Each of us sees life from a certain vantage point, unique from person to person. Quite naturally, we talk to ourselves and to others out of what we see—internal processing and external dialogue. Our language often reflects our deeply felt perspectives. We either speak faith, gratitude and trust or fear, unbelief, accusation and bitterness. While changing our conversation is good, changing our perspective is even better. Do you realize that your perception of certain facts could be accurate at a rather static, flat level yet still be fundamentally false? Let me give an example.

At this very moment, you might be sitting in a chair or standing still. If you are walking or driving, you will soon be still again. Later tonight, you will lie down to sleep and exhibit no physical motion whatsoever. Yet even sleeping, you will be in rotational motion related to the turning of the earth on its axis, moving hundreds of miles an hour. You will also be in orbital motion as our planet whirls around the sun at 66,000 mph. Finally, our entire Milky Way galaxy is flinging through open space (relative to other distant galaxies) at an astounding 1.3 million mph.

No, you are definitely not motionless.

In Malachi, one group speaks in a manner they feel is deeply accurate according to their analysis of certain data, circumstances and so forth. Their perspective is intensely felt yet false, coming from a skewed view of reality that blames God for injustice and assumes He is falling down rather badly on this whole “run the universe” thing. Accusation against God can load like malware in the background of our thought systems, transparently governing our view of life and God. When our controlling narrative includes fault-finding and cynicism directed at God, when it is jealous of others or constantly condemns ourselves, we need to recognize that our perspective has turned septic. By contrast, the second group mentioned in Malachi “fears the Lord” and “esteems His name.” God hears both conversations but records the faithful in “a book of remembrance.”

In many ways, our lives are governed by what we subjectively perceive to be true, whether it is objectively true or not. We tend to live out of whatever story or narrative we choose to believe. We see what we train ourselves to see. This is partly why Jesus said: “The light of the body is the eye. Therefore, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is unclear, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23).

Does your personal narrative expect God’s goodness or gravitate toward despair? If you listen to yourself, you can hear the answer: “Well, of course that would happen to me!” or “If it can go wrong, it will” or “I don’t want to say anything, or I might jinx it.” Those kinds of phrases are giveaways. They aren’t just colloquialisms or even polite superstitions; they are belief systems leaking out of our soul through our mouth. Ponder with me these five truths:

1. Our tongue is the rudder of our ship. We frame our lives and chart our course, in part, by how we use our tongue (James 3:1–11).

2. When God releases a promise through His Word to our spirit, we can accept the promise and add our agreement—”Amen!”—or diminish the promise with, “Yes, but …” (Matt. 18:19, 2 Cor. 1:20).

3. We can focus on our problems or focus on our promises. Our internal and external conversations will reveal and reinforce either focus (Prov. 18:21, Rom. 10:8–10, Heb. 4:2).

4. When our faith seems small and challenges seem large, gratitude is an accessible doorway to faith. We can always be grateful for something (Phil. 4:6).

5. Every one of the above four represents a distinct application of our free will. We choose our words, conversations and focal points (Prov. 4:23, Isa. 55:6–7, Luke 6:45, Phil. 2:12–13).

The problem of free will is that when we are really cast down, deep in the throes of pain or defeat—when life is a grind, not a celebration—it is hard to choose the better path because it feels like we are living in denial. When our world shrinks to the size of our next breath, it is far easier to grumble than rejoice. Everything feels claustrophobic and small, so proclamations of faith, joy or gratitude can feel fake. We become very self-focused, very inward, very intimate with our own pain, wrapping defensive scales around our soul just to survive. When this happens, we loose a vortex of downward momentum upon ourselves, because smallness begets smallness. The very thing we need most is what feels least natural: to break out of our small, myopic tunnel vision so that we can comprehend the fullness of the gospel and God’s intentions throughout all of redemptive history. When we’re suffocating in the smallness of our own life, we need the big picture more than ever. We need to appreciate what the Father is really doing: fashioning a bride perfectly suited to His Son, elevated from pride, rebellion and brokenness to humility, dependence and beauty, thereby fit to reign with Christ forever. Only in this way can we glimpse again the truth that He is working for our good.

The knowledge of God is storming the shores of history like never before. We are privileged to live in such times—full of tumult, trials, blessing, breakthrough and glory. You were chosen for such a day as this, but do you or can you see that? Do you see smallness, constraint and resistance or a process by which God is refining you as gold purified seven times? Can you choose to speak blessing over your own life trajectory as well as where God is taking history? Can you see what He is doing in your church, work, house of prayer, in your family, in your marriage? Begin to speak the promises of God. Enlarge your vision. Then add your amen. Amen!

In what area of your life are you speaking God’s promises? {eoa}

For some, October means pumpkin spice, well, everything, vibrant leaves and a chill in the air.

For others, October means trick-or-treating, costumes and scary (or silly) decorations.

For still others, October means Breast Cancer Awareness. And that’s one of our emphases here at SpiritLed Woman. Every week this month, we’ve featured a new “Hope Through Cancer” article and podcast with a special breast cancer emphasis. Here are the four stories:

—”Anne Graham Lotz: Why Breast Cancer Isn’t a Punishment From God.”

—”How This Woman Grabbed Hold of God’s Promise and Found Victory Over Breast Cancer.”

—”How One Man’s Cancer Miracle May Be the Answer for Breast Cancer.”

—”How God Used Back-to-Back Blizzards to Prepare This Woman for Her Breast Cancer Journey.”

This year, Charisma has also produced several other stories and podcasts in our “Hope Through Cancer” series. And some of these also rate directly to breast cancer.

“Why Joanna Gaines Decorated a Stranger’s Home for Christmas,” with movie producers Jay and Sofia Lyons, shares the story of Kara Tippets and how even metastatic breast cancer didn’t keep her from sharing her lessons of love and life, even with popular Fixer Upper star Gaines.

“Why This Nurse Says We Can Defeat Cancer Now” with Jenny Hrbacek, RN, explains that 90% of cancers are preventable and lays out some helpful tips for curing and preventing breast cancer, which Hrbacek herself had, as well as other types.

“Former SNL Star Victoria Jackson Receives Prophetic Prayer in Drive-Thru” tells the inspiring story of the God-focused comedian who sees humor even in breast cancer and offers hope to others as well.

We encourage you to read these stories and listen to their companion podcasts. In one way or another, breast cancer touches almost all of our lives. Every two minutes in the U.S., another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and men are not immune from the disease, either. Charisma trusts these stories will bring information, healing and especially hope to many. As we say goodbye to October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please keep those whose lives have been or are being touched by breast cancer in your prayers. {eoa}

For more information on God’s work in the midst of cancer, check out the Charisma e-book, Spiritual Strength Through the Valley of Cancer, available at this link for just $.

I was raised in a single-parent household. If either one of us could have changed this we would have. My father died when I was 5 years old. My mother was a widow in her early 20s.

This was super traumatic for us both. My father was the glue, the anchor and the peacemaker in our family. He will be forever missed. It’s funny how life happens. We have to survive every situation we come across. The problem is, God has called us overcomers, not survivors. When we survive, we make it through but not over. This trauma would affect us both for years to come.

Searching for Love, Hope and Affirmation

I never learned how to cope with my emotions. I spent most of my life searching for love, hope and affirmation. I looked everywhere but the right place. I was molested at the age of 10 for almost a year. Through that experience, I thought my body was the price I had to pay to receive love, hope, protection, affirmation and anything I thought I needed.

After the molestation, I went from being promiscuous to becoming a stripper and a low key sack chaser, someone who is only after a man’s money. None of it fulfilled me. Throughout those years, I spent time with doctors, lawyers, high school friends, celebrities and promoters smoking crack, but most of the time I would be alone in my apartment. I was considered a functioning addict. I still worked, hung out, went out to dinner and kept my look on point. Nails, toes and hair were always done. I always had designer clothes and bags as well.

I did that off and on for over 20 years. I was alone and lost most of my life. I gave up hope. I survived. I lived to survive one thing after another.

I never thought about a future. I wanted to die, but I didn’t want to be the killer. I unconsciously allowed the devil to take my life slowly. I would often dwell in places where it was nothing but death. But God! At some point as I was walking in this deathly journey, God sought fit not to let me go too far out of His reach. I made it through it all, and when He said, “Enough,” it was enough. I finally saw His light.

Transformation and Trial

My life has completely changed—or did it? I gave myself back to the Father for the third time. Could this be the final time? All I know is, once He revealed Himself to me this time, it was “the time.”

I was ready. He poured so much into me. He showed me so much. I heard His voice, felt His presence, understood His Word, I saw visions and even angels. He gave me so much revelation; I wanted more. I was thirsty.

Although I was with the Father and overcame quite a bit, it was still just the beginning of a journey of warfare. Do you think the enemy was happy that God took me out of his clutches? No way! That devil was angry, but I kept going the way of the Lord. I was determined to remain with God and not move out of His will.

I am so glad I did. The Bible says if He can trust you with little, He will advance you to much (my paraphrase of Luke 16:10). I am a living witness of this. I was so thankful for the Father pulling me out of the darkness enough for me to want more of His light. I would go on to tell everyone all He had done for me. Yes! I told the unadulterated truth. It was and still is very important for me to give God all the glory. He is worthy!

It has now been over 17 years since I last smoked crack, stripped or prostituted myself for luxurious things (clothes, bags, trips, money for bills or my purse, homes and cars). That’s right, I said “prostituted.” It’s all the same: sack chasing, gold digging and dating only men with a lot of money, like athletes and drug dealers.

If you didn’t have money, I would not date you. Mind you, this was all self-taught in street survival mode. Now I’m with the real teacher, God Almighty Himself. My life has been forever changed.

I have had a lot of wounds healed and even more scars erased. My mind has been renewed and scales removed from my eyes. I am still a work in progress. No matter what it feels like, I know my God will complete the good work He has started. He is faithful like that.

My Story Can Be Your Story

Today, I am an ordained apostle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a Ph.D. in theology and a master’s in counseling. I am a two-time published author. My first book, Born Into Sin, Transformed Into Destiny, is currently in the Library of Congress. My second book, The Keys Against the Enemy, is a 90-day devotional. Both books can be purchased anywhere books are sold. My passion for fitness has resulted in my becoming a fitness trainer, and I ended up making a fitness DVD called Health-n-Soul. (All products can be purchased on my website and downloaded as well.) I’m also a licensed real estate agent.

As if this were not enough, I write blogs for Charisma magazine at least three times a month. God has shown me so much favor. I also have a radio show called “Dr. Gina’s Radio Chat” with over 1 million listeners as well as a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network called “The Keys Against The Enemy,” with 5 million subscribers.

I say all this to say, I know for a fact I could not have done any of this without the Father. There is absolutely no way I could have even thought it, but God: I’m still standing because of Him. I’m still moving in destiny because of Him. I’m able to testify of His mercy and grace because of Him.

Once I surrendered it all to Him, He took over. I give Him my life! I wasn’t worth a dime to myself, but to Him, we are worth someone else’s life. Jesus Christ gave His life for you and me. The Father gave up His Son Jesus for us all.

I don’t care what you have been through or what was done to you; God can heal. I don’t care what you or anybody else thinks about you—God can deliver. He does it all because of His unconditional love for us. Surrender to Him and watch Him do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ever ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21).

He keeps doing it for me; let Him do it for you too.

To hear Dr. Gina share her powerful testimony, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

Gina R. Prince is an apostle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She has a podcast show called “The Keys Against the Enemy” on . Connect with Gina on Instagram and Twitter @ginarprince as well as Facebook at “The Keys Against the Enemy.” Visit her website at .

Are you stuck in the physical, emotional or spiritual patterns and habits of your family? Do you believe there’s no way out because of what you’ve been told is a generational curse?

It’s time to walk out from under that lie, says popular Bible teacher Marilyn Hickey on “The Marilyn and Sarah Show” on the Charisma Podcast Network. As Christians, she says, “We need to see we’re not under the curse. We’re under the blessing.

“In Exodus 20, verse 5, it says, ‘The iniquities of the fathers are visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him.’ Iniquities, she explains, are different from sin (missing the mark) or trespasses (going over the mark, entering someone else’s territory). Exodus 20:5 does not mention sins or trespasses. Instead, it refers to iniquity, which is something you practice over and over until it becomes a habit in your life. So iniquity basically means ‘to bend’; you are bent in that direction, because you have done certain things for years and years and years. It’s a pattern, a habit in your life, and you bend in that direction.”

We see this, Hickey says, when physical patterns such as heart trouble are passed from generation to generation. And there’s no escape—or so we believe. The problem, she says, is that we fail to look at the next part of the verse, which says, “Those who love Him, He will bless to 1,000 generations.”

Hickey continues, “So the curse at its worst of those who hate him cannot go beyond four generations.” But the blessing for those who love Him? It goes to 1,000 generations!

The New Testament, Hickey goes on to say, makes clear that Christ came to redeem us from the curse. “So Jesus took all the physical curses, the mental curse, the emotional curses, the iniquities of the family, the patterns that were set up in that family that made them sick, the patterns that were set up in that family that made them weak in certain areas of their lifestyle, the patterns in that family that caused them to turn aside from God … Jesus broke that curse.”

To learn more about Jesus’ power over curses and how you can walk and move in power rather than fear, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

Have you ever been in a meeting or luncheon when someone new entered, and everything changed?

Business coach Linda Fields shares this scenario on “The Linda Fields Show” on the Charisma Podcast Network: “Somehow, things shift, and immediately the newcomer seems to own the room. No one has announced their arrival. They aren’t on the program. Yet when they walk through the door, all eyes turn their way.

“People are attracted to the new personality in the room. They seem to have a magical effect on the atmosphere so that as they make their way through the room, things begin to shift. They make genuine eye contact with each one they encounter. A personal comment is added directly to each one who shakes their hand, even if it’s only a momentary encounter. As they glide through the room, an affirming sense washes over the others in the room that makes them feel valued, makes them feel seen, even loved.”

Fields asks, “What is this phenomenon? Can it be learned? Is it a natural emotional intelligence that you either have or you don’t? Is it an anointing? How do you get it?”

True authority, Fields says, has nothing to do with your job description. People are clamoring for more influence and more authority, but “that’s the long way and the wrong way,” she says. Instead, what she calls “confidence of identity” enables you to carry God’s presence into any situation and change the atmosphere. “You cannot fake presence; that’s called pretense. You can’t fake authority. But you can earn authority.”

To learn more about the authority that comes from a secure sense of identity and how you can develop this quality in your own life, listen to this inspiring and informative podcast. {eoa}

About Linda Fields: Linda Fields, MBA, is an American educator, marketplace ministry leader, entrepreneur, author and keynote speaker teaching a unique approach to personal leadership and professional success. She is an ordained evangelical Christian minister and host of “The Linda Fields Show” on the Charisma Podcast network. Find her at .

Have you ever struggled with social anxiety—the fear or dislike of being seen by others? Many of us do. In fact, says psychologist and author Dr. Barbara Lowe, “There are a significant number of people who feel nervous around other people. Most of us, in fact—almost all of us—have anxiety around public speaking.”

This anxiety, Lowe tells listeners to “Dr. Barbara’s Whole Life Podcast” on the Charisma Podcast Network, has a strong connection to our personal history. “For some of us who grew up in dysfunctional families, we looked in our parents’ eyes, and we didn’t always see what we needed to see. We might have seen a parent who was checked out … or a parent who reacts with anger in ways that aren’t predictable or aren’t reasonable and rational.”

“God has put in us this survival mechanism, where through mirror neurons, when we see in our parent’s eyes that fight or flight, our nervous system gets in a habit of scanning eyes and ratcheting up, not even based on normal triggers. This is especially true for those of us, including me, who grew up in homes with addicts. You don’t know what’s going to fall apart, so you’re always … scanning for threat, and so are your eyes.”

This is the reason, Lowe says, that so many people must fight to overcome social anxiety, whether they’re aware of it or not. But what can we do?

First, Lowe says, “the Scripture obviously talks to us about taking our thoughts captive. And that is so important.” But, she adds, we must also deal with our nervous system, which processes faster than the speed of light. “We can begin to use our imagination in some healthy ways to begin to heal. … When we use our imagination the way God intended it, to think about what is lovely, what is pure­—as Philippians talks about—what is praiseworthy. When we think about those things, it’s like we’re taking that nurturing and we’re bringing it on the inside.”

To learn more about Dr. Barbara’s godly solutions for social anxiety, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

Do you struggle to walk in everything God has called you to? Author and speaker Michelle McClain-Walters has a word for you: You are chosen to walk in righteousness.

That word from God comes straight through the Scriptures. As she shares in her upcoming book, Chosen, McClain-Walters came to a new understanding of “how God chooses us first. Before we ever chose Him, He chose us.

“And I believe that’s an honor,” McClain-Walters tells Dr. Steve Greene on the “Greenelines” podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. “And based on that, I learned how to live my life. And God really opened this up for me … He began to really talk to me about what it means to be chosen to walk in righteousness, to understand that I have access to heaven. And when you understand what God has designed you to do, you find the chosen path. [It} may not always be easy, but you definitely have grace and wisdom and angels and power and authority.”

The key to this truth, McClain-Walters says, lies in the words of Jesus. “In John 15:16, He said, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.’ And then He begins to talk about ‘whatever you ask in the Father’s name, I’m going to give it to you’ because God always wants all of us to understand that we are created by design. Before we were in our mother’s womb, God chose us, and He gave each person an assignment.

“He has a call, He has a reason for your existence,” McClain-Walters says. “I believe you were born in a certain time in a certain season to really demonstrate His glory in your life. So many people come up to me, and they say, ‘Well, I’m not chosen,’ and I say, ‘Well, you’ve just not learned how to respond. Because the Scriptures tell us that ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ So it’s your response to God’s call that qualifies you to be chosen.”

To learn more about how God chooses us and how responding to His call can help determine our destiny, listen to this podcast. {eoa}

Keeping short accounts has been a goal of mine since I was little. If I knew someone was upset with me, I tried everything I could to make it right. I wanted misunderstandings taken care of quickly. I wanted everyone to hug and make up! I wanted breakthrough in every stalled relationship.

Separate the Sin From the Sinner

As I got older, I tried to do this with those I knew had some issue with me or those who had in some way hurt me. What I didn’t understand, though, was that it is very difficult to separate what has been done from the actual person who did it.

In other words, if Sally took some action that resulted in me losing a job, cost me lost revenue or threatened to damage my reputation (or worse yet, one of my children’s reputations), it’s hard to separate that action from assuming that Sally is a horrible, no-good, very bad person.

The whole concept of forgiveness, though, is centered on the truth that God does not see us as our sin. He sees us as covered by the blood of the Lamb. We, however, do see the wrong the person did as who they are. We want to make them pay for what they did. We want them to hurt as bad as they hurt us. Only seems fair, right?

Through the Eyes of Grace

God, though, does not see that person as we see them. God sees them through the eyes of grace as He sees you and me. It’s through those eyes of grace that He can hate the sin and still love the repentant sinner.

Then the next question is, “How do we know that person has repented?” We don’t, and it’s not our business. It’s God’s.

What is our business is to forgive that person. If we don’t, God makes us a firm promise that we really don’t want Him to have to follow through on. If we don’t forgive others, He promises He won’t forgive us (see Matt. 6:15).

I don’t know about you, but I have way too much that I’ve done wrong to not be forgiven by God.

Public Forgiveness

Recently, a man I admire publicly forgave another person. It’s something I’ve never witnessed before to that magnitude. It was real, honest, genuine and heartfelt.

Before a room full of people, he forgave someone whom most of the people in the room had been wronged by to some degree. However, he had suffered the most of anyone there. The person who did the wrong was not there. They didn’t have to be.

The act of forgiveness is a letting go of our own pain when we remember that person. It’s not to shame them; it is to release us.

Deep Forgiveness

Here’s what hit me the hardest. When he realized he needed to forgive, he asked us to join him or just watch as he did.

He said, “I forgive any wrongs done to me, real or perceived.” In other words, he forgave what was done to him that was intentional and what was done that he had felt was intentional.

When he said that, I was undone, and so was everyone else in the room. Up until that moment, I was sure I had already forgiven the person in question. But at that point, I realized there is a deeper level to forgiveness. That level encompasses all of the hurt, no matter the cause or the reason it was inflicted.

Reasoning Away the Hurt

We can reason away certain wrongs done to us. We can think, Maybe they didn’t really know what they were doing. Maybe they thought they were doing the right thing. Maybe it’s the way they grew up. Maybe it’s just their personality.

Some of our first level of forgiveness is at this level. It is forgiveness, but we reason it away so we don’t feel the deepness of the wound. It’s like peeling off the first layer of the onion.

However, what if it isn’t any of those things? What if it was intentional? What if it was reckless? What if it was done just because? What if they are not sorry? What then? Do we make them pay? Do we hate them for life?

No, even then, we must let go of what they did to us. Many times, though, we still hold on to the hurt at some level. This only causes it to fester and become even more infected. Even though we may have put that painful memory in a box; closed the lid tightly and buried it in a deep, dark corner of our heart, it’s still there.

How Hurt Governs Our Lives

The hurt is still governing our lives. Many times, it comes out in our lack of confidence and trust in God. It sounds something like, “How can I trust God to take care of me when He allowed that situation to nearly wreck my life?”

Total forgiveness is a total release of pent-up frustration, anger, sorrow and emotions we are afraid to express in public. We might wail. There might be tears. We might look like a mess in front of a lot of people, but it will be over with, forgiven and it will feel like we have been cleansed completely of the wrongs done to us.

The best part of it all is that after it’s over, God is well-pleased with us. It’s only when we forgive and allow God to sweep out every corner of our hearts that His peace will invade us in ways we never thought possible.

Have We Really Forgiven?

Prior to this, even though we may feel we’ve forgiven when a surprise situation rips the scab off, we may find all we’ve done is a really sloppy cover-up job.

That was the case for me. I thought I had neatly tied up that part of my life, but I saw the deeper level of forgiveness I needed to do. I had to acknowledge the real pain, and then I had to let it go. There is no reason to hold on to it. It is doing me no good whatsoever.

I had to let go of all the what-ifs and understand that the reason someone wronged me doesn’t matter, nor does it factor into God’s command to forgive. Forgiving others completely is what God requires.

The greater the hurt, the more important it is for us to release the pain. That only happens when we at least begin the forgiveness process.

Breakthrough

God knows our hearts and wants them to be laid open before Him so He can restore, rebuild and revive us. It’s the only way we can go to the next level with Him. It’s in that next level that breakthrough lives.

If we don’t forgive, it will affect our entire walk with God. We cannot walk in unity with Him when we are flagrantly holding on to unforgiveness.

I’ll be so bold as to say it may even be the reason we are having trouble following what He is asking us to do in an area such as our weight loss or healthy living journeys.

It definitely affects the extent to which we can trust and obey God. If we want breakthrough in our lives, it will never happen as long as we harbor unforgiveness.

“I forgive” are two of the most powerful words we can ever utter.

“Our hero, come and rescue us! O God of the breakthrough, for the glory of Your name, come and help us! Forgive and restore us; heal us and cover us in Your love” (Ps. 79:9, TPT). {eoa}

Teresa Shields Parker is the author of five books and two study guides, including her latest, Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy, and her No. 1 bestseller, Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds. She is also a blogger, spiritual weight loss coach (check out her coaching group, Overcomers Academy) and speaker at .

This article originally appeared at .

Jesus told His disciples that the only way to find one’s life is to lose it (Mark 8:35)—that life is only worth living if one is willing to die for something greater than one’s self. This was only one of the many countercultural teachings of Jesus. His teachings are as controversial today in our American culture as they were to first-century Jewish culture. Yet in the face of great opposition, Jesus was able to take 12 men and create the largest, most influential movement the world has ever seen. He lived an extraordinary life and left behind an eternal legacy through His disciples. True influence should increase through the lives we pour into, even after we pass away. Our greatest example of this is, of course, Jesus, whose followers did greater works than He did after His resurrection and ascension.

Jesus never wrote a book and never traveled farther than the general region of Israel where He was born and raised. He had no servants, yet many called Him “Master.” He had no degree, yet many called Him “Teacher.” He had no medicines, yet they called Him “Healer.” He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. Jesus remained steadfast to God the Father’s will for His life, never suffering from what I call “mission drift.” Mission drift happens when we are caught up in issues that prevent us from reaching our full potential. Our full potential includes unleashing greatness in our spouses, children, friends and families, thereby leaving a legacy for all future generations. We can do this by following the principles that Jesus used to unleash human potential and turn the world upside down.

My book, The Jesus Principles, is an invitation to join me on a journey to release your purpose through the principles of Jesus. Before we begin this journey, I have seven questions for you. Your answers to these questions will serve as indicators of the status of your current purposeful state as well as help you understand the extent to which you are experiencing mission drift. God does not intend for you to live adrift. He intends that you have life, and life abundant—living with purpose so that those who come after you can go forward from the legacy you leave them.

1. Are experiencing continual frustration? This is one of the most obvious signs you are not walking toward what God has internally wired you to pursue. In fact, this may be a God-given sign to awaken you to the real passion and purpose He had for you.
2. Are you suffering burnout? Another telltale sign is that you have to work hard at accomplishing things in your own strength. When you do this for too long, you experience burnout.
3. Is there a lack of fruit in your life? You don’t maximize your effectiveness, resulting in a lack of fruit. You have a unique calling, unlike any other. Hitting the mark in your purpose and bearing much fruit is what Jesus called us to do (John 15:8).
4. How do you remain faithful to the original call on your life? Every once in a while, I review my prophetic journal to make sure I am still pursuing the original call God gave me years ago. God chose each of us before the foundation of the world and gave us a purpose before we were even born (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9).
5. Do you find yourself losing focus? Activity does not necessarily result in productivity. Many people are are very busy running around focused on minor things and neglecting the primary things God has called them to. Prioritize your time or it will not match your purpose.
6. How often do you put things before people? The kingdom of God is built upon relationships, not ministry or work. Everyone is called to invest in key relationships, whether it be immediate family, spiritual children, mentors or key people you are called to “do life” with.
7. How good are you at keeping the main thing the main thing? The enemy of “best” is usually something good. The enemy does not come in a red suit with a pitchfork; he comes as an angel of light. Hence, one of his strategies is to get you so focused on doing something good for God or your family that it blinds you to what is best. Always keep first things first, and the main thing the main thing.

As you press in and ponder your answers to these questions, I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your need to explore the principles Jesus used to release purpose in His followers. What worked for His disciples will work for you because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Adapted from The Jesus Principles by Joseph Mattera, copyright 2019, published by Charisma House. Your greatest ministry is to the people around you. This book will help you unleash greatness in yourself, but even more important, in your circle of influence—your spouse, children, friends and family. To order your copy, click on this link.

Prayer Power for the Week of October 27, 2019

This week, ask the Lord to reveal any areas where you may have strayed from His primary purpose for you. Recommit yourself to Him and His purpose for your life. Continue to pray for worldwide revival, beginning with our own nation. Pray that our nation would be delivered from evil in all its forms: hatred, bigotry, division, lawlessness, greed and among other things, rebellion against God-given authority. Pray for righteous government to prevail. Pray for our allies and that our leaders would be given wisdom and grace to make the best decisions affecting us and the world. Read: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matt. 11:28-30, Mark 8:35, John 15:8, Heb. 13:8.{eoa}

What do you do when you don’t sleep well and have a busy day ahead? Evangelist, author and Bible teacher Marilyn Hickey has what some might consider a unique answer: She prays in tongues.

“I have noticed praying in the Spirit gives me physical strength,” Hickey says on the “Today With Marilyn and Sarah” podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. “We don’t know how to pray for things as we ought, but the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. …

“Praying in the Spirit kind of keeps the fire burning. I think sometimes we say, ‘Well, yeah, I’m Spirit-filled; I have been for a long time.’ But are you praying in the Spirit? Are you praying in the shower? Are you praying in the bathtub? Are you praying in your car? Do you need the gift to be stirred up inside you?” Hickey asks. “We can know things but not be involved in them. Does your heart have holy heartburn because the Spirit prays through you for things you don’t know how to pray for?”

Hickey also addresses cessationism, the belief that the gift of tongues has ceased. “Yes, [1 Corinthians 13] says tongues will cease. But in the same place, it says knowledge will cease. So has knowledge ceased? Then why do you take tongues out of context in the Bible? … These are excuses that keep us from the power of God.”

To learn more about the gift of speaking in tongues and other gifts of the Spirit, click here and listen to this podcast.