It’s one thing to think about what you want to do.  It’s another thing to speak about what you plan to do.

But, it’s an entirely different matter to act on what you’ve been thinking and speaking about doing.

One evening, after a particularly long day. . .I came across James 1:22-24 in the Message Bible which says:

“Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”

I was struck by five words in this passage of scripture when it says:

ACT ON WHAT YOU HEAR!

Even before the Lord dropped Rich Thoughts into my spirit nearly twelve years ago, I’ve always considered myself a Rich Thinker. . .someone who acted on what they believed.

As I was reflecting on this. . .the Lord directed me to challenge us to think differently.

Action Step #1        Start with Rich Thoughts.

Success or failure. . .victory or defeat. . .excellence or mediocrity all begin in the mind.

Have you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . .or maybe even a hurricane or tornado?

I’ve never been in a tornado but I have been through a number of devasting hurricanes and many serious thunderstorms.

During our time in Texas. . .it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes.

I remember one storm where there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.

When serious storms come up. . .we’re looking for a safe place. 

How would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm arose?

Mark 4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.”

Hebrews 12:12-13 in the Message Bible says:

“So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!”

I started wondering why people sit on their hands and drag their feet….and realized it happens when people make excuses.

Believe me, I’ve heard hundreds, maybe thousands of excuses … and some that would make you laugh if you didn’t know the person speaking the words was serious.

I believe if I set my mind to it…I could come up with some of the greatest excuses in the world.

But the real question is what does the greatest book ever written have to say about excuses.

Proverbs 24:11 in the Message Bible says:

“Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 says:

“Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.”

As I was preparing for today’s teaching….the following sentence stirred in me.

“God wants us to dream bigger…speak boldly…think creatively…associate higher…do more…never give up . . . and start today.”

I thought. . .that would be a great Facebook post and Tweet for (X). . .but the Lord clearly impressed upon me an urgency in writing it as a teaching for Rich Thoughts.

Truthfully, my first thought was “Lord, I’ve already got something and I could use a nap.”

Fortunately, I never spoke those words and I repented for even thinking them.

Here’s what I know. . .this teaching is especially for some of God’s choice chosen vessels. . .like you.

# 1    Dream Bigger.

In my mind I was seeking to find some fresh revelation on dreams but then I realized the vast majority of us. . .don’t perceive and/or receive the truth God wants us to get. . .with just one or two exposures.

You’ll never succeed in achieving your wildest dreams. . .unless you have some wild dreams.

As I was reading Isaiah 55:11 my spirit was stirred to write “Seven Things For Seven Days.”

“So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

You can’t send forth what you don’t know.

Your mouth can’t send forth what you heart doesn’t understand.

Let’s look at the verse in greater detail.

# 1       “So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth. . .”

It’s the Word that goes forth. . .not in a written form. . .but spoken.

And these are not just any words. . .they’re the words of God from the Word of God.

It’s not enough to know the Word. . .you must speak the Word.

The Message Bible translation of Isaiah 55:11 begins with this sentence.

“So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.”