Archived Daily Inspirations
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Faith To Change
www.faith2change.com
God is my provider, sustainer and restorer

Psalms 23:1-4 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green
pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads in the paths of
righteousness for His name sake.  Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

World renowned author Max Lucado once said ‘many people today do not know what it means to live a
‘fearless’ life because they worry about stuff or trivial matters that really don’t matter, than about what is
really important. ‘

Without argument Psalms 23 perhaps the most read and quoted scripture is ‘chuck-full’ of inspirational
wisdom regarding life, our relationship with God and I believe it also provides us with a template to examine
the fears we harbor, and how we can counter those fear by recognizing God as our provider, sustainer, and
restorer.  It’s about transformative living in which fear no longer impact our lives and daily living.

King David, the psalmist in Psalms 23:1 explicitly states the “Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” he
recognized that GOD IS HIS PROVIDER.  This is a priority we are quick to ignore when we are scared,
especially in these trying times when we think we are the sole-captain and provider of our lives, as we see
folks lose their homes, jobs, etc., we become scared.  Today, many are scared because they’ve not allowed
God to truly be their provider.   For example, there was a time while deployed in Iraq I was worried, fearful
and tense because I was not in complete control—I had zero control over my mortality after repeated
mortar and rocket attacks—but one day while reading Matthew 6:26, God quietly and casually reminded that
"He is the master provider and will provision my security. "   In that passage of scripture the writer says,
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26).  I learned to give my worry and fear to
Him, I had to learn to let go of things, situations and people causing me to live a fearful life by looking to and
leaning on God as my only provider!

David continues Psalms 23:2 and states “He makes me lie down in green pastures and He leads me beside
the still waters,” – in which he realizes God is His sustainer—and today HE IS STILL OUR SUSTAINER!  As
the man of my home, I feel like I am the sustainer of my family, but the truth is everything belongs to God
and He is our sustainer—let your recognition of His sustaining power be your second priority like David did
many moons ago.  Consider this, when God ‘makes’ us lie down in green pastures, He is telling us that it’s
because of Him we are sustained, not because we allowed it!  Wow…I can shout right here, because it’s all
about unconditional love, He continues to provide and sustain me without question, just powerful.  No need to
be fearful about life today or tomorrow, let God do His thing in your life, let Him truly provide and sustain
you first spiritually and the physical natural aspects will follow.  Green pastures is not about having
everything you want, it’s about having YOUR NEEDS FULFILLED; MOST IMPORTANTLY, FIRST YOUR
SPIRITUAL NEEDS THEN YOUR NATURAL NEEDS.  I had to get my priorities right, which meant I needed
to re-focus on my relationship with God--get my relationship with Him straight.  The result was everything
else was realigned—everything ordained for me and my family trickled down in the right priority at the right
time—it works, every day I am awaken on this earth, I Am Humbled By God’s Provisioning And Sustaining
Power!

Lastly, God is our Restorer.  Simply put, God has the ability to heal our minds, all emotional and physical pain
too.  Several years ago, I realized I too have emotional scars from harboring and compartmentalizing a less
than perfect upbringing, but when I let God restore my soul, Oh what a joy, peace and freedom in
restoration for with it is redemption!  Most importantly, He will restore everything the enemy has stolen,
once you’ve allowed God to be your one in all.  Joel 2:25 says “I will give you back what you lost to the
swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this
great destroying army against you.”

Truly, the essence of living a fearless life as a Christian is about recognizing that we are really nothing
compared to God, thus we need to get our priorities of Him straight.  

Rule your fear as David did in Psalms 23:4, for the things you fear are only shadows.  When you allow God to
be your provider, sustainer and restorer, you truly fear no evil and live freely through His grace!Galatians 6:
9 [KJV] “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Although “we
are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (II Cor 4:8-9)

THE BATTLE BEFORE THE BREAKTHROUGH!

Consequently, in our journey to the mountaintops of victory we must trudge through the valleys, sometimes
overshadowed by death, but if we fear not nor succumb to evil we will ultimately revel in a victory.  Key point
to encourage yourself today with is the battle before the breakthrough is always the darkest, longest and
dreariest because you are on the brink of victory and the enemy wants to demoralize you, because he has
seen the spoils of your victory soon to gain and intensifies the battle.    

Have you ever heard that at every new level of success and in our faith, the enemy is awaiting your arrival—
yes; it’s the enemy’s job to deceive you into surrendering during the heat of the battle at the brink of your
breakthrough.  But I am encouraging you step to, through and over the enemy’s deception to your
breakthrough.  While you may be shaken, you will not be destroyed.

The enemy knows you are about to enter into a great anointing—a new level—in which the result of you having
been battle-tested and victorious is a person in greater relationship with God, more knowledgeable, filled
with wisdom and living within God’s favor.  It's a powerful thing to live in God's favor, so don’t give up now,
just keep pushing a little more, you’re on the brink of your breakthrough!  

The battle is always the hardest right before the breakthrough! Know this, the darkest portion of the night
is just before dawn, it’s the time when you cannot even see your hand but you must have the faith to stay
focused as the battle rages.

Stay the course don’t turn back – you are getting ready to see daylight in which you will live in the joy that
comes in the morning and have fruit that remains, fruit that is not spoiled!!!!  Yes, yes, yes, receive it in the
highest name.

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Several archived inspirational messages Early Aug - July 2011
Strengthened By Hardship

Acts 14:21-22 “They returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and
encouraging them to remain true to the faith.’We must go through many hardships to enter the
kingdom of God,' they said."

On Paul's first missionary journey, he traveled with Barnabas to Cyprus, Galatia, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra,
and Derbe, then returned to the same cities to strengthen those who were experiencing hardship and great
persecution for simply turning to Christ.  Paul knew hardship, he had survived devastating shipwrecks,
stoning, persecutions and bites from venomous animals, as a result for doing the will of God, and understood
the importance of hardship with regards to strengthening one’s faith walk with God.  

While Christians, today, in America do not experience outright persecution because of their faith, there are
many other Christians worldwide who’ve faced and continue to face some type of persecution and hardship
for their faith.  However, the synonymous thread and universal truth woven within hardship is: Principally our
faith is strengthened by Hardship!  Whatever you are going through at this moment it’s to strengthen your
faith and to increase your spiritual maturation!  So don’t complain about it nor pray for relief, allow God’s will
to be done as you lean on Him.  

Look past the hardship and look to God.  Why?  God has a great plan and purpose for your life; "For those God
foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn
among many brothers" (Romans 8:29).  Every step is for the purpose of drawing you closer to Christ and to
conforming you to His image.  Many times, hardship is the best tool to accomplish this goal because we
respond best to hardship because we realize our limitations and it’s a realization that allows us to ‘Let Go
and Let God!’  Personally, hardship reminds me to depend on God as I truly cast all my cares and anxiety upon
Him.  A true child of God understands and appreciates the key points of hardship which are the development
of character and maturation of faith: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its
work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).  

I am sure God would prefer to shape and mold us through praise and blessings, but as difficult as this may be
to accept and understand the truth is part of God's plan is for us to experience some hardship.  In our lost
and fallen world where we come to God filled with pride and arrogance, hardship is the only way to humble our
spirit and soften our heart.  

Our Father loves us enough do whatever it takes to draw us closer to His side - even if it means we are to
be strengthened by hardship.
--------------------------------
From my learning position to yours….Be blessed and allow God’s will to be done as you navigate through
life’s temporal hardships and trial.
Psalms 19:14 [KJV]: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in
Thy sight o Lord.”

The value of our thoughts

The great psalmist David understood the power of thoughts when he penned Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of
my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight o Lord.”  Essentially, he was saying,
“Lord, please help me to think correctly.” This is not just about purging our thoughts of lust, evil or anger
towards others, it’s also about purging our thoughts of the bad feeling we harbor towards ourselves. We
need our thoughts to become one with the Lord’s.  Scripture in 1 Peter 1:13 [KJV] says “Wherefore gird up
the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.”

If we can learn to control our thoughts and harness the power of our emotions, the Holy Ghost will guide us
to higher heights and deeper depths.  However, the mind the great maze of our thoughts when not controlled
makes many of us uncontrollable emotional beings.  Many don’t realize the link between thoughts, emotions,
actions, habits, lifestyle and character.  For example, negative thoughts facilitate negative emotions which
quickly enable daily actions that become habits and ultimately a lifestyle that adversely affects our
character. But if we do the opposite, while there will be trials in life, a positive mindset drives positive
emotions, actions, habits and optimistic lifestyle indicative of a character formed through the will of God.  

Take time to understand and appreciate the value of your thoughts and begin thinking as Jesus, while it
seems simplistic it is effective.  It’s a change not only affecting your outlook but also all those in your
environment will be positively affected by your thoughts, actions, habits and Godly lifestyle.

Think, speak and act positively.
Hebrews 10:22-24 [NIV] “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us
hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Be encouraged and be an encourager today—for God is faithful, your words will spur someone's faith in God.

Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection cleared the way for us to draw near to Him by holding fast to our faith as
it grows and most importantly, to consider each other as we navigate the peaks and valleys of life’s journey.  
Take a few moments today to encourage someone because your words will spur their faith in God and even
lighten their burden.  Here’s a story a great friend, George B, shared with me several months ago that
accentuates the power of encouragement.

George has a very close friend, Warren, who while recovering in the hospital from an auto accident that
fractured his neck and left him with both arms and legs partially paralyzed but did not allow his physical
condition prevent him from being an encourager.  Well, fortunately while the accident was a serious injury it
did not completely break his spinal cord, however this recent accident added to a crippling spinal condition
which began some 50 years earlier.  Too add to his dilemma, Warren had recently lost his wife of 52 years to
cancer, yet despite his  physical challenges he remained one of the most optimistic and God loving man
George has ever known.  

Here is the part of the story you will appreciate. Well, during Warren’s two-week hospitalization for his auto
accident, he would communicate with a Jewish man in the room next to his by shouting.  Warren would yell
through the walls to encourage the man, well, after the man was released from the Hospital he was all
smiles, but a bit sad to leave Warren his new found friend and encourager.  Well, shortly thereafter, the
man called the pastor of Warren and George’s church and said, "I want to come to your church and be
baptized.  I want to get some of the same spirit as Warren Howard."  

There always are opportunities to influence others for good… if you trust God.”  That story could be yours
today…try it despite your dilemma, condition or state.

Be blessed, encouraged and an encourager today, your actions may unexpectedly change the eternal destiny
of another.
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Psalms 41:11-12 "By this I know that thou favor me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
And as for me, thou uphold me in mine integrity, and set me before thy face forever. Blessed be the
LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

Psalms 41:11-13 (The Message) “Meanwhile, I'm sure you're on my side—no victory shouts yet from
the enemy camp! You know me inside and out, you hold me together, and you never fail to stand me
tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye. Blessed is God, Israel's God, always, always,
always. Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Favor in the midst of adversity, challenge and testing

Do you know that you have God’s favor and there is nothing the enemy of truth, our adversary, can do to take
God’s favor from you unless you give it away.  However, the adversary employs the use of doubt and those we
can call ‘haters’ to dissuade us from living in God’s favor.  But it’s high time we serve the enemy, the devil,
notice that God’s favor is upon us, just as King David said, “He [God] has set our face before Him,” so we are
always in His sight, thus He will enable our steps once we are in His will.   

The enemy wants you to buy the lie that you are busted, disgusted, repressed, oppressed, depressed,
saddened, and confused.  He will even bring up old issues, childhood disappointments and memories, dredge up
past sins and run them through your vivid imaginations, but it’s up to you to “Cast down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).”

Today, I challenge you to live in God’s favor by proclaiming “GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE
THAT IS IN THE WORLD, AND NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER!!!!”

Be blessed and live in God’s favor!

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II Kings 2:10 [NIV] “When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what I can do for you
before I am taken from you? Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have
asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—
otherwise not.”

Are you ready for more of God—the hard thing?

In the context of life today, are you satisfied with your current relationship with God?  Are you content with
the status quo of yesterday’s spiritual triumphs or do you crave for more of God?  As children of God we
ought to be like Elisha willing to ask for the hard thing, willing to desire to know more of God, have more of
His love and to reach for higher heights and deeper depths in our relationship with Him.  Many times all we
ask for are the material blessings to make our lives more comfortable on this earth, but they are temporal.  
Today, I am challenging you to go beyond measure in your current spiritual life by asking God for the hard
thing to enable your growth.   In II Kings, we see Elisha challenge his mentor Elijah by asking for a double
portion of his spirit, and him being driven and persistent to the end.  Elisha did not want the status quo power
of his mentor, he wanted more—double the power!  Nevertheless, he understood and gained an appreciation
of the journey necessary to get beyond the status quo of relationship with God to spiritual greatness, a
journey I am challenging myself with to go to the next level.  Here are several points I gleaned from Elisha’s
preparation for further personal spiritual understanding and appreciation.  The story states that Elisha
accompanied Elijah visited four places: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan which represents the four areas of
preparation and transformation required in his spiritual life.

First, GILGAL represents the beginning point of commitment through salvation; thus we must be willing to
trade our past life for a better life with and through God.  It is about repentance, a turning away from the
past, and committing to move forward with God ordering and directing one’s steps.

Second, BETHEL represents the house of God, a place of relationship and restoration.  Sometimes, we reach
this place after several trials in life, a place in which we realize the transformation and restoration power of
real relationship with God.  It is symbolic to the point that our individual lives represent the temple of God,
a place of worship and prayer.  The output of our lives should demonstrate that, so essentially if there is no
prayer, there is no power; some prayer, some power and more prayer, more power.  If you are not
experiencing the power of God in your life—maybe time to check your prayer life and more so how you’ve
arranged the temple of God!

Third, JERICHO represents “a place of fragrance and broken-ness”—when the natural man is crushed, the
resulting anointing of being a ‘living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God’ is a sweet smelling savor and
fragrance.  Jericho is about listening to and obeying God’s direction and Word completely without questioning
to break down generational strongholds and old hardened walls for true spiritual victory.   

Lastly, JORDAN represents a place where the spirit of God descends upon man and we are able to see the
hand of God as He shows up the does the unimaginable to prove that He is God and is with us.  Joshua 3:7-8
states “And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may
know that I am with you as I was with Moses.  Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you
reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”  It’s the place where God showed up and
caused the Jordan where we see God’s deliverance through commitment, prayer and brokenness God his way
and the hard thing—His power is evident within us.

Don’t settle for spiritual mediocrity; reach for more of God while it may seem like the hard thing it’s the
most rewarding!

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Isaiah 26:3 [KJV] “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because
he trusted in thee.”

Perfect Peace

Ever wondered why some can go through the difficult trials and tribulation of life and unless they told you
about it, you would surmise that these individuals were trouble free?  Well, these individuals have found the
secret the spoken of by prophet Isaiah.  Before I expound on this verse, we must first define perfect
peace. It is a place devoid of turmoil, hyperactivity, anxiety or work, and competition or controls others.  It
is attained first by being at peace with God, which directly implies that to have peace with God—not warring
against Him because of life’s natural difficulties.  Essentially, God must reside within us and us within Him.   

Additionally, to have peace with God, knowing and having a relationship with Him is a necessity. Colossians 1:
20 says “and, having made peace through the blood of his [Jesus’] cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Peace is never a by-product of being religious or denomination; it’s the byproduct of having a relationship with
God.  To have perfect peace we must:
1. Keep your mind stayed on God; not on ourselves or on others—when we mind others, the issues of life
become apparent [worry, fear, anxiety, etc].
2. By keeping our mind on God, He does His part—He gives us perfect peace
3. Bottom line is if we do our part, then God will do His, because He is not a man that He will lie.  

Here are a few statistics about worrying, essentially its very thing affecting our ‘perfect peace’:
1. 40% of all things that we worry about never come to pass.
2. 30% of all our worries involve past decisions that cannot be changed.
3. 12% focus on criticism from others who spoke because they felt inferior.
4. 10% are related to our health, which gets worse when we worry.
5. 8% of our worries could be described as "legitimate" causes for concern.

Nevertheless, if one out of the ten problems that we worry about is a real concern then all the others we
can aim to look at differently or outright eliminate.
Luke 19: 1-4 [NIV] “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of
Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short
man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree to see him, since
Jesus was coming that way.”

‘Gotta’ get pass people and life’s circumstances (Part I)

Luke, the dynamic story teller and profound literary illustrator of Jesus’ life, paints a vibrant picture of
Jericho’s social environment and Zacchaeus’ the state of mind as Jesus navigates his way through Jericho.  
Luke picks up the story with Jesus making his last trip through Jericho and Jerusalem after healing the blind
beggar’s eyesight.  Well as Jesus goes through Jericho, Luke points out a certain Jewish publican (tax-
collector) by the name of Zacchaeus, who heard of Jesus and had a burning desire to see who ‘this Jesus was’
so he can get to know Him.  As Zacchaeus tried  to pry his way through the crowds to see Jesus he could not
because he had certain physical limitations as stated within Luke 19:2 (NIV) “…He wanted to see who Jesus
was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd”.  Questions for each of us today as we think
and stretch:

-- Are you willing to get pass the people in your immediate surroundings, community, home or your work so you
can get to know Jesus for yourself?

-- What circumstance or circumstances in your life are you allowing to prevent you from seeing and knowing
Jesus for yourself?

-- Are there spiritual shortcomings in your life preventing you from seeing and knowing God for who he is?

Many times we allow the negativism of others, work-place rumors, children, negative self-talk, family
members, bosses, subordinates and certain circumstances in our lives prevent us from establishing a
relationship with God.  Furthermore, by allowing life’s trivialities and others prevent us from knowing God,
we miss out on fulfilling our purpose and destiny as ordained by God. Powerful!  Think and stretch!!!

I encourage you get pass people and life’s circumstances so you can see God and establish a relationship with
Him…be like Zacchaeus, ‘‘Gotta’ get pass people and life’s circumstances to know God!   Luke 19: 1-4 [NIV]
“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief
tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because
of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”

‘Gotta’ get pass people and circumstances in life to see Jesus (Part II)

In continuation of ‘Gotta get pass people and life’s circumstances’ there are a few more salient points
regarding Zacchaeus we need to consider (1) he was the Chief Tax Collector (2) a person hated for his part in
the Roman system of tax collection and (3) a person known for cheating his fellow countrymen through over
taxation for his personal gain.  While it is obvious that he had significant character flaws and significant
shortcoming Zacchaeus was driven to get pass people and life’s circumstances so he could get to see Jesus
for himself.  And in doing so he passed on several key lessons to us:  
1.  Zacchaeus put down his pride—are you willing to put your pride down to see Jesus?
2.  Zacchaeus got above people by positioning himself in the sycamore tree knowing Jesus had to pass his
way…are you willing to position yourself so you can see Jesus knowing He’s passing your way—(Luke 19:4-5).
3.  Zacchaeus was obedient—when Jesus passed and stopped by the tree and called him down, because Jesus
said “I must abide at your house”… again Jesus wants to meet with us, we just have to be in position and also
obedient to His call.
4.  Zacchaeus was willing to let go of those things besetting and weighing him down (Luke 19:8) when Jesus
visited with him, are you willing to move past the hurt, old history, etc., after Jesus visits with you?

Key points about our Savior—Jesus—we must also consider:
1.  Jesus knew he had to go to Jericho—was the last time he would pass through there and he had to do so to
tear down spiritual walls and strongholds versus the physical walls torn down in earlier generations when
Israel marched around Jericho.
2.  Jesus was predestined to meet Zacchaeus, because he stopped exactly under the tree and called
Zacchaeus by name, scripture states in Romans 8:30 [KJV] “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  
Powerful, he knew us before we knew ourselves.
3.  Jesus wants to dwell within our hearts, one that is clean and pure….consider the Hebrew translation of
Zacchaeus’—to be pure and clean, powerful!  

Be encouraged to get pass people and life’s circumstances so you can see and know God for who He is—the
Alpha and the Omega, [the] Beginning and [the] End” (Rev 1:8 (NKJV).Malachi 3:6 [KJV] “For I am the LORD,
I change not”

God is not confined by our limitations

God is not confined by the limitations of our humanity.  For instance, I’ve heard testimonies of God bringing
deliverance, healing, freedom and transformation to those serving in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan
while He simultaneously did the same for those in jails in South Carolina and others living freely in Alabama.  
Plainly spoken God—the everlasting, the Alpha and Omega and the Prince of Peace is not subject in any form
to the limits of this world.

God will be God without our permission!  He is not confined by our limitations, so whatever doubts you harbor
regarding God ability to deliver, heal, free and transform—release yourself and let Him be God of your life!

Too many in this relative world have forgotten who He is and have even written books kindling the fires of
unbelief that God is confined by our limitations.  God is not limited, incomplete, inadequate, unable or
fractional—God is Lord and ruler; He does not change, He is everything!  He has taken many from 'zeros' to
'heroes' because He is and will never be confined by our limitations thus whatever man has given up on, He is
able to regenerate beyond all imaginations.  

Whatever issue, trial, dilemma, or ‘self-inducted tight spot’ you are facing, let the Omnipotent [All-
powerful], Omniscient [All knowing], Omnipresence [Everywhere], and Omni benevolence [Godly compassion]
God—work His perfect will for your life.  God is not confined by your limitations!
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Matthew 16:1 [NIV] The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to
show them a sign from heaven.

Functioning in the midst of adversity, tests and trials

Whenever we serve notice to the adversary, doubters, naysayers and ‘wanna-bees’ around us that we are
about ‘greater things in God and after spiritual growth for our live’, we must be cognizant that trials, tests
and temptations will arise and or increase in our lives.  However, the true litmus test of our walk in regards
to our talk is as the old adage says “the proof is in the pudding”—how we truly function in the midst of the
adversity.  Essentially, the evidence of our life is to demonstrate the truth, deliverance, healing and
freedom of God in us as the levers allowing us to function in the midst of adversity and trials.

The Lord gave us a tremendous example in that he did not succumb to the taunts, tests and temptations of
the Pharisees and Sadducees of His day.  He did not ask nor seek relief of his temporary difficulties
because He knew they were for his benefit.   As I look back through my difficulties, most particularly in the
last decade, one in which I spent majority of my time either preparing for or participating in war, dealing
with difficult people, and a world in which people have stopped relating to each other, I now see a common
thread that those days of difficulties and challenges were for my long term benefit.  They were for my long
term benefit because they were opportunities for God to increase my faith and enable my spiritual growth—
to go to a higher and greater place in Him.  Yes, there will be valleys in our lives, but if we are growing in
Christ,  consider them yesterday's peaks as we reach for today’s higher and greater peaks.  So, yes, if
yesterday’s mountains are today’s valley without argument you can only go higher and climb greater mountains
in your relationship with God—such a powerful and profound revelation for us all.  
Without argument there are days and times I wanted God to relieve me of my difficulties, oh yes, but His
grace is ever sufficient in that He enabled my faith so I was (and I am now) able to function in the midst of
adversity.  Nonetheless, now as I go through the adversity I remember and understand God’s power, grace,
goodness and providence in my past which has changed my focus from a short view to the long view.  A long
view in which He sees my refinement as part of the process—part of the process of me looking less like me
but more like Him, and that it will all work together for the good.  He knows how much I can bear and just as
He did to the Pharisees and Sadducees, He expects us to ignore the taunts, test and temptations for it’s
about the trying of our faith.  James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Scripture gives us another example of God telling Peter prior to his betrayal in Luke 22:20-32 “Simon,
Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not
fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Friend, I pray that your faith does not fail in the midst of your adversity, tests and trials!  Be
blessed and inspired as you function in the midst of adversity, tests and trials in 2011.  

______________________________________________
Gen 1:3 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Speak the Word

Today, I challenge you to speak the Word and positively over your life, home, work, school and for
our Servicemembers on the battlefields, seas and in the air I  speak life and victory into your
situation.  Scripture says in Matthew 18:18-19 “Verily I say unto you, whatsoever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say
unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be
done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”  

Hey, I dare you to speak the Word and to speak positively into your situation.   Do you receive it?

Today we live in the evidence of God having spoken the Word!  As such whatever you are going
through speak the Word of victory, life, triumph, deliverance, healing and freedom over your family,
career, co-workers, boss, community and place of worship for whatsoever you bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

I speak life, light, love, deliverance, healing, victory, triumph and freedom over everyone reading
this Word!

Blessing to you and yours today, from my learning position to yours…Amen!

God's Grace,
-------------------
Jan 13th
Philippians 3:13-14 [NIV] “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one
thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal
to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature
should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make
clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Too many ‘Yeses’ and Not enough ‘Nos’ – Focus on the most essential matters

Recently, I read ‘it’s so easy to fall into the trap of too many “Yeses” and not enough “Nos”. There
is so much we want to do we end up in the danger of choosing a lesser life than the one God desires
for us because of too many ‘Yeses’ and not enough ‘Nos’—we’re not focused on the most essential
matter.  It’s important to not become overly zealous for everything and in the process diminish the
impact and contribution you could have made by trying to do everything.  In the world of change
management through the process of leaning waste trying to do everything is known as ‘trying to boil
the ocean’—trying to do too much and not focused on the most essential matter.

In scripture, the apostle Paul states in Philippians 1:14, we must keep our eye on the prize—“I press
on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  
Essentially, he’s saying to us the more we lock in to who God created you to be, the more you’ll begin
to understand your unique place—we must adjust our focus on the most essential matter.

In Latin ‘focus’ is translated as ‘hearth’ or ‘fireplace’, burning center—thus, the hotter your burning
center, fireplace, the more focused you will be in life.  Wow….yes.  Step out in faith and while there
may be instances in which you faith wavers even as you focus on God, He’ll be there with you.  
Consider Peter’s example in Matthew 14.  He walked on water, ok, some may challenge that to say
he wavered but he tried and when the water buffeted his feet he said Lord save me.  

The example within the example is when you step out in faith as you’re about to go through a storm
there’s an openness and willingness to do what God wants you to say and do.  Peter’s example of
walking on water and what happens when we lose focus in life is primarily an issue of us getting
distracted by our surroundings, feelings and circumstances; they pull our attention away from where
we are supposed to be going.  Although, Peter took a few steps, he was overcome with fear.  Just
imagine how far he could have gone if he stayed focused.  

Don’t lose your focus; don’t let life, feelings, circumstances or your surroundings distract you away
from your goal towards the prize.  

Persevere and remain resilient through the Word.
Be blessed and inspired while being a blessing and inspiring person.
Fight the good fight of faith, forgiveness and fruitfulness through God's grace!
-----------------------
Jan 12th
John 10:10 [NIV] “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full.”

Live Life To The full—Time To Move On!

Today, I depart Enroute to my homeland to attend the ‘home-going’ of my Grandmother, and her
recent passing has rekindled my spirit to truly live life to the full, we truly have a shelf-life.  We
won’t be here forever, so this inspiration is stoke the fire in your hearts hearth to ‘Live life to the
full, it is high time to move on and out.’  Ok, are you awake?  Are you ready to discover who you
are, your dreams, hopes, aspirations and dreams?  If so then it’s time to break the monotony of
life, awaken yourself and live the life God has intended for you to live to the full—live it to the
fullest, time to move on!

Too many of us are waiting for the right moment, right amount of money, right person, right house,
right car, right job to begin to be creative, to enjoy and to invest in the lives of others as we live
life to the fullest.  Well, don’t let that person be you.  Each of us has the potential to be creative
and we are charged by God to be great stewards of our potential.  Don’t let the talent and or
talents God has given you go to waste by waiting.  And we did not have the ability to during our birth
to control the amount of potential and talent we were given, so Just Thank God for who you are,
begin to live life to the full and move on with what you’ve been given.

You are responsible and accountable for either your maximization or limitation of your God-given
talent, don’t blame society, your parents, your past, schools or lack thereof…just begin to use all you
have and been given wisely and you’ll be amazed.  

Your talent is to be used with your greatest gift—life!

Yes, life is the greatest gift we’ve all been given and it’s only lived to the full when we utilize our
talents to realize the creative power God has emplaced within.  

As you utilize the talents God has given you, life become more enjoyable.  Enjoyable because you are
now focusing on the innate essence of your being as it was designed.  Too many folks disregard their
innate talents and try to develop others which inadvertently prevent them from being happy and from
living an enjoyable life.  Time to live life to the full, time to move on and enjoy the life God has
given you.  Not to say, there won’t be days of difficulty and trials as you utilize your talents, but I’
ve come to realize those days comprise the seconds, minutes and hours in which we elevate ourselves
to a higher level.  

To my sports aficionados, hard days are equitable to an athlete playing through injuries because he
or she loves what they are doing; they are able to maximize their talents—ultimately elevating their
game to another level.  While simultaneously causes their teammates to do the same through their
focus and passion…wow…try it, your efforts may not only allow you to elevate your game, but others
are looking at you and in the process they too will elevate their game [life] because of you!

Lastly, to invest in the talents of others, because life is not best lived as a recluse, but out loud.  
There’s a well known American intellect that’s known to live and love out loud.  He gained this
reputation because he did not hide his talents, he let the world know, but most importantly, he
nurtures the talents of others to ensure they too are able to live their life to the full.  When we
invest in the lives of others, we invest in eternity.  Make it part of your lifestyle to enable the
talents and success of others and in the process you to will make greater use of your God-given
talents while enjoying your greatest gift—life!
Jan 11th
2 Chronicles 16:9a “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose
hearts are fully committed to him.”

A heart fully committed to God

Ever wondered “what does God see when He looks into your heart?”  Does He see a heart fully
committed to Him or a half-hearted person just talking about Him not really walking it out with
Him?  Really stirring questions I consistently ask myself, especially in these days and times we live
because we know neither the day nor the hour in which we will take our last breath.  Consider the
most recent devastating attack in Arizona, if that were you in your last day, during the last hour
within the last minute as He gazed into your heart for a mere millisecond prior to your transition
from here to the thereafter, how would God see your heart at that moment?  Yes, yes…it is
something, I think about daily in terms of “am I truly hitting the mark or am I missing it all
together?”  What can I do better to have a heart fully committed to God?

Nevertheless, it is about truly knowing the condition of our relationship and commitment to God.  God
wants a willing heart able to be fully committed to Him so He can illustrate His grace and
greatness.  Here are a few points I challenge myself with regards to being fully committed to God in
my daily life:

1.A heart fully committed to God yearns for Him, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When
can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:2—Do you yearn for God? He knows you LOVE HIM, but are
you IN LOVE WITH HIM.
2.A heart fully committed to God is compelled to live in obedience, I Samuel 15:22 “But Samuel
replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of
the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
3.A heart fully committed to God surrenders to His will—even if it takes you to a place to be hung
high, stretched wide and nailed down—because it was never about you, it’s always about Him!
4.A heart fully committed to God never loses touch with the Master’s heart as stated in Matthew
25:36 “I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison,
and you visited me.”
5.A heart fully committed to God is forgiving…it learns to pursue its offenders in forgiveness as a
benefactor of their peace by releasing them.
6.A heart fully committed to God knows peace beyond understanding “And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Philippians 4:7”
7.A heart fully committed to God is humble… “It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than
to divide the spoil with the proud…Proverbs 16:19”
8.A heart fully committed to God does what’s right in the sight of God regardless of what others
may say!
9.A heart fully committed to God purges itself of anything competing with God.
10.A heart fully committed to God is looks for His daily reassurance winks, kisses, and pats.
11.A heart fully committed to God does not take God for granted.
12.A heart fully committed to God takes no personal credit for daily victories, but gives all the
praise to God because it’s His grace at work.
13.A heart fully committed to God equips, empowers and inspires others to see God’s greatness.
14.A heart fully committed to God understands the nature of spiritual warfare.
15.A heart fully committed to God is never satisfied with the status quo of yesterday’s grace.

God is yearning for a heart fully committed to Him, “Completely His” so He can show His
greatness.   Ever wondered what God sees when He looks into your heart?  Actions speak louder than
words...God wants a heart fully committed to His purpose and will!

Persevere and remain resilient.
His grace is sufficient!
__________________
Jan 10th
Watch out, stay focused!

Many times as God is preparing to teach us more about Him, He will begin by revealing Himself to us
in such an awesome way.  Let’s take a look at the people of Israel during their initial journey through
the desert.  Once Israel had to travel three days without water and had them travel to a place
called Marah, a place with a well literally meaning bitter water.  It is at that place God allows
Israel’s bitterness and murmuring to fully manifest since they were more focused on themselves than
on Him.  They were not yet spiritually delivered.  They were still living in bondage spiritually even
after the physical chains of bondage and slavery were lifted after leaving Egypt.  Hummm.  Well,
the Israelites being thirsty from their waterless journey hastily drank the water and in an instant
they began to cry, murmur and revolt against Moses for bringing them to a well of bitter water.  
Moses in turn cried out to God, asked for guidance and the Lord showed him a tree to place in the
water.  Immediately under God’s anointing, Moses uprooted the tree, threw it in the water and
instantaneously the water became sweet and drinkable.  

Lesson learned that day [even more relevant today], by allowing the Israelites to go without water,
God was able to refocus their attention from their personal needs to Jehovah Jireh, ‘the One who
provides’ and meets their needs.  Whatever personal, professional, career-driven, family, financial or
business matters you have given all your focus to without any consideration of the Master, please
reconsider because God is your provider and your healer (Exodus 15:23-26).   Watch out, He’s at
work, stay focused—Focus on Him—God is our provider, healer and deliverer!  

From my learning position to yours

--------------------
Jan 7th
A heart for God

The nearer we draw to God, the more we know about His love for us and His plans and desires for
our lives.  The more intimate we become with Him, the better we understand His ways and it is this
understanding that leads to a deeper longing to know God better.  It is God’s desire to provide us the
wisdom and insight needed to make good decisions as we navigate life’s journey; however, the onus is
that we must accept His guidance and direction for our lives.

Moses did not completely understand God’s ways, but he had a heart for God and it was that heart
for God that allowed God to use him such a demonstrative way.  Moses had an inquisitive curiosity
about God and funny thing it took Moses almost 40+ years to begin to have a true and pure
relationship with God.  The story of Moses and the burning bush says that Moses went up the
mountain to a place where he witnessed the fiery confirmation of God’s presence burning before him.  
Scripture says, “The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush;
and he looked and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed….when the
Lord say that he [Moses] turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and
said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am’” (Exodus 3:2-4)  God himself spoke to Moses…what a
powerful moment!

God wanted to see if Moses would respond and if his heart was broken and ready to be used.  God
knew the answer, because He is omniscient, but He wanted Moses to know as well.  You see the time
Moses spent before the bush was crucial to everything else that followed.  Had he not turned aside
to see God’s presence, his personal relationship with the Lord would have not begun.  It was the
beginning of Moses’ journey into understanding God and His ways…once we begin to understand God’s
ways, we gain a clearer understanding of life.  Most importantly, we have a heart for God coupled
with an intense desire to know Him.

Endeavor in 2011 to have a heart for God just as Moses, for it allows empowers your desire for
relationship with God; most importantly, it is a relationship that will strengthen you through times of
heartache, joy, sorrow, disappointment, celebration and frustration.
From my learning position to yours.

____________
Jan 5th

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way which He consecrated for us."-- Hebrews 10:19-20

A new and living way in 2011 through God’s grace

This "new and living way" mentioned in Hebrews is the new covenant of God’s grace that enables and
empowers lasting change in our lives.  It is also by His grace that we can come to His throne of
grace in full acknowledgement of His authority and redemption.  He is the reason we can answer the
invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in
time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection opened the way for us to enter into God’s presence and it is God’
s mercy that we are not consumed because of our unworthiness.  Truly, mercy is heaven's
extraordinary companion to grace. Mercy is God's provision for holding back from us the awful things
that we actually deserve, due to our sin and rebellion. Every day, we enjoy the benefits of God’s
faithfulness, grace and mercies as written in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we
are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness"

Nevertheless, to live in this world we have an enduring need for God’s grace—transforming grace—to
have ‘a new and living way.’  This past year I have also experienced God’s grace in which He has
allowed me to go further in a day than others can without Him go in a lifetime.  Wow…I am humbled
by this grace which over time and my unmerited need has provided me favor; as such I live soberly in
it. Titus said in scripture, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age"

God’s grace is irreplaceable and sufficient to sustain us through the variety of situations,
circumstances and consequences we have encountered and will encounter as we go about ‘a new and
living way in 2011.

Be blessed from my learning position to yoursJan 4th
To know Christ
When we hold God at a distance we never really get to know, understand or appreciate the way He
operates, thinks and loves.  But when we seek to ‘know Christ” on a personal level our perspective of
Him drastically changes in that we react to life positively because we know He is in control.  If you
want to live life to the full, I have found by drawing near to Him and allowing Him to draw near to
me allows me to live my best life!  Without argument it is my best and fullest life.  Why? Well, I
am no longer driven by the thrills of this world thus my life is not centered on things.  
On the other hand, God is our best friend and there are things we can tell Him that no one else will
understand.  He knows how we feel yet He allows us to express ourselves, express our feelings of
joy, pain, angst, sorrow and disappointment.  Ultimately, He already knows.  However, most
importantly drawing near to Him helps us to understand how the impossible things of life can turn into
wonderful opportunities for Him to prove His faithfulness, grace and mercy to us.
So, today and for the rest of 2011, make it your priority to get to truly “know Christ.’
I Corinthians 2:2 (NIV) “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and
him crucified.”

_________________________
Jan 3, 2011 Inspiration
Genesis 37:21-22 (NIV) “When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s
not take his life,” he said.  22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert,
but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his
father.”

God uses tragedy—and it can take you from the pit to the palace!

God uses tragedy to accomplish his purposes.  Remember the story of Joseph and how his brothers
threw him into a pit, and then sold him to slavery to him being wrongly imprisoned.  But God
preserved his life and blessed him even though he was captive in a foreign land.  God used Joseph’s
tragedy for an unfathomable greater purpose.  Soon enough Joseph’s warden saw that he was a
gifted young man even in the face of hopeless future, Joseph’s tragedy was a stepping stone for his
elevation but even more a stepping stone for God to preserve a nation.  

I challenge you never to calculate a situation without first adding the faithfulness of God.  Joseph
was even betrayed by an inmate that promised to work on Joseph’s behalf once he was released but
he did not.  Yet, God was at work.  Pharaoh would have never considered Joseph for the position of
Prime Minister.  No one would want a Hebrew to sit in the King’s cabinet.  But Joseph interpreted a
troubling dream of Pharaoh and God brought good out of evil, God brought triumph out of tragedy.  
Joseph was released from Jail and made administrator, Prime Minister, of Egypt.  He went from pit
to palace just in time to prepared Egypt for a pending famine that would sweep over all of the Middle
East.

You know there’s a lady, who has been a Christian most of her life and as she was dying of cancer.  
Her children gathered at her funeral and expressed doubts at God for allowing their mother to die of
cancer.  However, prior to her death, she had told her pastor that several in her family were not
believers and her dying wish was that her kids would have a personal relationship with God.  She also
wanted her service to be of joy, praise and victory.  So the pastor obliged, conducted a joyful and
praise filled service and after the service asked if anyone wanted to accept God.  Well, several of
her family members raised their hands and committed themselves to God.  God uses tragedy to
accomplish His purposes.

Whatever, you may gone through in 2010, going through on this third day of 2011 or will go through
every event, heartache, betrayal, burden, disappointment and tragedy, I have found out has a
purpose in your life.  

God’s ways are not our ways and He uses tragedy to bring greatness and triumph in our lives.  
From my learning position to yours.Hosea 2:14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her
into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.”

The power of your 2010 desert experiences

We pledged in Jan 2010 to “Shake it off” and thereafter we were allured into significant trials—
desert experiences.  Now, as you now look back at 2010, can you see God’s endearing guidance, grace
and mercy during this year in your life even in the midst of certain self-inflicted wounds.  He allowed
them as a point to draw you closer to Him.  Many times, those desert experiences were a result of
allowing our love to be for other things in life, such as fame, power, knowledge, etc, instead of God
and He takes aim at that and said since you forgot me, “Therefore I will allure” you!  He found a
way to reach you through your trials. Wow, what a wonderful thought to know God chose not to
abandon us, but to find another way to gain our attention by attracting us to Him in 2010.  

Without argument, God’s thoughts, ways of grace and mercy are infinitely above ours.

A pinch, an inch, an ounce, a pound of God’s goodness will always ascend above all form of good within
all of man’s cumulative goodness.  However, as God allures us back to Him, he allows us to go to a
place in which we are not encumbered by life’s distractions.  Ever felt alone, in a desert or
wilderness experience?  It’s a place in which all your senses are great and you come to realize that
there’s more to life than the things we’ve allowed our lives to be filled with.  Many times, God brings
us to a desert like experience because we’ve allowed other things to become the god of our lives in
that we no longer focus on Him and He is jealous of that fact.  Jealous of the fact that we no longer
worship Him as essence of our being, as the master provider, as the Alpha and Omega, as the Rod
and staff, as our comfort, so yes he allows us to have desert experiences.

I’ve learned a few things from both my natural and spiritual desert experiences:
1.  I learned the need for a true relationship with God.
2. I learned the distractions of my life must go for God to increase in me and it is His increase in
me that becomes the essence of true relationship with Him.
3. I learned obedience in my desert experience enables true growth and ultimately produces the fruit
of the spirit in my life—obedience produces love, joy, peace, long-suffering, patience, meekness,
gentleness, kindness, faithfulness.
4.  I learned survival and eventual success through my desert experiences will be through God’s
power, wisdom, strength and capability, not mine!
5. I learned desert experiences while they seemed ‘about me’ were never about me, but was always
about God wanting to be my savior, guide, and shepherd.

Take time to consider your desert experiences in 2010 and the power of them.  In doing so, you will
glean the lessons and truths God wants you to understand, appreciate and not take for granted as
you transition into 2011.
From my learning position to yours.Habakkuk 2:2 “And the Lord answered me and said, write the
vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that readeth it."

Write it, read it and run it!

Time to walk out the prophecy God has spoken over your life as He directs your path toward those
things.  Whatever God has impassioned you to do ‘write it down’, ‘read it out loud often’ and ‘live it
by running with it’ every day!  Refer to it as often as you can, and live in it as though you have
already received it.

Essentially, you have to remain within the grace of God by only going into places and being with
others who will enable your purpose.  Don’t get yourself entangled with positions, relationships and
others that will bring conflict with God’s purpose and will for your life.  Don’t allow conventional
wisdom and tentative life endeavors, projects and ideas bog you down—it's time to get busy
concerning God's purpose and will for your life.  

God’s grace and providence is greater and He knows the plans He has for you, are you ready to write
it down, read it and run with it?  Try it you will be amazed at the power of writing down, reading
and living the promise and purpose God has for your life.  Write it, read it often and run with it as
often as you can until you are able to write it, read it and run with it every day!

Need a starting point?  Begin by being completely honest before God—allow Him to see your
nakedness—for His grace is sufficient and it will bring the deliverance, healing and freedom for you
to begin living life to the full without the fence and boundaries of the world.  As we allow God’s truth
to flow through and emanate in us we are able to live beyond measure and to the full.  

Do you receive it?  Reach for it and grab hold of it.   Yes, it is time to write down in your heart
[and on paper too] God’s purpose for your life, read it daily [speak it to yourself and others] and run
with it—live it every day!

Be encouraged and patient—God is able!
Be blessed, a blessing as your live an inspired and encouraged fulfilled life in the Lord!
Persevere and build a spirit of resiliency in God’s Word.   
Fight the good fight of faith, forgiveness and fruitfulness through God's grace!

May God bless your works in 2011!!!!
Don’t fence yourself in 2011, your creator knew no boundaries and is able to bring deliverance,
healing and freedom!
From my learning position to yours; write it, read it and run it and be blessed in 2011!"Therefore,
brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which
He consecrated for us" Hebrews 10:19-20.

A new and living way in 2011 through God’s grace

This "new and living way" mentioned in Hebrews is the new covenant of God’s grace that enables and
empowers lasting change in our lives.  It is also and only by His grace that we can come to His
throne of grace in full acknowledgement of His authority and redemption.  He is the reason we can
answer the invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection opened the way for us to enter into God’s presence and it is God’
s mercy that we are not consumed because of our unworthiness.  Truly, mercy is heaven's
extraordinary companion to grace. Mercy is God's provision for holding back from us the awful things
that we actually deserve, due to our sin and rebellion. Every day, we enjoy the benefits of God’s
faithfulness, grace and mercies as written in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we
are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness"

Nevertheless, to live in this world we have an enduring need for God’s grace—transforming grace—to
have ‘a new and living way.’  This past year I have also experienced God’s grace in which He has
allowed me to go further in a day than others can without Him go in a lifetime.  Wow…I am humbled
by this grace which over time and my unmerited need has provided me favor; as such I live soberly in
it. Titus said in scripture, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age"

God’s grace is irreplaceable and sufficient to sustain us through the variety of situations,
circumstances and consequences we have encountered and will encounter as we go about ‘a new and
living way in 2011.

Be blessed from my learning position to yours

         -----------------

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT) "And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close
this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are
pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep
putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of
peace will be with you."

Positive thinking and happiness

As we close out 2010, take some time to consider on your strengths, blessings, goals and all the
people who love you with the aim of transitioning all your strengths, blessings, goals and loved ones
into 2011 for an even greater and positive life.  Essentially, it’s about recognizing the power of
positive thinking and living instead of existing.  For many of us, 2010 may have been a year of trials,
ups and downs, but without argument it has definitely been one filled with God’s demonstrative Grace
and mercy; a year of awesome personal and professional victories and most importantly, a year of
growth in all matters and aspects of life both natural and spiritual.  

Thus, as we consider all that has been endured, all the lessons you have learned and all the wisdom
that we have given, all of it was possible because we serve the most awesome God.  And that is
something we can all 'holler about' because we were positively enabled by the Almighty.  Even more,
He is the impetus of our enablement, our driver, and the facilitator of an inner happiness that no
circumstance or consequence can put down.

So, take some time reflectively to dwell, think deeply, review, replay, meditate, mull over and talk
about the positive aspects and victories of 2010.  I know in doing so, you will attract more positive
thoughts, people, circumstances, opportunities—blessings—despite the world, this action will excite,
kindle and incite even greater positivity in 2011.  Lastly, a few words of wisdom concerning happiness
which I know only comes after you have renewed your mind as the apostle Paul admonishes (Romans
12:1) so that no circumstance, consequence, person or event can change your innermost happiness for
it is founded on the greatest foundation of God's grace, mercy, and hope, please consider the
following words of wisdom from one of our greatest....

“…It is a happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is
dependent on circumstances.  It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul even in the
midst of the most distressing circumstances and the bitterest environment.  It is the kind of
happiness that grins when things go wrong and smiles through the tears.  The happiness for which our
souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will root deeply inside us and give inner
relaxation, peace and contentment no matter what the surface problems may be.  That kind of
happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus.—Rev. Billy Graham”

Be blessed from my learning position to yours
----------------------
Maturing take a lifetime

Two years ago, I read “Conversion is the miracle of a moment; maturing takes a lifetime”, which is
quite a stirring point that our journey of faith begins with the miracle of a moment, but the maturity
of said change occurs over a lifetime.  Truly, we’ve not arrived, but we only just begun the journey
of a lifetime as we grow in faith.  Mr. Dennis Fisher once said, “…becoming like Christ is a lifelong
experience; therefore, we need patience with others and ourselves. All of us will have challenges and
disappointments along the way. But if we put our trust in Him, we’ll grow spiritually and have
character qualities that will radiate new life.”

Incidentally, James understood the maturation process and its ingredients as clearly articulated in
James 1:3 [NIV] “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Recently, the wife of a friend who transitioned from this life said she and her dear husband “served
faithfully and sacrificially to the Lord with the thought that we could not develop a closer
relationship with Him.  However, did not consider, didn’t know, how death would deepen and broaden
our walk.”  

She never considered the challenge of physical death, but it was an aspect in her journey that
brought her to another level of maturity.  There are many things we never consider; however when
it's our time to travel that stretch of road we will get there because it’s part of our maturity.   As
with my friend, yes, it was her husband’s passing, his physical separation from her kindling a deeper
and stronger realization of God’s power, providence and provision in her life.  As I listened to the
voice of my friend’s wife etched in words, I realized she was maturing as David did in Psalms 23,
because she realized as she walked through the valley of the shadow of death, God’s rod and staff
comforted her, when she was distressed He prepared a table before her in the presence of her
enemies and without doubt He has anointed her, thus she will always dwell in God’s presence as she
continues her maturation despite her trials and tests.

Have you ever considered your conversion and maturity as two separate acts, with the latter
comprising of a lifetime of steps within a journey strengthened by the commitment to transform
ourselves for the fulfillment of God's will and purpose on earth as we live?    And it’s the trials and
testing of our faith developing the perseverance.  Most importantly, it takes patience and resolution
of mind to mature our relationship with God no matter the earthly circumstances.  All this I have
come to fully realize and clearly understand as I am able to watch the transitioning of my
grandmother.

Thus, for us, without doubt as we live and go through life’s challenges truly, “Conversion is a miracle
of a moment; maturity takes a lifetime.”  Be blessed, do you see the maturity in your life?
From my learning position to yours

----------------------

Psalms 41:11-12 [KJV] “By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not
triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy
face forever.”

Thankfulness for God’s favor

As we enter the last eight weeks of 2010, I challenge you to be thankful of God’s favor individually
in your life and collectively over our great nation.  You know the phrase “favor ain't fair”—well, it
rings true in all forms.  Consider this, whenever someone is the apple of another’s eye, they gain
favor in most if not every decision, action and gesture made—without argument, they get first "dibs."

Well, if you're reading this inspiration, at this very moment has shown his God favor upon you—He’s
given you another day to take your faith from thought to change and to set things right as
necessary!  While it may not seem like favor to others or even yourself based on current
circumstances, but yes its favor.  Why? I know of a few people, probably more than a few who were
not given the opportunity to [life] another day to change and to set things right, all in all it is favor,
since life is time and time is opportunity.  

For those of us living in America, even in these challenging times, this country still remains a beacon
of hope, life, liberty and freedom.  Folks are literally scheming and fighting to enter; some crawl
beneath through tunnels, some fly in, some walk in, even run in, but they want to get some of the
favor.  They even know without argument that even the poorest or homeless person in America is
favored.  Why? They know if the homeless or poor can garner a dollar they can partake of a
McDonald's burger, there's no other place in the world with such an opportunity--and that burger
has more calories than the average meal in most third world countries. Hummmm....

Personally, even in my most frustrating periods, I can see God's provident hand orchestrating my
success beyond my wildest imagination.  On the other hand, I see the enemy’s ploy trying to deceive
me through disinformation, discouragement and doubt that God’s favor is not upon me as he tries to
prevent my success, but Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! I am a favored
Child of the most High King!!!!!!

I challenge you to serve notice to the devil and the 'doubters' around you that God’s favor is upon
you so you're not buying the lie of being busted, disgusted, repressed, oppressed, depressed,
saddened, and confused.  For you know God will work it out, He will work it out over time, because
He's done it in the past.

Don’t let the enemy dredge up old issues, childhood disappointments and memories, past sins and run
them through your vivid imagination.  Sometimes, the enemy will even try to remind you of broken
promises and dreams, ranging from loved ones lost through events beyond your control or friends
who've disappointed us.  

Nevertheless, serve the enemy notice: “GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN
THE WORLD, AND NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER!!!!”

No matter the size and range of your responsibility, expertise and accomplishment every degree and
element of success is because of God's favor in your life!

Walk in thankfulness, gratefulness, victory, peace and joy for all of God’s provisions in your life
naturally and spiritually.

Be thankful for God’s favor!

----------------------

Life is more about a journey marked by progression rather than by perfection.'

Life is less about perfection and more about progression.  No need to be overly concerned with looking
the part; it’s time to focus on simple progress measured by an inner change most noticeable by who
know you best as they begin to see less of you and more of God.  

Many times in trying to look perfect there’s a certain self-righteousness which is really filthy rags,
since no one not even the most reverent is without sin.  However, as we journey through life, it is
change, doing a new set of things through the power of Christ.  Essentially it is a progression
towards holistic betterment despite where you are because you have let go and let God beyond
measure in your life thus without argument He enables a remarkable change. In scripture, Philippians
4:13 as written in today’s vernacular via ‘The Message’ states “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I
can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't
mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.”

Here’s some transparency, as I have progressed in life, I have endeavored to remain mindful of God’s
counsel, “First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
(Matthey 23:26 NLT).  By focusing on the inside, I have found that the outside takes care of
itself.  Furthermore, it means I must lay my motives before God daily, hourly, weekly, and
monthly.  David, the psalmist, knew life was about progression as stated in the following passages of
scripture, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out
anything in me that offend you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalms 139:23-24
NLT)

From my learning position to yours, 'Life is more about a journey marked by progression rather than
by perfection.'
----------------------
Acts 10:28 (NIV) “He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to
associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or
unclean.”

Get past the facades of this life and genuinely react, reach-out and relate to ...

Such a powerful statement by Peter in Acts 10:28, “God has shown me that I should not call any
man impure or unclean,” powerful then and more powerful now, I believe it shocked many of Peter’s
peers.  And I believe, or should I say know, it should shake us today too to get out of the old
paradigms we have created.  Too many times we are prone to establishing pecking orders for
dominance and authority such as to ascribe the affluent over the destitute, the movie star over the
common man, the educated over the dropout, the while collar stockbroker over the blue collar man,
the old over the new, or one race over another.  

Other times we even label each other such as 'well he's a liberal, she's a conservative, he's a
drinker, she's divorced, he's a Baptist or she's a Pentecostal.'  While as Americans we have neither
king nor lord, but we do have a pronounced system of haves and have-nots and it's time to get past
the pecking orders and labels.  As followers of the most high we must strive to overcome the
prejudices of the system by changing the way we react, reach-out and relate to and with our fellow
man.

Max Lucado in his most recent literary work, Outlive your life, poses God’s challenge to us via the
following simple words, "time to change the way we look at people and not to label them", which is a
challenge requiring us to either choose to neglect others or rescue them.   From Jesus’ choice and
example, we know he did the latter.  Could today be the day you stop labeling folks, assigning mental
pecking orders and reach out, offer a word of encouragement, do an act of kindness and even offer a
pat on the back, those simple things could be the one thing needed to spark the inner change, or
water for the seed of change planted but awaiting nourishment.

I know when we get past the facades of this life by genuinely reacting, reaching-out and relating to
each other, we begin to the journey as God mandates towards real deliverance, healing and freedom
to ourselves, families and communities.

“God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean,” time to get past the facades
of this life and genuinely react, reach-out and relate to others.

From my learning position to yours.         
----------------------

Genesis 39:20 – 23 [NIV] “Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the
king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; He
showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put
Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done
there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with
Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

Reign over your circumstances

We’ve all read the story of Joseph in Genesis and his journey through slavery at the hands of his
brothers to his wrongful imprisonment and eventual placement as second in charge of Egypt.  
However, the common thread woven throughout Joseph’s story is that he reigned, triumphed over his
circumstances.  The back-story for his wrongful imprisonment is he plainly refused the advances of
Potifar’s wife, who believed Joseph as a slave had no right to deny her desires.  As a consequence
for rebuffing her advances Joseph was falsely accused of sexual-assault which led to his wrongful
imprisonment—a dire circumstance he endured.  

Nevertheless, Joseph did not acquiesce to the lies and wrongfulness of his imprisonment by becoming
a prisoner of un-forgiveness, depression, negativity or hatred—he ruled, reigned over his
circumstances by depending on God’s favor and refusing to be defeated by adversity.  

Genesis 29:21 says, “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the
sight of the keeper of the prison.”   Joseph understood the power of favor in the midst of adversity;
it allows you to be the ruler of your circumstances.   We too can have God’s favor in the midst of
adversity when we are in true relationship with God.  

There will always be instances of adversity and challenges, but we must be determined to live above
the fray and not be defeated by our circumstances.  Why?  Because God is with us and we have His
favor, we can choose to be victorious over our circumstances by making the very best of a bad
situation.  

Consider our country harnessed with significant economic hardships, coming out of Iraq, surging into
Afghanistan and many other issues, yet there is a persistent thread in our tapestry—a thread
depicting God’s favor and mercy upon us.  This is indicative of a people who’ve chosen to be the rulers
of their circumstances.  Despite it all as others are faced with calamitous circumstances around the
world, it is God’s favor enabling us to be a magnanimous blessing to others in the face of great
adversity—yes, we are essentially ruling, reigning over our circumstances.

On the other hand, today, many of us are embattled with significant struggles, lay-offs,
unemployment,  family squabbles, disingenuous people, and just plain ‘ole’ unforeseen problems, yet as
we look into the circumstance we can see God’s favor, grace and mercy in the midst of it all.  Yes, if
you see His favor, grace and mercy in the midst of it all, take a page from Joseph’s playbook and
refuse to be defeated by adversity; rule, reign over your circumstances!  

Imagine, Joseph had favor in Potifar’s house as a slave, and as a prisoner!  He ruled over his
circumstances in prison.  What does that say about where and when we can have God’s favor?  There
is not a place God will not meet us and provide for us.

Take advantage of your circumstances and choose to bloom as the most radiant flower within a
garden of weeds.  Choose to rule through faith in God, an active prayer life and teadfast
perseverance that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, that your temporary circumstance is
just that—temporary.