When I ask believers on daily conference calls or our live streaming broadcasts to determine the #1 hindrance that’s been holding them back from doing what God and they want to accomplish in the remainder of 2020 the answer is almost always the same.

It’s procrastination. . .the inability to make a decision or get started. After considering this problem in prayer. . .we were led to talk about this major basic hindrance on tonight’s broadcast.

God reminded us of Job 22:28 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

“You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways.”

When a king made a decree. . .it carried the force of the law with it.  It was always a written document. . .specific in nature. .  bearing his signature. And obeyed without question.

As we read your correspondence. . .it was easy to see. . .there were some who believed without a shadow of a doubt that they would accomplish their goals in 2020.  There were some who wanted to move forward but they were being hindered by fear of COVID19 or a lack of confidence. 

During the 2,801 calls we shared together during the past 7 years and eight months on Rich Thoughts for Breakfast, I’ve written forty-nine teachings just on faith. I’ve also mentioned faith on over 2,000 of the daily calls.

You would think I’ve said what should be said or taught about faith. . .but that’s not the case.

Here are seven things faith makes possible.

First, Faith Positions Us to Receive Forgiveness.

Romans 3:25 in the Amplified Bible says:

“For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). [The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification.].”

As the scripture says we are saved by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 in the Amplified Bible says:

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 even thought about us.

There is a pick-up line that single men sometimes use on single women.  It goes like this.

“Girl, I’m so tired. . .because you’ve been running through my mind all day.”

By the way ladies, if a man ever uses that line on you. . .be flattered but quickly ask him. . .if he has a job. . .does he have a five-year plan for the future. . .if he doesn’t answer “yes” to both those questions. . .leave him in the rearview mirror of your life.

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

In this teaching, I want to talk about someone who thinks about you 24/7.

We have some wonderful people in our lives who love to give us meals. They have blessed us so much that at one point I wanted to give them some money for all the great meals that we’ve received at their hand.

To which the wife replied, “Don’t steal our blessings.”

Here are seven things that blessing thieves need to know.

1.         Learn to receive.

John 1:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for receive is H2943 and it means:

“to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it; to take what is one's own, to take to one's self, to make one's own; to receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back”

Salvation is a gift. . .but we must receive it.

Healing is a gift. . .but we must receive it.

God’s promises are a gift. . .but we must receive them.

Holy Ghost power is a gift. . .but we must receive it.

Are you expecting a promise from God to be fulfilled? Are you trusting God for a financial breakthrough? Are you facing seemingly insurmountable odds?

If so, you must make sure your faith is strong and unmovable. You must persevere and believe as Abraham and Sarah did and stand firm until your victory appears.

Write this down. . .

“I WILL STAND FIRM UNTIL MY VICTORY APPEARS.”

Confess this sentence throughout the day until it becomes engrafted in you.

Romans 4:17-22 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

17 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.

Early this morning as I started my prayer and meditation time. . .I was reminded of a time when someone made me an offer that would make most envious of what they would perceive to be the ultimate opportunity.

As Don Corlene, the Godfather would say, it’s the kind of offer you seemingly can’t refuse. . .but there are two things I know for sure.

Never make a major decision without first asking the Lord and if married, your spouse.

My fine wife and I agreed that we would commit the offer to prayer as we sought the Lord’s direction.

So with that background info, we asked the Lord. . .if this would be the right thing for us, this ministry and the generous person who extended the offer. As I was talking with the Lord about this matter, something quickened in my spirit that got my attention.

The proper question is not whether or not the offer, if accepted, would be of benefit to the ministry or the person extending the offer; the Lord reminded me that the proper question should be. . .if we accept this offer will it advance the Kingdom of God?

There is only one person who can take the limits off your future. . .it’s you.

I’m going to share a confession with you. . .from my book Borders Without Limitations.  I encourage you to print out this confession, read it and sign your name as a commitment to live a life without limitations.

“Father God, I realize now that I have lived a life that has limited me from the blessings you designed and destined for my life… but NO MORE.

“In Jesus Name, I decree and declare that I will no longer be bound by limitations I have previously experienced in this world. I give full permission for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of my heart and let it be flooded with the ability to walk out every precious promise in the Word of God.

“I want to see more, believe more and allow your grace to take me to heights I’ve never known before. I thank you for the Word …because I know it works. Thank you for working it out in me for your glory and honor.”

Have you ever misplaced something you not only wanted to find . . . but you had to find.

Perhaps, it was your car or house keys. . .an important document for work or some back-up files for your taxes.

After some time passed and more mental anguish than you care to admit … you finally found the misplaced items.

A precious, close friend of ours, Pastor Malc Burton, sometime back sent me the following text.

“Good morning, Pastor. Read Psalm 62:5 when you get a moment. God stirred me this morning about misplaced expectation and misplaced trust. Love you.”

Pastor Malc is full of revelatory insight. He has ghost written over 100 books for many well-known Christian leaders. . .names you would immediately recognize.

As I read Pastor Malc’s text I was stirred as well. Even before reading his scripture. . .I felt impressed to write things never to misplace.

1.     Misplaced expectation.

Have you ever been late to an appointment or perhaps you overlooked one altogether?

I know people who have lost their jobs. . .or didn’t get a new job because they were late on an appointment.

When you’re going to meet your children or grandchildren’s teacher for the first time. . .that’s not a good time to be late for an appointment.

Of every appointment you’ve ever had. . .there is one appointment you are not going to want to miss.

God scheduled this appointment for you before you were ever born. It’s a part of your destiny. . .His purpose and plans for your life.

Let’s talk about two scriptures in Jeremiah.

Let’s establish an immutable fact. . .I am not a gloom and doom kind of guy.

If you want somebody who’s going to tell you the world is going to hell in a hand basket . . .you’ve got the wrong preacher. . .in fact, the wrong couple.

If you want someone who’s trying to connect all the dots and dates from Daniel and Revelation to prove it’s the end of days. . .you’ve got the wrong man.

Personally, I haven’t spent one minute in the past twenty years wondering or worrying about who the anti-Christ is.

Nor have I spent time fretting over the coronavirus because all that is covered in Psalm 91 which we are about to discuss as well as several other verses in God’s Word.

Are their injustices that need to be corrected. . .of course. . .absolutely. We don’t live in a perfect country. . .for that fact, we live in a far from perfect world. . .but, if this country is so bad. . .why do so many people from other nations want to come here, even if they have to do it. . .illegally.

So in the midst of the turmoil, controversy and dare I say, hatred, we have an amazing amount of surpassing promises we can count on from our God.

And if you don’t get anything else from this teaching tonight, you need to settle it in your mind, spirit and emotions …that at no point in time … EVER … has God started wringing His hands in heaven saying “Wow, I didn’t know this was going to happen.” NEVER HAS HAPPENED –NEVER WILL.

But truthfully, I was a bit surprised when God directed me to write “7 Ways To Avoid Fear In Uncertain Times.”