What Did You Say?

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

This morning, I want to share a portion of Joel Osteen’s message titled, “Your Words Become Your Reality.” You can search the title to listen to the full message or you can listen to it on the Joel Osteen Daily Podcast. The transcript is copied from Sermons.love. You can find the full transcript at https://sermons.love.

I want to talk to you today about how your words become your reality. You are where you are today in part because of what you've been saying about yourself. Words are like seeds. When you speak something out, you give life to what you're saying. If you continue to say it, eventually that can become a reality. Whether you realize it or not, you are prophesying your future.

This is great when we're saying things like, I'm blessed. I'm strong. I will accomplish my dreams. I'm coming out of debt. That's not just being positive, you are prophesying victory, prophesying success, prophesying new levels. Your life will move in the direction of your words. But too many people go around prophesying just the opposite. "I never get any good breaks". "I'll never get back in shape". "Business is slow: I'll probably get laid off". "Flu season is here. I always get it". They don't realize they are prophesying defeat. It's just like they're calling in bad breaks, mediocrity, lack.

The scripture says "We will eat the fruit of our words". You are planting seed when you talk. At some point, you're going to eat that fruit. My challenge is make sure you're planting the right kind of seeds. If you want apples, you have to sow apple seeds. If you want oranges, you can't plant cactus seeds, poison ivy seeds, mushroom seeds. You're going to reap fruit from the exact seeds that you've been sowing.

In other words, you can't talk negative and expect to live a positive life. You can't talk defeat and expect to have victory. You can't talk lack, not enough, can't afford it, never get ahead; and expect to have abundance. If you have a poor mouth, you're going to have a poor life. If you don't like what you're seeing, start sowing some different seeds. Instead of saying, "I'll never get well, Joel, this sickness has been in my family for three generations". No, let me give you the right seeds. "God is restoring health back unto me. This sickness didn't come to stay, it came to pass. I'm getting better and better every day".

You keep sowing those seeds and eventually you'll eat that fruit. Health, wholeness, victory. Instead of saying, "I'll never get out of debt. I'll never rise any higher". No, "I will lend and not borrow. Whatever I touch prospers and succeeds. I'm coming into overflow, into more than enough". Start sowing seeds of increase, seeds of abundance. No more "I'll never accomplish my dreams". No, "I have the favor of God. Blessings are chasing me down. The right people are searching me out. New opportunities, new levels are in my future". If you'll keep talking like that, you'll reap a harvest of good things. James said in the scripture, "With our tongue we can bless our life or we can curse our life".

Many people don't realize with their words they're cursing their future. Every time you say, "I never get any good breaks", you just cursed your life. "I'll never be able to afford that nice house". "I'll never break this addiction". "I'll never meet the right person". No, stop cursing your future. Sometimes the enemy doesn't have to defeat us, we defeat ourselves. Pay attention to what you're saying. Are you blessing your life? Or are you cursing it?

Pretty powerful, isn’t it? I want to challenge us; for one week, let’s speak nothing but blessings over our life and the lives of others. If we slip up, correct it. Let’s really commit to it and see what happens…I am confident we will not regret it!

I also want to share a quick thought with you all this morning. During his sermon on Sunday, May 18^th, Pastor Adam made the statement, “Jesus is interruptible.” He went on to point out how people were constantly interrupting Jesus, asking Him to do something for them, and He always stopped what He was doing to love, care for, and serve others. Think about it; where in the Bible do you read that someone went to Jesus for help and He said, “I am sorry, I don’t have time. I have to get to a meeting?” He never did. So, as I took my notes, I wrote, “Jesus is interruptible,” and then I wrote, “Are you?” I punched myself right in the gut! While I wish I could tell you I am always interruptible and always take the time, the reality is that I am not, and I do not, far too often. How about you, Friend, are you interruptible? We will leave that one right here…

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

 

Kev

We Have Today

Happy Friday, Friends:

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! This day is going to be a great one – I believe and declare.

I carry a notebook with me that has the following printed on it:

“This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good.”

- Unknown

I don’t know who is responsible for the adaptation that I have on my notebook; however, I do know that Heartsill Wilson is responsible for the original poem, The Beginning of A New Day. Here is his original poem:

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss – good not evil. Success, not failure, in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it.”

- Heartsill Wilson

Friends, this is the beginning of a new day. What are you going to do with it?

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

Kev

Waiting at the Gate

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

You are all in for a treat this week! I am blessed to work with so many amazing people! One of them, Diana Taylor, made a comment to me earlier this week about how having a small child has helped her grow spiritually. She then told me what she will share this week in the message. When she got done telling me the story, I asked, “Where are you preaching this weekend?” Her message is great, and I trust it will bless and challenge you as much as it has me.

Last week, I picked up my son from school. When he saw me, he was happy and excited, but I could also tell he had been crying. I asked his teacher what was wrong, and she told me what happened in the moments prior.

She said a white SUV had driven by, and my son was so sure it was me. He got so excited and ran to the gate, saying, “Mama! Mama!” - but it wasn’t me. Then a silver F-150 passed by, and he was so sure it was his dad. He shouted, “Da-da! Da-da!”- but it wasn’t his dad and the truck kept driving by. And that’s when he started to cry.

The thing is, I was coming. I was always coming.

It hit me a little while later – how often do we do this in our walk with God? We get our hopes up over things we think are meant for us. They look right, they feel right- and when they pass us by, it’s disappointing, even heartbreaking. But that doesn’t mean we’ve been forgotten. It just means that wasn’t our ride.

I knew I was on my way, even though my son couldn’t see me yet. And if he had gone home with one of those other cars or families, he would’ve missed out on the one that was truly for him.

It’s the same with God. Sometimes doors close, opportunities slip by, and we’re left feeling confused and discouraged. My husband and I have been there - he’s lost coaching and teaching roles that felt like the perfect fit for our family. In the moment, it was so painful. To have to say goodbye to the relationships we put blood, sweat, and tears into forming. But every time, in hindsight, we’ve seen that God had something better in mind.

Just because we can’t see what’s coming doesn’t mean it isn’t on its way. And just because something looks like the right thing doesn’t mean it is.

So, if you’re standing at the gate today, wondering why someone or something passed you by, please remember: it might not have been meant for you. But that doesn’t mean you’ve been forgotten. God is still coming. His plans are still unfolding. And they are always worth the wait.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)    “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

Kev

A Story, A Poem, and A Devotional

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

This week, I want to share three things with you: a story, a poem, and a devotional. They speak for themselves, so I won’t add much more. I will share them, let you think about and process them, and then you can do what you want with them.

The Story

Last week I was visiting with a colleague. He was telling me about a 90+-year-old woman he had the honor of working with. She was mentally sharp and spunky. He asked her what she did, what she would attribute her vitality to. She told him that she gets up every morning, gets cleaned up, puts on make-up, gets dressed and then fulfills her purpose. She stated that she can no longer get out like she could when she was younger so she sits and writes notes of encouragement to her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She stated, “That’s my purpose now.”

We can learn a whole lot from this short story! It inspires me! I fully intend to be doing everything in my power to encourage, empower, and equip others until the day I meet Jesus face to face.

The Poem

A fellow Rotarian quoted this poem by memory on Monday. It was the first time I had heard it and I immediately knew I had to share it with all of you.

Equipment

By Edgar A. Guest

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You've all that the greatest of men have had,

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,

And a brain to use if you would be wise.

With this equipment they all began,

So start for the top and say "I can."

Look them over, the wise and great,

They take their food from a common plate

And similar knives and forks they use,

With similar laces they tie their shoes,

The world considers them brave and smart.

But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,

You can be great if only you will,

You're well equipped for what fight you choose,

You have legs and arms and a brain to use,

And the man who has risen, great deeds to do

Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,

You are the one who must choose your place,

You must say where you want to go.

How much you will study the truth to know,

God has equipped you for life, But He

Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,

The man must furnish the will to win,

So figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You were born with all that the great have had,

With your equipment they all began.

Get hold of yourself, and say: "I can."

The Devotional

I am doing a Bible Study on the YouVersion Bible App. The study is titled Faithful Fatherhood. Legacy Minded Men wrote this plan. You can learn more about Legacy Minded Men at https://www.legacymindedministries.org. While it is titled and written for men, I promise this study has great information for moms and dads. I am sharing what I read yesterday morning, Day 4 of the plan.

Parenting in Faith: A Devotional for Fathers

Fatherhood is a journey filled with joys, challenges, and fears. Many of us worry about whether our kids will turn out right. Will they make wise decisions? Will they follow the Lord? These fears can sometimes shape our parenting in ways we don’t intend. But as I’ve learned, parenting in fear creates fear in our children. Parenting in faith, however, inspires faith.

Fear vs. Faith in Parenting

When my children were young, I often parented from a place of fear. My constant corrections—even with good intentions—communicated to my daughters that they could never meet my standards. While I aimed to teach them excellence, I unintentionally eroded their confidence and created distance in our relationship.

But then I discovered a transformative principle in Hebrews 3:13: “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” The Bible calls us to encourage, to put courage into others. This principle applies powerfully to fatherhood.

Consistent encouragement tells our children who they are, inspiring them to live up to their God-given potential. Correction, while necessary, tells them who they are not. Both have their place, but encouragement fosters confidence and a stronger relationship.

The Power of Encouragement

Encouragement means speaking life into our kids. It’s telling them, “I’m proud of your effort,” or, “I’m so glad God put you in our family.” These affirmations help our children see themselves as God sees them—loved, valued, and capable. Over time, I shifted from constant correction to intentional encouragement, and the results were profound. My children began to listen more, grow in confidence, and strive for excellence on their own.

I’ll never forget a conversation with my high school daughter, Madeline. I had been practicing encouragement for years when she said, “Dad, years ago, I felt like I couldn’t do anything right in your eyes. Now, I feel like I can’t do anything wrong.” Her words affirmed the power of encouragement in shaping our kids’ confidence and faith.

Practical Steps to Parent in Faith

1. Speak Life Daily: Use affirming statements like “That’s impressive,” “I’m proud of you,” or “God gave you such a great gift.” Let your words reflect how God sees them.

2. Focus on Who They Are: Instead of pointing out mistakes, emphasize their strengths and potential. This builds their identity and inspires growth.

3. Pray for Them: Cover your children in prayer, asking God to guide their hearts, protect their paths, and use their lives for His glory.

4. Trust God’s Plan: 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Trust that God is at work in your children’s lives and has a good plan for their future.

A Call to Action

Fatherhood isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present and intentional. When we parent in faith rather than fear, we inspire our kids to become confident, faith-filled individuals. Begin today by speaking life into your children. Tell them who they are in God’s eyes, and watch as they grow in confidence and faith.

What kind of dad do you want to be? Let’s choose to parent in faith, creating a legacy of encouragement, love, and trust in God.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

Kev 

You Earn It

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama! How in the world is it already May?!

 

My Beautiful Bride and I talked last weekend; many say we want to be the best at something, attain a particular position, be a champion, etc. However, how many of us are willing to do what it takes to accomplish what we say we want? I had a former boss who used to say, “You haven’t earned the right to sit in my chair?” She was saying the same thing. There were years of hard work, sacrifice, and struggle that, according to her, had earned her the right to sit in the chair.

 

I believe the same is true of relationships. Most of us would say we want to have good relationships with our spouse, children, etc. However, are we willing to do what it takes to have the good relationships we want?

 

Because we say we want something, it doesn’t mean we will get it, and it certainly doesn’t mean we deserve it. Just because I want or would like to have things doesn’t mean I am willing to do what it takes to accomplish them.

 

I believe that every person has a purpose, and we have dreams and passions that we long to accomplish. Just because it is hard and will take a lot of time doesn’t mean you shouldn't do it. We would be wise, however, to count the cost before beginning. It will take longer, require more sacrifice, and push you to the limits of your capacity to accomplish it - at least if it is a goal or dream worth having…

 

The next time you find yourself thinking “I want to have their job” or “I wish I had a marriage like that,” I want to encourage you to pause and do two things. First, genuinely appreciate the person you are referring to. While we see the outcome, we do not know the time, commitment, and sacrifices they made to achieve what we now admire. Second, thoughtfully consider what we are saying we want. If this is something we genuinely want to pursue, then commit to doing whatever it takes to accomplish it. I will tell you, it is a commitment that will have to be made over and over again. However, I can assure you that it will be worth it.

 

“Some people want everything to be perfect before they're willing to commit... But commitment always precedes achievement.” - John C. Maxwell

 

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses - only results.” - Ken Blanchard

 

“I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent. As simplistic as this may sound, it is still the common denominator separating those who live their dreams from those who live in regret.” - Tony Robbins

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

 

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish your precious family, and please stay well!

 

Kev