Creation, Gratitude and NOT hanging out with Poor People!
Too many times, We Christians are poor-minded. We concentrate on what’s missing instead of what we have. The problem with this line of thinking is that it is unhealthy and wrong… VERY WRONG!
“Just give me a cabin in the corner of Glory-land” is our mantra sometimes… like we don’t deserve anything… we are King’s kids… KING’S KIDS!
When God created the Heavens and the earth, He created it all… everything we would need… forever.
When he created stars, that was it.. they’re all here. When He created sand, again, all here. Water, buds of leaves in the spring, oxygen, etc.
So think of it this way. When we pray for God to bless us with something, and he says yes (which a lot of times He does), I don’t think God says, “Alright!, I need to CREATE something else for Kevin. I believe that if he answers yes, it has already been made, when He created it long ago… He doesn’t have to make it again… it’s already here… it’s been here.
I think when we pray, it sets OUR minds to find it. Does “Seek and you will find” sound familiar?
Think upon these things.
Think about what’s GOOD, not about what’s NOT.
- When you are thankful for the singers that you have, you tend to attract great singers… maybe because you treat them well.. because you are THANKFUL for them.
- When you are thankful for the bookings you already have, you tend to attract better dates because you DO THOSE DATES YOU HAVE better… because you are thankful for them.
- When you are thankful for the fans you already have, you tend to attract more fans because you treat the fans you have better. You tend to cherish them and create more things for them. They will, in turn, cherish your ministry and give you what YOU need… support.
I think people want to be around other people who have healthy minds… people who have “unhealthy” minds tend to attract those “un-healty” minds to them.
So, here’s the challenge.
Take an inventory of what you already have that is good. Don’t think about what you NEED… just concentrate on what you HAVE and want more of.
If you can’t think of ANYTHING that you have that is good, please do us ALL a favor and find something else to do.
I’ve had to deal with this sort of thinking myself recently.
Susan Unthank asked me if I would like to write an article once a month for SoGospelNews.com. I was excited first to think that she saw me as a writer and a blogger (alot of people only see me as a Producer/Engineer/Writer dude).
Know what my next thought was?
“Wait a minute. Why should I write an article for another blog… I have my own blog… Should I write some of my best blog posts for a website that’s not even mine?”
In other words, “I only have a limited number of GOOD blog post. I shouldn’t give my best stuff away!”
Here is what I AM thinking. (and you should be too!)
“I have an abundance of GREAT blog posts… More than enough for the Empower your ministry blog… plus my course content, plus SoGospelNews.com and beyond”. According to the Bible, more than I can ask or even think. All I need to do is to be a good steward of what God has already given me and he’ll give me more… that’s what JESUS said (remember the story of the talents?).
This is a mindset that I have to practice… everyday! You should be practicing too… Let’s do it now.
Below, in the comments section, practice telling God something you are grateful for!
I’m very thankful that you guys read and (sometimes) comment. I am thankful to be able to encourage people. I am thankful to be able to search and find mentors and brilliant people to glean knowledge from.
[this is a blog post that I did for SoGospelNews. I don't know how many of you saw this, so I thought I would re-post it here]
Kevin Ward’s permanent record says he’s the owner of kiloWatt Productions, the VP of Vine Records and the co-creator of EmPower Your Ministry. (His mom would want you to know he’s also a Dove-Award-winning producer who’s been nominated for his songwriting as well.) In real life, he’s a happy husband, soon-to-be father, a seeker of knowledge, and a pursuer of great people.
Online, you’ll find Kevin striving daily to be a mentor and thought leader with his blogs at KevinWardMusic.com and EmpowerYourMinistry.com, where he uses his gifts as a success and life coach to help others do just that. Connect with Kevin on Twitter and FaceBook to join him on the journey.
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Great post Kevin. One thing that God taught me long ago was this, and you might want to etch it into stone tables, because it’s that profound: ”In order to be successful my child, you must take what you already have and give it away.”
Doesn’t that sound very similar to what Jesus told his disciples? ”Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Mt 19:21-22, KJV).
If it is true that everything that we have is a gift form God, then it is safe to say that everything we have comes from God. That is true because God is the creator of all things, and all things he has given to us for our good and faithful service unto him. Because we cannot outgive God, it follows that whatever we have can be faithfully given away to others for the purpose of expanding the ministries of the kingdom. By so giving, everything we have will be replaced by God in abundance until our cups runneth over. We cannot, and we will not, outgive God.
So, take what you have and give it away, and if you ask me, that includes your CD’s. God will bless you abundantly when you take your talents and possessions and bless others.
Some deep stuff there Dan. It’s working pretty well for Google too, huh? They give away MOST of what they make. “Giving things away” is now a business model as well.
Kevin,
This is a post that I will read again and again. So many profound and intriguing thoughts woven throughout… I’m thankful that the message at GracePointe yesterday had a similar concept, although (as expected being a church) it was concerning spiritual maturity and growth. For instance… if we place all of our understanding and importance of faith into a small parameter of what is possible both for God and in our own personal successes, we are going to absolutely go into shock when our capacity exceeds that of our expectation. By broadening our minds now, I believe we are much more receptive to the workings and internal threads needed to stitch us into who we are and most importantly who we are to become.
God definitely knows us better than we know ourselves, huh Kimberly. I think God would be a little bit happy with us if we tried to catch up with him a little… (try to learn about us)
I think that by getting to know ourselves, we can be more effective… in everything!
Can you post a link to Stan’s sermon?
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
This is a great post and I’ve also read several others you’ve done lately and really related to them. Yes, we tend to forget “who we are” in Christ. That we are royalty and should expect certain privileges as a result. Why do we have a hard time wrapping our minds around that?
I am grateful for many things in my life. I’m grateful for a family that I love and that loves me. I’m also grateful for my health and for being fed, both physically and spiritually each day. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make music and share it with folks. I’m grateful for good friends.
I plan to spend today in gratitude…only that!
Keep on keepin’ on, Kev!
Diane
Thank you Diane. Sorry for replying late. this one slipped past me.
I have SOOO many things to be grateful for! Thanks for telling me some of yours.