By now I am sure you have given some thought to the upcoming year.  You probably have some goals, aspirations, and resolutions in place to achieve those specific objectives.  We all want to be successful, but success doesn’t just happen.  The thin line that separates failure and success is drawn with the finger of intention.  We have to be deliberate when it comes to life.

No person in his right mind would take the next few weeks to order and coordinate his demise for the upcoming year; but sadly, it will happen.  For many people, life will get off track.  …

When it comes to the Word of God our biggest problem is not reading it, memorizing it, learning it, or even knowing it; our problem is with implementation.  Your knowledge of God’s Word only brings Him honor when it is applied.  You can train a parrot to repeat Bible verses, but it will never change the parrot.  Some people live their entire lives without really building upon the right foundation.  When the floods come, their spiritual structures crumble because they only hear and never heed.

The true test of our spiritual character is not how we receive the Bible; it …

Giving thanks is more than an expression of gratitude.  It is that, but truthfully, we can say “thank you” to someone and not really mean it.  Gratitude is more than words communicated; it is ultimately a mindset, a mentality.  It is a keen awareness of our dependence upon a particular thing or person, and then demonstrating that appreciation through a charitable relationship. Thanksgiving is not really a holiday of indulgence and stuffing, it is a lifestyle that actually sacrifices and succumbs to the reality of grace – God’s grace imparted and enjoyed.

So what does it really mean to give …

Elijah experienced one of the greatest national victories in the history of Israel.  He descended from Mount Carmel having glorified his God.  Victoriously, his prayer brought down fire from heaven.  But within a few short verses Elijah was on the run for his life.  He entered into a cave discouraged, defeated, and ready to die.  Why such extremes?  Better still, why do we too experience defeat after such great victories?

His historic and monumental victory was short-lived primarily because Elijah allowed the enemy to control the situation.  Here are sure-fire ways to stay defeated:

1. Elijah Lost Sight of

There are two words that have been the guiding light of my life and ministry.  Years ago someone wrote two words in the back of my Bible and these two words have influenced and impacted me more than any other combination of words that I know.  They are simply…Stay Teachable.

The writer of Proverbs said, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:8-9).  I honestly believe that …