Early. . .very early one Sunday morning. . .I was pondering a question that demands an answer.

Do we want to succeed enough to plan our actions and then act on the plan?

It’s one thing to think about what we want to do. . .and that’s good. . .just not good enough.

It’s another thing to talk/speak/confess what we want to do. . .that’s good. . .just not good enough.

It’s something else to plan what we’re thinking about. . .and that’s good. . .just not quite good enough.

However, what we’re thinking, speaking and planning will never become a reality until we actually act on what we’ve been thinking, speaking and planning.

Here are seven reasons success can be yours now.

Action # 1 Think about something. . .good.

Proverbs 23:7 says:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . .”

One of my favorite signs says:

“Good morning!  I’ll be handling all your problems today.  So relax and enjoy your day.  Blessings, God. P.S. I love you.”

Someone once said:

“Do not face the day, until you have faced God in prayer.”

When you woke up this morning. . .did you expect this to be your best day ever?

What was your expectation for the day?  Was it different than yesterday or the day before?

Did you have any expectation for today or were you just glad you made it through another night?

Do you expect to feel better today than you did yesterday?  And, just as importantly, do you expect to feel even better tomorrow?

Do you expect God to move in the lives of your loved ones?

Do you see your days filled with previously unknown opportunities where you can tap into previously unused potential?

Do you expect to make divine appointments or supernatural connections?

Do you expect to receive divine revelation or direction during your morning prayer time?

One of my favorite scenes from the classic Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life in which George Baily, played by the late great Jimmy Stewart, begins to pray.

He starts: “Dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me….

At that moment, Stewart begins crying and then says:

“Show me the way. . .show me the way.”

Truthfully, that’s what God wants to do for each of us . . . show us the way.

The movie contains so many life lessons that we need to be reminded of that watching it yearly is a great idea. 

The purpose of tonight’s teaching is not to create a review of It’s A Wonderful Life but we encourage you to watch it yourself with your family or friends.

It’s A Wonderful Life has a message that’s timeless which brings me to tonight’s teaching.

Many years ago now the Lord gave me an amazing Christmas sermon. My fine wife Bev, my parents and I had taken a long weekend get-away to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

We started looking for a hotel room and were unable to find one.  We traveled for over 60 miles along Interstate 40 but nothing was available. 

This is the time of year for Christmas lists…from the youngest family member to the oldest.

As our family members grew in age. . .so do the price of their toys.

Roy L. Smith, a renowned Methodist writer of Sunday School literature, once said:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

During this season. . .we know the “first four gifts” rule comes to play- something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read

Over the years there are tons of gadgets, gizmos and electronic toys … and so many things that start with the letter i --

iPhone have been out for years. . . iToys came along… we all know why.  Cause people love that letter “I”.

Here’s our list of the seven things better than any gadget, gizmo, electronic toy or goofy gift with a new twist on the letter “I.”

1.      iThink.

A few days ago, I was rejoicing about how God reaches out to us. . .in so many ways.

God reaches out to us when we’re distressed.

2 Samuel 22:7

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.”

Jesus reaches out to heal sickness and disease.

Matthew 8:3

“Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I’m willing. So be clean!” Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean.”

Reached out to strengthen our faith.