When I was a teenager, I didn't get to do a lot of the things that other kids my age were doing because my dad was very controlling and he wouldn't allow me to go to school activities, like games and dances. So I didn't have positive expectations for my future or really dream about what I could do with my life. I was just trying to survive until I could get out on my own.

To know and experience what God can do, we must first realize and acknowledge what we cannot do. We must get our eyes off of ourselves and our limited ability, and totally onto Him and His infinite power.

If we continue to believe God and place our trust in Him, bad things ultimately give way to better things.

When an injustice happens, we want to be vindicated. People feel that if they forgive the person who hurt them, then they will continue to take advantage of them or not take responsibility for what they did wrong. If we're honest, we'll admit that we usually want the person who hurt us to pay for what they did. We can't get past this until we get the revelation that only God can pay us back. He is our Vindicator - He will heal and restore us if we will trust Him and forgive our enemies as He has told us to do.

Having a rough day? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? It's called purpose. You're alive for a reason. Don't give up

We open the door for God to work by placing faith in His Word, and we open the door for Satan to work by placing faith in his word. He places thought in our minds that are not true, but can become true for us if they are believed.

Focus on giving smiles away and you will always discover that your own smiles will always be in great supply!