Have you ever come across someone whom you haven’t seen in years and the very first thing they say to you is. . . “Wow, you’ve changed so much that I barely recognized you.”

Perhaps, on occasion you've had people fail to recognize a change in your appearance, maybe a hair color or radical haircut.

More frequently people, even some of those closest to you, fail to recognize the inward changes in your life.

There are also times that we may not recognize someone because of a change in their behavior, attitude and/or character.

Sometimes we even fail to recognize people or the changes in those people but there are seven things winners. . .always recognize.  We have the power to change our daily lives and our destiny here on planet earth.

1.         Recognize your Enabler

God gives you the breath of life. . .PLUS He enables, enlightens, empowers, equips and energizes you with everything you need to fulfill your destiny.

It’s important to understand the source of all your power and insight.  You must know who He is and the fact that it’s possible to change.

1 Corinthians 1:18 in The Living Bible says: “I know very well how foolish it sounds to those who are lost, when they hear that Jesus died to save them. But we who are saved recognize this message as the very power of God.”

As a born-again believer we are the recipients of the power of God.

John 14:26 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”

We have the nine power gifts of the spirit. . .at our disposal at any time … the gift of wisdom; knowledge; discerning various spirits; speaking in tongues; interpretation of tongues; prophecy; faith; working of miracles; and the gift of healing. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

Our loving Heavenly Father allows us to tap into what is most frequently called the motivational gifts of the spirit.

Romans 12:6-8 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;  [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;  He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.”

And the very good news is that God wants you to know all about these gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:1 in the Amplified Bible says:

“NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.”

God wants you to recognize Him as your power supply.

And, yes, He wants you continually plugged in to that resurrection power supply.

2.         Recognize your opportunity

Sadly, many people spend their life with their favorite aunt. . . “Ifida.” 

If I had only done this. . .if I had only done that.

Everybody has “Ifida” stories.  One of mine concerns buying stock in Ford Motor Company.  When the government was passing around bailout money the Ford Motor Company opted not to become a government controlled entity. . .and just for the record, I tip my hat to them for that.

On October 22, 2008, Ford stock was selling for a low of $1.78 per share…and I considered buying a thousand shares. . .however, we facing university tuition and fees for two daughters…so I passed.

As I write this teaching…Ford stock just traded at $12.56. . .and I’m not going to figure how much I would have made…because I chose another investment opportunity…the education of our daughters.

When it comes to opportunities you may have missed in the past ALWAYS remember that your future destiny will not be achieved by focusing on the view in  the rear view mirror.

Psalm 90:12 in The Living Bible says:

“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.”

Colossians 4:5 says:

“Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.”

I’ve read over a thousand or probably more like two or three thousand books and I have distilled a lot of wisdom of the ages.  I have read the writings of the great philosophers and teachers.  I’ve taken all of this collective wisdom and I can tell you without equivocation, hesitation or reservation. . .an absolute, fool-proof way to find the greatest opportunities available anywhere.

This collective wisdom of the ages can be summarized with just two words. . .are you ready to write them down.  Drum roll. . .here are the two key words for your life.

“ASK GOD!”

In staying that … I realize it can take time to hear back from God…. But the time required is worth the wait on important matters.

With His help you will be able to recognize and seize every God-directed opportunity that comes your way.

3.         Recognize your standard operating procedure.

Your view of others and your personal behavior are often shaped by your experiences early in life. . .or your standard operating procedure.  It’s why you do what you do.

External factors over the years become internalized and thus affect how and why we do certain things the way we do.

Some people use these factors or experiences as a crutch or an excuse to explain or justify their lack of success or why they act and react in a certain way.

There is an African proverb which I quote on occasion that says:

“If the enemy within can do you no harm. . .neither can the enemy without.”

Regardless of the headaches and heartaches of the past, every born-again believer can rid themselves of these hindrances by immersing themselves in the Word of God.

The best way to heal a hurt. . .to change the way you do things. . .your daily habits, i.e., your standard operating procedure is by applying the healing balm of His Word. And by allowing yourself to be minister to. . .in His presence.  Here are four things you should know about your S.O.P. . .standard operating procedure.

First, make no mistake about it. . .God knows your thoughts.

Psalm 94:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile--only a breath).”

Second, God will change your standard operating way of thinking.

Psalm 94:19 in the New Living Translation says:

“In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, You comfort cheer and delight my soul!”

Third, when He touches your life. . .your circumstances won’t matter.

Proverbs 15:15 in the New Living Translation says:

“All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].”

Fourth, you can have a successful way of operating and living on a daily basis.

Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”

4.         Recognize your abilities and gifts

God has given you the ability to perform at a level you never previously thought possible. . .He sees a greater potential in you. . .than you’ve ever seen in yourself.

Romans 12:6 in The Living Bible says:

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well….”

Personalize that verse.

“God has given <<your name>> the ability to do certain things well….”

No one is exempt. . .there are no exceptions to this scripture.  The verse clearly says God has given each of us. . .that includes everyone. . .including you and me. . .the ability to do certain things well.

This empowerment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14 in The Living Bible says:

“Guard well the splendid, God-given ability you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you.”

We established that according to the most irrefutable source in the universe you’ve got God-given gifts and abilities.

However, you must recognize the gifting that you have and do something with it.

2 Peter 1:5 in the Amplified Bible says:

“For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence).”

Ephesians 5:15-16 in the New International Version says:

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Let’s review.

God gave you, yes you, abilities. . .use them.

God empowered your abilities through the Holy Spirit. . .celebrate them.

God energizes your abilities. . .expand them.

God expects you to engage your abilities on a daily basis. . .manifest them.

5.         Recognize your seed

Your seed is anything you do that helps another.  It may be information, encouragement, or finances.  Whatever it is, your seed is always your door out of trouble.

Job sowed a prayer of deliverance for his three friends.  Then, God turned Job’s captivity around.

Job 42:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

David stopped a tragedy by offering a special offering to the Lord.

2 Samuel 24:25 says:

“And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.”

When you let go of what is in your Hand, God will let go of what is in His Hand. 

 Luke 6:38 says:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Here’s what Luke 6:38 says in the New Living Translation:

“If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

We should always recognize the power and the potential of our seed, where it came from and why we are sowing it.

Psalm 96:7-8 in the New Living Translation says:

“O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.  Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.”

6.         Recognize your harvest

Your harvest is receiving anything from anyone who can benefit or bless you.

Your harvest already exists.  It’s walking around you.  Just as your eyes had to be opened to recognize Jesus, they must be opened to recognize your harvest.

You must continually walk in the expectation for manifestation of your harvest. . .you’ve got to know that God’s laws of sowing and reaping. . .seedtime and harvest NEVER fail.

There have been times in my life when I expected my harvest to manifest in a particular way and it did not.  What I’ve found over the years is that the method in which God chooses to manifest my harvest is always far better than what I had in mind.

You must know God will absolutely guarantee that your precious seed will produce a harvest.  How can I make such a bold statement?  Simply because of the Word of God.

Psalm 126:6 says:

“He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping [at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing] shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

His Word says the one who sows it “…shall doubtless come again with rejoicing.”

Doubtless means “be doubt – less!” …your harvest is coming to pass. . .you just need to recognize it.

Psalm 126:6 in the Message Bible says:

“And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives.  So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.”

This is a favorite translation of mine because . . . you come home laughing . . .with armloads of blessings.

Those who give when it isn’t easy. . .those who sow when it isn’t convenient . . . those who continue to give in the midst of lack. . .will come home laughing with armloads of blessings.

Are you ready to recognize your harvest. . .your armloads of blessings?

7.         Recognize your destiny

You can recognize your destiny. . .by following His instructions as your loving Heavenly Father is scripturally training you for reigning in this life and the one to come.

 Recognizing right from wrong is a simple pre-requisite for walking in your destiny.

Hebrews 5:14 in the New Living Translation says:

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

Spending time in His Word. . .meditating on His precious promises will move you into fulfilling your destiny quicker and more effectively than anything else you can do.

Joshua 1:8 in the New King James Version says:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

In reading this verse you can see once again. . .the part you play in manifesting your destiny.  Six times in Joshua 1:8. . .the verse says “you” or “your.”  Simply put, your prosperity. . .your success. . .your destiny. . .is in your hands.

You don’t need seven keys. . .seven things. . .seven reasons. . .or seven anything. . .all you need is Him. . .for you to achieve your destiny. . .and it will be glorious.

How can I be so sure?  I’m just quoting the Word of God.

Psalm 73:24 in the New Living Translation says:

“You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.”

Close with my two favorite football jokes.

Pre-season, regular season, post season and off-season.

Blonde at Football Game  Cletus and Marcel

A guy decides to bring his new blonde girlfriend to a football game. After the game is over, he asks her if she liked the game.

She replies: "Oh it was great, I loved watching those men in tight clothes, but there is one thing I don't understand."

"What did you not understand ?"

And the blonde says: "Well, at the begginning of the game, both teams flipped a quarter to see who would kick off first. Then the rest of the game everybody was yelling get the quarter back, get the quarter back, get the quarter back. So I thought to myself, gosh it's just a quarter!"

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