that I am. I am your Deliverer, I am your Restorer, I am your Provider, I am your Healer.”

Trust your heavenly Father to protect and guide you. Choose to be still, choose to find rest in Him, and choose to believe, as the bible says, that He has a prosperous plan for your life – so give yourself permission to start expecting that your best days are still ahead!

Making Your Dreams A Reality

Are you believing God for something that seems to be taking a long time? In the natural, you may have every reason to give up on it. You may be tempted to get discouraged but take heart, God knows exactly where you are.

He knows the desires of your heart because He’s the One that placed them within you. He even knows your hidden dreams; what the bible calls, “the secret petitions of your heart.”

These are the things that you haven’t told anyone about. Maybe you thought they would never work out, or you’ve buried them because they didn’t happen on YOUR timetable. Friend, God still has a way to bring them to pass.

Be encouraged today because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. The bible says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This means you need to find the time and joy to serve and seek Him. Keep trusting your heavenly Father because He is closer than you think to making those dreams a reality!

Shift Into Your Suddenly

Did you think about how one touch of God’s favor can promote you beyond your education, experience, or talent? You can be at a lower position at work, going along being your best, and suddenly things can change. One good break, one idea, one person who likes you, and suddenly, you find yourself at the top. You didn’t see it coming. Things just fell into place. That’s God shifting things in your favor.

The bible says, “I have declared the former things from the beginning; they went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.” Friend, God can cause opportunity to find you no matter where you are.

Get your hopes up and your fire back! Your loving, heavenly Father has unexpected blessings that are going to bring you a “suddenly.” Suddenly you meet the right person, suddenly you’ll see your health improve, suddenly you’re able to pay your house off.

Today, I urge you to get ready for a shift in your circumstances! But first, start with a shift in your thinking. Don’t worry about HOW things are going to work out. Shift your focus to the fact that God WILL work it out. Shift your focus to getting ready for the favor and blessing God has in store for you. Start expecting your “suddenly!”

Keep Looking

The bible says that after the prophet Elijah prayed and asked God to end the drought, he said to the people, “I can hear the sound of an abundance of rain.” He was saying in effect, “There is a yes from God in our future!”

Elijah told his assistant to go look on the other side of the mountain to see if there was any sign of rain. When the assistant came back, he said, “No, Elijah. There’s not a cloud in the sky. It’s perfectly clear.” Elijah didn’t get discouraged and think, “What are we going to do now? I might as well quit this prophet business.” No, he simply said, “Go back and look again.”

This happened six different times, but Elijah kept saying, “Go look again.” On the seventh time, the servant came back and said, “Elijah, I saw a small cloud in the sky. It isn’t much, just the size of a man’s hand.” Elijah’s answer was basically, “You’d better get your umbrella. Rain is coming!”

Friend, like Elijah maybe you are believing for something and you aren’t seeing anything happen. Don’t give up! If God has promised it, He will do it. Let this sink deep down in your spirit today – keep your hopes up because you’re closer than you think to seeing God’s answer to your prayer!

Get Up Again

Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you received some bad news about your health, lost your job or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged or lose your enthusiasm or even be tempted to just settle where you are. Take heart though!

The bible says, “A righteous person may fall seven times, but they get up again.” If we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a “get up again” mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again!

Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny.

Staying down is not what God’s people are meant to do. If you’re down right now, know that it’s temporary. No force on or under the earth can KEEP you down. If you stay in faith God will turn what was meant to be a stumbling block into a stepping stone, and you’ll come out stronger, wiser, and better off than had it not happened at all.

How To Overcome Fear

Fear always presents itself much bigger than it really is. It’s always the worst-case scenario. It always tries to get you worried, anxious, uptight and panicked. Fear is a favorite tool of the enemy to separate you from God by trying to get you to doubt His promises.

When the spirit of fear comes, you need to start recognizing that it has no power unless you give it power. Quit speaking the words of fear. Quit meditating on fear. Instead, let the power of God’s truth rise up within you.

There’s not many other things the bible says more than some form or another of, “Fear not.” And what’s always paired with that statement? “Because I am with you.” The Creator of the entire universe has got your back!

Today, start declaring what God says! That no weapon formed against you shall prosper. That greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. No matter how big fear presents itself, it’s no match for the power of your heavenly Father! Nurture your faith so it rises up in your heart – because faith is your most powerful tool in overcoming fear.

Keep Bragging!

I’ve learned that the more you brag on God’s goodness, the more of God’s goodness you’re going to see. When you go around saying to people, “Let me tell you what great thing God did for me”, you begin to see more of His goodness in your life.

The Psalmist said, “I recall the many miracles God has done for me. I cannot stop thinking about them. They are constantly in my thoughts.” Instead of remembering their victories, too many times people today are remembering their defeats, failures or disappointments.

If you want to experience meaningful, lasting peace and joy you’ve got to switch over and, like the Psalmist, start remembering the times God protected you, the times God showed you favor, the times God made a way when it looked like there was no way.

This is the best way to cause faith and expectancy to rise up strong in your heart. You’ll have the confidence that if God did it for you then He can certainly do it for you now. I encourage you to start sharing your victories with others. Keep bragging on the goodness of God and you’ll begin to move into higher levels of that goodness.