As I was writing this teaching. . .I had just prayed over more prayer requests than I can count. People facing unknown transitions and difficult choices.

Are you going through a transition?

Does it seem that you're facing difficult problems without seeing an answer in sight?

If so, this teaching is for you.

David was in a time of transition. . .He had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be King of Israel.

However, David was far from the throne. He was living as an outcast on the run from the current King, Saul, and dwelling among his enemies the Philistines.

On top of all of it, David’s spiritual guide and mentor, the Prophet Samuel, had just died.

1 Samuel 25:1 says:

Let’s establish a couple of facts.

First, no matter how anemic your bank account may be. . .you’re not broke.

Second, even though your money may run out before the month does. . .you’re not broke.

Before going any further. . .let’s define the word broke which according to dictionary.com it means:

“without money, penniless.”

I hear from people who have a six-figure income who talk about how broke they are.

And by the same token, I hear from people receiving government assistance talking about how broke they are.

In our effort to figure out why some people are or feel like they are broke. . .let me ask you several questions.

Are you spending more money than what you’ve got?

According to dictionary.com the word motive means:

“something that causes a person to act in a certain way; do a certain thing; an inner drive, impulse or intention that causes a person to do something.”

Motives are what make us do what we do.

Motivation to a Christian is like gas in the tank of your car. It gives you what’s desired or necessary to be a success in life.

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited because it’s not hereditary. It can’t be passed from parent to child automatically.

Motivation is not necessarily circumstantial or environmental. . .it’s an inner working.

Circumstances can happen that may motivate a person and certainly a good role model in a person’s environment may motivate them to do well… but it still must be transmitted like a light bulb that turns on in a person’s mental hard drive.

Sometime last year, the Lord stirred me about the institution of marriage. Since Harold and I just celebrated our 47^th year of marriage … I thought this might be a good time to share.

Now understand this, I’m not sharing because I think we have a perfect marriage because there is no such thing as a perfect marriage.

As a matter of fact, Harold and I have often been asked to write a book on marriage. But, the longer I live the less I think that I know on the subject.

What works for one couple may not work for another.

That doesn’t mean there are not obvious foundational aspects that all marriages need like love and respect. But those are obvious.

However, there are probably just as many myths about marriage as there are foundations … so I decided to address some of those instead.

Myth 1 You will just naturally get along if you are meant to be together

Even if you know God put you together with your spouse…marriage is and always will be an ongoing effort.

Saying all that … there are certain things that can help a marriage last.

Many years ago, I came across the 10 Commandments of Success written by Charles M. Schwab, the steel magnet of the late nineteenth and early 20^th Century.

A few days ago, I came across a Rich Thoughts For Breakfast teaching I did about Schwab and his ten commandments for success.

As I read over what I had previously written. . .I was given a clear word from the Lord to expand this teaching and share it on SUNDAY NITE LIVE and in our Rich Thoughts Email.

What you’re about to see is the 10 Commandments of Success greatly expanded with fresh Holy Spirit revelation.

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 morning call, we taught from Revelation 2:19 in the Message Bible. The Lord used that scripture to show me seven keys of getting better in our spiritual walk every day.

Now, He directed me to put some meat on the bones of the seven points and share it with our world-wide Internet audience on Sunday Night LIVE.

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:

Do you want to be an effective Christian here on planet earth? Of course, you do.

So what’s the key?

Handing out tracts in the workplace or leaving them wedged in the mirrors of public restrooms. Maybe.

How about telling people how Jesus has changed your life? That’s on the right track for sure.

What about when you laugh and sing praises to our Lord?

Can that be an effective witness for the Lord?

Yes, according to Psalm 126:2 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

“Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.”

Some people say. . .Brother Harold, things are so stressful that I can’t be filled with laughter. There’s nothing to laugh about.

First, God did not call you to be stressed. I Peter 5:7 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Casting the whole off your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about your watchfully.”

I was talking with a man recently who said:

“People are getting laid off.”                             People can’t find jobs.”

People are taking pay reductions.”                 People can’t pay their bills.

People are slashing their budgets.”                   Home values are dropping

Investments have gone up in smoke.

He looked at me…smiled and said….that’s just what’s happening in my family.

I had another man ask me what was my best investment advice for right now….

I said buy stock in companies that sell antacids and ulcer medication.  

I was just kidding of course.

There is movement to bring businesses back to make American lives better but as is in everything, sometimes it will get worse before it can get better.