This is the time of year for Christmas lists…from the youngest family member to the oldest.

As our family members grew in age. . .so do the price of their toys.

Roy L. Smith, a renowned Methodist writer of Sunday School literature, once said:

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”

Our greatest joy this Christmas is having most of our family with us. . .including our two youngest Grand Sugars, Sophia Lee and Symphony Joy PreJean.  That makes for a very happy Mimi and Papi.

During this season. . .we want to share with you seven things better than the new drones, a talking hamster, VR (Virtual Reality Glasses and all sorts of other iToys produced by competing companies.

Here’s my list of the Seven Things Better Than Any iToy.

We challenge you to dream, think and act bigger than you’ve ever done before.

We challenge you to allow the mind of Christ to function, fully and freely in you.

We challenge you to . . . lead and inspire others…no matter who they are.

We challenge you to build character instead of being one.

We challenge you to give, share and bless others.

We challenge you to encourage someone. . .every day.

We challenge you to be the kind of person who will one day hear “well done, my good and faithful servant.

The Word of God is promising you a richer life and more exciting future if you accept these seven challenges.

When it comes to doing something you’ve never done. . .there are seven challenges we’d like to focus on.

Have you ever said or heard someone say, “I’m just waiting for the right opportunity.”

Before you can ever really have an opportunity you must know where it comes from.

2 Corinthians 2:12 in The Living Bible says:

“Well, when I got as far as the city of Troas, the Lord gave me tremendous opportunities to preach the Gospel.”

God wants us to use all the little opportunities we have. . .RIGHT NOW.

1 Corinthians 7:31 in The Living Bible says:

“Those in frequent contact with the exciting things the world offers should make good use of their opportunities without stopping to enjoy them; for the world in its present form will soon be gone.”

Have you thought about why God gives you opportunities?

Brother Kenneth Hagin, in talking about believers, once said:

“Bless their darling hearts and stupid heads.”

Sometimes I’m amazed at what comes out of the mouths of Christians.

I’m talking about people who love God with all their hearts. People who are in church every time the doors are open. People who will no doubt go to heaven.

But sometimes they say things that are not smart and they don’t even realize it . . .spiritually speaking, of course.

For instance. . .

“Well, I can’t do anything about my situation. . .it’s just the way things are.”

When I hear that statement. . .I wanted to shout out.

“Don’t say that!”

It’s time for true confessions.

There was a time when our personal finances were a mess. We were drowning in a sea of debt, late fees and overdraft charges. I was robbing Peter to pay Paul. In fact, I was also hitting up Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Even though I had read dozens of books on motivation and success…and even personal finances, I obviously didn’t know how to put this information to work. Something was going to have to change or I was going to struggle forever.

The “aha” moment finally came when I met Brother John Avanzini whose teaching turned our financial lives around. The thing I finally figured out was that wealth has as much or more to do with obedience to God as it does with math.

And by the way, our problems were not caused by my fine wife, Bev. . .but me.

After my “aha” moment I began Understanding What God Says About Money.

I found that changing my mindset about money to embrace God’s principles actually opened the windows of heaven on my behalf and then God honored my willingness to walk in obedience.

God wants you to live well! As your Heavenly father, God’s desire is to see you healthy and wealthy in every way.

Have you ever read a quote by someone that just ignited in your spirit. I read it this morning and it was a quote by Anonymous that fired me up. Here it is:

“I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life.”

I really like that quote, however, I would make a small, but significant change.

I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life because the Word of God says I can!

There’s no question God wants us to have the best life we can. In fact, in this teaching you’ll read 40 scriptures where we’re told to and how to experience the good life.

So what does it really mean to live the good life?

There are two things I know for sure.

First, God believes in success not mediocrity.

Deuteronomy 30:9 in the New Century Version says:

“. . . “The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do.”

Joshua 1:7 in the New Century Version says:

“Be strong and brave. Be sure to obey all the teachings my servant Moses gave you. If you follow them exactly, you will be successful in everything you do.”

Did you notice that in both of the verses there is one phrase that it common in both?

The scriptures say “you will be successful in everything you do.”

God doesn’t want you successful in some things. . .He wants you successful in everything you do.

Mediocrity is a choice. . .it is either a conscious choice or a subconscious choice. The fruit of a lack of effort to be successful is mediocrity.

When we either choose or accept mediocrity. . .it’s because we have not done what is necessary to succeed.

There is no question that the enemy is not happy about this simple but profound message from the Lord.

After I finished typing the words given to me. . .I was about to depress the save button when the entire teaching disappeared.  That has never happened to me before … so I know that we’re about to create some turbulence in the heavenlies and the enemy is not happy that one of his favorite tactics is about to be exposed.

Here’s what the Lord directed me to tell you. . .

The Lord wanted you to know that. . .

"Anything that can get you down is above you."

He said, "Tell my children that. . .

". . .if debt can get them down, it's above them.

". . .if lack can get them down, it's above them.

". . .if sickness can get them down, it's above them.

". . .if lack of a proper job or position can get them down, it's above them.

". . .if addiction to anything can get them down, it's above them.

". . .if rebellious children can get them down, they're above them.

". . .if the lack of customers or clients in their business is getting them down, it's above them.

". . .if what's happening politically in this country and around the world is getting them down, it's above them.

". . .if an unfaithful spouse can get them down, then the problem is above them.

This morning, I felt the Lord directing me to encourage you in your struggles. It was like He said to tell you that you may be down, but take heart . . . encourage yourself in His Word.

Are you feeling down or out? Well… get ready cause You’re Coming Up.

My fine wife, Bev, and I understand being down. We’ve been there several times. Working together like we do, we’ve both lost our jobs at the same time . . . more than once! We could have been down for the count . . . BUT God.

That’s right, no matter how far you’ve been down or what evil has come against you . . .God is well able to bring you up and out.

Proverbs 24: 15,16 in the Message Bible warns anyone who comes against His own:

“Don't interfere with good people's lives; don't try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.”

When it seems there is no hope. . .He is your hope.

Fortunately, that’s all you need.

Psalm 31:24 in the King James Version says:

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Nothing just happens automatically.

No vision. . .no matter how divinely inspired is self-fulfilling.

No calling. . .no matter how needed is ever fulfilled on its own.

No goal. . .no matter how excellent is ever accomplished without effort.

Every purpose birthed in the heart of man will require specific steps of faith and action.

It’s one thing to talk about being successful or even becoming a millionaire but it is entirely another thing to take the steps necessary to achieve the position God envisions for you in His Word and in the world.

To improve your position in life. . .to increase your possibilities for success. . .you must rely upon the Word of God and demonstrate a willingness to implement certain Biblical strategies.

Proverbs 24:3-4 in The Living Bible says: