The current social and economic atmospheres are a breeding ground for a myriad of negative thoughts, emotions and actions. With so many people facing dire financial, vocational and family woes, you may find yourself “wishing” you were someone else, with someone else — living life in another person’s shoes. Simply wishing and daydreaming won’t change circumstances. But, being flexible can change everything.

And coupled with the Blessing of the Lord, flexibility can change your life. In Genesis 12:2-3 God not only told Abram that He would be blessed, but that he would be a blessing. And in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, God said that every thing they put their hands to would be blessed. What type of flexibility did this require? In both of these references God also commanded his followers to be flexible in their actions. The human being had to make changes. Abram had to leave his kinsmen. The children of Israel had to fully obey the commands He was giving them. Herein is where flexibility brings the Blessing. I’ve witnessed people hinder the Blessing in their lives because of a lack of flexibility in certain areas. I’d like to share some insight on these. Vocational, financial, mental, emotional and spiritual flexibility can enhance your daily life and perpetuate the Blessing no matter the environment.

Imagine a person full of life, movement and vitality who is suddenly stifled by arthritis or paralyzed in an accident. These circumstances would be quite dejecting to this individual who is now unable to move at will. The same concept is applicable to the aforementioned areas of flexibility. God said in Malachi 3:6, “I AM the Lord, I change not.” This verse identifies the fact that if we are going to walk with God we must be flexible — we must be willing to change. And God is so all-powerful that He causes us to become more flexible the more we conform to His will and ways. We become more like Him. This type of malleability cements us in the fact that acting on the unchanging Word of God brings us into unlimited ability and freedom.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!
Psalm 138:8
— Shontta

Today, I’m going to share some of my notes compiled during a sermon delivered by Dr. Gene Lingerfelt. Any mistakes are in my interpretation and note capturing.

Faith is not belief and belief is not Faith. Faith requires Action. Faith is Acting on the Word of God. What we believe does matter. Quite simply, you can’t approach God with prejudice.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:22-24

We must renew our mind to the Word of God not what the world says. The world has an agenda of its own for you. Focus and renewing the mind go hand in hand. Where you focus determines your thinking and your thinking determines where you focus. You must make a decision, a commitment, to focus on God.

What we think and where we focus determines what we say. What we say, if we have integrity, is what we are expecting. If you listen to the media, or anyone who does not know how to love you, you will lower your expectations. Eventually, you begin to believe what you hear, so you need to hear from people that believe in you. People who believe in you will lift you up not tear you down. You will achieve more if you surround yourself with support, success, etc.

It’s a mindset – Since I am transforming my desires to God’s desires, I believe that whatever I desire, He is bringing into my hands. Daniel 10 gives us a glimpse of what is happening in the spiritworld. Daniel was a man that was highly esteemed by God, and his results were amazing. He was blessed in a time when Israel was in bondage; he was highly favored and exalted.

Here are few points about expectations:

• The world has a way of thinking, and the end is death
• What you’re expecting is synonymous with what you’re believing for
• You can’t hold two contradictory beliefs simultaneously
• Who are you trying to please?
• Who or what is influencing your thinking?
• Are you going to think Biblically or worldly?

Satan tries to move your mind to accept things that you ought not accept and lower your expectations. We must turn our expecting to what we desire. We need to make up our minds. Are we going to put on an act, or are we going to take actions that us up with what God says about us.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Faith is not optional. Hebrewers 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Worldly thinking keeps you from the reality of the Word. My mindset is that “this is the Truth” when I read the Bible. Try this for a week–eliminate all entertainment but the Word. The results will astound you. Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”