Someone once said, "What you think about your bring about."

Proverbs 23:7 says:

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Successful People Think Differently. Some people think about what they’ll get when they become successful. They fantasize about the cars, electronic toys, trips and even the house they’ll live in.

Nothing wrong with dreaming. . .or seeing yourself vacationing in exotic locations.

However, if you want to be successful. . .here are 7 things you should be thinking about FIRST.

1.         Wisdom

If you want to be successful you need an insatiable hunger for wisdom.

Who are you giving gifts to this Christmas?

Who will benefit from your generosity?

Have you made your list . . . checked it twice . . . to find out who has been naughty or nice?

Does your list include. . .your spouse , children, grandchildren, parents, brothers, sisters, pastor, school teachers, co-workers, best friends or neighbors?

Did you remember everybody on the list? Are you sure? Did you remember everybody on God's list? Yes, He has a list.

James 1:27 says:

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.”

Our greatest joy this Christmas is having most of our family with us. . .including our two youngest Grand Sugars, Sophia Lee and Symphony Joy PreJean.  That makes for a very happy Mimi and Papi.

During this season. . .we want to share with you seven things better than the new drones, a talking hamster, VR (Virtual Reality Glasses and all sorts of other iToys produced by competing companies.

Here’s my list of the Seven Things Better Than Any iToy.

We challenge you to dream, think and act bigger than you’ve ever done before.

We challenge you to allow the mind of Christ to function, fully and freely in you.

We challenge you to . . . lead and inspire others…no matter who they are.

We challenge you to build character instead of being one.

We challenge you to give, share and bless others.

We challenge you to encourage someone. . .every day.

We challenge you to be the kind of person who will one day hear “well done, my good and faithful servant.

The Word of God is promising you a richer life and more exciting future if you accept these seven challenges.

When it comes to doing something you’ve never done. . .there are seven challenges we’d like to focus on.

Have you ever said or heard someone say, “I’m just waiting for the right opportunity.”

Before you can ever really have an opportunity you must know where it comes from.

2 Corinthians 2:12 in The Living Bible says:

“Well, when I got as far as the city of Troas, the Lord gave me tremendous opportunities to preach the Gospel.”

God wants us to use all the little opportunities we have. . .RIGHT NOW.

1 Corinthians 7:31 in The Living Bible says:

“Those in frequent contact with the exciting things the world offers should make good use of their opportunities without stopping to enjoy them; for the world in its present form will soon be gone.”

Have you thought about why God gives you opportunities?