Generosity is not how much you have in your pocket. It’s what you have in your heart.

You will meet generous people in your life, and then you’ll meet people who are holding onto their money with a tight grip.

Jesus taught generosity. He saw people, with their wealth, but He was more impressed with the woman who had very little, but gave all she had.

The thing is, God already knows how much money we have. After all, He’s the one who loans it to us. Yet, some think they can keep the money to themselves, hiding it from God.

How a true Christian gives is a real and true index of that Christian’s heart and character.

God knows if you’re giving as a duty, or as thanksgiving to God.

God thinks more of the poor widow who gave her last dime, rather than the wealthy person who gave just a little.

It’s the quality of giving that counts. Is it coming from the heart, or a guilty conscious?

Giving, no matter if it’s money or time, should come from the heart.

God knows your heart and He knows your intentions.

Give to others, always, not expecting anything in return.

Mark 12:41-44 - “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

What are you compassionate about?

Compassion is defined as, “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.”

Did you know that in the Bible, it talks about a time when Jesus cried? He wept; having compassion for His friends, who were weeping at the grave of Lazarus, and He wept along with them.

Jesus commands us to love on another. That means to also suffer along with them.

Sure, we can send money to the poor for a tax write off, but do you have empathy for these people?

I’ll admit that before going on my first mission trip, I wasn’t aware of the need, the hunger, and the desperation of the people living in a third-world country.

My love and compassion grew leaps and bounds, as I helped and loved on the beautiful people of Peru.

Be generous with your money, your time, your gifts.

God knows your heart. Give willingly, not because you feel guilty if you didn’t, but because you have compassion and are giving from the heart.

You have to take action with your compassion. Do something, instead of writing a check. Get out there, tell others about how Jesus saved you and loves you.

Romans 12:12 - “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

I’ve always been terrified of snakes. The thought of a snake invading my walking path, just gives me the creeps.

You can ask my husband about how hysterical I become when confronted with a snake.

On a trip to a national park a few years ago, we were walking on a trail that led to a swamp area. When, out of nowhere, a snake appeared ahead, on the path we had to go through. As my husband nonchalantly walked past it, he motioned for me to come on, to walk past the snake. Ugh. I was frozen for a moment, then suddenly started jumping up and down like a crazy person. You would have thought there was a cobra ahead, coiled up and waiting on me. The fear had me uprooted, so fearful that I wasn’t thinking straight.

We’ve all experienced fear. It’s a part of life; albeit not a pleasant part to experience at times.

But, as a Christian, fear should be a passive, short-lived emotion. If you’re afraid of getting cancer, even though you have no family history or symptoms, then that’s just satan trying to convince you of unknown fear. If you’re afraid of an oncoming dog that’s getting ready to attack you, then you have all right to be fearful.

But, fear of the future, shouldn’t be a thing with those who are a Christian. We are to cast our cares to God; He will carry our fears and burdens. He’s already planned our future with Him in eternity.

Don’t let fear paralyze you, or get so ingrained in your thoughts, that you can’t do anything. Fear can grow into anxiety, even depression if you let it.

Fear will knock you off course. Allow God to help you to overcome it, by stopping it at its inception.

The rest of the snake story turned out good. I was able to finally calm down enough to walk past the snake and go on my way. I conquered the fear that day, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again.

Always be on guard for the devil’s schemes. He loves to take us off guard and make us feel hopeless and fearful.

Trust God to help you overcome fear, no matter what it is you’re fearful of.

Stay grounded in God’s truth.

2 Timothy 1:7 - “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

In this day and age, we have instant access to almost anything. If we want to watch a movie, or listen to music, we can download it from the internet, immediately.

As a Christian, we can have access to God, anytime we want. We can talk to Him as if He were standing next to us. To some, this may seem strange, but if you’ve been saved and have been following Christ for awhile, you know this to be true.

What about when it comes to worry? Are you holding onto something that’s dragging you down, and keeping you in a constant state of distress?

Give it to God. Upload your worry to Him, and let Him carry the burden.

You’re only making yourself miserable, and adding years to your life by worrying.

Talk to God. Tell Him your concerns; give it to Him and move on.

Trust that He’s taking care of it, and you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel, when you let go and let God take it.

God’s got broad shoulders and loves us enough that He sent His only Son to die in our place.

What makes you think He can’t take on your problems today?

Psalms 55:22 - “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

If you’ve ever trained a dog, you know that it can be exhausting and challenging.

Typically, you want to start out in the dog’s early years, conveying instructions of what to do, and what not to do.

You hope obedience to your commands follows, sooner than later.

As it is with Christians, you don’t start out as a Christian knowing everything there is to know, in order to follow Christ. It’s learned. How? Through God’s word, the Bible. It takes time, but as you’re learning the scriptures, there’s one important thing to all of this, and that’s obedience to Him.

We mature as a Christian by following God, talking with Him daily, asking Him for direction, and allowing Him to direct our steps.

We are to love as Christ loves. We should be serving as Christ served while on earth. This is obedience. This is showing God that no matter what comes up, we will be steadfast in following His lead.

Be trainable. Become open to opportunities to serve others.

Let God’s love flow from your heart, so that others can see this miraculous change in you.

Biblical knowledge takes time. Obedience is mandatory.

John 14:23 - “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

I’m in the middle of a renovation project. It’s been a long two months. I’m tired, sore, and my muscles ache in many places on my body.

But, I know that when the renovation is complete, it’s going to be better than it was before I started. I can already see glimpses of how it’s all coming together.

This reminds me of my life as a Christian. I’m definitely under construction in my daily walk with God.

Once you give your life to Christ, He renews your mind. That may sound strange to some, but it means that, the things that used to interest you, no longer do. Some places you used to go, you no longer desire to go.

Just like a renovation project, as a Christian, I continually think of how God’s using me, changing me for my good. It’s really amazing to see how He’s preparing me for my next chapter of life.

I’m a work in progress, I know. But, God wants to see how I’m trusting Him in the small projects of life, in order to prepare me for my future ministry in serving others.

Quit hanging onto the past. Let go and let God move in your life.

You may think that you don’t need to be changed, that you’re fine the way you are. How’s that working out for you?

Let God change your heart today. It’s time to upgrade your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Most of us are very impatient people. This world is full of quick fixes, drive through service, and front door deliveries. We want what we want, and we want it now.

But, we’ve all heard the saying, “good things come to those who wait.” There’s some truth to that, if you’re a follower of Christ.

To become a Christian, you must have faith. A faith that says, “I believe Jesus is who He says He is.”

But, faith doesn’t stop there. Faith is a daily choice that we must maintain if we are a Christian.

Faith in Jesus is believing something will come true, even if we don’t see anything happening. When you’re believing and are obedient to Christ, He’s working behind the scenes, on your behalf.

Are you looking for a breakthrough today? Is there something in your life that you’ve been waiting on, someone that you’ve been praying for?

Keep the faith, all the way through. God knows all and sees all. If it’s His will that it comes to pass, and you have the confidence, the faith, in Christ, that it will come true, then get ready-it’s gonna happen!

God is never late, and He’s never early.

Have faith for your breakthrough.

John 8:32-32 - “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

A good friend of mine recently reminded me that God gives favor to His children that are walking in obedience.

Favor is defined as “approval, support, or liking for someone or something.”

Favor is an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.

God’s favor will change your life. If you’re a Christian, and have ever experienced His favor, your know that it’s an unexplainable power that changes things.

You see, God’s favor is not anything you can earn by doing good deeds. The same is true for those who want to go to Heaven when they die. You can’t work your way to Heaven. It’s only accessed through and by Jesus, who already paid the price. It’s God’s grace and favor that will surround you like a shield everywhere you go.

For the past couple of months, I’ve experienced God’s favor in miraculous ways. Not because I am expecting it or think I deserve it. It’s God’s way of showing me His love for my obedience to Him.

Favor is ready and available for those who are following Christ today.

We walk around at times, waiting on God’s favor, when in reality He’s waiting on us. He’s waiting to see if we truly believe in what He says.

God’s always searching for someone to bless. It’s His nature.

Could you be next for God’s favor?

Psalms 84:11 - “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”