Wishing well giver...I think not!

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. 4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

I find it interesting that the word waters in the passage refers to something that is moving…not standing still. How many times as a child did you enjoy throwing your coin into the “wishing” well. And look down and be able to see your coin laying there, glistening in the sun and it wasn’t going anywhere…ever! But let someone ask you to throw it into the river…and forget it! You’ll lose sight of it the moment you let go of it and who knows where it will turn up. But that’s exactly what God wants us to do! He wants us to sow into a ministry that’s moving, not to the stagnant safe waters. The sad truth is, if we sow into those still waters…all we will ever do is “wish” for a harvest. But who knows where you’ll be when you have need of that seed you had sown into that river…and find you’re in a place where it had been and look what washed up, just when you needed it most! In fact, one of the translations of the word find is to be secure. So to sow a seed now…even into moving waters…is to be secure later!


He that observeth the wind shall not sow;

One translation of that word “wind” is the seat of emotion and refers to desire, sorrow or trouble. So another words, he that observes his mind, will and emotions shall not sow. It all depends upon the sower’s mood and what the sower thinks and what the sower determines to be safe…right? Well, then, the sower thinks he is the source and not God! We need to be careful of attitudes like, “I’m having a bad day…why bother? God only loves a cheerful giver, right?” or “I’m on cloud nine. Things are real comfy here! Why change anything by giving up money that can cater to me later?” The bible clearly says that God gives seed to the sower. (2 Corinthians 9:10) There is no way the sower can ever produce the seed himself, let alone reap a harvest. The Word also says “So neither is he who plants is anything, nor he who waters but God who gives the increase! (1 Corinthians 3:7) So today, sow with your heart…not your head.

...and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

The word “regard” speaks of vision…to see, look at, inspect, perceive or to consider. And cloud here, actually is “becloud”…a word that refers to anything that will prevent clear perception or realization of something. So, read the latter part of verse 4 like this. He that looks at or allows the cloud of the current circumstance that prevents a clear perception or realization of the true picture God has for his life shall not reap. The truth of it is, a circumstance is nothing more than an incident…an occurrence that lasts only briefly and is of secondary importance. So I guess the real question is, why should we regard the clouds…these things that occur only briefly and can claim no real eternal stake in regard to the vision? Why should we settle for second best…what is secondary in importance compared to what really matters when it comes to God’s plan and desired outcome for us? Good question.

If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

There it shall be! What? The tree? No, your seed! In other words, you never know what the circumstance may be but if the clouds cover the earth and pour out the rain…your seed is in the ground to be watered. And if something you have been depending on falls short of what you expected, then thank God, your seed is in the ground…ready to produce yet another tree of provision.

Give! Give smiling! Give frowning! Give when you have much! Give when you nothing! Give because circumstances come and go but the only thing that remains is seed, time and harvest!

It's Bound to Happen!

I was sitting on my bed, the night before last and said to God, "I need a word from you." Earlier that day, I was sitting at my desk and I heard God say, "In the end it will speak and not lie." but at the time, I was in the midst of working and couldn't take the time to search it out. Thankfully, Father reminded me of those words, so off I went to the book of Habakkuk, chapter 2.

All last year, God spoke to me and prompted me to pray Deuteronomy 15:1-5...that at the end of the seventh year, God would make a release in the land...a debt release. Well, the end of the seventh year came and went and I hadn't seen the evidence of what I had been declaring and I began to ask God questions and began to feel particularly bad because "good Christians don't ask questions" right? Well, not so! God so mercifully took me to Habakkuk...the prophet who declared God's word and yet talked very plainly with God. He said this in verse 1-3...

[OH, I know, I have been rash to talk out plainly this way to God!] I will [in my thinking] stand upon my post of observation and station myself on the tower or fortress, and will watch to see what He will say within me and what answer I will make [as His mouthpiece] to the perplexities of my complaint against Him. (AMPLIFIED) 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (KJV)

I occurred to me when I read this that the words tarry & tarry couldn't possibly mean the same thing because God does not contradict himself. So I began to search them out.

-The first tarry means: 4102 Greek-to question or to interrogate, what?, how?, why?, when?

-The second tarry means: 309 Greek-to procrastinate, to put off doing something that should be done, to be idle.

And the word surely there means- bound to happen. And of course...inquiring minds want to know...what does happen really mean? By chance, opportunity, season!

So here's how Habakkuk 2:3 could read according to, once again, the Stacey Blubaugh translation. The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though you interrogate it, and question it with all your how? and why? and when?, wait for it: because it will surely come...it's bound to happen because time and chance happen to all men, it will not procrastinate because I do not put off doing anything that should be done!


Instantly God reminded me of something I had just seen on Study Light, (I think). The headline was "This election marks the end of the seventh year since 9-11." And then after I read what it means for something to happen..."by chance" reminded me of a scripture in Ecclesiastes that speaks of time and chance but I couldn't remember where. So I got my dinosaur of a concordance out and looked it up. Guess where it was found? Ecclesiastes 9:11. O.K! Can you spell REVIVAL? Right there...alone in my bedroom with God...what I had prayed for a year....what He has said would be...REVIVED!

And did I mention...we were just given a puppy...a gift, who was born on 9-11! Coincidence? No, that's the wrong spelling! Spell check won't detect it but I know it's spelled CONFIRMATION!

Oh of course...after SALLY envy and my short lived pity party...now I see it! But oh am I thankful to see it! We are at the end of the seventh year! We've already seen a debt release take place in the world...the big "bail out" but the world ain't got nothing on our God and can't hold a candle to what's about to be released to the church! Church...get ready...thou art loosed!

And here's a bonus for all those who like long winded! It's bound to happen! Matthew 18:18 says that what we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and what we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. And the amplified says it this way...that we cannot bind anything that hasn't already been bound in heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:15 says "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past." Did you hear that? You have every right to bind your circumstances to God’s provision! You have every right to bind healing, salvation, deliverance & prosperity to “happen” in your life! It has to occur, to take place in your life! So let that be your confession today! It’s bound to happen! Whooohooo!

Results May Vary

Oh! The famous fine print words! I have never taken a weight loss product but have taken note many times the words next to "Sally" in the latest Woman's Day, who successfully lost 120 lbs. and 8 inches and went from a size 22 to a size 4, "Results may vary". I think those words could be translated, "Sally is exceptional and the probability is that this won't work for you and if it does, you won't look like this!"



You may be wondering, why the analogy? Well, to be quite honest, I have felt like the person on the "varied" end more often than not recently. You know the formula...spend time with God, read the Word, pray, speak to the mountain, think on those things that are good, pay your tithe, etc. What happens when you do all those things...take the "pill", do the exercise, keep your diet right and still nothing?



I hate the super-Christian mindset...when we know sister or brother so and so does the formula and they look great. They lost the weight and keep it off (got healed and don't even get a headache, pay their tithe and don't have to struggle financially, etc.) and their life is perfect! But look at me...I'm taking the formula too. Why won't the weight come off? Why do I still get this headache? Why am I struggling when I am doing everything I know to do? Is this thing for real are are there only a select few who can work "the formula"?



Well, it sure seems that way and I have cried so many tears lately because if I have to look at one more picture of "Sally' and hear the devil say to me, "Results may vary"...I may as well give up!



The good news is...I wrote what you have just read yesterday afternoon and didn't post it because it is officially garbage! Not to mention, God sat me down last night and we had a long talk. First, He spelled my name for me and told me the correct pronunciation. To my surprise, my name isn't spelled SALLY. He also put the Word, the mirror, up to my face and reminded me that the RESULTS DO NOT VARY! HE is the God of SALLY as much as He is the God of STACEY! All this and so much more...believe me! I was wrong and He made sure I knew it!

Then He took me on a journey through the promises that He has made to me and I believe Him! You know, we are to be Spirit led but the soul...when I studied it out means "leader" as well. And if we will allow it, our soul...our mind, will and emotions will govern us. I love this passage of scripture. David actually spoke to his soul in Psalm 62:5 "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." In the amplified, it says, silently submit to Him.

So in another words, in the Stacey translation...Soul, shut up already! You are SO on time out! If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all!

Instant People

A few days ago, when I was getting ready for work, God spoke to me and said “Be instant." Immediately I began referencing that word in my mind and I knew it referred to both prayer and preaching. Take a look at what I found!

If we read Romans 12, it tells us a whole list of things that are our “reasonable service” unto God and continuing “instant in prayer” is one of them. I referenced the Greek translation of the word and here’s what I found!

to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one
to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing
to continue all the time in a place
to persevere and not to faint
to show one's self courageous for
to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly

According to this we must be adhered to or in the Stacey Blubaugh translation, "glued" to prayer, devoted to it. We must give our attention to prayer, ready always to speak God’s will into every situation, a person’s life and the earth. We cannot remit it, delay in it, postpone it…it’s always necessary, all the time, in every place! We must persevere…undertake prayer regardless of counter-influences, opposition, or discouragement. And the one I like best is to be constantly ready…looking for every opportunity to pray…waiting for the next victim of prayer…soon to become victorious over whatever they are facing through Christ Jesus! Amen to that!

And then, 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs this way….Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Now “in season” here doesn’t mean winter, spring, summer, fall…or even season as referring to seed, time and harvest. In the Greek, it means seasonably, opportunely and when the opportunity occurs. And “out of season”, of course would refer to lack of opportunity.

And preaching is simply this, to proclaim, in an authority that must be listened to and obeyed and to proclaim openly something that has been done! To state the truth and matters pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ to the public. And the public simply refers to people…so wherever there are people, that’s where you make a statement for Christ. A sermon can consist of only a few words and be just as effective…John 14:5 & 6 says … "how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”


So do it! Be instant…ready, having already spent time with the Lord, in prayer & in the Word, so that if there is opportunity…you know God’s heart and if there is a lack of opportunity, you are still ready!

Here are some quotes for you:
~"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity." Henry Hartman
~“Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.” Orison Swett Marden quotes
~“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Alva Edison
~“I will prepare and some day my chance will come." Abraham Lincoln
~"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.” Alexander Graham Bell
~“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” Whitney M. Young, Jr.

This is not about the branch!

After having a particularly hard couple of weeks...I have been feeling like I don't have anything to offer and then today in prayer, God asked me a question. He said, "When you eat fruit, are you supposed to eat the branch too?" A particularly strange thought but I knew it was God. I started to look at the fruit of the spirit & Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Did I read that right? Against such, there is no law? If there isn't a law against the fruit of the Spirit, that means it can come only through grace. What rules have I created for myself, thinking that I can only be "fruitful" when perfect circumstances apply. It isn't grace if I ever think I had anything to offer anyone apart from Him. If I ever think the fruit is a direct result of some "good work" I have accomplished or everything being perfect all the time, I am mistaken. Here I've been, separating myself from the vine with thoughts of failure and legalism and not even knowing it. And if I am trying to feed someone my "good works", suffering from the "Look, my life's just fine!" syndrome, then I am just trying to shove the branch down their throat along with the fruit...and who wants that?

But God encouraged me in this because it takes the pressure off me! His word says that if "I abide in Him and He abides in me, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me, you can do nothing." (That's John 15:5) I can just put all my weight on Him, every burden and He'll take care of it and if I cry...a little watering never hurt growing fruit.

Something else...God showed me a picture.

I saw the vine...it was the heavenly realm, the kingdom of God. And then I saw the branches, God's way of reaching into the earth and then I saw the fruit, all of the promises of heaven passing through the yielded branches, being sown into the earth and the vine breaking through the earth and covering it. And just think about what kind of seed is carried in the fruit of the Spirit.

What change can seeds from those fruits bring forth?
*Love sown into someone who thinks they are unlovable by someone who knows Love Himself.
*Long suffering sown into the life of someone who feels like they can't go a step further, through someone who knows the One who took every step to the cross!
*Temperance sown into the life of someone who is so tempted to sin, through someone who knows the One who didn't!

....just to name a few.

Greater vs. minute

Last night in church, part of the sermon included the scripture from 1 John 4:4, which is a familiar verse but I had an epiphany, none the less. "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

Man, how good is this?

-Greater is Love that's within me than the hate that is in the world!
-Greater is the Unifier in me, than the division that's in the world!
-Greater is the Creator in me, the very God of invention, than the duplicator and meer imitations of the world!
-Greater is the Savior that's in me, than the temptation of sin that's in the world!
-Greater is the Healer that's in me than the spirit of infirmity that's in the world!

I could go on an on like this....you get the jest of it!
Provision & Prosperity vs. poverty
Deliverance vs. addiction of any sort
Peace vs. fear
Soundness of mind vs. imaginations
Judge vs. decisions of others

You name it, Jesus counteracts it in and through our lives! Just begin to think of who is in you and what He represents vs. whatever it is your walking through today! You can't help but overcome it!

God's afraid of me?

Recently I was talking to my little boy and told him that he is fearfully and wonderfully made and he asked what any kid would ask, I think. He said, "God's afraid of me?" I said, "No, God's not afraid of you." So then, I had to explain to the best of my ability what it means to fear the Lord.

And then, I stood in the parking lot of Walmart in amazement...having a heavenly moment on an acre of asphalt. The very way that we are to "fear" God is the same manner in which He created us.

Review with me what it truly means to "fear" God. We know it's not about begin afraid. It's about acknowledging all that He is with the highest attitude of regard, with everything that's in us, blessing His holy name! We honor Him and respect His presence and most of all love Him, knowing with everything that is in us that He "is".

Now, explore with me just for a moment that this is what God was doing when He created each of us. We can read Psalm 139:14 this way. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. When God created me, He did it with the highest regard, with everything that was in Him, He blessed what He created. He honored me by making me and respects my presence from the very beginning to the very end of every day. And most of all, He loves me and when He looks at me, He knows with everything that's in Him, that I was made for Him."

And He didn't stop there. Don't forget that He made us wonderfully too! The word wonderful means "to be exciting, unusually good or to be of the highest kind or quality". To God, we are exciting and anyone can be good, but God made us to be the kind of good that stands out in a crowd! Cherry on top, cream of the crop goodness! And don't you know we are of the "Highest" kind and quality, created in His image!

It doesn't get any better than this!

A High Maintenance People

If you have ever wondered if you are too "high maintenance", well, wonder no more! You are and you were created to be! God loves that about you!

I was reading yesterday a very popular verse and God once again overwhelmed me with just how much He loves me! 1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to "Cast all your care upon the Lord, for He cares for you." That word "cast", amongst other things, literally means to discard or throw away. And the word "care" refers to any thing or thought, a mental burden, worry or anxiety that we must continually maintain.

God knew just what he was doing when He made this part of His word, knowing that we are a "thoughtful" creation and that every thought has the potential to become a "high maintenance" thing for us.

In order for us to "maintain" something, we must tend to it, assert it, defend it, vindicate and justify it! So, if there's a thought that we must continually maintain in our minds, a worry that we roll over and over again...each and every time we do that, we are 1. asserting to it, making it our own 2. defending it, as if it needs protection 3.vindicating it, building our faith in that thought or worry & 4. justifying it, showing it to be more true, just or valid than God's very Word!

But God says, "No, you are not the maintainer here! I am! Cast all your cares upon Me, because I care for you!" Isn't it beautiful how much He loves us? He "cares" for us! He continually maintains me (and you) in His thoughts! 1. He tends to us continually! He asserts to us, making us and then proving over and over again we are His own. Psalm 139 says that if we were to try to count His thoughts for us, they would be more in number than the sand! 2. He vindicates us...He puts His faith in us...because we are righteous and holy in Him and He believes we will endure to the end with Him! He has sown the greatest seed into our lives, Jesus! No one invests in something they don't believe in! 4. He justifies us! He shows His word for our lives to be more true, more just, more valid than any other word, if we will uphold it!

So today, if you think you are "too high maintenance"! Think again! We serve the Most High God and you were created to be maintained! So get casting!

Eternities Apart

I’ve been thinking about life in general. How we all get out of bed every morning and follow the same basic routine every day…coming and going to work, to school, so on and so forth and in doing so, we walk or drive by our neighbors homes, with or without seeing them. We go in and out of neighboring businesses and sometimes without even so much as knowing anything about the people who serve us. We go to the market and talk to the guy behind the register, to the bank and talk to the teller or even to the restaurant and interact with the waiter or waitress. Every situation is different but regardless, there is a constant point of contact in one way or another.

But for one moment, God gave me a glimpse of something and I want you to see the same thing. Picture your neighbor working in her garden or on his car, doing whatever it might be that you so often see them doing or that person standing behind the register, at the restaurant taking your order, at the bank cashing your paycheck and then remove all the scenery around that person, so that you don't see them any longer standing in an earthly place but in eternity. Where are they?

What will you do? What does your heart of His, say to do?

Next time you're out, do this excercise. Two people in one place, should never be unaware that they are standing eternities apart! Make heaven known where you are!

Matthew 22:39 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”