May 29th, 2023 Monday Motivator A friend shared a simple truth with me a few years ago. While it’s not a complicated saying, the longer I thought about it, the more powerful it rang. He said, “When we focus on people’s weaknesses, they become weaker. But when we focus on people’s strengths, they become stronger.” I don’t know about you, but I have seen the negative only spoken to or about that person, and sadly the result is that person […]

May 22nd, 2023 Monday Motivator Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”  Did you notice that the verse says, “CHOOSE life!” It is your choice. Regardless of circumstance or challenge, you can CHOOSE. Every decision you make throughout the day, large or small, can create a life followed by goodness or […]

May 15th, 2023 Monday Motivator Think of the challenging situations you’re currently facing.  Now, pause and ask yourself how you are approaching these hurdles. Has it been with grumbling or complaining, fright or terror, an attitude of defeat, or curiosity? Let’s turn to a significant character in the bible for answers… David is a man who we would not know today if it was not for Goliath.  I love David because of how he approached Goliath, a giant, yet stood […]

May 8th, 2023 Monday Motivator It’s a gorgeous day in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The sun is out, the grass is green, and everything is blooming.  SPRING HAS ARRIVED! It’s such a nice change after being in a snowstorm four weeks ago while ministering in Kazakhstan. The massive weather shift reminds me of the seasons of life. We have days that feel cold and stormy and moments of light, warmth, and growth.  Last week did not feel like Spring in our […]

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Go Big or Go Home.” One day my friend said something that struck me. He said, “Go hard or Go Home.” Many of us have cultivated this mindset of “Go Big” but have failed to cultivate a mindset to “Go Hard.” Giving our best is surrendering to accomplish great things. One of the nicest people, my nephew, went home to be with the Lord this week. And when I was asked to speak at […]

Quick reminder, in case you forgot or were doubting – YOU CAN TRUST GOD! Sure, that’s easier said than done, but it’s true!  So, how do we genuinely gain the confidence to trust in God through challenges? The Bible says there is NOTHING impossible for those who believe.  The word impossible carries a lot of weight! Nothing can stop God.  So, when we think we are incapable or don’t see a way forward, know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE for God […]

As you celebrated Easter in the US last week I celebrated Easter in Kazakhstan just yesterday! Where I am currently ministering. While celebrating Easter, I thought about the pain Jesus dealt with from the nailing of His body on the cross and the additional pain from the crown of thrones placed on his head. As many of you know, it’s one thing to deal with pain in the body and another to experience pain in or on your head. Jesus […]

Yesterday, we celebrated a fantastic day – Easter! I hope you experienced awe and wonder as you thanked Jesus for all He did and the reality that He is now living and not dead. This got me thinking about a text I received from a dear friend and world leader I pray for often. He is in a situation where the future and the problems are great.  His situation brought to my awareness that many of us are also struggling […]

Have you noticed no matter how tight you try to hold onto life, things can still go south?  Some of us go with the flow in life, and others have everything organized. But all of us experience loss, heartache, and pain.  We will all experience circumstances that don’t go as planned, but I have good news for you! In our brokenness, God reveals His greatness. 2 Corinthians 9:10 tells us that when we are weak, then we are strong!  Things […]

Two days ago, I returned from Europe, the “prodigal continent.” So many things originated in Europe. In fact, many of the things we see God doing today were birthed in Europe.  For example, Martin Luther’s “the just shall live by faith” and the modern missions movement. Sweden once gave as many missionaries as any country in the world! Yet somehow, this continent that has brought the grace of God to the world is no longer deeply committed to God. That’s […]

Dear Friends, Many of you know currently, I am in Brussels, Belgium. The time here has been unbelievable and anointed.  From experiencing what God is doing to seeing the scenery of beautiful Brussels, I am spiritually moved. Thank you for your prayers! This Monday, I want to remind you of the Holy Spirit in YOU. In John, we can find a couple of scriptures discussing the flows of the Holy Spirit. John 3:34 shares that we have an unlimited anointing […]

Today, I am reminded of a phrase that changed how I live, “You are the only Jesus some will ever see and the only bible some will ever read.” Man, living with this perspective will shift how you interact with others. Some people may never walk into a church, but we can bring the experience of Jesus to anyone we meet. You are called to minister to people and don’t need to be behind a pulpit.  Our life reflects our […]

Hello Friend,  You have been so faithful in reading the Monday Motivator each week.  It blesses me to know you’re being blessed! Right now, I’m traveling, ministering God’s word, and attending meetings with some dear friends of mine who are mighty men of God.  Today, I decided to switch it up and let them share what God has put on their hearts to encourage you.  Caleb Wehrli shares: “I want to encourage you as I spend time with Mikel and […]

February 27th 2023 Monday Motivator Part of the idea for the Monday Motivator is to begin the week off with God because how you start gives you a better chance of finishing strong. That got me thinking… Have you realized the first four words in the bible are “In the beginning, God…” What if we started the week off with God? What if we started our days off with God? What if we quit putting God last and made Him […]

If there were one thing I could teach or give a lesson on, it would be to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” This short sentence holds the key to a peaceful, fulfilling life. To seek His Kingdom and righteousness is simply to seek His will and way of living.  Many people have been held in captivity by the feeling of needing material things.   Not realizing God is the creator of it ALL. God has provided […]

Hello Friend! Tomorrow marks the big day – Valentine’s Day! My wife, Marsha, has already told me what she desires. I hope you have found gifts for your loved ones too! Valentine’s Day holds a special place in my heart. Not just because of the opportunity to express my love to my wife, but Valentine’s Day is also the day my father was born. He would be 100 years old if he were alive – wow! As I reflect on […]

We are in the month of love!  Valentine’s day is two weeks away, and candy shape hearts and chocolates surround us as we shop. Many of us are thinking of special ways to shower our love on those around us. And for others, Valentine’s day is a reminder of loss, resentment, and the opposite of love. So, what is the opposite of love? Immediately we think, “well, hatred” – this is a great answer, but hatred is only a fruit […]

Have you put in the work for your relationships and priorities? Are you seeing how that foundation connects to your potential? Today is the last day on my soap box. I’m sure you know that so much of life is built on who you know more than what you know. This system can be unfair here on earth, but in the spiritual realm, every one of us has an advantage! This revelation of knowing your Father brings tremendous access to […]

2023 is the year the Holy Spirit will unlock the power of God to come against any challenge in front of you!  God wants to accomplish great things through you for Him this year and will give you the strength to do so. I have focused heavily on principles and priorities lately because we have a role to play. We must have the relationships/recourses in our lives and priorities to set an order to help us accomplish what God has […]

Last week I mentioned the phrase, “Principles are the foundation of relationships.”  Did you evaluate the principles that serve as the foundation for your life and relationships? Your principles determine the strength of your foundation, which is why I concluded last week’s Monday Motivator with the reminder that they must be based on the truths of God’s word. Today, I want to take this one step further. I want you to discover the step to help you launch into a […]

There is a phrase that has been a part of my life for a long time: “Principles are the foundation of relationships.” Principles are enduring! They are fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or a chain of reasoning.  Unsurprisingly, our principles are reflected in our choices and relationships. We are only operating with principles if we can see the fruit and consistency. Principles appear in our child-rearing, marriage, friendships, work, and […]

We have made it to another year, and I am so thankful! While everyone is thinking about goal setting, I encourage you to enter January with gratitude. Consider the following:  1. The past/testimony – Giving God thanks for what He’s already done  2. Thanks for the future– Giving God thanks for what you don’t see yet.  Thanksgiving requires faith.  In the present, I thank God for what He has already done, which we should do continuously. It keeps me focused […]

December 26th, 2022 Monday Motivator I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!  Christmas is a time of magic and newness for our little ones, but it can be a season of reflection, loss, and even loneliness for the rest of us. While we are encouraged to remember the miracle of Jesus, our flesh can leave us feeling like we couldn’t afford enough presents or maybe even BE enough for our family. So, I want to ask you a personal question.  […]

December 19th, 2022 Monday Motivator Christmas is just six days away, and I think it’s important we talk about Mary. As we age, every generation has something to say about the generation that comes after. I’m sure you can think of the many positive or negative assumptions about Millenials or Gen Z… but have you considered that God trusted the world’s salvation to a teenager! Mary was only around sixteen years old. This thought explodes in my mind!  Mary’s name comes from the […]

December 12th, 2022 Monday Motivator A lost principle in today’s world is the ability to wait. We don’t like to wait. Anxiety and desire to have what we want or need immediately have pulled us away from the reward and benefits of patience. Many verses in the bible encourage us to wait patiently and faithfully for God. Lamentations 3:25 says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (ESV) Through the waiting […]

Have you ever been told “I love you” after doing something for somebody? I realized that it was not necessarily me that they loved but what I could do for them. That love they had for me at that moment was transactional.  I’m not saying that person didn’t have a genuine love for me. But, at that moment, the motive behind their “I love you” was based on my actions for them. God’s love is the opposite. It is never […]

Thanksgiving is now only three days away; can you believe it? I want to start by asking you a question. What is the root of your thankfulness – is it your family, financial security, a good job, or the small good things that happen in a day?  I love the journey from Thanksgiving to Christmas; it’s a great time to evaluate what’s on my heart – and why. Although that journey seems to be going quickly this year, it’s already […]

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” -Psalm 13 Over the next few weeks, we will look at different attributes of the Father’s love.  Today, I want to remind you of His steadfast love. Steadfast means to be “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” You can say devoted, committed, dependable, loyal, or faithful.  When scripture uses “steadfast” in front of love, it declares that God’s love for you is unwavering. His love won’t […]

A pessimist believes that only bad things happen. A good indicator that you might fall into a pessimistic mindset is that you find yourself repeating, “Why does this always happen to me.” or “Man, I just cannot catch a break.”  Don’t worry; you are not the only one who feels this way… I’m guilty of it too!  But the reality is we are not victims. On the contrary, God has made us victors!  I love Psalms 23:6, “Surely goodness and […]