You Won't Be Ok With Me Until You're First Ok With YOU

We see life thru the lens of our own experiences. That being said, you won't be ok with others until you are first ok with yourself. Acclaimed author Anaïs Nin said it best, 'We don't see things as they are we see things as we are'. Ask God to help you examine your past and even your present. Hold on to what needs to be held on to. Let go of what isn't working for you and face & make right what needs to be reconciled. You will never have true peace outside of you until there is true peace within you.

Psalm 119:165 - Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Why You May NEVER Be Ok With Staying Where You Are

Some people are ok with mediocrity, and you know what? They're not wrong. It's just where they are and it must be respected. However when God gives you a bigger vision that demands excellence, the only way you would be wrong is if you didn't pursue it. God gave you what you have inside for a reason. Now it's time to let it out. Take the spider for instance. Everything it needs: home, protection, means to eat, and transportation all comes as a result of it utilizing what's inside of it to live. What's inside you? Perhaps you're not living your best life because you haven't let it out. If you're a spider, why stress yourself trying to be a butterfly? Be yourself. YOU are enough and you have what you need inside. Now it's time to get it out!

Proverbs 30:28 - The spider skillfully grasps with it's hands, and it is in kings palaces.

How To MAKE Things Work Out For You!

You will never have true GREATNESS or EFFECTIVENESS outside of your purpose. You may have success and be good in certain areas, but true GREATNESS will NEVER be yours outside of your purpose. A fork was created to be an eating utensil. That's its purpose. Though it CAN be used as a comb, it makes a lousy comb because that's not it's purpose. Many people are frustrated because things don't work out for them, but God PROMISES that when we operate in our purpose, things WILL work out. Better yet, He promises that things work out in our favor. If things aren't working in your favor, the first thing you should do is check to see if you are operating in your purpose. If not, get in your purpose and watch God's favor flow in your direction. Things work out for your good when you operate according to your purpose!

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

God Always Comes Through. Always. Period

One of my life’s greatest realities is this: God ALWAYS comes through. Even in times that I, quite frankly, didn’t think He did, He still did. In time, I came to realize that things always worked out like HE wanted them to. My frustration came from the fact that I just wasn’t on His same page. My daily confession has become, ‘Lord I thank you for ALWAYS coming through’. It’s almost like an adventure watching Him pull me out of complex situations. It’s like I’m a part of a reality show where the episode doesn’t end without me winning. I don’t know it all, but one thing I DO know is this: God ALWAYS comes through!

Roman 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.

When The Pieces Of Your Life's Puzzle Don't Seem To Fit

When it feels like your life is a puzzle, relax with this thought… God is putting the pieces in place according to the picture that He’s drawn. Though you may not know how certain parts fit, the thing to be confident in is God’s ability to ALWAYS know what He’s doing, and to know He’s doing it for YOU.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

SAME And DIFFERENT Don't Always Play Well Together

No matter how much you WANT to be clean, it will never happen as long as you play in the mud. Sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many of us expect to do or be better, but refuse to change our environment, our influences and our diets either physically or spiritually. No matter how dirty you are, if you flush yourself with enough of the clean stuff, the dirt can't stay. Habits can't stay. Unforgiveness can't stay. Sin can't stay. Influence is key. Some of our past influences were instrumental in getting us to our present, but are not enough to propel us into our future. If you want DIFFERENT, it's available. You just have to determine how you're going to handle SAME. Because, same and different don't always play well together.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (AMP)
- So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor,

God Doesn't Give An Assignment Without This

For every assignment God gives, He also gives a corresponding grace or strength to get it done. It's God's grace that makes the intolerable tolerable and the seemingly impossible possible. I have always been able to gauge when my season was about to change when the grace to operate in that season changed. Whether its a job, a ministry or a relationship, sometimes it's not that you've suddenly become ineffective, but rather your effectiveness is where your grace is... In another season.

1 Corinthians 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

You May Not Know This, But Someone Is Discussing You!

God is causing some wonderful things to happen for you behind the scenes. Just keep doing your part. You are not aware of the people who have taken notice of you and are talking about you in preparation to bless you in ways you could never imagine. Press through the discouragement, the small crowds, the frustrations and the seemingly depressing reality. Someone else see's something entirely different. God will initiate the introduction at His appointed time. Until then, you just KEEP doing your part!

Luke 6:38a - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall MEN give into your bosom.

Need To Feel Better Right NOW? Get A Filter!

Throughout the course of any day, you'll hear some things that may cause you to want to immediately react. Consider this. Filter anything you hear through God’s word FIRST. Whatever remains after THAT process is what you should believe. If it gets past God, you can trust that it is something that’s not only FOR you, but something that's ultimately for your good. Understand this very important fact. God has the last say. Everybody else is just stating their opinions.

Proverbs 16:1 - We may make our plans, but God has the last word.

Want To Know What's In Their Heart? Just Let 'Em Talk

If you ever want to know what's inside a person's heart, just listen to what they say. Whether they are full of faith or full of fear it will all be revealed in their words. It's hard to convince me that you are desperately in love with a person you never talk about. Even in the beginning of a relationship, you'll know where a person's true passion lies based on the direction of their conversation. You want to know what's inside of them? Let 'em talk. You'll see. And when they show you, believe them.

Luke 6:45 - A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Stress Free Doesn't 'Just' Happen

Having a stress free life means having the courage to relieve/release the tension causing the stress. I have rose trees in my yard and I understand well the importance of regular pruning. Likewise, you must make regular assessments as to whether or not the load you are carrying or the company you are keeping is helping or hurting. Trust me, most of the important things in our lives fall in either one of these categories. Fertilize what is helping you, but be strong enough to make the necessary cuts to what isn't. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can blossom the way you were meant to. Be strong… God is with you.

Joshua 1:9 NIV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Luxury Cars Don't Operate On Regular Gas

Many of us pray that God will enlarge our territory. The only thing about that is... you can't carry an apartment sized mentality (or budget) to a mansion. More territory requires more maintenance, work, and time. You prayed for the luxury car but didn't factor in the cost of premium gas? Enlarged territories are good to desire, but you MUST also ask God to increase your capacity to understand how to manage life on a larger scale. Make sure your prayer includes an enlargement of your mind's territory as well.

1 Chronicles 4:10 - Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Are You A Motivation Junkie?

An addict is defined as a person who is addicted to an activity, habit or substance. It’s when you keep partaking in something that feels good but is not needed. To be addicted to something carries a negative connotation. You may be an addict and don't even know it. You can even become addicted to something good, like motivation. Motivation is something required to make you MOVE not SIT. If you haven’t moved with the last motivation you received but still require more, then I'm talking to you. Don’t be a motivation junkie. You have what you need ... now MOVE!

Philippians 4:9 – New International Version – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The Boldness To Begin

Can I tell you a secret? Most of my greatest accomplishments began with me not having a CLUE what I was doing. I was just knew it was an opportunity presented by God and I had just enough obedience to start. That's it. I'm not the smartest, the richest, the most handsome or the most skilled. I simply have the greatest reference in the world on my resume... God. When God opens the door, you just have to have the boldness to step through it. Then, and as you go, things will work out. Most of the great things I have done, I had no idea I could do them until I did it. You know your present. God knows your potential. Trust His vision. You can only see the egg, but God sees the eagle inside the egg. Have the boldness to start and watch the rest work out.

Luke 17:12-14 - As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

They Just Made It LOOK Easy!

The difference between you and the person who 'made it' is, they didn't quit. NOTHING worth having is easy ... nothing. If it's of any real value, you have to be determined to not be denied and work for it. Success is missed by most people because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work. You aren't married for 30 years without WORK. You don't have a million dollar company without WORK. You won't go from a size 20 to a size ten without WORK. Despite the glossy photoshopped images in the magazine, the 'boo'd up' pics on Facebook, or the weight loss commercials telling you otherwise... if it has ANY value, work was put in to MAKE it that way. The child of God has this promise: You will win if you don't quit. So, don't quit.

Galatians 6:9 ESV - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

How To Keep From Getting Disappointed In People

The art of getting the most out of a person is compartmentalizing. You can't throw away a person because they have bad in them. The best of us have some worst in us and the worst of us have some best in us. No human is 100% anything. Learn to refrain from using words like 'you always' or 'they never' because it simply isn't true. Learn how to separate the meat from the bones. PS - there is always meat

Romans 12:18 - NIV 2010 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Every Issue Has One Of These ... Find It!

There are no badges or rewards given to Christians who can carry the most burdens and cares the longest. Sorry, there just isn't. The reason there isn't is because we were never instructed to carry that kind of weight long term. We are to be the facilitators of cares. An issue comes to you and you give it to God... end of transaction. Every issue has a 'forward' button on it. Find it and use it to forward EVERY issue and EVERY care to God. Not only can God handle it, but that's how He shows that He cares for you. Allow Him care for you today. Forward ALL your cares to the correct department... The God Department!

1 Peter 5:7 - Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

The Question You Should Always Have An Answer For

Are you a liability or an asset? This is the question you should always have an answer for. Is your presence making whatever you are involved with better or worse? Would someone at your job (other than yourself) say that you bring a noticeable value or would they say that you're 'just there for the check'? This question can be applied to your relationship, your church, your community and abroad. When you leave whatever you were involved with, did you leave it better than when you entered it? Truth is, you were created to be an asset. Don't die a liability.

Jeremiah 1:5 - I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.

Give Your Plan An Expiration Date

I'm not a big 'throw caution to the wind' kind of guy. Actually, I'm quite the opposite. I look before I leap. Boy do I look... and look.. and look... and LOOK! I'm huge on research, counting the cost, having an exit strategy and a plan B (or C if necessary). Research and planning IS necessary, however, it will only get you so far. At some point, like the Nike slogan, you have to 'just do it'. NO, you won't be able to foresee every casualty, problem or setback (and YES they will occur), but true LIVING entails DOING, not planning. You can research swimming for 3 years, but until you take that first dive you will never REALLY know. A runner runs. A preacher preaches. A singer sings. What are you... a planner? If not, it's time to give your plan an expiration date and DO SOMETHING.

James 2:18 - But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Become A Better 'Name Dropper'

We have a powerful tool. It's the tool of association or otherwise known as relationship. The right relationships get you into arenas that your skill set may not. The person who can maintain solid relationships will always be a step ahead of the person who is more talented or more skilled. Jesus wants us to capitalize on our relationship with Him. He's ok with you 'name dropping' His name in situations where there seems to be no movement otherwise. He is above the decision maker AND the person who writes the decision makers check. If your ways please God, don't be afraid to be a name dropper. It's an act that's STRONGLY encouraged!

John 14:13 - You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.