What’s Your Motive?

Most of us have heard the saying do what you like and the money will follow. Is this always the case? Sometimes it is and sometimes it’s not. The reasons it is not may vary. I don't like to use the word failure so what I will say is the flow of income expected when you are doing what you like may not come because of timing, location, marketing, possibly your effort, or lack thereof, or various other reasons. If the money does not follow then you must ask yourself am I doing this for the money or because I enjoy it, then remind yourself that what you are doing is your dream, passion, mission, or  assignment.

 

Let's face it. We all need a certain income to survive, but when we are diligently working towards doing what God has created us to do our income may vary based on our calling. God is however more than able to make the income that He provides not only sufficient to supply our needs, but also to supply our wants. Remember how Jesus multiplied 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread? He fed thousands and still had baskets full of leftovers.

 

Just as each part of our physical body is different and has a different function so goes our roles in the body of Christ. Some of us may be in positions that prosper greatly financially based on the gifts God has placed in us and our willingness to use them for His Kingdom, while others may not prosper as much financially but are just as important as any other part of the body. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:14-16 for the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

 

It is Gods desire that we all prosper and be in health even as our souls prospers. Prosperity is not just financial, it refers to your total wellbeing as well as your relationship with Christ and other people.

 

Don't focus on the money. Maybe it will come in abundance and maybe it will not, but For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Use your gifts, do what you enjoy!

 

Your reward comes from God as you follow His directives. The gifts He has placed in you are for His glory and the edification of the body. You may say I'm not a Pastor, teacher, or worship leader. Perhaps you are not, but you are still a witness. Whatever your vocation you are to let His light so shine through you that men are drawn unto Him. That is the greatest reward, and far outweighs any financial reward, and guess what? While you are taking care of His business, He will take care of yours.

Trust in God

A few years ago I had knee surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus, injuries usually associated with athletes. I however injured my knee while bowling, certainly not what I would ever have expected.  My rehabilitation included four weeks without putting any weight on my knee. Although I had crutches I actually found the easiest way to get around my home was in my wheeled office chair. My chair enabled me to move from room to room with the ability to carry things which I could not do while using crutches.

After four weeks of not bearing any weight on my knee which also meant not placing weight on my foot, I was able to place a small amount of weight on my knee. During this entire time I was undergoing physical therapy to work on range of motion and strengthening exercises.

When I was finally able to bear the entire weight of my body on my knee I was afraid. The doctor said I no longer needed the crutches and for me to walk without them. After not bearing any weight and gradually adding weight I did not feel comfortable without the crutches that I had become accustomed to using. I actually thought if I put my weight on my knee I would fall.

After a few minutes I stood without the crutches and walked without any problems. It felt strange, like I was learning to walk for the first time. Initially I was apprehensive but quickly became confident in my ability to stand and walk.

Sometimes we have the same experience with our faith. We stand strong in our faith until it’s tested. Before my knee was injured I walked, ran, jumped and bowled never giving any thought to how my body weight was being supported. After I was injured I was afraid to trust in what I previously had never given a second thought.

How has your faith been tested? How have you responded to the test? God allows certain things to occur in our lives to increase our trust in Him. He wants us to be in a position where we trust in Him before we think. The fiery darts however that the enemy uses to attack our mind are used to place doubt in Gods ability to do what He says He will do. The enemy wants us to think first, wonder if God can or will do what He has already promised He will do, try and figure out how He is going to do what He says He will do, then be on guard, watching and waiting for the manifestation of what we believe should happen. If we do not see the results we expect then the enemy tries to convince us that God is not with us, which is completely contrary to His word.

We read in Matthew 28:20 …and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Hebrews 13:5 reads… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. And finally Isaiah 55:11 reads so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

My mother had knee replacement surgery. During her rehabilitation she used a cane. She became dependent upon the cane and against her doctor’s advice continued to use her cane and never walked without it.

I could have been so afraid to put weight on my knee that I altered the way I walked placing more weight on the knee that did not have surgery but I didn’t. I chose to balance my weight on both knees.

Are you trusting fully in God, or are you leaning to your own understanding, as we are advised not to do in Proverbs 3:5, depending on your own abilities as a crutch, or safety net because you don’t have complete faith in God?

Just as I chose to place my full weight on my knee I place my full trust in God, the only sure and steady foundation.

Grasshopper or Giant?

We know the thief cometh not but for to steal to kill and to destroy but how does he do it? Oftentimes he uses us. That’s right. We can be our own worst enemies. We don’t have to wait for someone to tell us what we can’t do, how we will never succeed or that we will never change. Sometimes we beat them to it. We are already convinced that our dreams, visions, hopes or desires will never manifest. How does that happen?

One of the things that we do is compare ourselves with others. We don’t know anyone’s story but our own, yet we look at someone that is successful and think they must have a magic potion, great connections, are smarter than we are, have more resources than we have or are just plain lucky.

Well I can assure you there are no magic potions. Some people do have great connections but great connections without anything to back them will not result in success. All great and perfect gifs come from God. If He has given you an idea you are not any less smart than anyone else. Some people may have resources, financial or otherwise, but if you are a child of God your resources come from God and you have access to everything that He has. There is no need to mention luck because there is no such thing. Solomon said time and chance happen to us all. A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directed his steps.

In the Bible we read in the book of numbers the account of Moses sending men into the land of Canaan to spy out the land. They were to determine whether the people that dwelled in the land were strong, weak, few or many. They were also to determine whether the land was good or bad, whether the people lived in tents or strong holds as well as whether the land was fat or lean.

When they returned from their visit Caleb said let’s go and possess the land. Those that were with him said as we read in Numbers13:33 and there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Not only had they made a decision that they could not stand against the sons of Anak they even went on to say they saw themselves as grasshoppers, or unable to conquer because of their size in comparison to the sons of Anak. They even took it a step further and said they were also seen as grasshoppers in the sight of the sons on Anak.  They didn’t give themselves a chance, but they were right. Others will see you just as you see yourself based on the image you portray. Because they saw themselves as grasshoppers they would behave as grasshoppers therefore causing the sons of Anak to see them as grasshoppers.

How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as defeated before you even start? Are you willing to follow what God has placed in your heart or are you afraid you will fail? If God has given you a dream, vision or goal it is also God that will bring it to fruition as Joshua and Caleb told the children of Israel in Numbers 14:8-9 if the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

What God has started He is more than able to complete. He has placed what He has placed in you for a reason. You are the only that can do what He has called you to do. I’ve said this before. You may not be the only chef. But you are the only one that can create recipes and prepare them the way that you do. You may not be the only artist, baker, writer, or parent. But God has gifted you to reach a specific group that only you can reach that will receive what He has for them through you.

When you do not move forward in your gifting you are not saying you can’t do it you are saying God can’t do it because it is God that has given you the gift and God that will make it manifest. You are the vessel He has chosen to use. Count is as an honor and move forward. See yourself as more than a conqueror, a giant rather than a grasshopper, a success rather than a failure able to do all that God has created you to do.

 

 

 

Which One Are You?

Are you the one that has yielded yourself for God’s use and is willing to reach out to the lost, go into the highways and the byways, share His love and invitation to salvation? We read in Luke 14:23 and the Lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Are you allowing the light of God to shine through you so that men and women are drawn unto Him? Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

We cannot force Christ on anyone. He didn’t force Himself on us, but we can show His love to everyone just as He has shown His love to us, gently wooing us into a relationship with Him.

 

Or are you the one that He is trying to reach, the one to whom He has extended the invitation for salvation, to live a holy and righteous life, dedicating or rededicating your life to Him? The person that has ignored His invitation for one reason or another.

Perhaps you’re like the people we read about in the parable Jesus uses in Matthew chapter 22, when He invited guests to the marriage feast, or in our case an invitation is extended to come into the kingdom of God, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior, but we are too busy to accept his invitation.

Maybe you work on Sundays. There are churches that meet on different days of the week, there are churches that stream their services which enable access at your convenience.

What is your excuse? Do you think you have to clean up your life before coming to Christ? Well guess what? You can’t, but once you submit your will to His, He will, by the power of His Holy Spirit, provide you with the guidance and power you need to change what you cannot change on your own.

Unfortunately there are people that honestly don’t believe God loves them. This is a lie straight from the pit of Hell. One on the most quoted scriptures speaks to the contrary. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. If you are reading this blog you are a part of this world and one of those that He loved so much He gave the life of His only son. Who else do you know would be willing to do that for everyone in the world?

He didn’t do it because you earned it, or because you are worthy. He didn’t do it because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, or because you have a high IQ. He didn’t do it because He thought you were unlovable and no one else would care about you. He did it because He loves you.

Are you the one that is willing to serve, or are you the one that has not yet made that decision? If you are the one that has not yet made the decision, make it today. God has a brand new life for you once you decide to give your life to Him as we read in 2Corintinthians 5:17 therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Become the one that is willing to serve. Let Him change your life. You will never be the same. He will do exceeding abundantly more that you can ask or think.