The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21b). It’s so interesting to see in 1 Kings 17 that even after decreeing the drought, the Lord still made provision for the prophet Elijah….at least for a season. It is not known exactly for how long but in just a few verses we learn that the place of provision was depleted. God further instructed Elijah to go meet a woman who would further provide for him. In her limited view, the woman expressed she only had enough for one meal for her and her son. Her plan was to prepare the one meal for them and then die. The faith that she had in the instructions she received changed her life forever and are worth taking note of-“Give to me (Elijah) FIRST and you will have provision throughout the season of drought (paraphrased).”

I’m asking you several questions today. First, why are you not living in your season of “more than enough” in spite of the world’s view of the state of the economy? Secondly, “what’s in your house that you are holding on to because your level of faith or limited belief says that it’s all you have and you can’t make it without it? Thirdly, are you properly positioned to receive instruction from the Lord? And lastly, when you hear His voice how do you respond?

Statistics show that less than 20% of Americans are living a fulfilled life. So many of us take the outside in approach to trying to find happiness. We look at others around us and we want them to give to us or change toward us to make us happy. Consider the inside out approach for more sustained and fulfilled success. First, believe in yourself!! God has given you everything you need to succeed. It is WITHIN YOU. Be the change you want to see. Look deep and don’t be afraid of giving yourself, your time, your money, your talent. God will lead you to the right places and lead the right people to you.

Quit thinking that your provision and place of destiny is totally tied to someone else’s actions. If you think about it, your passions are within and no one else can even know them unless you share-NO ONE. When God fearfully and wonderfully made you, He sealed your “box” with these precious words, “EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED”!