The Perfect Christmas Gift

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Who do you expect to receive gifts from this Christmas?

Your spouse, if you’re married?  Your parents, if they’re still with you?  Your children?  Other close relatives? Your co-workers?  Your neighbors?  Your friends at church?  Your best friend?

What about those gifts?  How often do you have to return a gift?

Have you ever received a gift that was the wrong size?  The wrong color? 

Have you ever received a gift that you had no idea where to put it?

Have you ever received a gift that truthfully you couldn’t figure out what it was or even why someone would give it to you?

Have you ever received a gift that you already had?  Maybe two or three of them?

Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t want. . .but you couldn’t return for fear of hurting someone’s feelings so it was relegated to the back of your closet, the attic or the garage?

How often do you receive the perfect gift?  Can you remember one thing you received last Christmas?

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Weapons That Will Defeat ISIS

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Sadly but justifiably, the news is filled with talk about the threat of ISIS. . .we should be concerned and praying for our leaders to take a firm, victorious stand against these Islamic extremists.

I was recently reminded by the Lord that you and I have immediate and continual access to weapons that are stronger and more effective than any WMD (weapon of mass destruction) or the vest of a suicide bomber.

The Lord also reminded me that we already have a coalition in place to defeat ISIS and every other enemy the devil sends our way.  The will power of our coalition does come and go. . .it’s constant. . .never-changing. . .always available  and powerful.

Our coalition consists of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost and our battle plan for victory is found in the Word of God.

This Word not only prepares us for. . .but protects us in battle. . through every attack of any enemy. . .natural or spiritual.

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Listen...Rewind...Learn

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

When we hit the rewind button on a voice mail. . .it’s an effort to gain valuable information.

When you hit the rewind button in playing back our daily conference calls. . .it’s because there’s a word, phrase or thought that contains life-changing potential.

Typically, when we hit the rewind button. . .we’re looking for information, revelation or motivation.

2 Timothy 1:6 in the King James Version says:

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

Have you ever been in a desperate situation which looked hopeless. . .until God’s amazing grace intervened and things are miraculously changed?

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Guess Who's Thinking About You

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

When you go through any sort of trauma. . .sickness, loss of a job or even a loved one. . .you will inevitably meet someone who says “I’ve been thinking about you.”

This phrase is often uttered when caring people want to express their love and concern about your situation but they aren’t sure what else to say.

To have someone tell you they’ve been thinking about you in the midst of your personal challenge or adversity is always appreciated.

I’ve experienced this first hand this year.  I interact with many people on a daily basis. . .some of whom I’ve never met but who know about me . . .because of an article in a local newspaper about how I overcame breast cancer this year.

Notice I don’t refer to myself as a cancer survivor but as an overcomer.

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7 Keys To Turning Poverty Into Prosperity

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Pastor Joel Osteen said:

“It's God's will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty. It's God's will for you to pay your bills and not be in debt.”

As I was meditating on this quote. . .I felt stirred to share how to turn poverty into prosperity.

There are seven truths we must understand about poverty.

First, poverty is the devil’s anointing.

Second, poverty happens inside you before it ever happens around you.

Third, poverty will not keep you out of heaven but it may keep others out.

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Let The Umpire Make The Call

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Have you ever said “I’ve had it. . .that’s enough. . .I can’t take this anymore?”

Perhaps you were referring to an ungodly and/or unqualified supervisor.

Was your exasperation directed at a family member who seems to be in one crisis after another. . .constantly making wrong decisions?

Is your frustration over a seemingly never ending flood of bills coming into your mailbox?

How do people respond to these troubling scenarios?

Actually, one of three ways:

First, you get in the flesh. . .and say or do things. . .you wish you hadn’t.  However, once the cat is out of the bag. . .it’s tough getting it back in.

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7 Qualities For Effective Kingdom Service

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Have you ever talked with a job recruiter?

While I've never had to utilize the services of a professional recruiter . .  . I do find what they look for in recruits to be fascinating.

Thirty plus years ago, I had my insurance company marketing offices in the same building as a staffing agency and I found their profiles interesting.

Have you ever wondered about God's profile for those who fit His criteria for Kingdom service? 

There are many possibilities but I'm only going to share seven keys to effective Kingdom service.

1.  Mentally alert.

If you want to be a leader in the Kingdom. . .then you must be mentally alert.

Prayer keeps you alert and focused on your purpose.

1 Peter 1:13 in the Amplified Bible says:

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7 Facts About Ghosts

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Are you dealing with ghosts?  I’m not talking about the kind that comes out at Halloween or in some goofy Hollywood movie.

Popular culture is filled with talk of ghosts. . .even television programs like Ghost Whisperer and movies like Ghostbusters. . .which I understand is being updated.

This teaching isn’t about any of the foolishness currently the rage on cable TV. 

When I mention the word ghosts I’m speaking about something from the past (sin or otherwise) which you feel is real though it isn’t visible to you or anyone else.

It is not God’s intent for us to be haunted by memories of things gone by.

No matter. . .how inhumane, degrading, sickening or horrible your sins of the past were. . .God forgives them. . .all.

If we’re haunted by the memories of forgiven past sins. . .the battle is being played out in the our minds. . .by the enemy of our destiny.

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If God Work You Up This Morning

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Have you ever felt like giving up?  It just seemed like things weren’t working out the way you wanted them to because of something someone did or said. . .or didn’t do.

Perhaps you did something you regretted and you feel like you just can’t get things right. . .that a solution to the situation seems impossible.

Truthfully, you might even feel like. . .God has forgotten your address.

Fret not, God knows everything about you. . .even the number of hairs on your head or in my case, my beard. . .and here’s some great news from the Word of God. . .your impossibilities are about to become possibilities.

I’m going to make a statement. . .and I want you to get it deep down inside of you.  In fact, I’m going to repeat it four times.

If God woke you up this morning…He’s not through with you yet.

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Have You Heard This One?

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Have you ever wondered why you aren’t accomplishing more?

When we begin to think back about why we didn't do this …  or why that didn't work, the very first thought our flesh will usually come up with is an excuse.... all we need to do is begin making excuses and the devil is ever ready to jump in and help us out.

Don’t give him the satisfaction.

Hebrews 12:12-13 in the Message Bible really stirred my spirit when I read it.  The verses say:

“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!”

What would make people sit on their hands and drag their feet. . .it happens when they make excuses.

The American Heritage Dictionary says that an excuse is “the act of justification.”

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Previously Unknown Opportunities And Unused Potential

Written by Harold Herring. Posted in Life Strategies

Perhaps our biggest regret is not for things we have done but rather for the things we’ve failed to do. . .or didn’t even try.

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin once said:

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

The Lord keeps directing me to talk about discovering previously unknown opportunities and tapping into previously unused potential.

There’s a reason why God wants us tapping into what we’ve never utilized or maximized.

God created us. . .He knows the potential living within us. . .He knows what we’re capable of. . .He knows the destiny awaiting us. . .if we seize the moment.

God also knows the best way to experience previously unknown opportunities is to expect them.

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