My wife, Taffi, is one adventurous woman. She loves excitement, and when it comes to vacationing, she loves to do things that are out of the ordinary. For example, if she suddenly feels the urge to go away for a few days, she'll just get up and go - no plans, no agenda, nothing. "Just do it" is her motto!

I, on the other hand, like to plan ahead and figure out what I'm going to do before I arrive. For instance, if I want to take a road trip, I'll sit down with a map and plan everything out - including the exact traveling distance, the time it will take to get there, and where I'm going to sleep. If there are alternate routes, I want to know each one of them. I don't like getting lost, and above all, I don't want any surprises while I'm on the road.

Life is similar to a road trip. There are many routes that can get you from where you are to where you want to be. For us as Christians, heaven is the ultimate destination, and the decisions we make here on earth will determine whether or not we'll make it there. Now you may not have realized this, but God has mapped out a plan for your life.

You see, your journey toward your God-given destiny began when you were born. Your goal now is to find out His will for your life and stay on course to the very end.

Unfortunately, some people choose alternate routes that lead them away from God instead of to Him. They allow themselves to become sidetracked, and wind up taking detours leading to regret, confusion, and sometimes even death.

Perhaps you've wondered what your purpose is in life. At one time or another you may have asked yourself, "Where do I fit in?" "Where do I belong?" Child of God, it's time to stop wondering. You were born with a great purpose in mind. In fact, no one in the entire world can fulfill the destiny God has planned for you. But you'll never know that destiny until you make a conscious decision to discover His will for your life.

When you realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has a wonderful, preplanned journey for you to take, you can position yourself to reach the destination - the fulfillment of His plan and purpose for your life. That's when you'll be fully equipped with whatever you need - anointing, prosperity, healing and wisdom-to get the job done.

Begin the Journey
Now, how do you get on the road to your God-given destiny? It begins with a renewed mind. The apostle Paul commands us in Romans 12:2 to "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Renewing your mind begins by turning your thoughts toward the things of God. This enables you to find out His plan for your life. Child of God, when you understand that your thoughts control your life, you can begin to shape your destiny. Let me explain.

Your thoughts, whether good or bad, always lead to corresponding actions. This means that whatever you dwell on is what you will do

For example, if I continually meditate on the good things God desires for me to have - peace, prosperity, provision, protection and divine health - those thoughts will motivate me to do two things: First, maintain my covenant connection with God through my tithes and offerings; and second, place a daily demand on His anointing for those things to manifest themselves in my life through Word-based confessions.

Simply put, my thoughts keep me in line with God's will for my life.

In light of this fact, the devil will try to do everything he can to distract you. It's important to understand that your mind is a battlefield, and what happens there often determines whether or not you will fulfill your divine destiny.

The only way to win is to change your way of thinking. And the only way to change your thinking is by aligning your thoughts with the Word of God. You must do as Paul commanded in Philippians 4:8 and think on things that are "...true...honest...just...pure...lovely...of good report...(virtuous, and...praiseworthy)...."

Child of God, there can be no permanent change in your life until you study the Scriptures and begin to pattern your life after them. You must make a quality decision that, come hell or high water, you will change your way of thinking in order to believe, receive and walk in your divine destiny. Without putting forth the effort to discipline your mind, you'll never achieve the success and total life prosperity - spirit, soul and body - God desires for you to experience.

Joshua 1:8 commands us to turn our full attention to the Word. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

The word meditate means "to dwell on in thought; to ponder; to bring before the mind's eye; to turn and roll over in the mind." When you focus, or meditate on God's Word, you position yourself to receive clear instruction from Him concerning His will for your life. You can do this by reading, hearing and confessing the Word of God daily. By keeping it before your eyes, in your ears and on your tongue, you align your thoughts and actions with the very thing you're concentrating on - the Scriptures.

Walk in the Power
Now I can't tell you what your specific destiny is - only God can do that. But I can tell you that it will lead you to greater levels of joy, peace, prosperity and success. Ephesians 1:3-5 states: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

The word bless means "to empower to prosper." And the word prosper means "to excel in every area of life." In other words, within God is the power, or ability to prosper. And according to this scripture, as His children, we have been blessed, or given the power to prosper and excel in every area of our lives - financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Now The Amplified Bible tells us, "...(God) has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual... blessing in the heavenly realm!" (verse 3). Contrary to what you may have been taught in the past, "Christ" is not Jesus' last name, but rather a statement of Who He is.

The word Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning, "the Anointed One." According to Isaiah 10:27 and Luke 4:18, this anointing that is on the Anointed One is "the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God."

In other words, to be "...blessed...in Christ..." means that the power at work in Him is also at work within us, causing us to prosper in everything we put our hands to. Glory to God!

Hear and Do
Ephesians 1:4 tells us that before the foundation of the world we were chosen to live lives that are holy and pleasing to God. To live holy means "to live in total obedience and submission to God." Our obedience to God and His Word is what activates the anointing within us and positions us to receive from Him.

Don't think that because God has adopted you into His family that you can live any way you choose. Not at all! In fact, obedience is the key that will open the doors of prosperity in your life. God must be able to trust you before He can begin pouring wealth into your hands.

Now, don't get me wrong; God loves you and desires the best for you. Jeremiah 29:11 and 1 Corinthians 2:9 tell us that He has nothing but good things planned for those who love Him. However, you must first position yourself to receive direction from Him. How? By aligning your thoughts and actions with the Word.

First John 5:3 tells us that our love for God is proven through our obedience to Him. Sadly, too many Christians forget this fact, preferring instead to focus on things such as good works, lengthy prayers and faithful church attendance to show their love. And then they wonder why God's blessings have yet to manifest in their lives!

Honey, when God tells you to do something, don't just stand there - go and do it! It's vitally important that you and I hearken to His voice. To hearken simply means to "hear and do." If the Word tells us to live lives that are holy and pleasing to God, then guess what? That's exactly what we must do!

Why? You can't live a worldly life and still be prosperous in the things of God at the same time. It doesn't work that way. You must actively pursue His will for you, in spite of any challenges you may face. When you strive to obey God by fulfilling your destiny, all of heaven is on your side. No devil in hell will be able to stop you from reaching your goal, because obedience always brings heavenly provision!

Head Toward the Good Life
Now some of you may be thinking, Brother Dollar, what if part of me is too scared to find out what my destiny is? After all, it's not easy for someone to follow a plan they don't quite understand! That's where your faith and trust in God kicks in. First, remember that He has your best interests in mind. Second, purpose in your heart to stand strong in Him and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Josh. 1:6-7; John 14:26-27). How? By getting in the Word and allowing it to transform your way of thinking. Develop a new inner image and see yourself as God sees you-destined for the good life.

Child of God, there is absolutely no need to fear His will for your life! God knows exactly what makes you happy and what will give you the sense of purpose you've been searching for. That's why Jesus said, "...I came that [you] may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)" (John 10:10 AMP). The word life comes from the Greek word zoe, which refers to "the life of God, or the God-kind of life."

As a born-again believer, you're supposed to live an abundant, or full life. In fact, the joy, peace and prosperity of God should be manifesting in your life daily. Ephesians 2:10 tells us "...We are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship) ...which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live)" (The Amplified Bible).

This scripture blesses me every time I read it. It's exciting to know that the Almighty God has prearranged the good life for you and me. And good living includes protection, provision, wisdom, peace and more than enough wealth and resources to be a blessing to others. It is the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:3.

So when you begin to see the goodness of God manifest itself on the job, at home or in other areas of your life, and people start telling you that your promotion, prosperity, good health and peace of mind are just a coincidence, don't accept it! Square your shoulders, look them straight in the eye and say, "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes!" (Ps. 118:23).

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