What Do You See for the Rest of Your 2020?
Gary Keesee • July 16, 2020
Partial paralysis.
An accident during his birth had severed a nerve and left the lower left side of his face (including parts of his lip, tongue, and chin) paralyzed. He was left with a permanent snarling look and slurred speech.
He was bullied as a child, and at 15, he was told his brain was “dormant.”
After being told his mind was no good, he decided to focus on his body and started pursuing bodybuilding. Then he decided to pursue an acting career, with little success.
“When I would try to get jobs in commercials, the director would go, ‘What are you saying; what language is that?’” he said. But he wasn’t speaking a foreign language.
Years later, after taking as many steps backward as he had forward, things finally changed.
After watching a highly anticipated boxing match in 1975, he went home and wrote a script for a movie.
He attempted to sell the script to multiple studios, with the intention of playing the lead role himself. In fact, he refused to sell unless he played the lead character; and eventually, after a substantial budget cut to compromise, it was agreed he could be the star.
That film is now considered to be one of the greatest sports films ever made.
That “guy” I’m talking about is Sylvester Stallone, and that film is Rocky.
Rocky gained Sylvester Stallone worldwide fame, and the Rocky film series has grossed more than $1.7 billion dollars at the worldwide box office.
What does his story have to do with YOU, especially right now?
His story illustrates something very important you really need to get right, friend:
Your VISION determines your outcome.
It’s mid-July. It’s been a completely crazy year.
If you’re like most people, you probably set some goals at the beginning of this year, wrote out some New Year’s resolutions, or made a list of things you wanted to get accomplished in 2020.
That’s all great. Goals and desires are good.
But goals and desires aren’t the same as vision.
We get it mixed up sometimes. We think vision is the same as goal setting. But it’s not.
Vision is what you actually SEE.
So you may have a goal or a desire to lose weight, but do you actually SEE yourself at your goal weight? Have you been envisioning yourself fitting into that smaller size, getting exercise, eating healthier, or doing what it will take for that goal to actually happen?
Or maybe you have a goal or a desire to be self-employed. Do you actually SEE yourself owning your own business, cashing the checks, making your own schedule, and celebrating your wins?
Sylvester Stallone SAW himself as the lead in Rocky.
His vision determined his outcome.
What about you? What do you see for the rest of this year? Are you having trouble envisioning much of anything for the rest of 2020?
If so, it’s time to change that.
Reactivate the vision you had for this year. It’s not too late.
What do you want the rest of your year to look like?
Do you want to be financially free? To get organized? To learn a new skill or hobby? To quit a bad habit? To travel more? To become a morning person?
Friend, whatever it is, YOU MUST SEE IT.
Your vision determines your outcome.
You have to know how to activate your vision in order to get things done and see real change come to pass in your life.
I should know. I had to learn this myself (again) not too long ago.
Earlier this year, I shared how, for 18 YEARS, I didn’t believe the financial services company Drenda and I had started before we began pastoring could be in the top 10 for production.
Sure, before we pastored, our business had been ranked number one out of the 5,000+ offices that offered the same types of services worldwide. But then we started the church, and the business went on the back burner. It’s how I thought it had to be.
It wasn’t until God asked me why I wasn’t onstage at a convention getting recognized and making His name known that my vision for our company shifted.
Suddenly, I could SEE our company being in the top 10 with God’s help. I could SEE myself on that stage making His name known.
Just like Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right,” when I couldn’t envision our company in the top 10, I was right.
And when I started envisioning our company in the top 10, I was right.
In both cases, my vision determined my outcome.
Friend, your vision will ALWAYS determine your outcome.
For years, the only vision I had for my life was ruin, and that was the outcome I was getting.
You’ve probably heard at least parts of our backstory, but many years ago, Drenda and I lived in downright poverty. Yes, we were believers, and we had a great family life. We enjoyed our marriage and our family, but we were struggling. Really struggling.
We went to a church that taught us God loves us and that He has great things planned for our lives, but we weren’t living it. We couldn’t SEE it. We were barely surviving.
Back then, the only vision I seemed to have was for finding used stuff that could still be used and for selling stuff at pawnshops to try to get money for a tank of gas or to pay a bill collector.
I couldn’t SEE getting a new house even though the little, 1800s farmhouse our family of seven lived in had seen better days. Not only did we have weeds growing through the broken windows, but also it seemed we were living in a house that already belonged to families of spiders and bees. In fact, there were so many wasps and yellow jackets coming into that house that we would have to pull our sheets down on our beds at night and check for them!
Many times, when we were getting dressed for church, we would hear a scream because somebody would put their arm in a sleeve or a jacket, and there’d be bees in there! Our kids got stung all of the time!
I couldn’t SEE getting new cars either, even though the two we had had also definitely seen better days. They each had more than 200,000 miles on them, the floorboards in both of them were rusting out, and they were beat up and bent.
To say we lived under intense financial pressure would be an understatement. Not only did we owe on our broken-down farmhouse and two rusted-out, bent up, high mileage cars, but we also had ten maxed out credit cards, three finance company loans at interest rates of 28%, more than $13,000 owed in back taxes, more than $26,000 owed to relatives, and judgments and liens filed against us.
I remember one specific time I had to mail an envelope. We had borrowed money from anybody and everybody we could. We had exhausted all of our options. In fact, we owed money to nearly anyone you could imagine—hospitals, dry cleaners—everyone. So I had a letter I needed to mail, but I couldn’t even afford the stamp.
I called my dad to ask if he had pocket change he could give me to buy a stamp.
A stamp, friend. A stamp.
And as if calling him for that small amount wasn’t humiliating enough, what he asked me in response made for one of the lowest moments of my life.
He said, “Do I have to breathe for you too?”
For nine years we lived like that. Fixing our situation looked impossible.
I couldn’t SEE us getting ahead financially, let alone living FREE financially.
Until I finally reached the end of my rope, and God said, Take the time to learn how My Kingdom operates.
With those words, we suddenly had hope for our future. We had vision.
Suddenly, we could SEE ourselves living free financially.
Of course, there’s much more to our story, but our lives drastically changed. We went from financial ruin to being completely debt free over the next two and a half years.
Our NEW vision determined our NEW outcome.
Friend, that’s what we want for you.
It’s not too late.
What do you see for the rest of YOUR 2020?
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IT’S NOT TOO LATE for your 2020! Activate your vision and see change in your life this year!
Let us help! Click here to get your Your Vision Determines Your Outcome 5-CD mentorship set and Better Than You Think book now!
Reading Time 3 mins 42 secs – When most people hear the word success, they picture a number in a bank account, a title on a door, or applause from a crowd. Those things aren’t wrong, but they’re not the whole story. Kingdom success is the fruit of living aligned with God’s presence, God’s purpose, and God’s principles. It’s success that sticks in your family, your finances, your calling, and your soul. What God Calls “Success” The Bible defines success as prospering in what God has assigned you to do. Joshua was told to keep God’s Word front and center. You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. —Joshua 1:8b (NIV) Success begins with alignment, not achievement. When your ways line up with His ways, outcomes change. Success Grows Where Purpose Lives You weren’t designed to drift; you were designed to steward. Deuteronomy 8:18 says God gives you the power to create wealth—not so you can worship wealth but so you can build, bless, and advance His Kingdom. Purpose answers why you’re pursuing something. When your why is right, God can trust you with more. Ask yourself: What problem has God wired me to solve? Who gets helped when I win? How does this goal move God’s purpose forward? Three Pillars of Kingdom Success Presence – Success starts by seeking God first (Matthew 6:33). In His presence, you get clarity, courage, and correction. Purpose – Your assignment sets the target. Aimless motion is not momentum. Practice – Faith works when you work the principles. Plan, sow, and act; God multiplies. Principles That Produce God’s system isn’t random. There’s a time to plant seeds and a time to harvest. If you plant the right seeds consistently, a harvest is inevitable. In Proverbs 16:3, we’re reminded to commit whatever we do to the Lord, and He will establish our plans. Think like a steward and ask, “What have I been given?”(such as time, gifts, relationships, and ideas). Manage them with excellence. Choose excellence daily and do your work heartily as for the Lord, because excellence attracts opportunity. Prioritize wisdom by reading, learning, and surrounding yourself with people who sharpen you. Guard your words; there’s power in the words you speak, so take time to intentionally speak truth. Speak words that are in line with God’s promise rather than with fear. In Luke 16:10, we’re reminded to take faith steps, because small obedient steps multiply, and the servant that is faithful with little can be trusted with much. Break the Success Killers Break the success killers by refusing comparison, which steals both joy and peace. Instead, stay focused on running your own race and celebrating progress over perfection. Avoid hurrying, because quick fixes create fragile results, while patience and process create durable success. Replace excuses like “I can’t” with the empowering mindset of “How can I, with God’s help?” Finally, reject isolation, because lone wolf living limits growth, while community, mentors, and partners in purpose accelerate you. When you consistently choose these healthier patterns, you build the resilience and clarity needed to sustain long-term success. A Weekly Success Rhythm Seek (Daily): 10–15 minutes in the Word and prayer to align your heart and hear strategy. Plan (Weekly): Review your goals and priorities to ensure alignment. Decide your top three Kingdom outcomes for the week. Sow (Consistently): Give, serve, and invest in your skills. Measure (Weekly): What moved forward? What needs adjusting? Celebrate progress, then iterate. Rest (Sabbath): Rest is not wasted time; it’s faith in action . When Progress Feels Slow Psalm 1 paints a picture: a person planted by streams, bearing fruit in season . Not every day looks like a harvest day. Some days are root days. Stay planted. Keep sowing. Harvests have a schedule, and God is never late. A Simple Prayer Father, thank You for calling me to succeed Your way. Align my heart with Your presence, clarify my purpose, and teach me to practice Your principles with diligence and joy. I commit my plans to You. Give me wisdom, clarity, and strength to steward what You’ve placed in my hands. Use my success to bless others and advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen. Carry This with You Success in the Kingdom isn’t a finish line; it’s a faithful life . Start where you are. Work with what you have. Obey what God says. Expect His favor. As you align with His presence, purpose, and principles, you’ll see results that last, results that outlive you, and point people to Him.
Reading Time 2 mins 56 secs – Take a moment and think about this: faith isn’t just for the mountaintop moments. It’s for Mondays. It’s for traffic jams, unexpected bills, and the times when you’re just trying to get through the week. God never designed faith to be complicated or out of reach. He designed it to be your everyday operating system. Faith Is for Today Sometimes, we picture faith as something we have to “muster up” for significant challenges, like praying for healing, believing for a miracle, or asking for a breakthrough in a crisis. And while faith absolutely applies to those moments, it’s also for the little ones. Faith is choosing to trust God with your attitude in a tough conversation. Faith is deciding to believe He’ll provide, even when your budget looks thin. Faith is remembering you’re never alone, even when you feel overlooked. Second Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “ For we live by faith, not by sight. ” Notice it doesn’t say “visit by faith” or “use faith once in a while.” It says live. Faith was always meant to be your way of life. Small Steps, Strong Roots Faith doesn’t usually grow in leaps; it grows in steps. Little, steady decisions that put your trust in God day after day. Opening your Bible instead of scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning Speaking truth over yourself when your feelings want to run the show Praying before making a decision instead of relying only on logic These may not seem dramatic, but they lay a strong foundation. And just like a tree with deep roots, your faith will keep you standing strong when storms come. God Is Faithful, Even When Life Isn’t Here’s the best part: your faith doesn’t rest on your ability to figure everything out. It rests on God’s ability to be faithful. And He is. Always. When you feel shaky, remember this: God is steady. When you feel uncertain, remember this: His promises are sure. When you feel small, remember this: faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. You don’t need giant faith for God to move. You just need real faith in a giant God. Faith That Shows Up in Action Faith isn’t just belief in your heart; it’s trust that shows up in your choices. James 2:17 says, faith without works is dead, which means faith comes alive when you act on it. That could look like forgiving when it’s hard, giving when it feels impossible, or stepping into an opportunity that scares you, but you know God is calling you to. Every time you take action in faith, you’re making a declaration: “God, I trust You more than my feelings, more than my circumstances, and more than what I see.” That kind of faith not only changes your life, but it also inspires others to believe. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that faith isn’t complicated. Teach me to live by faith in the small things and the big things. I trust You with my today, my tomorrow, and every detail of my life. Strengthen my heart and remind me that You are faithful. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Take This with You Faith isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. It’s not about pretending life is easy. It’s about trusting God, no matter what life looks like. Friend, you don’t need to wait for a crisis to practice faith. You can start today, right where you are, with whatever you’re carrying. Take a step. Speak His Word. Trust His heart. Because faith isn’t just for the extraordinary, it’s for the everyday. And your everyday is exactly where God loves to show up.
Reading Time 2 mins 49 secs – Okay, let’s take a breath. Not everything has to be heavy, and healing doesn’t have to feel impossible or mysterious. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that God actually wants us to feel better. Yes, you included. God Cares About How You Feel We can get so used to pushing through that we forget God never designed us to live burned out, worn out, or always dealing with pain. Third John (NIV) 1:2b says, “ I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well .” God’s heart is not just that we survive life. His heart is that we thrive—spirit, soul, and body. That includes your sleep. That includes your energy. That includes your mind and your moods. Healing Isn’t Just for Emergencies Most of us wait to think about healing until something significant goes wrong. A diagnosis. A surgery. A crisis. However, healing is an integral part of your daily life as a believer. You don’t have to wait for something to fall apart to lean into God’s promises. It’s kind of like drinking water; your body needs it regularly, not just when you're dehydrated. The Word is the same. It brings strength, clarity, and peace to your health before the storm hits. You’re allowed to believe in a life where you’re not constantly recovering—you’re well. Small Shifts, Big Results Maybe you’ve been dealing with something for a while—nothing catastrophic, just something that lingers. A chronic ache. Fatigue. Brain fog. A stress habit that’s hard to shake. Can I encourage you? You don’t have to settle for “just getting by.” Start speaking life over your body. Make simple changes in faith; walk a little more, drink more water, eat a bit better, get quiet with God. Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it happens gently. Daily. Gradually. The power of God isn’t always loud, but it’s always effective. The Best Kind of Doctor He doesn’t rush your appointment. He’s never stumped by your symptoms. And He doesn’t hand you a bill at the end. He simply says, “Come to Me.” Come tired. Come unsure. Come with your questions. And He’ll give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Yes, He heals in big, miraculous ways—but He also heals in little moments of laughter, sunlight, worship, and truth. Let’s Make This Simple Healing isn’t about performance. It’s about proximity—staying close to the Healer. So, take the pressure off today. You’re not failing if you’re still waiting. You’re not disqualified if you’ve had some doubts. You’re growing. You’re learning. And most of all, you’re loved. Let healing be a conversation you have with God, not a crisis you fear. Let it be part of your everyday life with Him, not just a 911 prayer when things feel scary. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that You care about every part of me. You know when I’m tired, hurting, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for being my Healer, not just in emergencies but in the everyday. I receive Your peace and Your promises. I speak life over my body and my mind today, in Jesus’s name. Amen.” Take This with You Healing doesn’t have to feel far away or hard to reach. It’s not reserved for the super spiritual or the desperate. It’s available, it’s real, and it’s for right now. You don’t have to make it complicated. Just take one step. Open the Word, talk to God, speak life over yourself, and trust that He’s working behind the scenes. You don’t have to live in survival mode. You were made for wholeness. And friend? You’re allowed to feel better.