Want to Have Real Success This Year?
Gary Keesee • January 14, 2020
You can have real financial success this year.
I’ll never be out of debt.
I’ll be paying bills for the rest of my life.
I don’t even know where to start trying to get out of debt.
Do any of those statements sound like you? Have you spoken words like that or thought that way about your financial situation?
It’s easy to talk and think that way when you’re facing what looks like an impossible mountain of debt and have no solutions.
I’ve been there.
You’ve probably heard parts of my story. I made plenty of mistakes with money in the early years of marriage and raising a family. Sure, I worked hard, but I just couldn’t seem to get ahead. I soon found myself in a financial pit, owing on 10 maxed-out credit cards, three finance company loans, two car payments, back taxes to the IRS, judgments and liens, and $26,000 to relatives.
Drenda and I lived with our five children in a small, broken-down, 1800s farmhouse, complete with weeds growing through the broken windowpanes. We barely had money for food, let alone home repairs. Our cars were broken-down, too—with bent frames, rusted out floorboards, and more than 200,000 miles on each of them.
Our situation was so bad that… well, here’s an example:
One day, my mother-in-law called Drenda and asked how we were doing.
“We’re doing great, Mom,” she told her.
“Is that so?” her mother questioned. “Go to the refrigerator and open the door,” she instructed. “What do you see?”
With quivering lips, Drenda barely managed to sputter out the words as she choked back sobs, “An empty mayonnaise jar!”
It wasn’t as simple as us needing to do a run to the grocery store, friend. We lived that way for NINE VERY LONG YEARS—strapped financially, with our debts just piling up more and more year after year.
Just fixing our situation looked impossible; I had no hope for real success.
We knew we must have been missing something. We found out that when we get desperate enough to get serious with the Word of God, the answers are there all along. And that was when God revealed several life-changing things to us. To begin, He told me that we had always trusted in debt and the world’s system more than we had trusted in His Word and His Kingdom.
God said, “Take the time to learn how My Kingdom operates.”
He then told me, “Most of My church is in the same situation that you are … I want my people free financially.”
There’s so much more to our story, but we went from financial ruin to being completely debt free over the next two and a half years!
We had real success.
I can’t even describe how that feels. We went from looking like it was too late for us to ever get our finances in order to being able to pay cash for our cars and to build the house we had always dreamed of having.
Our lives drastically changed.
Ever since then, Drenda and I have been on a mission to help people all around the world experience the same financial freedom—the real success—that we experienced.
We want to help you be financially free too. We want you to have real success in your life.
No matter how bad your situation looks right now, it is fixable.
This can be your year.
2020 can truly be YOUR BEST YEAR YET.
Here’s the thing though: financial success doesn’t just happen.
You have some steps to take. It will take some work. There will be a price involved, and it may take you some time.
But I promise you it will be well worth it.
So, how do you get there? How do you move from where you are now to where you really want to go in 2020?
#1 – You have to learn what the Bible says about money, and you have to learn how to apply the financial principles of the Kingdom to your life.
You have to truly trust the One who made you, the One who created the earth, the One who has the power to prosper your finances, to build your business, to build your life, and to take you from being the tail and make you the head.
Colossians 1:12-14 says, “And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Do you see that? God already rescued YOU and brought YOU into the Kingdom of His Son—His Kingdom.
Here’s the thing: if you left your country to live in a new country and you never studied the laws of that new country, you would never know how to enact those laws—you would never stand for what was legally yours because you would still, in your mind, be living under the training and ways of the previous government.
Romans 12:2 tells us clearly: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
You have to renew your mind to the Word of God.
The Word of God tells you your legal rights as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. It’s the Word of God that trains your heart and renews your mind.
See, Jesus made your access to the Kingdom legal, yet most people read the stories in the Bible of what Jesus was able to do much like our ancestors viewed things like electricity and lightning—acknowledging that, yes, the events happened, but never envisioning the POWER of those things for themselves.
But Jesus said that the same things that we see Him doing, we have the ability to do as well.
The Kingdom of God has already been given to YOU. You just have to understand its laws.
We’ve heard SO MANY incredible stories of people whose lives have been dramatically changed once they gained an understanding of how the Kingdom of God operates and started implementing its principles in their lives. Our personal story is just one of thousands!
#2 – You have to make important practical decisions to change your financial future.
This can be YOUR YEAR, friend.
We can help.
We purposely put together a special package this month to help you take the steps today to build the life you want tomorrow—to make 2020 your best year yet.
It’s called the Start Your Year Right Bundle and includes two resources—my 9 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom: Your Interactive Guide to Living Debt Free book
and Drenda’s Setting Your Life Goals
teaching—have helped hundreds of people dramatically change their financial situations and their futures!
Don’t wait! Take your first step toward making 2020 your best year yet!
Request your copy of the Start Your Year Right Bundle now!
No matter your financial situation, you can have hope for this new year, friend.
God has so much more for you. You can take the steps today to build the life you want tomorrow.
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.
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.