Over the years, I have. . .sadly. . .had a large number of people talk to me. . .with tears in their eyes. . .about how they lost everything they owned because of bad advice from well-meaning friends and or family members..

Couples who got in on the ground floor of a ‘can’t miss’. . .explosive money-making opportunity. . .at the urging of a family member or friend. . .

only to watch the company go belly up. . .and their money disappear faster than an ice cube in hot tea on a summer’s day.

Dreamers who were robbed of their dreams by the advice of someone whose biggest decision is whether to have next Saturday’s breakfast at iHop or Cracker Barrel. 

Listening to the wrong people. . .give unwise advice.

I could go on. . .with other sad stories I’ve heard. . .but let’s move on with seven reasons not to take their word for it.

First, when I say don’t take their word for it. . .let me clarify who ‘they’ are.

“They” would be any person who doesn’t believe the promises of God are true and available to every person on planet earth.

Have you ever had someone say. . . “I’ve been thinking about you?”

While we assume those thoughts are good. . .we have no idea what they’re thinking or how long they thought about us.

On a spiritual level. . .God does bring people to our minds. . .people he wants us to pray for.

In this teaching, we want to talk about someone who thinks about YOU 24/7.

1 Peter 5:7 in The Living Bible says:

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”

He is “always thinking about you.”

Not only that but He is “watching everything that concerns you.”

Can somebody say “Hallelujah”?  You need to stop and really embrace that.

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 40:17 in The Living Bible which says:

“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now!”

The Lord led me to 1 Corinthians 15:20-22:

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

As I was meditating on this scripture. . .I felt the Lord leading me to write on this passage.   At first, I wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted me to write about.

Did He want me to write that Resurrection Sunday should be celebrated 52 weeks a year?

Did God want me to remind everyone that He is the greatest giver?  That He gave us His only begotten Son that we might have eternal life?

Did He want me to remind everyone that He allowed the birth, life, death, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus because “. . . He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.”  1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT

But then, at His urging, I looked up the words “. . .in Christ shall all be made alive” in the Strong’s Concordance.

What does it mean to be alive?  Is it just or only the opposite of being dead?

According to the Random House Dictionary the primary definition for alive is:

“having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless.”

As we are beginning 2026, we need to get back to basics.  Most Christians know it but from time to time we need to be reminded of certain biblical principles.

This most basic one is not forgetting to put the Word of God to work in your life …daily.

“What happens to so many Christians is they pray a scripture over a problem... then they leave it alone…eventually giving up when nothing happens.  I feel the Holy Spirit showed me how to continually put pressure on that scripture expecting it to perform as God said it would...

Get mad at the devil... and REFUSE to let him have his way...why should he win?  He likes to make you think "you're the one doing something wrong" but if you KNOW the Word works... you can literally force the enemy or circumstances to step aside!  He has to obey you!!

We were prompted to write seven ways to put the Word to work in your life on a daily basis.

1.         Quit doing what you’ve been doing if it’s not working.

Judges 6:1 in the New International Version says:

“Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.”

Again. . .the Israelites were doing the same thing over and over again.

Since God would forgive them. . .they would sin again.  God would forgive them again . . . and they would sin again.

Your problem may not be sinning. . .but you may be doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.  Are you trying to solve your problems…or are you asking God what you need from His Word that can deal with them?

The children of Israel were living in the land flowing with milk and honey. . .the Promised Land.  It’s the land God promised the children of Israel and the land Joshua led them into.  However, they were living in less than His best because they were not following His instructions.

Judges 6:2 in the New International Version says:

In a time of special prayer for our partners. . .God allowed us to see the intense spiritual battle faced by many His children.

Like others. . .you may have prayed for change. . .about birthing a new habit. . .turning lack into more than enough. . .and accomplishing your goals for 2026.

Suddenly. . .God directed my attention to Daniel 10:12-13 where He drew a direct parallel to what happened to Daniel and what may have happened 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.”

Let's talk about the seven keys to getting your prayers answered,  underlined in these two verses.

1.      Fear Not

In the King James Version of the Bible we’re told nine times that we should be “born again.”  So I think it’s fair to say that being born again is significant and obviously important to God.  After all, He paid the ultimate price by sending His only begotten Son that we should not perish but have everlasting and abundant life. . .by being born again.

Would it surprise you to know that in the King James Version of the Bible were told SIXTY-THREE times to “fear not?”

Let’s look at some of those verses.

1. Prioritize and decide how much you can (and should) actually spend on your shopping list for each person. 

Don't start 2026 with bills you can't pay when they come due at the end of the month.

If you've already spent too much...it's not too late to take it back or exchange it.  If you don't...you might wish you did...when January bills start rolling up.

2. Create an environment where Christmas presents are opened one at a time...savoring each moment.  You spent money to create memories...take time to enjoy them.

3. Write an email or note of appreciation to those who have been kind to you during the year or spoken meaningfully into your life.

4. Find a way to serve and help others. Take a gift of baked goodies to those who’ve lost loved ones in the past year or to those less fortunate.

Albert Schweitzer  said:  "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve."

5. Put some humor in your holidays. Laugh a lot!  Have the children put on a Christmas play.  Play family games.  Rent or stream a funny movie!  

6. Create family memories….take photos….record your parents and/or grandparents telling stories about their favorite Christmases or memories with their children.

7. Live a "Christmas life," not just Christmas day.  Make Christmas every day…after all….it should be…Jesus is the reason for the season.

Remember to keep His presence in your presents.

Would you like to have spiritual boldness?

Developing spiritual boldness is not an outside job. . .but rather. . .an inside work.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

2 Corinthians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.”

Confidence in God and His Word gives us a boldness to be about His business.

Acts 28:31 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Preaching to them the kingdom of God and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and quite openly, and without being molested or hindered.”

If you are alive, God has a divine assignment for you.

Dwight L. Moody once said:

You would be amazed at how many times I’ve heard someone say:

"If I could just meet the right people."

"I don't even know where to look for someone who knows how to help me."

"Maybe, I just need to give up."

I have a revelation for you. . .unless you step out of your comfort zone. . .you’re never going to meet the right person or find help.

Here are seven keys to developing a leadership team you can lead to victory.

1.         Expect to build strong friendships.

Everywhere you go. . .you need to expect to make new friends.

As we’ve taught for years. . .expectation always leads to manifestation.

Hebrews 13:2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

And by the way, don’t be a respecter of persons.  There’s an old saying that you can’t judge a book by its cover.  It’s true.

There is a great scripture, one of our favorites, that we are going get into because it can change your life FOREVER.

The scripture we’re referring to is John 10:10.

God definitely wants us producing fruit in our lives. . .manifesting the gifting and blessings of the Lord.

God wants us to greet each new day realizing that we have the opportunity to plant “seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing.”  God wants us to attempt great things for Him.

Without question, God wants us to understand that “the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. . .” (John 10:10)

However, I don’t feel that God wants us focusing on the first part of that verse. . .where the emphasis is on the attacks of the enemy.  God wants us to grab a hold of, manifest and make alive the last part of John 10:10.

“. . .I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“. . . My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

The last part of John 10:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

Let’s talk about 5 Ways to Walk Closer to God.

1. Understand what the will of the Lord is…

Ephesians 5:15-17 in the English Standard Version says:

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

The scripture warns us to be careful how we walk out our Christian life.  There are plenty of unwise people in the world. But we are able to walk in wisdom of His will if we choose to do so. 

There are three main keys that lead us to the will of the Lord.  

The first one is reading the Bible.  If we want to know how and what God thinks, we need to read His book.

Many people say they want to, but they don’t know where to start.  If you’re wondering where to start, start at the beginning.  If you think it’s too long, remember the old saying… the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Remember, life is not a sprint, it’s a life-long journey.

Reading through the Bible in a year is okay if you don’t feel rushed.