When “something” isn’t enough...

When something is never enough, whether it be cars, a house, hobby, career, success, attention, it’s usually a “someone” problem, which can be a sign God is not first in your life (hint: you’re first in your life, or at least you think you are). 

When you’re constantly thinking of “the next” hobby, toy, project, adventure, win, event; God is likely not the most important person in your life and He’s not at the center of your life. 

When God is first, He provides you with the willpower to exercise self-control. Otherwise, when left to your own devices, you end up filling the God-sized void with something that will never truly satisfy. 

When God is first, He helps you focus on His will and not your own will, desires, and sometimes harmful thoughts and activities that don’t produce the fruit that He desires, knows that you are capable of, and designed you to fulfill. 

When God is first, you have a peace that is inexplainable and is hardly understandable. It’s a gift you/me/we don’t deserve, yet He still offers freely through His son’s death and resurrection. 

Putting and keeping God first will never be easy. It will likely make you feel like an outcast because the world goes and does the opposite. 

However, when you stick to His plan and His will, you will have resounding peace of mind and a relationship with Him that will surpass anything you can experience on earth. 

Today, right now, take the plunge; take the leap to fully trust God for your salvation and healing. Experience the Peace Jesus promises to those who choose to follow Him. 

Watch Me!!

#Son


Son, the less of me you get, the more of everything else you want. Nothing else will satisfy that longing in your heart and mind except for me. 


Surrender yourself wholly to me. Put me first in your life. 


Then watch me work. Watch how I use you. Watch how I fill you and then how you then fill others. 


When you get less me me, you run on spiritual fumes; then you have less, little, or none to give to others. 


Psalm 42:4 NIV

[4] These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.


Do not forget my love and forgiveness; it’s abundant and I want to share with you all you can take in and I want you to share it with others. 


You are my ambassador, my disciple; act like it. Live like it. Love like it. Share like it. Obey like it. 


Never, never forget my love and forgiveness. Return to me and I’ll return to you. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Follow me. 


I love you, Son. 



Who is your Shepherd?

#Son

Son, I am your shepherd. Me and me alone. Not Ash; not Rob; not Chris; not Lyle. Me. Me. I am your shepherd.

Stop looking to others for what I alone am, can, and will do for you.

I am your shepherd. See me as your shepherd and it will reshape your view of others and their role in your life.

I repeat: I am your shepherd.

I love you, Son. Follow me.

From January 22, 209

#Son


Son, you’re confused and feel pulled in several directions. Yet, you continue to find comfort in waiting. That is good. 


Remember what I’ve told you throughout the years: focus on Me, focus on people; the rest will come. 


As you were recently reminded, don’t dwell on the future, whether five months or five years, but enjoy my presence now. Continue to pray and plan, but don’t let a desired outcome keep you from living in the present, focusing on me, and focusing on people. 


I repeat: focus on me, focus on people; the rest will come. 

Spiritual Maturity

#Son

Son, your thoughts about spiritual maturity are accurate. Some are like your five year old, others like your three year old, and yet others like your eleven month old.

You love them all the same, but you communicate with them differently.

Your five year old can do much by herself and needs only a little direction and encouragement.

Your three year old needs a lot of hand -holding and discipline to stay on course.

Your eleven month old is relatively helpless and literally needs you to carry him from upstairs to downstairs, from the house to the car, from the car to the building. When it comes to eating, he can’t feed himself; you must feed him to ensure he gets proper amounts of nutrition. He needs your help changing his dirty diaper and getting dressed. He relies on you for pretty much everything.

The same holds true for my children and their spiritual walk. Some are older and need only a little direction. Some are younger and need a lot of attention to stay on the straight and narrow path. Others, like your eleven month old, need constant care and attention.

Think about where you are and where others are on this spectrum of spiritual maturity. Identify what you need and ask for help to grow where you lack maturity.

Be there for others and give an attentive ear to help guide when the opportunity presents itself, but don’t intrude. Be patient, gracious, and kind.

Keep up the good work.

I love you, Son.

I am first

#Son

Son, why are you here? Why have I brought you here? Why have I brought you this far?

To bring you glory? Hardly.

To bring me glory? Yes.

What are you doing with what I’ve entrusted to you? Not “what have you done...?”, but what are you doing, currently?

Who are you working for? Me or work?

If for Me, what’s the role of Aon? It’s a vehicle, an avenue, a medium. But it’s not your purpose. It’s a platform.

What’s your family? What’s Tracy? How you love them, treat them, prioritize them is an example of how you love, treat, and prioritize people in your life.

I am first.

I. Am. First.

Tracy is second. Kids are third. But I am first.

The way you love me, treat me, and prioritize me will set the tone for how you love, treat, and prioritize the rest of your life.

It’s like this: when I am first, I light your path like a flashlight in the dark. When I am not first, it’s like walking with sunglasses on and no flashlight. You may stumble on the right path now and then, but it won’t be consistent. You’ll trip, fall, get bruised up. You look for me but not see me. You’ll know I’m around, but not guiding you directly. You’ll wander, get lost, waste time. And when you’re fed up with all that, you’ll call my name and I’ll again light your path and set you back on the straight and narrow.

I am first. I am your light. Keep me first and I will light your path.

Chase me!!

#Son

Son, nothing else will mean as much until you spend time with me.

Bible verses and sermons will fall on deaf ears without time with me. I give you wisdom to discern what you learn, read, and hear.

I give you eyes to see and ears to hear. Nobody else.

Chase me more and find me more. Chase me harder and learn more. Chase me more passionately and watch your love for me and others grow exponentially.

Chase me!

Chase me and watch what I do in you and through you.

Chase me!!

Like chasing after two rabbits, you can’t chase both when they go in separate directions; you can only chase one thing or person at a time.

And when you find me, share me.

Chase me. Share me. Repeat.

What do you desire?

#Son

Son, you have renewed joy and vigor. Joy for worshipping and spending time with me; vigor for doing the hard things; both of which bring you joy and out a smile on your face.

This is what I desire of you; not require, but desire.

If you will continue to set aside time with me and for me, I will continue to bless you in ways you didn’t think were possible. And my blessings will through your generation and into your kids, and to their kids, and so on.

2 Samuel 23:5 NIV
[5] “If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NIV
[9] “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. [10] Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”

What does your heart desire? What is your most fulfilling pursuit? What will last?

Seek me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

 

With a Heavy Heart

#Son

Your heart is heavy. You feel the weight of the season.

Allow me take take that burden and carry it for you.

Offload it. Give it to me.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Son, I love you and won’t let you down. I never have and I never will.

Keep up the Good Work

#Son

Son, you’re on the right track. Keep me first and you will continue to hear me and know my will for your life. Keep your guardrails up too; those keep you from wandering too far.

Keep praying. Keeping listening. Keep being obedient and looking for my promptings.

Wait patiently. Wait patiently. Don’t try to force things that should be, or shouldn’t be right now. Wait patiently.

I love you son. You are doing well with what I’ve given you. Keep up the good work. 

Finish strong.

Be a Guide

#Son

Son, you are to be a guide to those I place in your path. You are to lead by example, listen to others’ story and concerns, and point them to me. I will continue to impart wisdom on you to fulfill this calling I’ve placed on your life.

You are to be a guide everywhere. The gym, home, work, community; everywhere.

Everything you do should be done with excellence as it all points to me. Seek and serve me first, work your hardest and smartest, and bring others along for the journey.

You are asking for mentors. Ask you shall receive. Be on the lookout for people I send your way. Be open minded. Be tenacious. Be humble.

For I know the plans I have for you…

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Sacrifices will need to be made and you will need to be obedient and follow me closely, and watch what I will do when you lovingly obey me.

“If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭15:7-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/deu.15.7-11.niv

Son, I love you more than you can imagine. Continue to seek me in the early morning and you will find me throughout the day.

You are a Guide

#Son

Son, you are to be a guide to those I place in your path. You are to lead by example, listen to others’ story and concerns, and point them to me. I will continue to impart wisdom on you to fulfill this calling I’ve placed on your life.

You are to be a guide everywhere. The gym, home, work, community; everywhere.

Everything you do should be done with excellence as it all points to me. Seek and serve me first, work your hardest and smartest, and bring others along for the journey.

Yes, I’ve called you to be the best producer, but I’m not just going to hand that title over to you. What I’ve done is given you the potential, now you must live up to that potential. You must earn what is yours.

You are asking for mentors. Ask you shall receive. Be on the lookout for people I send your way. Be open minded. Be tenacious. Be humble.

For I know the plans I have for you…

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

You want to be debt free, and I want the same for you. Sacrifices will need to be made and you will need to be obedient and follow me closely, and watch what I will do when you lovingly obey me.

“If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭15:7-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/deu.15.7-11.niv

You bought your home in 2014; you will be debt free by 2021.

Son, I love you more than you can understand. Continue to seek me in the early morning and you will find me throughout the day.

Get Ready

#Son

Son, be ready to take ground. Be ready to take the first step; I will not just hand it over to you. You must take the first step.

Like Moses and the Israelites taking the first step step into the Red Sea. Like Joshua crossing the Jordan river. Like Peter stepping out of the boat onto the Sea of Galilee. You also will need to take the first step.

Parable of Talents

#Son

Son, think about the parable of the talents and what that means to you and for you. How are you using what I’ve entrusted to you?

How has that changed over time?

How will that change over time?

Think about the next three years and come up with a plan of how you’re going to use the talents I’ve entrusted to you.

Think about our relationship, your relationship with your wife and kids, friends, colleagues, neighbors; think about work and your future. Think about hobbies and your eternal calling and purpose. Map out what you want to accomplish. Stretch your goals beyond what you can do on your own. Stretch in a way that would honor me and not harm you. Think about stewardship in every sense of the word. 

Keep me first throughout this process, otherwise you’ll labor in vain.

I love you son. You’re doing so well yet still have so much room for growth.

Be generous- Insight from July 23, 2018

#Son

Son, be generous. Not just with money and finances, but with your time, energy, and attention.

Be generous towards others as I am generous towards you.

Bless others as I have blessed you.

How you spend your time is a reflection of your heart.

How you spend your money is a reflection of your priorities.

How you give is a reflection of your attitude.

And don’t forget why you give. I weigh your motives. Give out of love. Give out of the love that I’ve shown you through my Son.

“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/pro.16.2.niv

Be generous at watch what I will do in you and through you.

I love you, son.

Tired and Weary

#Son

Son, you’re tired and weary. Come to me and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
[28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
[29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I will renew your strength.

Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
[25] I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Son, do what you can and trust me to do for you what you can’t.

Have a blessed day. 

I love you.