When I get really quiet, usually early in the morning when I am having my coffee, I get what I call God Downloads – this is where I feel like God is speaking directly to me. These are the teachings, wisdom, and impressions that He shares with me, and I now share them with you. They are messages of encouragement, hope and inspiration aimed at bravery, character and all things leadership. They are the leadership tools for everyday living.
When you read these, I encourage you to think about the message. Focus on:
What catches your attention,
What you can do,
What you need to change and
What speaks to your heart.
Below is a sampling of devotionals I have been working on for my book God Downloads (in progress). First you will read the God download (God’s message to me). This is followed by verses that link to the message. I’ve shared my thoughts about the message and verses with you in the Reflection. Finally, I have given you some questions to consider and think about how it applies to your life.
It’s the Little Things That Count
God Download
You were designed to be a blessing.
I expect My people to be faithful in the little things, opening a door for someone, picking something off the ground even if you didn’t put it there, being kind to others, giving a smile or saying hello to someone who needs it. Your actions define your character.
I am always watching. I can see you when no one else does, when you take what doesn’t belong to you, deliberately sabotage someone else, or are mean and petty. I also see you when you bless and help others.
Pettiness and meanness will destroy your spirit, soul, and character. Kindness and generosity will bless you and others.
I challenge you to do one act of kindness a day and expect nothing in return; see if your heart changes. This is your submission and worship to Me and not works. When you extend yourself to others, you become kinder and more generous. More importantly, these little steps of blessing others, will crack open your heart to love, acceptance, forgiveness, and peace.
Your stewardship is important to Me. When you are a good steward of little, I will make you a steward of more.
What can you give? What feeds the soul and enlarges the heart; is it money, time, kindness, a smile, or a hug? It doesn’t need to be much; share what you can, but make it meaningful.
- Change the way you think
- Change the way you act
- Change your Life
For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him.
So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return. So he called ten of his servants, and gave them ten minas [one apiece, each equal to about a hundred days’ wages] and said to them, ‘Do business [with this] until I return.’ But his citizens [the residents of his new kingdom] hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be a king over us.’ When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these servants, to whom he had given the money, be called to him, that he might find out what business they had done. The first one came before him and said, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you proved yourself faithful and trustworthy in a very little thing, you shall [now] have authority over ten cities [in my kingdom].’ The second one came and said, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him also, ‘And you shall take charge over five cities.’ Then another came and said, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I have kept laid up in a handkerchief [for safekeeping]. I was [always] afraid of you, because you are a stern man; you pick up what you did not lay down and you reap what you did not sow.’ He said to the servant, ‘I will judge and condemn you by your own words, you worthless servant! Did you [really] know that I was a stern man, picking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? Then why did you not [at the very least] put my money in a bank? Then on my return, I would have collected it with interest.’ Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas already!
Reflection
The verses above seem harsh to me. To those who have a lot, more will be given. Then I thought about it; it is a principle, “You reap what you sow.” Those who work hard, take care of what they have, and improve on it (investing, renovating) are rewarded because they use wisdom in growing what they have. Those who don’t take care of or grow what they have, are not rewarded.
I think about how we taught our children responsibility. We gave them chores. Once they proved they could handle the chore, we gave them more responsibility and rewarded them. We learned to trust them with the responsibility we gave them, and they learned skills to become responsible and independent adults.
Similarly at work, once I showed that I could handle my responsibilities, I was given more. The more didn’t always translate to more money, but it could be interesting work, some perks, etc.
God gives us dreams, visions, assignments, and responsibilities. When we prove ourselves faithful with little things, He gives us more. To God, the little things matter because they are at the core of our character. He knows who we are, but He wants us to know who we are and how we handle our responsibilities.
Something to Think About…
In Matthew above, what are the promises and conditions?
What do you think about the story in Luke above? Do you think the nobleman was fair or unfair? Why do you think that?
Why do people have so much trouble applying the verses above? (We know this because the word tells us, and God has given us the illustration above.
Personal Reflection
Focus on what catches your attention: How does this apply to your life?
(journaling thoughts)
Christmas is a season of blessing, be a blessing and you will be blessed. Merry Christmas.
December 2023
Don’t Hold Back
God Download
You are afraid to be joyful and hopeful. I call My children to be both. Your current state of fear, and despair is holding you back. When you hold onto these feelings I cannot work.
Release them and embrace My promises. I promised you “prosperity in your body, livestock, and crops.“ You cannot hang on to fear, anger, despair and other negative emotions and be prosperous at the same time.
Step out in faith, embrace My word, and live in My promises.
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Reflection
There are so many great verses and lessons in the bible. These are some of my favourites. I especially love the verses that speak about the word because God created everything with words; the word is the seed and it has power. God says that the word is alive and when it is spoken has a purpose. Because we are His children and He has given us His word, it means that we have authority, peace, victory, prosperity, and power. What a legacy!
It also means we don’t have to walk around in fear feeling joyless and hopeless. We should be walking in complete confidence and trust. We must choose faith over fear and walk in our inheritance.
I used to be afraid to be hopeful. If I were too hopeful I felt like it would be bad luck. Then I realized two things; first that we have tremendous power in the word and God’s promises. He doesn’t want to hurt us. He wants us to succeed and prosper, He says so. He wants us to have faith in Him and trust Him. God is good and only wants good things for us. He will protect us and watch over us. This was a hard truth to accept at first until I tested it out and watched God’s power at work in my life. His word overcame many bad situations and His word did not return without accomplishing what it was sent out to do. Do you realize how tremendously powerful that is? Wow, I nearly fell out of my seat when I first understood that message.
The second thing I realized was that Satan’s job is to rob us of everything God has promised. It is our job to put Satan in his place and keep or take back what he stolen from us. Therefore, we shouldn’t be afraid, and yet we are. We need to realize that we are co-heirs with Christ and that everything that Christ died for was so that we could walk in authority and blessing.
We have an active role in this walk with God, He’s asked us to step out in faith, embrace His word, and live in His promises. That is what I did and continue to do, because it works!
Something to Think About…
What is your experience in stepping out in faith, embracing His word and promises?
What does it mean to be a co-heir with Christ?
Focus on what catches your attention: How does this apply to your life?
(journaling thoughts)
What other verses can you apply to this devotional?
August 10, 2023
You are Blessed
God Download
You are blessed even though you may not see it, feel it, or hear it.
You know how much I love you. I chose you and set you aside for My purpose. Do not be deceived, your service and obedience to Me does not mean you will have a life of drudgery. You will have an amazing and abundant life
When you are in My will, you are blessed in all that you do. That does not mean you will be immune to hurt, pain, or trouble. I am right beside you and My blessings are at the end of your trial.
My blessings are more than pleasant words, they are real. You are blessed with everything that you put your hand to, you are blessed financially, spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially, but only when you obey and follow me.
Reflection
The toll this disaster took on me mentally and physically was unexpected. I came face-to-face with myself while cleaning up after the hurricane and found out what I was made of and what was my foundation built on.
I’ve always felt capable no matter what. However, when I walked into the house alone for the first time since we put up our walls, I was struck by how overwhelming everything was. Almost everything had been taken from us, and we were left to rebuild from the foundation. Thank God that the foundation had been strong and held during the hurricane.
As I sat on the floor, I wondered why some neighbors had been spared and others weren’t. I wondered why God didn’t redirect the hurricane path. I didn’t ask God because I knew it didn’t matter, I wouldn’t hear why, and I didn’t have the energy to be angry. All I could do was say “yet will I trust you,” over and over again.
I learned the importance of building a solid foundation in a way that couldn’t be more real. Whether the foundation is a house, your walk with God, your business or career, your character, etc., get it right and it will hold through what life throws at you.
God showed me He was real and practical. I experienced His love in a way that left me humbled and I knew I was loved and blessed. I thanked Him for:
- A sister who helped with practical matter of finding tiles, cabinets, flooring for our house.
- A daughter who helped find contractors and supported us with other practical matters so that we were able to get.
- Great contractors.
- My next-door neighbors who were God-in-the-flesh sent to support us. They stored some of our belongings for months before we could retrieve them. They gave us a table and some chairs to use. They fed and sheltered us while we rebuilt. They lent us cleaning materials and tools so that we could get our house in order. They were living examples of Matthew 29.
- Other neighbors helped by doing laundry, providing us with furniture, and storing a few more of our belongings.
- The means to rebuild, and where we could get great deals.
- Friends to help celebrate the wins.
So, when God reminded me that I am blessed, I cried tears of sadness and joy at the same time. I was overwhelmed by His love and how much He cared for me and the little things that mattered only to me.
Something to Think About…
How has God shown up during your storm? What are your blessings?
Have you been in a situation where you have had to come to terms with your own foundation? What is it made of?
What have you done to make your foundation strong so that you can rebuild after a storm?
Personal Reflection
What catches your attention: How does this apply to your life? Look at other verses that apply to your life situation.
(Your journaling thoughts)
April 17, 2023
Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash
Why God Downloads?
“Your life is intentional, it is no accident. You have been brought into this world for My purpose.”
When I was young, I came across a series of books by Francis J. Roberts a Christian author who wrote godly inspired books, the most notable was “Come Away My Beloved.”
I gained much comfort from her books – they were written in a way that felt like God was speaking directly to me. I’ve read and reread them to the point where they are falling apart.
The messages were always timely and comforting. I was amazed that God could reveal himself to someone in that way, I longed for God to speak to me like that.
He did! God Downloads are what He has chosen to share with me and wants me to share with you. His messages to me have lifted me up and encouraged me when I was feeling down. They have inspired me and have given me wisdom.
I hope and pray that God touches your heart and mind through his thoughts and words in the same way that He has touched mine.
Diane
August 30, 2020
Leadership Mindset 