This morning I was re-reading Luke 1:34,35, 37,38 and God stirred me to share this Word with you.

“And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”

Mary is praising God. . .giving Him all glory and honor for the great things He has done for her.

Why did God do great things for Mary?

Because she was obedient. . . when it wasn’t convenient.

Because she agreed to do something. . . when her actions would be misunderstood and slandered.

Because she stepped out in faith . . . when it was dangerous and seemed impossible.

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Are you breathing a sigh of relief that 2024 is almost in the record books?

Has it been just an okay year. . .and you’re ready for something new?

Are you ready to leave the pains and hurts of 2024 in the rear-view mirror?

Are you ready to move to a spiritual place you’ve never been before?

Do you remember driving to a place you’ve never been before . . .found yourself not knowing if you were heading in the right direction but you still continued on?

I think this is particularly true of most men. . .there is a hesitancy to stop and ask for directions. . .until it’s clearly obvious that you’re headed in the wrong direction.

There is an amazing parallel in life where some people know they’re headed in the wrong direction but they keep hesitating to make the decision to turn things around.

Jeremiah 8:4 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“[The People Took the Wrong Road ] The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back.”

The lifestyle turnaround begins with asking for forgiveness for our sins and returning to God.

As we get ready to close out 2024, we need to get back to basics.  Most Christians know the basics but from time to time we need to be reminded of certain biblical principles.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:1 admonishes us:

"It's no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track."

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! You are a child of the most high God and you are declaring His Word.  

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:

If you want to be successful in whatever business venture you’re in . . .you need revelatory insight into marketing trends and consumer demand.

Hunches don’t work.  In fact, they’ll get you into financial difficulty quicker than you can say “Yippee Ki O Ki-Yay.”

No matter what your position … you are God’s spiritual entrepreneur for His Kingdom here on planet earth. And that means you need an entrepreneurial coach. . .one who knows the ins and outs of the marketplace and workplace. 

One who is not only creative. . .but stirs in you a determined ability to finish what you start.

Truth be told. . .you and I have such a Coach. . .available 24/7 and He’s always gives us the best insight.

He can also lead you to the other connections you need within your industry as you pay attention to His leading.

I was talking with my Entrepreneurial Coach when He revealed to me. . .a seven fold prayer for every Spiritual Entrepreneur’s financial deliverance for 2024.

1.         A prayer of revelation

How do you get revelation?  You ask for it.

Your prayer for entrepreneurial revelation should consist of seven keys. This is not just true for success on the job but in everything that is holding you back.

First, you have to ask.

For most of my life I was taught that talents were gifts of abilities and not financial gifts.  That’s not the case… talents as discussed in Matthew 25 is clearly defined as money.

If you have any doubt about the accuracy of what I’m saying… consider Matthew 25:16 in the New English Translation Bible:

“The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more.”

Next, take a look at Matthew 25:18-19 also in the New English Translation Bible which says:

“But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money in it.”

I realize some people might say, “Well, yes but you’re just quoting those new fangled translations.  What does the King James Version say?”

Glad you asked.

Matthew 25:18 in the King James Version says:

“But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.”

He hid his Lord’s what. . .oh, yes. . .MONEY.

Are you facing any giants today?

How do your giant(s) compare with Goliath?

1 Samuel 17:4 says:

“And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”

Based on the King James Version of the Bible six cubits and a span would make Goliath over nine feet tall. However, if you believe the Jewish historian Josephus was four cubits and a span or roughly six feet six inches tall.

When you consider the average height of a man in Biblical times was five feet three inches. . Goliath was a tall dude, regardless of who you believe.

By the way, I find it interesting to read Josephus. . .but I’ll take the Bible as my absolute source. . .every time.

1 Samuel 17:5 says:

It was an early morning when the Lord began this rapid-fire succession of the seven worst things a person can do. 

I try to be a positive person, but the truth of the matter is this… there are some things we just don’t need to do!

I knew in due season He would help me put meat on these bones to pass along to His people and here it is.

# 1       Not believing

There is an old saying. . .if you don’t believe in something you’ll fall for anything.

More properly said, if you don’t believe in the Word of God then you’ll more likely fall for the tricks, traps, lies, deceptions and wiles the enemy throws your way.

The word believe is found in 131 verses in the King James Bible.  However, I feel led to share with you seven things you must believe.

First, You must believe He is a miracle working savior.

Matthew 9:28 says:

“And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.”

Second, He wants you and your family saved.

Acts 16:31 says:

For sports fans this is an exciting time of year.

The World Series has me praying a lot more than usual and you who know me can guess why.   The National Football season, college and the National Basketball games are  underway. . .and each time hoping for a championship trophy.

It is not easy to become a champion. . .it takes determination. . .practice. . .exercise. . .disciple and, yes. . .commitment to never give up, give in, back up, back down, sit down, quit or walk away until victory is achieved.

God has given each of us the heart of a champion far beyond the field of athletic endeavor.

Much like an earthly father who wants his children to be champions in whatever they undertake. . .our Heavenly Father desires for you and I. . .His children to win in the game of life.

We always refer to Jesus as a conqueror. . .one who conquered death, hell and the grave. . .yet we never call him a champion.

Throughout history, conquerors are those who went to war where there was the spilling of blood.

That’s why Jesus was and is a conqueror. . .He spilled blood. . .overcame demonic opposition to become a champion for our salvation.

In order for us to be conquerors. . .we must first champions in the areas of our lives where we’ve been given a vision, a goal, a dream or a calling.

We must prevail. . .as champions over the areas where we’ve been given stewardship.

There are seven characteristics of a champion.

Have you ever said. . .I just wasn’t in the right place at the right time?

Perhaps you said. . .my timing always seems to be wrong. . .I can’t catch a break.

Well, things didn’t work out the way we wanted. . .we were hoping for a different result.

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA, once said:

“Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”

How can you make the best out of the way things turn out?

It’s simple really. . .by positioning yourself for the desired result.  Here are seven keys to help you do just that.

1) Look at Every Day As A Potential Day for Miracles.

We serve a right now God. . .wanting to manifesting His power TODAY.

Yes, we should stir our faith and the faith of others by the recounting of our Lord's miracles.  But, we must be expecting miracles "in the moment"...this moment. . .our defining moment.

Acts 5:12 in the New King James Version says:

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. . .”

I encourage you to write down the areas of your life where you need miracle manifestation.

Have you ever wondered how to get a fresh start?

Over the years. . .we’ve heard that expression so many times.

“Brother Harold and Sister Bev, I just want a fresh start.  How can I make that happen?”

Truthfully, you can have a fresh start. . .with God’s help. . .and guess what. . .He’s ready to help you. . .get going.

1 Corinthians 1:26 MSG

“. . .Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. . .”

Romans 8:11 MSG

“When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”

Why does God want you to have a fresh start?

Exodus 9:16 in the New Living Translation says: