There's Plenty For You

Several years ago, Cassandra, my daughter, asked me, "Can  you get me some yarn, Daddy?"  My immediate response was, "Sure honey." 

A couple of hours later she said, "Thank you Daddy."  I said, "What for?" 

Cassandra said, "For getting me the yarn."  I said, "But I've not gotten it for you yet!"  She said, "I know  you will."

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9:8, "God is able to make ALL grace abound toward you, that you, ALWAYS having ALL sufficiency in ALL things, may have an ABUNDANCE for every good work."  Do you notice the ALLs?  Knowing our natural tendency to doubt and worry, God wanted to make sure we understand that we're fully covered.  Like my daughter Cassandra, He wants us to have peaceful confidence that our Father in heaven will take good care of us.  He wants to supply for us in ABUNDANCE!  Why?

Verse 10 says, "He who supplies SEED to the SOWER (that's you); and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness."  Friend, God's primary purpose is to bless you so that YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.  I'm here to remind you that YOUR GOD has not forgotten you.  He recalls every time you stretched yourself to help someone else.  He remembers and keeps record of your giving to help others and expand God's Kingdom.  He remembers the encouragement you gave to people when you were down yourself.  He sees your consistency to be a blessing.

With the ongoing economic crisis around the world and the rising cost of living, it is easy to feel overwhelmed about how we're going to make ends meet.  I know too many people right now who are worried about making their house payments, car payments or their children's education.

Friends, I have good news for you. You need to realize that your job is not your source.  Our business or the strength of our economy is not our source. God who made the streets of heaven with gold is our Source.  He decorated the universe with sparkling stars.  He clothes the fields with beautiful flowers.  He feeds the birds.  Do you think He will run out of resources to meet your need?  No.  He has plenty for you, and lots left over so you can share with others.

You say, "Sandy, you're just getting my hopes up.  Clearly there's a recession.”  You're right.  I am getting your hopes up.  The Bible says, "Without faith (hope) it is impossible to please God."  So what can you do to tap into God's abundance for you?

1.  Keep your heart clean.  Get rid of any toxin in your life.  Don’t allow any resident sin big or small, to control  you.  If you’re in doubt, ask the Holy Spirit.  He loves to guide us into all truth.

2.  Change your thinking.  Your thinking has everything to do with the quality of life you'll live.  If you have a mediocre, barely-get-by mind set, you'll live a mediocre life.

3.  Turn up your expectation.  God will meet us at the level of our expectation.   Expect something specific and something good.  God loves to see you putting your confidence in Him!

4.   Sow in famine.  In Genesis 26 you'll read how Isaac sowed in famine AND reaped a hundredfold.   Friend, God is not "after your wallet."  When He says “give”, He's saying, “Tap into My abundant supply.”

5.  Focus on increase not conservation.  In a time of not enough, it is easy to get caught up in holding onto things, especially our finances.  But if we do that, we become like the Dead Sea where no living creatures can live. If you become a conduit God will make you very prosperous.

Friend, God has 1001 ways to meet your needs.  There's plenty for you.  Will you put your quiet confidence in God and thank Him for taking care of you today?  I am praying for you!

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