I was raised Southern Baptist, was born again at Wilkes Baptist Church in Rutledge Al. Backslided deep into sin as a teenager and into my twenties. But, as the wayward son Jesus mentioned, I returned home and I thank God for His unlimited mercy.

I so embrace my Baptist upbringing and I believe it has much to do with my passion to see all people come to Jesus. Just as KFC's main thing is the chicken, God's main thing is restoration of relationship for all mankind and it only comes through Jesus. KFC has other items to offer, the main thing is not the only thing. Jesus came not only to save unto eternal life but He came to give gifts unto men and His will concerning gifts has not changed because He is the same yesterday today and forever. (Eph 4:8 & Heb 13:8)

You see I have been healed of Hepatitis C which doctors said was impossible, taken from the dunghill to corporate America which the world said can't be done, and have flowed in the gifts of the Spirit which so many say aren't real or have passed away. They are real, they are not scary, goofy, or cooky. They are given to us for our profit, Glory to God! I challenge you today to read 1 Corinthians chapters 12,13, and 14. Go ahead and get some cole slaw, bake beans, and you know how good the biscuits are to go with your chicken. It makes the main thing so much better. "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren I would not have you ignorant." (1 Cor 12:1)

Psalms 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

The word of God is called pre-cepts. Pre-means before, in front of. Cept-means an original idea. All original ideas and ways come from God because He is before all things. The word of God tells us that God can not lie. (Titus 1:2) The word of God also tells us that satan is the father of lies and if his lips are moving its a lie. (John 8:44)

De-ception happens when we listen to a lie in the place of an original idea. De-means to reduce, down, or remove. When we reduce the original idea, down play its importance, or remove it from our lives we give place to deception and mis-conception takes place. Mis-means to to hate. When we listen to the lies of the enemy in the place of the original idea we are saying we do not love the original idea.

But, when we give heed to the original idea, CON-CEPTION takes place. Con-means with, to join. When we trust and believe God's word the original idea we join ourselves with the word of God, CONCEPTION takes place and we give birth to the things of God and manifest His purpose in the earth. Refuse to listen to the liar and trust God today, HE IS SO FAITHFUL! And you will give birth to your miracle.

Before a woman can give birth to a child she must conceive. We all give birth to something in the earth whether it is good or bad. What determines what we give birth too Scott? It is the seeds we plant within our hearts. Jesus said in Mark 4 that the harvest we receive in life comes from the seed we sow in our hearts. The sower sows the WORD. (Mark 4:14)

The poor man, the rich man, the black man, the white man, every person has a dream in his heart. Your vision may already be clear to you, or it may still be buried somewhere deep in your heart, waiting to be discovered. Fulfilling this dream is what gives purpose and meaning to life. In other words, the very substance of life is for you to find God's purpose and fulfill it.

God has a dream and a vision for you that's supposed to carry you right out into eternity because that's what is pulling it. When you die, you're meant to leave this earth not on a pension but on a purpose. You need to make sure you can say at the end of your life, as Jesus did, "It is finished" (John 19:30) and not just, "I am retired," for your dream is much bigger than mere retirement. Every human being was created to accomplish something specific that no one else can accomplish. elevatechurchbhm.com

You must have a clear reason for your life, as Jesus did. Jesus said, "I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth." (John 18:37) Fulfilling your dream is what gives purpose and meaning to life. In other words, the very substance of life is for you to find God's purpose and fulfill it.

My purpose has become my passion. It wakes me up in the morning, and it keeps me going when I'm tired. It is an antidote to depression. It causes me to have joy in the midst of great opposition because I know that what God has given me to accomplish cannot be stopped by anyone. When you discover your vision, it will give you energy and passion. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

The vision in your heart is the spark that will enable you to pursue your dream because, unless you do so with all your enthusiasm and strength, it will not happen. I believe this scripture expresses a truth that most people miss: You accomplish only what you fight for. Again, if you are merely interested in your dream, it will never come to pass. However, if you are willing to put all your energy into it, then nobody can stop it from succeeding. YOUR FUTURE IS NOT AHEAD OF YOU, IT LIES WITHIN YOU. Learn more this Sunday @ elevatechurchbhm.com