Recently I had the privilege of watching a live online charity marathon. The proceeds were going to the great cause of people who were being sold into sex-trafficking.

The moderator of the show was a young lady who works to help young women who have been abused, battered, and torn down. People were donating anywhere between just a few bucks to thousands of dollars per transaction.

As the marathon progressed, the show moderator would evaluate how much was being raised per hour. Then she would determine what the goal would be to raise for the next hour.

At one point, an anonymous person came in and stated that they would double the total donations for the next two hours to follow. I thought this was very generous so I placed my donation and checked back from time to time to follow the progress.

Later when I checked back, I could sense the tension. To them it seemed like all hope was lost. They had raised a lot of money but the goals weren’t being met. It was a 24 hour marathon and the goal was to raise twenty-thousand dollars. Ten minutes before the show was over they were short by a few hundred dollars.

The moderator had done all she could. She assessed the goals hour by hour. She stated what the goal was to raise for each hour. Some goals were met and some weren’t. But nonetheless, she didn’t give in.

Just at the last minute, when it looked like all had failed, the anonymous person came in and not only doubled the money for the two hours that he promised but he doubled the total amount of money that was raised.

In the end they raised just under forty-thousand for the charity. It turns out that their goal was not only met but they almost doubled the amount of money that they set out to raise.

Some might call this luck, others might call it good timing but I believe it was God stepping in just on time.

You see, when it seems that all hope is lost remember that God always make a way when it seems like there is no way. Don’t throw in the towel just yet, keep pushing – keep striving. I believe that God is sending an anonymous miracle your way today. Don’t give up too soon live in expectation for a miracle today as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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I get amazed when I watch the Billiards tournaments on ESPN. The pool pros who compete for the title have one of the best strategies for winning. They aren’t just hitting the balls in the pockets, they have the awesome ability to hit the cue ball in such away to set up the next shot.

But what about you, are you just “hitting the balls” in life? Are you hopelessly aiming at the targets accepting whatever outcome you get? Or are you planning your steps ahead of time?

We can definitely learn from the strategies of the pool pros. Rather than randomly going about life without a game plan, we should plan our actions ahead of time and in a well thought out manner.

A wise man once said, “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail.” I couldn’t agree any more. Realize that there should be a method to your madness.

The scripture says to, “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables…” Notice it doesn’t hint that we should only dream. No my friend, it’s as clear as day, there’s no mistaking it. We are to write the vision — plot the course!

If you have a goal, write down the steps to achieve that goal. If you want to move mountains, buy a shovel. Better yet look into renting a bulldozer. Maybe your goal is to run a complete marathon, but you’ve never ran any long distances. Start out buy running around the neighborhood or at the local park. Gradually increase your distance every time you run.

You see, the captain of a ship doesn’t just set sail in the hopes to arrive at the planned destination. No, he has to plot his course. If not the whole boat would be in trouble. There’s a strong possibility that he’d be lost at sea.

Don’t get lost at sea, my friend. Make a decision today to write your vision. Plot your course. Don’t just “hit the balls” in life, form a method to your madness. Plan your next destination as charge forth on your journey of life!

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There are times when you come across others who don’t have the same passion, zest, and zeal for the things of life as you do. Sure you’ve seen it before, those instances where you or someone else was passionate about something and another comes along and kills the whole vibe.

I believe they call them party poopers! The dictionary defines it perfectly – One who declines to participate with enthusiasm. It seems like no matter what you do they want to rain on your parade.

Maybe you want to go to the amusement park, they are there to only remind you of how crowded and hot it is. You may want to go to a movie, they’ll convince you that it’s pointless to go to the movies, there’s always someone talking on the back row. Maybe you’re on your way to the gym and you’re looking for company, party poopers are there remind you of how much better it feels to crash at home on the couch.

Party poopers have a tendency to kill the liveliness of the moment. They are often negative minded individuals. They are more than likely to see the cup as half empty rather than half full.

If you don’t watch it you will let them steal your joy. You will let them kill your dream. They might even suck all the life and energy out of you.

Don’t let these so called party poopers set the tone for the future to follow. Don’t allow them to determine what your goals and dreams are. No, take back your passion today! If you want to climb a mountain find someone who is equally as passionate, if not more passionate.

Find someone who will meet you where you are rather than bring you down. Surround yourself around people who will motivate you to reach higher heights!

Never let someone rain on your parade. Instead, open up a window and let some sunshine in. Make a decision today to live a little. Surround yourself around people who are full of life, trust me the reward is much greater!

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Experts say that one of the best things we can do to combat in-securities is to focus on our assets. We should write down those things that we have going for us and put them in a visible place where we see it everyday.

I totally agree. I believe this is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Whether it be an insecurity or any thought that you want to change, make a choice to write down your positive attributes and focus on them.

Today I want to encourage you that optimism is at hand. Know that you can erase those defeatist negative thoughts and replace them with encouraging and uplifting thoughts.

Maybe someone told you that you’d never accomplish your goal. They probably said you weren’t strong enough. No, I dare you to combat that thought today. Know that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.

You may have grown up in an environment where you were encouraged not to dream. You were probably told that it’s pointless to dream and that your dreams won’t come to pass. No, the scripture says that you should write the vision and make it plain. Dare to dream today! There are endless possibilities out there awaiting you!

You may have restrictions on you. You may feel like you’re limited to what you can accomplish in life. Because of this you might feel like you’re in bondage. No, you should believe contrary. The scripture says whom the son sets free is truly free indeed.

Anything thought that has been holding you back from your destiny, negate it with a powerful scripture or affirmation of some type. Write it down on a post-it note and stick it on your bathroom mirror. Every time you wake up and look in the mirror, you will be reminded of your strengths and not your weaknesses.

Know that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to do. But understand that it starts with your thoughts. If you can believe it then you can achieve it. Today, take a hand full of post-it notes and write down that which you have going for you. Post it on your bathroom mirror and watch supernatural miracles happen as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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One of the worst mind-sets that we can develop is to think that with age our talents and abilities deteriorate. In the natural, that may be true. Yes our bodies naturally lose strength and our bones grow brittle. But I believe that in the supernatural, you are as young and strong as you feel and think.

Too often we fall prey to the mentality that if we haven’t ran that marathon by a certain age then it’s pointless to even attempt.

We let the world’s frame of thinking determine what the mode of our lives should be. In doing that it’s like leaving money on the table, we’re allowing our talents, passions, dreams and future to lye dormant and eventually perish.

Understand that your drive and passion is like a muscle, you have to exercise it in order for it to grow. The unfortunate thing is that with age we allow our own disappointments to discourage us from pursuing our dreams and visions. And as a result our drive and motivation dies down.

But be encouraged today! Know that it’s never too late to start that business that you’ve always wanted to start. It’s not too late to climb a mountain or run cross country. You may be looking at your physical attributes but know that God operates in the supernatural. In His eyes you’re just a young whipper snapper! It’s never too late to fulfill your destiny. Moses was eighty years old before God called Him. Dare you dream to embark on a lifelong journey and start afresh!

The scripture says to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you… another translation says to stir up the gifts that is within you.

Maybe you’ve been wanting to learn a new instrument – it’s not too late. Maybe you’ve been wanting to lose weight and get in shape – it’s not too late. Somebody probably told you that school is too far out of reach – it’s not too late. You might be wanting to start a family but you’re discouraged due to age and health reasons – it’s not too late, God is going to make a way out of what seems to be no way.

Be bold and courageous. Stand tall today and realize that you are in your prime! You can achieve greater things and rise to a new dimension! Tune out the voice of the nay-sayers. Know that you can do all things in Christ which strengthens you and God will indeed give you the strength to complete your assignment as you charge forth on your life journey!

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When it comes to accomplishing your goals, it’s a two part act. Sure you need to have faith and believe that you can achieve greatness. But it’s not enough just to believe. Things start to happen when you start to take action.

In fact, I like to relate it to grade school when we learned about potential and kinetic energy. An object is said to have kinetic energy when it’s in motion. A perfect example of this is a rubber band flying through the air, it has kinetic energy.

Potential energy is the energy an object possess due to it’s position. If you take the rubber band and stretch it, it has potential energy. Once you release it that potential energy then becomes kinetic energy.

Well my friend this is the way I like to look at the game of faith and accomplishing goals. See when you release your faith you’re instilling potential energy into yourself. You’re stretching yourself to new horizons.

Once you take action, you’re taking that stored up energy and putting it to good use. It’s a two way street. I dare you to mix your faith with action today!

Yes It’s good to have faith because it’s the foundation that will empower you along the journey. It’s your faith that’s going to keep you on track when hurdles attempt to cripple you. But no matter what you do, stay in action! Stay the course!

I believe that opportunities will arise once you put one foot in front of the other and take action. You see, you’ve got assignments to fulfill. You’ve got mountains to climb. And as long as you’re sitting dormant, you’re only delaying yourself.

It’s okay to wait until you’re ready. No race starts with out these three words: ready, set, go! But once you declare that you’re ready, excuse my French but get to gettin’ while the gettin’ is good! In other words, don’t kill your potential energy. Don’t allow your faith to dwindle because of lack of action! I want to encourage you to develop a plan of action today and stay the course and watch as you rise to higher heights and deeper depths!

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Along the journey of achieving our dreams and visions, we oftentimes sabotage ourselves by making unnecessary excuses. I believe that somewhere deep down, we make excuses out of fear, self-doubt, and lack of preparation.

I might even be bold enough to say that an excuse easily converts to an obstacle. It’s just something that gets in the way of our destiny.

Now, I won’t be insensitive — I understand that sometimes excuses are out of our control. But what about those times where you are in total control? What about those times when God gives you an open door and you run the other way due to fear?

Maybe your goal this year was to lose weight and get in shape. But you say, “oh, I just don’t have the strength and determination like I used to…” Or maybe your goal is to become debt free, but you say “There’s no way I can cut back, I just can’t stick to my budget.” Well, I dare you to seek out exercises that are within your reach. Discover ways to save money.

You see, in order to rise higher, you’ve got to be determined. Any challenge that you set out to take on, there will always be a period of discomfort. There will always be a trial that seems to discourage you. It may not always be easy, but it’s definitely worth it!

The good news is that God is perfecting those things which concern you! God is in the blessing business! The scripture says that we can go to Him and ask what we want and He will provide. All you have to do is stay in faith!

Instead of making excuses, make declarations! No matter how difficult it gets, know that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Don’t fall prey to excuses.

Anything you set out to do, if you want it bad enough, you can accomplish it. If you can believe it then you can achieve it. Take a step out on faith and God will carry you the rest of the way! Today, defy all excuses and watch your dreams come to pass as you charge forth on your journey of life.

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The day that we stop learning is the day that we stop growing. In fact, you should never get to that point where you’re convinced that you’ve arrived or that you’ve seen every possible way around something. It’s in that moment that you block yourself from progressing in life.

You see, in order for you to increase, you must be open to possibilities. Don’t be closed minded. Seek out to explore new horizons!

You may have tried one idea after the next and experienced no progress but don’t dare give up on other possibilities. You’ve got to keep pressing until you reach that mark that catapults you into a new dimension in life.

The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. At this point, you should try new ideas and experiments. Don’t throw in the towel due lack of progress.  One of the reasons we’re unsuccessful in our dreams and visions is because we give up at the first sign of defeat.

You should know that there is more than one way around hurdles in your life. You may be running your race, trying to jump over hurdles and find that you’re just not reaching the height required to soar over the hurdles. Don’t let this discourage you – remain hopeful.  Stumbling blocks will always be present, but you must be bold and seek new ways around such obstacles.

I believe that stumbling blocks are really opportunities in disguise.

In sports they have rules in regulations that say you can only jump over the hurdles. But be mindful in real life you are free to explore new ways of doing things. Thomas Edison wasn’t successful at inventing the light-bulb because of the limits others placed on him. Although he had roughly nine-thousand failed attempts at inventing the light-bulb, he was successful because he was open to new ways of inventing the light-bulb. In fact, he said it himself. When asked how it felt to have had nearly nine-thousand failed attempts at inventing the light-bulb he said, “It felt great, for every time I discovered a way not to invent the light-bulb.“

You’re not just limited to one way of achieving success in life. Experts may say you should do this or that in order to be successful, but know that there are many other ways around the hurdles that life presents. You can go around to the left or you can go around to the right. You might endeavor to go under or go over… and if you’re bold enough, you can even go right through it.

I Dare you to muster up the courage to explore limitless possibilities. Know today that your breakthrough is on the way. Don’t live a defeated, closed minded life. Be open – Declare that you are successful before you even reach the finish line as you charge forth into a new dimension of life today!

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Setting goals is a life long journey. For some people, setting and accomplishing one goal is not enough to create life-long fulfillment.

Having accomplished one goal may be a temporary sense of fulfillment, but after making such an accomplishment, you should ask yourself — what’s next?

For instance, if a body builder’s goal is to bench press 500 pounds, once he reaches that mark, he shouldn’t become comfortable there. His next goal should be to bench press 550 pounds then 600 pounds.

You see, some people thrive off of reaching their full potential. Are you among that number?

You should constantly challenge yourself and strive to reach higher heights. Aspire to always put your strength and abilities to the test.

When you push yourself to accomplish new and exciting things, you give yourself something to look forward to. The scripture says, “Without a vision the people perish.” Always keep the bigger picture in mind.

Know that self-growth is achieved when you constantly strive to meet new expectations. Don’t become complacent and settle for one accomplished goal. Continue to rise to new occasions and set new standards for yourself.

I think about various influential people across our nation who have made great strides. President Obama didn’t stop once he landed his spot in the oval office. He celebrated but he didn’t stop there, he was expected to rise to the occasion. He was expected to meet the standard that he set for himself.

Michael Jackson didn’t lose momentum once he gained the likes of Motown Records and landed his first platinum selling album. No he used those achievements to fuel the success to follow. Even though he’s gone today, his legacy lives on.

What will your legacy be?

You may say, “Jarrod, who can measure up to Michael Jackson’s standards?” Well I believe that we all create our level of success. If your standard is to raise a thousand dollars for charity and you achieve that, then in your eyes you’ve become successful. But if your neighbor’s goal is to raise ten thousand and he achieves that, it doesn’t mean he’s any better than you, it’s just means that he’s chosen to set a higher standard for himself. You determine your own level of success!

You can stop at one milestone, or you can go on to achieve milestone after milestone. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t celebrate successes and achievements along the way — by all means do celebrate! Do marvel in the victories you win! But after the celebration dies down, the question you ask yourself should be — what’s next?

I encourage you to raise the standard for yourself in life and discover what your next milestone will be as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Don’t despise the day of small beginnings. – Zechariah 4:10

When working toward the things we want to accomplish out of life, often times we hit a rough patch of discouragement when we don’t see the results we want. We have to alleviate discouragement during those times and remain optimistic about the end result.

You have to know that when working towards the ultimate goal, your labor is not in vain. You should realize the importance in building a work momentum, even when you don’t see the fruits of your labor.

Your labor should be equivalent to a child jumping on a trampoline. A child may start off reaching low heights, but each time he jumps the higher he goes. You have to shake off that defeatist mentality. Just like the child on the trampoline, if you keep your momentum, before you know it you will be reaching higher heights!

A wise man once said, “The ripest peach is highest on the tree.” You see, in order to get to the ripest one of them all, you had better start jumping now my friend! Before you know it, the ripest peach will be within your reach.

The scripture exclaims, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“

It might look like you’re destined for failure. It may seem as though you’re on a downward spiral, but you’ve got to zone out of the way things look in the beginning. You have to know that God is about to shower down more blessings than you have room enough to receive.

I like how today’s scripture says, “Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.” It’s those days that are often the most challenging that build your strength. It’s the rough beginnings that give you the character and substance to withstand the race.

Dare you focus your sights on the end result? Dare you even imagine the greater things that are in store for you?

My friend your work is not in vain. Don’t give in, the fruit of your labor is right around the corner. A songwriter once said, “If I labor, God is going to give me a crown.” He goes on to say, “work in the vineyard, the sun is going down.“

Don’t let the sun go down on your harvest without building up your work momentum. Make sure to plant your seed of work momentum today and watch miracles happen as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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