Are You Giving or Taking?

In life, there will always be two groups of people—givers and takers. Takers are those who are only concerned about benefiting from others. Givers are concerned about how they can add value and be a blessing to others.

What does it mean to add value to others? It means to be intentional about serving others. It’s about enriching and enhancing the quality of life for others. Our goal should be to leave people better than how we found them.

The only way to add value to people is to value people. When you live your life in alignment with a purpose beyond selfish ambition, opportunities become abundant and life becomes fulfilling.

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What is the Key to Victorious Living?

So often in life we are faced with insurmountable obstacles that come to deter us from living victoriously. As a result, we tend to talk ourselves into living miserable, defeated lives.

When these challenges come, you can choose to wallow in self-pity and carry around a woe-is-me attitude. Or, you can choose to face your battles with a victory mindset.

Your mindset will either be your key to victorious living or your stumbling block in life. The choice is yours.

During those times when you feel defeated and discouraged, you need to be reminded of the victory you already possess in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

In other words, you were made to live victoriously. By doing so, you glorify God and demonstrate to the world what a life dependent upon God looks like.

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God Goals

Are the goals you have the kind of goals that God can bless? If not, you need to set what I call “God goals.”

What are God goals?

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV), “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

That means if you are going to set goals in life, they need to be goals that bring glory to God. To bring glory to God means to honor God with one’s life.

So how do you know if your goals will bring glory to God?

If your goals cause you to love God more, serve God more, obey God more, and trust God more, these are goals that bring glory to God.

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When Life is Unclear

So many people struggle when their vision or plans for life are unclear. They don’t know where to start or how to move forward. As a result, they do the absolute worst thing—quit.

Instead of asking God for the entire picture, ask Him to show you the next step. Rather than fretting over what He has planned for the future, focus on what He wants you to do today.

Following God is a trust exercise. It requires faith every step of the way. When it comes to following His plan, it’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey of faith. 

Trust that God is charting your course, and He will get you there in due time.

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A Fresh Start in 2023

Happy New Year! God has graced us to see another year. But what are you going to do with it? Are you going to replay the painful memories of your past? Or will you embrace the new opportunities God has before you?

A new year is like a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. It’s your chance to rewrite a story of victory! You must first choose, however, to let go of what’s behind, and give God a clean slate to do His mighty work in your life.

Remember that your past doesn’t determine your future. So whatever God has set before you, I pray that you would embrace it with an open heart and go forward with faith, confidence, and courage.

Here’s to a fresh start in 2023. I can’t wait to see what it brings you.

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Calling Over Comfort

Dear Friend,

Should we expect following God’s plan for our lives to be without discomfort?

People enjoy feeling comfortable. Whether it’s eating at their favorite restaurant, or enjoying their favorite movie, everyone has their own favorite things in life that make them comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel comfortable; it’s human nature.

However, according to research from a prestigious university, people only grow when there is discomfort. That means that being in an unfamiliar situation can help you to discover something new about yourself.

And that’s exactly what following God’s plan does. It takes you out of your comfort zone into new experiences. My friend, God created you for something much more than happiness and convenience. He created you for a divine purpose.

But when we insist on having it easy all the time, when we demand that God’s plan for our lives be without discomfort, when we will only say yes to Him when it’s convenient for us, we lose the joy of the journey He has called us to.

The calling on your life will most likely be deeply uncomfortable at times. But you will never experience true growth and fulfillment without stepping into the unknown and trusting God’s master plan for your life. Today, I challenge you to risk discomfort to experience the joy of knowing you are in the center of His will.

Your Best Yet,

– Dr. John Barton

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Be Careful With Your Words

Dear Friend,

Do you know the words you speak can impact the outcome of your situations, and in fact set the direction of your life?

The tongue, though a small part of the body, is capable of unleashing tremendous power.

Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Words are powerful. They can build up or they can tear down. They can bring joy or they can bring pain. That’s why we need to be careful of what we say and always choose our words wisely.

Everyday, we are presented with situations and circumstances that call for us to respond. The ways in which we use our words reflect the way that we think. Hence, it is extremely important to invest time renewing our minds to the Word of God.

When we understand the power of our words and realize that we can choose what we think and speak, our lives can be transformed.

Your Best Yet,

– Dr. John Barton

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What Does It Mean To Let Go?

Dear Friend,

I believe that one of the hardest lessons in life is learning to let go. Whether it’s hurt, anger, failure, or control, letting go is never easy—especially when you’ve held on for a long time.

However, letting go is oftentimes the only path forward to peace and freedom. It clears out toxic thoughts from the past and creates empowering thoughts for the future.

Letting go means we let go of our timelines for when certain things in our lives need to happen. We let go of the way we need situations to unfold. We let it all go!

In essence, letting go means trusting God and surrendering to His greater plan for your life. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Your Best Yet,

– Dr. John Barton

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Greater Than Ever

I want you to take a moment right now and reflect on God’s goodness in your life. Do you realize that it is only by His grace and mercy that you are still here today? If it had not been for the Lord’s hand of favor on your life, the enemy would have destroyed you!

Every battle you won and every obstacle you overcame is just a reminder that if God be for you, nothing or no one can stand against you! The good news is He did not bring you this far to leave you here. As you continue to go with God all the way, He will take you higher!

Today, I am praying that you would not remain discouraged in your current circumstances. I’m asking the Lord to give you a greater vision beyond where you are right now. In our final week of prayer and fasting, we will be making powerful faith confessions over every prayer request. You still have time to submit yours this week.

Let’s come into agreement that if He did it back then, He will do it again. But this time it’ll be greater than ever! 

– Dr. John Barton 

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Are You Ready?

I often find that whenever God is about to do something new in my life, it always comes with a fresh sense of excitement and expectation in my heart.

Excitement, because something new is about to spring forth. Expectation, because I am ready to lay hold of it. And I hope and pray that you are just as excited and expectant for what God is about to do in and through you this year. Are you ready to lay hold of it?

Despite the obstacles that may surround you, don’t lose sight of the opportunities God is bringing your way. If you are believing God for some specific things this year, allow me to partner with you in prayer. Send me your prayer requests today, and let’s believe God for the impossible!

– Dr. John Barton

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