Do you need to change your diet?

I’m not talking about what you put in your body…but what you’re putting in your mind.

If you’re feeding yourself a steady strength of negative programming on TV, the internet or newspapers. . .then you need to change what you’re consuming.. . or else you’ll have to deal with mental and spiritual indigestion.

It’s time to increase your intake of things that are healthier for you.

10.  Our situation will change when we change.

  9.  Look for something good in every person you meet...and you'll find it.

  8.  Spiritual renewal is not a sometimes thing.  It’s not just an emergency solution. . .it’s a lifestyle.

  7.  Don’t fret about being slow to speak. . .because it just gives God the opportunity to tell you what to say. Ex 4:10-11

  6.  When you listen more than you talk. . .you gain a good reputation. Proverbs 21:28

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

  5. You should never say “I’ll try.” In life you either do or you don’t. Saying “I’ll try” is either a lack of confidence or a lack of desire.

  4. Problems are delaying tactics of the enemy. He wants to keep you from enjoying the rewards and benefits God has in store for you.            

  3. If you mess up (sin), fess up (confess your sins), get up (turn yourself around) and move on (start living for Him again).

  2.  The race doesn't always go to the fastest runner but to the one who never gives up or quits.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  What you visualize is what you create. . .what you think about is what you get and what you speak about. . .you become.

“Tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man.”  Jimmy Lyons

I don’t have a clue which Jimmy Lyons this might be but Google brought up only one and he is a singer by trade.  Regardless, this observation is powerful.

As I re-read his quote I was prompted by the Holy Ghost to see what Proverbs has to say about being lazy.

There are 16 verses in several different translations that speak directly and often forcefully about the consequences of being lazy.

Over the years, I have. . .sadly. . .had a large number of people talk to me. . .with tears in their eyes. . .about how they lost everything they owned because of bad advice from well-meaning friends and family members.

Couples who got in on the ground floor of a ‘can’t miss’. . .explosive money-making opportunity. . .at the urging of a family member or friend. . .only to watch the company go belly up. . .and their money disappear faster than an ice cube on a hot summer’s day.

Dreamers who were robbed of their dreams by the doubts of someone who’s biggest decision is whether to have next Saturday’s breakfast at iHop or Cracker Barrel. 

Listening to the wrong people. . .give unwise advice.

I could go on. . .with other sad stories I’ve heard. . .but let’s move on with seven reasons not to take their word for it.

Have a desire to dig deeper into the Word?  If you're looking for answers here are seven ways to help you achieve your goal.

1. Research scriptures that pertain to the area where you need the hand of God to move.  If your need is financial, then seek financial scriptures; if it’s healing, then seek healing scriptures.

        You can try free online Bible programs like biblegateway.com for your search.

10.  Never focus on anyone or anything that shouldn't be in your destiny.

  9.  When you just don’t know what to do next. . .God always does.

  8.  “The Lord doesn't ask about your ability, only your availability and if you prove your dependability, the Lord will increase your capability.”  Anonymous

  7.  LOL...“Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut.” Anonymous

  6.  Be careful not to make the fatal mistake of placing God in a position below your creditors. First things first.

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

  5. Get out of debt. . .so you’re not “. . .a slave to the moneylenders.” Proverbs 22:7 CEV

  4. God wants us alive and be about His business of occupying (Luke 19:13) wherever we are and whatever we’re doing.        

  3. God wants you to believe in possibilities, not limitations. He wants you living in excellence not excuses 2 Peter 1:5

  2.  God’s desire is to expand your territory. . .enlarge your borders. . .move you from where you are to a new level of success through Him.

 # 1 Rich Thoughts Nugget you selected is:

  1.  The best way to watch the words coming out of your mouth. . .is by watching the words going into your mind.  Ephesians 4:29 AMP

July 4th is not just another holiday.

It's much more than a trip to the beach, lake or pool.  It's much more than a picnic in the park or backyard.  This holiday is more than oohing and awing at fireworks displays.

July 4th is about freedom and liberty won and maintained through great personal sacrifice, commitment and faith.

Our independence was won by those who were willing to pay the ultimate price to that you and I could enjoy a holiday such as this.

I feel led to share with you 15 interesting, inspiring and sometimes humorous things about July 4th, our Day of Independence.

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: