His Response.

I've been learning so much these last few weeks. I see how God has divinely placed me at a church that is going through a series about generosity and finances. He is building me up in wisdom before I go back home.

His hands are indeed leaving lasting imprints in my mind.

Through all of these amazing teachings what I am really seeing is that your finances are a big deal to God. The fact that you aren't stingy and rather you being abundantly generous is so important to God. It is a big deal and it does matter; incredibly. Many stories throughout the Bible exemplify this truth.

The story of Cornelius was brought up in church today. Cornelius gave to the poor and needy in abundance and God saw it. His generosity moved the heart of God and the Lord showered Cornelius with great favor. Acts chapter 10.

Bottom line :: when you are generous God responds.

I am in absolute awe looking at the promises God has given us. These are promises that we are encouraged to test and indeed anticipate the mighty hand of our faithful God.

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

It's not just about gaining God's favor and it's not just about receiving His blessings either. God says that He blesses our generosity so that we in turn can continue to be a blessing.

He will make us rich in every way so that we can be overflowing with His richness and His truth to pour out onto others.

2 Corinthians 9:11

" You will made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every occasion and thru us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. "

It's awesome to think that our Father desires to make us rich in every single way. In all we are. In all we do. In all we desire. In all things. In relationships. In our health. In our clarity for the future. He wants to give us that. . . so we can be that much more His hands and feet in a world of ignorance.

Show Love. Always.

As I was driving home today I felt compelled to be intentional about a few things. I pulled into Super Target, walked in and bought some flowers. Pretty yellow sunflowers was were it was at. Jesus put it on my heart to stop by a friends house and drop them off.

It's quite the crazy feeling when you know God is asking you to do something specific. You can't help but actually do it.

My ex-boyfriends mom was put on my heart. It was weird. I haven't seen her in about a year but something was stirring in my heart to just show her some old fashioned love. So, I stopped by his house and left flowers on the doorstep with a letter.

I told my friend that I dropped off the flowers for his mom and his reaction kind of caught me off guard... He was so confused as to why someone would randomly do something like that for someone else...

The more I thought about his response the more my heart hurt. I'm sad that people only expect these "old fashioned acts of kindness" when something goes wrong...

Aren't we called to ALWAYS preach the gospel using words when necessary? Aren't we called to uplift and show love to our neighbors in all circumstances?

We are called to do things that scream Jesus. I understand that dropping some flowers off at a friends house doesn't exactly scream Jesus but the fact that a simple act as such received a response that demanded an explanation ... actually screams the life Jesus called us to live.

As Rock Harbor church has taught its congregation so well ::

" Live a life that demands an explanation. "

I want every possible opportunity to show the love that's been woven into my core to the people around me.

I know this is a small example for such a bigger spiritual principle, but it's valid indeed.

Letting God Work.

Letting God Work.

Sometimes things have to get really bad before you actually give God room to do something. You even let go for a short time... and when God doesn't act quick enough you grab tight onto the things you think will give you hope. How is He going to get the glory when things do fall in place, if you keep jumpin in trying to mend things on your own?

People think that they can solely fix and restore things in their own lives. Not so. Only He who makes things grow is responsible for anything and everything being restored to His creation. Why oh why can't I live like I actually believe this right now? Here I am for the hundredth time beating my head wondering why a few things in my life have not changed. And for the hundredth time God sits beside me and says," Caydin, I will surely give you strength to get through today."

Wouldn't it be easy to let go of something that you knew bottom line would end up just the way you wanted? Of Course. Jesus doesn't work that way. ( Of course, your desires will line up with His when He refines your heart and mind but thats not what I'm saying. ) When God asks you to let go of something that possibly won't go your way how much more of a challenge is it to let it go? God never said He would change your circumstances so that you may get what you want ...

Rather, He says He will give you strength to get through it all. He will satisfy you. He will give you what you need. Bottom line: He will make all things glorious.

I'm entirely struggling with this to the max. I wish I had the strength right now to truly hand over the key to my storage closet. My heart is in turmoil. My joy seems to disappear before I exhale. I have a cry of desperation in my life right now. God is near to me. I feel Him during these testing times, immensely.

So, God is near. God will give strength. God will make things glorious. I am awaiting the day in which I can truly let God work. Oh my sweet Jesus; my only remedy.

The nearness of there, feels more near to here.

Generous in Every Occasion.

Proverbs 11:24

" One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another holds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others, he himself with be refreshed. "

2 Corinthians 9:11
" Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. "

There is a spiritual principle I am learning to love and live out.A crazy promise; God wants to richly bless us so that we can be generous in EVERY occasion.

A lot of us believe things in theory. Do we believe a generous man actually prospers ? Look at your bank account and it will reflect whether or not you believe this. Our generosity is richly blessed.

Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil ( your finances in biblical times ) but a foolish man devours all he has."

God has been showing me through pastors teachings and reading in His word that priorities in your finances are necessary. Pastor Peter Haas gave a great sermon about how your financial priorities determine it's capacity. Wealth has little to do with income, rather it has to do with how you prioritize your finances.

Mark 4:18 :: Some people are like seed sewn along thorns.

There are so many things that we must deal with every single day that choke out our capacity for the kingdom. The deceitfulness of wealth will leave you never satisfied and you will never be rich enough. The love for things and the priority for them in your life will rob you of what God desires to bless your life with.

Proverbs 3:9-10

" If you honor the Lord with your wealth with the first fruits of all your crops then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will be brimming over with new wine. "

God enables you to do far more with your remaining 90 percent when you can give him His 10 percent.

Prioritize God and stop robbing yourself.