Don't Squander the Wander!

Fall apple picking is the best. Trees full of fresh, sweet bounty, just waiting for a twist, and transport to our cars. Bushels and baskets full of wonderful pie filler, or fresh snacks for days. The smell of a fresh cut apple is so sweet! No fragrant candle can compare. It’s easy to start picking, and keep gathering until we have more than we will ever use. No matter. We can share. The process of picking is intoxicating. And the fruit of our labor is worth the strength to carry it all home. And the bounty is ready to share.

Our God is the God of abundance! Abundant blessing. As we seek Him, He multiplies. Arms full of blessings we cannot contain, as the Father in glory continually heaps on good things in our lives. Solutions we asked for, and miracles we weren’t expecting. Lots of fodder for praise. Lots of reasons to be amazed. Many, many ways we can testify to the goodness of our Savior. These blessings of the Lord are held as best we can, but sometimes it’s just more than we can contain. Spilling over. Uncontainable.

God is also the One who gives abundantly in response to our prayers. Each cry of our hearts. When the Father begins answering prayers, we have a decision to make. Praise! Question. Wonder if it will “stick” this time. Look around to see if others affirm what we are experiencing. And, doubt. Oh doubt. Just go away you wretched doubt. God desires our praise. He commands all glory be given to Him alone. Any answer or evidence of miracle is for His renown. Jesus, we praise You.

Lord Jesus, we praise You for the overwhelming ways You move in our lives. Every. Single. Day. In the littlest helps or hugest victories. You are God. You are able. And, You love us so sweetly as You bring any good thing we’ve ever known. Thank You, Jesus for giving us a testimony to share with the world around us. A pathway to lead others to Your feet. Strengthen our voices to share what You have done.

When the God of abundance moves in power, our focus should solely remain on Him. The wonder working power of God. The resurrection power of Jesus moving in our midst. Watch as the fruit of His goodness begins to impact the world around us. It is humbling and wonderful all at the same time when someone sees or hears what has happened in your life, and stops in their tracks, looks up to the heavens, and says words of adoration to the One who holds the key. For, if He can do it for us, He can do it for them. God is more than able.

I’m blessed with an inner circle of friends who genuinely celebrate every victory with me. Those sweet fellow followers of God who give all praise where it is due – to Him alone.

The reality is, we will experience a wide variety of reactions to our praise reports. See, it is these moments all rehearsed reactions, facial expressions, crocodile tears, trite phrases, and simple “go to” modes of spirituality fall short. Golf claps for the kingdom just won’t cut it. The little pharisaical acts of a life that is “faking it till they make it” just can’t relate to the authentic praise of a life so filled with the Spirit of God they can’t keep quiet when hearing what God has done. Some just won’t be happy for your victories. Some might even disappear. Wish them well and move on. Say thank you, Lord, and keep running after Jesus with all you’ve got!

Ask God to fill your space and life with people who are so in love with Jesus that every victory in a believer’s life is met with an overwhelming joy from the depths of their spirit bursting forth in glorious praise. God will most certainly answer that desire! Before you know it, that bushel basket of praise will be full to overflowing, and ready to share the goodness of God with the hurting world around you. For the glory of God.