I Wish I Had Known…

It was one of those mornings. My plan was to piddle around the house, catching up on cleaning. Knowing this, I brushed my teeth, washed my face and changed into comfy lounge pants and a t-shirt. I pulled my hair up in a bun and I was done. I wouldn’t see anyone today, therefore there was no need for make-up and all that stuff.

In a short time, I was on my back porch, sweeping. I walked back in the house to find a message from someone letting me know they were on their way to my house to take care of a few things I had requested. Geez. Now what?

They were ten minutes away. I could rush around, change clothes and become presentable. Or I could laugh and go about my day. I chose the latter.
That day, several people came to my house, all for different reasons. I just laughed. A few years ago, that would have really stressed me out. But I have learned a few things. And, I have come to a place of peace in my life and my surroundings. I won’t allow just anything to pull me out of that place.

So, they saw me without make-up, they will survive. And so will I.

I have learned to not let a five-minute challenge ruin my entire day. I have learned to laugh things off. I have learned to find humor in myself. I have learned what used to be a big deal is just a passing moment. And I have learned to relax.

People are often so uptight these days. They let little things ruin their day, even their week. Why? What is the purpose or the fruit in that?
One day this week, a UPS truck pulled out in front of me. I almost hit him. And it was his fault. I didn’t blast my horn at him, I just stopped. When I looked at him, he had the biggest grin on his face. He waved and said, “SORRY!” I smiled and waved back. It was not that dramatic, no need for drama. If I stay in peace and he stays in peace, the world is a better place for a moment.

In this day and time, we have road rage. Political rage. Gender rage. So much anger in the world, but friend, we can change that. How? By refusing to be a part of it. By refusing to let it get inside us. By staying in peace, regardless of what is going on around us.

So, what do I wish I knew?

I wish I knew when I was younger, what I know now.

I wish I knew to laugh at my own mistakes. To not take myself so seriously. I wish I knew then that laughter is good medicine.

I wish I knew not to dwell on the challenging stuff, but to keep my eyes firmly on God. I wish I knew then that my God would keep me in perfect peace, if I keep my eyes and mind on Him. I wish I had refused to allow a short-term challenge to affect my entire day.

I wish I realized when people are being unkind, most of the time, they are hurting. I wish I knew that, and I wish I would have been more kind and less defensive.

I wish I knew I did not need all the answers today. To instead, just keep walking and keep trusting God. I wish I had known all that. But I didn’t.

Today, I know more than I did back then. Thank God! For that reason, I didn’t rush to the bathroom, and hastily put on make-up. I didn’t become anxious because I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t make them feel unwelcome, or like they were messing up my plan. Instead, I put a big smile on my face and said, “come on in, so nice of you to come by today.”

Now, I know I said I wish I knew more back then, and that is true. But more than that, I thank God for the place He has brought me to today. A place of confidence. A resting place. A place of peace and a place of laughter. A place of genuine kindness and mercy. For that I am thankful.

Meditate on this:
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Col. 3:2

The Bible never ceases to amaze me. I can’t count how many times I have read through my Bible, yet each time I pick it up, I read something new. If you don’t read your Bible daily, you are really missing something.

Listening to preaching is good. But there is nothing, absolutely nothing, like reading your Bible and allowing God to reveal His word to you.
This morning I was reading through the book of Ephesians. I have read it many, many times. Still, I came across something that stopped me in my tracks.

Ephesians 4:17-18 says; This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

The first thing that caught my attention was; having their understanding darkened.

This means covered in darkness, deprived of light.

The second thing that jumped out at me was; being alienated from the life of God.

This means to be apart from the Zoe life of God, from absolute fullness of life, fullness of God.

As I read this, I began to pray. I prayed, “God, I thank you that my understanding is not darkened, and I am not alienated from the life of God.”
Upon re-reading this passage I saw a reference to Romans 1:21, I just had to check it out.

It says; Because they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

These people knew God. They had seen the mighty acts of God. Still yet, they didn’t glorify God and they were not thankful. They didn’t give God the praise He deserved. They were not thankful for anything God had done for them.

Because of this truth, there were separated from the Zoe life of God, the absolute fullness of the life of God. Their understanding was darkened, and their hearts were blind.

A blinded heart is one covered in darkness. One deprived of light. It is callous and hard. The perception of this type of heart is dulled and its discernment is obstructed.

I love scripture! God tells us exactly how to avoid this! How to avoid a blind heart and darkened understanding. How to avoid a life separated from the fullness of life in God. We must simply remember to always, without fail, give God glory and praise.

We must also remember to be thankful for all God does for us. Not only the big things, but the little things too. I thank God that I wake up each morning. I thank God all throughout my day – I choose to live my life with a heart of thanksgiving! I hope you do too.

Remember, the children of Israel were kept out of the Promise Land because of their complaining and murmuring. Had they been thankful, had they glorified God, they could have entered into their promises.

Today, is complaining and murmuring keeping you from your promises? Or are you thankful? Do you glorify God on a daily basis?

Friends, none of us, who belong to God, should have a darkened understanding or a calloused heart. We are children of the light. We should walk in the light as Jesus is our light. Let’s ensure our hearts stay right before the Lord. Let’s determine to live a life filled with thanksgiving. Let’s live a life that brings glory to God. Amen!!!

Meditate on this:
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89:15

In this fast-paced world we live in today, no one wants to wait. Everyone wants everything done immediately. Unfortunately, that is not how God works most of the time.

Last week, in my quiet time with God, I was praying about a matter. It is something I have been wanting to move forward on, but I have felt a very small whisper of God urging me to wait…just wait a bit longer.

I really want to get things moving, my flesh is ready and prepared to move forward. Yet I have this still small voice bidding me to wait. It’s not a loud command, almost a suggestion or a recommendation.

As I was praying about it, I heard Kelita’s voice. She was speaking something to me that she had text me the day before. It was a simple comment. In my heart, I heard her say, “waiting was in our favor.”

You see Kelita had been waiting on a manifestation of monies coming to her for almost four years. Through those years she, at times, she became frustrated that it was taking so long. However, in the end, her response was; waiting was in our favor.

I knew God was telling me it would be better for me if I wait. It’s not that I must wait, only that it would be better for me if I did. Aha.
With this new understanding, I decided to look through the word of God and see what God had to say about those who wait. I want to share those scriptures with you.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. Amplified Bible Lam. 3:25

Therefore, the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18

And therefore, the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore, He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Amplified Isaiah 30:18

Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him. Isaiah 64:4

Wow! Those who wait on God are; Strengthened. He is GOOD to those who wait on Him. They are empowered to prosper who wait on Him, and they shall inherit the land.

Those are great promises for those who wait.

I found the definitions of wait interesting as well. In most scripture the word ‘wait’ means; to wait or to adhere to. However, in a couple of the scriptures it is defined; to twist in pain, writhe in pain, tarry in travail, continue trusting, become wounded.

I have certainly felt the latter definition.

When I was looking for a vehicle after selling mine, I felt this kind of wait. Each time I found a vehicle I thought would work, I would feel God nudge me to wait.

That was fine the first few weeks, but after going without a vehicle for a month it was becoming difficult. I was twisting in frustration. I was tarrying in travail. However, in the end, just as with Kelita, waiting was in my favor. I thank God I waited on Him and His plan.

It’s easy to take things in our own hands and attempt to do it in our own strength. And yes, we can do that. I have done that. But I have learned, it is always better to wait on God. His plan is so much better than our plan. His ways are higher than our ways. If He is telling you to wait, or if you have no choice but wait. Simply wait. It will turn for your favor. It did for me. It did for Kelita. And I am certain waiting will be in my favor in this current situation as well.

Waiting is not easy. It would be much easier for me to take this matter into my hands and move forward. But I know God’s way is better. I can’t see it at the moment, but I trust Him. He has proven Himself faithful to me over and again, therefore I wait.

Wait upon the Lord, my friend. His way is better.

Meditate on this:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

From the Archives……
Humility Never Questions God –

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

There are a few subjects I can’t seem to move past lately, humility is one of them.

Last week, a phrase continually came to mind concerning humility. It was humility obeys without question or delay.

I began to search out scriptures that tied humility to obedience. I want to share a couple with you today.

1 Peter 5:5 says; In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Psalm 25:9 says; He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

I see from scripture that humility has a lot to do with submission. To be humble before God means we submit ourselves to His word, His correction and His direction. In other words, when God gives us a command or tells us something to do, we do it, without question or delay.

Only pride would question God. Only pride would think our way is better than His. And pride, as you know, goes before a fall.

As we see in Psalm 25, it is the humble who is guided by God. It is the humble who is taught by God.

I don’t know about you, but for me, this simplifies humility. Humility is simply allowing God to teach us and guide us. Humility is obeying God and His word without question or delay. May we walk humbly before God every day of our life.

You may recall I shared with you something a pastor friend wrote to me. He wrote, stay under the shadow of humility, not near the edge, but deep in the center, because God is going to lift you up and it is your humility that will keep you grounded in Jesus.

I began to ask the Lord why He was speaking to me so much about humility.

The Lord showed me, just as my friend had written, the time of exaltation of God’s people has come. It is here. Many of God’s people are being exalted, lifted up in Him. They will be lifted up in finances. In ministry. In places of government. A lifting up is taking place. Remember, the word of God says if we humble ourselves before God, He will lift us up. That time is here, it is here now.

God showed me that we must be rooted and grounded in His word and in humility. It is the humility that will keep us grounded as He lifts us up.
Most people do not fall when things are challenging for them. That is usually the time when they are closest to God and seeking Him most diligently. Most people fall when things are going great for them. When they have been lifted up in finances, in ministry, in politics, or whatever area they have sought God in. The danger comes when the lifting up occurs. However, if we stay humble before God, He will keep us.
The good news is God is teaching us true humility before the release of the exaltation. The other good news is…it is here. The time of God exalting His people has come. Remain humble. Remain submitted to God and His word.

I want to end today with a verse from John 15:4; “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Abiding is vital. Listen for His voice. Be quick to obey His voice. Obey without delay. Obey without question. Don’t look to anything else but God and His word. Remember, it is humility that will keep you grounded in Jesus. Remain in Him. Abide in Him, as you do, humility will abide in you.

Meditate on this:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

I want to share a word with you today from Judy Jacobs. I know Judy personally, and I trust her walk with God. Furthermore, it goes right along with what I am hearing from God for this hour, this season, these next few months…I hope this word is a blessing to you today.

The Lord of Heaven’s Host says to you today:

“My Holy Spirit is coming to you. I am coming to recharge and revitalize your inner man. I have seen your weariness and your struggles, and I understand them, for I have felt them, just as you are feeling them even now!

“I am releasing My Shekinah glory over you. My Shekinah glory is the same glory that descended on the temple that My servant Solomon built, when the glory was so strong that even My ministers could not minister. My glory is coming upon you just like in the day of Pentecost, when My Spirit fell and they all spoke with tongues and fire sat on each of them.”

The Spirit says, “Charge! Charge! Charge! Be charged and BE RECHARGED in your mind. Be recharged in those things that have held you captive in your thoughts and dreams. Be recharged in the things that have held you captured in believing Me for the great and the mighty.

“I am reprogramming your mind to think My thoughts. I am rearranging the pattern of your memory to reorganize you into thinking the patterns of My Word. Remember My Word: ‘…Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.’ I declare a recharge! Recharge, RECHARGE!

“Be also recharged in your body. My hand is upon you right now to give you healing in your body. I am still the God that heals you! It is My will that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. I watch over My Word to perform it, and I am performing My Word over you to bring healing and deliverance,” says the Lord.

“This sickness is a sickness that IS NOT TO DEATH! For I am raising you up to walk in the newness of life! Just like I raised My friend Lazarus from the grave, I am raising you from the grave of this sickness in your body! I am raising you to a RECHARGE!

“The vitality of My Holy Spirit is coming on you to make you run and not grow weary; to walk and not faint. You will feel supercharged in your body. Again I say, charge and recharge!

“In your family, I declare to you today: The family was My idea from the beginning. I made you all in My image. You look just like Me. I am doing a new thing in you all. My Spirit is taking you back to the season of joy and peace, as in the beginning. For some of you, it will be a new beginning that I will place in your lives, homes, and relationships.

“Take My joy today! My joy is a joy that is long lasting and genuine. The happiness that the world offers is temporary and ‘plastic,’ but the joy that I give is a wonderful reality. It is a joy that the world didn’t give to you, and the world can’t take it away!

“Trust Me in this season of your life. I am doing a great work, a mighty work, a powerful work, and a lasting work. I am RE-CHARGING your family structure, and when I finish, nothing will be, look, seem, sound, and feel the same,” says the Lord of Hosts!

The Lord says, “My will and My purpose will prevail over all others. I will have My perfect will in this matter, and you will look back on this day and declare, ‘The hand of the Lord has wrought this!’

“My battery is an EVERLASTING BATTERY! There is no shortage to My power that surges through this battery,” says the Living God. “There is no need to worry about what will happen in the midnight hour, when all the light is gone. I will be the light to SUPERCHARGE your path!
“There is no need to worry if your battery will fail when you are needing it to take you forward, for I am RECHARGING your battery. I am recharging your battery to climb the steep hills and go through the low valleys of rough places and crevices—places that you will plow through with ease,” says God.

“There is no need to be consumed with whether or not this battery will last through the heat or through the cold. I will comfort and strengthen you in the coldest of storms and winters that come through your life. I will gather you under My wings and hide you in My secret place.

“The heat may be overbearing at times. It may feel as if you will be consumed. But, My breath of freshness will blow on you, giving fresh perspective and fresh insight into My plans,” says the Lord. “You will walk out of your darkness, coldness, valley, and extreme heat; you will walk out RECHARGED with My precious Holy Spirit.

“I am coming now to REV UP your supernatural engine of endurance, perseverance, and well-being! Lean on Me and trust Me,” says God. “Right now, I am standing over Heaven’s balcony, sending reinforcements of ‘RECHARGE’ for you. Can’t you feel it? Can’t you sense it? It is coming on you and strengthening your feeble hands and weak knees. Your smile is coming back; your courage is growing stronger, and your faith is flexing!

“All that is left to do is to thank Me. With expectation, lift up your eyes and heart, believe My Word, and you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

“I am not just making you survive. I am causing you to THRIVE!

“Go in My victory, My glory, and My promise! Your latter will be greater than your former. Everyone who hears of your RECHARGE will want it. You will be able to lay hands on them and infuse My supernatural deliverance to them.

“Many will say to you, ‘What happened to you?’ And you will say, ‘It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!’

“Go in My victory! Go in My authority! Be refreshed, be renewed, and be recharged,” says the Almighty One.

Amen! Get ready, get set, C-H-A-R-G-E…TO BE RECHARGED! Hallelujah.

Meditate on this:
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1

I do not know why God has me in this vein of teaching this week, but He does. It seems to me that He desires to set us up for a blessing. To that I say, “so be it Lord.”

I was sitting in Bryson, my grandson’s room, a few days ago helping his Mom organize his room. This is one of my gifts, I love to organize, and I am quite good at it. Therefore, when Breanne is overwhelmed, she calls Mom.

So, I was going through Bryson’s stuff and organizing it. Every few minutes I would open a card or look through a basket and I would find money. I found wallets or coin holders where he had stuffed his money away, and obviously forgot about it. I began taking the money I was finding and stacking it up on his bed until I was done.

When I was finally finished with his room, I took his stash and placed it in his wallet. I said “Bryson, do you know how much money you have?” He said “no.” When I told him the amount, he was shocked. As was I.

What amazes me even more, is since that day, if he spends money for something, more money comes into his hands. Every single time!

This boy always has money. I don’t know how. But he does. He never asks for money from me or his Mom, but he always has money.

I was thinking about this today when God reminded me of some things.

Several years ago, I was at work, when Bryson came in. He came to my office and handed me something. He said, “here, Nana, this is for the ministry.” I looked down and saw two quarters, a dime and a nickel.

I prayed over it and deposited it into our account.

That same year, he cleaned out his piggy bank several times and took the money to his school to donate when they were doing fundraisers.

One day I took him to get a snow cone, he tipped the lady $5 for a $2 snow cone!

God was reminding me of all this.

During that season, every time we would go in a store, if they had a box for charity, he would put all his money into it.

One day, the Lord said to me, “he doesn’t realize it, but he is sowing into his future.”

God was compelling Bryson to give. Bryson was not giving to get a return, that thought never entered his mind, he was simply giving because he had a heart to give.

I read a scripture the other day in the book of Exodus that said the people gave as their hearts were stirred to give. I just love that! God stirred their hearts to give and they happily gave. Just as Bryson was doing.

Bryson was seven years old when he began to give excessively. He is now 13. He is still a giver. But now, he has also become a reaper.

As I thought on all this today, I thought about many of you. Do you realize with each seed you sow; you are sowing into your future?

You are! Every seed you sow will produce a harvest, never doubt it. Instead know that you are sowing into your future with every seed sown.

I pray this is the year you begin to see the harvest you have been sowing into. Before this year ends. I am telling you again, God is not finished with this year – hold steady!

My prayer for you today is this; May God continue to bless every seed you have sown. May He give seed to the sower and multiply the seed you have sown. May He water your seed today and hasten His word to perform all He has promised you concerning your giving. And finally, may a harvest unlike anything you have ever imagined manifest in your life this year. This we declare in Jesus name.

We pray for you daily and ask God to send you a lifetime of harvest for your faithfulness to Him.

Meditate on this:
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7

While I was studying over the weekend, I came across a scripture. As I read it, I felt the Lord wanted me to share it with you today – I believe this is a word for someone, if not for many of you.

The scripture is found in Genesis 41:52 and it says;

And the second he called Ephraim [to be fruitful], For [he said] God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

I love this scripture! God will cause us to be fruitful in the land of our affliction. In the very place the attack came.

Fruitful – That means, He will cause you and I to produce fruit in that area.

Today, you may find yourself in the land of affliction. Your affliction may be a health issue. It may be finances. It may be wayward children. It is different for all of us. Whatever it is, I believe God is saying to you today… “I will cause you to be fruitful in this place.”

One translation says God will cause us to be fruitful and successful in the very area we are afflicted in. Isn’t that good news!?!
What then does that mean for us?

It means if we have been afflicted with sickness. God will not only heal our bodies, as He promised, but He will anoint us to lay hands on the sick and bring healing to them as well.

It means if you have been afflicted with lack. God will turn the lack into abundance and give you an anointing to break lack off others around you.
Psalm 66:12 says; We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.

Gods plan is to bring us out better than we went in. To bring us out more into more abundance than we can imagine. His plan for us is a good plan. Our part is to keep moving forward and continue trusting His plan.

I do not know who this message is for today but this I do know. It is for someone. God is going to cause you to be successful AND fruitful in the land of your affliction.

Isaiah 61:7 says; For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore, in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

Here we see it again….in their land.

Friend, I know it has not been easy. I know you have felt afflicted. You may have even felt God has left you. You wonder why He is allowing this. Those are questions I can’t answer. But this I do know for a truth. He will cause you to be fruitful in the very place you have been afflicted. He will give you double for your shame. You will possess double if you hold on and EVERLASTING JOY will be yours! Joy unspeakable and full of glory!

God cannot and does not lie – trust Him – He will do what He said He would do. You shall be fruitful in the land of your affliction. Praise the Lord God Almighty!

Meditate on this:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you— yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand! Isaiah 41:10

One day last week I received a notification of a donation through my email. As my eyes glanced over the email, something caught my attention. It was not the amount that caught my attention, it was the notes on the donation.

The note said; Sowing Seed for Finishing this Year Strong!

It caught my attention because it is something God has been talking to me about for a couple weeks. Finishing this year strong.

Hebrews 3:14 says; For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

That word, steadfast, means to forcibly hold in place.

The Amplified Bible says it this way; For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation, firm and unshaken to the end.

Do you remember that excited anticipation you had at the beginning of this year? It was a new year! A new beginning. God had declared it a year of abundant harvest, excitement was in the air.

If you are like me, you made a new vision board. You gathered scriptures to declare over yourself and your family this year – and with anticipation we pressed forward.

Then life happened. We took a few hard hits. A few delays. A few months of it looking like anything but abundant harvest. We become weary and we begin to let go.

Or perhaps you have seen some prayers answered this year and you think that is it for the year. It is not! You can finish this year at a stronger place than you are right now this moment. How? Hold your original expectation and assurance…firmly to the end of the year.

Refuse to be shaken. Remove to move off the promise. Hold steady.

My friend sowed her seed, and in doing so reminded me. I want a strong finish this year. If that is what I want, it is up to me to continue to trust and stand firm on God’s promise.

God created the entire world in less than a week, He can certainly turn your situation around in two and a half months. Nothing is impossible for God. And all things are possible to him who believes.

Personally, at this time of year, I begin thinking holidays and Christmas and get togethers. Not so this year – I am going to keep my focus on God and His promises. I am going to see more prayers answered in the next two months than I have seen in the past 10 months – how about you?
My friend, don’t lay down your sword just yet. Stand firm. Hold steady. When you have done all you know to do…stand, and then continue standing. Hold your confidence steadfast to the very end.

Meditate on this:
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the only thing. Albert Schweitzer said this, and I couldn’t agree more.

One recent afternoon, I arrived home from the grocery store. I was loading up my arms to carry everything in with as few trips as possible. It’s odd, but this has always been my way. Instead of making ten comfortable trips, I make five, totally weighted down trips. My daughter does the same thing, as does my Mom.

There hasn’t been a time in several years that I have carried in groceries this way and not thought about Brailee.

Even today, as I went up the steps, arms loaded down, I was taken back to a few years ago. Again, I saw the image of little Brailee at five-years old.

You see, she, her mom and I had gone grocery shopping. We were carrying in my groceries before we took Bre’s to her house. I had just deposited a load in my kitchen and was headed back to the garage for another load. I looked up and in comes little Brailee, arms loaded down. She had three bags in each arm, I don’t even know how she was carrying it.

I looked down at her and said, “honey!” “What?!” She asked, “This is the way you and Mom do it.”

Today, as this image came back to my mind, the Lord quietly and gently spoke to me.

He said, “did you know if your kids see you carrying baggage, they will carry baggage too?”

Ouch!

As I pondered on the words of the Lord and this truth, He continued to reveal more to me. I was reminded that kids learn much more by example than by words.

Talk is cheap, our walk should follow our talk in all things. Kids may hear us say one thing, but they will mimic what they see us do. Our action or our example speaks louder than our words.

If your children see you carrying baggage, they will often carry baggage too. However, if your children see you taking your burdens to God, then they will learn a better way.

If your children see you yelling and screaming at each other, this is what they will mirror. However, if they see you sitting down, praying together and working things out in peace, they will grow up thinking that is the way it should be done.

This truth doesn’t only apply to children.

Pastors, your flock will handle things much like they see their leadership handle them.

Friends, if you’re are in the midst of a trial or challenge and you panic and start speaking negatively, those around you will do the same. However, if you stand firm, stay in peace and speak only what the word of God says, they will follow your example.

1 Corinthians 11:1 says; imitate me as I imitate Christ.

How much more peaceful and powerful would this world be if we all imitated Christ? Then those around us would imitated us, as we imitate Christ? What a powerful world that would be!

Jesus Himself said; “I only do what I see my Father do.”

Our actions are important. The example we portray is vital. Choose daily to be a good example to those around you. And remember, your children, your family and your friends are watching what you do, much more than what you say.

We owe it to those around us to be a godly example to follow. Let’s not teach those we love to carry baggage. Let’s not display anger or bitterness or unforgiveness. Instead let’s teach others to lay their burdens at Jesus’ feet. Let’s emulate love and forgiveness and mercy. Let’s choose to always see the best in others…let’s be an example worthy of following. Follow me…only as I follow HIM.

Meditate on this:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Hebrews 11. Actually, it is a favorite of many.

Hebrews 11:6 says; But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJ)

I know many people who believe God is God but don’t necessarily believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I also know people who say they have done this or that, according to the Bible, and it didn’t work for them.

As we are entering into a new year on God’s calendar, I have been meditating on these truths. While thinking along these lines today, I heard a statement in my heart.

It was this; your motive will determine your harvest.

The more I serve God, the more I seek God, the more I find that everything, or at least almost everything is a heart matter.

It is out of the abundance of the heart that we speak. It is what we speak that creates our world around us, just as God created this world, therefore it all goes back to the heart and the motives of the heart.

I began to ask myself some questions such as; why do I tithe and give? Why do I read the word of God? Why do I worship God? What exactly is my motive?

Am I giving to get? The Bible plainly tells me if I give that I will receive, but is that my motive?

I give for a few reasons, the number one reason I give money or tithe is to honor God. He gave me everything I have. It is not that God owes me something for my giving – it was His to begin with. Yet the biblical truth remains; if I give, I shall receive. That being said, if my motive determines my harvest, I have to first of all make sure my heart is right.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says in the Amplified Bible: Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

We see in this scripture that we are to give from the heart – it is a heart matter to God.

The Bible promises us a reward, this much is true. The reward comes from our motive, our desire to please Him.

Let’s look again at this scripture in Hebrews 11: But without faith it is impossible to please Him…

You see, it all comes from our desire to please Him. And that, my friend, begins in the heart.

May this year be a year where our motive and our priority is to please God in everything we do. May it be our desire to please God in our finances. May it be our desire to please God in word and deed. May our desire be to please God in the way we treat people. May it be our desire to please God in the way we spend our time.

May our priority this year be cultivating a heart that is pleasing to God. As our hearts become pleasing to God, may our reward manifest in the coming year.

Meditate on this:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21