We’re joined tonight by partners and friends from around the world. . .who in faith are believing for 2017 to be their Year of Unlimited Miracles.

The immediate question that comes to mind is this. . .

Are things in your life better or different than they were 43 days ago when you joined us on January 1, 2017?

If not, why not?  Or more importantly are you willing to do something about it?

This is why we continued these monthly calls.  It is only with determination that some will receive a breakthrough in the desperate situations they are facing.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

If you want to know what we’ve been doing on your behalf since January 1^st. . .the answer is found in this verse.

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:

Do you feel like you’ve been going through bad stuff?

Are you convinced that you shouldn’t have to deal with the mess you’re dealing with?

What you’re facing at the moment may stink . . . but that doesn’t necessarily change the circumstances.

One of my favorite motivational stories was first told by President Ronald Reagan.

The story concerns twin boys around six.  Each of the boys had developed extreme personalities that worried their parents.  One was a total optimist . . .happy, giggling all the time. . .while the other twin was a total pessimist, crying and whining about everything.

The parents were so concerned about the difference personalities in the twins they took them to a psychiatrist.

First, the psychiatrist treated the pessimist. Trying to brighten his outlook, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with brand-new toys. But instead of yelping with delight, the little boy burst into tears. "What's the matter?" the psychiatrist asked, baffled by his response. "Don't you want to play with any of the toys?" "Yes," the little boy bawled, "but I'll only break them or somebody may come take them away."

Next, the psychiatrist treated the optimist. Trying to dampen his outlook, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with horse manure. But instead of wrinkling his nose in disgust, the optimist shouted with delight.  Then the little boy climbed to the top of the pile, dropped to his knees, and began gleefully digging out scoop after scoop of manure with his bare hands.

"What do you think you're doing?" the psychiatrist asked, just as baffled by the optimist as he had been by the pessimist. "With all this manure," the little boy replied, beaming, "there must be a pony in here somewhere!"

One of our favorite Broadway show tunes is “The Impossible Dream” from The Man of La Mancha.

The lyrics to “The Impossible Dream” are absolute genius.  I was inspired to listen once again to this amazing song.  The verses are powerful and here they are.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...

As a result of my heavenly stirring God showed me eight ways to make your impossible dreams, possible.  Let’s look at the lyrics. . .with a little different perspective.

1.       To dream ... the impossible dream ...of being debt free

You need to realize that being debt free is not an impossible dream for one simple reason.  With God. . .nothing is impossible.

Luke 1:37 in the Amplified Bible says:

“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.”

There is one thing that is impossible. . .it’s to please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].”

With God and your faith energized. . .there is nothing impossible to you. . . including being set free from the bondage of debt.

2.       To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...of payments and high interest rates.

The scriptures are replete with stories of people defeating their enemies despite overwhelming odds.

Goliath was pictured an as unbeatable foe. . .until David picked up a smooth stone from the brook.

One million Ethiopian soldiers seemed an unbeatable foe . . .until King Asa prayed and God gave his people a great victory (2 Chronicles 14:1-12).

Some of you are facing what you may feel to be overwhelming odds, but you need to know the battle is not yours, it’s the Lords (2 Chronicles 20:15).

When the bills keep piling up, the creditors keep calling or there just doesn’t seem to be enough money to cover all your bills…remember that you’re not in the battle alone. 

When you put your confidence in the Lord, claim His promises, confess His Word, and manifest the God kind of faith, then victory is at hand.

3.       To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...of never having enough.

First, let’s establish that with God. . .everything is bearable though it may not necessarily be desirable.

Second, sorrow is telling those you love. . .they can’t do what they’d love to do because there is no money to do it.

I remember in elementary school when someone from the county school board came by our school to determine our interests in playing musical instruments.  I fell in love with the saxophone but knew such an expensive item was not in our family budget. . .so I downplayed my interest to my parents.

The key to bearing the unbearable is found in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 in the Contemporary English Version which says:

“My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. “In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. But this made us stop trusting in ourselves and start trusting God, who raises the dead to life:”

The unbearable is made bearable when you stop trusting in yourself and begin trusting in God.

4.       To run ... where the brave dare not go ...saying no to seductive advertising.

First, let’s establish the facts.

Spending money you don’t have will not ease the pain of loneliness or rejection. It will not cause you to suddenly measure up or meet any other inward need.  Only trusting in God and His Word can bring the changes necessary for that kind of peace and well-being.

Second, if you have a problem or challenge not to spend money when you go window shopping or to the mall, then my advice to you is simple. . .STAY HOME.

You have to be careful of shopping at home too.  Make a definite commitment to immediately take those solicited or unsolicited catalogues from your mailbox and mark them return to sender-take me off your list. 

Those same tactics of luring you into debt have now moved into television and the internet.  Don’t use the shopping channels for entertainment and unsubscribe to email solicitations from merchandisers.

Don’t give any place to addictions.  Even addicts know they must never put themselves in a place of temptation.

Do you think it’s wise for an alcoholic to visit a bar?

Is it smart for a drug addict to stop by the homes of his old friends on drugs?

The scripture says AVOID temptation.

Jesus was continually warning His disciples about temptation.  Matthew 26:40 in the Message Bible says:

“When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." 

Third, if you must go to the shopping mall. . .focus what I call my shopping scripture.

Proverbs 4:25 in The Amplified Bible says:

“Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.”

Keep your eyes focused on your objective.  Do not window shop. . .do not walk toward the rooty-tooty, fresh and fruity blue light special sale.

Keep your eyes on your target . . . even after you arrive at your destination.  Do not stop at the 40% off display that’s on the walkway through the store.

The problem is if you stop to look at it, touch it, smell it and  try it on. . . you’re feeding the wrong thing inside of you . . . impulsive spending.

Matthew 6:13 says:

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

5.       To right ... the unrightable wrong ...of mishandling God’s money.

First, you must understand the money in your pocket, wallet, retirement or investment account is not your money.

I could give you dozens of scriptures but I’ll give you one.  Psalm 24:1 in the New Living Translation says:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.”

Second, if you’ve messed up. . .made mistakes in your stewardship of all that God has entrusted to you. . .then ask for forgiveness and start again.

Nehemiah 9:17 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“But, our God, you are merciful and quick to forgive; you are loving, kind, and very patient. So you never turned away from them.”

To receive forgiveness for your bad financial mistakes. . .just ask for His forgiveness.  The very good thing is that not only does He forgive. . .He forgets as well.

Everything belongs to God and we’re just stewards of all He has entrusted to us.

Third, don’t make the same mistakes again.  Before making a major purchase. . . ask God if it’s a part of His plan for your life and calling.

Never buy anything without asking Him first. . .that’s the best way to avoid handling His money in the wrong way.

6.       To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...never failing prey to the love of money.

1Timothy 6:10 is without question one of the most misquoted, misused and misunderstood verse of scripture in the Bible.  Here’s what the verse says:

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”                     

It’s not money that’s evil but the love of money that’s the root of all evil.

Here’s a fact. . .you don’t have to have money to love it.  Over the years, I’ve talked to dozens of people who were broke … but they definitely loved money.

Money itself is neutral. . .it’s neither good or bad.  Money is a magnifier. . .it will magnify the character of the person who has it or wants to have it.  Money will not change your character. . .it will merely reflect what’s has always been inside of you by what you spend it on. 

P.T. Barnum, of Barnum and Bailey Circus fame and one of the greatest promoters who ever lived, made two powerful statements in his life.

He said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

Barnum also said, “Money is an excellent servant but a terrible master.”

I think Barnum understood money.

Money itself is neither good nor evil.  It has the ability to do only what its owner wants it to do.  The owner is in charge.

Money simply manifests what is in its owner’s heart.

7.       To try ... when your arms are too weary ...no matter how seemingly hopeless.

To be hopeless you must be living with the absence of hope.

The purpose of sin is to separate us from the love God has for us . . . to make us feel all alone and hopeless in the situations of life.

But the very good news is that. . .Romans 8:32 in the New Living Translation says:

“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

If we can’t be separated from God’s love. . .and we can’t. . .there is always hope regardless of what we’ve gone through or are going through.

Zechariah 9:11 in the Message Bible:

“And you, because of my blood covenant with you, I'll release your prisoners from their hopeless cells. Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I'm declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over. . ." 

Can somebody shout Hallelujah?

One final thought. . .I’m always blessed by this quote from Anonymous (whoever he or she may be.)

“A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.”

8.       To reach ... the unreachable star ... of having more than enough.

Having more than enough is NOT an unreachable star because there are at least thirty verses in the scripture where God confirms His desire. . .His plan for us to have more than enough.

Here are a few of them. . .to encourage you in your most holy quest.

2 Corinthians 9:8 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.”

When you prove yourself faithful with what you’ve been given. . .you will have more than enough.

2 Corinthians 9:8 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.”

Even when times are tough all around you. . .God has promised you will have more than enough.

Psalm 37:19 in the New Living Translation says:

“They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.”

The unreachable becomes reachable when you make the effort to bring it to pass.

Proverbs 13:4 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough.”

Here is the chorus for “The Impossible Dream” with my spiritual application of its principles.

This is my quest, to follow that star ...of God’s promises.

When it comes to the promises of God. . .here are seven things you need to know.

First, God doesn’t lie.

Second, God doesn’t change his mind.

Third, God is no respecter of persons.

Fourth, God wouldn’t promise you something if “He didn’t think you could achieve it.”

Fifth, God is right by your side. . .fighting with you every step of the way.

Six, God takes pleasure in your prosperity.

Seven, God gave you the Holy Spirit to empower you.

No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... or my present situation.

We go through seasons in our lives. . .truthfully, at times we don’t understand why we’re facing so many problems.  We expect our deliverance to come one way. . .but it comes in a totally different manner.

Consider the seasons of the life of Moses.

For the first forty years of his life. . .Moses was somebody.  He lived in royalty.

For the next forty years of his life. . .Moses was a nobody. . .stuck on the backside of the desert tending somebody else’s sheep. . .and no doubt remembering what was and what might have been.

For the final forty years of his life. . .Moses was God’s body.  Our greatest usefulness in the Kingdom. . .the defining moment of our lives. . .will come quickly and often in a way in which we least expect it.

Your present situation is not and will never be hopeless. . .as long as our great God Jehovah sits on the throne.

To fight for the right, without question or pause ...To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... of manifesting His promises.

I can’t think of a better Heavenly cause then teaching God’s children how to manifest His precious promises in their lives and the lives of others.

He enables and empowers us to make the impossible dream. . .our quest. . .a reality.

Dictionary.com defines quest as:

“a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something.”

As I’ve meditated on God’s Financial Quest. . .it came to me that every quest should begin with questions.

Proverbs 2:2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it].”

I find it interesting and not the least coincidental the word quest forms the majority of the word question.  We gain knowledge by listening and asking the right questions.

1 Corinthians 14:1 in the Amplified Bible say

“EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).”

Child of God, you’re on a noble quest. . .with God’s instructions and assistance your impossible dream. . .just became possible.

To help you on your journey to fulfill what previously seemed impossible. . . we  encourage you to Create a Personalized Confession on how to make the impossible….possible…using the Word of God.

“Heavenly Father, I thank You that whatever I ask in prayer…and believe that I receive…it will be granted to me according to Mark 11:23-24.  I rejoice that you are empowering me to overcome every attack of the enemy and that you infuse me with inner strength causing me to be self-sufficient in your sufficiency according to Philippians 4:13.

“Father, your Word says that if I believe on you and I do. . .that I shall do the greater works.  I rejoice that all things are possible to those who believe and I believe according to John 14:12.

“Lord, I’m ready to shout because nothing is impossible to me and that no word from you is impossible of fulfillment according to Luke 1:37.

“And, I call all this done in the strong name of Jesus.  Amen.”

Let your journey begin.

Have you watched a television series where the star of the show is always in eminent peril?

No matter how real the scene feels you already know for sure that the creator and writers of the television show will never kill off the hero … or the star who plays the hero.

Just like the movies. . .God wants you to be a star that will never be defeated by the enemy.  In fact, not only never lose. . .but win every single time.

Now, we didn’t say it would always look like you’re winning … or you’d always feel like you’re winning.  But after reading the following scriptures … you can know the devil doesn’t stand a chance against the power that is working on your behalf.  And yes, we have a part to play but He shows us how.

This teaching will enlighten, enrich and empower you to great victories . . . every day.

First John 5:4 in the King James Bbible says:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Here are three scriptures which should strengthen and energize your faith against every attack of the enemy.

First, 2 Corinthians 4:8 in the Classic Amplified Bible says: