What are you looking at today?  Not in the natural, but with your Spiritual eyes.  In other words, what is in the forefront of your mind and in your heart?  Are you constantly dwelling on your problems or things that have happened in your past?  In the natural, you will move in the direction that your eyes are looking.  In the Spiritual, it works the same way.  Whatever you focus your mind and heart on, you will move toward.  If you are constantly dwelling on your problems or things in your past, wondering “what if”, then you will stay right where you are.  But if you choose to forgive and release the past, then you can focus on what is ahead of you, and you’ll begin to move forward.  Make the decision to meditate on His goodness and focus on His promises.  Look straight ahead so you can see His blessing and move forward into the life of victory He has promised you!

Regret comes in all shapes and sizes. Some are small, like when we do a bad thing for a good reason. Some are bigger like when we let down a friend. Some of us escape the pains of regret by making the right choice. Some of us have little time for regret because were looking forward to the future. Sometimes we have to fight to come to terms with the past, and sometimes we bury our regret by promising to change our ways. But our biggest regrets are not for the things we did but for the things we didn't do, things we didn't say that could have saved someone we care about. Especially when we can see the dark storm that's headed their way.

Jeremiah 4:1 - 4; 14

The heart is the most important thing to protect.  What’s in our hearts effects our minds everyday.

1 Kings 3:3 - 10

Everybody has weaknesses, but when we are weak, He is strong.  We have to let Him in.  Don’t allow your heart to be turned to the wickedness of this world.  It is an evil and wicked thing to not fully go after God.  Stay focused with all of your heart.

1 Kings 11:9

Repent - then God is faithful.  Satan is doing everything to cause the people of God to lose their identity.  God hasn’t forgotten!!
(Sermon Notes - Rev. Brad Stevens - Preached 3/02/08)

Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.

Psalm 34:1

When you wake up in the morning do you expect the goodness of God in your life?  Do you set the tone of the day for success, favor and blessing with your words?  Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.  That’s why it’s so important to declare praises to God all throughout the day.  Things may be bad all around you, people may be negative, complaining and discouraged, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you.  The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine.  The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose your words.  There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word!  Today, I encourage you, be determined to set the tone for your day, week, month and year by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future.  Remember when you put God first He promises to honor you! He will pour out His favor on you and lead you into life, health, strength and blessing all the days of your life!

There are moments in our lives when we find ourselves at a crossroad, afraid, confused, without a roadmap. The choices we make in those moments can define the rest of our days. Of course when faced with the unknown, most of us prefer to turn around and go back. But once in a while, people push on to something better, something found just beyond the pain of going it alone, and just beyond the bravery and courage it takes to let someone in, or give someone a second chance, something beyond the quiet persistence of a dream. because it's only when you're tested, that you discover who you are, that you discover who you can be. The person you can be does exist, beyond the hard work, faith, belief, and beyond the heartache, and fear of what lies ahead.

Grace isn’t a little prayer you say before a meal. It’s a way to live.  Today, no matter what you may be facing, remember His grace is sufficient for you.  His strength is made perfect in you.  He has given you everything that you need to overcome in this life.  Now is the time to break free and rise to new levels because He has victory and blessing prepared for you!

Every once in a while people step up, they rise above themselves. Sometimes they surprise you, and sometimes they fall short. Life is funny sometimes, it can push pretty hard, but if you look close enough you find hope in the words of children, in the bars of a song and in the eyes of someone you love. And if you're lucky, and if you're the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back.

It is better to keep one's mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

You set yourself up for happiness or you set yourself up for sadness. Either way, it’s your doing.

It's all about might. It might hurt. It might not work. It might be awful. I never think it might work. It might be good. It might be fun.

It makes me sad. And then it makes me laugh, because sadness at any length is terrifying.