I don’t know what I would do without my circle of influencers. They are my biggest cheerleaders, mentors, encouragers, prayer warriors and best friends. (Yes, you know who you are and this includes my amazing husband!) And just as much as they influence me, I influence them. We sharpen one another. Jim Rohn once said, “Success isn’t to be pursued, it is to be attracted by the person you become.” I keep a tight inner circle because I know the kind of person I desire to be. The same goes for you — you will attract what you become. If you are anything like me, then I want to keep flying with the eagles. I want to keep challenging myself to come up higher which means I’ve got to continue surrounding myself with positive influencers. I have big dreams and goals and I can only afford to surround myself with those influencers who believe I will get there.

Our spoken words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”. Know this, “power” is an “energy” and every word you speak to another or a word spoken to you produces of its own kind whether good or bad. This is why it is vital that we guard our minds and hearts against the wiles of the enemy. We have the choice to surround ourselves with positive influencers or negative ones. The end result will be a life well lived or not. Hopefully, you choose the better of the two. You were already born with a spirit of success, keep surrounding yourself with “positive influencers” and you will succeed.

Remember this: Iron Sharpens Iron.

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But I’ve got great news for those of you reading this – FEAR IS A LIAR!

Fear is a pretty broad topic of discussion, but I will say this, “Fear stems from doubt and doubt feeds off of ignorance.” Think about a time in your life where you had a situation come up that left you in emotional turmoil or for better words — “Fear”. Did you have faith in the midst of your circumstance but still doubted? Was there still a lot of anxiety and distress? Were you able to find peace in the midst of the clamor?

So what is the cure for fear and doubt? It’s knowing what the Word of God says. Remember what I said earlier – Fear stems from doubt and doubt feeds off of ignorance.

First of all, the bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us a spirit of Fear, but of power, love and sound mind”. Fear is not of God. Fear is of the enemy and we know Satan is the father of lies.

As an entrepreneur, I have had to deal with some pretty big challenges in business and these things brought fear into my life. Initially, I couldn’t see past the problem until I started getting into agreement with God’s Word. John 8:32 says, “And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”.

Recently, God reminded me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found in Daniel 3. This was the story of three men who refused to bow down and worship the gold statue built by King Nebuchadnezzar. Those who refused to bow down and worship the statue, he ordered to have thrown into the blazing furnace. The three men told the King, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it,,,.but even if he doesn’t, we want you to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” The king was so furious with the men that he commanded that the furnace be turned up seven times hotter than normal and he had the men bound with all of their clothes on and thrown into the fiery furnace. The Bible says the furnace was so hot that the flames jumped out and killed the soldiers who were told to throw the three men in. Then the King leaped up in amazement and noticed that the three men “were walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed and he saw a fourth man in the fire with them that he referred to as looking like the son of gods.” (vs 26) The king called the men out of the furnace and saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was hair on their heads singed, their robes were not scorched and there was no smell of fire on them.

This is such a powerful story about God’s faithfulness and protection in the midst of a horrible situation!

I believe God showed up and saved the men because:

1. The men trusted and believed that God would rescue them. We have the promise found in Proverbs 29:25 that says, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe”.
2. The men stood their ground with the King and no matter what they refused to worship the statue. We have the promise found in Hebrews 10:23 that says, “Let us hold fast to the confession of our faith without waivering, for He who promised is faithful”.

So when we are faced with circumstances that want to keep us in fear and doubt, remember and hold fast to the promises of God! We have the power and authority to overcome the fiery flames in our lives. God says in John 15:7, “If we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us”.

God loves us and He is always with us. He says to be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deut 31:6)

So the next time fear tries to creep up in your life, Remember this: Fear is a Liar.

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I know what it’s like to have to a dream or an idea and not step out to make it happen. I’ve been there more than once. I’ve pondered the same kind of questions you probably have had like, “how am I going to do this?”, “where do I start?” “what is this going to cost me?”, “who can I trust?”, “everything has to be perfect first”, “I don’t have any experience in this”. Then fear, anxiety and worry set in and the end result is you don’t take action. It becomes all too difficult and overwhelming.

I’ve got some encouraging words for you that will hopefully shift your thinking and persuade you to step out: “GRACE SEES YOU COMING”.

Yes, God spoke these words to me and they were life changing. These words catapulted me to take action and fulfill the dreams and desires God placed in my heart. “Grace” is our covering. You will never have everything perfectly in place before you step out, you cannot focus all of your time and attention on the process. I remember when I had to have everything “perfect” and let me tell you all it did was create more misery, stress and anxiety in my life and rob me of time. I was so afraid of being wrong or stepping in the wrong direction. Then God opened my eyes to His umbrella of grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says that “His grace is sufficient for us, for His power is being perfected in our weakness…” It’s by His grace that we fulfill the dreams He’s placed inside of us. So stop focusing so much on the process and stand on the promises found in the Word.

Galatians 3:5 states, “ So then, does He who supplies you with His [marvelous Holy] Spirit and works miracles among you, do it as a result of the works of the Law [which you perform], or because you [believe confidently in the message which you] heard with faith” Love it! He works miracles when we are in faith!

He also tells us in Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way (and blesses his path). How awesome is this! God delights in us and He will make certain each step we take is sure.

God’s already written your story, so what are you waiting for? God tells in Jeremiah 29:11, “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. I love how this passage said that the Lord “declares” it. That means He is making an authoritative statement. He means what He said! You have a future and a hope in Him!

The only one holding you back is YOU! And when you feel doubt or discouragement, you have His promise in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

It’s time to step out and fulfill the dreams God has placed in your heart!

Remember this:  Grace sees you coming.

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We live in world where fads and trends come and go. We hear something that “inspires us” for a brief moment, but then we forget. We find ourselves circling the same mountain overwhelmed by our circumstances and adversities, that life seems grim and doubtful. Therefore, we find it difficult to rise above our problems. It’s easier to talk about it and to grumble and complain to everyone we know who will listen.

I remember a time in my life when I couldn’t see beyond the circumstance. I was trying to look beyond it but I was still in fear and doubt. Then one day, God reminded me of a scripture. It was a scripture I grew up knowing, but in that moment it became “Revelation” to me.

Proverbs 3:5 says , “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

The first thing God brought to my attention in this scripture is in the first line, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Trust is a “heart revelation”. It’s a truth in God’s word that needs to get from your head to your heart. The Word tells us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for out of it flows the issues of life.”

When God gave me this revelation, I remember telling Him, “God, it’s so hard to trust you in the midst of this crisis! How do I know for sure that it will be okay?”

Then God took me to another scripture in John 16:33. In the amplified bible it says, “ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be a good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)! For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you).

Wow! Every time I read this, it reassures me that my God has my back in EVERYTHING! I love it! God said He has “overcome” the world. That means he has deprived it of power to harm you and I! It’s already been conquered for you and I!! He tells us to be of “good cheer.” That we can be “confident” and “certain” in knowing He has got us covered. That’s the grace of the living God! That’s how much He loves you and I!

Meditate on these scriptures until they get into your heart. When God’s Word penetrates your heart, your circumstances begin to change. God’s love is liberating and His truth sets us free.

Remember this: The longest journey you will ever make in life is from your head to your heart which is only 18 inches apart.

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