If you’ve been trying to stay afloat in the storms of life. . .if you need encouragement for the battles you’re in. . .then. . .this teaching is just for you.

Mark 4:35-40 in the Amplified Bible says:

“35 On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake].

36 And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him.

37 And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.

38 But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

39 And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

40 He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?”

There are less than 89 days left in 2023. So let’s talk about how to maximize and manifest your opportunities for the remainder of this year.

First, what does the word “opportunity” mean to you?

According to Dictionary.com it means:

American Heritage Dictionary defines opportunity as:

“A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances; A favorable or suitable occasion or time; A chance for progress or advancement.”

Did you notice that in both definitions it said that “opportunity” was a good position, chance or prospect….the other dictionary said it was a chance for progress.

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had say to me that they’re looking for the right opportunity.

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 social media post but the Lord clearly impressed upon me an urgency to write it as a teaching for Rich Thoughts TV.

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 times listening.

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

My Mom is 95 . . .and I can tell you she’s still dreaming about where she wants to go and what she wants to accomplish for the Kingdom of God. 

John Barrymore, the actor, once said:

I must confess to you there are occasions when I wonder why I’m teaching what I’m teaching when I first start. . .reading, studying, praying and writing.

Preparing seven favorite weapons of the enemy was one of those occasions.

But as I got deeper into this teaching. . .I marveled at the things God revealed to me to share.

I know this teaching will help heal and comfort many who’ve been under a major assault from the enemy.

Here are the seven favorite weapons of the enemy.

1.      Deception

Who deceives you?

Genesis 3:13 says:

“Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

2 Corinthians 4:4 in the Amplified Bible says:

One of the primary keys to success in life is. . .(drum roll sound). . .persistence.  We must learn to keep on keeping on until we cross the finish line.

Perseverance is in the New Testament 32 times and its most frequently translated as:

“patience; endurance; patient waiting”

The term literally means “remaining under” or standing firm despite opposition.

In life, we will face many challenges. . .and adversities.

Human nature will want you to rationalize that other people seem to have it easier than we do. . .and in some cases, that may be right but the truth is … a tree grows stronger when it has to resist the wind and that is true with us also.

But the Bible says that joy is based not on an absence of difficulty but learning to overcome adversity through our faith in the only One who can assure our success.

Booker T. Washington said:

Are you going through a transition?

Perhaps you're going from one job to another or from having a job to being unemployed?

Does it seem that you're facing difficult problems without an answer seemingly in sight?

If so, this teaching is for you.

David was in a time of transition. . .He had been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be King of Israel.

However, David was far from the throne.  He was living as an outcast on the run from King Saul and dwelling among his enemies, the Philistines.

Topping it all off, David’s mentor, the Prophet Samuel, died.

1 Samuel 25:1 says:

“Then Samuel died; and the Israelites gathered together and lamented for him, and buried him at his home in Ramah. And David arose and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.”

There was no closure for David.  He would never see the Prophet Samuel again in this lifetime either alive or ready for burial. He had only the Lord Himself for consolation.

This may sound familiar to you.  If you are not in a time of transition, you have surely experienced transition in the past.  It is never easy.

Have you ever had a cell phone, iPad, computer or other electronic toy wear down or out?

When this occurs you can send the electronic gizmo back to the manufacturer where it will be refurbished according to the manufacturer’s specifications. . .making it as good as new. . .at least, according to them.

Sometimes we need to be mentally and spiritually refurbished. . .sending us back to our manufacturer. . .Creator. . .for a makeover. . .do over or get over. . .whichever is more appropriate and needed.

If you have renovated an older house…you know. . .it’s a process of changing those things that need changing.

Focus intently on the rest of this teaching.

You replace the old flooring with a new. . .more updated look and style.

You replace the old electrical wiring with new. . .to eliminate static interference from your electronics and to prevent the cabling from overheating and creating a fire hazard.

You replace the outdated exterior and interior wall colors with new vibrant colors and textures.

You replace the old appliances and furniture with new. . .to reflect in changes in time and your taste.

The same parallel is true when we renew our minds

We've got to take out the old, the old way of thinking and put in the new.  This is how we  become successful and victorious in Christ.  We take out the old and bring in the new.

You see the process of change has as much to do with taking off first as it does putting on afterwards. 

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.

Hold your hands up. . .what do you see?

Something to cover your mouth when you yawn. . .something to eat with. . .something to comb your hair with. . .something to help you work . . .something to help you play.

When God looks at your hands, He sees unlimited potential for blessings, miracles, and prosperity.  We already have that authority as believers!

John 3:35 says:

“The Father loved the son and placed everything in his hands.”

When the soldiers came to take Jesus captive in the Garden of Gethsemane, the first thing they did was to bind his hands.  Why?

. . .those hands had made mud, placed it on the eyes of a blind man that allowed him to see instantly.

. . .those hands took the five loaves and two fishes from a young man and fed thousands of people.

. . .those hands had been laid upon a great host of people who found His healing touch brought instant relief to their sick and suffering bodies.

. . .those hands  stopped a funeral procession. . .touched the body of a young boy and gave his mother great joy and him a new life.

. . .those hands had resurrection power -- but so do yours.

John 14:12 says:

“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” 

In 2 Timothy 1:6 in the Amplified Bible we are encouraged to “. . .fan the flame of God through the laying on of hands.”

“That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].”

Would you like to have spiritual boldness?

You don’t need an expensive seminar or weekend conference to gain spiritual boldness.

There have been some good books written on developing boldness and confidence but the best book on the subject. . .was written thousands of years ago.

Developing spiritual boldness is not an outside job. . .but rather. . .an inside work.

Ephesians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Our 24/7 access to our Heavenly Father. . .was made possible by the blood of Jesus on Calvary’s cross.

2 Corinthians 3:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“Since we have such [glorious] hope (such joyful and confident expectation), we speak very freely and openly and fearlessly.”

Confidence in God and His Word. . .gives us a boldness to be about Kingdom business.

Acts 28:31 in the Classic Amplified Bible says: