You Can Have Help Navigating Through Life – The BEST Help

Gary Keesee • October 2, 2019

“Alright, WHO ARE YOU ?” she asked me.

I had preached at a conference in California and was taking a red-eye flight back to Ohio. I knew the weekend would be busy with three services to preach when I got home, and I was already tired.

As I was heading to the airport, I was talking to Drenda on the phone. She said, “Let’s agree that you can fly home first class.” I agreed, and we prayed.

I very rarely fly first class, but sometimes, if I really know I need rest, I will upgrade my seat.

But when I got to the airport, it was clear that an upgrade wasn’t happening. All of the first class seats were taken, and there was a list of at least 20 people ahead of me that were waiting for one, too.

As I sat down on the plane, there was a small commotion in front of me as a man voiced his complaint about not being able to sit with his wife. No one wanted to switch him seats. After a few moments, I offered to give up my aisle seat and take a middle seat so they could sit together. The flight attendants were very thankful that I had helped make the couple comfortable.

I had access to help I forgot I had access to.

It was about 30 minutes into the flight, when I could small the meal being served to the first class people. The flight attendants started to serve those of us in the economy seats the normal drinks and peanuts.

Then it happened.

One of the flight attendants was in front of me in the aisle with a full first-class tray in her hands.

She had walked all the way back to me in row 27.

“I thought you might be hungry,” she said.

Uh, most definitely!

But the story gets even better.

About an hour after the meal, one of the attendants brought me a full snack tray.

Remember, this was only happening for ME, not anyone else in ALL of the economy seat-area of the plane.

Up until that point, the people around me had been acting pretty normal.

But then the flight attendant brought me something that changed everything.

A hot chocolate chip cookie and a drink.

That was the last straw for many of the people around me. And that’s when the lady next to me asked, “Alright, WHO ARE YOU ?”

I enjoyed the privileges of a first-class seat even while I was in coach.

You have the clear advantage.

Why did I share that story with you?

Because that story is a perfect illustration of what life should be like FOR YOU as a believer.

Everyone else may be surviving on the proverbial peanuts, but not you.

You should have the hot chocolate chip cookies.

You should have the upgrade…the advantage…the favor.

Favor means “standing in a place of advantage.”

Years ago, my family went to Long Island, New York for a vacation. I was out in the water and on the beach just enjoying the sun and water. Since the sun was so bright, I wore my sunglasses out into the water. I wasn’t going far out. In fact, I was only in waist-high water so I thought nothing about wearing my expensive sunglasses.

But out of nowhere came a huge wave that washed entirely over me.

My sunglasses were gone.

Those sunglasses were my favorite pair and I didn’t want to lose them. I immediately cried out, “No! In the name of Jesus, I will not lose those glasses! Holy Spirit, show me where they are!”

I then asked my two daughters who were with me to help me find them. We walked all around the spot and felt the sand with our feet. For about 20 minutes, we looked and felt around, and felt around some more.

We couldn’t find them.

I went back up to the shore and sat down with Drenda, telling her what had happened and that I was NOT going to lose those sunglasses. My plan was to go back out and look for them again, but Drenda suggested that we go for a walk first and then she would help me search.

We walked down the beach about 3/4 of a mile. Just as we were about to turn around and head back, a wave rolled in.

With my sunglasses on top.

Not only that, my sunglasses came sliding in and skidded to a stop at my feet!

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Drenda and I just looked at each other, probably with our mouths hanging open in shock.

Favor will change your life.

“But those things only happen to you, Gary, because you’re a pastor.”

Here’s the thing you have to understand—there’s a whole bunch of room in God’s house.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15

You’re not a servant to God. You’re His child and His friend. A servant doesn’t know the master’s business, but children and friends do. We’re not servants in God’s house. We’re part of the family. We can ask questions about the family business. We can know what God is doing.

You can have the favor…the advantage…the inside scoop.

John 14:16 tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us ALL things.

Talk about favor! God Himself is on your side!

You have access to secret, inside information! God will help you live life before the devil even knows you’re there.

You can have wisdom in every situation.

When Polly, our fourth child, was pregnant with her first child, we won a trip to Costa Rica through one of our business vendors.

The trip was scheduled for the same week as Polly’s due date.

We needed to know what to do. There was no way we were going to miss the birth of Polly’s baby.

So we were praying about what to do.

One day, I was out riding my bike, and the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, The baby will not be born on the due date. The baby will be born two days after you come home from your trip. 

  So I went home and told Drenda to get packed.

And, Ivory, Polly’s daughter was born two days after we returned from that trip.

God can give you the wisdom you need for any situation, too.

In Matthew 13:11, Jesus said the knowledge of the secrets , or mysteries , of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to US, but not to them.

That means you aren’t supposed to just stumble through life hoping things will work out.

God wants to show you the secrets , or mysteries, of the Kingdom, so you can advance and win in life.

One of those secrets—a KEY secret, or mystery—is the POWER OF STRATEGY.

I talk often about the Power of Strategy (like here , here , and here ).

It’s critically important information you need to know.

Because making decisions in life can be difficult. But they don’t have to be.

You can have help navigating through life.

In fact, you can have THE BEST help possible.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t get enough of God’s help in my life.

If you’re anything like me, and want to know as much as you can about how God works undercover using the Holy Spirit, I’ve got great news for you! I wrote an entire book about it. It’s called, Your Financial Revolution: The Power of STRATEGY .

I’m SO EXCITED to get this book in your hands!

Understanding how God works undercover using THE POWER OF STRATEGY is one of the single greatest keys to your success and victory in life.

It’s critical that you understand this if you want to capture the opportunities God has for you.

No more missing out on the great things God has for you!

 

Rooted in Faith for Everyday Moments

September 5, 2025
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.

Everyday Healing: God Cares About the Little Things

By Gary Keesee • August 15, 2025
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.

Faith Walks Before It Sees

By Gary Keesee • July 14, 2025
Reading Time 3 mins 46 secs – Picture this. You’re standing at the edge of a foggy path that winds through a forest. You’ve never walked this path before. You can’t see more than a few feet ahead. There are no signs. No map. No flashlight. Just a still, quiet voice inside telling you to start walking. Would you? Most people wouldn’t. They’d wait until the fog clears. Until the way is visible. Until they feel “sure.” But that’s not how the Kingdom works. Friend, faith walks before it sees. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) tells us this plainly: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Not what we can see. Not what we understand. Not what’s guaranteed. Faith is walking when it feels like you’re walking blind, but you’re actually walking guided. Let’s talk about Abraham for a second. God said to him, “...Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV). God didn’t show Abraham the land first. He didn’t explain all the details. He didn’t promise a step-by-step plan. God simply said, “ Go, ” and Abraham went. He didn’t argue. He didn’t delay. He didn’t ask for the weather report or route details. He trusted the voice. He walked before he saw. And because of that one step, a generational promise was unlocked. Now, let’s fast forward to the New Testament, to the story found in Matthew 14. Jesus came walking on water in the middle of the night, and Peter saw Him. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come.” And Jesus said, “Come.” What did Peter do? He stepped out of the boat and onto the water. Pause and think about that. Peter walked on water—not because he had magic in his feet but because he trusted the One who called him forward. Peter walked before he saw. Yes, he started to sink when he looked at the waves, but before that, he did what no other human besides Jesus had done: he walked on water by faith. Friend, your boat might feel safer. It might feel familiar. But if God is calling you out of it, staying there is more dangerous than stepping forward. Let’s get real for a second. There are seasons when God will not show you the full picture, on purpose. Why? Because if He showed you everything, you’d try to control it instead of trusting Him with it. Faith is trusting His character when you can’t see His hand. It’s saying yes without having every answer. It’s building the ark before the rain comes. It’s marching around Jericho before the walls fall. It’s digging a ditch before there’s a drop of rain. That’s the Kingdom. Here’s what the Bible says: “For we live by faith, not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV). That’s not a metaphor. That’s a lifestyle. You don’t wait until all your fear is gone to obey. You don’t wait until you’re certain to trust. It means you don’t wait until your finances line up perfectly to give. You walk before you see. Let’s look at one more example. In Acts 9, Saul, who later became Paul, was traveling to Damascus while persecuting Christians when, suddenly, a blinding light stopped him. Jesus spoke directly to him, and Saul was blinded. God then instructed a man named Ananias to go and pray for Saul and restore his sight. Ananias was hesitant because he knew Saul’s reputation for harming believers. Despite his doubts and without any guarantees, Ananias obeyed and went to Saul. He stepped out in faith before knowing the outcome. That single act of obedience set the stage for Paul’s powerful ministry and the writing of much of the New Testament. So, let me ask you… Where is God asking you to walk, before you see? To step into a calling that scares you? To give up something you’ve leaned on for security? To trust Him with your finances? To forgive someone you haven’t gotten an apology from? Whatever it is, I want you to hear this. You don’t have to see the outcome to take the next step. You don’t have to understand the entire path to move forward in obedience. Faith walks before it sees. That’s where the miracles are. That’s where the provision is. That’s where peace is waiting. Your comfort zone won’t get you there. But your obedience will. God doesn’t need your full understanding. He needs your full surrender. So today, let this be your reminder… You don’t have to feel brave. You just have to follow. Even in the fog. Even in the unknown. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Because God is already in the place He’s calling you to. He’s gone ahead. He’s prepared the way. He’s waiting at your next step. So, take it. Because faith? It always walks before it sees.