Friends, if you are still feeling disappointed, or even discouraged from dashed expectations in 2004, let me encourage you. God is in complete control and He knows right where you are.

If you have been born again you are a child of Most High God and He wants to take care of you. Jesus said, “Take no thought for your life.” (Matthew 6:25) and “Be anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6)

God doesn’t want you to worry. He wants you to trust Him because He has a perfect plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) Yes, we are to plan our way but outcome is totally in God’s hands. (Proverbs 16:9)

Remember, discouragement is nothing more than dashed expectations. Don’t put too much expectation on anything or anyone. People and things are fallible. Only God is infallible. Trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding for He makes all things work together for your good according to His purpose for your life. (Proverbs 3:5, Romans 8:28)

Daniel N. Brown is the publisher of the "Living the Abundant and Prosperous Christian Life" Newsletter. A free weekly publication that teaches people how to live the abundant and prosperous Christian life. Receieve a free copy of Dan's 14 page report entitled, "5 Biblical Keys to Outrageous Prosperity," when you sign up. www.secretplaceonline.com

To focus on anything other than what is good or to focus on physical world as Source of anything is only true sin. The other main message is that guilt will block your spiritual connection so that your prayers will not be answered, and you should do whatever it takes to relieve your guilt, which may be as simple as giving it up. "Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more."

There is strong wisdom in concept of controlling your desires, however, since spending all of your time with them will prevent you from doing good work for others. This is another message in phrase from book of James about motive. When you are trying to serve others, you receive more freely, but when you are only out for yourself, you will not receive freely.

I like Wayne Dyer's explanation of this. If you are constantly asking universe (God) "what can you give me?", universe will constantly ask you what can you give. But if you are constantly asking universe "what can I give?", then universe will constantly be giving to you. Some people call this karma or Law of Cause and Effect. I see this as Power of Spirit simply magnifying focus of your mind.

On practical side, it works like this. When someone comes up to you with an attitude of trying to sell you something so they can take your money, you will push them away quickly without looking at what they have. But if someone else comes up to you with obvious interest in helping you get what you want, you will look and possibly purchase what they have, even though it may be same thing.

This is why commercial advertising and marketing is starting to take radical shifts to a more personal approach. It simply works better. If you've ever worked as a salesperson, you may have noticed that when you are focused on trying to help people, you sell more. But if you are focused on making your commissions, sales elude you.