Let me say this, when God blesses, he blesses perfectly, what he gives to you is perfect for you, what he gives to me is perfect for me, don’t desire someone else’s blessing, be thankful for yours. This was the great error with the people of Israel early in their journey. God just desires us to keep HIM our main focus, when we have HIM, we have much more than blessings offer, he just wants us to bless others and not get attached to things and finally, to remember to be thankful. Now, I’d like us to take another look or a deeper look at a passage that reveals so much we sometimes skip right over it. Exodus 3:8 reads “So, I have come to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey“, this is the LORD telling his people of his promise.

First take a look at a few words that pop out to me, “rescue“- God does the work, he delivers us, why? So we don’t get prideful, we cannot take the credit for what HE has done. Second, the land is “fertile“- The soil he promises is good soil, soil we can not only use now but it is fruitful and blessed for years to come, we can not only enjoy it now but it will continue to bless us. Third, “spacious” land- God isn’t stingy. When God chooses to open the windows of heaven he pours out his heart lavishly, I think what happens too often, is when we receive lavishly, WE get stingy, we also get prideful, we choose to, sort of, hoard what we have and get so attached to things we make them idols without knowing it.

Here is the biggest revelation for me in this passage, “a land flowing with Milk and Honey.” Maybe because I am a singer and I know the benefits of honey and milk, this passage pops out at me with such a revelation. Just Google “milk and honey benefits, you will quickly start to see how beneficial these two  foods combine to bring such blessings. Milk and honey, combined, bring youthful skin benefits, many spas and cosmetic companies use them together. Not only that but drinking milk with honey, (I prefer unsweetened Almond milk and honey), anyway, when you drink them together, it is not only delicious but it carries many minerals, vitamins, anti-oxidandants, it brings energy, refreshment, helps with digestion, , it boosts your immune system, it has anti-aging properties, it soothes a soar throat, it ultimately benefits both young and old. Not only that, God is saying “flowing“…this land doesn’t “have milk and honey” …it is flowing….like a constant river flows. My deepest fear is to recieve God blessings and that be enough, I want more than blessings, I want GOD.

Are you able to get the idea here, what God is saying in this passage? When I bless you, I will deliver you (the credit and glory belongs to him), I will plant you on good soil, and there will be plenty of it and the land will flow and refresh you, give you energy, life, health, youthfullness. This is such an incredible promise from a loving God, although his people were rebellious and still are, although they didn’t want to see the face of God and still are too busy to, although they didn’t want to abide by his way of life and choose to live their own, God, so rich in mercy, kindness, love and compassion offers us……real blessings, prosperity, not $$$$ but blessings flowing with milk and honey. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Greed defined-  is the inordinate desire to possess wealth, goods, or objects of abstract value with the intention to keep it for one’s self, far beyond the dictates of basic survival and comfort

Jesus said: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own” (Luke 12:15)

Here are some thoughts I’d like for us to ponder, just let them get processed in your mind and reflect in your heart.

1. Significance- Does money give you significance? Since money can dictate what cloths you wear, what car you drive or what house you live in does having money or not having money give your life significance? Do the restaurants you eat in give you some sort of significance, stature, social status? How about where you go to vacation, how you vacation? Does the idea of becoming a missionary just seem like the ultimate anti-american dream? Does having less of money cause you to feel less significant in life? Ponder this with me.

2. Security- Are you filled with panic when you begin to run out of money? Are you stressed, worried and downright miserable when you realize you don’t have enough money? When you lose money or perhaps realize you just don’t have enough of it are you filled with anxiety? Do you feel you need to store enough away to give you real peace? Will having enough really bring you happiness? Are you convinced that money will give you real peace? Does the idea of giving only up to certain amount seem pretty defined in your mind? Are you a calculated generous person, meaning, you have your % figured out, but beyond that..the rest of your wealth needs to stay with you?

3. The rich- What is your attitude towards the rich? Do you either envy what they have or do you judge them in a negative way and say what Judas said to the woman who broke an alabaster box over the head of Jesus…”what a waste of money?” Do you feel that YOU could do better with the money they have? Do you feel a genuine love for rich people or a hidden, prideful dislike towards them? If you became rich would THAT define you as a successful? Would you finally feel like you have “made it“?

4. The poor- How do you view poor people? Do you even view them as real people, with stories, a family history, a being Christ died for? Or as unfortunate, inferior to you? Do you associate with poor people, would you consider having them over to your house for Thanksgiving dinner? Do you feel that they have squandered their chances? Do you in some small way feel like they aren’t as intelligent as you or have less value? Do you mistrust them? Do you try to avoid them and ignore them? If you became poor would you feel like a loser? Like a failure?

When or how do you know your greedy? Think about it? How is it measured? You see we compare ourselves, we don’t feel a person is poor because they make less money than I do, no, we see THEM as less people then we are, THEY are poor, in other words their lack of money defines our view of them as people. We even feel bad for them, a deep sadness as if to say being poor is a horrible life, how unfortunate, yet Jesus was born POOR. Do you believe it was by mistake? He ended up in the wrong house? Most of the rich always compare themselves to each other or the one who has more, they always feel they aren’t rich enough because they compare, so our standard for life is to simply get more. Does the idea of radical generosity frighten you? Giving it all away like the disciples, like the early church, like Jesus.

What do you treasure most? What gives you security? What gives you significance? We only need come to the understanding and revelation that GOD is our treasure. Jesus gave us his life sacrificially, placing US as the source of his joy, when he realized we would be redeemed it brought him joy to endure the cross. Don’t misplace your treasure and your joy in money, give it  away radically and boldly, find your joy in HIM, he IS our significance, he IS our security, he is OUR treasure.

Here is something you might not know, your personality isn’t permanently shaped…if you don’t want it to be. The good qualities may need to be refined but I am talking about the not so pleasant stuff…harshness, pride, anger, etc… Ok, here comes the bate and switch now, get ready, the personality equalizer is……The Holy Spirit. When you allow God’s presence into your life, your uneven personality is submitted to who he is and you are made completely NEW…in the image, he eternally created for you. Isn’t that great news?

There are nine listed fruits of the Spirit but other’s can easily be attributed to him,being the third person in the trinity…such as holiness and humility(demonstrated through Christ himself). Let’s look at them:

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control.” Galations 5:22,23

The Bible is so practical and in this passage it reveals that through a sincere and real relationship with Christ, his Spirit begins to sort of “rub off on us” and the fruits listed are the results. Listen, THIS IS GREAT NEWS for us. If you suffer from anger, rage, lack of self-control, rudeness, sadness, impatience….the Spirit of God can change that. He can change all of it. What I seem to see it see, read and hear is that people accept these negative personality traits we get from experiences, environment and upbringing and they just sort of feel, they can NEVER change and this isn’t true.

Two real examples:

1. Peter the disciple- Peter was outspoken, rude at times, prideful and suffered from anger (he cut a guys ear off once), yet after Jesus resurrected he(Peter) receives the “power of the Holy Spirit” (THIS IS THE KEY TO CHANGE)…. All of a sudden he’s talking about gentleness, honor, humility, kindness.…who does this guy? HOw did this happen? Who can change a person’s personality like this? Only the Lord. The other example is 2. Me- By this I am NOT saying I am perfect, nope, God is still working but I used to be  snappy person, anger was very easy for me, rudeness I had down to a science and could use it to agravate anyone I wanted at any time. I gotta tell ya, The Holy spirit is the real deal, my personality has changed and continues to change and it’s all due to my relationship with Christ through his Spirit and the revelation of his word.

There is lot’s of work to be done in my one life but I just want to encourage you today, you can change but you cat do it yourself. You gotta grab hold of a real, daily, constant, moment to moment relationship with Christ through his Spirit, his Spirit does the work in us, not relaxation classes, not sitting in silence taking deep breaths, his Spirit does the work. I am so thankful for his promise to us, my life verse is this: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6

1. The “Do it my way” mindset- We all have our own methods, some of us are old school but everyone learns and grows differently. The important thing is to explain what is expected, give a clear picture of results, sure take the time to explain even how you do certain things but…don’t get stuck here. Hold your leaders accountable to (results) not (methods). Too many leaders want another leader to do it exactly the way they do it, this just doesn’t work with a new generation of thinkers, as long as the expectations have been set and the results are the same, the “way” in which they are achieved should be flexible.

2. Always Be the first in, last out- Being in the office all the time, or the first in, last out, might work occasionally, it just never really worked for me and it doesn’t seem to work for lots of friends I know either because we do life everywhere, Starbucks, at a park, we find ideas everywhere. My office is NOT where I can freely think and create, all the time, sometimes I like to go outside. I am not advocating laziness in this statement, I am just trying to bring up the truth that we approach results differently, I may need to get away from the office to fuel my inspiration, I might like a foam basketball set up, maybe video games keep me lose, just have flexibility here in order to unleash great results try different things with your leaders. If we still get held accountable and expectations are the same it’s just a difference in how we get there.

3. No questions allowed- There is a respectful and gentle way to ask questions and I would also say this, show respect in public, gain honor in private. However ever, I have experienced situations in which “asking questions” was conceived as being disloyal or anti-vision. If we were in the military I could certainly understand upholding such an idea but among young thinkers, we have grown up in a culture and world where no one has been honest or straight with us all our lives. We’ve seen a lot of corporate greed and abusive leadership, we got questions and they usually aren’t part of a personal attack of integrity we are just looking for transparency with those we are to follow. Sometimes we just want to further understand something that we are committed, held acceptable to and when honesty and trust get established, loyalty and creativity follow at high levels every time. Allow for questions, help young thinkers trust you and understand clearly.

The important thing here is to remove ego from the equation. You have been around, we get that, you have a certain approach, we appreciate that and we know you are a respected leader. We desire to serve, make a difference, we desire to be trusted and get the results expected we just aren’t wired and weren’t raised the same way so how we think and view life is slightly different. By placing ego aside, allowing for questions, allowing flexibility on approach and method and I am confident you will see your young thinkers and leaders…..unleashed.

This post took me some time to try to articulate but I want to make a case here for why I’ve written it. It is fairly easy these days to see people wanting favors, some really easy examples include things like the NBA. Look at a basketball player trying to defend another player and look for the infamous “flop“…this is their way of trying to get the officials to give them the call, instead of just digging in deeper, putting their effort into they they hope for an official to give them a break. Let’s look at the NFL, ever see a wide receiver try to make a catch and couldn’t bring it in, after a defender played them well and what do you see? A grown man, in front of thousands of people and on TV waiving his hands in the air for a “flag“…looking for a break. Hey, this happens at the work place too, you might meet someone of influence or of position and after meeting them you might slip them your card and say…”Put in a good word for me, ” just different ways we are all seeking favors from people instead of trusting the process.

I am not a fan of favors, at least not anymore now, I personally resist asking for them and it sort of concerns me when people ask them of me, there is always an ulterior motive yet to be revealed when it happens. Here are three major reasons why I feel this way.

1. Trust God in the process- When Joseph ended up in prison, he was placed there, ultimately by God if you believe, like I do that He is sovereign. As Joseph was there he still had the chance to serve others and trust God, he interpreted dreams there but after he did this he asked for a favor, he asked the Butler to “put in a good word” with the head hancho. If God has you somewhere, you need to trust HIM in the process, God is sovereign, he will remind whom ever needs to be reminded of you or he will put it in someones heart to get in touch with you.

2. Learn from God in the process- Another general reason I am just not in favor…of asking favors is, we ultimately rob ourselves from learning all there is to learn. Joseph, although he was learning and growing he still hadn’t gotten the full revelation for why he was still there, God was always with him and wanted him to trust him yet again. Sometimes we forget that and start asking people to help us out, instead of always going straight to God. Let me encourage you today, learn from everything right now, take it all in and thank God for all of it because his purpose and plan will be complete when the process has been accomplished in you.

3. Mature with God through the process- For years I felt really bad about Josephs story, I felt like he was the victim. I am not minimizing the pain he had to endure or agreeing with what his brothers did to him but the truth is, God had this massive plan and wanted to trust Joseph with a major responsibility, he revealed this to him at a young age but Joseph’s character wasn’t mature yet. God did Joseph and all the people of Israel and egypt a favor in fact, talking of favors, he made sure Joseph matured…because later he would be trusted to keep people from starving and dying through his leadership. Joseph stored up food years and years before a famine hit and it was through him that many lives were saved. Trust me, mature through the process.

Here is what I have learned about me, if pride is alive and well in me…I am usually looking out for ME first and sometimes I think when we ask favors, it’s our pride saying “hey, look out for me” instead of trusting God to look out for us. It’s hard I know, it’s really tempting too to have an opportunity before you without asking for a favor but I want to encourage you, stay humble, trust the Lord, his word says “he exalts the humble”….that tells me, God himself will raise you up in due time. Put the time in, trust him in the process.

I read the NLT for the last year but have recently switched over to ESV, many leaders I listen to have really given it a great reference. (click here)

I also reference others often to get full understanding, including, NKJV, Amplified, NLT, The Message and NIV- but….I read my Bible daily with ESV.

What translation do you use and why?

Here are four roads that will lead to God’s blessing over our lives from what his word tells us.

1. Forgiveness- If you are carrying around bitterness or a grudge, you gotta let that stuff go, you gotta trust God with those things. I know people hurt, I know, I’ve been hurt plenty but too often, we never ask God to address these things and before you know it, they grow within us like bacteria deep in the soul and our spirit and attitude can become really gross. It is not God’s desire for us to walk around with bitterness, jealousy and unforgiveness towards others, ask God to reveal it, for God to deal with it so you can heal from it.

2. Humility- If you think you aren’t prideful…sorry to break it to you, you are prideful. In fact, unless you are asking God to help you with this, pride has likely blinded you to it. Christ came to serve not to be served, he assumed what ever task was necessary to demonstrate love, even on his last day with those closest to him, after a long walk down a dusty and dirty road, when they had all entered in to eat and feast, with filthy feet and no servants around…Jesus, placing others first, wrapped his waist, got a bowl of water and a cloth and kneeled down to clean the feet of his disciples. There should be no task “too low” for you because Jesus demonstrated this while on earth.

3. Submission- I struggled with this for some time because of how badly my father was treated in ministry, I felt I had to constantly stand up and defend myself, until God revealed the problem, I gave it to the Lord and he healed me from it. Here is the truth, Biblically, ALL authority is from God, yes, in his mysterious and sovereign power he has placed everyone in power, even the really bad leaders you know. God uses all of it. We don’t see the whole picture, sometimes he allows bad leaders to be in power to demonstrate what evil within them sometimes he allows them to be humbled. Never the less, ALL authority is from God and you must have a heart of submission to your leaders and to others who can help you remain accountable. No one is good or good enough to be outside of a submission, God uses this to keep us close to his heart and plan.

4. Purity- A life called to serve God must be consecrated and  separated from sinful activity. Not only that, the desire to be pure before God must exist. Although we cannot separate from our bodies and it’s sinful “nature” too often, we have leaders and ministers that aren’t repentant or practice repentance daily. Holiness, although humanly speaking is impossible, can be something we practice, something we seek with all our heart, God’s word says “be Holy for I am Holy”…What God is saying is, desire Holiness because Holiness comes from him and in all fairness, uh, we won’t get to practice this in Heaven, we get to start this process while here on earth to prepare us for Heaven.

If we can ask God, openly to reveal these areas in our lives so that these roads, these areas, a life that forgives, that walks humbly, a life submitted to authority and a life of purity can become part of us, we will remain under the mighty hand of God, in safety, with his blessing and favor over everything we do and everything we are.