Where does life find you today? You may be in the midst of a hurricane or a financial storm. Perhaps you are facing other issues. Remember, peace is not the absence of turmoil. Peace is the rudder of the soul that provides solitude in the midst of turmoil! God promises to keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him; all whose thoughts are fixed on Him!

Have you found the source of peace? Mahatma Gandhi said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.” The scriptures say, whatever is true, noble, and right, whatever is pure, lovely, and admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you. http://bit.ly/1IzEZ40

Scripture: Philippians 4:8 (paraphrased)

There is a story of Jesus traveling to the other side of the lake with His disciples. A storm raged against the boat, yet Jesus was asleep. His disciples were distraught and a bit annoyed that Jesus was asleep with no apparent concern for the danger that they were facing! When they awoke Him He spoke, “Peace, be still…” and to everyone’s amazement, the storm ceased.

I remember one of our Florida hurricanes that blew against our house. The water pounded so hard that it sounded like machine guns blasting against our cement walls. My husband was sound asleep—I couldn’t believe it! I decided to write out my prayer to God because I wanted to sleep too.  As soon as I committed my prayer to Him, I climbed back in bed and drifted off to sleep!

You see, peace is not resignation—but resiliency…an individual’s ability to properly adapt to stress and adversity.

Scripture: Mark 4:39

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Yet, two pictures still remained veiled.

As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Surely this was the winner. The second painting was uncovered and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?

A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. However, a spindly little tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls, and one of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters. In the elbow of that branch, a little bird had built a nest. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested pure peace.

If a little bird can transcend such turmoil, how do you and I find peace in the crazy world in which we live?

The scriptures say, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

I remember many years ago meeting a young Congolese man brought from his village for prayer. His eyes were wild, his hair was filthy and matted, and his clothes were nothing more than rags. The villagers were afraid of him and restrained him, concerned that he would lunge at me.

I remember looking into this young man’s wild eyes and speaking the simple words of Christ, “Peace be with you!” Just as quickly as I spoke those words, he was gone.

The next day as I made preparations for our evening prayer service, I met a nicely dressed young man along with his mother. She said to me, ”This is a miracle! My son has been tormented since childhood, but yesterday when you spoke words of peace over him he suddenly became calm. He slept through the night and awoke with a smile. He is normal! He hasn’t been that way in years!”

Perhaps today, you are like this young man and your past actions or thoughts haunt you. Scriptures say there is no peace for the wicked. Maybe you know someone who has turned to alcohol or sleeping pills looking for peace?

Peace is the foundation of that which is good. The scriptures define peace as being well, happy, healthy, prosperous, restful, safe, whole, secure, quiet, and set at one with God. Peace brings those created in God’s image back into harmony with the Creator.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and this is the victory that has overcome the world. This is true inner peace, and this is our faith. Pray this with me today, “Thank you Jesus, for coming into my heart! Today I receive the inner peace that only You can bring into my life!”

Scriptures: 1 John 5:4 (paraphrased)

Ask yourself these questions. Is my dream audacious? Large enough to cast shade for others? Does it challenge me and challenge others to get involved? Is it measurable? Can individuals who are interested find a place to join me on the route to my destination?

Success is for those who go it alone, but we find true significance as we include others in our dream. Remember, you are cutting a pathway through the forest, a highway in the desert for others to follow. You are created to promote possibility, pursue with excellence and synchronize strategies for the hope of humanity!

What questions should you ask as you craft your vision statement? Let’s think about this for a moment. Your ability to attract the talent required to complete your strengths is key in initiating your vision! Why? Your vision statement is where you invite people to participate and associate. A big dream is exciting and provides harbor for like-minded individuals. It is not, however, enough to attract people.  A big dream requires clarity to both convince people of your potential, and initiate confidence that you can be trusted. Not only must your dream make room for others, it must provide clarity! Your vision statement will identify the problem you wish to address, challenge the status quo, and illuminate a direction!

Ask yourself this question: Is my dream clear? Clearly stated goals with well thought out strategic steps will provide clarity and refine your dream for your audience.  A clear strategy requires identifying not only the strengths, but also the possible weaknesses you will face. When others perceive your dream they can realize it with you!  If you can see it you can seize it!

With a dream of 100 tents you would think our friends and associates would have been excited! But in reality, no one on our team in Russia believed. Initially, many Russians thought we were crazy and wondered, who were those crazy Americans?

But we had a vision in our hearts! We did our research and found the facts, we communicated our dream and made plans for the possible delays we might face as we raised the funds for this new undertaking.

By breaking down our dream into logical steps we were able to sustain ourselves in the difficult times. Clarity in your vision statement and in your plans will allow you to move forward when others are still questioning the value of your dream.

Have you ever had an idea that family and friends seemed to think did not fit your future? Get that dream out today, dust it off, refine it and begin dreaming again! Remember, dreams are created a size too big for us to grow into—but with careful planning and execution you will succeed!

I recall when my husband and I wanted to purchase a tent for Eurasia. We were excited because our mentor, Dr. TL Osborn, had been telling the people of the former Soviet countries to purchase tents to help the churches begin new churches.

WOW! It looked like we had an idea from God. But when we met with our mentor his response to us was, “Well, that’s not God.” Then he asked, “How many republics, nations, and regions are there in the ex-Soviet territories?”  We knew the answer to that question was a little over 100, so our response to his question was easy: “We need 100 tents!”

Immediately our mentor responded, “Now THAT’S an idea big enough for God to get involved with!” 

We thought we had a big dream with one tent that cost $25,000, but what we soon discovered was that 100 tents made room for many organizations and people from around the globe to dream along with us! Now, over 15 years later, we have 70 tents in that region and two small factories producing tents! If your dream is big enough, you can make room for others to join you in your dream!

Click here to see our vision now!  http://bit.ly/1U6SI8A

On one of my husband’s journeys he was seated on the plane next to a leading cancer research doctor. This doctor told my husband that we are no closer to a cure for cancer today than when he first began his cancer research many years ago. He also stated that those who improved while suffering from cancer had taken control of their own cancer therapy.

Could it be that you should take control of your treatment or whatever process of rehabilitation that you are in?

Today, as a first step in treatment, we are going to talk about taking control of your lifestyle. In the United States, 75% of health care dollars go to treatment of chronic disease. These persistent conditions are the nation’s leading cause of death and disability, leaving deaths in their wake that could have been prevented; lifelong disability that could have been avoided; and an overall compromised quality of life.

In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that health care costs are escalating, and 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. So, although many fear epidemics such as H1N1, SARS or Ebola, the reality is that most deaths occur due to chronic health issues.

Chronic diseases are often preventable and frequently manageable. In fact, many chronic diseases could be prevented, delayed, or alleviated through simple lifestyle changes! The CDC estimates that eliminating three risk factors—poor diet, inactivity, and smoking—would prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of Type 2 diabetes; and 40% of cancer.

So let’s begin and make a lifestyle adjustment. It is possible to adjust the foundation of our lives and adjust our thinking. We can eliminate these 3 risk factors: poor diet, inactivity and smoking—and eliminate chronic disease!

In 2010, an award-winning historical British film called “The King’s Speech” documented the life of King George the VI of Great Britain. He was known as the stuttering king and dreaded public speaking; a responsibility every monarch was expected to do often and do well. In 1925 he gave a closing speech at Wembley Stadium in London. The speech was a terrible ordeal for both him and his listeners as he stuttered through it with lengthy pauses. Everyone waited for it to end.

Psychologists tell us anyone can stutter if pushed too far. A very stressful situation or a very aggressive interrogation or conversation can cause a person to stutter, however, most children grow out of it. King George did not grow out of his childhood stuttering and required intensive therapy.

In 1939, as Germany threatened to invade England, King George rallied his strength, rose above his difficulties, and found the resolve to inspire the nation as England declared war on Hitler. With the help of Australian born speech therapist, Lionel Logue, he conquered his disability and courageously stirred the people of Great Britain to action.

I want you to know that miracles are available today, yet King George discovered practical tools to overcome his stuttering and dislike of public speaking.

Whether you are in search of a miracle or practical tools, I encourage you today go to my website: www.LeslieMcNulty.com. We are here to help you, and have made tools available to you that can change your life!

One afternoon a young Russian man by the name of Ildus approached the platform in one of our outdoor events. This young man was so excited he could hardly wait to tell others what God had done for him. I was speaking when Ildus decided it was time to share his story. Ildus was so full of joy! He was pointing at his heart as if to say, “I am not alone—something has happened in my heart!”

Just as Ildus opened his mouth to speak, my husband arrived at the meeting. This young man was now grunting into the microphone pointing at his heart. I remember my husband looking at me as if to say, why is this guy on the platform? He’s not normal and he can’t speak!

Have you ever felt rejected because you are different? Or because you lack skills that other people seem to come by easily? I know that Ildus felt all alone and had little to live for. He’d been rejected by his family and was living on the streets; rummaging through garbage and wandering around aimlessly. In fact, one of our team members had just taken him into his own home.

The next evening, as my husband was speaking, Ildus once again approached the platform.  Several of us were attempting to get my husband’s attention, because something very different was about to unfold!  Kevin kept telling them not to give Ildus the mic, but finally we prevailed.  When Ildus took the microphone, he began to speak in perfect Russian!  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card to show the audience. We were shocked to learn that it was his special medical ID, and that he was classified as having the most severe level of mental retardation!

He looked at the crowd and said, “You know me, I am the guy that begs from the trash cans—but something happened to me last night! Jesus came into my room while I was sleeping and put His finger on my forehead and on my tongue. For the first time in my life the fog has cleared from my mind! For the first time in my life I can think and speak clearly!”

Regardless of your situation, today you can rise above whatever holds you back and discover that you have a friend with God. He will come to you today and reconcile what distresses you. Just say these simple words with me, “Come into my life, Lord, and release me from the fear that holds me back. Like Ildus, heal my heart and touch my mind.”  If you would like more information on miracles, please contact us today. We are waiting to hear from you! http://bit.ly/1gmsroF