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For some reason I am always conscious to the brevity of time. There are many moments where I catch myself thinking about my Judgment Day when I stand before God Almighty and He judges what I did with my life while I was on the earth. I don't think that is a normal thing that many people do, but I am glad that I do it. I am glad because I am still alive on this earth with a chance to help make a difference in someone's life that will never be forgotten or erased. I am thankful that I have unlimited opportunities to make my life impactful upon this earth so that when I am gone from it, a piece of me will still be left behind. The good works, the kind words, the love shown and shared will never fade away in the hearts and minds of those whom I was fortunate enough to cross paths with. (James 4:14) (Ecclesiastes 12:7-9) (Revelation 20:12)
When we take a moment to become introspective and really think about the meaning of life, we will quickly see that it is better used when it is used in service to others. What will we gain 100 years from now with all of our possessions? What good will they do for us when we are gone into our eternity? The simple answer is that possessions don't make the person any better, any wiser or any more useful to our fellow man, but a charitable life does make a difference. When we share from our great bounty, we are consciously using our life to help someone else rise higher, stand taller and feel the love of God through our simple and loving acts. (Luke 6:35-36)

Be encouraged to think about your life. Are you doing all that you can to be a helper, a motivator, an encourager and one who inspires others to reach towards the heights of victory? When we do make our life useful, the ripple effects that started with us will continue on far longer than we can ever think or imagine. To illustrate this, imagine reading an inspirational, encouraging or even funny e-mail. You enjoyed what you read and wanted to share it with someone else so you click forward and send the message to those who come to your mind so that they will enjoy it just as you did. That is the ripple effect being started, but after you send the e-mail, you no longer have control of who those people send the message on to. It may be to one other person or to a thousand other people. You will not know who the message will be going to, but it all started with your initiation. (Galatians 6:9-10)

That is exactly how we should think of our life. Think of it as a ripple starter. Start being charitable, start lifting others up, start encouraging others, start showing God's love, start something good that will continue on long after your initiation of it. If we want to change the world for the better, it has to start with us and we must be the ripple starter's. (1 Corinthians 13:1-6)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to think of your life and the good that you can bring from it and through it.

A SHORT TIME HERE

I got a surprise when I looked in the mirror today. It seems that my salt and pepper hair has more salt than pepper in it now. It doesn't seem to need a comb anymore either. I have lost so much of it that a simple hand pat will do. It appears that a few of my hairs have lost their way too and ended up in my ears. I can't really blame them, though. All of those wrinkles on my face must be tough for them to navigate through. Still, I wouldn't give up a single wrinkle or grey hair. I've earned them all. They are the evidence of every laugh and smile I've ever had.

Sometimes, however, I am amazed at how my young soul ended up in this aging body. I surely don't feel like a forty year old man on the inside. My soul keeps looking at this body in the mirror and wondering what happened. I guess that life here on Earth is just too brief to grasp at times. We were meant for eternity and life here is far too short even if we live 100 years. I can remember once reading the last words of Crowfoot, the great orator of the Blackfoot Nation. He said, "What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the Wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."

Before your shadow loses itself in the sunset of eternity make sure that you live your life here to the fullest. Don't worry so much about your aging body. It is just the vehicle that for a brief time carries your soul. Focus instead on the things that go on forever. Focus on the love you can give, the joy you can spread, the good you can do, and the oneness with God you can share with others. Fill your days with smiles and laughter and let the wrinkles fall where they may. Fill your days with learning and becoming through both dark hair and grey. Fill your days with love and joy and you will be too busy living them to count them. Remember, God only gives us a short time here. It is up to us to make the most of it.

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Ephesians 4:29-32 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Galatians 6:2-4 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."

Romans 15:1-4 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

One thing that is entirely within our control in life is how we react when a negative situation comes our way. Many times when people face difficulties their first reaction is a negative one. The murmur, they complain, they say why me, they have a pity party and they let everyone around them know just how miserable they presently are. That is not how we should react when we face trials, setbacks and difficulties in life. We each have the choice to stay in peace or to stay in worry and complaint. The optimists will say nothing can ruin my day while the pessimists say anything can ruin mine. (Psalm 34:1-4) (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
In order to be positive in the midst of the difficulties, we must be quick to remember all of the good that is in our life. We must consciously choose to remember the many difficulties and obstacles that we have overcome in times past and have an assured knowing that we will become better after these current trials just as we were made better before. Another powerful weapon that should be utilized is giving Thanks and Praise to God for His sustenance and provision over our life. A grateful heart will not have any room for complaints. When we focus on gratitude and make known our appreciation, the trials that once seemed so overwhelming will become miniscule by comparison. (Isaiah 40:28-29) (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Be encouraged to reevaluate your reaction to negative situations. See that it is within your control to focus on the good, to give thanks for your many blessings, to make the Lord know that you are grateful for the many times that He has delivered you in times past, and make it a point to give God Praise that He will be with you at this present time as well. Seeing the good and focusing on all that we have is a life changer. It will not be easy for us to murmur and complain when we are so focused on all that we have to be thankful for. I encourage you again to choose thankfulness over complaint, to focus on the good and not on the bad and always no matter how tempted you are see your glass as half-full and never half empty. You will see miracles take place in your life when you do. (Psalm 103:1-5) (Psalm 34:17-19)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that it is within your ability to react correctly when a trial comes your way.

RESISTING THE BLAME GAME

A mother heard the family cat yowl in pain. She knew where to look � she looked for her son, Mike. "Stop pulling the cat's tail, Michael!" she chided.

"I'm not pulling his tail," the boy retorted. "I'm just standing on it. He's doing the pulling."

He, of course, is no different than any of us. Often, our first impulse is to blame someone or something else for problems. It's the cat's fault. Or the school's fault. Or my parents' fault.

I once heard a story of a 40-year-old woman who was jogging in a U. S. state park when she was attacked and killed by a mountain lion. Her family immediately filed suit against the state because of its "failure to manage the mountain lion population" and because it didn't "react to reports of cougar activity in the area by posting warning signs."

But an interesting thing happened. Her distraught husband felt it was wrong to blame the state or anyone else for his wife's death, even though he stood to possibly win a small fortune. Against her family's wishes, he dropped the law suit. "Barbara and I have always taken responsibility for our own actions," he explained. "Barbara chose to run in the wild and, on a very long shot, she did not come back. This is not the fault of the state, and people should take responsibility for themselves."

I would like to meet that man. He no doubt believes that the Blame Game is a no-win in the long run. He seems like a person who would rather spend time fixing what's broken than fixing the blame for it on someone else.

This isn't about law suits � it's more about whether we are essentially victims of life or whether we are powerful and responsible people. An important step in gaining mastery over your life is to resist the urge to make something or someone else responsible. Like novelist J. K. Rowling said to graduating Harvard students, "There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you." Certainly background and circumstances have influenced who we are, but who is responsible for the person we become?

An important decision I made was to resist playing the Blame Game. The day I realized that I am in charge of how I will approach problems in my life, that things will turn out better or worse because of me and nobody else, that was the day I knew I would be a happier and healthier person. And that was the day I knew I could truly build a life that matters.

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places..."

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

Isaiah 26:3-4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The great thing about life is that each new day that we are blessed enough to see brings with it a new chance and a new opportunity to make our life useful for ourselves as well as for our fellow man. Being alive affords us the luxury to try again, to reach farther, to stand taller, to hope anew, to believe that our life is significant and can be used to make a difference. No matter how many times we have fallen short, we can begin again, we can dust ourselves off, wipe away the tears and believe that our life is precious, worthy and one that is meant to be used to its fullest potential. We must have an unwavering faith and belief that every failure and every setback will be a stepping stone towards a brighter future. Our past does not define our future. We must believe this truth in order to move forward in life in confidence. (Psalm 103:10-14) (2 Corinthians 4:15-18)
If we believe the lie that we can't use our life to make a difference despite our mistakes and shortfalls, then most of the stories in the Bible should not be there. Thankfully God doesn't see us only for our past, but He looks forward towards our future and in our future there is hope. No matter how discouraged you may feel, no matter how tempted you are to give up, I want you to know that your ending is far from right now. You can rise up, you can begin again, your life can be used to make a difference that will never be forgotten or erased, but you must stand up for yourself and believe this truth for yourself. If God does not condemn you, then you mustn't condemn yourself. If God forgives you, then you must also forgive yourself. If God gives you a second chance, you must gladly, willfully and wholeheartedly take it. (Psalm 61:1-3) (Psalm 46:1-5)

I encourage you to never doubt your significance. Don't count your life away, but see it as something that God can use to change your life, your family's life and even this world. When we dare to believe, dare to dream, dare to hope, miracles can and will happen. We simply must believe in ourselves as God believes in us and trust that every setback, every trial, every heartache will serve a purpose for us now and in our future to come. Stay in faith, stay in trust and never even think of giving up. God loves you more than you can know. Trust Him and do all that you can to use every gift, talent and ability to bring Glory and Honor to His Name. (Psalm 103:1-4) (Romans 8:31-39)

I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to believe that your life is significant and can be used for a great purpose no matter what you have gone through in times past.

YOU HAVE A CHANCE

Charles Revson, founder of the successful cosmetic manufacturing firm Revlon, once said, "In our factory we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope."

We could use a little more hope. I think that is why people buy lottery tickets. One poor mother, who was raising her children on a small salary earned from long hours of hard work, was asked, "Why do you waste your money on a lottery ticket when you can hardly make ends meet?"

"Yeah, I buy a ticket every day," the woman acknowledged. "But a dollar is not too much to pay for 24 hours of hope."

There are probably better uses for her money than buying lottery tickets. But she would rather hang onto a little hope than onto her dollar.

We need hope. It is a vital ingredient in life. Without it, far too many people come to the conclusion that they are powerless in the face of difficulties. "It can't be helped," is their motto. Without hope, they won't make needed changes. They feel powerless. Without hope, they will grimly accept the unacceptable and believe that things are about as good as they will ever get.

I've found that I can either be a prisoner of circumstances or a practitioner of hope. I can feel sorry for myself and helpless to do anything about my problems, or I can believe there is a realistic chance for something better.

Norman Cousins, in his book Head First, the Biology of Hope, illustrates the power of hope. He tells of two physicians who were to deliver a paper at a national meeting of cancer specialists. One was truly perplexed. "I don't understand it, Bob," he said. "We use the same drugs, the same dosage, and the same schedule of treatment. Yet I get a 22% recovery rate and you get a 74% recovery rate. How do you explain that?"

The other responded, "We both use Etoposide, Platinol, Oncovin, and Hydroxyurea. You put those letters together and tell people that you are giving them E-P-O-H. I put them together and explain to them that they are receiving H-O-P-E. I emphasize that they have a chance."

You do have a chance. You have a chance at life. You have a chance at success. You have a chance at wholeness. You have a chance at meaningful relationships and, though you may not believe it, at happiness.

Are you a prisoner of circumstances...stuck and helpless, or a practitioner of hope? It can be a difference between life and death.

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus declares "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

Psalm 28:6-8 "Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed."

2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The most important thing that each of us can do for our life is to have a clear vision of how we would like to see our life turn out. Having a vision for our life means that we are seeing far into our future having certain goals, aspirations and dreams that we would like to see realized and fulfilled. The Bible declares in Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." When we have a clear vision, our goals will be set, our dedication will be sure, our will to continue on despite the failures will be unwavering and we will not allow any discouragements to sway us away from our ultimate goals. It is important that we believe that our life is significant and meant to make a difference. We can't allow our past to define our future and when we have a vision of victory, we will see our life rise higher and reach farther than we had ever thought possible before. (Ezekiel 36:26-28) (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Another important part of realizing our dreams is writing the vision down. When we write the vision down and detail every goal, every dream and every aspiration, we are in essence starting the ripple effect that will help to lead us to our final destination. Writing the vision down also encourages our hearts because we will have a visual reference of what was once only a thought or a hope that wasn't really tangible. Writing the vision down isn't merely a matter of positive or wishful thinking. It is actually the command of the Lord. We read in Habakkuk 2:2 "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (Psalm 20:6-9)

When we write the vision down and keep it within viewing distance, we are continually reminding ourselves of what we want to accomplish. After we have written the vision down, we must start our pursuit of reaching those goals and accomplishing all that is within our hearts. We must put in the work, we must be disciplined, we must study, prepare, practice, and do all that is required to stand in that area of victory that was only a dream or hope before. Someone once said if you want to be a professional at something, you have to put in at least 10,000 hours of work. Victory for anything doesn't come easy because if it did then everyone in this world would be successful and victorious. (Psalm 37:23-26) (Proverbs 9:10-12)

We must have the will and fortitude to continue on where others have given up. We must stand up again where others have stayed stagnant and we must have an unwavering resolve that only victory is acceptable. Be encouraged to see your life blessed, prosperous, healthy and whole. Don't allow yourself to stay stagnant and unmoved, but rather have a vision of victory that you will write down in detail and then do all that you can to pursue and attain every goal, every dream and every aspiration. Always remember that with God All things are possible. Don't discount your life, don't think you have reached your pinnacle, but rather believe that the best is yet to come. (3 John 2)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be determined and unwavering when it comes to fulfilling your life's purpose.

HOW'S YOUR VISION?

My eyesight isn't what it used to be, either. But as Helen Keller (who could neither hear nor see) said, "The greatest tragedy in life is people who have sight but no vision." Maybe I should be more concerned with my vision than with my eyesight.

There are numerous stories of people who lacked vision. A Hollywood producer scrawled a curt rejection note on a manuscript that became "Gone With The Wind." He had no vision for the success that movie would enjoy.

Orville and Wilbur Wright felt excited. On December 17, 1903, they had finally succeeded in keeping their homemade airplane in the air for 59 seconds. Immediately, they rushed a telegram to their sister in Dayton, Ohio, telling of this great accomplishment. The telegram read, "First sustained flight today fifty-nine seconds. Hope to be home by Christmas."

Upon receiving the news of the successful flight, their sister was so excited that she rushed to the newspaper office and gave the telegram to the editor. The next morning the newspaper headed the story: "Popular Local Bicycle Merchants To Be Home For Holidays." The hapless editor saw what was obvious, but missed the real story.

Vision is never about seeing the obvious. It's about looking ahead; about seeing what is not there -- YET. It's often about seeing the potential behind the obvious.

Like the potential in people. Spotting the potential for success in a student who, as is obvious to everyone else, will likely fail.

Or recognizing the potential for something good to come from a situation others are writing off as lost.

If we want to see what is really going on, we will need to learn to spot what is not there, then act on it.

So...your eyesight may be perfect, but how's your vision?

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Hebrews 4:14-16 "Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

Psalm 28:6-8 "Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed."

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Psalm 118:5-9 "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes."

The great thing about our life is that it is unique from anyone else's. We don't have the gifts or abilities of someone else and neither do they have the gifts, talents or abilities that we have been given. We should always remember how special we really are and do our absolute best to bring to fruition what we know in our hearts we are meant to accomplish. No matter what you have gone through in the past, you should always believe that your life is relevant, significant and meant to make a difference. Let us be like the men and women in the Bible who dared to believe God and because they did, they saw miracles happen in their life and they were used by the Lord to bring victory and deliverance to their people. They did not discount their worth, they didn't count their past failures against them, but they chose to believe God and do all that He had purposed for them to do. (Esther 1-9) (Genesis 39-50)
Let us have that same unwavering faith and face every trial, every challenge and every obstacle with confidence knowing that all things are possible with God by our side. We shouldn't worry or fear the outcome because the Lord who has promised us victory will be faithful to lead us onto the right path as He sees fit for us. Be encouraged to have a victory mindset no matter what the circumstances may look like and trust that all things will work together for your good in the end. The Lord is faithful to lead and direct our lives when we wholeheartedly trust in Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6) (Romans 8:28)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to believe that your life can be used to make a significant difference in this world.

HOW TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE EVERYDAY

The battle between David and Goliath is renown. The Bible opens the story in a valley where two armies face and taunt each other. Emerging from the encampment of the Philistines is Goliath. He is nearly 15 feet tall, broad as a dump truck at the shoulders. His shield and sword is to heavy for men to handle, so they are drawn on a flat cart by a team of snorting horses.

Goliath surveys the army of Israel and growls angrily. "Send me a man who is your champion. Come, let us fight and I shall kill you like a mangy dog!" Fear sank deeper into the hearts & bodies of the Israeli soldiers. A huge shadow cast itself across the valley floor, it appeared ominous and foreboding. High on a ridge cresting the valley stood Goliath, Lord of Chaos and Destruction. He towered like a skyscraper against the sunlit sky, his frame blocking the powerful illuminating rays.

No one stepped forward to accept the giant's dare. Seasoned, hardened men of war cowered and wished for the bosoms of their wives and children. Death was upon them and Goliath was ready to drink blood. Suddenly a red haired boy, barely weighing 90 pounds, bravely steps forward. He is a shepherd boy of 11 to 14, and his only weapon is a crude slingshot containing several smooth stones. The boy's name is David.

David advances into the valley beneath the giant shadow. "I will face you, and the Lord God shall give me your head this day", David says confidently. Goliath howls in laugher as do all the soldiers. "What?! Do you send a boy dog to face me, have you no champions", he growls? David responds," I am the Lord's Champion and this day shall I take thy head from thee!"

Goliath lifts his massive shield and sword off the cart, the horses neigh wildly in fear.

Swinging the huge steel blade overhead, it slices the air with sonic swiftness. The steel sounds like the cold whisper of deaf as it slices the air. Goliath can easily chop a 10 foot tall grizzly bear neatly in half with the powerful swing of his oak tree sized arms. "This fool will be easy prey", Goliath thinks to himself, as he salivates for the taste of warm blood. Running across the valley floor with the speed of a cat, David loads his sling shot skillfully. He chooses a small marble sized stone, smooth, hard and round. As Goliath advanced down the valley ridge, David arches his arms, his eyes locked on Goliath's forehead. In a split second he prays "In the name of the I AM that I AM I Conquer Goliath this day!"

The stone spins from the sling shot, propelled with the accuracy of a laser. Within the blink of an eyelash, the flesh between Goliath's eyes splits open, the stone burying itself in the darkness of his brain. Deeper the stone goes, grinding bone as it drills into the giants skull. A force surrounds the stone, burying it with nuclear force. As Goliath prepares to swing his blade through David's tiny body, he feels a sting between his eyes. Suddenly his eyes lose focus, and he freezes in motion. His vision dissolves like the picture on a TV screen when it is turned off.

David scurries away from under the giant's shadow. Goliath's last words are cut short as his brains blood pumps from the hole between his eyes. The armies watched in terror and amazement as Goliath staggers, then falls to his knees. "You dog, he screams at David", and collapse dead on the ground. This day, the character of a new King is forged on the battlefield, the character of King David of Israel.

Life often faces us with challenges. Sometimes they overwhelm you, and you don't feel capable of victory. The story of David and Goliath reveals the power of faith in the Spoken Word. David believed in what he said, he saw it in his mind and it manifested before his eyes. Did David have angelic assistance? How is it possible for a simple stone to kill a giant? You may wish to ponder the questions I asked, but you are going to miss the moral of the story.

First, all things are possible. It doesn't matter how big, tall or fierce the challenge looks. While others around you declare there are no answers, and that there is no way; faith can cause you to see the victory before the fight starts. Faith allows you to see the outcome before you begin. You know that you know that you know, all things work together for the good!

Jesus said, have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed, and all things will be possible for you. So look at your situation in a new way and say to your giants: "That ain't no big thing!"

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

John 16:33 Jesus declares "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Psalm 28:6-8 "Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed."

Hebrews 4:14-16 "Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

There are many things that I am thankful for, but I am most thankful that I am alive. Being alive means that I have another chance to be a blessing, to forgive an offender or seek forgiveness from an offense, to try again, to believe anew, to encourage, to inspire, to lift up, to affirm and simply to make my life impactful upon this Earth. When we are purposeful with our life, we will not allow ourselves to simply endure life, but rather we will become proactive knowing that our life is significant and can be used to make a difference that will never be forgotten or erased.
No matter what you have gone through in times past, I want you to know that you can use your life to make a positive impact. You simply must believe that you are able to. You must believe that you have been equipped with unique gifts, talents and abilities that are to be used to their fullest potential. You must not doubt your life's purpose, but rather wholeheartedly believe that God can use you in ways that you have never thought of or imagined before. All He is looking for is a willing vessel. A vessel that says not my will, but Thine be done. When we surrender our will, we will be so thankful that God graciously chose us to change our life and the lives of those around us for the better. (Isaiah 6:8) (Luke 22:42)

Be thankful that you are alive because you still have time to use your life in a meaningful way. Don't discount your worth, your ability, your talents or your gifts. Say within your being "I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will bless the Lord for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I will believe and not doubt. I will be the head and not the tail. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me." Let your confession over your life be positive. Think overcoming thoughts of victory and dare to be triumphant in everything that you do. When you do these simple things on a consistent basis, your life will change in extraordinary ways. (Philippians 4:13) (Ephesians 6:10)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to believe that you can overcome in any circumstance because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

TWENTY CANS OF SUCCESS

Why should I say I can't when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength? (Philippians 4:13)

Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? (Philippians 4:19)

Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind? (2 Timothy 1:7)

Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God as allotted to me a measure of faith? (Romans 12:3)

Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God? (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)

Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world? (1 John 4:4)

Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph? (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it? (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)

Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God's lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness and have hope? (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me? (1 Peter 5:7)

Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is? (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ? (Romans 8:1)

Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me? (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)

Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit? (Galatians 3:13-14)

Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances? (Philippians 4:11)

Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him? (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me? (Romans 8:31)

Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit? (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2:12)

Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ? (Romans 8:37)

Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations? (John 16:33)

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Colossians 3:16-17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

James 1:22-24 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."

Psalm 119:11-16 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."