Its Just a Test: Your Time is Coming!

Psalm 105:19 (NLT)
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the Lord tested Joseph's character.


Wow! Did you just soak that little sentence all in? . . . Well, if not, as usual, I'll give you my take on it!

The time had to come, to fulfill Joseph's dreams. Meaning, his dreams didn't just come true when he thougt of them or when he thought they should or not even because he prayed about it over and over again! They came true when God decided to fufill them because He knew that Joseph was now ready to handle his magnificent blessing.

Simply put, Joseph had to go through some things first. The verse says his character was tested. Maybe he had to be humbled a little, ie. lose a job, foreclose on a home, be hated on at work a little. You know, the stuff you may be facing right now! Nevertheless, God needed the time in order to test Joseph's character and prepare him for the blessing that was to come.

Do you know that half the time, we're not even ready to receive the blessing we think we want?
I once heard a pastor from South Africa tell a story about a woman who became jealous in the church because she was passed over several times during a campaign in which the pastor was blessing members with cars. Finally one day it came out that the woman didn't even possess a driver's license! Instead of being antsy about a blessing she wasn't even prepared to receive, she could've been doing her part to be in position for that blessing!

If you're waiting on a dream to be fulfilled today, what can you be doing while God is testing your character right now? Not only should you be learning from what he's allowing you to go through, you can also take a few steps day by day to get ready for when that BIG something really does go down!

That's my take on it. . . . What's yours?

Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth & Embrace the Test!

Brothers and Sisters: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Psalm 133:
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! (The Message)

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (NLT)


There's a few more lines to this scripture, but this morning all I needed to do was stop right there! Coming off of a very rocky weekend in dealing with my own brother, I had taken the mindset that I just wasn't going to be bothered anymore. What does that mean? . . . I don't know, maybe assuring new acquaintances that my mom really only had one child! . . . Or, convincing my neices and nephews that the whole Auntie Peesh thing all these years has been a big joke and we're not really related!

My brother and I's last few interactions have all ended up being scenes straight out of a Western movie; each of us having guns drawn and aiming to take no prisoners nor leave no man alive! Ordinarily, I won't tolerate the yelling matches that he and I share with anyone else, but boy can he get right under my skin. It takes almost nothing for us to tick one another off and lately it seems to only get worse with each passing.

The details of our disagreement don't really matter at this very moment. Sure, we need to have a serious intervention, but I think the greater lesson from my quiet time today was that God expects me to live in harmony with my brother. As much as my flesh wants to write him off right now, he's my brother and God nor Marie (my mom) wants to see us like this. I'm not saying that I plan on calling today or even attempting to "be the bigger person" right now. But, I am saying that I will leave the possibilities open and take time to research within myself the contributions I've made to this great catastrophe.

If any of you are having disagreements with a sibling right now, then you happened to read this for a reason too. Don't brush past it. The Holy Spirit is calling you out just like he did me earlier this morning. Listen to him! It doesn't have to be fixed right this moment, but we can at least begin to examine our own hearts in preparation for the reunion God and our moms are hoping we have!

Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth & Be Blessed.

Considering Vows

Proverbs 20:25

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly

and only later to consider his vows.

In the last few weeks, I had an acquaintance that was so moved by the story of a young woman, he offered to donate several thousand dollars to this woman and her family. Unfortunately, when it later came time to write the check, he began to consider and REconsider those vows. He did end up giving, but it was less than he had first dedicated and I don’t believe he did it with the same heart he had initially.

So what are your thoughts? . . . . .

A. Was he just trying to be seen?

B. If he couldn’t afford to do it, then why did he say anything at all?

C. Was he just allowing emotions to drive his decisions?

Well, let’s put this in another context.

Have you ever been at a church service where the guest speaker or even resident pastor asked for some random amount of money to signify some current occasion?

“Give $700 for the seven years of completion sermon;” or

“Bring $440 for the 44 years of the pastor’s anniversary.”

Did you do it, only to regret it later? Did you feel guilty after pledging money that you knew you didn’t have? Did you feel like you had to because EVERYONE was watching to see if you’d get in the $700 line down the prestigious center aisle as opposed to just the $70 down the left aisle?

Disclaimer: I’m not saying that anything is wrong with these requests or that one may not be blessed for adhering to them. As you will see, there’s a point coming up here shortly, so hold on church enthusiasts!

My position is simply that we shouldn’t be driven by emotions and dedicate a thing whether it be time, money or services in a hurried, abrupt or rash manner. Instead examine yourself, your time and your finances along with the situation and be sure that its an instance that will allow you to truly give freely and from a joyous place. Inquire of the Lord before making such decisions. Guilt and any sentiments similar to it are not God inspired.

Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth & Be Blessed