Remember that we have class every Sunday at 6pmPT unless instructed otherwise. Here's the link for class this Sunday: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/12/mz29mbn See you in class!

I spoke these words to myself today: "Stop lying to yourself!" Then, I took some time to meditate on Romans 12:3. One could believe that Romans 12 is a great book on transformation. Verse 3 encourages us to stop and evaluate the gifts we've received. It also encourages us to not think too highly of ourselves but to be sober-minded. This is where the verse really hits me. I've gone so many years evaluating myself incorrectly. Like so many, I lie to myself and consider that I'm higher than I truly am. I'll lie to myself about simple things like the tasks I tell myself I would complete, the goals I've told myself I'd reach or the gifts I said I'd use. I'd flat out just lie. It's not as if I don't know the ability God has given me. Like others, I'm aware of my gifts and my ability yet I refuse to do as I ought. I've had to learn how to be honest with self. It's as simple as telling myself that I'm going to do something that I know good and doggone well I'm not going to do. It's fun to tell self that you'll take 20 minutes a day to read and study on your craft, but you'll know deep down that you're lying to yourself. You're not going to do it. Heck, you won't even attempt to do it. I have to stop the lying to self because...sadly, I'll convince self that I'm untrustworthy. That's insane, right? I'm convincing myself that I should not trust myself. I can no longer like that way. I have to let my "yes" be "yes" and my "no" be "no". If I'm going to lock in to a goal then I must be prepared to complete it, which is why I am compelled by Christ to count the cost first. Here's what I've had to do today--write down the ways I'm lying to self and address them truthfully! This has been difficult but necessary. How about you?

While I'm ready to teach on "Habit Builders", I feel compelled to lead a talk on "Perseverance and Consistency." Why do we get so committed to a goal that we know deep down we'll never complete because we are either too lazy, too stubborn or too whatever to get it done? This has to change! Nations are waiting on our obedience, and we're sitting around putting off on tomorrow what could be done today. So, I'll make a poll. Let me know what you want! I have so many classes coming up that I'm sure you're going to enjoy on real estate, investing, branding/marketing, coaching, etc. But what good is to have these classes and provide this information if you're going to be honest about locking in to complete the goals you've set? My thoughts! I'd love to hear from you.

It's time to truly LOCK IN! If you're tired of being tired and you're ready for some real change in your life then THIS IS THE CLASS YOU NEED! No more excuses! No more pity parties! No more lying to yourself! If you're ready to get LOCKED IN then let's ride! Register here --> https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/candidtalk

Pleasing people and agreeing to their demands/expectations for acceptance is a form of idolatry. While pastoring many years ago, I had a mother speak with me about her son being peer-pressured. I listened to her. After she finished, she asked me for my thoughts. I responded, “Ma’am, teach your son about idolatry because peer-pressure is idolatry." Anytime you agree to the demands of someone else for acceptance, love, admiration or popularity you’re practicing idolatry. You’re denying the calls of God to accept the call of man. In fact, you’re refusing to love yourself enough to stand on your own convictions due to the idolization you’ve created for those around you. I’ve learned that I am in a problematic relationship when I have a difficult time saying “NO!” In fact, the relationship is downright toxic when I realize that my “NO” could alienate the other person/people or lead to the relationship falling apart altogether. If the other person is only interested in my “YES” then there’s a problem. Their acceptance of me is contingent on my obedience to them. This is dangerous because it means I run the risk of disrespecting and disobeying God to please my family, friends, coworkers, employees or the like. The freedom I have from the ability to tell people “NO” is refreshing. In the past, I’d be so hard pressed to always say “YES” because I wanted to preserve the relationship. I no longer live that way. I love myself enough to honor self and God above others. There’s no amount of acceptance in this world that could make me let go of the freedom I’ve found. And I’ve come to conclude that I’m okay and dope all by myself if everyone decided to walk away from me after I chose to love self and God. Selah.