Man! I'm at home battling yet another bout of cooties but I
am also praising God for the opportunity to rely on Him for sustenance. I have
to say whatever form of viral hell I picked up is extra powerful, I woke up
drenched in sweat yesterday and for a minute, I didn't know where I was, but I
remain in praise.
I had to change my bed linens and do my laundry because I
didn't want to lay a clean body on contaminated sheets so, I mustered up enough
energy to get so basic housekeeping done....so now, I'm lying in a nice clean
bed and enjoying my book....which brings me to my point T.D. Jakes has done it
again. I'm at the very end of the book and I truly hate to release the writer
and the writings but T.D. ends the book just as big as he started. He ends with
the story of the ten lepers being healed. He started off the story discussing
on how God designed things to return to Him. He used examples of how corn
fields bloom and give back; how bees pollinate and give back; how streams flow
into rivers, etc... T.D. Jakes illustrates how we are all connected and how we
have the choice to give back; He also notes that the process of giving back
denotes that you understand not only your calling but your purpose. Imagine
that! Knowing your purpose!!!!
James 1: 16 -18 …16 Do
not be deceived, my beloved brethren.17 Every good thing given and every
perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom
there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will
He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first
fruits among His creatures.
Yes, we can enjoy blessing but how many of us know that a
blessing is just a temporary thing if we never stop to acknowledge and
celebrate the ONE who caused it to happen. If we never get too the place of
celebration we will constantly be driven by our needs and desires. We will
constantly live in peaks and valleys of emotions.
Getting to the story of the ten lepers, ten men were healed
but only one returned to Jesus. Ten men were celebrating restoration but the
one that returned was made whole because he stopped to acknowledge the source
of it all rather than praise in the moment.
(I hope this makes sense, I'm trying to convey this as best I can) Let
me take you to another example using the scripture that God used to describe
himself He said "I AM the great I
AM" which means His provision is not impacted by time. So to put it in
terms that we can relate to...say you had an amazing birthday party when you
were six years old and you're now forty six.....you start your story with "remember
that time." When you know that things of God are returned to Him you speak of His provision in
the moment saying "God is!" even if that thing has not manifested
itself , you faith knows that God can and God will and He is always active in
the present I AM....I AM...I AM
Are you acting as a "first fruit"? Are you
bringing your gifts back to God? (Remember the story of Cain and Abel?) Do you
know your purpose or are you content to receive without ever giving back?
How ya livin'?!!
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