Hebrews 12:12-13 in the Message Bible says:

“So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!”

I started wondering why people sit on their hands and drag their feet….and realized it happens when people make excuses.

Believe me, I’ve heard hundreds, maybe thousands of excuses … and some that would make you laugh if you didn’t know the person speaking the words was serious.

I believe if I set my mind to it…I could come up with some of the greatest excuses in the world.

But the real question is what does the greatest book ever written have to say about excuses.

Proverbs 24:11 in the Message Bible says:

“Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 says:

“Don't you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? "If you don't work, you don't eat." And now we're getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don't slack off in doing your duty.”

As I was preparing for today’s teaching….the following sentence stirred in me.

“God wants us to dream bigger…speak boldly…think creatively…associate higher…do more…never give up . . . and start today.”

I thought. . .that would be a great Facebook post and Tweet for (X). . .but the Lord clearly impressed upon me an urgency in writing it as a teaching for Rich Thoughts.

Truthfully, my first thought was “Lord, I’ve already got something and I could use a nap.”

Fortunately, I never spoke those words and I repented for even thinking them.

Here’s what I know. . .this teaching is especially for some of God’s choice chosen vessels. . .like you.

# 1    Dream Bigger.

In my mind I was seeking to find some fresh revelation on dreams but then I realized the vast majority of us. . .don’t perceive and/or receive the truth God wants us to get. . .with just one or two exposures.

You’ll never succeed in achieving your wildest dreams. . .unless you have some wild dreams.

As I was reading Isaiah 55:11 my spirit was stirred to write “Seven Things For Seven Days.”

“So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

You can’t send forth what you don’t know.

Your mouth can’t send forth what you heart doesn’t understand.

Let’s look at the verse in greater detail.

# 1       “So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth. . .”

It’s the Word that goes forth. . .not in a written form. . .but spoken.

And these are not just any words. . .they’re the words of God from the Word of God.

It’s not enough to know the Word. . .you must speak the Word.

The Message Bible translation of Isaiah 55:11 begins with this sentence.

“So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.”

Who do you want to please. . .your spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, best friend, neighbors, pastor, employer or most anybody you meet?

Truthfully, there is only one person that you ever need to worry about pleasing. . .because if He’s happy and well pleased, you can find contentment in life.

We read in scripture about being well-pleasing to God. What does that really mean. . .

Well-pleasing is the Greek Word Strong's G2101 – euarestos . . . yü-ä'-re-stos

G2101 come from the Greek word eu (yu) (G2095) which means to be “well-off, fare well, prosper.”

That same Greek word is used in Matthew 25:21 which says:

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

And the remainder comes from the Strong's G701 – arestos which means pleasing, agreeable.

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29

If you’re around Christians at all. . .you’re going to hear them tell you how blessed they are.

And please understand, there’s nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it’s a great thing to say. . .because we are blessed.

Deuteronomy 28:3-6 in the New Living Translation says:

“Your towns and your fields will be blessed.  Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.”

We’re blessed because the Word of God says we’re blessed and no circumstances or no one can change that.

There are no asterisk at the bottom of the page under these verses from Deuteronomy 28:3-6.

As you focus on this passage you realize the words are not conditional or exclusionary.  Meaning they apply selectively in their application to believers.

There is only one key to the application of these verses and it’s found in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

Wow…I was looking at Ephesians 6:13-18 which describes our spiritual armor when God showed me an amazing revelation in the Message Bible translation.

"Be prepared.  You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. (1) Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. (2) Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words.  Learn how to apply them.  You'll need them throughout your life. (3) God's Word is an indispensable weapon. (4) In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.  Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters. (5)  Keep your eyes open. (6)  Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.(7)"

From this powerful scriptural passage God showed me seven facts you should know about your spiritual armor.

1.      Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

The World English Dictionary defines preparation as:

“the act or process of preparing and the state of being prepared; readiness”

Preparation is a mental decision because it becomes a practical reality.

Before any well-trained soldier goes into battle. . .he/she will inspect their equipment to make sure they’re fully prepared to face and defeat every attack of the enemy.

In preparation for spiritual warfare. . .the most important you can do. . .is to sanctify yourself for battle.

On August 30, 2017 while riding in the car with her Mom, Abby. . .Sophia Lee PreJean, our most precious Grand Sugar, was recorded saying. . .

“I am wise

I am kind

I am gracious

I am strong

I am loving”

Then with an Academy Award winning smile. . .Sophia would say it again.

Needless to say my fine wife, Bev, and I watched that video over and over.

Not only was the video cute. . .but it was instilling in Sophia. . .a set of beliefs that will serve her well all the days of her life.

With a grandfatherly pride. . .I showed that video to many of my friends but didn’t think about teaching it until now.

Motives are what makes us do what we do.

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 or act in a certain way.”

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

Motivation unfortunately is not a class you take in school.

Motivation can’t be inherited.  It’s not hereditary. 

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

It’s also important to point out that motivation can be good or ungodly.

Here are examples of seven Biblical characters and what motivated them to accomplish their God-given goals.

It’s important to understand that when God gives us a vision, a goal or a prophetic Word, it is then up to us to see it through.

The vision, goal or Word is the reward but it is up to us to follow the process to the end result.

Wow…I was looking at Ephesians 6:13-18 which describes our spiritual armor when God showed me an amazing parallel in the Message Bible translation.

"Be prepared.  You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. (1) Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. (2) Truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words.  Learn how to apply them.  You'll need them throughout your life. (3) God's Word is an indispensable weapon. (4) In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.  Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters. (5)  Keep your eyes open. (6)  Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.(7)"

From this powerful scriptural passage God showed me seven facts you should know about your spiritual armour.

1.      Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

The World English Dictionary defines preparation as:

“the act or process of preparing and the state of being prepared; readiness”

Preparation is a mental decision because it becomes a practical reality.

Before any well-trained soldier goes into battle. . .he/she will inspect their equipment to make sure they’re fully prepared to face and defeat every attack of the enemy.

In preparation for spiritual warfare. . .the most important you can do. . .is to sanctify yourself for battle.

Have you ever had something come through at just the right time to meet a specific need?

I know we have. . .

I remember once when our bookkeeper made a mistake which resulted in our owing $14,000 in taxes. . .which we discovered a few days before it had to be paid.  And frankly, not sure how many people have that kind of money just lying around!  

We prayed. . .and moved ahead believing God would provide.

I was speaking that next Sunday at a church in southern California. . .it was an incredible service but...

Can you imagine my surprise when the Pastor handed me a check for $16,000 for preaching a one-hour Sunday morning service?

I discovered later that a man in the church had given $10,000 in the offering in appreciation for advice I had given him a year or so before.  He later told me the advice made him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This offering was an answer to prayer and it came through at just the right time in a totally unexpected way.

I also remember the days when someone gave us $20 which was exactly what we needed to finish paying a bill.

Whether the amount is small or large. . .we serve an on-time God who will comes through at just the right time.  But don’t be discouraged if His timing is not your timing. Just stay in Faith!

If you feel something is holding you back, here are a few hinderances that may need changing: