A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos
Today’s Bible Verse
Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cows, sheep, wine, or other fermented drink or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice.
Deuteronomy 14:26
Receiving What You Desire
God instructed the people of Israel about the purpose of properly giving tithes. The tithe should be united with the desires of the heart, whatever your need might be. It should bring joy and peace to your heart. All that we desire in life already exist in the spiritual realm. In order to be able to reach them, we need faith. Faith lets us take hold of the things in the spirit and bring them into natural existence. When God puts a desire in our hearts, it will always inspire us and motivate us to do great things for Him. It will also become the road map and encourage the people around to do likewise.
When Jesus asked Bartimaeus what his wish was, he said he wanted to recover his vision. It is absurd to think about leadership without a vision. Although there are visions that do amazing and great things, and others that do small things; when a person has obtain success it is because the seed of a vision was planted inside of him.
The great achievements of mankind begin with a vision from God, because we understand that everything that contributes to human development and welfare can only come from God. In order to see this Vision come to pass, it begins with a small seed that falls on good ground. Then it will grow and become exactly what God intended it to be. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). We must let the Lord reveal His thoughts to us. His ways are much higher, greater and infinitely vaster than ours. Let Him now expand your vision by focusing on His greatness and not on what has been limiting you. Remember, “What the righteous desire will be granted” (Proverbs 10:24b).
Something to Think About
Bette Nesmith served as secretary in Dallas while raising her son alone. Michael, her son, later became famous with his group The Monkeys. She never set out to be an inventor. She was just trying to solve the problems caused by her limited experience in typing and shorthand. Since her education, as an artist, allowed her the use of paints and inks, one day she tried to create a product that would cover up the typing mistakes that she made at work. After several attempts, she produced a white substance that dried quickly. She put the substance in a bottle and took it to work. If she made a mistake she simply spread the substance on the paper with a small brush and then typed over it. In 1956, she turned her kitchen into a laboratory due to demand from her peers and friends. In 1967, she had created her own company, Liquid Paper Corporation. In 1976, 25 million bottles sold. She also created two charitable foundations to help women find new ways of living. Bette died in 1980, six months after selling her company for $47.5 million.
Prayer
Dear God, You always surprise us and make us glad with the great revelations of Your Word that You have given to our lives. It shows that You are aware of the smallest desires of our hearts. We know that You will supply what is needed. And this teaches us that we should be generous when giving to You. Without a doubt, You give us so much that what You ask is a minimal amount, compared to what You give us. I praise You, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Declaration
Because I am faithful to God, He will satisfy my heart’s desires.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Ezekiel 40-41; Job 15:1-16
- New Testament: John 11:38-44; 1 John 3:19-24
