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Copyright © 2016 by Joel Osteen
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Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New
International Version® NIVV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations noted nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, I can do all things…
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations noted nkjv are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible. through Him who strengthens
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations noted ncv are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright ©
2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. and empowers me
Scripture quotations noted amp are from The Amplified Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The
Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. For permission to quote
information visit www.lockman.org. […I am self-sufficient
Scripture quotations noted esv are taken from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Ver-
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ESV® Text Edition: 2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
in Christ’s sufficiency;
Scripture quotations noted msg are taken from the The Message. Copyright © 1993,
1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations noted tlb are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by
I am ready for anything
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Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. and equal to anything
Scripture quotations noted web are taken from the World English Bible®.
Scripture quotations noted kjv are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Literary development by Lance Wubbels Literary Services, LLC, Bloomington, MN
through Him who infuses me
Cover and interior design by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
This book has been adapted from The Power of I Am, copyright © 2015 by Joel Osteen.
Published by FaithWords.
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Introduction
H ave you wondered if you have inner
strengths, natural talents, and unique
abilities that will make you prosper with
go through the day saying, “I am blessed,”
blessings pursue you. When you say, “I am
healthy,” health heads your way. When
self-assurance and success? Do you want you say, “I am strong,” strength tracks you
to build the quiet confidence to face any down. That is life-changing!
obstacle that comes your way? The reason I’ve written this devotional
My friend, over the next 365 days, I’d is to help you harness The Power of I Am
like for you to take the journey of a life- and become who God made you to be—an
time together with me and explore a simple amazing, original masterpiece chosen by
yet profound principle that can help you the Most High God to do great things. You’ll
answer those questions and attain your learn powerful “I am”s for your life that
dreams and goals. With the words “I am,” will provide you with practical steps and
you can control your success or failure, encouragement for creating a life without
transform your self-image, invite the right limitations. It’s time to stop criticizing your-
things into your life, and redirect your life’s self and discover an extraordinary life.
course onto the road of your destiny. I trust that these devotions will inspire
I AM. Can these two words give you the you in your daily walk with God. While
power to change your life? Can they help they are not meant to replace your per-
you discover unique abilities and advan- sonal time with God, it is my desire that
tages you never knew you had that can lead the readings will be keys you can use to
to a more productive and happier life? Yes, unlock doors leading to a fuller life. I hope
they can! they will be a springboard to help you draw
Why? Because what follows these two nearer to God and to help you overcome the
words will determine the course of your challenges or barriers that might keep you
life. Whatever follows the words “I am” will from discovering your best life possible.
always come looking for you. So when you
 Your life can be transformed and
renewed as you allow God’s Word to refresh
and to reshape your thinking, speaking,
and daily activities. You will find a wealth DAILY READINGS FROM
of Scriptures and points for contemplation.
Allow the Scriptures to speak to your heart.
Be still and listen to what God is saying to
you. Day by day, the barriers that hold you
back will begin to loosen and fall off your
life.
No matter what challenges or troubles
you face, you can choose to rise to a new
level and invite God’s goodness into your
life by focusing on these two words, I AM!
 “I Am”
A man will be satisfied
with good from the fruit

January
of his words…

1
P rove r bs 1 2 : 1 4 a m p

W hether you realize it or not, all

through the day the power of “I am”
is at work in your life, for what follows
those two simple words will determine
what kind of life you live. The “I am”s com-
ing out of your mouth will bring either suc-
cess or failure.
Here’s the principle. Whatever follows
the “I am” will always come looking for you.
When you say, “I am so clumsy,” clumsiness
comes looking for you. “I am so old.” Wrin-
kles come looking for you. “I am so over-
weight.” Calories come looking for you. It’s
as though you’re inviting them. Whatever
you follow the “I am” with, you’re handing
it an invitation, opening the door, and giv-
ing it permission to be in your life.

Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 11

 January 2 J A January
N U A R3
Y 3

Wield the Power Invite the Good

By the grace of God I am what I am, My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
and His grace toward me was not in vain.
P salm 4 5 : 1
1 C o r inthians 1 5 : 1 0 n k j v

H ow many people, when they get up in

M any times we wield the power of “I the morning, look in the mirror, shake
am” against ourselves. We don’t real- their head, and the first thing they say is, “I
ize how it’s affecting our future. That’s why am so worn out. I am so wrinkled. I am so
you have to be careful what follows the “I old.” You’re inviting fatigue. You are inviting
am.” Don’t ever say, “I am so unlucky all the oldness. Do us all a favor; stop inviting that.
time.” You’re inviting disappointments. “I You need to send out some new invi-
am so broke. I am so in debt.” You are invit- tations. Get up in the morning and invite
ing struggle. You’re inviting lack. good things into your life. “I am blessed. I
The good news is you get to choose am strong. I am talented. I am wise. I am
what follows the “I am.” When you go disciplined. I am focused. I am prosper-
through the day saying, “I am blessed,” ous.” When you talk like that, talent gets
blessings come looking for you. “I am tal- summoned by Almighty God: “Go find that
ented.” Talent comes looking for you. You person.” Health, strength, abundance, and
may not feel up to par, but when you say, “I discipline start heading your way, and it
am healthy,” health starts heading your way. costs you nothing!
“I am strong.” Strength starts tracking you
down. You’re inviting that into your life.

12 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 13

J A N U A R Y 4 J A N U A R Y 5

Beautiful God’s Creation

Dark am I, yet lovely, “Before I formed you in the
daughters of Jerusalem… womb I knew you, before you
were born I set you apart…”
S ong of S olomon 1 : 5
J e r emiah 1 : 5

S ome people have never once said, “I am

beautiful. I am attractive.” They’re so
focused on their flaws and what they don’t
D on’t go around telling others how nega-
tive you feel about yourself, whether
about your looks or personality. Never put
like about themselves and how they wish yourself down, especially not in front of
they had more here and less there. When your spouse. The last thing they need to
you say, “I am beautiful,” beauty comes hear is how bad you think you look. Don’t
looking for you. Youth and freshness come put those negative thoughts in their minds.
looking for you. Nobody else can do this for God made you as you are on purpose.
you! It has to come out of your own mouth. He gave you your looks, your height, your
Not only that, but on the inside your skin color, your nose, your personality.
spirit person comes alive. Your self-image Nothing about you is by accident. You
begins to improve, and you’ll start carrying didn’t get overlooked. You didn’t get left
yourself like you’re someone special. You out. God calls you His masterpiece. Instead
won’t drag around feeling inferior. Beauty is of going around feeling down on yourself,
not in how thin or tall you are, how perfect too tall, too short, not enough of this,
you look. Beauty is in being who God made or too much of that, dare to say, “I am a
you to be with confidence. masterpiece. I am created in the image of
Almighty God.”

14 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 15

J AN u a r y Amazing and Called by J AN u a r y

6 Wonderful
I praise you because you
Your Name
But now, thus says the Lord,
7
made me in an amazing and who created you, O Jacob, and
wonderful way. What you He who formed you, O Israel:
have done is wonderful. “Fear not, for I have redeemed
you; I have called you by your
P salm 1 3 9 : 1 4 n c v
name; you are Mine.”
I saiah 4 3 : 1 n k j v

N otice David’s “I am”s. He was saying,

not in pride but in praise to God, “I
am wonderful. I am amazing. I am a mas-
terpiece.” That goes against human nature.
Most of us think, There’s nothing amazing
R ather than being down on ourselves and
focusing on all our flaws, all through
the day—not in front of other people but in
about me. Nothing wonderful. I’m just aver- privacy, driving to work, and underneath
age. I’m just ordinary. But the fact is there our breath—be as bold as David was and
is nothing ordinary about you. There will say, “I am amazing. I am wonderful. I am
never be another you. Even if you have an valuable. I am a masterpiece. I am a child
identical twin, somebody who looks exactly of the Most High God!” You talk like that
like you, they don’t have your same person- and amazing comes chasing you down.
ality, your same goals, or even your same Awesome starts heading in your direction.
fingerprints. You are an original. When You won’t have that weak, defeated, “I’m
God made you, He threw away the mold. just average” mentality. You’ll carry your-
But as long as you go around thinking, I’m self like a king, like a queen. Not in pride.
just average. There’s nothing special about Not being better than somebody, but with
me, the wrong “I am” will keep you from a quiet confidence, with a knowing that
rising higher. you’ve been handpicked by the Creator of
the universe and you have something amaz-
ing to offer this world.

16 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 17

 J A N U A R Y 8 J A N U A R Y 9

Royalty Reign in Life

“As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call …how much more will those who receive
her Sarai; her name will be Sarah…. I will bless God’s abundant provision of grace and
her so that she will be the mother of nations; of the gift of righteousness reign in life
kings of peoples will come from her.” through the one man, Jesus Christ!
G enesis 1 7 : 1 5 – 1 6 Romans 5 : 1 7

G od promised Sarai and her husband,

Abram, that they would have a baby.
But Sarai was eighty years old, way past the
W hen God changed Sarai’s name to
Sarah, which means “Princess,” she
heard this spoken to her over and over.
childbearing years. Back in those days, if Those words got on the inside and began to
a wife couldn’t conceive and give her hus- change her self-image. Sarah went from “I
band a child, she was considered to be a am ashamed” to “I am crowned by Almighty
failure. I can imagine some of her “I am”s: “I God.” Instead of hanging her head in defeat,
am a failure. I am inferior to other women. I she started holding her head up high. From
am not good enough.” “I’m not good enough” to “I am a child of
God knew that the promise of a child the Most High God.” From “I’m inferior” to
would never come to pass unless He could “I am amazing and wonderfully made.” Her
convince Sarai to change her “I am”s. It new attitude became: I am a masterpiece.
was so imperative that she have this new This Princess spirit got on the inside
mind-set that God actually changed her of Sarah. It changed her self-image. I’ve
name from Sarai to Sarah, which means learned you have to change on the inside
“Princess.” Helping Sarah move from “I before you’ll see change on the outside.
am a failure” to “I am a Princess” changed Against all odds, she gave birth to that baby.
everything! The promise came to pass.

18 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 19

 Your New Name Life-Giving January
“No longer will you be
called Abram; your name
Words
The tongue has the
11
will be Abraham, for power of life and death.
I have made you a father
January of many nations.” P rove r bs 1 8 : 2 1

10 G enesis 1 7 : 5

W ords have creative power. They can

be very helpful like electricity. Used

A s was true for Sarah, you may have had

a lot of things in life try to push you
down—bad breaks and disappointments,
the right way, electricity powers lights, air
conditioning, and all kinds of good things.
But electricity used the wrong way can
maybe even people have tried to make you harm you, even kill you. It’s the same way
feel as though you just don’t measure up or with our words. It’s up to you to choose
you’re not talented enough. You could eas- what follows the “I am.”
ily let that seed get on the inside, ruin your What kind of “I am”s are coming out of
sense of value, and cause you to live inferior. your mouth? “I am victorious. I am blessed.
But God is saying to you what He said to I am talented. I am anointed.” When you
Sarai, “I want you to change your name”— have the right “I am”s, you’re inviting the
not literally, but in your attitude. Shake off goodness of God. My encouragement is to
the negative things people have said about never say negative things about yourself.
you and quit telling yourself you’re all That is cursing your future. Do yourself
washed up. Do as Sarah and say, “I am roy- a favor and zip that up. We have enough
alty. I am crowned with favor. I am excited in life against us already. Don’t be against
about my future.” yourself.

20 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 21

 January 12 January 13

By Faith God Says So

God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the The Lord will make you the head,
things that are not, as though they were. not the tail.
Romans 4 : 1 7 w e b D eute ronomy 2 8 : 1 3

T oday’s scripture simply means that you

shouldn’t talk about the way you are.
Talk about the way you want to be. If you’re
H ave you allowed what somebody—a
coach, a teacher, a parent, an ex-
spouse—said about you to plant negative
struggling in your finances, don’t go around seeds of what you cannot do. “You’re not
saying, “Oh, man, business is so slow. The smart enough, talented enough, disciplined
economy is so down. It’s never going to enough, or attractive enough. You’ll always
work out.” That’s calling the things that are be mediocre and struggle with your weight.”
as if they will always be that way. That’s just Get rid of those lies! That is not who you
describing the situation. By faith you have are. You are who God says you are.
to say, “I am blessed. I am successful. I am People may have tried to tell you who or
surrounded by God’s favor.” what you can’t become. Let that go in one
The Scripture says, “Let the weak say, ear and out the other ear. What somebody
‘I am strong!’” (Joel 3:10 amp)—not the said about you doesn’t determine your des-
opposite, “I am so tired. I am so rundown.” tiny; God does. You need to know not only
Let the poor say, “I am well off”—not, “I who you are but also who you are not. In
am broke. I am so in debt.” Don’t call in the other words, “I am not who people say I am.
wrong things. I am who God says I am.”

22 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 23

J A N U A R Y 1 4 J A N U A R Y 1 5

No Intimidation Change Your “I Am”

Don’t be intimidated in any Surely, Lord, you bless the
way by your enemies. righteous; you surround them with
your favor as with a shield.
P hilippians 1 : 2 8 n lt
P salm 5 : 1 2

Y ou have gifts and talents that you’ve

not tapped into yet. There is a treasure
on the inside. Negative thoughts will try to
I know a man who was told by a counselor
that he wasn’t very smart and should
focus on the lowest skilled factory job that
keep it buried. The enemy doesn’t want you he could find, which he did. Years later,
to reach your full potential. There are forces he was hired at another factory where he
constantly trying to make you feel intimi- was given an IQ test that assessed him at a
dated, inferior, unqualified. If you’re going genius level. He went on to start his own
to fulfill your destiny, you have to shake off business, and he invented and patented two
the negative voices. very successful products.
Shake off the thoughts that are telling What happened? He changed his “I am.”
you, I am unable. I am unqualified. Don’t Could it be what someone has told you is
invite weakness. Don’t give intimidation keeping you from God’s best? Do what this
an invitation. Before you were born, God man did. Change your “I am.” Get in agree-
equipped you. He empowered you. You are ment with God and declare who you are
not lacking anything. When you know God and know who you are not. “I am not lack-
has approved you, you realize, I don’t need ing. I am not inferior. I am equipped. I am
other people’s approval. I’ve been equipped, empowered.”
empowered, and anointed by the Creator of
the universe!

24 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 25

J AN u a r y Be on Guard Be a Joshua J AN u a r y

16 They gave Moses this account:

“We went into the land to
“…don’t be afraid of the people
of the land. They are only help-
17
which you sent us, and it does less prey to us! They have no
flow with milk and honey! protection, but the Lord is with
Here is its fruit. But…” us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
N umbe r s 1 3 : 2 7 – 2 8 N umbe r s 1 4 : 9 n lt

I n Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve men

in to spy out the Promised Land. After
forty days, ten of them came back and said,
I n Numbers 13, ten men sent to spy out
the Promised Land brought back a nega-
tive report. The other two spies, Joshua and
“Moses, we don’t have a chance. The cities Caleb, said, “Moses, yes, the people are big,
are fortified and very large and the people but we know our God is much bigger. We
are huge. Compared to them we felt like we are well able. Let us go in and take the land
were grasshoppers.” Notice their “I am”s. “I at once.” Their “I am”s were just the oppo-
am weak. I am inferior. I am intimidated. I site. “I am strong. I am equipped. I am con-
am afraid.” What happened? Fear, intimi- fident. I am more than a conqueror.”
dation, and inferiority came knocking at But nobody in the camp even paid
the door. attention to Joshua and Caleb’s report of
What is interesting is that the negative faith. Don’t let that be your destiny. You
report from the ten spies spread like wild- may be facing some major obstacles. My
fire throughout the rest of the camp. Before challenge is for you to be a Joshua. Be a
long some two million people were intimi- Caleb. “I am well able.” Make sure you have
dated and afraid. When people are murmur- the right “I am”s coming out of your mouth.
ing, complaining, and talking defeat, be on
guard. Make sure you don’t let the wrong “I
am” take root.

26 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 27

 J A N U A R Y 1 8 J A N U A R Y 1 9

Be Very Careful Seeds of Greatness

“So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, “But because my servant Caleb has
declares the Lord, I will do to you the a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly,
very thing I heard you say…’” I will bring him into the land he went to,
and his descendants will inherit it.”
N umbe r s 1 4 : 2 8
N umbe r s 1 4 : 2 4

T he people of Israel were so distressed

by the negative report of the ten spies
that they complained against Moses and I n the Scripture, do you remember reading
about a man named Sethur, a man named
Aaron, “Why did you even bring us out Gaddi, or a man named Shaphat? I’m fairly
here? We’re going to die in the wilderness. certain that you’ve never heard of them.
Our children, our wives, they’re going to be You know why? They were listed among the
taken as plunder.” ten spies who brought the negative report.
God answered back something very They also never made it into the Promised
powerful and very sobering. He said in Land. The fact is they were called to be his-
Numbers 14, “I will do for you exactly what tory makers, just as Joshua and Caleb were.
you have said. You said you’re going to die They had seeds of greatness on the inside,
in the wilderness, so you will die in the wil- but the wrong “I am” kept them from mak-
derness.” God is saying the same thing to us. ing their mark.
“I am going to do exactly what you’ve been Joshua and Caleb were the only two
saying.” Don’t ever say, “I am weak. I’m people who were twenty years old and
intimidated. I’m inferior.” Friend, the wrong above from that whole wilderness company
“I am” can keep you from your destiny. to ever make it into the Promised Land.

28 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 29

 A Fountain Words Are January
of Life
The mouth of the righteous
Like Seeds
Keep your tongue
21
is a fountain of life and from evil and your lips
his words of wisdom are a from speaking deceit.
January source of blessing…

20
P salm 3 4 : 1 3 a m p
P rove r bs 1 0 : 1 1 a m p

Y ou are where you are today in part

because of what you’ve been saying
H ere are some “I am”s to speak over
your life every day. Get them down in
your spirit. Meditate on them. They may
about yourself. Words are like seeds. When
you speak something out, you give life
not all be true right now, but as you con- to what you’re saying. If you continue to
tinue to speak them, they will become a say it, eventually that can become a real-
reality. ity. Whether you realize it or not, you are
prophesying your future. This is great when
“I am valuable. I am redeemed. I am for- you’re saying things such as, “I’m blessed. I
given. I am approved. I am successful. I am will accomplish my dreams. I’m coming out
victorious. I am talented. I am healthy. I am of debt.” That’s not just being positive; you
energetic. I am happy. I am positive. I am are actually prophesying victory and new
passionate. I am strong. I am confident. I am levels.
secure. I am attractive. I am free. I am quali-
fied. I am motivated. I am focused. I am But too many people go around proph-
determined. I am patient. I am kind. I am esying just the opposite. “I never get any
generous. I am empowered. I am well able. I good breaks.” “I’ll probably get laid off.”
am a child of the Most High God.” They don’t realize they are prophesying
defeat. Your life will move in the direction
of your words.

30 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 31

 January 22 J AJanuary
N U A R 23
Y 3

Abundant Fruit Speak the Promises

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, “If you want to enjoy life and see many
and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil
and bear the consequences of their words. and your lips from telling lies.”
P r ove r bs 1 8 : 2 1 a m p 1 P ete r 3 : 1 0 n lt

T he Scripture says, “We will eat the fruit

of our words.” When you talk, you are
planting seeds. At some point, you’re going
Y ou can’t talk negative and expect to live
a positive life. You can’t talk defeat and
expect to have victory. If you talk lack, not
to eat that fruit. My challenge is: Make sure enough, can’t afford it, and never get ahead,
you’re planting the right kind of seeds. If you’re going to have a poor life.
you want apples, you have to sow apple Instead of saying, “I’ll never get out of
seeds. If you want oranges, you can’t plant debt. I’ll never rise any higher,” you start
cactus or poison ivy seeds. You’re going to speaking the promises of God: “I will lend
reap fruit from the exact seeds that you’ve and not borrow. Whatever I touch prospers
been sowing. and succeeds. I’m coming into overflow,
If you don’t like what you’re seeing, into more than enough.” Start sowing seeds
start sowing some different seeds. Instead of increase, seeds of abundance. No more
of saying, “I’ll never get well,” plant the “I’ll never accomplish my dreams.” Instead,
right seeds by stating, “God is restoring “I have the favor of God. The right people
health back to me. This sickness didn’t are searching me out. New opportunities,
come to stay; it came to pass.” You keep new levels are in my future.” If you’ll keep
sowing those positive seeds and eventu- talking like that, you’ll reap a harvest of
ally you’ll eat that abundant fruit—health, good things.
wholeness, victory.

32 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 33

J A N U A R Y 2 4 J A N U A R Y 2 5

Bless Your Life You Will Prevail

And so blessing and cursing come pour- “No weapon forged against you will
ing out of the same mouth. Surely, my prevail, and you will refute every
brothers and sisters, this is not right! tongue that accuses you. This is the
heritage of the servants of the Lord…”
James 3 : 1 0 n lt
I saiah 5 4 : 1 7

M any people don’t realize that every

I
time they say, “I never get any good know a man who was only in his early
breaks,” they just cursed their life. “I’ll fifties and yet was so concerned he was
never be able to afford a house.” “I’ll never going to get Alzheimer’s disease that he was
be able to break this addiction.” “I’ll never actually making plans for someone to take
meet the right person.” Sometimes the care of him. Of course, it’s good to be wise
enemy doesn’t have to defeat us; we defeat and to plan ahead in your life where you
ourselves. Pay attention to what you’re say- can, but if you’re making plans to get a dis-
ing. Are you blessing your life? Or are you ease, you probably won’t be disappointed.
cursing it? You’re sending it an invitation.
I’ve known guys who joke about how I told him what I’m telling you, “Start
they are getting old, fat, and bald, and fif- declaring, ‘No weapon formed against me
teen years later it came true. Don’t speak will ever prosper. I will live out my days
that defeat over your life. Our attitude in good health, with a clear mind, with a
should be, God is renewing my youth like good memory, with clarity of thought. My
the eagles. I’m getting stronger, healthier, youth is being renewed.’” You must proph-
better looking. I’m going to live a long produc- esy health. Prophesy a long productive life.
tive faith-filled life. Start blessing your life. Your words will become your reality.
Prophesy good things.

34 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 35

J ANUARY Don’t Be Snared Prophesy J ANUARY

26 You are snared by the words of

your mouth; you are taken by
the Right Thing
The heart of the
27
the words of your mouth. wise teaches his mouth,
P r ove r bs 6 : 2 n k j v and adds learning to his lips.
P rove r bs 1 6 : 2 3 n k j v

T o be snared means “to be trapped.”

Your words can trip you. What you
say can cause you to stumble and keep you
from your potential. You’re not snared by
W hen we acquired the former Compaq
Center, it was a dream come true. We
were so excited…and then our architects
what you think. Negative thoughts come to told us it was going to cost 100 million dol-
us all. But when you speak them out, you lars to change it from a basketball arena to
give them life. That’s when they become a a church! My first thoughts were, That’s
reality. impossible! I can’t raise those kinds of funds.
If you say, “I’ll never get back in shape,” Even though those thoughts were racing
it becomes more difficult. When you say, “I through my mind, I knew enough to keep
never get any good breaks,” that stops the my mouth closed. I told our team, “God has
favor that was ordained to you. If you say, a way. He didn’t bring us this far to leave us.
“I’m not that talented. I don’t have a good He is supplying all our needs. The funds are
personality,” that is calling in mediocrity. coming in. It may look impossible on paper,
It’s setting the limits for your life. When but with God all things are possible.” I knew
negative thoughts come, the key is to never if I kept prophesying the right things, we
verbalize them. That thought will die still- would start moving toward it, and we did!
born if you don’t speak it.

36 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 37

 J A N U A R Y 2 8 J A N U A R Y 2 9

Talk about the Promise The Voice of Faith

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
opening your mouth can ruin everything. and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
P r ove r bs 1 3 : 3 n lt P rove r bs 1 5 : 2 3 n k j v

I n the tough times, it’s very tempting to

vent your frustration and tell people how
the loan didn’t go through, how bad the
I n life, there are always two voices com-
peting for your attention—the voice of
faith and the voice of defeat. One voice
medical report was, or how certain people declares that you’ve reached your limits and
just didn’t treat you right. When you con- don’t have what it takes. You’ll be tempted
tinually talk about the problem, that’s only to worry, to be negative, to complain. But
going to make you more discouraged, and it if you listen carefully, you’ll hear another
gives that problem more life. You’re making voice saying, “You are well able. You can do
it bigger. Turn it around. Don’t talk about all things through Christ. Favor is coming.”
the problem; talk about the promise. Now, you get to choose which voice
Instead of complaining, “I didn’t get the comes to life. Whichever thought you ver-
promotion they promised,” declare, “I know balize is given the right to come to pass. If
when one door closes that means God has say, “The problem’s too big,” you are choos-
something better.” If your friend remarks, ing the wrong voice. You must get in agree-
“I heard those people did you wrong,” feel ment with God. The other voice may seem
free to smile and explain, “Yes, but I’m not louder, but you can override it. You can take
worried. God is fighting my battles. He’s away all its power by choosing the voice of
promised to give me beauty for ashes.” faith.

38 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 39

 No More Defeat Zip It JANUARY
The mouth of the righteous
flows with [skillful and
“Before I formed you in the
womb I knew you, before you 31
godly] wisdom… were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a
JANUARY P rove r bs 1 0 : 3 1 a m p
prophet to the nations.”

30 J e r emiah 1 : 5

D oes this sound familiar? You’re going

to a job interview, and the voice of
defeat says, “You’re not going to get it.
G od gave Jeremiah a promise that he
would become a great prophet to the
nations. But when he heard God’s voice, he
You’re wasting your time.” But the voice of was very young and unsure of himself. He
faith counters, “You have the favor of God. instead listened to the voice of doubt and
You have what it takes.” If you tell your said, “God, I can’t do that. I can’t speak to
spouse, “I don’t think I’m going to get this the nations. I’m too young. I wouldn’t know
job,” there’s no use in going. You’re being what to say.”
trapped by your words. God said, “Jeremiah, say not that you
You have to dig your heels in and say, are too young.” The first thing God did was
“I am not giving life to any more defeat. to stop his negative words. Why did God
I am not speaking lack. I’m not speaking do that? Because He knew that if Jeremiah
sickness. I’m not speaking mediocrity, fear, went around saying, “I’m not qualified. I
or doubt. I’m choosing the voice of faith. can’t do this. I don’t have what it takes,” he
It says I am strong, I am healthy, and I am would become exactly what he was saying.
blessed. I am favored. I am a victor and not So God said in effect, “Jeremiah, zip it up.
a victim.” You may think it, but don’t speak it out.”

40 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 41

 Stop the Excuses A Promise Delayed

F E B RUARY

F E B RUARY
May these words of my mouth Catch for us the foxes, the little

1 2
and this meditation of my heart foxes, that ruin the vineyards…
be pleasing in your sight, Lord,
S ong of S olomon 2 : 1 5
my Rock and my Redeemer.
P salm 1 9 : 1 4

W hen Jeremiah stopped making the

excuse that he was too young and
changed what he was saying, he became a
S ometimes the reason a promise from
God is being delayed is because of what
we’re saying. Imagine that God has already
prophet to the nations. God’s promise came dispatched an angel with your healing, your
to pass. promotion, your vindication. But en route,
In the same way, God has called every God says to the angel, “Hold on.” The angel
one of us to do something great. He’s put replies, “Why? This is what You promised
dreams, desires on the inside, but it’s easy in Your Word.” God answers, “That’s right,
to acquiesce as Jeremiah did and say, “I but he’s talking about how it’s not going to
can’t do that. I’m too young. I’m too old. happen.”
I’ve made too many mistakes. I don’t have Negative words stop God’s promises.
the education. I don’t have the experience.” I wonder how many times we’re right on
We can all make excuses, but God is saying the brink of seeing the answer. Perhaps
to us what He said to Jeremiah, “Stop saying you’ve been praying for years that God
that.” Don’t curse your future. Those nega- would bring somebody great into your life.
tive words can keep you from God’s best. But right before they show up, you let your
guard down and start saying, “Oh, I’m too
old. Nobody’s interested in me.” God has to
say to the angel, “Don’t go any farther.”

42 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 43

 February 3 J AFebruary
N U A R Y4 3

Do Your Part Turn It Around

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; Trust in the Lord with all your heart
do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the and lean not on your own understanding…
wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
P rove r bs 3 : 5
I saiah 4 3 : 1 9

T he good news is that even if you got

negative about a promise from God, He
didn’t cancel it. He still has the right person
L et’s say your son is in the process of
applying to different colleges. Some
schools only accept five percent of the stu-
for you, and if you’ll zip up the doubt and dents who apply. It’s easy to think, Why
switch over into faith, at the right time, that bother to apply to those schools? More than
person will show up. God will release what nine out of ten students get denied. There is
negative words have delayed. God still has now way.
your healing, your promotion, your restora- Don’t be snared by the words of your
tion on hold. mouth and talk yourself out of it. You may
Now do your part. Quit talking about think those thoughts, but don’t verbalize
how it’s not going to happen. It may look them. Learn to turn it around. “God, I know
impossible, but God can do the impossible. You have my son in the palm of Your hand.
Just because you don’t see anything happen- There may be only a five percent chance
ing doesn’t mean God is not working. Right for some schools, but God, I know that with
now, behind the scenes, God is arranging You there’s a hundred percent chance he’ll
things in your favor. He is positioning you get in exactly where You want him to go.
exactly where He wants you to be. Now God, You control the whole universe.” Your
don’t delay the promise by speaking nega- words prophesy your future.
tive words.

44 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 45

F e b ruary 5 fe b ruary 6

Rest Assured Set a Guard

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
I be sure of this? I am an old man and keep watch over the door of my lips.
my wife is well along in years.”
P salm 1 4 1 : 3
L uke 1 : 1 8

I n Luke 1, an angel appeared to Zechariah

and told him that his wife was going to
Y esterday we read that God took away
Zechariah’s speech. God knew he
would go out and start telling his friends
have a baby. Zechariah was very surprised, how it wasn’t going to happen. Those nega-
and he listened to the voice of doubt. He tive words would have stopped his destiny.
asked the angel, “Are you sure? Do you That’s why the Scripture says, “Set a watch
see how old we are?” The angel said, “I am over your mouth.” In other words, “Be
Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and careful what you allow to come out of your
what God says will come to pass.” mouth.”
But God knows the power of our words. “I’ll never pass this algebra course.
He knew that if Zechariah went around I’ve never been good in math.” No, put a
speaking defeat, it would stop His plan. So watch over your mouth. Don’t prophesy
God did something unusual. The angel said, that defeat. If you’re going to say anything,
“Zechariah, because you doubted, you will declare what God says, “I can do all things
remain silent and not be able to speak until through Christ. I have good understanding.
the baby is born.” Zechariah couldn’t speak I am full of wisdom. I am an A student.”
one word for nine months. God zipped it When you do that, you’re inviting wisdom
for him, lest he lose the promise. and an acceleration of knowledge. You’re
inviting God’s blessings.

46 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 47

feb r u a r y Call Yourself Silence Is Golden feb r u a r y

7 Blessed
“Yet who knows whether you
“Do not shout; do not even
talk,” Joshua commanded.
8
have come to the kingdom “Not a single word from any
for such a time as this?” of you until I tell you to shout.
Then shout!”
E sthe r 4 : 1 4 n k j v
J oshua 6 : 1 0 n lt

W hen I first started ministering back

in 1999, I had never done this before,
and I was very nervous. Negative thoughts W hen Joshua was leading the people of
Israel into the Promised Land, they
bombarded my mind: Joel, you’re going to had to conquer the city of Jericho, which
make a fool of yourself. Nobody is going to lis- was surrounded by a huge, thick, tall wall
ten to you. Why should they? I had to counter made up of stone and mortar. They had
those thoughts by saying under my breath, no way to get in. But God told them to do
“Joel, you are well able. You are equipped. something that sounded strange—for six
You’ve been raised up for such a time as days they were to march around that wall
this.” I didn’t feel confident, but I called once a day, and on the seventh day they
myself confident. I didn’t feel anointed, but were to march around it seven times. If that
I called myself anointed. wasn’t odd enough, God gave them one
final command: “While you’re marching,
You may not feel blessed, but you need
keep totally silent.”
to call yourself blessed. You may not feel
healthy today, but don’t go around telling God knew that after a couple of times
everyone how you’re not going to make it. around the perimeter of the walls, they
Start calling yourself healthy, whole, strong, would be saying, “This wall is never going
full of energy and full of life. to fall.” Negative words would have kept
them out of the Promised Land.

48 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 49

 fe b ruary 9 fe b ruary 1 0

Just Keep Marching The Walls Will Fall

There is…a time to be silent and a time to speak. But the people remained silent and said
nothing in reply, because the king had
E cclesiastes 3 : 1 , 7
commanded, “Do not answer him.”
2 K ings 1 8 : 3 6

G od did not allow the Israelites to speak

as they marched around Jericho. Why?
He knew they would talk themselves out
of it. In fact, it had happened years before. C ould it be that negative words are keep-
ing you out of your promised land?
Could it be that if you would not talk about
Their parents and their relatives were
camped next door to the Promised Land, how big the problem is, not complain about
but shortly after the spies came back and what didn’t work out, not tell a friend how
told everyone how big their enemies were, you’re never going to break that addiction,
all two million people were complaining, maybe the walls that are holding you back
saying, “We don’t have a chance. We’ll would come down? Imagine behind that
never defeat these enemies” (see Numbers wall is your healing, your promotion, your
13, 14). Even though they were right on the dream coming to pass. Every day, so to
doorstep, their negative words kept them speak, you’re walking around the wall.
from going in. What are you saying?
There are times in all our lives where God is saying to us, “If you can’t say
it’s difficult to be positive. And that’s okay. anything positive and full of faith, don’t
Just stay silent. Don’t tell everyone what say anything at all.” Don’t let your negative
you’re thinking. Keep marching in silence words keep you from God’s best. If you’ll
and the walls will come tumbling down. stop talking defeat and simply remain silent,
God can bring those walls down.

50 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 51

 A Time of Testing All Is Well february
Do everything without
grumbling or arguing, so that
And she answered,
“All is well.” 12
you may become blameless
2 K ings 4 : 2 6 e s v
and pure, “children of God
february without fault in a warped

11 and crooked generation.”

P hilippians 2 : 1 4 – 1 5 S econd Kings 4 tells the remarkable story
of a woman who was a good friend of
the prophet Elisha. Her beloved young son
is taken ill out in the field, carried home,

W hen we’re marching around the walls

of our Jerichos, sometimes we go day
after day and don’t see anything happening.
where he dies in her arms. Devastated
beyond measure, this heartbroken mother’s
story did not end here. Rather, she sets
Just like them, the thoughts come swirling out immediately to enlist Elisha’s help, but
around our heads, You didn’t hear God right. twice before she reaches him she is asked
Nothing is changing, and it’s never going to what is going on. Speaking words of faith,
happen. No, that is a time of testing. You her only answer is, “All is well.”
may have been doing it a year, two years, or In her darkest hour, even in the midst
five years. You thought it would have hap- of overwhelming tragedy, this lady refused
pened by now. to get negative and speak defeat. She chose
Pass that test. Don’t start complaining. to speak faith even though her mind was
Don’t do like the first group of Israelites being bombarded with doubt. “All is well.”
that stopped at the door of the Promised That’s when the most powerful force in the
Land and said, “Oh, what’s the use? Let’s universe went to work, and her son’s life
just settle here.” When the negative was restored.
thoughts come, let them die stillborn. You
will come into your seventh day. God is a
faithful God. He will do what He has prom-
ised you.
52 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 53
 Speak Faith All Things

feb r u a r y

feb r u a r y
…there was the boy lying
Are Possible

13 14
dead on his couch…. Elisha… Then Moses stretched out his
stretched out on him once hand over the sea, and all that
more. The boy sneezed seven night the Lord drove the sea
times and opened his eyes. back with a strong east wind
2 K ings 4 : 3 2 , 3 5 and turned it into dry land.
The waters were divided.
E xodus 1 4 : 2 1

C ontinuing yesterday’s story, Elisha went

with the heartbroken mother, prayed

G
for her son, and he miraculously came back od can resurrect dead dreams. He can
to life. What I want you to see, however, is resurrect a dead marriage. He can res-
that despite all the negative thoughts that urrect health that’s going down or a busi-
this woman was fighting, she still said, “All ness that’s failing. When you get in agree-
is well.” ment with God, all things are possible. You
A lot of times when we face difficulties may be facing a big obstacle. It doesn’t look
and somebody asks us how everything is good. But here’s a key: Don’t talk about the
going, we do just the opposite and tell them size of your problem. Talk about the size
everything that’s wrong. When you’re hurt- of your God. There was a day when God
ing, you’ve been through a disappointment, stopped the sun for Joshua. He parted the
and you’ve suffered a loss, you have to do Red Sea for the Israelites. He breathed new
what she did. Say it by faith, “All is well.” It life into the mother’s little boy. He can turn
may not look well. It may not feel well. In your situation around as well. He can make
the natural you should be complaining, talk- a way even though you don’t see a way.
ing about how bad it is, but instead you’re My challenge today is: Don’t let your
making a declaration of faith. negative words stop what God wants to do.
Don’t be snared by your words.

54 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 55

 February 15 J AFebruary
N U A R 16
Y 3

Your Promised Land Say So

“O our God…We do not know what to do, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom
but our eyes are on You.” He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy…
2 C h r onicles 2 0 : 1 2 a m p P salm 1 0 7 : 2 n k j v

I n the tough times—when you feel like

complaining, when you’ve got a good rea-
son to be sour, because you lost a job, or a
W ords have creative power. When you
speak something out, you give life to
what you’re saying. For instance, it’s impor-
friend did you wrong, or you’re not feeling tant to believe that you’re blessed. But when
well—you have to dig your heels in and say you say, “I am blessed,” that’s when bless-
it by faith, “This is difficult, but all is well. ings come looking for you.
God is still on the throne. He’s the Lord my The Scripture says, “Let the redeemed
Provider.” of the Lord say so.” It doesn’t say, “Let the
When you make this adjustment, God redeemed think so, or believe so, or hope
is going to release promises that have been so.” That’s all good, but you have to take it
delayed. What you’ve been praying about— one step further and say so. If you’re going
breaking that addiction, meeting the right to go to the next level, you have to say so. If
person, getting healthy again, starting that you’re going to accomplish a dream, over-
business—suddenly, things are going to fall come an obstacle, or break an addiction,
into place. You’re going to see God’s favor you have to start declaring it. It has to come
in a new way. He’s going to break down out of your mouth. That’s how you give life
walls and bring you into your promised to your faith.
land.

56 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 57

F E B R U A R Y 1 7 F E B R U A R Y 1 8

When He Spoke Activate Your Faith

And God said, “Let there be light,” “With long life I will satisfy him
and there was light. and show him my salvation.”
G enesis 1 : 3 P salm 9 1 : 1 6

W hen God created the worlds, He

didn’t just think them into being.
He didn’t just believe there would be light
W hen you get sick, instead of just
thinking, I hope I get over this illness.
I’m praying I’ll get better, which is good, take
and land and oceans and animals. He had it one more step and start declaring it. “I am
it in His heart, but nothing happened until strong. I am healthy. With long life God is
He spoke. He said, “Let there be light,” and going to satisfy me.” That’s what activates
light came. His thoughts didn’t set it into your faith.
motion; His words set it into motion. It’s not just hoping you have a good year
It’s the same principle today. You can or just hoping that you accomplish your
have faith in your heart, big dreams, be dreams. Hope is good, but nothing happens
standing on God’s promises, and never until you speak. Before you leave the house
see anything change. What’s the problem? every day, declare it: “This is going to be my
Nothing happens until you speak. Instead best year. Things have shifted in my favor.
of just believing you’re going to get out of I’m going to a new level.” When you talk
debt, you have to say so. Declare every day, like that, the angels go to work, opening up
“I am coming out of debt. God’s favor sur- new doors, lining up the right people, and
rounds me like a shield.” When you speak, arranging things in your favor.
good breaks, promotion, and ideas will
track you down.

58 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 59

F E B RUARY “I Will Say” Do Not Give Up F E B RUARY

19 I will say of the Lord, “He is

my refuge and my fortress,
…those who seek the Lord
lack no good thing.
20
my God, in whom I trust.”
P salm 3 4 : 1 0
P salm 9 1 : 2

T he psalmist says, “I will say of the

Lord,” and in the next verse adds, “He
O ne of our staff members had been try-
ing for over ten years to have a baby
with no success. Her doctors told her it
will deliver and cover me.” Notice the con- wasn’t going to happen. One day she said,
nection. I will say and He will do. It doesn’t “When I have my baby…,” even though she
say, “I believe He is my refuge.” The psalm- wasn’t pregnant yet. She kept on speaking
ist went around speaking it out: “The Lord about it for years. What was she doing? Say-
is my refuge.” Notice what happened. God ing so. She didn’t just believe it. She was
became his refuge. God was saying in effect, declaring it. In the natural, it looked impos-
“If you’re bold enough to speak it, I’m bold sible. Most people would have given up, but
enough to do it.” not this lady. She kept saying so: “When my
Have you ever declared that your baby shows up...” Twenty years later, she
dreams are coming to pass? Whatever God gave birth to twins.
has put in your heart, talk about it like it’s She declared of the Lord and God did
already on the way: “When I get married…, what He promised. But think about the
when I graduate from college…, when I opposite of Psalm 91:2: “I will not say of the
see my family restored...” Not if it’s going Lord, and He will not do.” That’s the prin-
to happen, but when it’s going to happen. ciple.
That’s your faith being released.

60 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 61

 F E B R U A R Y 2 1 F E B R U A R Y 2 2

All Your Needs Declare Victory

And my God will meet all your needs according Their children will be mighty in the land;
to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. the generation of the upright will be blessed.
P hilippians 4 : 1 9 P salm 1 1 2 : 2

W hen we were trying to acquire the

Compaq Center to become our
church building, Victoria and I would drive
W hat are you saying of the Lord? Are
you declaring victory over your life,
family, and career? Nothing happens until
around it and say, “That’s our building. you speak. When you get up in the morn-
Father, thank You that You are making a ing, make some declarations of faith. I
way where we don’t see a way.” We prayed declare every day, “My children will fulfill
about it, believed that it would happen, and their destinies. Their gifts and talents will
then we took the most important step and come out to the full.”
declared that it was ours. It became a part Whatever God has put in your heart,
of our everyday conversation. “When we declare that it will come to pass. You have
renovate it…” “When we have the grand to speak favor into your future. Don’t talk
opening…” about how big your problem is. Talk about
We didn’t say, “I don’t know. Where how big your God is. When you say of the
are we going to get the funds?” No, we said Lord, “You’re my healer, my way maker, my
of the Lord, as the psalmist did, “God, we dream giver, my restorer, my vindicator, my
know You are bigger than any obstacle. We health, my peace, my victory,” that’s when
know You are supplying all our needs.” We God will show up and do more than you can
declared it, and God did it. ask or think.

62 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 63

 Speak Favor “I Shall Be” FEBRUARY
By Your favor and grace,
O Lord, you have made my
When she heard about Jesus,
she came behind Him in 24
mountain stand strong… the crowd and touched His
garment. For she said,
FEBRUARY P salm 3 0 : 7 a m p
“If only I may touch His

23 clothes, I shall be made well.”

Mark 5:27–28 nkjv

E ver since I took over for my father in

the church, I have said, “When people
turn me on, on television, they cannot turn
T his lady had been sick for many years
and spent all her money trying to get
well, but nothing worked. When she heard
me off.” Do you know how many letters I Jesus was coming through town, she kept
get from people who say, “Joel, I was flip- saying to herself, “I shall be made well.” She
ping through the channels. I don’t like TV wasn’t saying, “It’s no use.” No, she kept
preachers. I never watch TV preachers, but saying to herself, “When I get to Jesus, I
when I turned you on, I couldn’t turn you shall be made whole.” She was prophesying
off”? I think to myself, I called you in! I said victory. All through the day, she kept say-
so. ing, “Healing is on its way. Brighter days are
When you declare favor over your life up ahead.”
and over your future, God will make things When she started making her way
happen that should have never happened. through the thick crowd to Jesus, she didn’t
Our attitude should be, I’m coming out of complain but just kept saying, “This is my
debt, and I’m saying so. I will overcome every time. Things are changing in my favor.” The
obstacle, and I’m saying so. I will accomplish more she said it, the closer she got. Finally
my dreams, and I’m saying so. she reached out and touched the edge of
His robe and she was instantly healed.

64 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 65

 Move toward Jesus Use Your Words

F E B RUARY

F E B RUARY
Throwing his cloak aside, [the God, who gives life to the dead

25 26
blind man] jumped to his feet and calls those things which do
and came to Jesus. not exist as though they did…
Mark 10:50 Romans 4 : 1 7 n k j v

F rom yesterday’s reading, notice the

principle: As the sick lady kept saying
she would be made well, she kept moving
W e have seen that whatever you’re con-
stantly saying, you’re moving toward.
If you’re always saying, “I’ve been through
in the direction of Jesus. Whatever you’re so much. I’ll ever be happy again,” you’re
constantly saying, you’re moving toward. moving toward more discouragement, more
You may be struggling in your finances, but sadness. If you will change what you’re say-
every time you declare, “I am blessed. I am ing, you will change what you’re seeing. The
prosperous. I have the favor of God,” you’re Scripture says, “Call those things which do
moving toward increase. You’re getting not exist as though they did.”
closer to seeing that come to pass. A lot of times we do just the opposite.
You may be facing a sickness. It doesn’t We call the things that are as if they will
look good. But every time you declare, “I always be that way. “Taxes are so high. I
am healthy. I am strong. I am getting bet- don’t see how I’m going to make it.” You’re
ter,” you’re moving toward health, whole- calling in more struggle, more lack. “I can’t
ness, victory. Perhaps you’re struggling stand my job.” You’re calling in more frus-
with an addiction. Every time you declare, tration, more defeat. Don’t use your words
“I am free. This addiction does not control to describe the situation. Use your words to
me,” you’re moving toward freedom. You’re change the situation.
moving toward breakthroughs.

66 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 67

 February 27 J AFebruary
N U A R 28
Y 3

Be Renewed Become What You Believe

Although Moses was a hundred and twenty He touched their eyes and said, “Become what
years old when he died, his eyesight was not dim, you believe.” It happened. They saw.
nor his natural strength abated.
M atthew 9 : 2 9 m s g
D eute r onomy 3 4 : 7 a m p

A gentleman who looked to be about sev-

enty told me, “Joel, when you get old,
T here’s a young lady on staff at Lake-
wood. Every morning before she leaves
her house, she looks in the mirror and says,
it’s all downhill.” That was his declaring, “Girl, you’re looking good today.” I saw her
“I’m going down.” He was calling in poor one time and asked if she was still doing it.
health, lack of vision, and loss of hearing. She said, “Yeah, in fact, today when I looked
By the way he looked, he had already been in the mirror, I said, ‘Girl, some days you
saying it for a long time! look good; but today, you look really good.’”
I realize we’re all going to get old, but Have a better say so. Don’t talk about
don’t make plans to go downhill. Consider the way you are. Talk about the way you
Moses at one hundred and twenty years want to be. Stop talking about all the things
old. Healthy. Strong. 20/20 vision. Sharp you don’t like—how you’re getting too old,
mind. In spite of how you may feel, every too wrinkled, too this, too that. Start calling
day you need to declare, “My youth is yourself strong, healthy, talented, beautiful,
being renewed. Like Moses, I will finish and young. Every morning, before you leave
my course with my eye not dim, my natu- your house, look in the mirror and say,
ral strength not abated.” You talk like that, “Good morning, you good-looking thing!”
and you’re moving toward renewed youth,
health, energy, and vitality.

68 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 69

F E B R U A R Y 2 9 M ar c h 1

Move Forward Every Morning

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear You have crowned him
or be dismayed because…the One with with glory and honor.
us is greater than the one with him.”
P salm 8 : 5 n k j v
2 C h ronicles 3 2 : 7 a m p

M aybe you’re in a difficult time today.

To complain, “I don’t think I’ll ever
O ne of the best things we can do is take
a few minutes every morning and make
positive declarations over our lives. Write
get out,” is just going to draw in more down not only your dreams, your goals, and
defeat. Your declaration should be, “I have your vision, but make a list of any area you
grace for this season. Those who are for me want to improve in, anything you want to
are greater than those who are against me.” see changed. Put that list on your bathroom
When you say that, strength comes. Cour- mirror, somewhere private. Before you
age comes. Confidence comes. Endurance leave the house, take a couple of minutes
comes. and declare that over your life.
If you go through a disappointment, If you struggle with your self-esteem,
a bad break, or a loss, don’t grumble, “I feeling less than, you need to declare every
don’t know why this has happened to me. day, “I am confident. I am valuable. I am
It’s so unfair.” That’s just going to draw in one of a kind. I am wearing a crown of
more self-pity. Your declaration should be, honor. I am a child of the Most High God.”
“God promised me beauty for ashes, joy for You declare that, and you’ll go out with
mourning. I’m moving forward. New begin- your shoulders back, with your head held
nings are in my future.” You talk like that, high.
and you’re moving away from self-pity and
toward God’s goodness in a new way.

70 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 71

 march “I Am Strong!” Your Destiny march

2 Let the weak say,

“I am strong!”
Awaits
“You come to me with a sword,
3
J oel 3 : 1 0 a m p with a spear, and with a jav-
elin. But I come to you in the
name of the Lord of hosts…
whom you have defied.”
T he Scripture doesn’t say, “Let the weak
talk about the weakness. Discuss the
weakness. Call five friends and explain the
1 S amuel 1 7 : 4 5 n k j v

weakness.” You have to send your words

out in the direction you want your life to go.
When you’re in a tough time and some- W hen David faced Goliath, it looked
impossible. He could have easily
gone around saying, “Look at him. He’s
body asks you how you’re doing, don’t go
through a sad song of everything that’s twice my size. He’s got more experience,
wrong in your life. “Oh, man, my back’s more equipment, more talent. This is never
been hurting. Traffic is so bad today. My going to work out.” You can talk yourself
boss isn’t treating me right. The dish- out of your destiny. Negative words can
washer broke. The goldfish died, and my keep you from becoming who you were
dog doesn’t like me.” All that’s going to created to be.
do is draw in more defeat. Turn it around. David looked Goliath in the eyes and
Have a report of victory. “I am blessed. I am said, “This day I will defeat you and feed
healthy. I am prosperous. I have the favor your head to the birds of the air!” He proph-
of God.” What you consistently talk about, esied victory. He may have felt fear, but
you’re moving toward. he spoke faith. I can hear David, affirming
under his breath, “I am well able. I am
anointed. If God be for me, who dare be
against me?” He picked up that rock, slung
it in his slingshot, and Goliath came tum-
bling down.
72 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 73
 mar c h 4 mar c h 5

Our Father Talk to the Mountain

“But as for me and my household, “So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next
we will serve the Lord.” to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill.”
J oshua 2 4 : 1 5 Z echa r iah 4 : 7 m s g

W hen you face giants in life, you have

to do as David did and prophesy
your future. “Cancer, you are no match for
Z erubbabel faced a huge mountain. To
rebuild the temple in Jerusalem was a
big obstacle with enemies opposing every
me. I will defeat you.” “This addiction may step. But he didn’t talk about how impos-
have been in my family for years, but this sible it was, how it was never going to work
is a new day. I’m the difference maker. I am out. He said, “Mountain, you’re nothing but
free.” “My child may have been off course a molehill.” He was prophesying his future.
for a long time, but I know it’s only tempo- The mountain looked big. But he declared it
rary. As for me and my house, we will serve would be flattened out. It would become a
the Lord.” molehill.
Say to that loneliness, that addiction, Here’s the principle: Don’t talk about
that legal problem, “Don’t you know who the mountain; talk to the mountain. Look
I am? A child of the Most High God. My at that mountain of debt and tell it, “You
Father created the universe. He breathed can’t defeat me. I will lend and not borrow.”
life into me and crowned me with His favor. Whatever mountains you face in life, no
He called me more than a conqueror. That matter how big they look, don’t shrink back
means you can’t defeat me. You can’t hold in fear or be intimidated. Prophesy victory.
me back.” Prophesy breakthroughs. Prophesy what
you’re believing for.

74 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 75

 Come Alive New Life march
“Prophesy to these bones
and say to them, ‘Dry bones,
“Prophesy to the breath;
prophesy, son of man, 7
hear the word of the Lord!... and say to it,…‘Come,
I will make breath enter you, breath, from the four winds
march and you will come to life.’” and breathe into these slain,

6 E zekiel 3 7 : 4 – 5
that they may live.’”
E zekiel 3 7 : 9

E zekiel saw a vision of a valley filled with

bones. It was like a huge graveyard of
bones from people who had died. Bones P erhaps like Ezekiel, all you can see is a
valley of dry bones, so to speak. Call in
represent things in our life that look dead, health. Call in abundance. Call in restora-
situations that seem impossible and per- tion. That child who’s been off course, don’t
manently unchanging. God told him to do just pray about him or her. Prophesy and
something interesting. He said, “Ezekiel, say, “Son, daughter, come back in. You will
prophesy to these dead bones.” Ezekiel fulfill your destiny.” Get your checkbook
started speaking to the bones, telling them out and prophesy to it. All it looks like are
to come back to life. As he was speaking, dead bones. Debt. Lack. Struggle. “I proph-
the bones started rattling and coming esy to these dead bones that I will lend and
together, morphing back into people. not borrow. I am the head and not the tail. I
Finally, breath came into those bodies, and am coming into overflow.”
they stood up like “a vast army.” Just as with Ezekiel, if you’ll prophesy
You may have things in your life that to the bones, God will resurrect what looks
seem dead—a relationship, a business, your dead. He’ll make things happen that you
health. It’s not enough to just pray about it; could never make happen.
you need to speak to it. Prophesy to those
dead bones as Ezekiel did.

76 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 77

 Day After Day The Future
…the tongue of
Is Bright

march

march
8 9
the wise brings healing. “You intended to harm me,
P r ove r bs 1 2 : 1 8 but God intended it all for
good. He brought me to
this position so I could save
the lives of many people.”

A friend of mine had tried to stop smok-

ing cigarettes again and again but
couldn’t. For years she said, “I can’t do
G enesis 5 0 : 2 0 n lt

it. But if I do, I’ll gain so much weight.”

One day someone told her to start saying,
“I don’t like to smoke. I’m going to quit
M aybe you’ve spent years saying nega-
tive things over your life. Let me lead
you in a few “Say So”s. Make these declara-
and not gain weight,” even while she was tions out loud.
smoking and enjoying it. Day after day, she “I will accomplish my dreams. The right
prophesied victory. She wasn’t talking about people are in my future. The right opportu-
the way she was. She was talking about the nities are headed my way.”
way she wanted to be. “I am the head and not the tail. I will
Three months later, she noticed the cig- lend and not borrow.”
arettes tasted almost bitter. It got worse and “I will overcome every obstacle. What
worse. Several months later, she couldn’t was meant for my harm, God is using for
stand it anymore. She stopped smoking, my advantage. My future is bright.”
and she never gained one extra pound. She “I run with purpose in every step. I will
broke that addiction, in part, by the power have everything God intended for me to
of her words. She prophesied her future. have. I am the redeemed of the Lord, and I
say so today!”

78 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 79

 March 10 J A March
N U A R11
Y 3

The Commanded Blessing Attract Goodness

“…if you diligently listen to and obey the Every good and perfect gift is from above,
voice of the Lord your God… All these blessings coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
will come upon you and overtake you...” who does not change like shifting shadows.
D eute ronomy 2 8 : 1 – 2 a m p James 1 : 1 7

W hen you honor God with your life,

keeping Him in first place, He puts
something on you called a commanded bless-
T he military has what’s called a heat-
seeking missile that follows its target
everywhere it goes and eventually overtakes
ing. The commanded blessing is like a mag- it and accomplishes its purpose. In the same
net. It attracts the right people, good breaks, way, when you keep God in first place, He
contracts, ideas, resources, and influence. will send blessings that chase you down,
You don’t have to go after these things, try- favor that overtakes you. Out of nowhere,
ing to make something happen in your own a good break comes. Suddenly, your health
strength, your own talent; hoping that life improves. Out of the blue, you’re able to
works out. All you have to do is keep honor- pay your house off. Unexpectedly, a dream
ing God and the right people will find you. comes to pass. That’s not a coincidence.
The right opportunities will come across That’s the commanded blessing on your life.
your path. The favor, the wisdom, and the That means because you are honoring
vindication will track you down. God, right now, something is attracted to
Why? You’ve become a magnet for you. Not fear, sickness, depression, or bad
God’s goodness. breaks. No, favor is tracking you down, pro-
motion is headed your way, divine connec-
tions are searching you out. You are attract-
ing the goodness of God.

80 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 81

mar c h 1 2 mar c h 1 3

A New Attitude Exceedingly

“Then your light will break
Abundantly
forth like the dawn, and your Now to Him who is able to do
healing will quickly appear…” exceedingly abundantly above
I saiah 5 8 : 8 all that we ask or think, according
to the power that works in us…

B ecause you have a commanded blessing

on your life, you have to start thinking
that way. If you are facing an illness, instead
E phesians 3 : 2 0 n k j v

of thinking, I’m never going to get well. You

should see the medical report, your attitude
W hen I look back over my life, it is
evident that most of the favor and
good breaks came to me. I didn’t go after
should be, Healing is looking for me. Resto-
them. I was simply being my best, and God
ration is tracking me down. If you’re strug-
did more than I could ask or think. I never
gling in your finances, instead of thinking,
thought I could stand up in front of people
I’ll never get out of debt. I’ll never accomplish
and minister. I spent seventeen years
my dreams, you need to tell yourself, Abun-
behind the scenes at Lakewood faithfully
dance is looking for me. Favor is in my future.
doing the television production. I gave it my
Good breaks are tracking me down. If you’re
all. I’d went the extra mile to make sure that
single, don’t conclude, I’ll never get mar-
every broadcast was as perfect as possible.
ried. I’m too old. It’s been too long. No, your
thoughts need to declare, The right person is I wasn’t looking to become Lakewood’s
looking for me. Divine connections are track- senior pastor. I was content where I was
ing me down. They’re already in my future. behind the scenes. But when my father
Like a magnet, I’m drawing them in. went to be with the Lord, this opportunity
came looking for me. I never planned on
doing it; it chased me down.

82 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 83

 march Like a Magnet Be Your Best march

14 “What no eye has seen, what

no ear has heard, and what no
Now an angel of the Lord said
to Philip, “Go south to the
15
human mind has conceived”— road…” and on his way he met
the things God has prepared an Ethiopian eunuch…and told
for those who love him… him the good news about Jesus.
1 C o r inthians 2 : 9 Acts 8 : 2 6 – 2 7 , 3 5

W hen I was in my early twenties, I

walked into a jewelry store and met
Victoria for the first time. We went out on
G od has the right people in your future.
When you honor God, the person He
has designed for you, the right one, will
our first date and had so much fun. The come across your path as though drawn by
next week she invited me to dinner and a magnet. He’ll cause you to be at the right
we had a great time. That was followed by place at the right time. You don’t have to
repeated calls from me to her, but she was play games and try to convince somebody
always either busy or not available. Finally, to like you. If they don’t celebrate you and
I assumed she didn’t want to see me, and I see you as a gift, a treasure, as one of a
stopped calling. About two weeks later, she kind, move forward. The one whom God
saw me in a small diner and said, “Joel, I’m designed for you will think you’re the great-
so sorry I keep missing your calls.” est thing in the world.
God’s dream for our lives is so much If you will keep being your best right
bigger than our own. When you honor God, where you are, honoring God, you will
you won’t have to go after it; it will come to come into favor, promotion, and opportu-
you. Like a magnet, you’ll draw it in. nity bigger than you ever imagined.

84 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 85

 mar c h 1 6 mar c h 1 7

Be Steadfast Pass the Tests

Jotham grew powerful because he walked The Lord bestows grace and favor and honor;
steadfastly before the Lord his God. no good thing will He withhold from
those who walk uprightly.
2 C h r onicles 2 7 : 6
P salm 8 4 : 1 1 a m p

I f God were to show you right now what

D
He has planned for you and where He’s on’t be frustrated if God’s plans for
taking you—the favor, the promotion, the your life don’t happen on your time-
influence—it would boggle your mind. It’s table. You have to pass some tests. You have
not going to happen just because of your to prove to God that you’ll be faithful right
talent, your personality, or your hard work. where you are. If you’re not faithful in the
It’s going to happen because of the com- wilderness, how can God trust you to be
manded blessing on your life. God’s anoint- faithful in the promised land? You have to
ing on you is more important than your keep a good attitude when you’re not get-
talent, your education, or what family you ting your way. You have to be your best
come from. You could have less talent, but when you’re not getting any credit. Do the
with the favor of God, you will go further right thing when it’s difficult. That’s when
than people who have much more talent. your character is being developed.
If you’ll just keep getting to work on If you will pass these tests, you can be
time, doing more than you have to, being a certain God will get you to where you’re
person of excellence and integrity, the right supposed to be. The right people are in your
people will find you and the right opportu- future. So are the right opportunities, the
nities will track you down. good breaks, the wisdom, the contracts, the
houses.

86 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 87

 Explosive Your Name march
Blessings
You need to persevere so
Is on It
“But for you who fear
19
that when you have done the my name, the Sun of
will of God, you will receive Righteousness will rise
march what he has promised. with healing in his wings.”

18 H eb r ews 1 0 : 3 6 M alachi 4 : 2 n lt

I ’ve learned that in a split second one

touch of God’s favor can take you further
than you could go in your whole lifetime on
P erhaps you’ve been waiting for God
to provide for a need in your life and
you’re asking when it’s going to happen.
your own. Quit thinking, I’m getting further It will happen at the exact right time.
behind. I’ll never accomplish my dreams. No, Don’t get discouraged. God knows what
God has explosive blessings in your future. He’s doing. If it had happened earlier, it
He has blessings that will thrust you years wouldn’t have been the best time. Just keep
and years ahead. being faithful right where you are and keep
You say, “This sounds good, but I living with an attitude that something good
don’t really have the talent. I don’t know is coming your way.
the right people. I don’t have the money.” When you do that, you’re going to draw
That’s okay; God does. He’s already lined up in like a magnet what already has your
everything you need. There are good breaks name on it. There’s healing with your name
right now that have your name on them. If on it. If you’re single, there’s a spouse with
you’ll keep honoring God, being your best, your name on him or her. There’s a busi-
like a magnet, you’re going to draw in what ness with your name on it. God has already
already has your name on it. chosen what you need to be yours.

88 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 89

 Eventually Seek First
…the wealth of the sinner
His Kingdom

march

march
20 21
[finds its way eventually] into “But seek first his kingdom
the hands of the righteous, and his righteousness,
for whom it was laid up. and all these things will
P r ove r bs 1 3 : 2 2 a m p c be given to you as well.”
M atthew 6 : 3 3

Y ou don’t have to seek the blessings of

God. Seek God, and the blessings will
seek after you. This is where we miss it. I n yesterday’s reading I mentioned there
are some “eventually”s in your future.
Very often, we think, I have to get this pro- Our beautiful facility, the former Compaq
motion. I have to meet this person. I must Center, is an “eventually.” It was laid up
get my career going faster. And yes, we have for us. It had our name on it, and at the
to use our talent, be determined, and take right time, it found us. The building was
steps of faith. But you can stay in peace. first called the Summit, but I believe if you
You can live at rest, knowing that because would have peeled back the name when it
you’re honoring God, the right people and was built in the early 1970s, you would have
the right opportunities will find you. seen the name, “Lakewood Church.” God
Notice, because you’re the righteous, had us in mind when they built it. Eventu-
there’s something God has laid up for you. ally, God said, “All right, it’s time to hand it
The good news is, at the right time, “even- over.”
tually” it’s going to find you. Keep honor- The great thing is that you don’t have
ing God, and He promises some of these to go after “eventually”s; just go after God.
“eventually”s are going to track you down. Keep Him in first place. Live a life of excel-
lence and integrity, and God promises the
“eventually”s will find their way into your
hands.

90 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 91

 March 22 J A March
N U A R23
Y 3

Ask, Seek, Knock Pleasing God

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; Our purpose is to please God, not people.
knock and the door will be opened to you.” He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
M atthew 7 : 7 1 T hessalonians 2 : 4 n lt

I said that our church facility is one of

God’s “eventually”s for us. The amazing
thing is that I didn’t go after it; it came to
J esus said that everything you need to ful-
fill your destiny has already been laid up
for you. Now you just have to make pleasing
me. Twice, I tried to buy land and build a God your highest priority. In other words,
new sanctuary, but both times, the prop- when temptation comes, be firm and say,
erty was sold out from under us. I thought, “No, thanks. I’m going to please God. I want
We’re stuck. There’s no way to grow. But to fulfill my destiny. I want to come in to
when I got the unexpected news that the my ‘eventually’s.” Before you tell that per-
Compaq Center was for sale, something son off, stop and declare, “No, I’m going to
came alive on the inside of me. I never please God and keep my mouth closed.” At
dreamed we could have a premier facility in the office, when they’re not treating you
the fourth largest city in America, and it’s right and you feel like slacking off, over-
on the second busiest freeway in the nation. come that attitude and state, “I’m going to
As was true for us, the “eventually”s please God and keep being my best. I know
God has lined up for you are going to boggle I’m not working unto people; I’m working
your mind. It’s going to be more than you unto God.”
can ask or think. You live like that, and all the forces of
darkness cannot keep you from your des-
tiny.

92 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 93

M ar c h 2 4 mar c h 2 5

A Servant of Christ Honoring God

Am I now trying to win the approval “But now the Lord declares:
of human beings, or of God? ‘Far be it from me!
Or am I trying to please people? If Those who honor me I will honor…’”
I were still trying to please people, I
1 S amuel 2 : 3 0
would not be a servant of Christ.

R ight now, something’s looking for you—

Galatians 1 : 1 0

not defeat, struggle, lack. You are the

G od has not only already arranged for

the “eventually”s in your life; He’s
taken it one step further. He’s already put
righteous. Favor is looking for you. Good
breaks are looking for you. Healing is look-
ing for you. Influence is looking for you.
your name on them. They’ve already been The right people will show up, the ones
marked as a part of your divine destiny. You who want to help you. The good breaks, the
may not have seen it yet, but don’t get dis- businesses, and the contracts will track you
couraged. down. One phone call, one person whom
What’s your part? Worry? Struggle? Try God has ordained to help you, can change
to make it happen? Manipulate this person, the course of your life. How is this going
and maybe they’ll do you a favor. No, you to happen? Is it just through your talent,
don’t have to play up to people. You don’t your ability, and your hard work? That’s
have to beg people, hope that they’ll throw part of it, but the main key is by honoring
you a crumb here or there. You are not a God. That’s what puts you in a position for
beggar; you are a child of the Most High His blessings to overtake you. That’s what
God. You have royal blood flowing through makes you a magnet for His favor.
your veins. You are wearing a crown of
favor. The Creator of the universe has called
you, equipped you, empowered you, and
chosen you.
94 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 95
 march First Have Hope Open Doors march

26 “The Lord your God will make

you abundantly prosperous in
“Behold, I have set before
you an open door, which
27
all the work of your hand…” no one is able to shut.”
D eute ronomy 3 0 : 9 e s v Revelation 3 : 8 e s v

Y ou are a powerful magnet. You may be

very close to attracting that for which
you’ve been praying and believing. You’ve
I f you had told me years ago that one day
I would be ministering around the world
and have books translated into different
honored God. You’ve been faithful. Now languages, I would have thought, Not me. I
God is about to release an “eventually” in don’t have anything to say. But God knows
your life. It’s going to be bigger than you what He’s put in you—the gifts, the talents,
imagined. When you receive it, it’s going to the potential. You have seeds of greatness
be better for you than you ever dreamed. on the inside. Doors are going to open that
You’re going to say, “It was well worth the no man can shut. Talent is going to come
wait.” out of you that you didn’t know you had.
“Well, you’re just getting my hopes up.” God is going to connect you with the right
You’re right. You can’t have faith if you people. He will present you with opportuni-
don’t first have hope. It’s easy to get stuck ties that will thrust you into a new level of
in a rut, thinking, God has been good to me. your destiny.
I have a good family. I’m healthy. I’m blessed. Dream big. Believe big. Pray big. Make
But you haven’t seen anything yet. You room for God to do something new in your
haven’t scratched the surface of what God life.
has in store.

96 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 97

 mar c h 2 8 mar c h 2 9

Rewards Guard Your Heart

Trouble chases sinners, Above all else, guard your heart,
while blessings reward the righteous. for everything you do flows from it.
P r ove r bs 1 3 : 2 1 n lt P rove r bs 4 : 2 3

Y ou have become the righteousness of

God in Christ Jesus. Right now, you
are being rewarded with the favor of God.
D on’t ever say, “I’ll never get out of
debt.” “I’ll never get married.” “I’ll
never be well again.” Do you know what
Promotion is chasing you. Healing is chas- that’s doing? Demagnetizing your magnet.
ing you. Victory is coming your way. Good It’s taking away the attraction power that
ideas will come to you that will touch God has put in you—the gifts, the talents,
people’s lives. You might start a ministry in the potential.
your church or a business that is like noth- When I was a little boy, I used to play
ing you’ve ever thought about. God has with a magnet. One day I discovered the
raised you up to take new ground for the magnet had lost its drawing power. I had
kingdom, to go where others have not gone. left it by something that demagnetized it.
You don’t have to worry about how it’s It looked the same, but it wouldn’t attract
all going to work out. God knows how to anything. In the same way, when we dwell
have the blessings find you. What has your on negative thoughts—can’t do it, not able
name on it—the real estate, the good breaks, to, never going to happen—that is demagne-
the businesses, the favor—will eventually tizing our magnet. You are taking away its
find its way into your hands. power to pull in what belongs to you.

98 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 99

 Make Room for Something Good march
More
“Enlarge your house; build
“I will give you hidden
treasures, riches stored 31
an addition. Spread out your in secret places, so that you
home, and spare no expense! may know that I am the
march For you will soon be Lord, the God of Israel, who

30 bursting at the seams.”

I saiah 5 4 : 2 – 3 n lt
summons you by name.”
I saiah 4 5 : 3

E ach of us can look back over our life

and remember a time when we unex-
pectedly saw God’s favor. You didn’t go
W hen you realize God has put a com-
manded blessing on your life, and
you go out each day with the attitude that
after it; it came after you. God has done it something good is going to happen to you,
in the past, and the good news is He’s not that’s when God can do the exceedingly
only going to do it again in the future, but abundantly above and beyond.
what He’s going to show you will make I believe you’re about to draw in good
what you’ve seen pale in comparison. He breaks, promotion, healing, favor, ideas,
has explosive blessings coming your way. contracts, and creativity. God is about to
You’re going to look back and join me in release what already has your name on
saying, “How in the world did I get here? it. You’re not going to have to go after it;
I’m not the most qualified or the most tal- it’s going to come after you. It’s going to
ented. I don’t have all the experience.” You be bigger than you imagined. It’s going to
may not, but God does. He knows how to happen sooner than you thought. You’re
get you to where you’re supposed to be. All about to step into the fullness of your des-
through the day, make this declaration: “I tiny and become everything God has cre-
am blessed.” ated you to be.

100 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 101

 Be Transformed Don’t Settle
Do not conform to the pattern of ...the people of Judah

april

april
1 2
this world, but be transformed by were victorious because
the renewing of your mind. Then they relied on the Lord,
you will be able to test and approve the God of their ancestors.
what God’s will is—his good,
2 C h ronicles 1 3 : 1 8
pleasing and perfect will.

Y
Romans 1 2 : 2
ou may have struggled in an area for
years. The medical report says, “Just

W hen we’ve struggled in an area for learn to live with it.” But there is another
a long time, it’s easy to think, This report. It says, “God is restoring health back
is the way it’s always going to be. I’ll always to you. The number of your days He will
struggle in my finances. My marriage will fulfill.” Your attitude should be, This sick-
never improve. Too often we see it as per- ness is on foreign territory. I am a temple of
manent. People tell me, “I’ve always been the Most High God. In your career you may
negative. That’s just who I am.” They’ve feel stuck. You haven’t had a good break in a
convinced themselves that it’s never going long time. You’ve gone as far as your educa-
to change. tion allows. It’s easy to think, I’ve reached
my limits. All through the day you should
The first place we lose the battle is in
declare, “I’m not settling here. My greatest
our own thinking. If you think it’s per-
victories are still out in front of me.”
manent, then it’s permanent. If you think
you’ve reached your limits, you have. If you If you will just break out in your think-
think you’ll never get well, you won’t. You ing, you will see things begin to improve.
have to change your thinking. You need to
see everything that’s holding you back—
every limitation, every addiction, every
sickness—as only temporary. It didn’t come
to stay; it came to pass.

102 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 103

 April 3 J A NApril
U A R4 Y 3

Break Strongholds Set Free

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons If any of your people—Hebrew men or women—
of the world. On the contrary, they have divine sell themselves to you and serve you six years,
power to demolish strongholds. in the seventh year you must let them go free.
2 C o r inthians 1 0 : 4 D eute ronomy 1 5 : 1 2

T he moment you accept that something

negative is the norm, the moment you
decide, This is my lot in life, that’s when
G od gave His people this law that said
every seventh year they had to release
any Hebrew slaves. If you were Hebrew and
it can take root and become a reality. A owed someone money that you couldn’t
stronghold in your mind is formed that can pay, they could take you in as a slave and
keep you from your destiny. make you work until you paid them back.
You have to stir up your faith. God is But every seventh year, no matter how in
not limited by your education, by your debt you were, God’s people were set free.
nationality, or by your background. But He All the pain, struggling, and suffering was
is limited by our thinking. I’m asking you gone in one day.
to stand against the lies of permanency, lies This tells me God never intended His
that state, “You’ll never lose that weight. people to be a permanent slave to anything.
You’ll never break that addiction. You’ll You may be in debt today, but God did not
never own your own house.” When those intend that to last forever. You may be fac-
thoughts come, dismiss them. Don’t give ing an illness, but it is only temporary. You
them the time of day. God is saying, “It’s may be struggling with an addiction, but it’s
not permanent; it’s temporary. It didn’t not going to keep you in bondage.
come to stay; it came to pass.”

104 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 105

apr i l 5 apr i l 6

Your Seventh Year It Is Possible

“So if the Son sets you free, But He said, “The things
you will be free indeed.” which are impossible with
men are possible with God.”
J ohn 8 : 3 6
L uke 1 8 : 2 7 n k j v

A s was true for the Hebrew slaves,

the seventh year is when you break
free from limitations that are holding you F or three years a man went through
chemotherapy and radiation on a large
back—sickness, addictions, debt, constant tumor in his stomach area but nothing
struggles. It looked as though it would never affected it. After two more years of no treat-
change, but then one touch of God’s favor ment and no change, he had one of our
and it suddenly turns around. Suddenly volunteer Prayer Partners pray over him.
you get a good break. Suddenly your health When he went back for more tests, the
improves. Suddenly a dream comes to pass. tumor had shrunk in half. The doctor didn’t
What happened? You came into a seventh understand it, but the man mentioned the
year. prayer. The doctor said, “Tell those people
to keep praying, because at this pace it’ll be
Quit telling yourself, “This problem is
totally gone in a few months!”
permanent.” You are a child of the Most
High God. You are not going to be a per- What was that? A seventh year. God is
manent slave to anything. Get in agreement not limited to the natural. It doesn’t matter
with God and affirm, “I’m coming into my how long it’s been that way or how impos-
seventh year. It is my time to break free. sible it looks. When you come into your
Every chain has been loosed. Every strong- seventh year, all the forces of darkness can-
hold has come down. I know I have been not stop what God wants to do.
released into increase.”

106 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 107

 april Released The Favorable Year april

7 into Increase
“According to your faith
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon
Me...to proclaim the favorable
8
let it be done to you.” year of the Lord [the day when
salvation and the favor of
M atthew 9 : 2 9
God abound greatly].”
L uke 4 : 1 8 – 1 9 a m p

A re there limitations in your life you

think are permanent? God is saying,
“Get ready. You are coming into your sev-
enth year.” The seventh year is a year of
I n 2003, Lakewood signed a sixty-year
lease with the City of Houston for our
facility, the former Compaq Center. We
release from sickness, chronic pain, depres-
wanted to own the facility, but the lease
sion, worry, and anxiety. Release from bad
was the best thing at the time. Seven years
habits, from addictions. It’s also a release
later, in 2010, the city decided to sell some
into increase. God is about to release you
of their properties. They asked if we were
into new opportunities, good breaks, and
interested in purchasing the facility, and
new levels. He is going to release ideas, cre-
of course we were, but it depended on the
ativity, sales, contracts, and business. The
price. Brand new, a facility such as this
seventh year is when you get released into
would cost 400 million dollars. The city
overflow. It’s when dreams come to pass.
ran its own independent appraisal and said,
Now you have to receive this into your “We’ll sell it to you for seven and a half mil-
spirit today. This is for people who know lion dollars.” Now we no longer lease. We
things have shifted in their favor. It is for own the property.
people who know every limitation is only
Isn’t this interesting? Our seventh year
temporary, for people who know they’re
for that price! Only God can do that. Friend,
entering into their seventh year.
there are some seventh years in your future!

108 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 109

 apr i l 9 apr i l 1 0

Get Ready No Vacancy Here

“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and springs within the valleys. I will turn and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
the desert into pools of water, and the
I saiah 6 0 : 1
parched ground into springs.”

M
I saiah 4 1 : 1 8
aybe you’ve lived with a sickness or
chronic pain long enough. You’ve

Y ou may think, I could never afford that

house and property…never get well…never
meet the right person. No, you need to get
put up with that depression long enough.
You’ve struggled with the addiction long
enough. Hope has begun to fill your heart.
ready. When you come into your seventh God is saying, “This is your time. Get ready
year, God is going to do more than you can for release. Get ready for a breakthrough.
ask or think. He is going to exceed your Get ready for increase. Get ready for your
expectations. It’s going to be bigger, better, seventh year.”
and more rewarding than you thought pos- How do you get ready? Stop taking own-
sible. God is going to release you from leas- ership of those things. That sickness…that
ing into owning. He’ll release you from debt chronic pain…that financial difficulty is not
into abundance, from sickness into health, a part of who you are. It may be there tem-
from constantly struggling into an anointing porarily, but that’s not where it’s staying. In
of ease. your mind, don’t let it move in and take up
Dare to say, “God, I want to thank You residency. You need to have one of those
that I’m coming into my seventh year. signs out that says, “No Vacancy Here.”
Thank You that You are releasing me into Start thinking, start talking, and start acting
the fullness of my destiny. I am free!” When as if it’s going to change.
you believe, all things are possible.

110 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 111

 See It as Have a Boldness april
Temporary
For our light affliction,
“This is what the Lord says:
Put your house in order, 12
which is but for a moment, because you are going to die.”
is working for us a far
april more exceeding and
I saiah 3 8 : 1

11 eternal weight of glory.

2 C o r inthians 4 : 1 7 n k j v
K ing Hezekiah was very sick when the
prophet who spoke for God announced
he was going to die. Hezekiah could have

Y our limitations may seem big, but by

faith you need to see them as being light
and temporary. This is what Moses did. The
accepted it and thought, It’s my lot in life.
But Hezekiah had a boldness. He chose to
believe even when it looked impossible. The
Israelites had been in slavery for hundreds Scripture says, “He turned his face to the
of years. Moses had a son, whom he named wall and started praying.”
Gershom, which means, “I am an alien in a “God, I’m asking You to give me more
strange land.” Moses was making this decla- years. God, I’m not finished. I’ve served
ration of faith: “We’re in slavery, but slavery You. My family has honored You. God, let
is not our norm. We are foreigners in this me live longer.” Before the prophet could
land. We won’t be staying much longer.” leave the palace grounds, God spoke to him
When you confront a limitation, tell and said, “Go back and tell Hezekiah that
yourself, “I won’t be staying here long. I am I’m going to give him fifteen more years.”
not a citizen. It may be where I am, but it Here’s what I want you to see. Hezekiah’s
is not who I am. I am blessed. I am healthy. faith is what brought about his seventh year.
I am strong. I am victorious.” Anything to Your faith is what causes God to move.
the contrary you need to see as foreign, as
temporary.

112 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 113

 Believe It It Only Looks
The Lord will save me and we
Permanent

april

april
13 14
will sing with stringed instru- Enter his gates with
ments all the days of our lives thanksgiving and his courts
in the temple of the Lord. with praise; give thanks to
I saiah 3 8 : 2 0 him and praise his name.
P salm 1 0 0 : 4

A s a follow up to yesterday’s reading,

what’s interesting is that when Heze-
kiah got the news that God had said his life
would be extended, he didn’t feel any bet-
W e saw in Hezekiah’s healing that our
praise is what activates God’s favor.
When you have the boldness to talk as
ter. Here’s the key: Hezekiah didn’t wait though it’s going to happen, act as though
for his health to turn around before he gave it’s going to happen, and praise as though
God praise and started talking as though he it’s going to happen, that’s when God says
was going to live. It’s easy to think, When I to the angels, “Turn around and go back and
see it, I’ll believe it. But faith says, “You have tell them I’m going to change what looked
to believe it, and then you’ll see it.” permanent.”
Like Isaiah, I’ve announced to you that Are you releasing your faith? Are you
you’re coming into your seventh year. Look thanking God that it’s turning around? Are
at your circumstances and say, “It doesn’t you declaring, “Where I am is not where
look any different, but God, I believe I’m I’m staying? This sickness is temporary. I’m
stepping into a new season of favor, that coming out of debt. There are new levels in
every limitation has been broken. I just my future. I am free.” When you have this
want to thank You for Your goodness in my attitude of faith, speaking victory over your
life.” life, that’s when the Creator of the universe
can show up and do amazing things.

114 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 115

 April 15 J A N U A 16
April RY 3

Give Him Praise God Knows Already

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth… “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard
many reports about this man and all the harm
P salm 1 4 9 : 6 n k j v
he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.”

A
Acts 9 : 1 3
lot of times instead of taking our
praise to God, we’re taking our prob-
lems to Him. It’s easy to turn prayer into a
complaining session, but remember, God
already knows your needs. You don’t have
W hen Saul of Tarsus was blinded by the
great light on the road to Damascus,
God spoke to Ananias to go pray for him.
to tell God everything that’s wrong, what But Ananias immediately reminded the
you don’t like, and how long it’s been that Lord that he’d heard that Saul was very dan-
way. gerous. Nevertheless, the Lord said, “Go.”
It’s much better to take your praise to If you’re always telling God what you’ve
God rather than your problems. Your finan- heard, you’re going to miss out on God’s
cial situation may not look good, but turn blessings. You’ll get discouraged. Doubt will
it around. “Lord, I want to thank You that fill your mind. “God, the financial report
You are supplying all my needs. Thank You says I’m never going to get ahead.” Here’s a
that You are Jehovah Jireh; the Lord my Pro- key: Don’t tell God what you’ve heard. God
vider.” You may not feel well, but instead says you’re the head and not the tail. Now
of complaining, say, “Lord, thank You that don’t tell Him all the reasons why you’re
I’m getting healthier, stronger, better every not. Don’t take your problems to God; take
day.” Praise gets God’s attention, not com- your praise to God. “Lord, thank You that
plaining. I’m coming into my seventh year, a year of
release, a year of abundance.”

116 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 117

apr i l 1 7 apr i l 1 8

Announce It Freedom
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord… It is for freedom that Christ
has anointed me to proclaim… has set us free. Stand firm, then,
freedom for the captives and release and do not let yourselves be
from darkness for the prisoners… burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
I saiah 6 1 : 1 Galatians 5 : 1

I saiah was saying in effect, “It may look

permanent, but I’m announcing your
freedom. I’m announcing you’re coming out
T oo often we’re announcing and declar-
ing the wrong things. “I don’t think I
can ever get these credit card payments
of debt…that sickness is not going to defeat down.” That’s announcing defeat and
you…new levels are in your future.” Then declaring mediocrity. You have to change
he took it one step further. He said, “I’m what’s coming out of your mouth. Start
declaring the Year of God’s Favor.” Notice announcing freedom from anything that
this principle: He announced it, then he is holding you back. Freedom from loneli-
declared it. ness…from depression…from addictions…
What if we would do the same thing? from constantly struggling. It may not be
“I’m announcing today we’re coming out of true at the moment, but this is what faith is
debt, struggle, and not getting ahead. I’m all about.
declaring we’re coming into increase, over- You may have struggled in an area for a
flow, and abundance.” Or how about this? long time, but let me declare this over you:
“I’m announcing, ‘We will not live negative, “It is not permanent. I believe and declare
depressed, worried, anxious, or stressed God is releasing you into your seventh year.
out.’ I’m declaring, ‘We are happy, content, He is releasing you into opportunity, into
confident, secure, full of joy, and loving our favor; releasing you into healing, into break-
lives.’” You have to announce it and declare throughs. He is releasing you into the full-
it by faith. ness of your destiny.”

118 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 119

 april Created Created april

19 in His Image
So God created mankind in
for Greatness
Now thanks be to God
20
his own image, in the image of who always leads us in tri-
God he created them; male umph in Christ, and through
and female he created them. us diffuses the fragrance of His
knowledge in every place.
G enesis 1 : 2 7
2 C o r inthians 2 : 1 4 n k j v

A rchie Manning was a tremendous NFL

quarterback, and two of his sons, Pey-
ton and Eli, have also been great quarter- T oo many times we don’t realize who we
are. We focus on our weaknesses, what
backs. How could that be? Out of the mil- we don’t have, the mistakes we’ve made,
lions of young men who play football, how and the family we come from. We end up
can these two brothers stand out? It’s not a settling for mediocrity when we were cre-
coincidence. They have their father’s DNA. ated for greatness. If you’re going to break
When God created you in His image, out of average, you need to remind yourself,
He put a part of Himself in you. You could “I have the DNA of the Most High God.
say that you have the DNA of Almighty Greatness is in my genes. I come from a
God. You are destined to do great things, bloodline of champions.”
destined to leave your mark on this genera- When you realize who you are, you
tion. Your Heavenly Father spoke worlds won’t go around intimidated and insecure,
into existence. He flung stars into space. thinking, I’m lacking. I’m not that talented. I
Now here’s the key: He is not just the Cre- come from the wrong family. No, you come
ator of the universe. He is not just the all- from the right family. Your Father created
powerful God. He is your Heavenly Father. it all. It changes your thinking from, I’m
You have His DNA. Imagine what you can unlucky. I never get any good breaks, to I have
do. the favor of God. Blessings are chasing me
down.

120 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 121

 apr i l 2 1 apr i l 2 2

One of a Kind Who’s Your Father?

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation
that we should be called children of God! has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
And that is what we are!
2 C o r inthians 5 : 1 7
1 J ohn 3 : 1

W hen you know who you are as a child

of God, you’ll start thinking like a
I remember an advertisement for DNA
testing that asked the question, “Who’s
the father?” They can take your DNA, and
winner, talking like a winner, and carrying out of the billions of people on earth, the
yourself like you are a winner. You’ll go chances of your DNA matching someone
from tossing in the towel and saying, “This who’s not your family are so small that it’s
obstacle is too big. I’ll never overcome it,” inconceivable.
to declaring, “I can do all things through In a similar way, when you gave your
Christ. If God be for me, who dare be life to Christ, the Scripture talks about how
against me?” You’ll go from looking at your you became a new creation. You were born
test score and concluding, I’m an average into a new family. You entered into a new
student. All I can make are Cs, to I’m an A bloodline. Imagine that somehow they
student. I have the mind of Christ. You’ll go could take a sample DNA from your Heav-
from looking in the mirror and mumbling, enly Father, then a sample DNA from you,
“I don’t have a good personality. I’m not and run all the tests. The good news is that
that attractive,” to insisting, “I am fearfully it would come back a perfect match. Proven
and wonderfully made. I am one of a kind.” beyond all doubt, you are God’s child. You
have His DNA. You come from a royal
bloodline.

122 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 123

 It’s in Your Blood Like Your Father april
“Do not be afraid,
little flock, for your
Yet you, Lord, are our
Father. We are the clay, 24
Father has been pleased you are the potter; we are
to give you the kingdom.” all the work of your hand.
april

23
L uke 1 2 : 3 2 I saiah 6 4 : 8

I n one sense, it’s no big deal that I am the

G iven the fact that your spiritual DNA pastor of Lakewood Church. My father
is a match to your Heavenly Father was a minister for over fifty years. This is
through the new creation, don’t you dare go all I had seen growing up. It’s in my genes.
around thinking that you’re average. I could In the same way, it’s no big deal for you to
never accomplish my dreams. I’ll never get accomplish your dreams or to live healthy
out of debt. Are you kidding? Do you know and whole. It’s no big deal for you to lead
who your Father is? He created worlds. the company in sales. Why? Like Father,
There’s nothing too much for you. You can like son. It’s in your spiritual DNA.
overcome that sickness. You can run that You didn’t come from ordinary stock.
company. You can build and support that You came from the best of the best. It
orphanage. You can take your family to a doesn’t matter what we look like on the out-
new level. side, what color we are, how tall or short,
Quit believing the lies that say, “You’ve how attractive or unattractive, or how many
reached your limits. You’ve gone as far as weaknesses we have. What supersedes all of
you can go.” Start talking to yourself as a that is that on the inside you have the DNA
winner. It’s in your blood. You’re expected of a champion.
to succeed. You’re expected to get well.
You’re expected to live debt-free. Why?
Because of who your Father is.

124 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 125

 A Champion In Your Bloodline
To them God has chosen to “Lord, the God of our ances-

april

april
25 26
make known among the tors, are you not the God who is
Gentiles the glorious riches in heaven? You rule over all the
of this mystery, which is Christ kingdoms of the nations.”
in you, the hope of glory.
2 C h ronicles 2 0 : 6
C olossians 1 : 2 7

C hampionship racehorses have been

carefully studied and carefully bred for
I f you look back and study your spiritual
bloodline, you’ll see your Lord and Savior
defeated the enemy on the cross. There’s
generations. Before breeding, the owners victory in your bloodline. You’ll see your
will go back decades and study the blood- ancestor Moses parted the Red Sea. There’s
line of a particular stallion. They’ll research great faith in your bloodline. David, a shep-
his father and grandfather and study how herd boy, defeated a giant. There’s favor in
long their strides were, how tall their legs your bloodline. Samson pushed down the
were, their takeoff speed, their endurance. pillars of a huge building. There’s supernat-
With all this information, they’ll choose ural strength and power in your bloodline.
what they believe to be the perfect match. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem
They understand winners don’t just ran- when all the odds were against him. There’s
domly happen. It’s in their DNA. That’s increase, promotion, and abundance in
what sets these horses apart. They have your bloodline. A young lady named Esther
generation after generation of champions stepped up and saved her people from a cer-
on the inside. tain death. There is courage in your blood-
When the little colt is born with wob- line.
bly legs and doesn’t look different than Now don’t go around thinking, I could
any other colt that is born, the owners never break this addiction. You come from a
are totally confident, knowing that on the bloodline of champions. It’s in your DNA.
inside of that little colt he has the DNA of a
champion.
126 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 127
 April 27 J A N U A 28
April RY 3

Born to Overcome Heirs of God

…for everyone born of God overcomes the world. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—
This is the victory that has overcome heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…
the world, even our faith.
Romans 8 : 1 7
1 J ohn 5 : 4

Y ou were born to overcome and live in

victory. It doesn’t matter what your
Y ou have the right spiritual DNA. When
thoughts tell you otherwise, don’t
get discouraged. Just keep checking your
present circumstances look like. That addic- spiritual birth certificate. Keep reminding
tion didn’t come to stay. Freedom is in your yourself of who you are. Keep declaring this
spiritual DNA. That sickness is not per- truth:
manent. Health and wholeness are in your
“I know who I am. My spiritual birth
DNA. That family problem, strife, division;
certificate verifies what is in my DNA.
it’s not going to last forever. Restoration is
That’s found in God’s Word. Am I sup-
in your DNA. Lack, struggle, and barely get-
posed to live average, lonely, struggling, and
ting by are not your destiny. Abundance,
always getting the short end of the stick?
increase, opportunity, and good breaks are
No, it says in the Psalms, ‘God’s favor sur-
in your DNA.
rounds me like a shield.’ It declares, ‘No
Now when thoughts tell you that it’s weapon formed against me will prosper.’
never going to happen, just go back and It says, ‘The number of my days He will
check your spiritual birth certificate. Remind fulfill.’ It states, ‘As for me and my house
yourself of who you are. When the thought we will serve the Lord.’ It says, ‘I will lend
intrudes, You’ll never accomplish your dreams. and not borrow. Goodness and mercy are
You’ll never get well, just reply out loud, “No, following us. Good breaks are chasing us
thanks. I’ve already checked my birth certifi- down.’”
cate. My Father’s name is God.”

128 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 129

A pr i l 2 9 apr i l 3 0

“Abba, Father” Who You Really Are

Because you are his sons, God sent the The Spirit you received does
Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the not make you slaves…rather, the
Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Spirit you received brought about
your adoption to sonship. And by
Galatians 4 : 6
him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

W
Romans 8 : 1 5
hen my nephew Jackson was a little
boy, every night at bedtime, after
his mother, Jennifer, prayed with him, she
would go through a list of superheroes, tell-
ing Jackson who he was. That was her way
A lot of people have never been told who
they are. They’ve had negative voices
playing over and over. “You’re not talented.
of speaking faith into him, letting him know You’re not going to ever get married. You’ll
he was going to do great things. She would never get out of debt. You’ve come from the
say, “Jackson, you are my Superman, my wrong family.” As long as those voices are
Buzz Lightyear, my Power Ranger,” and on playing, it will keep you from your destiny.
and on. Jackson would lie there, a big smile Maybe nobody told you who you are.
on his face, taking it all in. One night it got Let me help you out. Almighty God says:
very late and she put him to bed in a hurry. “You’re a child of the Most High God. You
A few minutes later she heard this little are strong. You are talented. You are beau-
voice hollering out of his room, “Momma! tiful. You are wise. You are courageous.
Momma, you forgot to tell me who I am.” You have seeds of greatness. You can do
Let me remind you that you are a child all things through Christ. You didn’t come
of the Most High God. from ordinary stock. You’re a thoroughbred.
You have winning in your DNA. You are
destined to do great things.”

130 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 131

 M ay The Right Family A Child of m ay

1 “This dear woman, a daughter

of Abraham, has been held in
Abraham
If you belong to Christ, then
2
bondage by Satan for eighteen you are Abraham’s seed, and
years. Isn’t it right that she be heirs according to the promise.
released, even on the Sabbath?”
Galatians 3 : 2 9
L uke 1 3 : 1 6 n lt

I n the Old Testament, people understood

the power of the bloodline more than
W hen Jesus died and rose again, He
made a way for all people to come
to Him, both Jews and Gentiles. Don’t go
we do today. God started the first covenant through life believing the lies that you’ve
with a man named Abraham. Back in those come from the wrong family. “Your mother
days, the right to God’s blessings and favor was depressed. You’ll always be depressed.”
was limited to his bloodline—the Jewish You have entered into a new bloodline. If
people. In today’s scripture, Jesus saw a sick God was standing before you today, He
woman and said in effect, “She comes from would say, “Isn’t it right that you should be
the right family. She’s a daughter of Abra- released from this limitation, seeing that
ham. She has a right to be well,” then He you are a child of Abraham?”
made her whole.
Friend, you have a right to be blessed,
On another occasion, a Gentile woman to be free, to be healthy, to be happy, and
begged Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus said to be whole. It’s in your DNA. Your natural
in effect, “I can’t do it. You come from the bloodline may have some negative things
wrong family.” It didn’t seem fair, but that’s in it, but the spiritual bloodline will always
how powerful the bloodline was. In this overpower your natural bloodline. The spir-
case, though, despite her Gentile bloodline, itual is greater than the natural.
Jesus marveled at the woman’s faith and
healed the daughter.

132 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 133

 may 3 may 4

Mighty Hero See What God Sees

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, For by You I can run against a troop,
“Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” by my God I can leap over a wall.
J udges 6 : 1 2 n lt P salm 1 8 : 2 9 n k j v

T he Midianites had overtaken the people

of Israel. When the Israelites’ crops
came up, the Midianites would go in and
A s was true of Gideon, you may think
you’re average, but God calls you
a mighty hero. When you get up in the
destroy the produce. They were a bigger morning and the negative thoughts come
and stronger nation. It looked as though reminding you of what you’re not, telling
they would eventually drive the Israelites you of all your flaws and weaknesses, dare
away. There was a man named Gideon who to look in the mirror and say, “Good morn-
was hiding in the fields, afraid of the Midi- ing, you mighty hero.” Let these thoughts
anites. An angel appeared to him and said, play all through the day. “I am strong. I am
“Mighty hero, the Lord is with you.” courageous. I am who God says I am. I can
I can imagine Gideon looked around do what God says I can do.” You have to
and thought, Who’s he talking about? I’m remind yourself of who you truly are. You
not a mighty hero. Gideon wasn’t strong are a mighty hero.
and courageous. He was just the opposite; God sees the mighty hero in you. God
afraid and intimidated, yet God called him sees the DNA of a champion. Now do your-
a mighty hero. Like Gideon, you may feel self a favor. Get in agreement with God.
weak, but God calls you strong. You may Start seeing yourself as that mighty hero.
feel intimidated; God calls you courageous.
You may feel inadequate; God calls you well
able.
134 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 135
 Like Royalty What You Can may
The Lord turned to him
and said, “Go in the strength
Become
And they replied, “They were
6
you have and save Israel like you, each one of them
out of Midian’s hand. resembled the son of a king.”
may Am I not sending you?”

5
J udges 8 : 1 8 a m p
J udges 6 : 1 4

G ideon’s response to the Lord’s promise

was, “How can I do that? I come from
W hen God called Gideon a mighty
hero, up to that point Gideon had
not done anything significant. He had not
the poorest family. I am the least one in my parted a Red Sea or defeated a giant. I can
father’s house.” What was the problem? understand God calling him a mighty hero
Gideon didn’t know who he was. God had if he had done something amazing. But
just called him a mighty hero. it seemed that there was nothing special
If you allow the wrong thoughts to play about him—just an ordinary, insignificant
in your mind, you can have the talent, the man. But God saw something in Gideon
opportunity, the strength, and the looks, but that other people did not see. God saw his
you’ll make excuses and talk yourself out of potential. God saw what he could become.
it. I love the fact that God not only calls you Later, Gideon was interrogating his ene-
a mighty hero but even the enemy sees you mies and asked them, “What did the men
as a king’s son, a king’s daughter (see Jud. look like whom you saw?” They said, “They
8:18). He knows who you are. Now make looked like you, like a king’s son.” Here,
sure you know who you are. Carry yourself Gideon had felt as though he was the least,
like a king, like a queen, like a mighty hero. inadequate, and not able to. But even his
You come from the right family. enemies said, “You look like a king’s son.”

136 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 137

 Who Made You? Created to Soar
But Moses said to God, …but those who hope

7 8
“Who am I that I should go in the Lord will renew

m ay

m ay
to Pharaoh and bring the their strength. They will
Israelites out of Egypt?” soar on wings like eagles…
E x odus 3 : 1 1 I saiah 4 0 : 3 1

W hen God told Moses to go tell Pha-

raoh to let the people go, the first
thing Moses said was, “God, I’m ordinary.
I heard a story about an eagle that was
raised with a brood of chickens and acted
like a chicken. But one day he saw an eagle
Pharaoh is the leader of a nation. He is not soaring overhead. All his circumstances
going to listen to me.” Moses forgot who he said, “You’re just a chicken,” but something
was. He didn’t see himself as a King’s son deep on the inside said, “This is not who I
but as inadequate. He focused on his weak- am. I may be in a chicken coop, but I was
nesses, his limitations. He started making created to soar.”
excuses. He said, “God, I can’t go talk to Flapping his wings as fast as he could,
Pharaoh. I stutter.” the eagle crashed into the side of the
God said, “Moses, who made your chicken coop. His chicken friends laughed
tongue? Who makes the deaf to hear? Who and said, “See, you’re a chicken.” But he
makes the blind to see?” God was saying, didn’t let that failure or the ridicule talk him
“Moses, I breathed my life into you. I put out of it. He kept trying, and one day he
My DNA on the inside. Quit telling me what lifted up out of that chicken coop and began
you’re not. I say you’re a King’s son.” That’s to soar. With every breath he declared,
what God is saying to each one of us today. “This is who I really am. I knew I was an
eagle!”

138 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 139

 May 9 J A NMay
U A 10
RY 3

You’re an Eagle Made for More

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand
the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.
his image with ever-increasing glory,
P rove r bs 2 2 : 2 9 n k j v
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

I
2 C o r inthians 3 : 1 8
know a young lady who was raised in
poverty, got pregnant at age sixteen, and
P erhaps, like the eagle in yesterday’s
reading, you’ve been in a chicken coop
way too long. Perhaps chicken has become
dropped out of high school. She had had
a big dream for her life, but it looked as
though the cycle of lack and defeat would
ingrained in your thinking. Let me tell continue. She went on welfare and found a
you what you already know. You’re not a job at a school cafeteria, earning minimum
chicken. You’re an eagle. Don’t let that lim- wage. But something deep down inside of
ited environment rub off on you. Don’t let her said, “You were made for more. You’re
how you were raised or what somebody said an eagle.”
keep you from knowing who you really are.
She went back to school and got her
Check your spiritual birth certificate. GED. Then she enrolled in college, working
You’ll find you’ve been made in the image during the day and going to class at night.
of Almighty God. He has crowned you with She graduated from college with honors and
favor. You have royal blood flowing through went on to get her master’s degree. Today,
your veins. You were never created to be she is the assistant principal at the same
average or mediocre. You were created to school where she once punched meal tick-
soar. Abundance, opportunity, and good ets. That’s what happens when you know
breaks are in your DNA. Now get rid of a who you are.
chicken mentality and start having an eagle
mentality.

140 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 141

M ay 1 1 may 1 2

Rise Above You Are His Temple

“Stand firm, and you will win life.” Do you not know that your
bodies are temples of the
L uke 2 1 : 1 9
Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom
you have received from God?

Y ou may feel like the young lady in

yesterday’s reading. You may have been
taught to live like a chicken, but you must
1 C o r inthians 6 : 1 9

do what she did. Draw a line in the sand and

say, “I may be in a limited environment, but T oo many people go around feeling
wrong on the inside. They don’t really
like who they are. They think, If I was just a
I am not settling here. I know who I am. I
am an eagle. I am a child of the King. I am little taller, if I had a better personality, if my
a mighty hero. I am a thoroughbred. I have metabolism was a little faster...
winning in my DNA.” But when God created you, He went
Get up every morning and check your to great lengths to make you exactly as He
spiritual birth certificate. Remind yourself wanted. You didn’t accidentally get your
of who you are. If you do this, I believe and personality. You didn’t just happen to get
declare, you’re going to soar to new heights. your height, your looks, your skin color, or
You’re going to rise above every obstacle. your gifts. God designed you on purpose to
You’re going to set new levels for your fam- be the way you are. You have what you need
ily and become everything God has created to fulfill your destiny. If you needed to be
you to be. different in any way, God would have made
you that way. You have to be confident in
who God made you to be.

142 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 143

 m ay A Masterpiece A Prized m ay

13 For we are God’s masterpiece.

E phesians 2 : 1 0 n lt
Possession
The Lord your God has
14
chosen you out of all
the peoples on the face of

T o be a masterpiece means you are not

ordinary. You didn’t come off an assem-
bly line. You weren’t mass-produced. You
the earth to be his people,
his treasured possession.
D eute ronomy 7 : 6
are one of a kind. Nobody in this world
has your fingerprints. There will never be
another you. If you’re going to reach your
highest potential, you have to see yourself
as unique, as an original, as God’s very own
Y ou are God’s most prized possession.
Don’t go around feeling wrong about
yourself. Quit wishing you were taller, or
masterpiece. had a better personality, or looked like
God’s creation is filled with magnificent somebody else. You’ve been painted by the
scenes and things that I think of as incred- most incredible Painter there could ever be.
ible—sunsets over the clear blue ocean, the When God created you, He stepped back
Rocky Mountains, the vast solar system and and stamped His approval on you.
Milky Way. But God says His most prized Somewhere on you, there’s a tag that
possession is us. What makes Him most states, “Made by Almighty God.” So put
proud is us. He is saying to you and me, your shoulders back and hold your head
“When I made you, I breathed My very life high. You are extremely valuable. When
into you. I created you in My own image.” those thoughts come telling you everything
that you’re not, remind yourself, “I have the
fingerprints of God all over me—the way I
look, the way I smile, my gifts, my personal-
ity. I know I am not average. I am a master-
piece.” Those are the thoughts that should
be playing in our mind all day long.

144 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 145

 may 1 5 may 1 6

Wonderfully Made Your Painter

I praise you because I am fearfully and He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
wonderfully made; your works are and all his ways are just.
wonderful, I know that full well.
D eute ronomy 3 2 : 4
P salm 1 3 9 : 1 4

P eople may try to make you feel aver-

age. Your own thoughts may try to
Y ears ago I was in a home that had many
paintings. Some of them looked as if
they had been painted by a child—very
convince you that you are ordinary. Life abstract, paint thrown here and there. When
will try to push you down and steal your they mentioned they had paid over a mil-
sense of value. That’s why all through the lion dollars for just one of those paintings, I
day you have to remind yourself of who thought, Wow! That is beautiful, isn’t it?
your Painter is. When you dwell on the Come to find out, it was an original
fact that Almighty God breathed His life Picasso. It dawned on me that it’s not so
into you and approved you, equipped you, much what the painting looks like; it’s who
and empowered you, then any thoughts of the painter is. The value comes from its
low self-esteem and inferiority don’t have a creator. In the same way, our value doesn’t
chance. come because of our looks or what we
All through the day, instead of putting do. Our value comes from the fact that
ourselves down, we would go around think- Almighty God is our Painter. So don’t criti-
ing, I am wonderfully made. I am talented. I cize what God has painted. Approve your-
am an original. I have everything that I need. I self. You have been fearfully and wonder-
dare you to get up each day and say, “Good fully made.
morning, you wonderful thing! You are
fearfully and wonderfully made.”

146 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 147

 Agree with God The Apple of may
For you created my inmost
being; you knit me together
His Eye
Keep me as the apple
18
in my mother’s womb. of your eye; hide me in the
shadow of your wings.
may P salm 1 3 9 : 1 3

17
P salm 1 7 : 8

I read a story about a man who died in

H ow many of us are bold enough to say extreme poverty. After the funeral, a
as David did, “I am amazing. I am a painting in his rundown apartment was dis-
masterpiece” (Ps. 139:14). Those thoughts covered to have been painted in the 1800s
never enter into most people’s minds. by a famous artist and ended up selling for
They’re too busy putting themselves down, over three million dollars. That man lived
focusing on their flaws, comparing them- his whole life in poverty because he didn’t
selves to others whom they think are better. realize what he had.
Your Painter, your Creator says, “You’re In the same way, every one of us has
amazing. You’re wonderful. You’re a mas- been painted by the most famous Artist
terpiece.” Now it’s up to you to get in agree- there could ever be. But if you don’t under-
ment with God. The recording that should stand your value, just like this man, even
be playing in our mind all day long is, “I am though you have everything you need, even
valuable. I am a masterpiece. I am a child though you’re full of potential, you’ll never
of the Most High God.” Could it be this is tap into it. That’s why every morning you
what’s holding you back? Your recording is need to remind yourself, “I am not average.
negative. Don’t be against yourself. Change I am not ordinary. I have the fingerprints of
your recording. Start seeing yourself as the God all over me. I am a masterpiece.”
masterpiece God created you to be.

148 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 149

 A Crown of Honor Strong and
“You have made them to
Confident

19 20
be a kingdom and priests to “Not by might nor by power,
m ay

m ay
serve our God, and they but by my Spirit,” says the
will reign on the earth.” Lord Almighty.
Revelation 5 : 1 0 Z echa r iah 4 : 6

T he Scripture talks about how God has

made us to be kings and priests unto
Him. Men, you need to start seeing yourself
I was in England a few years ago. They
were having a ceremony to honor the
queen. When the queen walked into the
as a king. Women, start seeing yourself as room, you could feel the strength, the confi-
a queen. Start carrying yourself as royalty. dence, and the dignity. She waved at every-
Not in arrogance, thinking that you’re bet- one as though they were her best friends.
ter than others, but in humility be proud of What’s interesting is there were all kinds of
who God made you to be. You are not better important people in that room from around
than anyone else, but you are not less than the world. And I say this respectfully, but
anyone else. the queen was not the most beautiful, the
Understand, your Father created the wealthiest, fittest, or most educated per-
whole universe. When He breathed His life son in the room either. But by the way
into you and sent you to planet earth, you the queen carried herself, you would have
didn’t come as ordinary. You didn’t come as never known it.
average. He put a crown of honor on your Why? She knows who she is. She’s the
head. Now start thinking as royalty, talking queen. She comes from a long line of roy-
as royalty, dressing as royalty, walking as alty. It’s been ingrained in her thinking, I’m
royalty, and acting as royalty. not average. I’m not ordinary. I am one of a
kind.

150 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 151

 May 21 J A NMay
U A 22
RY 3

Approved by God Reign with Him

But to do this, you will need the strong belt of …if we endure, we will also reign with him.
truth and the breastplate of God’s approval.
2 T imothy 2 : 1 2
E phesians 6 : 1 4 t l b

I f you and I could ever start seeing our-

N o doubt some mornings when the selves as the kings and the queens whom
queen of England wakes up, the same God made us to be, we would never be
thoughts come to her mind that come to all intimidated again. You don’t have to be the
of us. You’re not as beautiful as…as talented most talented, the most educated, or the
as…as smart as… Be intimidated. You’re infe- most successful to feel good about your-
rior. The queen lets that go in one ear and self. When you understand your Heavenly
out the other. She thinks, It doesn’t matter Father breathed His life into you, you too
how I compare to others. I’m the queen. I have come from a long line of royalty.
royalty in my blood…generations of influence, Instead of being intimidated, you can
honor, and prestige. do like the queen. Just be at ease, be kind,
But a lot of times we think, I can’t feel be confident, and be friendly, knowing that
good about myself. I have this addiction. I you are one of a kind. Ladies, you may not
struggle with a bad temper. I’ve made a lot of be the most beautiful person, but be con-
mistakes in life. Here’s the key: Your value is fident you’re the queen. Men, you may not
not based on your performance. You don’t be the most successful, but stand up tall.
have to do enough good and then maybe You’re the king. You are crowned not by
God will approve you. God has already people but by Almighty God.
approved you.

152 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 153

M ay 2 3 M ay 2 4

Be for Yourself Extraordinary

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Your beauty…should be that of your
inner self, the unfading beauty of a
M atthew 2 2 : 3 9
gentle and quiet spirit, which is of
great worth in God’s sight.

J esus said that if you don’t love yourself in

a healthy way, you will never be able to
love others in the way that you should. This
1 P ete r 3 : 3 – 4

is why some people don’t have good rela-

tionships. If you don’t get along with your- A few years ago I met a young lady who
didn’t have a lot of what today’s culture
defines as natural beauty, but on the inside
self, you’ll never get along with others. We
all have weaknesses, shortcomings, things she had it going on! She knew she was made
that we wish were different. But God never in the image of Almighty God and was
designed us to go through life being against crowned with favor. She may have looked
ourselves. ordinary, but she thought extraordinary.
She carried herself like a queen and walked
The opinion you have of yourself is the like she was royalty. She smiled like she was
most important opinion that you have. If Miss America and wore her dress as though
you see yourself as less than, not talented, it was brand new from Saks Fifth. All I
not valuable, you will become exactly that. could say was, “You go, girl!”
If you feel unattractive on the inside, you
will convey feelings of unattractiveness. What makes her so special? On the
That’s going to push people away. The prob- inside she sees herself as beautiful, strong,
lem is on the inside. You carry yourself the talented, and valuable. What’s on the inside
way you see yourself. will eventually show up on the outside.
Because she sees herself as a masterpiece,
she exudes strength, beauty, and confi-
dence.
154 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 155
 m ay Love Yourself Not a Grasshopper m ay

25 Love others as you

love yourself.
“There we saw the Nephilim
(the sons of Anak are part
26
of the Nephilim); and we
Galatians 5 : 1 4 m s g
were like grasshoppers
in our own sight, and so

P eople see you the way you see yourself.

If you see yourself as strong, talented,
and valuable, that’s the way other people
we were in their sight.”
N umbe r s 1 3 : 3 3 a m p

will see you. That’s the messages you’re

sending out. But if you see yourself as less
than, not talented, and not valuable, that’s
the way others will see you.
W hen ten of the spies came back from
the Promised Land, they saw how
huge their opponents were. Notice they
Perhaps if you would change the opin- didn’t say, “Those people insulted us. They
ion you have of yourself, if you would quit called us grasshoppers.” They went in with
focusing on your flaws and everything you a grasshopper mentality. They said, “We
wish was different, if you would quit com- were in our own sights as grasshoppers.”
paring yourself to somebody else whom you That’s what they conveyed. Here’s the
think is better and start loving yourself in a principle at work: “And so we were in their
healthy way, being proud of who God made sights.” In other words, “They saw us the
you to be, then as you send out these differ- way we saw ourselves.”
ent messages, it’s going to bring new oppor- You may feel that you don’t have the
tunities, new relationships, and new levels size, the talent, or the education. That’s
of God’s favor. all right. All that matters is Almighty God
breathed His life into you. He created you
as a person of destiny. He put seeds of
greatness on the inside. Now do your part.
Start seeing yourself as the masterpiece
God created you to be.

156 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 157

 may 2 7 may 2 8

Well Pleasing Excellence

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, Then God looked over all that he had made,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” and it was excellent in every way.
M atthew 3 : 1 7 G enesis 1 : 3 1 t l b

W hen God said these words, Jesus

hadn’t started His ministry yet. He
had never opened one blind eye, never
I n Genesis 1, God had just created the
heavens, the earth, the sea, the animals,
and Adam and Eve, then He pronounced it
raised the dead, never performed a single “excellent in every way.” When God looks
miracle. His Father was pleased with Him at you, He says, “You are excellent in every
because of who He was and not because of way.”
anything He had or had not done. You may think, Not me, I have these bad
We tell ourselves, “If I read my Bible habits, these shortcomings. Get out of that
more or could break this addiction, I’d feel defeated mentality. You may not be perfect,
good about myself.” You have to learn to but God is not basing your value on your
accept yourself while you’re in the process performance. He’s looking at your heart.
of changing. We all have areas we need to Now quit being down on yourself. Quit liv-
improve, but if you go around feeling guilty ing condemned and dare to believe you are
and condemned, that will not motivate you excellent in every way. Our attitude should
to go forward. Do yourself a big favor and be, Yes, I may make some mistakes. I have
quit listening to the accusing voices. The some flaws and weaknesses, but I know God
enemy knows if you don’t like yourself, you has already approved me. I am excellent in
will never become who God created you to every way. I am His masterpiece.
be.

158 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 159

 Celebrate Your Value may
Each one should test his
own actions. Then he can
For the Lord takes delight
in his people; he crowns the 30
take pride in himself, without humble with victory.
comparing himself to some-
may body else, for each one
P salm 1 4 9 : 4

29 should carry his own load.

Galatians 6 : 4 – 5
I heard about a mayor of a small town who
was in a parade, riding in a float down
Main Street with his wife next to him.
I know people who are good at celebrating
others. They’ll compliment their friends
and brag on a cousin. And that’s good. We
When he spotted his wife’s former boy-
friend in the crowd, who ran the local gas
station, he whispered to his wife, “Aren’t
should celebrate others, but make sure you you glad you didn’t marry him? You’d be
also celebrate yourself. Be bold enough to working at a gas station.” She whispered
celebrate who God made you to be. There back, “No. If I would’ve married him, he’d
is something special about you. Don’t put be the mayor.”
others on a pedestal to the point where
you think, They are so great, and I am so less You have to know who you are. God
than. breathed His life into you. You have royalty
in your blood. You are excellent in every
They may have more natural beauty or way. You are not ordinary. You are a mas-
more talent in some area, but God didn’t terpiece. Get up every morning and remind
leave anybody out. You have something that yourself of who your Painter is. Your value
they don’t have. You’re good at something doesn’t come because of who you are. It
that they’re not good at. It’s fine to cel- comes because of whose you are.
ebrate them and say, “Look how great they
are,” as long as you follow it up by saying
internally, “And you know what? I’m great,
too.”

160 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 161

 In the Meantime Learn Contentment
The Lord is my shepherd; I have learned in whatever

31 1
I have all that I need. state I am, to be content:

June
M ay
I know how to be abased,
P salm 2 3 : 1 n lt
and I know how to abound.
P hilippians 4 : 1 1 – 1 2 n k j v

I t’s good to have dreams and goals. We

should be stretching our faith. But here’s
the key: While we’re waiting for promises
T he apostle Paul said he had to learn to
be content. It doesn’t happen automati-
cally. It’s a choice we have to make. Being
to come to pass, we shouldn’t be discontent content doesn’t mean that we don’t want
where we are. Maybe you’re believing to change, that we give up on our dreams, or
have a baby, believing for a new house, or that we settle where we are. It means we’re
believing to get married. That’s great, but not frustrated and fighting everything.
don’t go the next five years discontent if it We’re trusting God’s timing. We know He
hasn’t come to pass. Learn to enjoy the sea- is working behind the scenes, and at the
son that you’re in. right time He will get us to where we’re
Being unhappy, frustrated, and wonder- supposed to be.
ing if something is ever going to change is Some situations will not change until
not going to make it happen any sooner. we change, such as when we’re frustrated,
When we’re discontent, we’re dishonoring thinking, Why is it taking so long? Why is my
God. We’re so focused on what we want husband still aggravating me? If God has us
that we’re taking for granted what we have. there, we must need it. He is going to use
The right attitude is, God, I’m believing for it to do a work in us. When we’re content,
this, but in the meantime I’m happy with what we’re growing, developing character, and
I have. being strengthened.

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 June 2 J A NJune
U A R3 Y 3

Choose to Be Happy Always Give Thanks

…for it is God who works in you to will …give thanks in all circumstances;
and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
P hilippians 2 : 1 3 1 T hessalonians 5 : 1 8

T here’s something wrong if we’re always

discontented. “I don’t like my job. I’m
tired of this small apartment. These kids
D avid spent years in the lonely fields
taking care of his father’s sheep.
What’s interesting is that he had already
get on my nerves.” That’s going to keep you been chosen and anointed to be the next
where you are. God’s plan for our life is not king of Israel. David could have thought,
to just make us comfortable but to grow us God, You promised me great things. What am
up, to mature us, so He can release more of I doing stuck out here with a bunch of sheep?
His favor. You may not like where you are, But David knew that God was in con-
but you wouldn’t be there unless God had a trol, so he just kept being his best, going
purpose for it. to work with a good attitude, grateful for
You don’t grow as much when every- where he was. Because he was content in
thing is going your way. You grow when the shepherds’ fields, he made it to the
there’s pressure and you choose to be throne. But if you’re not content in the sea-
happy. You could easily complain, but you son you’re in, even if your dreams do come
say, “Lord, thank You for another great day.” to pass, you’re still not going to be satisfied.
All your dreams haven’t come to pass, but Here’s the problem: Discontentment will
you choose to enjoy the season that you’re follow you everywhere you go.
in. That’s passing the test.

164 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 165

J une 4 june 5

See the Good Grace for Each Season

Let your conduct be without covetous- There is a time for everything,
ness; be content with such things as and a season for every
you have. For He Himself has said, activity under the heavens…
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
E cclesiastes 3 : 1
H eb r ews 1 3 : 5 n k j v

Y ou have the grace you need to enjoy

each season of your life. If your dreams
D iscontentment is like a faint high-
pitched sound coming from a cell
phone—it follows us around. If God blesses
are not coming to pass, that’s a test. Will
you do as David did in the shepherds’ fields
us with a promotion, we’re happy for a little and bloom where you’re planted? Will you
while, but then the discontentment comes. choose to enjoy that season and not just
We don’t want to work so hard or we don’t endure it, thinking, God, when is this ever
want the responsibility. But it’s not our going to change? I’ve been praying for two
circumstances. It’s the spirit of discontent- years. Maybe it’s going to change when you
ment, complaining about what we don’t change. You have to be satisfied with where
like, never having enough. God has you right now.
That’s why Paul said, “I’ve learned how It doesn’t mean you settle there and
to be content.” You have to train your mind never expect anything better. It means you
to see the good, to be grateful for what you don’t live frustrated, always wanting some-
have. Life will go so much better if you will thing more. “I need more money and a bet-
be content in each season. Content when ter job and a bigger house.” “I need to lose
you have a lot, and content when you don’t twenty pounds.” “I need my kids to make
have a lot. Content whether you’re in main- better grades. Then I’ll enjoy life.”
tenance or management.

166 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 167

 june Find Satisfaction Freedom in june

6 A person can do nothing

better than to eat and drink
Contentment
But godliness with
7
and find satisfaction in their contentment is great gain.
own toil. This too, I see,
1 T imothy 6 : 6
is from the hand of God…
E cclesiastes 2 : 2 4

Y ou cannot let your contentment in life

be based on what you have or don’t
I know single people who are not going to
be content until they get married, and
I know married people who are unhappy
have, on who likes you or who doesn’t like
you. Learn to be content in every season.
Life is very freeing when you can say, “I’m
and wish they were married to somebody content with who God made me to be. I’m
else. Even if you accomplish your wish list, content with my personality, content with
something else will come up to make you my looks, and content with my gifts. I’m
discontented. You have to put your foot content with where I am in life—my posi-
down and say, “That’s it. Everything may tion, my career, my relationships, and my
not be perfect in my life. All my dreams house.”
may not have come to pass yet, but I’m not
living frustrated and stressed out. I’m going While it’s always good to be improving,
to bloom right where I’m planted.” you shouldn’t always be wishing you were
something different. It’s a tragedy to go
In other words, “I’m content whether through life always dissatisfied, wishing you
I’m driving a twenty-year-old Volkswagen had more, wanting to look like somebody
or a brand-new Mercedes-Benz.” “I’m con- else, waiting to be happy. I’m asking you to
tent whether I’m living in a small apart- be content right where you are with who
ment or a beautiful dream house.” “I’m God made you to be.
content whether my business is booming or
whether it’s a little slow.”

168 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 169

 june 8 june 9

A Servant’s Heart This Old House

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. But if we have food and clothing,
“May your word to me be fulfilled.” we will be content with that.
Then the angel left her.
1 T imothy 6 : 8
L uke 1 : 3 8

T hink about Mary, the mother of Christ.

When she was nine months pregnant,
A couple of years after Victoria and I
were married, we found a piece of
property we really liked that had an old
she had to ride a donkey to Bethlehem. rundown house on it with major foundation
There was no hotel or hospital room await- problems. We decided to fix it up and live
ing her. It was swaddling clothes, or strips in it. The floors were so slanted that most of
of cloth, rather than a new baby outfit. the interior doors would not close properly.
Mary didn’t have designer jeans, a fancy That didn’t bother us. We were happy.
purse, or a latte from Starbucks. But she My mother would come over to our
never complained to Joseph. house and say, “Joel, how do you live with
And Mary didn’t say, “God, if I’m going these crooked floors?” But I’ve learned that
to have this baby for You, at least You could God gives you the grace for each season.
make it more comfortable on me.” She was Today, we have a nice house with even
content in the season she was in, content floors. But I don’t believe we would be
when the angel said, “You’ve been highly where we are if we had not been content in
favored,” and content with a donkey and giv- that older house. It would have been easy to
ing birth in a barn with a bunch of animals. complain, but we made the decision to be
It takes a mature person to be content on content.
the mountaintop and content in the valley.

170 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 171

 It’s Your Life Getting You june
As for me, I shall see Your
face in righteousness; I will
Prepared
And let us not grow
11
be [fully] satisfied when I weary while doing good,
awake [to find myself] for in due season we shall
june seeing Your likeness. reap if we do not lose heart.

10 P salm 1 7 : 1 5 a m p Galatians 6 : 9 n k j v

A gentleman recently was telling me

about everything wrong in his life and
ended by saying, “Joel, I just don’t like my
E very season is not springtime, with the
beautiful blooming flowers, gorgeous
sunshine, and cool weather. That’s a great
life.” Here’s the problem: It’s the only life season, but there has to be planting seasons,
you have. You may have a thousand reasons watering seasons, and maintaining seasons,
to live unhappy, but you have to make the where you’re pulling the weeds and tilling
choice that you’re going to be content. If the soil. Those are important seasons. With-
you’re sour and complain, you’ll get stuck. out going through that process, you’re not
God does not promote discontentment. going to come into a new season of harvest.
Focus on what’s right in your life and what Instead of being frustrated by difficul-
you do have. ties, have a new perspective. That season is
Paul, who said, “I’ve learned how to be getting you prepared for promotion. It may
content,” wrote much of the New Testament look as though you’re stuck, but God is at
from a prison cell. When you’ve made up work, and at the right time the season will
your mind to be content, prisons can’t stop change. Winter always gives way to spring.
you, crooked floors can’t stop you, donkeys It takes a mature person to be content not
can’t stop you, lonely shepherds’ fields can’t only in the harvest season but content in
stop you. God will get you to where you’re planting season and in the “pulling the
supposed to be. weeds” season.

172 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 173

 Rejoice Today Fully Satisfied
This is the day the Lord “I will fully satisfy the soul of

12 13
has made. We will the priests with abundance, and

june

june
rejoice and be glad in it. My people will be satisfied with
My goodness,” says the Lord.
P salm 1 1 8 : 2 4 n lt
J e r emiah 3 1 : 1 4 a m p

Y ou may be in one of those difficult

seasons right now, raising a small
child, taking care of an elderly loved one, W hen I was growing up, there were five
of us kids in the house. My parents
or perhaps dealing with an illness. It’s easy didn’t have a lot of money, but I always felt
to think, As soon as I get through this tough as though we were well off. We had fun.
time, I’ll get my joy back. No, this is the day Life was good. We couldn’t afford a fam-
the Lord has made. You have to choose to ily vacation every year, so every couple of
rejoice today. months my father would take us kids out to
God has given you not only the grace the airport to ride the tram from Terminal
you need in order to endure this season— A to Terminal B! We thought that was so
that doesn’t take any faith—but to enjoy the great. Instead of complaining that he didn’t
season. When you’re content, you see each have enough, my father learned to be con-
day as a gift, appreciate the people in your tent in each season.
life, and are grateful for what God has given When some of my childhood friends
you. That not only is developing your char- would tell me they were going to Disney-
acter, but you’re passing the test. You will land, I thought that meant they were going
come out of winter, and you will come into to the airport to ride the trams. When I
your springtime. got old enough to realize what Disneyland
really was, I needed counseling!

174 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 175

 June 14 J A NJune
U A 15
RY 3

The Simple Things Now Is the Time

…to put their hope in God, who richly provides …who satisfies your desires with good things
us with everything for our enjoyment. so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
1 T imothy 6 : 1 7 P salm 1 0 3 : 5

W hen our son, Jonathan, was about five

and Alexandra was two, we planned
a big vacation to Disneyland. It was a huge
A mistake we make too often is that we
think that when we reach a certain
goal—finish college, get the promotion,
deal, and I was so excited for my children. move into the new house, have a baby—
But we weren’t in the park fifteen minutes then we’ll be happy. The truth is that if
when Jonathan said, “Dad, I want to go you don’t learn to be content where you
back to the hotel and go swimming.” I pled are now, you won’t be content when your
with him over and over, “We can go swim- dreams come to pass. Yes, you’ll be happy
ming anytime. We’re at Disneyland!” But when you accomplish your goals, but there
he refused to budge. I thought later, I should are challenges that come along with it.
have done what my dad did and taken them to When God blesses you with a new
the airport to ride the trams. house, it comes with a bigger yard to mow,
You don’t have to have a big vacation to more rooms to clean, more to maintain. The
have fun. Learn to enjoy the simple things promotion means more responsibility. The
in life—making memories with your fam- beautiful baby means that three o’clock in
ily, playing hide-and-seek in the house, and the morning is feeding time. Don’t pray for
watching the sunset with your spouse. a bigger blessing if you’re going to complain
about a bigger burden.

176 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 177

J une 1 6 J une 1 7

This Moment Embrace Today

“I came that they may have and There was no end to his toil,
enjoy life, and have it in abundance yet his eyes were not content with
[to the full, till it overflows].” his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,”
he asked, “and why am I depriving
J ohn 1 0 : 1 0 a m p
myself of enjoyment?”
E cclesiastes 4 : 8

O ur church facility is a dream come true.

God did more than we can ask or think.
But with this amazing blessing came an
amazing utility bill. The first time I saw it, I I read a story about a man who lived his
entire life feeling discontented, unful-
filled, and dreading to go to work each day,
thought, God, I sure liked our old facility. The
good news is that God won’t give us a bless- but who, when he arrived in Heaven, real-
ing if we don’t have the grace to handle the ized that actually he had been at the right
burden. Our part is to choose to be content. place. Seeing his life from a new perspec-
tive, he realized he had made a difference.
You could be in one of the best seasons
of your life right now, but you’re not enjoy- Could it be that you’re at the right place
ing it because you’re focused on the burden, for the season that you’re in, but you’re not
on what you don’t have, on how difficult enjoying it? Maybe like him, if you would
it is. Because you’re waiting for things to see it from a new perspective, you would
change, you’re missing the beauty of this realize that God is directing your steps. He
moment, the joy of today. See the gift in knows where you are, what you like, and
what you have right now. Don’t miss it liv- what you don’t like. Instead of living discon-
ing discontent. tented, embrace the place where you are.
See the good. Be grateful for what you have.
You have the grace to enjoy the blessing.

178 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 179

 june Stop Comparing Run Your Race june

18 I know the Lord is always

with me. I will not be shaken,
Do you not know that in a race
all the runners run, but only
19
for he is right beside me. one gets the prize? Run in such
a way as to get the prize.
P salm 1 6 : 8 n lt
1 C o r inthians 9 : 2 4

T here is an underlying pressure in our

society to be number one. If we’re not
the best, the leader, the fastest, the most tal- D on’t make the mistake of trying to keep
up with others, wondering, Why can’t
ented, the most beautiful, or the most suc- I sing like that? Why can’t I be the manager?
cessful, we’re taught to not feel good about When am I going to reach their level? If
ourselves. We have to work harder, run you’re not content with your gift, comfort-
faster, and stay ahead. If a neighbor moves able with who God made you to be, you’ll
into a new house, instead of being inspired go through life frustrated and envious,
and happy for them, we think, I have to keep thinking, I wish I had her looks. I wish I had
up. If a coworker gets a promotion, we feel his talent. I wish I owned their business. No,
we’re falling behind. if you had what they have, it wouldn’t help
If we’re not careful, there will always be you; it would hinder you. They have a dif-
someone or something making us feel we’re ferent assignment.
not up to par. We’re not far enough along. You have to realize you’re not running
As long as you compare your situation to their race. You’re running your race. You
others, you will never feel good about your- have a specific assignment. God has given
self, because there will always be somebody you exactly what you need for the race
more talented, more beautiful, more suc- that’s been designed for you.
cessful.

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 june 2 0 june 2 1

It’s Not about Others Different Gifts

And let us run with perseverance the race We have different gifts, according
marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, to the grace given to each of us.
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Romans 1 2 : 6
H eb r ews 1 2 : 1 – 2

I ’m all for having goals, stretching, and

A friend, a coworker, or a relative may believing big. That’s important. But you
seem to have a more significant gift than have to accept the gift that God has given
yours. They can outrun you and outperform you. You shouldn’t feel less than if some-
you. That’s okay. You’re not competing with one seems to have a more significant gift. It
them. You both have what you need for your takes a secure person to say, “I’m comfort-
assignments. Quit trying to outperform oth- able with who I am.”
ers, and then you’ll start to feel good about I hear ministers who have deep voices
yourself. Don’t condition your contentment and are great orators, and I stand up in front
upon moving into a new neighborhood, hav- of my congregation with my Texas twang.
ing your business catch up to someone else’s, This is what I’ve been given. I can improve
or getting a promotion. it. I can develop it. I can cultivate it, but my
One of the best things I’ve ever learned voice is never going to sound like James Earl
is to be comfortable with who God made Jones. There is always going to be some-
me to be. I don’t have to outperform anyone body who can minister better, who is fur-
to feel good about myself. I don’t have to ther along and more experienced. But that
out build, outdrive, outrace, out minister, or doesn’t bother me. I know I have the gifts I
outproduce anyone. It’s not about anyone need for my assignment.
else. It’s about becoming who God made me
to be.

182 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 183

 Your Gift Use Your Gift june
Is Significant
There are different kinds
Do not neglect your gift,
which was given you through 23
of gifts, but the same prophecy when the body of
Spirit distributes them. elders laid their hands on you.
june

22
1 C o r inthians 1 2 : 4 1 T imothy 4 : 1 4

Q uit discounting the gift that God has

given you. It may seem insignificant,
Y ou may not be as smart or as talented
as someone else, but there’s something
God has given you that’s unique, some-
but you don’t have to have a great gift for thing that will propel you into your destiny,
God to use it in a great way. Do you know something that will cause you to leave your
what David’s gift was that put him on the mark on this generation. Don’t believe the
throne? It wasn’t his leadership skills. It lies that say, “There’s nothing special about
wasn’t his dynamic personality. It wasn’t his you. You don’t have the right personality or
ability to write and play music. the talent of your friend.”
It was his gift to sling a rock. He was Similar to David, you have a slingshot,
a sharpshooter with a slingshot. He could your gifting. It’s not so much what you
have thought, Oh, great. Big deal. I’m good have. It’s the anointing that God puts on it.
with a slingshot. This is not going to get me That gift may seem ordinary, but when God
anywhere. I’m out in the shepherds’ fields, breathes on it, you’ll defeat a giant twice
alone, no people. Just a bunch of sheep. But it your size. You’ll be promoted beyond your
was his slingshot, that seemingly insignifi- talent. You’ll go places where you weren’t
cant gift, that enabled him to defeat Goliath qualified. You weren’t next in line, but sud-
and eventually put David on the throne. denly a door opened. Suddenly the dream
comes to pass.

184 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 185

 Titles Not Required Just Do It
A man’s gift makes room And Jesus grew in wisdom

24 25
for him, and brings him and stature, and in favor

june

june
before great men. with God and man.
P r ove r bs 1 8 : 1 6 n k j v L uke 2 : 5 2

T oo often we pursue titles and positions,

thinking we’ll feel good about ourselves
when we have them. “When I make it to
S ome people say, “As soon as they crown
me King of the Office, I’ll start being my
best.” It works the other way around. You
sales manager, when I get on the varsity have to show them what you have, then
cheerleading squad, when I’m the head the approval, recognition, and reward will
usher, the senior partner, the lead supervi- come.
sor…” That’s fine. But you don’t need a title When David saw Goliath, he could have
to do what God has called you to do. Don’t said, “Nobody here recognizes my gifts, so
wait for people to approve you, affirm you, I won’t get involved.” In fact, people were
or validate you. Use your gift, and the title telling him he was not qualified. Neither
will come. bothered David. His attitude was, I don’t
If King David would have waited for need a title or a position or their approval.
a title, we wouldn’t be talking about him God called me. He gave me this gift, which
today. When he went out to face Goliath, may seem insignificant. I’m not here to please
David wasn’t a general, a corporal, or a ser- them. I’m here to fulfill my destiny. He went
geant. He wasn’t even enlisted. He didn’t out and defeated Goliath. In a few years
have a title, a name badge, a uniform, or a they gave him a title: King of Israel. Use
single credential. your gifts, and the titles will come.

186 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 187

 June 26 J A NJune
U A 27
RY 3

Use What You Have True Fulfillment

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves
him in the presence of his brothers, and from and two small fish, but how far will they
that day on the Spirit of the Lord came go among so many?”
powerfully upon David.
J ohn 6 : 9
1 S amuel 1 6 : 1 3

I n the Scripture, there was a little boy who

W hen my father was seventeen years had a sack lunch—five loaves of bread,
old, he gave his life to Christ. He two fish. Nothing much. Yet, when thou-
knew that he was called to preach, but his sands of people were hungry, Jesus took
family was very poor, he couldn’t afford to his lunch, multiplied it, and fed the whole
go to college, and he didn’t have a position crowd. We hear a lot about the little boy
or title. His family told him, “John, you bet- being willing to give the lunch, but it all
ter stay here with us and pick cotton.” started when his mother took time to make
the lunch. She used her gift that seemed
Daddy could have thought, I feel this small to make a lunch, and we’re still talking
calling if somebody was just behind me. But about it today.
he didn’t wait for a title or for people to
validate him. He started to minister in She was a homemaker raising a child
the seniors’ homes, in the prisons, and on without a title or acclaim. But titles don’t
street corners. If you’ll use what you have, bring fulfillment. Trying to impress all your
as my father did and as David did, God will friends will make your life miserable, but
breathe on it. His anointing on that simple running your race, understanding your
gift will cause you to step into the fullness assignment, and being comfortable with
of your destiny. who God made you to be is what brings true
fulfillment.

188 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 189

J une 2 8 J une 2 9

Understand Your We’re All Important

Assignment Each of you should use whatever
There are different kinds of working, gift you have received to serve
but in all of them and in everyone others, as faithful stewards of
it is the same God at work. God’s grace in its various forms.

1 C o r inthians 1 2 : 6 1 P ete r 4 : 1 0

D on’t discount the gift God has given

you. Are you secure enough to play the
role that God has given you? Are you com-
W ho was more important in the mir-
acle of the loaves and fishes? The
little boy with the lunch or the mother who
fortable enough to not have to be number made the lunch? Without the mother, we
one, to be in the front, to have the title, the wouldn’t be talking about the miracle. Who
position, to keep up with others? is more important? As the senior pastor, am
We put so much emphasis on rising I more important than the ones who open
to the top, in being the leader. And yes, I the building? Without them, we couldn’t
believe in excelling and having big gifts and get in. Or is it the ones who run the lights,
big dreams, but everyone isn’t gifted be the the sound system, and the cameras? Or
leader or be on the platform. Raising your perhaps the ones who paid the bills during
child is a great calling. You may be gifted the week? Or maybe it’s the ones who have
to play an instrument or sing. You may be supported the ministry down through the
gifted to teach children. The beauty of our years?
God is that He has given us all an assign- Here’s the point: We’re all equally
ment. Every one of us has a specific gift and important. Without one, the whole thing
purpose. wouldn’t function properly. Be secure
enough to play your role.

190 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 191

 june Be Who You Are Fulfill Your j u ly

30 There are different kinds of

service, but the same Lord.
Assignment
He who plants and he who
1
1 C o r inthians 1 2 : 5 waters are one [in importance
and esteem, working toward
the same purpose]; but each

I t’s easy to want what others have or to

do what they do, but if that’s not where
we’re called to be, if it’s not where we’re
will receive his own reward…
1 C o r inthians 3 : 8 a m p

gifted, we’re going to be frustrated because

it’s not happening. If we do get there, we’ll
be frustrated trying to keep ourselves there,
because if you promote yourself and manip-
G od is not going to judge you based on
your neighbor’s gift or your brother’s
gift or by how high you rose in the com-
ulate your way into a position, you will have pany. He is going to judge you based on the
to constantly work to try to stay there. But assignment that He has given you. Did you
where God takes you, He will keep you. run your race? Not, did you outperform
When you’re not competing, not com- your neighbor, were you more successful
paring, not trying to be something that than your cousin? You’re not competing
you’re not, life gets a lot freer. It takes all with them. They’re running a different race.
the pressure off. And yes, I realize there Queen Esther was gifted to save her
are some positions that carry more weight nation. The mother was gifted to make the
and more importance, but in God’s eyes the sack lunch that was used to feed thousands.
usher is just as important as the pastor. Two different assignments. Two different
giftings. God is not going to say, “Esther,
I’m prouder of you. You did so much more
than the boy’s mother who just made a little
lunch.” No, it’s all going to be about whether
or not we fulfilled our assignment.

192 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 193

 ju l y 2 ju l y 3

Find Your Fit No Trading Places

However, he has given each one of us Whatever you do [whatever your task may be],
a special gift through the generosity of Christ. work from the soul [that is, put in your
very best effort], as [something done]
E phesians 4 : 7 n lt
for the Lord and not for men…

A
C olossians 3 : 2 3 a m p
n Indy race car is incredibly sleek and
can travel 200 miles per hour but is
useless as a family car. An SUV holds eight
people and all kinds of luggage but can’t
take a curve at 100 miles per hour. The cars
A lot of times we think, If I had their talent
and if I could do what they’re doing, I’d
feel good about myself. But the truth is that if
are designed for specific purposes, and the you traded places, you wouldn’t be happy.
key is to keep the car in the race for which You wouldn’t be fulfilled, because their
it was designed. gifts, their talents, their skills, and their per-
In the same way, you have to be big sonality have been uniquely designed for
enough to accept, “I may not be a race car. their assignment. You could try to do what
I may not be as fast as my coworker or as they’re doing, but the problem is the anoint-
talented as my neighbor, but that’s okay. An ing on your life is for your gifts.
SUV is just fine. There’s a place where I fit When you learn to accept your gifts,
perfectly—where my gifts, my talents, my there is no competing, comparing, or wish-
skills, and my personality will shine.” Stay in ing you looked different or had different
your race. Be comfortable with who you are. talents. Just be the best that you can be
with what you have and there will be a ful-
fillment, a satisfaction. God will open up
doors. He will get you to where you’re sup-
posed to be.

194 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 195

 Take the Join the Dance july
Pressure Off
I have fought the good fight,
As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his 5
I have finished the race, thousands, and David
I have kept the faith. his tens of thousands.”
July

4
2 T imothy 4 : 7 1 S amuel 1 8 : 7

K ing Saul had been happy running his

A few years ago I was out running. There race until David started getting more
was a man in front of me about a quar- praise than him. From that moment on, Saul
ter of a mile, so I decided to try to catch never looked at David the same way and he
him and started really pushing it. You would ended up losing his throne over it. What
have thought I was in the final lap of the was his problem? He couldn’t handle some-
Olympic Games. I finally passed by him body getting ahead of him. He was fine as
and felt so good that I beat him. Of course, long as he was number one, but he couldn’t
he didn’t know we were racing! And then I handle being number two. He got distracted
realized I had missed my turn and had to go and spent months and months trying to kill
back! David, all because he wasn’t comfortable
with who he was.
That’s what happens when we’re com-
peting with other people, trying to outper- Maybe like Saul you’re at the one thou-
form them and make sure we’re more suc- sand level but you have a friend who’s at
cessful. We end up competing in a race that the ten thousand level. The real test to see if
we were never supposed to be in. Take the God can promote you is, can you celebrate
pressure off. You’re not really free until you people who pass you by? Can you be happy
know you’re not competing with anyone for them and stay focused on your race?
else.

196 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 197

 Celebrate Yourself Under Your Feet
I press on toward the For he “has put everything

6 7
goal to win the [heavenly] under his feet.”

j u ly

j u ly
prize of the upward call
1 C o r inthians 1 5 : 2 7
of God in Christ Jesus.
P hilippians 3 : 1 4 a m p

F riend, your race is run by one per-

son—you. Don’t get distracted with
competing against a neighbor, a friend, or
H ow we see our difficulties very often
will determine whether or not we get
out of them. When we face challenges and
a coworker. Just run your race. Here’s a things come against us, it’s easy to get over-
phrase I like: Don’t compare yourself. whelmed and start thinking, This is never
Celebrate yourself. going to work out. I’ll just have to learn to
Celebrate what you’ve accomplished. live with it. That kind of thinking not only
Very few people today can say, “I like pushes you down, but it stops God from
myself. I’m happy with my gifts. I am working. It’s going to attract fear, worry, and
satisfied with who God made me to be.” doubt. Many people settle for mediocrity.
Remember, you don’t have to have a great You have to change your perspective.
gift for God to use it in a great way. It may If you’re going to live in victory, you have
seem small, but when you use what you to see every sickness, every obstacle, and
have, God will breathe on it and do amazing every temptation as being under your
things. You will rise higher, your gifts and feet. It’s no match for you. It’s not going
talents will come out to the full, and you to keep you from your destiny. It’s already
will become everything that God has cre- defeated. It’s just a matter of time before
ated you to be! you walk it out.

198 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 199

 July 8 J A N July
U A9RY 3

Stepping-stones Look Down in Triumph

“You made them a little lower than the angels; In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.
you crowned them with glory and honor He will let me look down in triumph
and put everything under their feet.” on all my enemies.
H eb r ews 2 : 7 – 8 P salm 5 9 : 1 0 n lt

I f you see your life challenges as being too

big, that’s going to cause you to feel weak,
discouraged, and intimidated. You have to
D avid faced all kinds of enemies and
looked down on them in triumph.
Notice that David did not say “some of my
shake off the lies that are telling you, “It’s enemies.” No, “all my enemies.”
too big. It’s been this way too long. It’s You may be facing a sickness or a finan-
never going to change.” All those challenges cial difficulty that doesn’t look or feel like
are under your feet. You’re going to put a it’s under your feet. But we walk by faith
stop to it. It’s just a matter of time before and not by sight. In the natural, it may look
you break through to a new level. huge, but when you talk to those obstacles
This is a new day. God is saying, “Every by faith, as David did, you need to look
enemy, every sickness, every obstacle; it’s down. When you talk to God, you should
not going to defeat you. It’s going to pro- look up to ask for help. But when you talk to
mote you.” It was meant to be a stumbling sickness or fear or depression, look down.
block to keep you down. God is going to use It’s under your feet. I’ve heard it said, “If
it as a stepping-stone to take you higher. you want to say something to the enemy,
Keep the right perspective. It’s under your write it on the bottom of your shoe, because
feet. he is under your feet.”

200 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 201

ju l y 1 0 ju l y 1 1

It’s No Match for You Tread On

And God raised us up with Christ and “Behold, I have given you authority to
seated us with him in the heavenly tread on serpents and scorpions, and
realms in Christ Jesus… over all the power of the enemy, and
nothing shall hurt you.”
E phesians 2 : 6
L uke 1 0 : 1 9 e s v

O n the day before a big boxing match,

the two fighters will come out at a
press conference and stand toe to toe with I f God be for you, who dare be against
you? Quit telling yourself, “I’ll always
their faces just inches apart. They’ll look struggle in this area. I’ll never lose this
each other in the eye and just stand there weight. I’ll never get out of debt.” Change
and stare, trying to intimidate each other. your perspective. You are not weak,
They’re saying, “I’m bigger, stronger, defeated, or inferior. You are full of “can
tougher, meaner. You’re not going to defeat do” power. The same Spirit that raised
me!” Christ from the dead lives on the inside of
When you face a sickness, a bad habit, you. Greater is He that’s in you than he that
or an unfair situation, you don’t stand toe comes against you. You are more than a
to toe to look that enemy in the eye. That conqueror.
enemy is not at your level. It may seem so Now start putting things under your
tough that you can’t defeat it. But the truth feet. Think of that word tread. One transla-
is, it’s no match for you. For you to look that tion says “to trample.” If you will see these
enemy in the eye, look down under your obstacles as being under your feet, as being
feet. The enemy has limited power. God has already defeated, a new boldness will rise
all power. up. Your faith will activate God’s power in a
new way.

202 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 203

 j u ly Fight the Good Joy Is Your j u ly

12 Fight
Fight the good fight of the
Strength
“Do not grieve, for the joy of
13
faith. Take hold of the eternal the Lord is your strength.”
life to which you were called…
N ehemiah 8 : 1 0
1 T imothy 6 : 1 2

I know a lady in her early thirties who was

so shocked to be diagnosed with cancer
W hen David faced the giant Goliath,
the first thing David said was, “I will
defeat you and feed your head to the birds
that her personality changed. She became of the air.” That’s one of those enemies
very depressed. All she thought about was David looked down on as under his feet. By
how she might not make it. I told her, “You faith, he saw a giant as being smaller.
have to start looking down at that cancer. If we let life overwhelm us with worry
In the natural, it may be huge, but switch and stress, that not only affects us men-
over to your eyes of faith. You and God tally; it affects us physically. It weakens our
are a majority. It was never meant to be a immune system. The Scripture says joy is an
stumbling block. It was meant to be a step- emotion, and yet it creates strength. When
ping-stone.” you’re in tough times, you have to shake off
She changed her perspective. She got the worry, shake off the self-pity, shake off
her fire back, her passion back. She started the disappointment. Get your joy back. That
fighting the good fight of faith. Today, she enemy, that sickness, that obstacle—it’s
is four years cancer-free, married, and so under your feet. It’s not going to defeat you.
happy. But had she not seen the obstacle It’s going to promote you.
as being under her feet, I don’t believe it
would have turned out that way.

204 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 205

 ju l y 1 4 ju l y 1 5

Armed for Battle Power Up

“You have armed me with strength for the battle; Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.” your stand against the devil’s schemes.
2 S amuel 2 2 : 4 0 n lt E phesians 6 : 1 1

G od knows every temptation and every

obstacle you will ever face. He has
not only put it under your feet, but He has
W hen we get out of bed in the morn-
ing, the first thing we should do is
power up. Get our minds going in the right
armed you with strength for that battle. The direction. Remind yourself: “I’m ready for
greatest force in the universe is breathing this day. I am equipped. I am empowered.
in your direction. Tap into that power. Start I have my armor on. I have my shoes of
declaring, “I am well able. I can do all things peace. I’m not going to get upset. I’m not
through Christ. I am strong in the Lord.” going to let people steal my joy. I’m not
When you do that, you’re getting stronger going to fight battles that aren’t between me
and gaining energy. and my destiny. I have my helmet of salva-
We’ve all seen the sign in the post office tion. I know I am forgiven. I am redeemed.
of the “10 Most Wanted.” Under their photos I am approved by Almighty God. I’ve been
it says, “Armed and dangerous.” If the enemy handpicked by the Creator of the universe. I
had a post office, your picture would be up have my shield of faith.”
there. The Most High God has infused “can What are we doing? Powering up, get-
do” power into you. You have to start seeing ting prepared for a blessed, victorious, faith-
yourself as being armed and dangerous. filled day.

206 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 207

 Every Thought Put Your Feet Up july
Captive
We demolish arguments
The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand until 17
and every pretension that I make your enemies a
sets itself up against the footstool for your feet.”
july knowledge of God, and we

16
P salm 1 1 0 : 1
take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ.
2 C o r inthians 1 0 : 5
W hat do you do with a footstool? You
put your feet up on it and rest. When
we face difficulties, too often we take mat-

Y ou may be facing things that could

easily steal your joy—a challenge in
a relationship, a child not doing right, or
ters into our own hands. We get all worked
up, thinking, They did me wrong. I’m going
to pay them back. Or our medical report is
an unfair situation at work. You could live not good. We can’t sleep at night. We’re so
stressed, uptight, and not sleep at night. uptight.
Quit telling yourself, “This is too much. I But if you want God to make your
can’t handle it.” enemy your footstool, you have to be still
All through the day, especially when and know that He is God. When you’re liv-
you’re tempted to worry, you need to ing upset and trying to force things to hap-
remind yourself: “This is under my feet. God pen, God is going let you do it on your own.
is in control. It is not going to keep me from It takes faith to say, “God, I know You are
my destiny. I’m expecting great things. I’m fighting my battles. You promised it would
expecting to have an amazing year. I have work out for my good. So I’m going to keep
my sword of the Spirit; I’m speaking God’s my joy and stay in peace.”
Word. I know every enemy is under my
feet. I’ve been armed with strength for this
battle.” Come back to that place of peace.

208 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 209

 Stay in Peace Your Vindicator
“You will not have to fight this Then his brothers came

18 19
battle. Take up your positions; and threw themselves down

j u ly

j u ly
stand firm and see the deliver- before Joseph. “Look, we
ance the Lord will give you, are your slaves!” they said.
Judah and Jerusalem.”
G enesis 5 0 : 1 8 n lt
2 C h r onicles 2 0 : 1 7

I n yesterday’s reading we noted that God

will take those things that seem as though
J oseph was sold into slavery by his broth-
ers, then falsely accused by Potiphar’s
wife and sent to prison for something that
they’re over you, and He will bring them he didn’t do. Joseph did not try to pay
under your feet as your footstool. When people back or hold a grudge; he stayed in
something is a footstool, you could say it peace, and God turned it all around. The
serves you. It makes life easier. That’s the people who did Joseph wrong ended up
way God is. When you stay in peace, God working for him. His brothers came back
will take what’s meant for harm and use it and bowed low before him. Because he
to your advantage. stayed in peace, God made his enemies his
Maybe at work somebody is not treat- footstool.
ing you right. They’re playing politics, not God can vindicate you better than you
giving you the credit you deserve. Don’t get can vindicate yourself. If you will let God
upset. Just keep being your best each day. do it His way, it will be bigger, sweeter,
Stay on that high road. Your job is not to more rewarding, and more honoring. God
straighten people out. Your job is to stay in can take the very people who are trying to
peace. When you’re in peace, God is fight- push you down, the people who are trying
ing your battles. When you’re at rest, God to make you look bad, and He can use them
will make your enemies your footstool. to promote you.

210 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 211

 July 20 J A NJuly
U A21
RY 3

Let God Do It God Doesn’t Forget

So Haman…robed Mordecai, and led him For the Lord will vindicate his people and
on horseback through the city streets, have compassion on his servants.
proclaiming before him, “This is what is done
P salm 1 3 5 : 1 4
for the man the king delights to honor!”

I
E sthe r 6 : 1 1
have a friend who always gave his best
effort at work, but for some reason the

I n the Scripture, Haman tried to push

down Mordecai, who was Esther’s cousin.
He disrespected Mordecai and tried to make
owner of the company didn’t like him.
Although he didn’t get bitter or try to prove
to everyone who he was, eventually his boss
him look bad. But one day the king told fired him. My friend then started his own
Haman to get a royal robe, put it on Morde- real estate company and became extremely
cai, and announce to everyone in the streets successful.
what a great man Mordecai was. The king
Several years later, his former boss was
specifically chose Haman to honor Morde-
downsizing the company and wanted to
cai, the very one who was trying to make
move into a building owned by this young
him look bad.
man. When he realized my friend was the
That’s what happens when you let God owner and had to negotiate with him, he
do it His way. That boss at the office who’s nearly passed out. Today that former boss is
not giving you credit; don’t worry about paying rent to the young man he once fired.
it. You’re not working unto people. You’re That’s God bringing justice. He doesn’t for-
working unto God. God is keeping all the get what you are owed. He is going to make
records. Perhaps instead of you working for sure you get exactly what you deserve.
that boss, one day that boss may be working
for you. Stay in peace. God can make your
enemies your footstool.
212 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 213
J u l y 2 2 ju l y 2 3

Dinner Will Be Served A Position of Power

You prepare a table before me The God of peace will soon crush
in the presence of my enemies. Satan under your feet. The grace
of our Lord Jesus be with you.
P salm 2 3 : 5
Romans 1 6 : 2 0

S tay in peace. God has your back. God

will not only make your wrongs right,
but God will bless you in front of your A ll the things that come against us to try
to get us upset—people talking, gos-
enemies. God could promote you anywhere, siping, spreading rumors, not giving you
but He will give you honor, recognition, and respect—are all distractions. That’s the
favor in front of the people who tried to pull enemy trying to lure us off course, get us
you down. One day they will see you receiv- bent out of shape, and waste valuable time
ing the credit that you deserve. and energy on something that doesn’t really
matter. That’s not a battle you’re supposed
When that person who is lying about to fight. Don’t give that the time of day, and
you tries to keep you from rising higher, God will bring it under your feet.
imagine that God just turned the oven on.
He is getting your dinner prepared. It’s not When you’re tempted to worry and get
going to be just you. Those people who upset, just imagine yourself leaning back in
tried to push you down, they’re watching a big comfortable chair, putting your feet
you get promoted. They said you don’t have up and resting them on top of that problem.
what it takes. They’re watching you accom- You’re saying, “God, it’s under my feet. I
plish your dreams. Stay in peace. God has know You are in control.” When you’re in
you covered! peace, it’s a position of power. When you’re
at rest, God is fighting your battles.

214 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 215

 j u ly Unusual Favor It Shall j u ly

24 He subdues peoples under us

and nations under our feet.
Not Prosper
“…no weapon turned
25
P salm 4 7 : 3 against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.”

I know an American man who was try-

ing to get his European wife a visa to
the United States. The man working at the
I saiah 5 4 : 1 7 n lt

government office was very rude to him,

wouldn’t give him any help, and said it
would take at least five years because they
I saiah doesn’t say that we won’t have
difficulties. That’s not reality. It says,
“Challenges will come. People may talk.
were so backed up. This man was very frus- You may get a negative medical report. A
trated, but he kept his cool and reminded family member may get off course.” God
himself that by faith it was under his feet. said, “The problem may form, but you can
Several weeks later, he got a call from stay in peace, knowing that it’s not going
the man. The visa was ready! He asked the to prosper against you.” Because you’re His
man, “I thought it would be five years?” The child, because you’re in the secret place of
man said, “It should have, but ever since the Most High, God has a hedge of protec-
I met you, I can’t get you off my mind— tion, mercy, and favor around you that the
morning, noon, and night. Take the visa and enemy cannot cross. All the forces of dark-
go!” Friend, God knows how to make your ness cannot keep you from your destiny.
enemies your footstool. When you face these challenges and
you’re tempted to worry, you need to tell
yourself: “This problem may have formed,
but I have a promise from Almighty God
that it is not going to prosper.”

216 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 217

 ju l y 2 6 ju l y 2 7

The Final Say A Future and Hope

“Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
propose your plan, but it will not stand, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
for God is with us.” to give you a future and a hope.
I saiah 8 : 1 0 J e r emiah 2 9 : 1 1 n k j v

I read about researchers who were study-

ing Alzheimer’s disease. They studied
the brains of older people who had died, W hen our friend Ramiro was born with
no ears, the doctors told his parents,
both people who had and didn’t have the “He is never going to be able to hear or to
disease. They found that many people who speak.” But Ramiro has parents who believe
had lesions on their brains that techni- a weapon formed against us doesn’t have to
cally qualified them as having Alzheimer’s prosper. They prayed. They believed. They
had never shown any signs of it when they declared God’s favor.
were alive. Their reasoning was good. Their When Ramiro was just a few months
memory was sharp. Scientifically, they old, the doctors discovered he had a very
had Alzheimer’s, but the symptoms never tiny start of an eardrum. These incredibly
showed up. The common denominator is gifted doctors performed surgery, created
that they were positive. They were hopeful, new ears, and helped to correct the prob-
and they stayed productive. lem. Today, Ramiro can not only hear, not
Just because the problem forms doesn’t only speak, but he can sing. He helps to lead
mean it has to prosper. We may have things worship for our young adults. You may have
come against us because of genetics, things heard him on American Idol singing “Amaz-
that have been passed down. The good news ing Grace” in front of millions of people.
is God has the final say. God can override it, The problem may have formed, but it is not
so stay in faith. going to prosper.

218 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 219

 Protected by Faith Overflow july
But let us who live in
the light be clearheaded,
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 29
protected by the armor of
P salm 2 3 : 5
faith and love, and wearing
july as our helmet the confidence

28 of our salvation.
1 T hessalonians 5 : 8 n lt G od’s dream for your life is that you
would be blessed in such a way that
you can be a blessing to others. David said
that God is an overflow God. But here’s the
M aybe you need to start putting things
under your feet. You’re letting that
problem worry you and keep you up at
key: You can’t go around thinking thoughts
of lack, not enough, struggle, and expect
to have abundance. If you’ve been under
night. God is saying, “I’ll fight your battles,
pressure for a long time and have difficulty
but you have to give them to Me.” Come
making ends meet, it’s easy to develop a
back to that place of peace. Don’t let people
limited mind-set. I’ll never have enough to
or circumstances upset you. If somebody
send my kids to college. That may be where
is not doing you right, God knows how to
you are now, but that’s not where you have
make your wrongs right.
to stay.
Remember, when you talk to that sick-
God is called El Shaddai, the God of
ness, that obstacle, or that depression, as an
More Than Enough. Not the God of Barely
act of faith, do as David did and look down.
Enough or the God of Just Help Me Make
If you will see these obstacles as being
It Through. He’s the God of Overflow. The
under your feet, God promises He will
God of Abundance.
make your enemies your footstool. Instead
of being a stumbling block, it will be a step-
ping-stone. You will defeat every enemy
and become everything God has created
you to be.
220 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 221
 God’s Pleasure More Than Enough
Let them say continually, “I will give it to you as an

30 31
“Let the Lord be magnified, inheritance, a land flowing

j u ly

j u ly
who has pleasure in the with milk and honey.”
prosperity of His servant.”
L eviticus 2 0 : 2 4
P salm 3 5 : 2 7 n k j v

I n the Scripture, the Israelites had been in

G od’s people were supposed to go slavery for many years. That was the land
around constantly saying, “God takes of Barely Enough. They were just enduring,
pleasure in prospering me.” It was to help surviving, barely making it through. One
them develop an abundant mentality. Your day God brought them out of slavery and
life is moving toward what you’re con- took them into the desert. That was the land
stantly thinking about. If you’re always of Just Enough. Their needs were supplied,
thinking thoughts of lack, not enough, and but nothing extra. But this was not God’s
struggle, you’re moving toward the wrong idea of abundance.
things. All through the day, meditate on God eventually took them into the
these thoughts: overflow, abundance, God Promised Land. That was the land of More
takes pleasure in prospering me. Than Enough. The food and supplies were
Don’t you dare settle there with lack plenteous. The bundles of grapes were
and not enough. That is where you are; it so large that two grown men had to carry
is not who you are. That is your location; them. It’s called “the land flowing with milk
it’s not your identity. You are a child of the and honey.” Flowing means it didn’t stop. It
Most High God. No matter what it looks never ran out. It continued to have an abun-
like, have this abundant mentality. Keep dance. That’s where God is taking you.
reminding yourself, “God takes pleasure
in prospering me. I am the head and never
the tail.”

222 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 223

 August 1 J A August
N U A R 2Y 3

A Place of Abundance Your Every Need

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow And my God will liberally supply (fill until full)
or reap or store away in barns, and yet your your every need according to His riches
heavenly Father feeds them.” in glory in Christ Jesus.
M atthew 6 : 2 6 P hilippians 4 : 1 9 a m p

Y ou may be in the land of Barely Enough

right now. You don’t know how you’re
going to make it through next week. Don’t
S o often we look at our situations and
think, I’ll never get ahead. Business is
slow, or I’m in the projects. I’ll never get out.
worry. God hasn’t forgotten about you. God But it’s not according to what you have; it’s
clothes the lilies of the field. He feeds the according to what God has. The good news
birds of the air. He is going to take care is God owns it all. One touch of God’s favor
of you. can blast you out of Barely Enough and
You may be in the land of Just Enough. put you into More Than Enough. God has
Your needs are supplied. You’re grateful, ways to increase you beyond your normal
but there’s nothing extra. God is saying, income, beyond your salary, beyond what’s
“I didn’t create you to live in the land of predictable.
Barely Enough or Just Enough.” Those are Quit telling yourself, “This is all I’ll ever
seasons. They are not permanent. Don’t put have. Granddaddy was broke. Momma and
your stakes down. You are passing through. Daddy didn’t have anything.” Let go of all of
God has a Promised Land for you. He has a that and have an abundant mentality. “This
place of abundance, of more than enough, is not where I’m staying. I am blessed. I am
where it’s flowing with provision, not just prosperous. I am headed to overflow, to the
one time, but you’ll continue to have plenty. land of More Than Enough.”

224 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 225

au g u s t 3 au g u s t 4

Steps of Faith Try It!

You will eat the fruit of your labor; “I will open the windows of heaven for
blessings and prosperity will be yours. you. I will pour out a blessing so great
you won’t have enough room to take
P salm 1 2 8 : 2
it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
M alachi 3 : 1 0 n lt

I received a letter from a young couple

who grew in low-income families that
had accepted lack, struggle, can’t get ahead,
but not this couple. They had an abundant I f you’re going to become everything God
has created you to be, you have to make
up your mind that you are not going to just
mentality and took a step of faith. On very
average incomes, they decided to build their settle for beans and rice. You are not going
own house. They didn’t take out a loan. to get stuck in the land of Barely Enough or
Whenever they had extra funds, they would the land of Just Enough, but you’re going
buy materials and hire contractors. A couple to keep praying, believing, expecting, hop-
of years later, they moved into a beautiful ing, dreaming, working, and being faithful
house in a nice neighborhood, all debt-free. until you make it all the way into the land
It was as though God had multiplied their of More Than Enough. Now there is nothing
funds. Not long ago they sold that house for wrong with beans and rice. Nothing wrong
twice what they had put into it. with surviving. But God wants you to go
further. God wants you to set a new stan-
The lady wrote, “My parents always told dard for your family. He is an overflow God,
me that if I had beans and rice, that was a more than enough God.
good enough. But I always knew one day I
would have steak.” God wants you to overflow with His
goodness. He has ways to increase you that
you’ve never dreamed.

226 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 227

 august The Fatted Calf Special Delivery august

5 “And bring the fatted calf

here and kill it, and let
Now a wind went out from
the Lord and drove quail in
6
us eat and be merry…” from the sea. It scattered
them up to two cubits deep
L uke 1 5 : 2 3 n k j v
all around the camp…
N umbe r s 1 1 : 3 1

J esus told a parable about a prodigal son

who left home, blew all his money, and
decided to return home. When his father
saw him—the father represents God—he
said to the staff, “Go kill the fatted calf.
W hen the Israelites were in the desert
in the land of Just Enough, they got
tired of eating the same thing every day.
We’re going to have a party.” But the older They said, “Moses, we want some meat to
brother got upset. He said, “Dad, you’ve eat out here.” They were complaining, but
never even given me a skinny goat.” at least for a little while they had a fatted
Do you have a fatted calf mentality, or calf mentality.
do you have a skinny goat mentality? You Moses thought, That’s impossible. Meat
can survive in the land of Barely Enough. out here in the desert? Steak for two million
We can endure the land of Just Enough. people? There were no grocery stores, no
“Just enough to make it through.” But that warehouses to buy truckloads of meat. But
is not God’s best. Your Heavenly Father is God has ways to increase you that you’ve
saying, “I have a fatted calf for you. I have never thought of. God simply shifted the
a place for you in the land of More Than direction of the wind and caused a huge
Enough.” flock of quail to come into the camp. They
didn’t have to go after it. The food came to
them. What am I saying? God knows how to
get your provision to you.

228 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 229

 au g u s t 7 au g u s t 8

Good-bye, Skinny Goat Generous Provisions

They will not be disgraced in hard times; And God will generously provide all you need.
even in famine they will have more than enough. Then you will always have everything you need
and plenty left over to share with others.
P salm 3 7 : 1 9 n lt
2 C o r inthians 9 : 8 n lt

O ne touch of God’s favor can thrust

you into more than enough. Don’t talk
yourself out of it. God has a fatted calf, a I talked to a lady who had been barely
making it for years, but every Sunday she
place of abundance for you. He is not lim- and her two sons were here at Lakewood.
ited by your circumstances, by how you In spite of all the obstacles, she kept being
were raised, or by what you don’t have. faithful right where she was, honoring God,
He is limited by what you’re believing. thanking Him that she was coming into
Maybe you’ve had that skinny goat with you overflow in her Promised Land.
for years and years. You’ve become best This lady’s son, from the time he was a
friends. You need to announce to him today, little boy, always said that he was going to
“I’m sorry, but our relationship is over. It’s get a scholarship to go to college. He could
done. We’re going to be parting ways.” have thought, We’re poor. I’m at a disadvan-
He may cry and complain, “Baa-ah.” tage. But this mother taught her sons that
He may ask, “Is there someone else?” Tell God is a God of abundance. When he grad-
him, “Yes, I’ve found a fatted calf. No more uated from high school, he was awarded
thinking not enough, barely enough, just nine scholarships, totaling over 1.3 million
enough. From now on I’m thinking more dollars! His undergraduate, his master’s,
than enough; an abundant mentality.” and his doctoral degrees are all paid for at
Georgetown University.

230 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 231

 Pressed Down Not Too Hard august
“Give, and it will be given to
you. A good measure, pressed
“Is anything too hard
for the Lord?” 10
down, shaken together
G enesis 1 8 : 1 4
and running over, will be
august poured into your lap.”

9 L uke 6 : 3 8

A friend of mine has a son who got his

driver’s license and really wanted a car.
His father said to him, “Let’s believe that

W hat did Jesus mean by pressed down?

It’s like pressing down brown sugar
in a measuring cup. When you do, you can
God will give you a car.” The son replied,
“Dad, God is not going to give me a car. You
can buy me a car.” He said, “No, let’s pray.”
put in about twice what it looked like ini- They asked God to somehow make a way
tially. God is saying, “You’re asking me for that he could have a car. A couple of months
this, but I’m an overflow God. I’m about to later, this man’s employer called him in and
press it down and show you My favor in a said, “For the last two years, we’ve made
new way.” After He presses it down, He is a mistake on your paycheck. We’ve been
going to shake it together and not just fill it underpaying you.” They handed him a
to the top. He is going to give you so much check for $500 more than the car they had
that you’re running over. been hoping to buy.
That’s the way our God is. Why don’t There is no telling what God will do if
you get in agreement and say, “God, I’m you’ll make room to show you His increase
ready. I’m a giver. I have an abundant men- in a new way.
tality. Lord, I want to thank You for good
measure, pressed down, shaken together,
and running over in my life.”

232 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 233

 A Spacious Land Your Soul Prospers

august

august
“So I have come down to…bring Beloved, I pray that in every

11 12
them up out of that land into a way you may succeed and
good and spacious land, a land prosper and be in good health
flowing with milk and honey…” [physically], just as [I know]
your soul prospers [spiritually].
E x odus 3 : 8
3 J ohn 2 a m p

R eceive this into your spirit. God is

bringing you into a spacious land.
Not a small land. Not a little place. Tight. P rosperity to me is so much more than
having finances. It’s having your health.
Crowded. Not enough room. No, it’s a land It’s having peace in your mind. It’s being
of more than enough. A land of plenty of able to sleep at night. Having good relation-
room. A land that’s flowing with increase, ships. There are many things that money
flowing with good breaks, flowing with cannot buy. But I also can’t find a single
opportunity, where you not only have verse in the Scripture that suggests we
enough for yourself, but you’re running are supposed to drag around not having
over. Running over with space. Running enough, not able to afford what we want,
over with supplies. Running over with living off the leftovers, in the land of Not
opportunity. If you’re not in a good and Enough.
spacious place, my challenge is don’t settle We were created to be the head and not
there. That is not your permanent address. the tail. Jesus came that we might live an
It’s only temporary. God is taking you to a abundant life. We represent Almighty God
good and a spacious land. here on this earth. We should be examples
If you’ll have this abundant mentality, I of His goodness—so blessed, so prosper-
believe and declare you’re coming into the ous, so generous, so full of joy—that other
land of More Than Enough. people want what we have.

234 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 235

 August 13 J AAugust
N U A R14
Y 3

A Bountiful Harvest Lavished

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; God will lavish you with good things….
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. God will throw open the doors of His sky
vaults and pour rain on your land…
P salm 6 5 : 1 1 n lt
D eute ronomy 2 8 : 1 1 – 1 2 m s g

M y father grew up extremely poor dur-

ing the Great Depression and devel-
oped a poverty mind-set. On top of it, he W e think, Is it wrong for me to want to
live in a nice house or drive a nice car?
was taught in seminary that you had to be Is it wrong to want funds to accomplish my
poor to show God that you were holy. As a dreams or wrong to want to leave an inheri-
pastor, it took him years to being willing to tance for my children? God is saying, “It’s not
receive God’s financial blessings. wrong. I take pleasure in prospering you.” If
There is something on the inside of us it was wrong to have resources, abundance,
that says we’re supposed to be blessed. It’s and wealth, why would God have chosen
because we are children of the King. It was to start the new covenant with Abraham.
put there by our Creator. But here’s the key: The Scripture also says, “Abraham was
You have to give God permission to prosper extremely rich in livestock and in silver
you. You can’t go around with a lack men- and in gold.” He was the Bill Gates of his
tality, thinking, God wouldn’t want me to day. God could have chosen anyone, but He
have too much. I’ll just take the leftovers. Get chose Abraham—a man extremely blessed
rid of that false sense of humility. That’s to be the father of our faith.
going to keep you from an abundant life. Give God permission to increase you.
Give Him permission to lavish you with
good things.

236 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 237

au g u s t 1 5 au g u s t 1 6

Produce Wealth Be a Blessing

But remember the Lord your God, “May the Lord, the God of your
for it is he who gives you the ancestors, increase you a thousand times
ability to produce wealth… and bless you as he has promised!”
D eute r onomy 8 : 1 8 D eute ronomy 1 : 1 1

D avid left billions of dollars for his son

to build the temple, and yet David is T his is my prayer for you: A thousand
times more favor. A thousand times
more resources. A thousand times more
called “a man after God’s own heart.” Get
rid of the thinking that, God wouldn’t want income. Most of the time our thinking goes
me to have too much. That wouldn’t be right. TILT! TILT! TILT! God is about to press
That might not look good. It’s just the oppo- some things down. He is about to make
site. When you look good, it makes God room for more of His increase. Now get up
look good. When you’re blessed, prosper- every morning and say, “Lord, I want to
ous, and successful, it brings Him honor. thank You that You are opening up Your sky
vaults today, raining down favor, and lavish-
God wouldn’t give you the “power to get
ing me with good things. I am prosperous.”
wealth” and then condemn you for doing
it. There is nothing wrong with you having When you have this abundant mental-
money. The key is to not let money have ity and a desire to advance the Kingdom,
you. Don’t let it become the focus of your God will lavish you with good things. He
life. Don’t seek that provision. Seek the Pro- will open up the doors of His sky vaults
vider. Money is simply a tool to accomplish to where you not only accomplish your
your destiny and to advance His Kingdom. dreams, but you can help be a blessing to
the world.

238 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 239

 august Redeem the Time A Gift Called august

17 Walk in wisdom toward

those who are outside,
“Today”
But encourage one
18
redeeming the time. another daily, as long as
C olossians 4 : 5 n k j v it is called “Today,” so that
none of you may be hardened
by sin’s deceitfulness.

T ime is one of the most valuable com-

modities we have. It’s more valuable
than money. You can make more money,
H eb r ews 3 : 1 3

but you can’t make more time. To redeem

the time means, don’t waste it. Don’t live
this day unfocused, undisciplined, and
T he first step in redeeming the time is
to set short-term goals and long-term
goals. What do you want to accomplish this
unmotivated. We have a responsibility to week? What do you want to be five years
use our time wisely. We’re not always going from now? Do you have a plan? Are you
to be here. taking steps to get there? Don’t go another
This day is a gift. Are you living it to the three years on a job you don’t like, doing
full? With purpose and passion? Pursuing something that you’re not passionate about.
your dreams? Or are you distracted? Indif- Life is flying by. This is your one shot. You
ferent? Just doing whatever comes along? don’t get a do over. Once this day is over,
Are you in a job you don’t like? Hanging we can never get it back.
out with people who are pulling you down? God has given you a present. It’s called
That’s not redeeming the time; that’s wast- “today.” What are you going to do with it?
ing the time. Just like you spend money, you This is a call to action. Get focused. Get
are spending your life. You’re either invest- organized. Set your goals. Make your plans.
ing it or you’re wasting it. God could have chosen anyone to be here,
but He chose you.

240 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 241

 au g u s t 1 9 au g u s t 2 0

Be “On Purpose” Get Organized

Therefore see that you walk carefully For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…
[living life with honor, purpose, and courage…],
1 C o r inthians 1 4 : 3 3
not as the unwise, but as wise…,
making the very most of your time…
E phesians 5 : 1 5 – 1 6 a m p
T he Scripture talks about living well
spent lives. When we go to bed at
night, we should ask ourselves, “Did I live

P aul said in effect that if you’re going to

reach your highest potential, you have
to be an “on purpose” person. You know
a well spent day? Did I take steps toward
my goals? Did I invest or waste my time?”
I read that the average person spends over
where you’re going. You’re not vague, eighty hours a year looking for things they
distracted, waiting to see what happens. misplaced—car keys, cell phones, glasses,
You’re focused. You’re making the most receipts, and children! Do yourself a favor—
of each opportunity. Let me put it in more get organized and redeem that time.
practical terms: Staying on social media I know too many people who are
for hours a day and catching up on the incredibly talented and have great potential,
latest gossip is not redeeming the time. but they’re not disciplined with their time.
Playing video games for hours a day when They have good intentions, but they’re eas-
you could be studying is not redeeming ily distracted and end up off course. They
the time. Talking on the phone for hours end up chasing the latest trend, trying to
a day to a friend who has no dreams is not keep up with friends, distracted, entangled
redeeming the time. in things that are not a part of their destiny.
There are a thousand things you can
give your time to each day. You have to be
disciplined to stay focused on what’s best
for you.
242 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 243
 Entrusted with Run with Purpose august
His Life
“My dear Martha, you are
I run with purpose
in every step. 22
worried and upset over all 1 C o r inthians 9 : 2 6 n lt
these details! There is only
august one thing worth being

21 concerned about.”
L uke 1 0 : 4 1 – 4 2 n lt O n a regular basis, you need to reevalu-
ate what you’re doing. Refocus your
life. Get rid of any distractions. Paul said
every step he took was purposeful. When

I t’s easy to get sidetracked by things that

pull you off course, and when you finally
look up, the day is gone, or the year is gone,
we understand the value of time and see
each day as the gift that it is, it helps us
to keep the right perspective. You realize
or twenty years have gone. Nothing will be every battle is not worth fighting. You don’t
sadder than to come to the end of life and have time to get engaged in conflicts that
think, Why did I waste so many days? Why are not between you and your God-given
didn’t I live focused? destiny.
Make this decision with me that you’re If somebody has a problem with you,
going to redeem the time. We have a as long as you’re doing what God’s put in
responsibility. God has entrusted you with your heart, with all due respect, that’s their
His life. He breathed His breath into you. problem and not yours. You don’t have to
He’s put gifts and talents on the inside. resolve conflicts with every person. Some
You’re not just on planet earth taking up people don’t want to be at peace with you.
space. You’re a person of destiny. With that Don’t waste your valuable time fighting
gift of life comes a responsibility to develop battles that don’t matter.
your talents, to pursue your dreams, and to
become who God’s created you to be.

244 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 245

 Number Your Days What Is Your Life?

august

august
Teach us to number our days, What is your life? You are a

23 24
that we may gain a heart mist that appears for a little
of wisdom. while and then vanishes.
P salm 9 0 : 1 2 James 4 : 1 4

W hen you realize your days are num-

bered, you don’t respond to every
critic. You don’t try to convince people to
A lady was telling me about a family
member who had done her wrong. She
was very negative and starting to get bit-
like you who are never going to like you. ter. I told her that life is too short to live
You accept the fact that some people are that way. Let it go, and God will be your
never going to give you their approval or vindicator. She didn’t want to hear it. She
to be happy about you. But that’s okay, said, “No, I’m not going to be happy until
because their happiness is not your respon- he apologizes.” I wonder how many days
sibility. You know you have Almighty God’s that we’ve wasted doing similar things. We
approval. can’t say that we redeemed the time when
Always be kind and respectful, but your we just drag through our days being upset,
attitude should be, If you don’t want to be offended, and discouraged.
happy, that’s fine, but you’re not going to keep When you realize your time is limited,
me from being happy. I know this day is a gift, you don’t get offended. You don’t get upset
and I’m not going to live it trying to change because somebody’s playing politics; you
things that I cannot change or trying to fix don’t get stressed out because somebody’s
people who don’t want to be fixed. That’s trying to make you look bad. You let it go
redeeming the time. and trust God to make your wrongs right.

246 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 247

 August 25 J AAugust
N U A R26
Y 3

Blessed Sleep For Our Good

“In your anger do not sin”: And we know that in all things God
Do not let the sun go down while you are works for the good of those who love him,
still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. who have been called according to his purpose.
E phesians 4 : 2 6 – 2 7 Romans 8 : 2 8

T he reason many people have no joy

or enthusiasm is because they go to
bed each night with unforgiveness in their
A local television reporter in Houston
got an assignment during Hurricane
Ike to find people who were down and out
heart. They’re reliving their hurts, think- and sad, but she only found people who
ing about their disappointments. Here’s the were grateful that they were alive and talk-
problem: If the sun goes down with bitter- ing positively about how they were going to
ness, it will come back up with bitterness. make it. She thought her supervisor would
If it goes down with resentment, it comes be excited that she got Victoria and me to
back up with resentment. That’s blocking do an interview, but the station only wanted
God’s blessings. sad stories. She ended up getting terminated
Before you go to bed each night, you over that incident!
need to say, “God, I’m releasing every She could have been discouraged,
negative thing that’s happened to me depressed, and bitter, but she understands
today—every hurt, every worry, and every this principle that every day is a gift from
disappointment. I’m forgiving the people God. She started thanking God that new
who did me wrong. God, I’m going to bed doors were going to open and thanking Him
in peace.” When you do that, the sun will that favor was coming her way. Not long
go down with nothing blocking God’s bless- after that, she was offered a dream job from
ings. Don’t go to bed at night with any kind a prestigious broadcasting company.
of defeat still in your mind.

248 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 249

au g u s t 2 7 au g u s t 2 8

Invest Your Time Walk with the Wise

Those who sow with tears Walk with the wise and become wise,
will reap with songs of joy. for a companion of fools suffers harm.
P salm 1 2 6 : 5 P rove r bs 1 3 : 2 0

I ’ve heard it said, “Disappointments are

inevitable, but misery is optional.” No
matter what kind of setbacks you face, no
I t’s not only important how we spend
our time, but with whom we spend it.
To redeem the time may mean you have to
matter who does you wrong, you don’t have prune off some relationships that are not
to drag through life defeated, depressed, adding value to your life. Don’t hang around
and bitter. Start redeeming the time. Start people who are not going anywhere, who
thanking God that He’s in control, that new have no goals or dreams, who compromise
doors are opening, and that favor is coming and take the easy way out. If you tolerate
your way. mediocrity, it will rub off on you. If you
We all go through the valleys, but the hang out with jealous, critical, unhappy
valleys lead us to higher mountains. When people, you will end up jealous, critical,
you’re in the valley, instead of sitting and unhappy.
around thinking about your problems, go Take a look at your friends. If your
out and do something good for somebody friends are winners, leaders, givers, and suc-
else. When you invest your time the right cessful, if they have integrity and a spirit of
way in helping others, those seeds that you excellence and are positive and motivated,
sow will create the harvest you need, not to those good qualities are going to rub off on
just get out of the valley, but to come up to you. Invest your time with them. They’re
a new level of your destiny. making you better.

250 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 251

 august The Right An Outgrown august

29 Friendships
Do not be misled: “Bad com-
Friendship
Can two people walk
30
pany corrupts good character.” together without agreeing
on the direction?
1 C o r inthians 1 5 : 3 3
A mos 3 : 3 n lt

T he only thing that’s keeping some

people from a new level of their destiny
is wrong friendships. You cannot hang out H ere’s a key as to why you need to
reevaluate your friendships: If you
with chickens and expect to soar like an don’t let go of the wrong people, you’ll
eagle. You don’t have to go tell them, “Hey, never meet the right people. Sometimes we
I’m cutting you off.” But you can just gradu- can outgrow a friendship. It was good at one
ally spend less and less time with them. time. For a few years, you were fulfilled.
“Well, what if I hurt their feelings?” Well, But now you’ve grown more than they have.
what if they keep you from your destiny? You’re running at a different pace. Your
If you hang out with people who are gifts are coming out in a greater way. That
sloppy, undisciplined, not motivated, and doesn’t make them a bad person. It’s just a
not going anywhere, find some new friends. new season.
You cannot become who God created you Human nature likes to hold on to the
to be hanging out with them. They may old. We like to keep everything the same.
be good people, and they may have good But the truth is that it’s healthy for seasons
hearts, but your destiny is too great, your to change. It doesn’t mean you can’t still
assignment is too important, and your time be their friend; you just know you cannot
is too valuable to let them drag you down. become all you were created unless you
spend less time with them.

252 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 253

 au g u s t 3 1 s eptem b er 1

A New Season Your Inner Circle

As iron sharpens iron, One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,
so a friend sharpens a friend. was reclining next to him.
P r ove r bs 2 7 : 1 7 n lt J ohn 1 3 : 2 3

T here are people who come into our

lives who are like scaffolding. They’re
designed to be there for a period of time in
W hen Jesus was on the earth, He was
very selective with His friendships.
Everyone wanted to be close to Him. But
our lives. (I’m not talking about a marriage He chose only twelve disciples with whom
situation; I’m talking about friendships.) to spend most of His time. Out of those
They help us grow, inspire us, and motivate twelve, three were his close friends: Peter,
us. But at some point scaffolding must come James, and John. One could be considered
off or else the building will never be what it his best friend, John, the disciple “whom
was meant to be, and so must some people. Jesus loved.”
Appreciate the people who have helped Be careful who you allow in your inner
you. Always honor them, but be big enough circle. You may have twenty people you call
to recognize when their part in your story friends, but make sure the two or three you
is over. On a regular basis, you need to choose to be close to you are 100 percent
reevaluate your friendships and the people for you. Make sure they believe in you and
with whom you choose to spend time. Are are with you through thick or thin. You may
they in the right position? Has the position not be seeing God’s best because you’re
changed? Could it be that it’s a new season? investing valuable time in people who were
never supposed to be a part of your inner
circle.

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 Joined in Spirit Love from a september
He did not let anyone follow
him except Peter, James and
Distance
But they laughed at him.
3
John the brother of James. After he put them all out, he
took the child’s father and
september Mark 5:37
mother and the disciples who

2 were with him, and went in

where the child was.
Mark 5:40

I n Mark 5, Jesus went to pray for a little

girl who had died. When He arrived at
the home, He didn’t allow anyone to go in
with him except for His inner circle. Why?
Jesus knew when He got in that room where
I n Mark 5, when the mourners of the little
dead girl mocked Jesus, what He did next
is a key to living in victory. It says, “He put
the little girl was dead, He needed people them all out.” Notice that the Son of God
who wouldn’t question who He was. He asked them to leave. He showed them the
needed people who believed. door. His attitude was, I don’t need your
doubt. I’m going to surround Myself with peo-
When you’re in the heat of the battle,
ple of faith who understand My assignment.
when you need a breakthrough, you need
people who are joined in spirit with you. If you have people close to you who are
You need people who will say, “If you’re constantly pulling you down, telling you
bold enough to believe it, count on me. I’m how you’ll never accomplish your dreams,
bold enough to agree with you.” “If you understand that it is scriptural to show
believe you can get your degree, or you can them the door. It may be difficult, but you
see your marriage restored, then count on have to have the attitude, I cannot fulfill my
me. I’m on board. I’m all for you.” destiny with your critical spirit in my life. I
love you, but I’m going to love you from a dis-
tance.

256 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 257

 Who’s on Better Friends

s e p t e m be r
s e p t e m be r
Your Team As for my companion,

4 5
A friend is always loyal, he betrayed his friends;
and a brother is born to he broke his promises.
help in time of need. P salm 5 5 : 2 0 n lt

P r ove r bs 1 7 : 1 7 n lt

I n Mark 5, Jesus demonstrated that who

you have in your inner circle is extremely
S ometimes we know a person’s not
good for us, we know they’re dragging
us down, but we think if we let them go,
important. If Jesus went to the trouble to we’re going to be lonely. Yes, you may be
ask the wrong people to leave, if He was lonely for a season, but you’ll never give up
that concerned about His inner circle, how something for God without Him giving you
much more concerned should we be with something better back in return. God will
who’s in our inner circle? not only give you new friends, He’ll give
you better friends. People who inspire you,
Pay attention to who’s on your team.
celebrate you, and push you forward.
Who’s speaking into your life? To whom
are you giving your time and attention? In This may mean that you have to stay
practical terms, who are you eating lunch away from the person who’s always bad-
with every day at the office? Who are you mouthing the boss; you don’t need that poi-
talking to on the phone so much? Are they son in your life. You may have to stop hang-
building you up or tearing you down? Are ing out with that neighbor who always has a
they pushing you toward your destiny, or sad song. It’s better to make the change and
are they telling you what you can’t do? Are be lonely for a season than to be poisoned
they modeling excellence, integrity, charac- for a lifetime.
ter, and godliness? You have a responsibility
to redeem your time.

258 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 259

 September 6 J ASeptember
N U A R Y7 3

A Well Spent Life Created to Finish

Seventy years are given to us! …looking unto Jesus, the author
Some even live to eighty. But even the best and finisher of our faith.
years are filled with pain and trouble;
H eb r ews 1 2 : 2 n k j v
soon they disappear, and we fly away.
P salm 9 0 : 1 0 n lt

S tarting is easy—a diet, school, a family.

Finishing is what can be difficult. Any

W hen we come to the end of our days,

God is going to ask us, “What did
you do with the time I entrusted to you?
two people can get married, but it takes
commitment to stick with it. Anyone can
have a dream, but it takes determination,
Did you develop your gifts and talents? Did perseverance, and a made-up mind to see
you accomplish your assignment? How did it come to pass. Too many people start off
you spend your life?” It’s not going to work well. They have big dreams. But along the
to make excuses for why we did not redeem way they have some setbacks, get discour-
the time. aged, and think, What’s the use?
Make this decision that you’re going to God has not only given you the grace to
be an on-purpose person. Set your goals start; He has given you the grace to finish.
and be disciplined to stick with it. Prune When you are tempted to get discouraged,
off those relationships that are not adding give up on a dream, give up on a relationship,
to your life. And don’t go to bed with any or give up on a project, you have to remind
kind of defeat, bitterness, or negativity still yourself, I was not created to give up. I was not
in your mind. This day is a gift. Make sure created to quit. I was created to finish.
you’re investing your time and not wasting
it. If you do this, you’re going to see God’s
favor in new ways.

260 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 261

s eptem b er 8 s eptem b er 9

Finishing Grace He Makes a Way

Blessed is the one who perseveres …walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
under trial because, having stood fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit
the test, that person will receive the in every good work and increasing
crown of life that the Lord has in the knowledge of God.
promised to those who love him.
C olossians 1 : 1 0 e s v
James 1 : 1 2

M aybe you’re tempted to give up on a

dream. Things haven’t turned out the
W hat does it mean to tap into God’s
finishing grace? It means that when
your friend turns on you, when you lose
way you planned. It was going fine at first, that client, when your child gets in trouble,
but then you had some obstacles and you you keep moving forward, thanking God
think, It just wasn’t meant to be. Here’s what that He is in control, thanking Him that He
I’ve learned. The enemy doesn’t try to stop is fighting your battles. When you should
you from starting. But when you have a get weaker, you get stronger. When you
made-up mind and keep pushing forward, should be complaining, you have a song of
doing the right thing, taking new ground, he praise. Instead of talking about how big the
will work overtime to try to keep you from problem is, you’re talking about how big
finishing. your God is. When you should go under,
Friend, you have the grace to finish. God causes you to go over. When you don’t
Quit talking defeat and start talking victory. see a way, He makes a way.
“I can do all things through Christ. I am full If you will keep moving forward in
of wisdom, talent, and creativity. I will pass faith, honoring God, you will come into a
this course.” When you do that, finishing strength that you didn’t have before. That’s
grace will help you do what you could not finishing grace.
do on your own.
262 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 263
s e p t e m be r A Flourishing Stay in Faith s e p t e m be r

10 Finish
…being confident of this,
Potiphar noticed this and
realized that the Lord was
11
that he who began a good with Joseph, giving him success
work in you will carry it in everything he did.
on to completion until the G enesis 3 9 : 3 n lt
day of Christ Jesus.
P hilippians 1 : 6

A s a teenager, God gave Joseph a dream

that one day he would rule a nation.

Y ou may be up against challenges right

now. Perhaps you’re facing discourage-
ment, having to shake off self-pity and what
He had a big dream and life was good. But
when Joseph was seventeen, his brothers
sold him into slavery, and he was put in
somebody said. It’s because you are mov- prison for years for something he didn’t do.
ing forward. You’re making progress. Keep His whole world was turned upside down.
reminding yourself that God is the author He must have been angry and upset. But
and the finisher of your faith. He helped Joseph knew he had the grace to finish what
you to get started. That’s great, but there’s God put in his heart. So he stayed in faith.
something more important: He is going to He kept doing the right thing when the
help you to finish. He didn’t bring you this wrong thing was happening.
far to leave you. One day the Pharaoh had a dream that
One translation says, “He will bring you he didn’t understand, which Joseph was
to a flourishing finish”—not a defeated fin- able to interpret. Pharaoh was so impressed
ish, where you barely make it and are beat with Joseph that he put him in charge of the
up and broke. You are coming to a flourish- whole nation. Joseph’s dream came to pass.
ing finish, a finish more rewarding than you
ever imagined. God is breathing in your
direction, helping you to become who He
created you to be.

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 s eptem b er 1 2 s eptem b er 1 3

God Will Override In It to Win It

But the Lord was with Joseph Keep your eyes open, hold tight to
and extended lovingkindness to him, your convictions, give it all you’ve got,
and gave him favor in the sight of the warden. be resolute, and love without stopping.
G enesis 3 9 : 2 1 a m p 1 C o r inthians 1 6 : 1 3 m s g

G od has put something on you that will

override people being against you. It
will override bad breaks and injustice. You
T he enemy fights against people who are
headed toward the fullness of their des-
tinies, people who are taking new ground,
have the grace not to just start. You have people like you who are coming into a flour-
something even more powerful—the grace ishing finish. When the going gets tough,
to finish. When you have an attitude like you have to dig your heels in and say, “I am
Joseph had, you cannot stay defeated. Life in it to win it. I am not moved by this oppo-
may push you down, but God will push you sition.”
back up. People may do you wrong, but God Our attitude should be, I have a made-
will be your vindicator. Situations may look up mind. I am determined. I’m going to keep
impossible, but God can do the impossible. moving forward in spite of the bad break, in
When you have finishing grace, all the spite of the loss, in spite of the negative report,
forces of darkness cannot stop you. You in spite of the critics. My destiny is too great
may have some setbacks, bad breaks, and and my assignment is too important to get dis-
injustice. But don’t worry. It’s only tempo- couraged, distracted, and bitter. I’m not going
rary. It’s just a detour on the way to your halfway or three-fourths of the way. I’m going
destiny. That’s a sign that you are moving to become all God has created me to be.
toward your finish line.

266 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 267

 The Finishing The Strength september
Line
God is faithful; he will not
You Need
As your days, so shall
15
let you be tempted beyond your strength be.
what you can bear. But when
september you are tempted, he will also
D eute ronomy 3 3 : 2 5 n k j v

14 provide a way out so that

you can endure it.
T he Scripture says your strength will
always be equivalent to what you need.
1 C o r inthians 1 0 : 1 3
If you were to get a negative medical report,
you’re going to have the strength to deal

W hen you’re tempted to get discour-

aged and settle, it’s because you’re
close to your breakthrough. You’re close to
with it. You’re not going to fall apart.
When my father went to be with the
Lord, my first thought was, How am I going
seeing the problem turn around. The good
to deal with this? My dad and I were very
break is on the way. The healing is on the
close. But rather than being devastated by
way. The contract is on the way. Now you
his loss, I felt a peace I had never felt, a
have to tap into this finishing grace. You’ve
strength, a resolve. In my mind there were
come too far to stop now. You’ve believed
thoughts of worry and discouragement, but
too long. You’ve worked too hard. You’ve
in my spirit I could hear God whispering,
invested too much.
“Joel, I’m in control. It’s all going to work
You need to say, “God began a good out. I have you in the palm of My hand.”
work in me, and He is going to complete That was finishing grace pushing me for-
it. So I’m going to keep honoring God. I’m ward, propelling me into my destiny.
going to keep being good to people. I’m
going to keep on being my best.” Every day
you do that, you are passing the test. You
are one day closer to coming into your fin-
ish line.
268 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 269
 s e p t e m be r

s e p t e m be r
Strength in Reserve Do Not Fear
God is our refuge and strength, “So do not fear, for I am with

16 17
a very present help in trouble. you; do not be dismayed, for I
am your God. I will strengthen
P salm 4 6 : 1 n k j v
you and help you…”
I saiah 4 1 : 1 0

A s long as you drive a large SUV with an

eight-cylinder engine on flat roads, the
engine is quiet. But when you start going up
I ’ve learned that the closer you get to your
destiny, the tougher the battles become.
The higher you go up the mountain, the
a steep mountain road, just when you think more God promotes you. The critics will
the vehicle won’t make it, you hear those come out of the woodwork. People may not
extra two cylinders kick in and actually feel celebrate you. There will be unexpected
the extra power. It is always available as challenges—a health issue, a business slows
strength in reserve. down, or you lose a loved one.
The good news is that God has some That challenge is a sign that you are
strength in reserve for you. When you hit a close to your destiny. The same God who
tough time, don’t worry. In the difficulties gave you the grace to start is the same God
of life, if you will get quiet and turn off the who is going to help you finish. Nothing
negative voices, you will feel a peace that you’re facing is a surprise to Him. He knows
passes understanding. You’re going to feel every hill, every disappointment, and every
a force pushing you forward, taking you setback. You’re going to overcome obstacles
where you could not go on your own. You that looked insurmountable, accomplish
should be falling apart, but there is grace for dreams that you thought were impossible.
every season. How can you do this? Finishing grace. You
tap into strength in reserve.

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 September 18 J September
A N U A R Y193

Not Bound More Grace

…for which I am suffering, bound with chains as But he gives us more grace.
a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! That is why Scripture says: “God opposes
the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
2 T imothy 2 : 9 e s v
James 4 : 6

T he Apostle Paul was sharing the good

news and helping other people, but
then he was arrested and put in prison. P eople may try to push you down, dis-
credit you, belittle you, or leave you out.
The closer he got to his destiny, the more Don’t get upset. Quit focusing on who is
obstacles he faced. He was alone in a dun- against you. They are a part of the plan to
geon. It looked as though God had forgotten get you to your destiny. God will use them
about him. But Paul wasn’t feeling sorry for to propel you forward.
himself. Even though he was in chains, they God has the final say. He brought
couldn’t stop what God wanted him to do. Joseph out of prison. Paul stayed in prison,
Since Paul couldn’t go out and speak but they both fulfilled their destinies. If
publicly, he thought, No problem. I’ll start God doesn’t turn it around the way you
writing. He wrote nearly half of the books thought, right in the midst of those dif-
of the New Testament, much of it from a ficulties, you can shine, be a bright light,
prison cell. They thought they were stop- and have God’s favor as Paul did. Bottom
ping him, but they caused his voice to line is this: No person can stand against our
become amplified. Some two thousand God. No bad break can keep you from your
years later, and we still feel Paul’s influence. destiny. God has given you finishing grace.
What they meant for harm, God used for He is going to get you to where you’re sup-
good. posed to be.

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Septem b er 2 0 Septem b er 2 1

Finish with a Smile Guard Your Flame

This is the only race worth running. I remind you to fan into flame the gift
I’ve run hard right to the finish, of God, which is in you through the
believed all the way. All that’s left laying on of my hands.
now is the shouting—God’s applause!
2 T imothy 1 : 6
2 T imothy 4 : 7 m s g

T here was a famous race in ancient

W hen Paul came to the end of his Greece called the Torch Race. The run-
life, he said, “I finished my course ners received a lit torch, and the goal was to
with joy.” Notice, he didn’t finish defeated, reach the finish as fast as possible with the
depressed, or sour. He finished with a smile torch still burning. The runner had to keep
on his face. He finished with a spring in his the flame from wind or rain or anything
step. He finished with a song in his heart. that might put it out.
That’s what it means to have a flourishing It’s the same principle in the race of
finish. life. If you’re going to finish your course
We all have things come against us. You with joy, you have to guard your flame.
have to make up your mind, I’m not only Too many people have lost their passion.
going to finish my course; I’m going to finish it They’ve lost their zeal. If that’s you, there
with joy, with a good attitude. Not complain- is a flame that is still alive on the inside
ing, but with a song of praise. Not looking at of you. The Scripture talks about how we
what’s wrong in my life, but thanking God for must fan the flame, stir up the gifts. It’s not
what’s right in my life. When you tap into enough to just finish. You have to finish
finishing grace, you won’t drag through your course with your fire still burning.
your life. You will enjoy your life.

274 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 275

s e p t e m be r Finish the Work Endure Till the End s e p t e m be r

22 “My food,” said Jesus,

“is to do the will of him who
The race is not to the swift or
the battle to the strong…
23
sent me and to finish his work.”
E cclesiastes 9 : 1 1
J ohn 4 : 3 4

F or as long as I can remember, my

father struggled with high blood pres-
D uring the marathon in the 1968 Olym-
pic Games, a runner from Tanzania fell
and broke his leg, but somehow he managed
sure. Toward the end of his life, he didn’t to continue running. Long after everyone
feel well, but he never missed a Sunday of else had finished the race, he struggled into
preaching. He was determined to finish his the stadium. The few thousand remaining
course with joy. people saw him and began to cheer him on.
One night he wasn’t feeling well. He Drawing strength from the crowd, he began
asked my brother-in-law Gary to come to smile and wave as if he was going to win
over and visit with him. Gary asked him the gold medal. It was a moving moment
what he thought about the difficulties he later seen around the world.
was having. My father said, “Gary, I don’t The Scripture talks about how the
understand it all, but I know this: His race is not for the swift but for those who
mercy endures forever.” Those were the endure till the end. You don’t have to finish
last words my father ever spoke. Right then, first. You’re not competing with anybody
he breathed his final breath and went to be else. Just finish your course. Keep your fire
with the Lord. Even with his last words, he burning. Dig your heels in and say, “I am
was magnifying his God. He crossed the fin- determined to finish my course.”
ish line with his fire still burning, with his
torch still lit.

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 s eptem b er 24 s eptem b er 2 5

Be a Warrior The Victory Given

Join with me in suffering, But thanks be to God! He gives us
like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 T imothy 2 : 3 1 C o r inthians 1 5 : 5 7

W e all go through challenges, disap-

pointments, and unfair situations.
It’s easy to let it overwhelm us to where we
J oseph was sold into slavery by his broth-
ers and spent years in a foreign prison for
something that he didn’t do. But his attitude
think, This relationship issue is going to be was, God is still on the throne. He wouldn’t
the end of me. I can’t deal with this illness or have allowed it unless He had a purpose for it.
difficult child. I will stay in faith and keep being my best. In
God would not have allowed it if you the end, he was made second in charge over
couldn’t handle it. But as long as you tell all of Egypt.
yourself it’s too much, you’ll talk yourself My mother was diagnosed with termi-
out of it. Have a new perspective. You are nal liver cancer in 1981 and given just a few
full of “can do” power. You are strong in the weeks to live. She could have fallen apart
Lord. All through the day, whether you’re and said, “God, it’s not fair.” Instead her
stuck in traffic or facing a major disappoint- attitude was, I’m a victor. Nothing can snatch
ment, your attitude should be, I can handle me out of God’s hands. Today, my mother
it. I can handle this grouchy boss. I can handle is still going strong, healthy, full of joy, and
these people talking about me. You can’t have helping others. No person, bad break, or
a weak, defeated mentality. You have to sickness can keep you from your destiny.
have a warrior mentality.

278 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 279

 Infused with An Untroubled september
Strength
I can do all things [which He
Heart
“Do not let your hearts
27
has called me to do] through be troubled. You believe in
Him who strengthens and God; believe also in me.”
september empowers me…

26
J ohn 1 4 : 1
P hilippians 4 : 1 3 a m p

T he Apostle Paul said, “I am ready

for anything. I am equal to anything
M y father, back in the 1950s, was the
pastor of a large denominational
church, and his future looked very bright.
through Him who infuses strength into me.” But through a series of events, he had to
He was stating, “The enemy may hit me leave that church. It was a major setback, a
with his best shot, but it won’t stop me. I’m big disappointment. But he didn’t sit around
more than a conqueror.” nursing his wounds. His attitude was, I can
Paul had been shipwrecked, spent the handle it. I know when one door closes, God
night on an open sea, and gone days with- always opens up another door. He and my
out food. He was falsely accused, beaten mother went out and launched Lakewood
with rods, and thrown into prison. If any- Church, and here we are today still going
one had a reason to be negative and bitter, it strong.
would have been Paul. But his attitude was: In difficult times, you have to talk to
I can handle it. Almighty God, the Creator of yourself the right way. If you don’t talk to
the universe, has infused me with strength. He yourself, your thoughts will talk to you.
has equipped me, empowered me, anointed They will tell you, “It’s too much. It’s never
me, crowned me with favor, put royal blood going to change. It’s not fair. If God loved
in my veins, and called me to reign in life as a you, He would have never let this happen.”
king.

280 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 281

 Built on the Rock Take Hold

se pt em be r

se pt em be r
“He makes His sun rise on
of Strength

28 29
the evil and on the good, “Or let him take hold of My
and sends rain on the just strength, that he may make
and on the unjust.” peace with Me; and he shall
M atthew 5 : 4 5 n k j v make peace with Me.”
I saiah 2 7 : 5 n k j v

J ust because we’re a person of faith

W
doesn’t exempt us from difficulties. Jesus hen you declare, “I can handle it,”
told a parable about a person who built his you’re taking hold of strength. When
house on a rock. He honored God. Another you say it, you’re getting stronger. That’s
person built his house on the sand. He why the Scripture says, “Let the weak say,
didn’t honor God. The same storm came to ‘I am strong.’” Listen to what you’re saying
both people. The wind blew and the rain fell to yourself. “I can’t stand this job.” “This
on both houses. The difference is that when class is too difficult.” “My boss is the worst.”
you honor God, the storm may come, but If you’re always talking about problems,
when it’s all said and done, you will still be that’s draining you. When you talk defeat,
standing. The other house built on the sand strength and energy is leaving.
was washed away. The enemy may hit you
Quit letting those things overwhelm
with his best shot, but because your house
you. You are not a victim. You are a victor.
is built on the rock, his best will never be
If it came your way, you are ready for it and
enough. You will come through the storm
equal to it. If you will stay in agreement
stronger, increased, promoted, and better
with God, He will take what is meant for
than you were before.
your harm, and He will use it to your advan-
tage. That difficulty won’t defeat you. It will
promote you.

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 September 30 J A October
N U A RY1 3

It Will Promote You In the Furnace

With God we will gain the victory, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
and he will trample down our enemies. I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
P salm 1 0 8 : 1 3 I saiah 4 8 : 1 0

I read about a businessman who had

worked for a large home improvement
company for over thirty years. He helped
T he fact is that God is not going to
deliver us from every difficulty. He is
not going to keep us from every challenge.
build that business from the ground up. But If He did, we would never grow. When
one day they decided they no longer needed you’re in a tough time, that’s an opportunity
him. Of course, he was disappointed, but he to show God what you’re made of. Anybody
had the attitude, This is not going to defeat can get negative, bitter, and blame God. It’s
me. It’s going to promote me. easy to lose your passion. But if you want
In difficult times you have to remind to pass the test, if you want God to take you
yourself that nothing is a surprise to God. to a new level, you can’t be a weakling. You
He’s already written every day of your life have to be a warrior.
in His book. If you’ll stay in faith, your Dig your heels in and declare with Paul,
book ends in victory. This executive got “I can handle it. I’m ready for it. I’m equal
a couple of his friends together, and they to it. I know God is still on the throne. He is
started their own company, “The Home fighting my battles, and on the other side of
Depot.” What am I saying? That difficulty this difficulty is a new level of my destiny.”
is not meant to defeat you. It’s meant to
promote you.

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o c to b er 2 o c to b er 3

Take the High Road Put on the New

And whatever you do, whether in …and have put on the new self,
word or deed, do it all in the name which is being renewed in knowledge
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks in the image of its Creator.
to God the Father through him.
C olossians 3 : 1 0
C olossians 3 : 1 7

T oo often a mistake we make is to tell

M aybe at the office you’re not being ourselves, “It’s not right. When they
treated fairly. It doesn’t take any faith change, when it improves, then I’ll have a
to go to work negative, discouraged, and better attitude.” You have to make the first
complaining. If you want to pass the test, go move. You do your part, and God will do
to work with a positive attitude and do more His part. Quit worrying about God chang-
than you’re required. At your home, maybe ing another person, and first allow God to
your spouse is not treating you the way they change you.
should. It’s easy to think, I’m going to treat Is there something you’re letting over-
him the way he treats me. If you want to pass whelm you? Why don’t you get up every
the test, you have to be good to people even morning and make this simple declaration,
when they’re not being good to you. “God, I want to thank You that I can handle
You have to do the right thing when anything that comes my way today. I can
the wrong thing is happening. See it as an handle my plans not working out. Lord,
opportunity to grow. Every time you do the thank You that I’ll have a good attitude
right thing, a blessing will follow. When you wherever I am.” You have to decide before
take the high road, there will always be a you leave the house that nothing that comes
reward. your way is going to upset you. Decide
ahead of time.

286 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 287

o c t o be r A Quiet Spirit It Won’t Stick o c t o be r

4 If your boss is angry at you,

don’t quit! A quiet spirit can
Now I know that the
Lord saves His anointed;
5
overcome even great mistakes. He will answer him from His
holy heaven with the saving
E cclesiastes 1 0 : 4 n lt
strength of His right hand.
P salm 2 0 : 6 n k j v

S o often in life we let what we feel is

unfair to immediately upset us. We need
to start believing we are empowered and
ready for anything. W e’ve all seen how a spider spins a web
that is filled with a sticky substance,
so when another insect comes in contact
Friend, God is in complete control. You with it, it actually gets stuck. So how does
don’t have to get upset when things don’t the spider that’s spinning the sticky web
go your way. You have the power to remain walk across it and not get stuck? God made
calm. You can handle any situation. Quit the spider so that its body releases a special
letting little things steal your joy. Every day oil that flows down to the legs. That way it
is a gift from God. Life is too short to live it can just slide across the web. You could say
negative, offended, bitter, and discouraged. the spider doesn’t get stuck because of the
Start passing the tests. Start believing that anointing that’s on its life.
God is directing your steps. Believe that He
is in control of your life. Believe that He has In a similar way, God has put an anoint-
solutions to problems that you haven’t even ing on your life. It’s like oil that causes
had. If you will stay calm and stay in faith, things not to stick. When you walk in your
God promised that all things will work out anointing, knowing that you can handle
for your good. anything that comes your way, things that
should bring you down won’t be able to.

288 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 289

 o c to b er 6 o c to b er 7

Equipped and Empowered You Can Do It

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed “We should go up and take possession
that I would see the goodness of the of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
Lord in the land of the living.
N umbe r s 1 3 : 3 0
P salm 2 7 : 1 3 n k j v

A friend of mine has had cancer three

P erhaps you wonder how you made times. I’ve never once heard him com-
it through that slow season at work, plain. He’s got a warrior mentality. When
through that illness, or through that the cancer came back for the third time, the
breakup. It’s because of the anointing God doctors told him that before he took chemo
put on your life. He gave you strength when they were going to harvest his white blood
you didn’t think you could go on. He gave cells to help restore his immune system
you joy when you should have been dis- after the treatment. He asked the doctors
couraged. He made a way when it looked how many of these cells they needed. They
impossible. gave him a number. He said, “I’m going
to give you twice what you need.” For the
Bottom line: God has infused strength
next couple of months, all through the day
into you. He has equipped and empowered
he went around saying, “Father, thank You
you. You are ready for and equal to anything
that my white blood cells are multiplying.
that comes your way. When you face dif-
They’re getting stronger, increasing.” He
ficulties, remind yourself, “I am anointed for
ended up giving four times the amount that
this. I’m not going to fall apart. I’m not going
we were hoping for. Today he is totally can-
to start complaining. I know God is still on
cer-free, healthy, and strong.
the throne. He is fighting my battles, and if
God be for me, who dare be against me?”

290 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 291

 Don’t Be Be Strong october
Intimidated
And in no way be alarmed
“Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified 9
or intimidated [in anything] because of them, for
by your opponents… the Lord your God goes
october with you; he will never leave

8
P hilippians 1 : 2 8 a m p
you nor forsake you.”
D eute ronomy 3 1 : 6

D on’t be intimidated by that financial

problem. Don’t be intimidated by can-
cer. It’s no match for you. Sickness cannot
W hen our children were young, we
were at the beach one time when a
bumblebee came and frightened my daugh-
keep you from your destiny. God has you in ter. I swatted him out of the way, but thirty
the palm of His hand. Nothing can snatch seconds later, he was right back. I grabbed
you away. If it’s not your time to go, you’re my towel and knocked it down to the sand,
not going to go. Don’t be intimidated by but a minute later he was flying by our
what somebody said about you. There is an heads. This time I got my tennis shoe and
anointing on your life that seals you, pro- squashed him into the sand as hard as I pos-
tects you, enables you, and empowers you. sibly could. To my amazement he got back
God has infused you with strength. The up again and buzzed by my head at least
Scripture calls it “can do” power. three times. At that point I felt he deserved
There is a force in you that is more to live. He won.
powerful than any opposition. Greater is That’s the way you need to see yourself.
He that is in you than anything that comes No matter how big that enemy looks, just be
against you. When you have this warrior like that bumblebee—refuse to fall into self-
mentality, this “I can handle it” attitude, pity, refuse to let it overwhelm you, refuse
all the forces of darkness cannot keep you to give up.
from your destiny.

292 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 293

 Better Than Ever Divine

o c t o be r

o c t o be r
It is God who arms
Empowerment

10 11
me with strength and “…how God anointed Jesus of
keeps my way secure. Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
P salm 1 8 : 3 2 power, and how he went around do-
ing good and healing all who were
under the power of the devil…”

S ometimes in life it feels as though we

got blindsided. The relationship didn’t
Acts 1 0 : 3 8

W
make it. A business goes down. It may be e don’t have to go through life doing
a surprise to us, but it is not a surprise to everything on our own, trying to
God. Don’t sit around nursing your wounds. accomplish our dreams in our own ability,
Keep being your best. Keep honoring God. trying to overcome challenges in our own
He has already given you the strength, the strength, our own intellect, and our own
wisdom, the favor, and the determination hard work. We have an advantage. God has
not only to make it through, but to come placed His anointing on you. The anointing
out better than you were before. is a divine empowerment. It enables you to
Remember, you can handle it. Take do what you could not do on your own. It
hold of this strength. Remind yourself, “I’m will cause you to accomplish dreams even
ready for and equal to anything that comes though you don’t have the talent. It will
my way. I am strong.” If you will do this, help you overcome obstacles that looked
God promises He will infuse strength into insurmountable.
you. You will overcome every obstacle, The anointing is only activated where
defeat every enemy, and live the victorious there is faith. Instead of complaining
life that belongs to you. about how it’s not going to work out or
how you’ll never accomplish your dreams,
turn that around and start declaring, “I am
anointed. I am equipped. I am empowered.
I am well able.”
294 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 295
 October 12 J AOctober
N U A R 13
Y 3

Fresh Oil Break Every Yoke

But my horn [my emblem of strength and power] …his burden will be taken away from your shoulder,
You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will
anointed with fresh oil [for Your service]. be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
P salm 9 2 : 1 0 a m p I saiah 1 0 : 2 7 n k j v

I ’ve heard it said, “The anointing to us is

like gasoline to a car.” You can have the
most expensive car, but if you don’t put
P erhaps you’re dealing with an illness.
It hit you unexpectedly. You could let
it overwhelm you and complain, “I can’t
gasoline in it, you’re not going anywhere. believe this is happening to me.” Instead,
In a similar way, you’ve been made in the have a new perspective. That sickness is
image of Almighty God. You are full of not a surprise to God. It didn’t catch God
incredible potential. The fuel you need off guard. He has already anointed you. You
to release your greatness, to overcome have the strength, the peace, the determina-
obstacles, and to accomplish dreams is the tion, and the confidence you need. You’re
anointing on your life. anointed. The forces that are for you are
He has already equipped and empow- greater than the forces that are against you.
ered you for every situation. When you In those difficult times, you have to declare
are speaking words of victory, “I can do what Isaiah stated, “The anointing is break-
all things through Christ. I am strong in ing every yoke.” “The anointing is greater
the Lord,” you are putting fuel in your car. than this depression.” “The anointing is
You’re stirring up your anointing. That’s causing me to overcome.” Every time you
when you’ll go places that you couldn’t go say, “I am anointed,” chains are broken. Fear
on your own. That’s what keeps you moving has to leave. Depression has to go. Healing
forward. comes. Strength comes. Faith comes.

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o c to b er 1 4 o c to b er 1 5

Be Patient A Royal Anointing

So Samuel took the horn of …much more will those who receive
oil and anointed him in the presence the abundance of grace and the free
of his brothers, and from that day gift of righteousness reign in life
on the Spirit of the Lord came through the one man Jesus Christ.
powerfully upon David.
Romans 5 : 1 7 e s v
1 S amuel 1 6 : 1 3

T he Scripture tells us that every one of us

W hen David was a teenager, the has a king’s anointing, a queen’s anoint-
prophet Samuel anointed him to be ing. This means to live an abundant life, to
the next king of Israel. What’s interesting is accomplish your God-given dreams, to leave
that after Samuel poured the anointing oil your mark on this generation.
on his head, he sent David back to the fields You may think you don’t have the skill,
to take care of the sheep. David lived as a the talent, or the experience to accomplish
shepherd for years even though he had a what’s in your heart, but that’s okay. The
king’s anointing. anointing on your life will make up for what
As was true for David, even though you don’t have. You may have less talent,
you’ve been anointed, on the way to your but with the anointing you will go further
destiny there will be times of testing, times than people who have more talent. It is not
of waiting where you have to be patient and just your intellect, your expertise, or your
keep doing the right things, where you don’t experience that determines how high you’re
see anything happening. You have to stay in going to go. It’s the fact that Almighty God
faith and keep believing, My time is coming. is breathing on your life. The anointing will
I may not see how it can happen, but I have a cause you to accomplish dreams you could
secret weapon. The anointing is on my life. never accomplish on your own.

298 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 299

o c t o be r Not “Just” It Was the o c t o be r

16 Anything!
“Villagers in Israel would not
Anointing
“Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
17
fight; they held back until I, Wake up, wake up,
Deborah, arose, until I arose, break out in song!”
a mother in Israel.”
J udges 5 : 1 2
J udges 5 : 7

I n the book of Judges, one of the deliver-

ers of Israel was Deborah, who describes
T he Scripture says that Israel had been
held in the enemy’s bondage for twenty
years. It looked as if that’s the way it would
herself as “a mother in Israel.” This was always be until Deborah, a mother in Israel,
significant. It was saying she didn’t have an arose. God put a dream in Deborah’s heart
impressive position, title, influence, or pres- to do something about it. She could have
tige. She was a mother raising her children. said, “God, I’m just a mother raising my
Back in those days, women didn’t have child. Nobody is going to listen to me. I
the leadership roles that they have today. don’t have an army backing me up.”
Deborah would have been considered “just
But Deborah understood this principle.
a mother.”
She knew God had put something on her
But can I tell you that like Deborah, that would cause her to excel. Deborah
you’re not “just” anything! You’re a child of took a step of faith, and other people began
the Most High God. People may say, “You to join in. Before long the enemy’s army
don’t have the talent, the training, the posi- was destroyed and order was restored. The
tion, or the intelligence.” What they can’t nation was calm and peaceful. How could
see is that God has put an anointing on you this mother affect the whole nation? It was
that supersedes all that, something that the anointing on her life.
causes you to break barriers, to excel, to
accomplish dreams, to do what you could
not do.
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 o c to b er 1 8 o c to b er 1 9

You Have an Anointing What It Takes

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, As for you, the anointing you received
and all of you know the truth. from him remains in you…and as that
anointing is real, not counterfeit—
1 J ohn 2 : 2 0
just as it has taught you, remain in him.

I
1 J ohn 2 : 2 7
’m all for getting the best education
you can, for developing your talents
and improving your skills, but you are not
limited to your own ability, your own edu- W hen my father went to be with the
Lord, I stepped up to pastor the
church although I had never ministered
cation, your own intellect, or your own
experience. Those will take you to a certain before. Every voice told me, “You are not
level, but to reach your highest potential a minister. You’re not going to know what
you need the anointing on your life. to say. Nobody is going to listen to you.”
Instead of dwelling on those thoughts, I
Quit making excuses as to what you would look at myself in the mirror and
can’t do. “I’m just a mom.” A mom with say, “Joel, you are anointed. This is your
the anointing is more powerful than a CEO moment. You’ve been raised up for such a
without it! “I’m just a student.” “I’m just an time as this.” I was stirring up the anointing.
accountant. I can’t do anything great.” Why
not? Deborah, a mother, changed her whole There will always be negative voices
nation. I can tell you firsthand, I’m not the that try to talk you out of your dreams, but
most talented person. I don’t have the most let me encourage you. You’re the man or
experience, the most training, or the most woman for the job. You have what it takes.
education, but I do have the anointing. So You’re anointed. You’re approved. You’re
do you. talented enough. You’re strong enough. You
and God are a majority.

302 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 303

 Live with Due Season october
Expectancy
But I trust in you, Lord;
And let us not grow
weary while doing good, 21
I say, “You are my God.” for in due season we shall
My times are in your hands… reap if we do not lose heart.
october

20
P salm 3 1 : 1 4 – 1 5 Galatians 6 : 9 n k j v

P aul said your due season is coming.

D avid spent years in the shepherds’ You’re going to step into that king’s
fields, but he never forgot he had a anointing, that queen’s anointing. You’re
king’s anointing. It would have been easy just getting started. God’s dream for your
for him to think, Samuel anointed me, but he life is so much bigger than your own. If He
must have been wrong. No, every day he kept would have done it earlier, you wouldn’t
reminding himself, “I am anointed. My time have been prepared. Now is your time.
is coming. I will make a difference with my You’re about to step into what you were cre-
life.” ated to do. You’re going to step into a new
level of your destiny. The disappointments,
God sees what you’re doing and hears
the delays, and the setbacks in the past were
what you’re saying. Every day you live in
all a part of the plan to get you prepared for
faith, with expectancy, you are one day
right now. Nothing was wasted. It strength-
closer to seeing your dreams come to pass.
ened you. You developed trust, endurance,
God knows when the right time is. If it
and confidence. Now you’re prepared for
hasn’t happened yet, that means it’s still on
this time. You’re on the runway about to
the way. God is getting you prepared. You’re
takeoff. You’re going to see the exceeding
growing. You’re getting stronger. What God
greatness of God’s favor!
has in your future is going to be greater than
anything you’ve seen in the past.

304 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 305

 Into the Palace Above and Beyond

o c t o be r

o c t o be r
Then Saul sent messengers “…to loose the chains of

22 23
to Jesse and said, “Send me injustice and untie the cords of
your son David, who is the yoke, to set the oppressed
with the sheep.” free and break every yoke…”
1 S amuel 1 6 : 1 9 I saiah 5 8 : 6

D avid was out in the shepherds’ fields. It

didn’t look like anything was happen-
ing, but King Saul sent a message saying,
A single mother told me about her long
struggle to make ends meet, working
two jobs, long hours. But she knew deep
“Send me David. I need him in the palace.” down she was made for more than just con-
David started working for Saul. That was stantly struggling, not having enough, and
another step on the way to his destiny. He being away from her children so much. She
wasn’t on the throne yet, but at least he kept reminding herself that the anointing
made it to the palace. can break the yoke of poverty and lack.
You may feel like you’re with the sheep One day she was invited to dinner by a
today, doing something that feels insignifi- couple that lived down the street from her
cant. You know you have more in you, but whom she had only met once. That night
you’ve been in the background year after they gave her the keys to a brand-new car.
year. Don’t get discouraged. Your time is She was able to sell her car and pay off most
coming. God is going to take you from the of her debts so she didn’t have to work so
background to the foreground. You have a much. I learned later that she married an
king’s anointing. Victory is coming. Promo- executive from a large company. God has
tion is coming. What God has spoken over blessed them exceedingly abundantly above
your life will come to pass. and beyond.

306 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 307

 October 24 J AOctober
N U A R 25
Y 3

Running Over Doors Will Open

You honor me by anointing my head with oil. So David went to Saul and began serving him.
My cup overflows with blessings. Saul loved David very much,
and David became his armor bearer.
P salm 2 3 : 5 n lt
1 S amuel 1 6 : 2 1 n lt

D avid said, “Because I am anointed, my

cup runs over.” When you walk in your
anointing, knowing who you are and whose D avid was in the palace playing the harp
for King Saul. It had been a temporary
you are, at some point your cup will run position, but David was so good at what he
over. You will see God pour out blessings did, King Saul created a new position for
that you cannot contain. Don’t you dare set- David. He became an armor bearer. If you
tle with the sheep in the shepherds’ fields. will be your best right where you are and
The palace is coming. excel in what you do, the right doors will
Friend, you were not created to barely open for you. There may not be room for
get by, to take the leftovers, to live out in promotion at your work, but your gifts will
the shepherds’ fields. You were created for make room for you. If there is not a posi-
victory, for abundance, for the palace. The tion, God can cause them to create a new
same God who increased the single mother position. Maybe you are part time, believ-
can increase you. The anointing on your ing for more work. You need to get ready.
life will cause people to be good to you. It As David did, you’re going to become full
will cause you to be at the right place at the time. You’ve been faithful and didn’t slack
right time, bringing favor, promotion, and off. You’re going to step into that king’s
increase. anointing.

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o c to b er 2 6 o c to b er 2 7

Fresh Anointings The Key to Success

Then the men of Judah came to When all the elders of Israel had
Hebron, and there they anointed come to King David at Hebron,…they
David king over the tribe of Judah. anointed David king over Israel.
2 S amuel 2 : 4 2 S amuel 5 : 3

W hen King Saul was killed in a battle,

it was David’s time. He was thirty
years old and about to take the throne.
I f David would have taken the throne
without the fresh anointing, he wouldn’t
have had the success he had. When you
At this time, Israel was divided into two humble yourself and say, “God, I can’t do
kingdoms—Judah and Israel. First, Judah this on my own. I need Your help. God,
anointed David to be their king. He served I need a fresh anointing,” you’re show-
there seven and a half years, then he ing your dependency on Him. When you
brought the two kingdoms together. When acknowledge God in that way, He will give
he was thirty-seven years old, the men of you wisdom beyond your years.
Israel joined the men of Judah, and they Whenever you start a new job or a new
anointed David again to be the king over all position or a new class, always ask for that
of Israel. fresh anointing. You’re saying, “God, I’m
What’s interesting is that David was ready for new opportunities, new abilities,
anointed as a teenager to become the king. new friendships, and new ideas.” Maybe
He could have declined the subsequent you’re facing a challenge today—your
anointings as unnecessary. But David health, your finances, a relationship. Instead
understood the importance of having a of complaining about it, why don’t you say,
fresh anointing. You can’t win today’s bat- “God, give me a fresh anointing to over-
tles on yesterday’s anointing. You need to come this challenge.” It’s the anointing that
have a fresh anointing. breaks the yoke.

310 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 311

o c t o be r Receive Power Set Times o c t o be r

28 “But you will receive power

when the Holy Spirit
And so after waiting patiently,
Abraham received what
29
comes on you…” was promised.
Acts 1 : 8 H eb r ews 6 : 1 5

T oo often we are trying to do things in

our own strength. It’s a struggle. No
promotion. No increase. The reason things
I n life we’re always waiting for some-
thing—waiting for a dream to come to
pass, waiting to meet the right person, wait-
get stale and we just endure our marriage, ing for a problem to turn around. When it’s
endure the job, and drag through the day is not happening as fast as we would like, it’s
we’re not stirring up the anointing. easy to get frustrated. But you have to real-
I believe today God is releasing a fresh ize that the moment you prayed, God estab-
anointing in your life. You’re going to see lished a set time to bring the promise to
negative situations turn around. Chains of pass for your healing, your promotion, and
addictions and bad habits are being broken. your breakthrough. It may be tomorrow, or
Healing, promotion, and restoration are next week, or five years from now.
coming. You’re going to step into the full- But when you understand that the time
ness of your destiny. Every morning remind has already been set, it takes all the pres-
yourself, “I am anointed. I am equipped. I sure off. You won’t live worried, wondering
am empowered.” Remember to always ask when this is ever going to happen. You’ll
for that fresh anointing. If you do this, I relax and enjoy your life, knowing that the
believe and declare, as David did, you will promise has already been scheduled by the
make it to your throne and step into the Creator of the universe.
fullness of your destiny.

312 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 313

 o c to b er 3 0 O c to b er 3 1

Be Willing to Wait You Have a Rest

“As soon as you began to pray, Now we who have believed enter that rest…
a word went out, which I have come to tell you,
H eb r ews 4 : 3
for you are highly esteemed.”
Daniel 9 : 2 3

O n January 8, 1986, at four o’clock in the

afternoon, I walked into a jewelry store

M aybe you have been praying about

a situation for a long time and don’t
see anything happening. You could easily
to buy a battery for my watch. Out walked
the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. It
was Victoria. I didn’t tell her, but I thought,
be discouraged. But what if God allowed This is my set time ordained by the Most High
you to see into the future, and you saw that God.
on February 12 at 2:33 in the afternoon, In the same way, there are set times in
you were going to meet the person of your your future. You’ve prayed, believed, and
dreams? You wouldn’t be discouraged. You stood in faith. The way you know you’re
would be excited because you know the big really believing is that you have a rest.
day is coming. You’re at peace. Let me assure you that
Here’s where it takes faith. God prom- you’re going to come into set times of favor,
ises that there are set times in our future, a set time where a problem suddenly turns
but He doesn’t tell us when they will be. around, a set time where you meet the
Your set time may be tomorrow morning or right person, a set time where a good break
two years from now. Are you willing to wait thrusts you years ahead. The answer is on
with a good attitude, knowing that they’re the way.
on the way? God has a set time. Don’t let
negative thoughts talk you out of it.

314 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 315

 The Appointed Precision Timing november
Time
For the vision is yet for an
In their hearts humans plan
their course, but the Lord 2
appointed time; but at the end establishes their steps.
it will speak, and it will not lie.
november Though it tarries, wait for it;
P rove r bs 1 6 : 9

1 because it will surely come…

H abakkuk 2 : 3 n k j v
I know a lady in her early thirties who
was believing to meet the right man, but
she was starting to wonder if it was going

H abakkuk did not say “the appointed

time might come.” Not, “I hope so.”
God has already set the date. The appointed
to happen. One day she had a flat tire and
pulled over on the side of the freeway. In a
few seconds, another car pulled over. Out
time has already been put on your calendar. stepped a handsome young man who not
One translation says, “It won’t be one sec- only changed her tire, but he invited her
ond late.” to dinner. They ended up falling in love. A
Sometimes we think, My friends are year and a half later, they got married.
getting ahead of me in life. My coworkers are Think about how precise God’s timing
being promoted, but I’m still stuck here. Don’t is. The tire had to go flat and he had to leave
get discouraged. Sometimes God will take his work at just the right time and be on the
you from A to B to C, and then thrust you right road with just the right flow of traffic.
all the way down to S, T, U, V. What hap- That was a set time ordained by the Creator
pened? You hit a set time that pushed you of the universe.
years ahead. Just run your race. Keep hon-
oring God with your life. Our God is not a
random God. He is a precise God. He has
lined up solutions for you down to the very
second.

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 n o v e m be r

n o v e m be r
Perfectly Detailed Trust His Timing
Wait for the Lord; For there is a time and a way

3 4
be strong and take heart for everything, although man’s
and wait for the Lord. trouble lies heavy on him.
P salm 2 7 : 1 4 E cclesiastes 8 : 6 e s v

Y ou can trust God’s timing. What you’re

praying about and what you’re believ-
ing for are not going to be one second late.
A great prayer we should pray every day
is, “God, give me the grace to accept
Your timing.” I’d love to tell you that if you
If it hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t mean stay in faith, if you believe, God will always
God is mad at you. It doesn’t mean it’s answer your prayer within twenty-four
never going to work out. God has already hours, or at least within the first week. But
established the time down to the split we know that’s not reality. God promises
second. You don’t have to worry or live He will be true to His Word, but He never
frustrated. Stay in peace. God has you in puts a timeframe on it. It would be a lot eas-
the palm of His hand. Your steps are being ier if God told us when we were going to get
directed by the Creator of the universe; not well, when we would meet the right person,
randomly, not vaguely. Down to the most or when our child would straighten up. But
finite, small detail. that wouldn’t take any faith. It takes faith to
When you understand this, it takes all say, “God, I don’t know when You are going
the pressure off. You won’t go around won- to do it, but I trust You enough to believe
dering when something is going to happen. that You will do it.”
Whether it’s twenty minutes or twenty
years, you know that what God promised
He will bring to pass.

318 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 319

 November 5 J ANovember
N U A R Y6 3

The Big Picture Faith and Patience

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, …to imitate those who through faith and
so are my ways higher than your ways patience inherit what has been promised.
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
H eb r ews 6 : 1 2
I saiah 5 5 : 9

G od can see the big picture for our lives.

He knows what’s up ahead. He knows
W e live in a society that wants every-
thing right now. We’re being pro-
grammed for immediacy. Don’t make me
what we’re going to need, who we’re going wait. It’s easy to have faith. “God, I believe
to need, and when they need to show up. I’m going to accomplish my dreams. God,
If God did everything we ask on our time- I believe I’m going to overcome this obsta-
table, it would limit us because sometimes cle.” We have the faith part down.
what we’re asking for is too small. Some- Let’s make sure we get the patience
times the person we think we can’t live part down as well. “God, I’m not only going
without isn’t going to be good for us, so He to believe for big things, but I trust Your
closes the door. Sometimes the promotion timing. I’m not going to get discouraged
we want so badly would keep us from a if it doesn’t happen immediately. I’m not
much bigger promotion that He has for us going to give up because it’s taken a week,
three years down the road. a month, or five years. I know the set time
God has the advantage of seeing it all. is already in my future, so I’m going to wait
How many times have I looked back and with faith and patience because I know that
said, “God, thank You for not answering it’s on the way.”
that prayer.” God knows what He is doing.

320 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 321

N o v em b er 7 no v em b er 8

What We Can’t See In God’s Hands

Jesus replied, “You do not realize God did not lead them along…the shortest
now what I am doing, but route to the Promised Land. God said,
later you will understand.” “If the people are faced with a battle, they
might change their minds…”
J ohn 1 3 : 7
E xodus 1 3 : 1 7 n lt

W hen Victoria was pregnant with our

son, Jonathan, the first few months
were very exciting. But by the eight month, G od could see the big picture for the
Israelites. He knew that if He took
she was saying, “I’m so uncomfortable. I them the shortest way, their enemies
want to have this baby right now.” But we would be too powerful and they would be
know the child is still growing, developing. defeated. So on purpose, God took them
If God let her have the baby early, the child a longer route to protect them and to
may not be healthy. strengthen them so that they could fulfill
Sometimes we pray, “God, give me this their destiny.
promise now. I’m uncomfortable. These If something is not happening on your
people aren’t treating me right. Business is timetable, remind yourself, “God knows
slow.” What we can’t see is that something what He is doing. He has my best interests
is not ready. Maybe God is still working on at heart. I wouldn’t be having this delay
another person who’s going to be involved. unless God had a very good reason for it.”
Maybe another situation that’s going to be And while you’re waiting, don’t make the
a part of your destiny is not in place yet. Or mistake of trying to figure everything out.
maybe God is doing a work in you, develop- That’s only going to frustrate you. Turn it
ing your character, growing you stronger in over to God. Say with David, “God, my times
that process. are in Your hands. I’m not going to worry
about why something hasn’t happened.”

322 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 323

n o v e m be r God’s Way Don’t Force Things n o v e m be r

9 But Sarah saw that the

son whom Hagar the
Delight yourself also in the
Lord, and He shall give you
10
Egyptian had borne to the desires of your heart.
Abraham was mocking…
P salm 3 7 : 4 n k j v
G enesis 2 1 : 9

G od gave Abraham and Sarah the prom-

ise that they were going to have a baby,
T here’s a big difference between God
giving you the desires of your heart
and you having to work to make it happen.
but years went by and nothing was happen- When we try to force things, it’s a constant
ing, so they tried to help God out. Sarah had struggle. It’s a burden. But if you’ll let God
Abraham sleep with one of her maids, and do it His way, in His timing, there’ll be a
they had a baby whom they named Ishmael, grace. There will be an ease. Yes, you’ll
but it wasn’t the child God promised them have opposition. But you’ll feel a strength, a
and caused constant problems. Fourteen peace, God’s favor pushing you forward.
years later, at the set time, Sarah gave birth I learned a long time ago that God
to Isaac, the child whom God promised doesn’t need my help. You don’t have to try
them. to force doors to open. You don’t have to try
As was true for Sarah, there will be to make people like you or manipulate your
times in life where you’ll be tempted to try way into a friendship or a position. Just
to force things to happen. If you’ll let go of keep honoring God with your life, stay in
Ishmael, Isaac will show up. The one God peace, trust His timing, and God will open
promised you is in your future. The time doors that no man can shut.
has already been set. Be patient and trust
God to do it His way.

324 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 325

 no v em b er 1 1 no v em b er 1 2

Watch in Hope Your Heart’s Desires

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, The Lord works out everything to its proper end…
I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
P rove r bs 1 6 : 4
M icah 7 : 7

A couple of years after my father died, I

had a strong desire to write a book, but
I f you get a negative medical report, you
lose your biggest client, or somebody is
trying to make you look bad, it’s easy to get
I didn’t know any publishers. Several times all wrought up and think, I have to get in
I started to call a friend who knew a pub- there and straighten things out. I’m going to
lisher, but I didn’t feel good about it. Over fix that person. I have to get a second job. I’ll
the next couple of years, I was approached never make it without that client.
by different publishers, but inside I could
You can do the right thing at the wrong
hear a still small voice telling me, “Joel,
time and miss God’s best. Timing is every-
be patient. Something better is coming.” I
thing. Be patient and let God open the
didn’t worry about it.
doors. You may have to knock. You’ll have
One day through a series of unusual to put forth the effort. I’m a believer in
events, I met this publisher. I knew they being aggressive and pursuing dreams, but
were the right people. I felt good about it. you don’t have to force doors to open. If
Everything fell into place. And that book, you’ll be patient and wait for God’s timing,
Your Best Life Now, went on to become a He will give you the desires of your heart.
huge success and has been published in
many languages. That’s what happens when
you wait for God’s timing. He will give you
what He promised.

326 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 327

 Be Still and Know Show His Power november
He says, “Be still, and
know that I am God…”
“You need not fight
in this battle; take your 14
positions, stand and witness
P salm 4 6 : 1 0
the salvation of the Lord
november who is with you…”

13 2 C h ronicles 2 0 : 1 7 a m p

W hen you feel overwhelmed and

you’re tempted to take everything
T he Israelites were surrounded by a
huge army and greatly outnumbered.
They were so worried and stressed out. Just
into your own hands, you have to make before they went to battle, they decided
yourself be still. This is when many people to pray. Notice the condition. If you will
make quick decisions that end up only mak- be still and remain at rest, God will turn it
ing matters worse. The battle is not yours. around. God will restore you. God will vin-
The battle is the Lord’s. But as long as dicate you.
you’re fighting it, trying to make it happen
your way, God is going to step back and let Maybe you’re facing a big challenge.
you do it on your own. But when you take You’re upset and frustrated. God is saying
it out of your hands and say, “God, I trust to you what He said to them, “Be still. I’ve
You. I know You have already set the time already set the time to not only bring you
to bring me out. You’ve already set the time out, but to bring you out better off than you
to vindicate me. You’ve set the time to bring were before.” Now do your part and rest.
healing. So I’m going to be still and know We may not understand why something
that You are God.” That’s when God will is taking so long, but sometimes God will
fight your battles. delay an answer on purpose simply so He
can show His power in a greater way.

328 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 329

 n o v e m be r

n o v e m be r
Long Ago Ordained While We
“Have you not heard?
Were Sinners

15 16
Long ago I ordained it. But God demonstrates his
In days of old I planned it; own love for us in this:
now I have brought it to pass…” While we were still sinners,
I saiah 3 7 : 2 6 Christ died for us.
Romans 5 : 8

Y our situation may be taking longer than

you thought. Maybe it’s something more
difficult than you’ve ever experienced. It M ost of the time we believe God loves
us as long as we’re making good deci-
doesn’t mean that God went on vacation sions, resisting temptation, and treating peo-
and is not concerned anymore. God has not ple right. We know God is on our side. But
turned it around yet because He wants to there will be times when you compromise,
show His favor in your life in an amazing times when you have doubts, times when
way. God is going to show His strength, His you fail. When we don’t perform perfectly,
healing, His goodness, and His power like it’s easy to think that God is far from us.
you’ve never seen before. You might as well I say this respectfully, but sometimes
get ready. When God brings you out, every- religion pushes people down. It says, “If
body around you is going to have no doubt you turn your back on God, He will turn
that the God you serve is an awesome God. His back on you. If you make poor choices,
Because you have faith and patience, I you’re on your own.” But the truth is that
believe and declare, you’re going to come when you fall, God doesn’t turn away from
into set times of favor. God is going to give you. He comes running toward you. When
you the desires of your heart. you blow it, God doesn’t say, “Too bad. You
had your chance.” He comes after you with
a greater passion.

330 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 331

 November 17 J November
A N U A R Y18 3

Imperfect People His Amazing Love

“While he was still a long way off, Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:
his father saw him and was filled with “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three
compassion for him; he ran to his son, times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
M atthew 2 6 : 7 5
L uke 1 5 : 2 0

W hen you make a mistake, God loves

you so much that He pursues you.
B efore Jesus chose Peter to become a dis-
ciple, Jesus knew that Peter would deny
Him, but He chose him anyway. God knows
He won’t leave you alone until He sees you every mistake that we will ever make. You
restored and back on the right course. He can imagine how Peter must have felt when
will express His love in a greater way. He he denied knowing Jesus during His trial.
will send people across your path to encour- When Jesus needed him the most, if He
age you, to help reignite your faith. That’s ever needed a friend to stick up for Him, it
the mercy of God coming after you, saying, would have been right then, but Peter didn’t
“You may have blown it, but you’re still My do it. No doubt he was beating himself up
child. You may have let Me down, but I’m with guilt for betraying Jesus.
not going to let you down. You may have lost
The good news is, God still chose Peter,
faith in Me, but I haven’t lost faith in you.”
and He still chooses us. He still says, “That’s
We don’t have to have a perfect per- My child,” and He will still help you fulfill
formance where we never have a doubt or your destiny as He did Peter. Why? Because
make a mistake. Certainly, we should try God’s love is not based on our performance.
our best each day to honor God. But God It’s based on our relationship. We are His
loves imperfect people. children.

332 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 333

no v em b er 1 9 no v em b er 2 0

God Comes after You Receive God’s Mercy

“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “Therefore, I tell you, her
‘He is going ahead of you into many sins have been forgiven—
Galilee. There you will see him, as her great love has shown.”
just as he told you.’”
L uke 7 : 4 7
Mark 16:7

A fter his betrayal of Jesus, Peter could

W e’ve all made mistakes. But none of have gotten stuck in condemnation
us have failed as big as Peter in his and guilt. I can imagine that when he heard
betrayal of Jesus. You would think that Mary say, “Peter, the angel specifically said
Peter would have missed his destiny. Surely to tell you that Jesus is alive,” something
God wouldn’t have anything to do with him. ignited on the inside. He shook off the guilt,
No, when you fail, God doesn’t love you shook off the self-pity, and said, “I may have
less. He comes after you. blown it in the past, but that doesn’t have to
keep me from my future. I’m still going to
They crucified Jesus on Friday. On Sun- become who God has created me to be.”
day morning, an angel appeared and told
Mary Magdalene, “Jesus is risen. Now go God is saying to all the people who have
tell His disciples and Peter that He is alive.” fallen, the people who have made mistakes,
Out of all the disciples whom God could “I still love you. I still believe in you. If you
have mentioned at this historic time, the will let go of the guilt and move forward, I
only person He specifically pointed out was will still get you to where you are supposed
Peter. God was saying, “Peter, I know you to be.” Do your part and receive God’s
think I’ll never have anything to do with mercy.
you. But Peter, when you turn your back on
Me, I don’t turn My back on you.”

334 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 335

n o v e m be r Restoration The God of Jacob n o v e m be r

21 Those who believed what

Peter said were baptized
Then he said, “I am the
God of your father, the God
22
and added to the church that of Abraham, the God of Isaac
day—about 3,000 in all. and the God of Jacob.”
Acts 2 : 4 1 n lt E xodus 3 : 6

N ot long after Peter was forgiven and

restored after his betrayal of Jesus, he
went out and ministered, and three thou-
I n the Scripture, it talks about the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob. I can understand how He is the
sand people came to know the Lord—the God of Abraham, the father of our faith. I
most ever recorded in the Scripture. God can understand how He is the God of Isaac,
doesn’t write us off when we make mis- who was extremely obedient, even willing
takes. God doesn’t cancel our destiny to be sacrificed. But when it says He is the
because we’ve taken a few detours. God of Jacob, that doesn’t make a lot of
Maybe today, you’re down on yourself sense. Jacob was a cheater. He went around
because you’re not where you thought you deceiving people. He stole his brother’s
would be in life. You’ve made some poor birthright. Jacob was known for making
choices. Now you’re letting the guilt weigh poor choices.
you down. That heaviness is keeping you What was God saying? “I’m not just the
from God’s best. God is calling your name God of perfect people. I’m not just the God
today, saying, “I have forgiven you. I am of people who never make a mistake. I’m
not disappointed in you or withholding My the God of people who have failed. I’m the
blessing. I still have an amazing future in God of people who have blown it.”
front of you.” He is running toward you.

336 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 337

 no v em b er 2 3 no v em b er 2 4

He Is Your God Jesus the Messiah

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Then Jesus declared,
Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
God and with humans and have overcome.”
J ohn 4 : 2 6
G enesis 3 2 : 2 8

I t’s interesting that later in Jacob’s life,

when he got his life straightened out,
J ohn 4 records the story of Jesus meeting
a lady who has become known as “The
Woman at the Well.” She had been married
God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. five times and was living with a sixth man.
That was to signify his new beginning. God You can imagine her heartache and pain. I’m
could have been known as the God of Abra- sure she felt beaten down by life—not really
ham, Isaac, and Israel. That was Jacob’s new living, just existing. It says Jesus “had to go
redeemed name. But God on purpose left it through Samaria,” even though there was
as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to a shorter route to His destination. He pur-
forever settle it that “I’m not just the God posefully went to express His love for her.
of perfect people. I’m the God of imperfect It’s interesting that the first person
people, too.” Jesus revealed Himself to as the Messiah
You may have made mistakes, but be was not the religious leaders. It was not the
encouraged. He is the God of Jacob. He priests and the rabbis in the synagogue. It
is still your God. You may have lost your was this woman; a woman who had made
temper, struggled with an addiction, or mistakes, a woman who was beaten down
compromised your integrity. Don’t beat by life—an imperfect person. That one
yourself up. He is the God of Jacob. He is encounter changed her life.
your God, too.

338 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 339

 Get Back A Perfect Heart november
in the Game
Let us then approach
For the eyes of the
Lord run to and fro 26
God’s throne of grace with throughout the whole earth,
confidence, so that we may to shew himself strong in
november receive mercy and find grace the behalf of them whose

25 to help us in our time of need.

H eb r ews 4 : 1 6
heart is perfect toward him.
2 C h ronicles 1 6 : 9 k j v

T oo many people, like “The Woman at

the Well,” are sitting on the sidelines
of life. They feel as though they’ve blown
T he Scripture doesn’t say that God is
looking for a perfect performance. God
is looking for people who have a heart that
it too many times. Now they’re letting the is turned perfect toward Him. That means
accusing voices convince them that they’re you get up each day with a desire to please
all washed up. “God is disappointed with and honor God. But you will have times
you. You can’t expect His favor.” when you fail to resist temptation. The good
You have to get this truth down into news is that does not cancel your destiny.
your spirit. You may have made mistakes, Your performance may not be perfect, but
but God is running to you. He doesn’t love because your heart is perfect toward God,
you less. He loves you more. Quit think- He still has something amazing in your
ing about what could have or should have future.
been, and get back in the game. You’re not You can’t change the past. Learn from
supposed to sit on the sidelines. God is not your mistakes, but don’t get stuck there.
disappointed in you. Do your part and start Receive God’s mercy. Be bold enough to
moving forward. You can still fulfill your say, “God, I blew it. I know I was wrong. But
destiny. God’s mercy is bigger than any mis- God, I know You are not holding it against
take that you’ve made. me. I know You are the God of imperfect
people.”
340 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 341
 n o v e m be r

n o v e m be r
When You Doubt Failure Is an Event
“Put your finger here; see my But you were washed, you were

27 28
hands. Reach out your hand sanctified, you were justified in
and put it into my side. the name of the Lord Jesus and
Stop doubting and believe.” by the Spirit of our God.
J ohn 2 0 : 2 7 1 C o r inthians 6 : 1 1

A fter Jesus had risen from the grave,

everyone was so excited—except
Thomas. He had spent just as much time
T homas doubted this one time, yet
people have labeled him as “Doubting
Thomas.” The good news is God doesn’t
with Jesus as the other disciples, yet they judge us by one mistake. Do you know
were full of faith. Thomas was full of doubt what God calls him? Believing Thomas,
and questions. One day they were in a room Forgiven Thomas, Restored Thomas, Amaz-
together, and Jesus came walking through ing Thomas. Thomas went on to become
the doors and went straight to Thomas. He the one who brought the Good News to the
didn’t say, “Thomas, what’s wrong with nation of India.
you?” He said, “I understand. That’s why I Too often we get our performance
came to you first. Now feel the nail prints in mixed up with our identity. You may have
My hands.” failed, but you are not a failure. That’s what
Notice the pattern. When you have you did. Failure is an event. That’s not who
doubts as Thomas did, when you blow it as you are. You are a child of the Most High
Peter did, when you fail as the woman who God. You’ve been handpicked by the Cre-
was married five times did, we think God is ator of the universe. You may struggle with
so far away from us. It’s just the opposite. an addiction, but you are not an addict.
God comes to the people who have faith. That’s what you did. That’s not who you
are. You are free. You are clean. You are
restored.

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 November 29 J November
A N U A R Y30 3

No Condemnation Walk in the Light

There is therefore now no condemnation to But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk we have fellowship with one another, and the blood
according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Romans 8 : 1 n k j v 1 J ohn 1 : 7

I n life, we’re all going to have times where

we fall, makes mistakes, and blow it. I
can assure you they will come up on the
F riend, your sins have already been for-
given. Every mistake you’ve made and
ever will make has already been paid in full.
movie screen of your mind again and again. The real question is, will you receive God’s
You have to get good at changing the chan- mercy? You don’t have to go around feel-
nel. Quit replaying all the times that you’ve ing guilty, not excited about your future.
failed, the times you gave into temptation, God is running toward you today. He is
the time you blew the relationship, the time saying, “You may have blown it. You may
it didn’t work out. All that’s going to do is have failed. But I’m not disappointed in you.
depress you. I still love you. I still believe in you. I still
You will not be free from guilt or enjoy have an amazing future in front of you.”
your life if you are constantly replaying the Your performance may not have been
negative memories of your past. If you’re perfect, but because your heart is perfect
going to replay anything, replay your vic- toward Him, God is going to show Himself
tories. Put on your accomplishments. Put strong in your behalf. If you’ll shake off the
on your victories. Replay the time that you guilt and receive God’s mercy, you will not
honored God. Replay the times that you only live freer but you will still become all
helped someone else in need. That will you were created to be.
change your perspective.

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D e c em b er 1 de c em b er 2

A Destiny Frame God’s Protection

By faith we understand that the worlds A fool vents all his feelings,
were framed by the word of God, so but a wise man holds them back.
that the things which are seen were not
P rove r bs 2 9 : 1 1 n k j v
made of things which are visible.
H eb r ews 1 1 : 3 n k j v

A man told me how he been so fed up

with his boss’s condescending ways

W hen the Scripture says “the worlds

were framed by the Word of God,”
it’s not just talking about the physical worlds.
that he was going to give the boss a piece of
his mind, knowing he’d get fired. As he lay
in bed the night before, he had his speech
The word in the original language is eons, all lined up and was steaming over every
meaning, “ages” or “times.” God has a frame word. The first thing the next morning,
around your times. He has put a fence, a he marched into his boss’s office without
boundary, around your life. Nothing can knocking. Then the strangest thing hap-
penetrate your frame that God doesn’t allow. pened. He couldn’t remember what he was
Trouble, sickness, accidents—they can’t just going to say. He looked at the boss and said,
randomly happen. The frame is set. “Uh…uh…would you like a cup of coffee?”
This is a destiny frame set by the Cre- He went completely blank.
ator of the universe. Not only can nothing What happened? He bumped into the
get in without God’s permission, but you frame. God knows how to protect you, not
can’t make a mistake big enough to break only from accidents, not only from the
out of that frame. You may come right up wrong people. God will protect you from
to the edge and be about to do something to yourself. Sometimes we’re the most danger-
get you in trouble, but you’ll bump into the ous thing we face.
frame. God will push you right back.

346 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 347

d e c e m be r That’s the Frame Right to the Edge d e c e m be r

3 Everyone should be quick to

listen, slow to speak and slow to
“Praise be to the Lord,
who…has kept his servant
4
become angry, because human from doing wrong...”
anger does not produce the
1 S amuel 2 5 : 3 9
righteousness that God desires.
James 1 : 1 9 – 2 0

I n the story recorded in 1 Samuel 25,

after David and his men had protected a

A person cuts you off on the freeway, and

you’re about to give them a signal with
your hand. But when you pull up next to
wicked rich man by the name of Nabal who
had thousands of sheep, David was furious
at the extreme disrespect Nabal showed
them so aggravated, instead of doing what to him. God sent Abigail, who was Nabal’s
you thought, you just smile and give them a wife, to intercept David before he struck
friendly wave. with vengeance. She convinced David his
What happened? You bumped into your actions could ruin his destiny.
frame. This frame has kept you out of more You know what Abigail was? She was a
trouble than you realize. You’d better thank part of the frame. God ordained her to be
God for your frame or you might not still there at the right time, to know exactly the
have a job. If it had not been for the frame, right thing to say. Had David gotten dis-
we might not still be married. How many tracted, killed Nabal and all his men, caused
times were we going to tell our spouse a big stir by shedding innocent blood, that
exactly what we thought, and exactly what mistake could have kept him from taking
they should do, and we hear the still small the throne. David went right up to the edge,
voice saying, “Don’t do it. Bite your tongue. but he bumped into his frame.
Walk away.” We take the advice. That’s the
frame.

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 de c em b er 5 de c em b er 6

Framed In Strong Boundaries

Now the Lord provided a huge fish to If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the
swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide
of the fish three days and three nights. me, your right hand will hold me fast.
J onah 1 : 1 7 P salm 1 3 9 : 9 – 1 0

J onah experienced the frame. God told

him to go to the city of Nineveh, but he
refused and went in the opposite direction.
A s Jonah did, you can run as much as you
want, but the good news is you’ll never
run out of your frame. You’ll keep bumping
God will always let you go your own way, up against it again and again. It will always
but He is so merciful—at some point, you’re push you back toward your divine destiny.
going to bump into your frame. Jonah went God has put a frame that you can’t pen-
the wrong direction and ended up being etrate. The enemy can’t penetrate. Drugs
thrown overboard and being swallowed by a can’t penetrate. The wrong people can’t
huge fish. penetrate. The Most High God has fenced
Jonah didn’t realize God had put a you in. He has put boundaries around your
frame around his life. Yes, he made a mis- life so strong that all the forces of darkness
take, but it wasn’t outside the frame. God cannot get in and you cannot get out. And
allowed the difficulty into Jonah’s frame yes, we can make mistakes. We can run
not to harm him but to push him toward his from the call. We can try to ignore it. But
divine destiny. That fish was part of Jonah’s the frame around your life was put in place
frame. Three days later that fish spit him before the foundation of time. When God
onto dry ground. Jonah said, “You know breathed His life into you, He framed your
what? I think I’ll go to Nineveh after all.” world.

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 For Your Children Prayer Power december
“The promise is for you and
your children and for all who
I thank God, whom I serve,
as my ancestors did, with a 8
are far off—for all whom clear conscience, as night and
the Lord our God will call.” day I constantly remember
december you in my prayers.

7
Acts 2 : 3 9
2 T imothy 1 : 3

P arents, God has the right people not

only lined up for you, but for your
children, for your grandchildren. They’ve
I know a mother who was so concerned
about her son. He was running with the
wrong crowd and ended up in jail. One Sun-
been framed. They may get off course, but day morning he was arguing with another
sooner or later they’ll bump into the frame. inmate about what to watch on the television
They may run with the wrong crowd, but when a huge inmate, who looked like a pro-
the frame is up. They can’t go too far to fessional football player, grabbed the remote
miss their destiny. They’re going to bump control and said to him, “We’re going to
into it again, again, and again, until they watch Joel today, and you’re going to watch
finally say, “I’m tired of fighting. God, have with me.” What happened? He bumped into
Your way in my life.” the frame. As her son was watching the pro-
Quit worrying about them and start gram, he began to feel God’s presence. He
thanking God for the frame. Get in agree- started weeping. Right there in the jail that
ment with God and say, “Lord, I want to big inmate led him to Christ.
thank You that my children have been You may not see how it can happen.
framed. I’ve committed them into Your That’s not your job. Your job is to stay in
hands. And Lord, You said the seed of the peace, knowing that your children have
righteous will be mighty in the land.” been framed. Your prayers are activating
God’s power.

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 d e c e m be r

d e c e m be r
Even When We… Kicking
Then the Lord opened the
Doesn’t Work

9 10
donkey’s mouth, and it said And the Lord said,
to Balaam, “What have I I am Jesus whom thou
done to you to make you beat persecutest: it is hard for thee
me these three times?” to kick against the pricks.
N umbe r s 2 2 : 2 8 Acts 9 : 5 k j v

W hen I was nineteen years old, I was

driving home very late at night.
There was almost nobody on the freeway.
I n the Scripture, there was a man named
Saul who was having believers put in
prison, doing more harm to God’s people
I thought, I wonder how fast this car can go? than any other person of that time. One
So I put the pedal to the floor and was fly- day a light so bright shone down on him
ing down the highway when I noticed there that he fell to the ground and became blind.
was a car right next to me. I thought, He Then God said in effect, “Saul, I have you
wants to race. So I pushed the gas pedal in My frame. You’re trying to kick, trying
down even farther. When I looked over, to run, trying to ignore it, but the frame is
this time he was holding up his badge. My not going to move. I have a destiny for you
heart stopped. I drove thirty miles an hour to fulfill, and it’s not to stop My work. It’s to
the rest of the way home. advance My work.” The voice told Saul to go
Even when we do dumb things, we can’t to the city and see Ananias, who prayed for
get out of the frame. God will always have Saul. He got his sight back. Saul became the
the right person, even an off duty police Apostle Paul, who went on to write almost
officer at one in the morning, or a donkey half of the books of the New Testament.
to keep us in the frame.

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 December 11 J December
A N U A R Y12 3

His Call Is Irrevocable Permission Required

…for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
Romans 1 1 : 2 9
but it will not come near you.
P salm 9 1 : 7

T he Creator of the universe has put a

frame around your life. You can kick,
run, and try to ignore it. That’s just going to
make you more miserable. It’s hard to keep
A part of this frame is a hedge of protec-
tion around your life that the enemy
cannot cross. A friend of mine was driving
kicking against the calling on your life, the
home and stopped at a light. When it changed
destiny you have to fulfill. God is not going
to green, he looked both ways. Then some-
to remove the frame.
thing said to him so strongly, “Look again!”
It’s wise if you just surrender and say, A car was coming full speed, never attempted
“God, my life is in Your hands. I’m going to stop, and ran right through the red light.
to live for You. I’m going to get rid of these If he had not looked a second time, he would
friends who are pulling me down. I’m going have been broadsided.
to get help for these bad habits. I’m going to
What was that? The frame. If it’s not
get in church and serve and grow. I’m going
your time to go, the enemy cannot take you
to pursue the dreams You have placed in my
out. The frame that’s placed around your
heart.” The sooner you do that, the happier
life was put there by the Most High God.
and the more fulfilling your life will be.
That’s why the psalmist said, “I’m not wor-
ried. It can’t come near me. I know there’s a
frame around my life. Nothing can happen
without God’s permission.”

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D e c em b er 1 3 de c em b er 1 4

Sheltered Put There by God

For in the day of trouble he will “I will fulfill the number of your days.”
keep me safe in his dwelling; he will
E xodus 2 3 : 2 6 n k j v
hide me in the shelter of his sacred
tent and set me high upon a rock.
P salm 2 7 : 5
W hen I was at the Brooke Army Medi-
cal Center, a couple asked me to pray
for their son who had been badly burned

I had somebody complain to me once

about how their brand-new car had been
hit on the freeway and totaled. They didn’t
when he was a soldier in Iraq. In the middle
of the night, he had been refueling large
tanks of gas when something caused the
know if the insurance was going to cover tanks to ignite. When he woke up, he was
it. They were upset and discouraged. They flat on his back, on fire, unable to move.
said, “If I have this frame, how come I had Out of nowhere two Iraqi civilian men
an accident?” showed up, started rolling him in the dirt,
Keep the right perspective. You may and stopped the fire. What’s amazing is that
have lost your car, but because of the frame, those men were not allowed on the secured
you didn’t lose your life. I’m convinced that base. The parents said, “Those men were
God protects us from so many things that put there by God to save our son.” What
we don’t even realize. You can always thank was that? The frame. It wasn’t his time to
God for what didn’t happen. Because of the go. God is bigger than an explosion, bigger
frame, you didn’t have an accident. Because than an accident. God has you in a frame.
of the frame, you’re not in the hospital.
Because of the frame, you didn’t get laid off.
Because of the frame, your children are still
healthy and whole.

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d e c e m be r Not Even Death A Hedge of d e c e m be r

15 “I am the Living One; I was

dead, and now look, I am alive
Protection
“Have you not put a hedge
16
for ever and ever! And I hold around him and his household
the keys of death and Hades.” and everything he has?”
Revelation 1 : 1 8 J ob 1 : 1 0

W hen I was ten years old, our family

went to Hawaii. We were so excited,
and all five of us children ran down to the
S atan was looking for somebody to test.
God said to Satan, “Have you seen my
servant, Job? There’s none like him in all
beach to play in the big waves. But in the the land.” Satan answered back something
excitement, we looked up and couldn’t interesting. He said, “Yes, but You know I
find my eight-year-old sister, April. We can’t touch him. You’ve got a frame around
searched so frantically. We were sure April his life.”
had drowned. An hour and fifteen minutes What I want you to see is the enemy
later, she was found alive and well. She had can’t just do whatever he wants. He has to
fallen asleep on her float and drifted nearly ask God for permission. God has to allow
two miles down the shore. God had her in him to do it. Job went through a time of
a frame. testing. He fought the good fight. And in
Death can’t penetrate your frame. God the end, not only did he not curse God, but
has to allow it. I always tell people who have he came out with double. When you go
lost a loved one, especially if they went through tough times, don’t get discouraged.
home at an early age, the enemy doesn’t Remember, the frame is still up. You keep
have the power to take our loved ones. God moving forward, and God will bring you out
calls them home. God receives them into better off than you were before.
His presence.

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 de c em b er 1 7 de c em b er 1 8

Nothing Can Separate Share Your Life

…neither death nor life,…neither the Because we loved you so much, we were
present nor the future, nor any powers… delighted to share with you not only the
will be able to separate us from the love of gospel of God but our lives as well.
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 T hessalonians 2 : 8
Romans 8 : 3 8 – 3 9

D on’t worry about your future. You’ve

been framed. There are boundaries
M any people are praying for a miracle.
“God, please send me a friend. God, I
need help with these children. I need train-
around your life put in place by the most ing. God, I need a good break.” We have
powerful force in the universe. Not only can to realize that we can become the miracle
nothing get in without God’s permission, they need. God uses our lives to touch and
you can’t get out. Now all through the day, encourage and bless others. God will bring
instead of being stressed out, under your people across our path so that we can be the
breath, say, “Lord, thank You that my life answer to their prayers.
has been framed. Thank You that my chil- Take time to become the miracle. Be
dren, my health, my finances, my dreams, aware of who is in your life. God put them
and my future are in Your frame. I am pro- there on purpose. It’s because you are full
tected.” of miracles. There is healing in you. There
If you’ll do that, you’ll not only be hap- is restoration, there’s friendship, there are
pier, you’ll not only have more peace, but new beginnings. You can lift the fallen. You
God promises the number of your days He can restore the broken. You can be kind
will fulfill. You will see His protection, His to a stranger. You can become someone’s
mercy, and His favor. And nothing will keep miracle.
you from your God-given destiny.

362 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 363

 Become a Miracle Be the Answer december
“Greater love has no one
than this: to lay down one’s
…through love serve and seek
the best for one another. 20
life for one’s friends.”
Galatians 5 : 1 3 a m p

december J ohn 1 5 : 1 3

19 W hat I want us to see is that God has

put miracles in us. We can be the
answer to someone’s prayers. You can be

M y brother, Paul, is a surgeon and

spends time in Africa operating on
needy people in remote villages. One of the
the good break and help they’re looking
for. It may be teaching your coworker the
skills you know. Or helping that family
clinics is just a small tin building that barely that’s struggling with the rent. Or taking
has electricity, minimal medical supplies, that young man to baseball practice with
and one doctor. A man came into the clinic your son each week. It’s no big deal to you,
who had been gored by an elephant tusk, but it’s a miracle to them. It’s what will push
right through his midsection. Paul took him them toward their destiny.
back to the makeshift operating room to If we all had the attitude, I am a miracle
hopefully spare his life, but there was no waiting to happen, what kind of world would
blood supply with which to replenish the this be? Look around at who’s in your life.
man. Before Paul operated, he took thirty Listen to what they’re saying. Is there any
minutes and gave his own blood. He oper- way that you can help? Those are opportu-
ated on the young man, then replenished nities to become their miracle.
the blood the man had lost with his own
blood. What was he doing? Becoming a
miracle. He could have prayed, “God, he’s
in bad shape. He needs a miracle.” Paul real-
ized, I am his miracle.

364 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 365

 d e c e m be r

d e c e m be r
Offer Authentic Refresh Others
Devotion A generous person will prosper;

21 22
Be devoted to one another whoever refreshes others
with [authentic] brotherly will be refreshed.
affection [as members of P rove r bs 1 1 : 2 5
one family], give preference
to one another in honor…
Romans 1 2 : 1 0 a m p
Y ou may feel that you’re the one who
needs a miracle. Here’s the key. If you
will become a miracle, God will always make

A good friend of mine grew up in the

projects, very poor. His dream was to
become a television journalist. Against all
sure that you have the miracles that you
need. As long as you’re sowing these seeds,
the right people, the right opportunities, and
odds, he got a scholarship to a mostly white the breaks you need will be in your future. If
Ivy League university. He’s African Ameri- you want your dream to come to pass, help
can. His roommate, who came from a very somebody else’s dream come to pass.
prestigious family, said, “If you’re going to You can’t help everyone, but you can
be a journalist, you have to increase your help someone. There are people whom God
vocabulary.” For four straight years, every has put in your path who are connected to
day, this roommate had him use one new your destiny. As you help them rise higher,
word in sentences all through the day. you will rise higher. As you meet their
What was this roommate doing? needs, God will meet your needs. Reaching
Becoming a miracle. He took the time to your highest potential is dependent on you
care. He realized his friend was in his life helping someone else reach their potential.
for a reason. Today, this young man is one
of the top newscasters in America. But I
wonder where he would be if his roommate
had not taken the time to become a miracle.

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 December 23 J December
A N U A R Y24 3

Say “I Can” Which One Are You?

Dear friends, let us love one another, “He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
for love comes from God. Everyone who loves pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the
has been born of God and knows God. man on his own donkey, brought him to
an inn and took care of him.”
1 J ohn 4 : 7
L uke 1 0 : 3 4

I met two ladies whom I thought were

mother and daughter. But the older lady
said, “No, we’re not, but she’s just like my
daughter.” She told how before we moved
J esus told a parable about a man who
had been beaten and left on the ground,
almost dead. In a little while, first a priest
our church to our new facility, she was tell- and then a Levite (an assistant to the
ing a group of friends her concerns about priests) came by but kept on going. Then a
whether she would be able to continue to third man, a Samaritan, came by. Like the
come because she was uncomfortable driv- first two, he thought, He sure needs a mir-
ing the freeways. This young lady, whom acle. But he said, “God put him in my path
she had never met before, overheard her, so I can be a healer, so I can be a restorer,
stepped up, and said, “I can bring you?” The so I can give him a new beginning,” and he
lady said, “Are you serious? Where do you did so.
live?” They lived thirty-minutes apart. But
this young lady saw this as an opportunity Which one are you? Helping others
to become a miracle. Now every Sunday can be the key to seeing your situation
morning, like clockwork, she brings the turn around. The people you see who need
older lady to church. After the older lady encouragement, who need a ride, who
told me the story, she hugged the young need help accomplishing a dream—they are
lady and said, “Joel, she’s my miracle.” opportunities for you to go to a higher level.

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de c em b er 2 5 de c em b er 2 6

The Heart of God Full of Miracles

Religion that God our Father On hearing this, Jesus said,
accepts as pure and faultless is “It is not the healthy who need
this: to look after orphans a doctor, but the sick.”
and widows in their distress…
M atthew 9 : 1 2
James 1 : 2 7

I n the parable we read about yesterday,

the priest didn’t have time to bother
G od didn’t call us to judge people; He
called us to heal people. He called us to
restore people. He called us to become their
with the injured man. He had his religious miracles. Anybody can find fault. Anybody
duties to fulfill at the temple. After all, if can be critical and come up with excuses to
he helped the man, he might get his white pass on by those in need. That’s easy. But
robe “unclean.” He had all kinds of excuses. where are the people who will take the time
But true religion gets dirty. True religion to care? Where are the people who will get
doesn’t hide behind stained glass or fancy down and dirty and help love them back
clothes. It goes to where the needs are. into wholeness?
When you get down low to lift some- Don’t be a passerby who’s too busy in
body up, in God’s eyes, you can’t get any your career. Don’t just be someone who
higher. The closest thing to the heart of feels sorry for others. Let’s become the mir-
God is helping hurting people. When you acle. God is counting on us. You can lift the
take time to restore the broken, encourage fallen. You can heal the hurting. You can be
them, wipe away their tears, let them know a friend to the lonely. You can help a dream
that there are new beginnings—that’s the come to pass. You are full of miracles.
religion Jesus talked about. True religion
doesn’t judge people to see if they deserve
our help.

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d e c e m be r Where the Need Is Gracious Words d e c e m be r

27 “And God will wipe away

every tear from their eyes.”
Gracious words are a
honeycomb, sweet to the soul
28
and healing to the bones.
Revelation 7 : 1 7
P rove r bs 1 6 : 2 4

O ne day there will be no more tragedies,

no sickness, no more pain. But in the
meantime, God is counting on you and me W e don’t always see how powerful we
really are. God has put healing in you.
to wipe away those tears. Are you restor- Your hugs can cause people to get better.
ing the broken? Are you taking time to Your kind words can put people back on
help somebody in need? It’s great to come their feet. A phone call, giving someone a
to church and celebrate. This is important. ride, taking them out to dinner, encouraging
But our real assignment begins when we them in their dreams—there are miracles
leave the building. Look around and find the in you waiting to happen. Some people just
discouraged. You may not hear them with need to know that you believe in them and
your ears, but you can hear them with your hear you say, “You’re amazing! You’re going
heart. You see when somebody is down. to do great things. I’m praying for you.”
All of a sudden you feel that compassion
What may seem simple and ordinary
flowing out to them. You think, I need to go
to you, no big deal, becomes extraordinary
encourage them. Don’t put it off. That’s God
when God breathes on it. It can be life-giv-
wanting you to bring healing. There’s a tear
ing. It can be the spark that brings another
that needs to be wiped away.
person back to life. It can help them blos-
som into all they were created to be.

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 de c em b er 2 9 de c em b er 3 0

Hold Them Up Serve One Another

When Moses’ hands grew tired… “…whoever wishes to become great among you must
Aaron and Hur held his hands up— be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first and
one on one side, one on the other— most important among you must be slave of all.”
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
Mark 10:43–44 amp
E x odus 1 7 : 1 2

O ne time in the Scripture, Moses was on

the top of a big hill watching a battle
B ack in 2012, a young lady named
Meghan was a star long distance runner
on her high school track team. At the state
that was taking place. He was holding his track finals, she had already won first place
rod up in the air. As long as he had his rod in the 1600-meter race. Next, as she came
up, the Israelites were winning. But every around the final curve of the 3200-meter
time he put his hands down, the Amale- race, a girl in front of her collapsed to the
kites would start to win. Finally, Moses was ground. What happened next made news
too tired. His brother, Aaron, and a friend around the world. Meghan stopped, picked
named Hur got on each side of Moses, and the girl up, put her arm around her shoul-
they held his hands in the air. Because they ders, and began to carry her toward the fin-
became the miracle, the Israelites won. ish line.
There are people God puts in our path The people in the stands began to cheer.
who need us to hold up their hands. They’re There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. When
not going to win by themselves. They need she got to the finish line, Meghan let her
your encouragement and to know that you opponent cross first. Meghan said after-
care. Don’t miss the opportunity. Do as ward, “Helping her cross that finish line
Aaron and Hur did and become the miracle. was more satisfying to me than winning the
state championship.”

374 Daily Readings from THE POWER OF I AM ı 375

 Light Will
Break Forth
“Then your light will break
forth like the dawn, and your
healing will quickly appear…”
december

31
I saiah 5 8 : 8

I t’s great to receive a miracle, but there’s

no greater feeling than to become a
miracle. Who are you carrying? Who are
you lifting up? Your destiny is connected
to helping others. If you will make it your
business to become a miracle, God will
make it His business to give you miracles.
You are the answer to somebody’s
prayer. You can give a rescuing hug this
week. You can help a friend cross the finish
line. When you go out each day, have this
attitude, I’m a miracle waiting to happen. If
you will live not thinking about how you
can get a miracle, but how you can become
a miracle, then just as God promised, your
light is going to break forth like the dawn.
Your healing, your promotion, and your
vindication will quickly come.

376
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