"But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful]." - Romans 14[23]

If you refuse to pursue the conviction (the divine dream or call) in your heart, it is sin. 

What were you convicted for in 2008? (VIEW VIDEO)

Many people have died with their dreams unfulfilled because they have failed to write goals and create plans, but others have simply not followed the conviction of what God called them to do.

But whenever you have doubts about the divine call and promise over your life and refuse to pursue it for the sake of others, you are in a dangerous place.  It is a place of frustration, futility, disappointment and separation from God's best (plan for your life.)

People spend years working without conviction or passion.  But you are different.  Your gift, influence and talents that flow through your anointing enlarge your place of ministry. 

How are you using it at work, church and your home?  If you never try to exceed what is in your heart, are you truly living "by faith?"

Whatever does not originate from faith is sin. 

·        Does God approve of what you are doing?

·        Are you working in a career or just a job that is preparing you for your future?

·        Do you love what you do? 

·        Would you do it if no one paid you to do it?

·        Are you convicted to do what you are doing? In other words, is it a calling to be in your field, to work on that job, in that industry or have you just been persuaded to be there?

Dictionary.com and Encarta defines that word conviction as: An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence; it is certainty or the state of being convinced or convicted by one's conscience; it is strong persuasion or belief that something is certain to happen; to have complete confidence in the truth of something or an expected outcome.

Something is certain to happen in 2009!  What is your expected outcome?

Every year, when my kids go back to school, we pick a verse that will be our theme for the school year.  Last year, our verse was in Isaiah 43 which says: "Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it?"  So every time we prayed at bedtime, my boys would declare, "I thank you God that you are about to do something NEW and it's about to happen NOW."  THEY DID THIS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR.  Even when the verse changed in 2008, they keep praying Isaiah 43. 

So recently, we got a new 8 seat van, leather interior, 6 CD changer, XM radio, DVD entertainment system (Way under the Kelly Blue Book; cash, no payments.)  We are also putting a new kitchen in our house; oh yeah, I am also coaching my son's basketball team at his elementary school for the first time, so my 8-year old reminded me during prayer time, "See daddy, we've been praying for something NEW to happen; that its about to happen NOW and LOOK, we have a NEW van, were getting a NEW kitchen, we have NEW appliances and the school has a NEW coach--it's happening now!!"

I rejoiced, because for the past five years we have driven two 1999 vehicles and at one point, 7 years ago, we were on welfare, food stamps, in a 600 square foot house, digging for change in the couch to take to Coinstar (the green change converter) to feed our kids.  We prayed then, "Lord, give us the opportunity to show our kids that You can turn anything around (as we keep you first and work hard;) help us fulfill the dream in our heart."  Everything we have and what God is giving us is by the grace of God and because people told us we would never succeed in business and ministry.

I believe we are at our best only when challenged (by the Word, people, critics, etc.)