I was a non-involved bystander when the Dad said to his son. . .you need to get your mess together.

I understood what he meant but why would you want to get a mess together…by definition that doesn’t sound the least bit desirable.

Over the years, I’ve heard people admonish others to get their lives together.

I believe the ultimate purpose of these somewhat awkward admonitions is to bring order and purpose into a person’s life.

Order as defined and I think correctly by Dr. Mike Murdock, our mentor and personal friend is: 

“the accurate arrangement of things.”

I believe bringing order or getting things together. . .positions every believer to walk in the destiny God desires for them.

10.  By believing in the power of God…we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

  9.  If God gives you a BIG IDEA don’t procrastinate…plan for its successful implementation.

  8.  We become what we imagine ourselves to be.

  7.  Success isn’t placed in your hands…but it’s always within your reach.

  6.  I’m praying for us to think like we’ve never thought…do what we’ve never done…be what we’ve never been…all for His glory.

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  Sowing seeds today prepares the way for your harvests...tomorrow.

  4.  Those who expect the best. . .receive it. . .those who don't. . .won't.

  3.  Never settle for the way things are…when God has given you the ability to experience things the way they can be.

  2.  You’re a child of God…think like it…talk like it…act like it.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  We’re the architects of our own destiny…it’s time we create the blueprints for our success.

There was a time when being deceptive would not be tolerated...but any more, it seems to be the norm in advertising...encouraged on some dating sites...permissible in politics...overlooked in some workplaces...but none of that makes it right, ethical or moral.  In fact, it's scripturally wrong and displeasing to God.

So let’s look at deception. . .where it began, how to recognize and overcome it.

First, we need to understand the enemy ONLY has three weapons he can use against us…the ability to tempt; accuse and deceive.

Second, deception according to the British Dictionary.com means:

“the act of deceiving or the state of being deceived; something that deceives; trick”

The first case of deception and false advertising began in the Garden of Eden.

As we were in special prayer for our partners...God allowed us to see the intense spiritual battle faced by many of His children.

We felt the concern of His children over their prayers going ‘seemingly’ unanswered.

You may have been praying for changes in your finances...a new job or a promotion...a healing for your body...turning lack into more than enough or children overcoming addictions to alcohol, drugs or sin…but your answer hasn’t manifested…yet.

As we were praying. . .our attention was turned to Daniel 10:12-13 where He drew a direct parallel to what happened to Daniel and what may be happening to you.

“Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Here are seven keys about unanswered prayer.

Change is a word frequently discussed but rarely acted on. . .especially, by politicians.

Real change. . .lasting change. . .is a change of heart followed by decisive action to do things differently.

The word change is in the King James Bible a total of 23 times while it appears in the Amplified Bible 46 times.  Let’s look at several key scriptures that reflect the meaning of change.

Matthew 3:2 in the King James Version says:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As we’ve taught before, the Greek word for repent is G3340 and it means:

“to change one’s mind, to repent”

The meaning behind repent is clarified in Matthew 3:2 in the Amplified Bible translation which says:

“You just don’t know what I’m dealing with.”

“Nobody knows what I have to put up with.”

That reminds me of a country and western song.

“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.”

Guess what?  . . .they don’t want to know.

BUT if you want things to get better than they’ve been. . .you need to stop talking about it. . .rehearsing your hurts. . .leave the past in the past.  Time to move on up.

We need to get a grip on what’s been holding us back from achieving what God created and endowed us to do. . .and from fulfilling His vision for our lives in 2015.

Here are seven ways to let go of what’s been holding you back.

10.  "God wants us to be movers and shakers not doubters and fakers." Bev Herring

  9.  Refuse to let adversity steal your peace.

  8.  Never say anything you don't want God to hear or satan to act on.

  7.  Confess this: "I can do more than I think I can because I have the mind of Christ functioning fully and freely within me."

  6.  God wants to do a new thing in your life...TODAY. Are you ready to receive and act on opportunities that come your way?

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  Never allow what other people think or say about you change your thoughts about your ability to achieve your dreams and goals.

  4.  It's a good idea to forgive everybody in your past...just in case...you need forgiveness in the future.       

  3.  If people laugh at your dreams just remember Noah's neighbors laughed at him as well.

  2.  Circumstances, people and the weather change...but God never does. Nor do His promises to give us a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  When you get married you become one flesh. When you embarrass or speak down to your spouse…you are doing the same thing to yourself.

10.  Renewing your thinking is an exchange of what you think with what He thinks.

  9.  Trust and obey is more than the words of an old hymn.  It’s the prescription for a prosperous and successful life.  Proverbs 16:20 NLT

  8.  Faith is a decision…it’s not a feeling or an emotion…it’s a fact.

  7.  Adam blamed God for Eve.  She blamed the serpent.  Shifting the blame didn’t work for them and it won’t work for us.

  6.  Doubters talk about the mountains they’re facing while believers talk to the mountains they’re going to move.  Be a mover not a talker.

Here are the Top 5 Rich Thoughts Nuggets of the week.

  5.  If your future is in front of you…why are you standing still?  Exodus 14:15 TLB

  4.  GREAT NEWS!!  When we are weak…He is strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10       

  3.  You can’t control what other people say about you…but you can control what you say about them.  Think about it!!

  2.  Never be led by your feelings or what others think…always follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Change is not an event…it’s a process which allows God to transform us into a new person by changing the way we think.

I could give you a long list of reasons why you should feel good about yourself.  But here are the seven reasons I was directed to share with you.

First, make others feel important by listening to them.

When you listen to others. . .they will eventually do the same for you.

As we’ve mentioned before the letters which form the word LISTEN also create the word SILENT?

Do think there’s a reason why God gave us two ears and one mouth?  It’s been recommended that perhaps we should listen twice as much as we talk.

It’s rude and disrespectful to interrupt someone when they’re speaking.

If you're drawing breath on planet earth...there will come moments...times of adversity when you wonder what to do next.

In these moments...your solace will not be found at the local watering hole commiserating with someone as lost as a goose in a blizzard.

Your answer will not be found in extended conversations with friends about why it's unfair you have to deal with these situations.

When trouble strikes and it will...here are seven times we need to go deeper in the Word and pull closer to God.

1.         When you’re disappointed

Here’s the great news. . .regardless of the intensity of the enemy’s attack. . .you will never be put to shame or disappointed.

I realize that’s a bold statement. . . but there are eight verses in the Amplified Bible translation which say exactly that.  Here are three of them.

Psalm 25:3 in the Amplified Bible says: