God loves it when we pull close to Him. . .He wants us reading and obeying His Word.

He wants us moving from glory to glory in His marvelous image.  During a recent Rich Thoughts for Breakfast which is a conference call we do every day, we taught from Revelation 2:29 in the Message Bible.  The Lord used that scripture to show us seven keys of getting better in our spiritual walk every day.

By the way, you can go to our website:  haroldherring.com and find the way to join us each day on Rich Thoughts for Breakfast.

Now, He directed us to put some meat on the bones of the seven points and share it with our world-wide Internet audience on RICH THOUGHTS TV.

But first, the letter to the church at Thyatira is the LONGEST of the seven letters, but was written to the smallest and seemingly least important of the seven cities. The point is God cares about each and every one of us.  No one is ever left out.

Here’s our primary scripture for this teaching.

Revelation 2:19 in the Message Bible says:

“I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day.”

There are seven keys in what’s being said about the church in Thyatira.

1.         God sees everything you’re doing for Him.

Hebrews 4:13 in The Living Bible says:

Make no mistake about it. . .if God promises us something. . .makes a covenant with us. . .it’s going to happen . . . unless we ignore His instructions or give up or give in first.

Our circumstances don’t matter. . .the problems that we’re currently facing don’t matter. . . but our obedience to His Word definitely matters..

Having said that. . .let me tell you there are going to be times when you wonder what’s going on. . .simply because you may not be able to perceive that God is working in and through your life to manifest His precious promises.

During these times. . .it’s critical to understand there is definitely an enemy waiting in the shadows hoping to knock you off course. . .frustrate you. . .so you NEVER manifest God’s promises.

God miraculously delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  His promises were confirmed through signs and wonders and finally the persistence paid off and the children of Israel were marching out of tyranny into freedom. . .destined for the Promised Land as His promises were manifested.

The children of Israel encountered some adversity in their journey to freedom and abundance.  They may have felt dismayed but nothing they did altered the promises of God.  His goal was the same as in the beginning. 

They may have wondered. They may have wavered. They may have disobeyed.  They may have limited and frustrated God.   But God never wavered when it came to His promises.

Exodus 34:10 says:

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 the 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:

Have you ever read a quote by someone that just ignited in your spirit.  I read it this morning and it was a quote by Anonymous that fired me up.  Here it is:

“I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life.”

I really like that quote, however, I would make a small, but significant change.

I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life because the Word of God says I can!

There’s no question God wants us to have the best life we can.  In fact, in this teaching you’ll read 40 scriptures where we’re told to and how to experience the good life.

So what does it really mean to live the good life?

Does the good life consist of having what the world has in the latest electronic toys and gadgets. . .traveling to exotic locations for lengthy vacations. . .living in the biggest house in the nicest neighborhood. . .being successful in business and in your investments…but loving Jesus along the way?

For those who are sick. . .battling a disease or condition. . .the good life is divine health.

For those who’re having trouble with their children.  . .the good life is everybody knowing and serving Jesus as Lord.

As my fine wife, Bev and I were in special prayer for our partners...God allowed us to see the intense spiritual battle faced by some our partners and His many children.

We felt the concern of His children over their prayers going seemingly unanswered.

You may have been praying for changes in your finances...a new job or a promotion...a healing for your body...turning lack into more than enough or overcoming addictions to alcohol, drugs or sin…but your answer hasn’t manifested…yet.

As we were praying. . .our attention was turned to Daniel 10:12-13 where He drew a direct parallel to what happened to Daniel and what may be happening to you.

“Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Here are seven keys to getting your prayers answered.

1.      Fear Not