Today I began reading a book for next week’s class called The Supernatural Ways of Royalty by Kris Vallotton. In the first chapter, he discusses the concept of pauperhood. A pauper, or very poor person, share a belief that there’s never going to be enough for them. They live in fear that the well is going to dry up and that other people’s successes cost them their blessings. Reading these words made me think about many people in my life that I know who think this way. Take the homeless men, for example, who live on the streets and due to their pauper mentality, believe they have no significance (even though many of these men are far smarter than me!) One man in particular speaks seven languages, used to work for in international business and could easily succeed but he has given up on life and the amazing gifts he has for the world. Valloton goes on to say that “whenever someone values us more than we value ourselves, we tend to sabotage our relationship with that person”. Whether you are my friend on the street or a wealthy man relying on things to make sense of their life, I find there is a certain resistance towards God due to a feeling of insignificance. (Sunrise in Mijas, Spain)
(homeless friend in Spain who Dave plays Italian checkers with most Thursday nights)
The amazing revelation God has been showing me is that God wants us to live like royalty, not like paupers, yet so many people in the church still live as they are lacking. “Most of us are still looking at our provisions (what our bank statement says) to help us determine our vision, and therefore are living within our means instead of HIS blessing” states Valloton. It all goes back to a mindset. I have known what it is like to make lots of money and what it is like to have very little. I have lived in mansions and in unfinished cement housing in a Haitian orphanage. I have driven a 1980 green two door volvo that would not go over 55 in the freeway and was blessed with winning a brand new convertible mini cooper. I know what it is like to have much and to have little as far as material things go but what I do know is that I have never been lacking. God has always given me more than enough as I learn to trust in Him and walk in faith. Just like the Israelites in the desert, the provision from God always comes exactly when we need it! The problem is, we live with such fear of not having that the church too often lives in a pauper mentality themselves!
Amazing that when we gave our lives to Christ, we became children of the living God. That means what God has is ours!! What Jesus did we can do because He tells us that greater things that I have done will you do by His spirit. So what are we worried about? God says ask and you shall receive IF you ask in my name. God cares about our lives and our hearts! He wants to bless us so we can bless others! That is the key, “Did God gain a fortune or lose a man” when we require wealth? I heard many years ago that it is not how much money I am going to give to God but how much of God’s money I am going to keep for myself. Wow–powerful way to examine my heart and how I live.
I find myself more and more amazed by the abundant life I have as a Child of the living God. The vision He has put deep within my heart is po
ssible through Christ who enables me to live a life of faith, abundance (not always material but always enough!), and love. I wanted to encourage you today with what I am learning to not let the enemy let doubt, fear, feelings of insecurity or insignificance rule your life any longer. People need YOU to have faith, security and significance so you can impart those things to them. I realize that all He asks of me is to trust Him at His word and follow in faith. What an amazing adventure! It is never to late to live the life you always dreamed!! That is my hope and message for the homeless men in Spain, the prostitutes in Thailand and the church in America. We were created with a purpose, to be loved by God and love others.
ssible through Christ who enables me to live a life of faith, abundance (not always material but always enough!), and love. I wanted to encourage you today with what I am learning to not let the enemy let doubt, fear, feelings of insecurity or insignificance rule your life any longer. People need YOU to have faith, security and significance so you can impart those things to them. I realize that all He asks of me is to trust Him at His word and follow in faith. What an amazing adventure! It is never to late to live the life you always dreamed!! That is my hope and message for the homeless men in Spain, the prostitutes in Thailand and the church in America. We were created with a purpose, to be loved by God and love others.
(Typical Thursday game night with homeless men)
