From time to time. . .sadly, we read about sins of pastors, priests and members of the clergy.  While not minimizing these sins. . .as they are intolerable and indefensible but fortunately not unforgiveable.  The occurrence is infrequent . . .unless you believe everything you read and hear in the news media. . .which I encourage you not to do.

While I would never minimize the emotional toll of such abuse. . .it is. . .in my opinion not the greatest sin in the church today.  There is a great sin. . .that is widespread. . .almost epidemic. . .touching almost every home.

I call it “blessing abuse” or the sin of ingratitude.  When we forget who brought us to the dance. . .when we forget who has delivered us out of trouble. . .time after time. . .who has answered our prayers and blessed us daily. . .who healed our bodies. . .lifted us up when we thought we were sinking.

We have abused the blessings that God has given us by a lack of appreciation, recognition or a forgetful memory.

10.  You have something special to achieve in life because God made sure you were born.

  9.  Success in life is not determined by age, position, circumstance or your current location.  Joshua 1:8

  8.  While everybody else is saying “No, you can’t” God is saying… “Yes, you can.”  Who are you going to believe?

  7.  When we do what’s right before God…as we pursue Him, then His blessings will overtake us.  Deut. 28:2

  6.  Got a tough day ahead?  Remember, you’re not alone.  “…I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you. Heb. 13:5 MSG

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

  5. You may feel like you’re a nobody but to God you’re somebody special and He will make something out of you.

  4. The enemy’s greatest desire is to neutralize and render us ineffective for the Kingdom of God but he can’t unless we let him.     

  3. If you want to learn something new…all you have to do is read something that was written “in the beginning.”

  2.  “Can’t” when spoken by Christians in reference to God’s will for their lives isn’t grammatically or spiritually correct.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Opportunity is potential needing your attention.

The Bible is an instruction manual for success. . .revealing how to walk in God’s blessing flow and experience the good life He envisions for us.  It’s all in the Word.

God’s instructions are not situational. . .they don’t vary based on current economic conditions, which party is in power, your personal circumstances or  unrest anywhere in the world.  The principles in his Word are clear and absolute.  This is important to know … now more then ever.

If you want to experience God’s power. . .you must know His Word.

Matthew 22:29 is so powerful that I’m going to read it to you in four translations because if you get nothing else but this scripture then this teaching would have accomplished its purpose.

Matthew 22:29 in the King James Version says:

Why do people talk to themselves?

Some people will say. . .it’s because they’re starved for intelligent conversation which most certainly reflects on the people around them.

Others say that people who talk to themselves are a hamburger short of a Happy Meal.

10.  The seed for every financial breakthrough begins in your mind.

  9.  Success is not an accident.  It happens when prior proper planning and prayer meet opportunity.

  8.  The only way to escape what you’re going through is by praising God for what He’s already done in your life.

  7.  Fear cannot thrive…where faith is alive.

  6.  Praying for you to be intelligent and discerning in every decision you make…focused and clear in His direction for the day.

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

  5. Stop creating excuses…instead create the changes you need to turn your life around.

  4. Don’t be moved by your circumstances…or the appearance of lack…only be moved by thus says the Word of the Lord.

  3. The comfort zone of giving what you’ve always given will cause you to miss your opportunity for a mega harvest.

  2.  When you learn to turn rejection into direction…you’re on the road to success.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Never complain about a lack of time when the problem may be a lack of focus.

10.  Our actions and reactions determine the depth of our faith and the strength of our character.

  9.  You can’t have a negative thought and a positive thought at the same time…your brain doesn’t work that way.

  8.  People don’t lack strength so much as they lack the courage to do something with what they’ve got.

  7.  Never let your faith be determined by your feelings.  Your faith should be based on the Word of God…knowing that it’s true.

  6.  The enemy wants us thinking in terms of limitations.  He wants us to believe where we are is where we will stay.  That’s a lie.

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

  5. The question isn’t whether money is good or evil but rather…what’s our attitude toward it..

  4. Your goal for today. “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus…”  Phil 2:5 AMP      

  3. To many believers have a potluck mentality where they are always feeding on whatever thoughts…others are serving to them.

  2.  Stop looking at where you are and what you’ve got…as you begin to anticipate and prepare yourself for what you’re going to have.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  Changing where I am in life right now requires me to change my thought life.

Do you know what impresses God. . .what makes a difference with Him?

Romans 2:13 in the Message Bible says:

“Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.”

God is impressed by what you do. . .not what you intend to do.

Do you want God’s approval?

In our pressurized lifestyle. . .too many believers are seeking the easy way out by  buying into the world system.

In short, they’re doing what everybody else is doing. . .or at least. . .most everybody else. . .but now an ever increasing number of believers are tapping into the wisdom of the ages found in God’s Word.

Unfortunately, way too many believers follow the “wisdom” of the world when it comes to their personal finances as opposed to following the instructions found in the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

People. . .even born-again, Holy Spirit filled, church-going believers. . .tend to value the advice of their banker and financial planner more than they do their man or woman of God.

The Bible is not a book of exceptions, exemptions and excused behavior.  It is a book of absolutes.

The Bible says what it means and it means for you to obey without hesitation.

Are you in a tough work environment?

Is your boss like Hannibal Lecter…after a pound of flesh?

I feel prompted to share three things with you.

I want to share with you two powerful, thought-provoking, destiny-shaping quotes before we get into this teaching.  Do yourself a favor don't skim these quotes or just glance at them. . .allow them to get deep inside of you.

"I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone.  You have so much incredible potential on the inside.  God has put gifts and talents in you that you probably don't know anything about."  Pastor Joel Osteen

"Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."  Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Here are seven ways to maximize your creative ability: