On August 30, 2017 while riding in the car with her Mom, Abby. . .Sophia Lee PreJean, our most precious Grand Sugar, was recorded saying. . .

“I am wise

I am kind

I am gracious

I am strong

I am loving”

Then with an Academy Award winning smile. . .Sophia would say it again.

Needless to say my fine wife, Bev, and I watched that video over and over.

Not only was the video cute. . .but it was instilling in Sophia. . .a set of beliefs that will serve her well all the days of her life.

With a grandfatherly pride. . .I showed that video to many of my friends but didn’t think about teaching it until now.

Motives are what makes us do what we do.

According to dictionary.com the word motive means:

“something that causes a person to act in a certain way; do a certain thing; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way.”

Motivation to a Christian is like gas in the tank of your car.  It gives you what’s desired and/or necessary to be a success in life.

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited.  It’s not hereditary. 

Motivation is not circumstantial or environmental. . .it’s an inner working.

It’s also important to point out that motivation can be good or ungodly.

Here are examples of seven Biblical characters and what motivated them to accomplish their God-given goals.

It’s important to understand that when God gives us a vision, a goal or a prophetic Word, it is then up to us to see it through.

The vision, goal or Word is the reward but it is up to us to follow the process to the end result.

Wow…I was looking at Ephesians 6:13-18 which describes our spiritual armor when God showed me an amazing parallel in the Message Bible translation.

"Be prepared.  You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. (1) Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. (2) Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words.  Learn how to apply them.  You'll need them throughout your life. (3) God's Word is an indispensable weapon. (4) In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.  Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters. (5)  Keep your eyes open. (6)  Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.(7)"

From this powerful scriptural passage God showed me seven facts you should know about your spiritual armour.

1.      Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

The World English Dictionary defines preparation as:

“the act or process of preparing and the state of being prepared; readiness”

Preparation is a mental decision because it becomes a practical reality.

Before any well-trained soldier goes into battle. . .he/she will inspect their equipment to make sure they’re fully prepared to face and defeat every attack of the enemy.

In preparation for spiritual warfare. . .the most important you can do. . .is to sanctify yourself for battle.

Have you ever had something come through at just the right time to meet a specific need?

I know we have. . .

I remember once when our bookkeeper made a mistake which resulted in our owing $14,000 in taxes. . .which we discovered a few days before it had to be paid.  And frankly, not sure how many people have that kind of money just lying around!  

We prayed. . .and moved ahead believing God would provide.

I was speaking that next Sunday at a church in southern California. . .it was an incredible service but...

Can you imagine my surprise when the Pastor handed me a check for $16,000 for preaching a one-hour Sunday morning service?

I discovered later that a man in the church had given $10,000 in the offering in appreciation for advice I had given him a year or so before.  He later told me the advice made him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This offering was an answer to prayer and it came through at just the right time in a totally unexpected way.

I also remember the days when someone gave us $20 which was exactly what we needed to finish paying a bill.

Whether the amount is small or large. . .we serve an on-time God who will comes through at just the right time.  But don’t be discouraged if His timing is not your timing. Just stay in Faith!

If you feel something is holding you back, here are a few hinderances that may need changing:           

A few days ago I was writing a Rich Thoughts TV show and blog about expectation.  I made the following statement.

“I begin each day filled with supernatural expectation about the manifestation of God’s presence, power, provision, protection, promotion, peace and promises.”

As I was typing those words something ignited in my spirit and I knew God had just given me the seven things we can expect to receive from Him.

1.         Presence

The best place for you to be. . .is not in the Presidential Suite of a four-star hotel . . . the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House. . .the luxury suite of a cruise ship sailing through the Mediterranean Sea. . .even though all those places are nice . . . the best place for a believer to be is in God’s Presence.

And the best part is anyone can reach out for God!

As a born-again believer you have the privilege of access into His presence. That is something that we can’t take for granted.  It is beyond awesome if you think about it.

Psalm 118:20 in the New Living Translation says:

“These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.”

Not only can you enter into His presence but He even tells you the best time to find Him.

Proverbs 8:17 says:

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”