I was asking the Lord what He wanted me to write about on the last day of 2008 and this is what He said, “Blessings Abound.” I can’t remember a time in my 46 years here on this earth where we are going through a time globally as we are now. Here in the U.S. things are slowing down and people are fearful of a lot of things. I read about the economies in other countries also slowing down. But the Lord says to His people and to those who are going to come to Him and become His people, “Blessings Abound.”

My name is Joseph and as I began to write this post this came to my mind. God had sent Joseph ahead of His people to prepare for a time of famine. The Lord has sent a Joseph company of His people ahead. They have endured hardship and have learned many things. They are now in places to bless the Lord’s people. Can they hear His voice? Will they come together and join ranks so that there may be plenty? It is a matter of hearing the voice of the Lord and obedience.

Corporate America does not have the answers, nor do many companies, governments, and banks around the world. They don’t understand why their strategies didn’t work. They are desperately drawing at straws trying to make some sense of this mess and to somehow fix it. The Lord’s people have the answers. We need to step up as Esther did in her time. “. . . And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” If you don’t know the story you might want to read it.

Who is going to stand up in this time and do what is right? Who is going to show the love of the Lord to a lost and dying people? Who is going to tell the CEO of a company who just lost his job that the Lord loves him/her and has a greater purpose and destiny for their life and those of their family? Who is going to stand up transparent and let others see that we aren’t perfect but that we care. Oh that the blinders would come off of the proud so that they might see their desperate need of a saviour, that they might bow their knee humbly and receive forgiveness from the Lord that He might restore them to Himself. What is the price of saving one soul from eternal damnation? Could a simple smile, an outstretched hand for help, a gesture of love save one soul? We all need His love. Can we come out of our secluded hide-a-ways, the four walls of our church buildings, and our selfish cliques to help others? Or have we become like the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Jesus’ time that missed one of the greatest times to be alive in history?

I believe that most people really want to be loved. I believe they are really seeking the truth. I know that there are those who don’t, but I am not talking about them. I see so many hurt and broken people everyday. Most are so bruised that they have shut themselves up inside their heart. They put on a mask. They paint a smile but all the while the pain shows through. The only ones they end up really deceiving are themselves.

I have found the answer. It is not empty religion. Jesus Christ is real and alive today. He isn’t like some of these prophets of false religions that have died and their bones are in their graves. I know because I have seen Him. I know because He came into the emptiness that was in my heart and He filled me with His love. I know because I hear His voice and He leads me everyday. His word is truth. It is reality. Every day, science proves more of the scriptures to be true. If you don’t believe me then why don’t you ask Him yourself. What have you got to lose, except maybe a little pride? Is your pride worth more than the state of your soul?

How does someone get married? Does a man just marry the first lady he sees? Of course not, they spend some time together getting to know each other. This is the way with the Lord. Get to know Him. Find out who He is. Pick up a Bible and start reading. Ask Holy Spirit to help you understand and He will. Will you do this? Is your life and the lives of your loved ones worth finding the truth? YOU DECIDE! IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

Blessings Abound! Blessings will abound to those who will step out during these times and obey the voice of the Lord. Read 1Corinthians 13 about Love. People don’t need to hear a clanging cymbal in these times, such as carelessly quoted scriptures and prophecies, they need to feel and sense His love flowing through us.

New companies will spring up that will overtake the competition with seemingly no effort. People will rise out of obscurity as Joseph did to take over and run companies and countries. The darkness seems to be winning as in the days of Elijah, yet it only took one prophet of God to bring forth the defeat of the prophets of Baal. Let the Spirit of the Lord rise within you. You have weathered the storms. You have been through the pain. You are stronger now than you think. As you walk and step out, you will receive further instructions from the Lord. Dare to step into the Jordan as the priests of old. Dare to let the Lord use your mouth and your body to bring salvation to many. It doesn’t matter about the ghosts in your closet. Here is some insight. Everyone has ghosts. Everyone has faults. IF you don’t believe me look at some of the heroes in scripture. Abraham, David, Solomon, Jacob and most of those of old made mistakes. God not only used them but used them mightily. It’s not about us. It is ALL about Him. If others see Him, then they can be saved. It was always about Him. The enemy wants us to focus on ourselves. REFOCUS! It is about His greatness. Like John the Baptist, we must become less and He must become greater in our lives.

Be blessed this new year as you make the choice to follow Him wherever He leads. There is no greater purpose and no greater destiny. Your name might not be written high before many people, but it will be recorded in heaven. There is no greater joy than to fulfill the reason you were created. Be encouraged and encourage others. Reach out to someone and tell them that they matter.

You matter. You didn’t find this post by accident. The Lord has a purpose for your life and He loves you dearly. You’ve tried doing things your way and it hasn’t worked. Why not try His? Is the pain too great? Let Him have the pain. He can take it. He already did anyway when He died on the cross. He knows how you feel. You can trust Him. He didn’t make the problem. People did by their own choices. Give Him a chance and you’ll find that He is more wonderful than you could ever imagine. May you be totally blessed with all that He has for you. May you find even more than I have in Him. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Let it be the start of a brand new journey and destiny. I hope I get to meet you someday and hear of the great things He has done in your life. Glory! Lord be magnified! I am nothing but You are everything. I am human, but You are my life. May those who read this catch a glimpse of You. May they feel You touching their heart. May they find the truth, the reality of Your presence. I know that You will never let them down. Thank You for making Yourself known to me. I love You, Father.

Joseph James