Many of us set goals for ourselves. Some do it daily, some set weekly goals and some have a "bucket list" that they hope to accomplish within their lifetime.

I set a goal to run a half marathon this year. I started the process a few months ago and I am still heading in that direction. Funny thing about goals, once you set them, you really have to work at making progress. I realized a long time ago, that you have to intentionally purpose time towards working toward your goal. Had I chosen to wake up the day of the race and say, "I feel like running a half marathon today...HMM Dere....." I would have gotten 50 feet, then paramedics, oxygen...CLEAR!

There have been hills that I have run that I felt like "I can't do this!" However, every time, God shows me that I can. Today I ran 6.32 miles. Saturday I ran 10.18 miles. Every step of the way I wondered if I could make the next step. I questioned the sanity of being up at 430 a.m. running in rain, cold, wind...Yet I continued to do so diligently. You may ask...Dave, ARE YOU MENTAL????

What person in their right mind would get up and do that to their body? To be honest, there have been moments when I thought, I can't, I shouldn't and I won't. That is where God steps in and tells me "You Don't Have The Right To say I CAN'T!" I thought about that. Jeremiah 29:11 God tells us "For I know the plans I have for you..." In Matthew 19:26 God Tells us "With God all things are possible..." Not some things, ALL things are possible!

If God speaks to a gifting you have, or asks you to do something that is out of your comfort zone, You don't have the right to say I can't. God doesn't always call the qualified, he qualifies the called. He knows what you are capable of doing and will take you through each and every step of the way. He created you. Now what you do have the right to say is I won't. The greatest example of that is Jonah. He was told by God to go to Ninevah and warn them of the destruction that was coming if they continued their path of darkness. Jonah said No and ran. God sent the storm, you know the story. (if you don't, look it up. I ain't your Bible.)

The bottom line is, that you may doubt yourself, but you can always trust God in knowing what He is doing. If you maintain a closer walk with him, He will astound you with revelatory things about yourself, your purpose, and your life that you might never imagined. So Be open to God and what He says he wants you to do. Set goals with that in mind. When you doubt yourself the most, God believes enough in you to help you overcome the voices that say I can't and hear the still quiet voice that says, yes you can...let me show you how. That's the Grace and Strength Lifestyle! Below is a link to a Youtube video. It is a song I wrote with Michael Rolhmeier. "A Portrait" describes God as an artist and we are his canvas. Let his artistry show you what you are capable of in life!

Pray Seek Believe Receive

David Michael Rose

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* Individual results may vary.