THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

— John 8:31–32

God created all things, including you. He is the producer and writer of your life. Regardless of your background, culture, education, or current living status, God made you special, and you have the ability to shine as bright as the sun.

We are all created with gifts and abilities that in most cases are seldom used, if used at all. Too many of us struggle day-to-day in the same routine, finding little or no satisfaction in a life seemingly without purpose. We have settled for less than what was intended for us. Let's face it — we are trapped in our jobs or in lifestyles that have been forced upon us.

The good news is that those dreams and visions you once had are still attainable. If you never had any goals to begin with, today you will learn what they should be and how to obtain the treasure that is already yours.

First, you must know that you are a child of God who has been made perfectly, regardless of what you see and hear. God makes no mistakes; therefore, you are perfect in Him. With that said, you can do all things if God is on your side. The sky is not the limit, for there are no limits in Him. Once you establish a proper relationship with God, there should be nothing holding you back from reaching your goals.

God loves you, and He sent His only begotten son to die so that you could live. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. God knows our past. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We could never measure up, no matter how hard we tried, but God's grace is sufficient to those who love Him and will serve Him with all their hearts, minds, and souls. More than anything, God's desire is for us to put Him first in everything and stay in His word. If we do that, we will prosper beyond compare, and the peace and wisdom of God shall follow us all the days of our lives.

KNOWING WHO YOU ARE

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

— Romans 8:14–17

You are a child of the King; there is royalty running throughout your veins. There is an inheritance laid aside with your name on it, waiting for you to come and claim it. Know that an earthly king's child is a king's child regardless of circumstances or present conditions. The royalty is not predicated on fancy clothes, how much money is in one's bank account, or one's self-esteem; rather, it's predicated on the fact of being born into a royal family. The honor is bestowed upon the child regardless of circumstances.

It is important that we recognize people for who they are and for the potential they possess regardless of circumstance. God made each of us with a unique purpose in mind. He has a game plan for each of our lives. A king's child has certain privileges; God's children have even more. Therefore, if we live beneath the lifestyle God has laid aside for us, we truly do not understand the benefits and promises God has given to us.

We each have been given the power to stretch out and obtain those things we dream about, for if we can believe, we can achieve. Most people struggle in the area of believing. Some believe more for others than for themselves, but if God can do it for others, He can do it for you. A true believer will be motivated into action; everything else is just wishful thinking. Regardless of how far you may be from reaching your goals, if you can believe it, speak it, and diligently act upon it, you will attain it.

There are really no excuses for not obtaining your goals or for not having a personal relationship with God. As God speaks to you, trust Him and believe He will do just what He says. God cannot tell a lie; therefore, if He said it, He is able to bring it to pass. At the same time, know that without faith it is impossible to please God. If you sit back, waiting for your pie to fall out of the sky, you will probably be waiting for a long time. As God speaks to us, we must first come into agreement with His word and move toward it as if it is already done. As children of God, we are constantly walking in victory regardless of our circumstances, because the price for victory has already been paid.

BREAKING DOWN TRADITION

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

— Romans 12:1–2

Let's face it — we have become robots. We have been preconditioned to think and act like everybody else. We are like helpless sheep headed toward the slaughterhouse. God created us in His image, and we need to be wise and learn to discern what pleases Him. We need to be willing to open our minds in order to release those things not wanted or needed in our lives.

First, we must know what is right and what is wrong. During a normal day our minds are being programmed in several ways. Television, radio, social media, and people all influence the ways we think and live. Peer pressure among our youth has become a major concern of parents who feel as though they are losing control.

Writers and producers of television and movies indoctrinate us with their beliefs or perceptions of how the world should function. We sit and watch, day after day, shows filled with violence, adultery, fornication, deceit, rebellion, and improper language. And then we look bewildered when some of the same crazy things manifest in real life. When all we've been doing is filling our mind and our children's minds with things contrary to being successful, we must take control. We must renew our minds with inspirational thoughts that benefit us. We should refuse to be persuaded by daily events designed to influence the way we live. More people seem to be evicted from their homes in January than any other month. Why? Because the world pressures people into spending money they really don't have during the holiday season. Commercials are geared toward influencing us. Christmas music is geared toward keeping us festive while we shop so that we will spend more money.

We must make good decisions in everything we do. We cannot let the world dictate how we should live, what we should drive, and how we should spend God's money. It is important that we consult with God daily on what He has in store for us each day. If something is contrary to the word of God, then it is unacceptable. There are a lot of different people doing a lot of different things; however, when people see your life and the anointing that God has placed on you to live in a holy way, their lives will change.

It is important that we do everything out of love; if we introduce people to God, He will do the rest. Let's be living testimonies.

DISCIPLINE AND FOCUS

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

— Proverbs 22:29

There is a price to pay for everything we achieve in life. Some of us are prepared to pay the price, while others are not. We must determine what we want and what price we are willing to pay. If a person wants a college degree, he or she must attend college and complete the necessary requirements for a degree. The college will not award a degree until the student meets all requirements. The same is true in life: to obtain our goals, we must first focus on them and then be disciplined enough to see them through.

Each goal should have a series of steps that move toward the desired result. We must identify and eliminate barriers to achieving our goals. Barriers are a given and must be conquered; however, there is no need to become fearful when obstacles are present. Remember, problems are situations waiting for solutions.

Once you set your goal, focus on your target areas. These areas are milestones you will reach on the way to fulfilling your goal. In Christ we are perfect, yet we strive for perfection each day to better ourselves. If a degree is your goal, then once you have enrolled in school, be excellent in each class you take. Your grade may not always be an A, but each instructor should have no doubt that you are serious about your studies.

Persistence and motivation are two of the strongest forces necessary for reaching goals. Discipline yourself daily by practicing, studying, researching, and educating your mind in areas that will be beneficial. Listen to something motivational while running on that treadmill, promoting good time management. Conditioning the body and the mind at the same time is better than eating and looking at a television.

Know that you must work hard and be diligent in all that you do to receive maximum success. Calculate the cost for what you desire out of life, and be willing to pay it. Ask God for direction, and follow His plan so that your life will have meaning and purpose. If God is ordering your steps, then your obedience to Him should be your motivation.

Expect barriers and obstacles to be a part of your journey, but don't be dismayed. We can do all things through Christ Jesus; therefore, be proactive in reaching your goals, and be confident that what you start, God will see through to the finish. One idea blessed by God can prosper you for a lifetime. So remember, there is really no time to be idle or to seek constant entertainment. Make a schedule, plan your work, and then work your plan. It is okay to play sometimes; however, first things first. It's good to have a balance. Have a plan, and work it.

Whatever you put your mind to you will achieve, so strive to be the best at it. One productive strategy is to pay your tithes not only in finances but also in time. A percentage of your day should be given in prayer (paying God first), and the next percentage of time should be invested in perfecting your ministry or goal. Learn something new every day that can be helpful to you or to share with somebody else. Be a blessing to others each day, and be cheerful in your attitude as you go about your business; as you continue to bless others, the blessing of God will continue to overtake your life.

DREAMS AND VISIONS

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

— Psalm 37:4–5

This chapter's epigraph is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. God ministered this scripture unto me while I was lying in bed. I always thought that this scripture meant that God would give me those things that I desired (or bring them to pass). But what God is really saying is that He gave us the desire (or He placed the desire in our hearts). Wow! God placed into your spirit many of those things that you have desired to do; He put them there for you to pursue and conquer.

As children, we dreamed of what we wanted to become. However, somewhere in the distant past, the dreams faded away and reality started to set in. What happened? We became so entangled in the world's system — stressed out and in debt up to our ears — that we forgot our true purpose.

If we are in tune to the things of God and take pleasure in His goodness through our lifestyles, deeds, and actions, then our desires are not our own; they are God's desires for our lives. That is good to know. Those desires that seem so far-fetched and distant are goals that God has given to us. We thought they were our desires. We even thought that most of them were selfish, and we dismissed them as so. But God wants us to strive after the desires He has placed in our hearts.

Fear of the future has kept many of us from running after our dreams with fervor. We have become complacent in our jobs and lifestyles. However, we need to set time aside for those things we are commissioned to do. How can we fail if God is orchestrating the process? True happiness is being in perfect alignment with God and touching other people's lives in a positive and sometimes miraculous way.

It is not too late to recapture the dream that God has ordained for you. What do you enjoy so much that you would do it for free? Did that question help? Okay, how about this one: what would you do if you knew it could not fail? I want you to think big, and then go for it.

PREPARATION FOR BATTLE

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

— Joshua 1:8–9

There is no reason to be without a book when a library is down the street. However, the library does not deliver books to your house; you have to go and get them. Our dreams work the same way: the resources have already been provided, but we must take the initiative to possess what is there to obtain.

The battlefield is your mind, where a war is going on between good and evil. The good fills your mind with truth, love, peace, joy, prosperity, faith, and happiness. The bad fills your mind with lies, anger, deceit, depression, fear, hopelessness, and poverty. It is important to guard your mind carefully and not think upon those negative things; stay positive, and think only on good things. The good things produce life and abundance, while those bad things produce destruction and death.

In order to be victorious in the war, you must win at least some of the battles. As in war, a chess player will strategically move the pieces that will maximize his or her opportunity to obtain the opponent's pieces. In life, we must position ourselves so that we can take full advantage of our strengths and opportunities while eliminating or reducing weaknesses and threats.

Know that we are in a battle whether we want to participate or not. If we don't fight, we will be in bondage the rest of our lives, making excuses to support our fearful mentality. God is looking for people who will not compromise with mediocrity but will instead study and stand on His word with their actions. The proper attire is to be clothed in God's word and power. A soldier should be trained, fully equipped, and ready for battle.

Anything that does not line up with the word of God is of the devil, and we must not act in agreement with it. It is imperative that we meditate on the word of God day and night. If we can keep our focus on God and His word, chances are greatly reduced that we will be deceived. Prosperity and success can only be achieved if we use these principles and avoid being fearful. We must know that the word of God is our weapon against the enemy.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

— Hebrews 10:35–36

Teaching a child to ride a bicycle without training wheels can be a learning experience. It's painful to watch children almost hit everything that comes their way, sometimes taking a tumble or two as we turn our heads and grimace. However, after a couple of bumps and bruises, most children eventually become expert riders.

Many of us never even attempt to ride our dreams for fear of failing — or should I say fear of falling? In order for us to become experts in any area, we will have to endure some bumps and bruises. However, the reward will be so great that we will forget all about the training process; if not, the memory will be something to cherish and pass on to others. It is about time to take those training wheels off and learn how to ride into our dreams.

Little victories will lead to big results. Step out on faith, and do something — anything. But do something. Okay, maybe you need some ideas: sign up for a computer class, schedule an appointment with a financial adviser, attend a seminar on starting your own business, or volunteer in your church or community.