This morning we take a break from the current Proverbs series. I am currently in New Orleans for a Men’s Conference that has been absolutely amazing! What I feel led to do this morning is to simply share a few of the golden nuggets—and believe me, these are just a few—that I have received thus far at this conference. I trust you will be blessed by them.
Dwayne Brewington: 3 facets of giving:
1. Habitual (or systematic) giving: As believers we should establish a system where we tithe, give offering, and support ministry on a regular and repetitive basis. If we sow continuously, we will reap continuously.
2. Spontaneous giving: There are times when we sense that God is doing something special and on those occasions we may be led to spontaneously support the move of God; this way we ‘get in on’ what God is doing.
3. Command giving: This is apart from our systematic giving (tithe and offerings) and it when we are clearly led by God to give a certain amount to a particular person or cause. If God tells us to give, then we would be fools not to obey him. He is not trying to take something from us, He is trying to get something to us. When we support His purposes we will always be blessed.
Edwin Strickland:
1. A written vision causes you to clearly define what you desire.
2. A written vision sets the guidelines for your decision making.
3. A written vision enables you to measure your progress.
Cynthia Brazelton:
1. Faith is all about courage. That is why the enemy is out to discourage you. No courage, no faith.
2. You can change things down here (in time) by looking to heaven/eternity (where there is no time).
3. Before God releases His best in your life He is looking for maturity and character development.
Ed Brinson:
1. When you find your purpose and you pursue it, the enemy will not be happy about it. He bothers everybody, but he truly fights against those who are pursuing their purpose. While pursuing purpose does not exonerate you from challenges, the good news is that WE WIN!
2. When you fulfill your purpose you become someone’s reward. If you fail to discover and then fulfill your purpose someone will miss out what the gift you could have become.
3. Your future is much brighter than you can imagine (Eph 3:20). Remember, you cannot dream BEYOND God’s ability to perform it.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for these golden nuggets which have been birthed from Your Word. I am a giver and my heart is in my giving. I give systematically, spontaneously, and in response to Your commands. As I give, men give unto me. I sow regularly and therefore, I reap on a continuous basis. You give me vision and I document that vision so that my spouse and me, along with our kids, can be on the same sheet of music. We know where we are going and the vision enables us to make decisions that will take us there and to measure our progress along the way. I have exceptional courage. Fear has no power over me. You will is done in my life, here on earth, as it is in heaven. I develop in You and as I do, I free You to bless me richly. I am committed to find, follow, and finish Your purpose for my life before I die. I shall become the reward to others that You desire for me to be. I will develop into the gift You desire to share with others, so that You glory is revealed through my life and living. And finally, I dream BIG DREAMS, because I know I serve a BIG GOD who can bring them to pass! I declare this all by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
