For most of my life I was taught that talents were gifts of abilities and had nothing to do with financial gifts.

Sometimes people can teach things that are sincere but sincerely wrong. The word translated as 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:

There is a powerful passage of scripture in Ephesians 6:13-18 which reveals how you’re equipped to win every battle. . .the enemy wages against you.

A real understanding of spiritual armor will reveal how you can win every battle and not just one here and there.

Ephesians 6:13-18 in the Message Bible opens the door to winning every battle you face. It says:

"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 in order to defeat the enemy in every attack he launches against you.

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.

I suppose the first time I ever heard the word heathen other than church was when Aunt Esther on the hit television show Sanford and Son called Fred Sanford one. It seems I even remember her calling Fred a “heathen reprobate.”

In the scripture, the Greek word for heathen appears in the scriptures 164 times in 152 verses. . .and in 157 of those occasions the word appears as gentiles or nations.

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for heathen means:

“a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together; a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus.”

According to the Random House Dictionary the word heathen means:

“an unconverted individual of a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible; a pagan; an irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized person.”

The word irreligious is defined by dictionary.com as:

“showing indifference or hostility to religion.”

Showing indifference to the Word of God. . .could also be interpreted as not caring to obey His instructions.

I have a dear friend. . .a brilliant man. . .who is, in fact, a member of the Mensa Society, with an IQ of over 120.

In the midst of any conversation. . .whether about politics, people or ideas. . .he is prone to say. . . “Let’s get this conversation back where it belongs. . .on me.”

For my friend, the statement is just a way of having fun. . .or re-directing the conversation but it doesn’t have to be on him. . .he isn’t self-centered in the least.

However, we do live in a “me” society.

“What’s in it for me?”

“What difference does this matter to me?”

“How will this benefit me?”

Success is an attitude.  Success is a habit.  Success is a lifestyle.  Success is easily available to anyone who wants it...believes they can have it...works for it...never gives up and always... trusts God...through thick and thin.

Remember, faith is personified by being faithful.

Success happens inside you before it ever happens around you.  There is a defining moment when you decide to take control of your own life and embrace the success God wants you to achieve.

Age, education, money, background and childhood experiences do not matter in the face of these principles.

Joshua spent twenty years preparing for his divine destiny…his success as a leader for the Children of Israel. In the life and book of Joshua there are ten success secrets that Joshua found were critical to his future and they are critical to your future too.

1^st Step—See your goal

One of my favorite signs says:

“Good morning! I’ll be handling all your problems today. So relax and enjoy your day. Love, God. P.S. I love you.”

Someone once said:

“Do not face the day, until you have faced God in prayer.”

When you woke up this morning. . .did you expect this to be your best day ever?

What is your expectation for the day? Is it different than yesterday or the day before?

Do you have any expectation for today or are you just glad that you made it through another night?

Do you expect to feel better today than you did yesterday? And, more importantly, did you expect to feel better today?

Do you expect God to move in the lives of your loved ones?

Do you see it as a day filled with previously unknown opportunities where you can tap into previously unused potential?

Would it surprise you to know that there is a difference between winning and being a winner?

You can win a contest. . .the lottery. . .an athletic event. . .a prize. . .but still not be a winner.

Winning is an occurrence. It’s something that happens today, this week, this year and then it’s gone.

In fact, if you study the history of people who won the lottery. . .you will discover few people were actually big winners in life. . .regardless of the mega millions they won by having a winning ticket.

Being a winner is a state of mind. . .regardless of what happens or the outcome of any particular contest or endeavor.

A winner is someone who recognizes they’re fighting for something noble. . . someone who refuses to quit. . . and who will never give up until they win or accomplish their goal or calling.

You and I were created to be winners in the game of life. Yet, we face an adversary who is dedicated to our defeat. However, God instructs us to fight the good fight of faith. . .because we’re more than conquerors. . .who can overcome every attack of the enemy.

As I was pondering this. . .I went to www.biblegateway.com and looked up “good fight” and the first reference that pulled up was 1 Timothy 1:18 in the New International Version of the Bible:

“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight.”

The word good is the Greek word kalos (G2570) which means:

Many people today are freaking out because of what’s happening around them and in the world.

The impeachment of President Donald Trump is both a media and political circus but not the good kind.

Adolf Hitler once said: “If you tell a lie often enough people will believe it.”

When asked how to tell if a politician is lying. . .the author and humorist Mark Twain said:

“If their lips are moving. . .they’re probably lying.”

Anyhow the impeachment proceedings are causing way too many people, on both sides of the issue. . .to freak out.

People are also freaking about the possibility of a worldwide pandemonium caused by a virus coming out of China

Are things in your life better or different than they on January 1, 2020?

If not, why not or more importantly. . .are you willing to do something about it?

2 Thessalonians 1:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

If you want to know what we’ve been doing on your behalf since January 1^st. . .the answer is found in this verse.

First, we’ve been praying for you.

Second, we’ve been asking God to help you live a life worthy of His call.

Third, we’ve asked Him daily to allow you to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit.

Fourth, we’ve prayed this way so you can do all your faith prompts you to do.