Good Morning Friend!
Do you see the cup as being "half-full" or "half-empty"?
A phrase that I used to hear the seasoned saints say all the time (especially during testimony service) has been ringing strong in my heart and spirit lately; "I may not be where I need (or want) to be, but I thank God that I'm not where I used to be!" I want to encourage you this week to begin to look at your cup as being "half-full" rather than "half-empty". To look at things as being "half-full" is saying Lord, I thank you for where I am right now. I thank you for the improvements that I have made, I thank you for the victories I have won, I thank you for the things, people, talents and resources that you have blessed me with! This shows a heart and attitude of gratitude! With this type of mindset you can see clearer and go farther because you understand that when praises go up, blessings come down! With this type of attitude you are content (not satisfied) with your current state because you understand that when you praise Him, He will come and at any given moment He can shift your situations and what used to be "half-full" in the matter of moments can be suddenly overflowing. Take a break and just think about where God has brought you from and begin to thank him for the progress in your life. Yea I may have had some set backs, but that was only a set up for my come back. I may have lost some things and/or some people, but that was only to make room for what God is sending my way. I may have fallen flat on my face at times, but God was there to pick me up and to dust me off...I owe God praise because although I'm not where I would like to be, it still stands true that I'm nowhere near where I came from! Glory to your name Father!
On the other hand, when we look at things and situations as being "half-empty" that's basically what we will have. Empty expectations, empty hopes and empty dreams! (WOW!) This type of person looks at them self as always being the victim instead of being the victor. Often times a person who sees things as being "half-empty" thinks that they are "owed" something and takes this attitude along with them in life and carries out this way of thinking by the way they interact with those they encounter in life. This type of person usually walks around sad, upset and depressed because they don't understand that the battle starts in the way they THINK! If they could only wrap their mind around the notion that maybe things aren't better because of my "stinking-thinking" and change the way they see themselves and their situation, then just maybe they would be able to see things a little clearer.
I remember having a fit with God because there was a very expensive vehicle that I wanted and the Holy Ghost kept telling me that it wasn't time yet (has this ever happened to you?). I told God "ok look...I pay my tithes, I give my offerings, I work hard (both in my professional life and for the Kingdom) and if the dope man can have it then so can I." At the time of this conversation I was riding in my current vehicle (which I am very thankful for and which is pretty nice vehicle), I heard the spirit of God tell me "boy I took you from living in a dope house when you were a child when you would have to go and steal food from the store just so you and your siblings could eat. I kept you through abuse, took you out of that situation to where you had more than enough of whatever you needed. I took you through school and brought you out successful when the statistics said you should have been a product of your environment, but I kept you and made something of you and am still taking you to higher levels. I took you from the bus line to owning 3 nice vehicles (two of which were brand new when you received them) and you are only 26 years old. Why don't you thank me for what you have and where I have brought you from rather than complain about what you don't have. You don't know what I could have in store, but you will never access it with that attitude. Why don't you praise Me in advance (like you tell everyone to do when you are up before my people) and watch things move in your favor quicker than if you were to continue to sit here and complain about what you don't have." After God finished letting me have it good (SMILE!) I was so convicted that I immediately asked for the Lord's forgiveness and began to think over my life and thank Him for what He had already done for me. As I began to call out things I was grateful for, that list quickly became loftier and made my new car desire seem so small and petty!
Let me drop this revelation that has helped me tremendously in my life: God can work greater with a mind and spirit of gratefulness and determination over a mind of defeat and sub-servant thinking. When we begin to concentrate on what isn't rather than what is, is usually when we get ourselves into big trouble. We see it all the time, someone looses it because they don't have enough to make ends meet (or are not patient enough to wait on God to elevate them), so they go off and rob a bank, steal someone's identity, get into a debt they know they cant afford, or worst case scenario they take it out on their loved ones and come home and abuse, harm and/or kill everyone in the house including themselves. Often times I believe that if these same people would have just stepped back and looked a little clearer at the situation they would have said, hey, I may not have all of what I want but I still have life, I still have breath and most importantly I still have (or can have) God! You see, once we can get our emotions and self-will in line, there is nothing that we can't encourage ourselves through with the help of God.
The Apostle Paul said it like this in Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message Bible Translation): "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it." Here we get a glimpse at a portion of a letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi. He is letting the church know [again] to keep their focus on Christ and their goals (both corporately and individual) because he [Paul] knew that the moment they took their eyes off "the prize" that their faith would waver and it could be a possibility that their footing would become unsure. What I like the most about this profound scripture is that Paul offers the church hope by letting them know that God would clear their blurred vision and that they would see the promise. I want to encourage you that on this week God is going to begin to remove the mote and blinders from your eyes. Whatever has been hindering your view, God is going to begin to expose and remove these things from your life so that you can remain focused on the goal (and your goals). BUT it is going to start with you changing the way you see things. Tell yourself, "its time to change this mind!"
Is your cup half-full or is it half-empty? The choice is yours!
Much Love,
Clyde L. Webster
A Note from Minister Clyde L. Webster
Hey There! I just wanted to take a little time out to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads these weekly inspirations and supports this ministry with your prayers and email reponses. Many of you have written me to let me know that you forward these weekly emails to your co-workers, family and friends! This is awesome and we appreciate you sharing what God has given us with others. Please feel free to have your email buddies email us at: clwebster@vdpp.com if they would like to be included on our weekly mailing list. My staff and I are working on some exciting ways to revolutionize how we do ministry inorder to present the gospel in unconventional manners that will ultimately impact the Kingdom of God and offer you bibical and pratical principles that will help you become the best you possible in every aspect in your life. Keep me in your daily prayers as there are many exciting things that are about to take place in this ministry (I will share more at a later date). As always, we want these messages to fall on good ground and would never want them being sent where they are not solicited, so if you recieve these emails and would like your name taken off of our mailing list at any time, please send us an email to: clwebster@vdpp.com and we will make sure your name is removed from our list promptly. This has not been a problem that we have faced, but we never want to take things for granted.
Thank you again for your awesome support and overwhelming feedback. Keep writing! Even if I dont get a chance to respond back to your mail, please know that I read and appreciate all of the correspondances that I recieve.
Until next time--continue to become the best you possible! You can do it! I know you can!
Much Love,
Clyde L.
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