2 Chronicles 26:5  ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

DAILY READING •   Revelation 5; Nehemiah 7:5-8:12; Psalm 100

James Lewis Kraft is the founder of the Kraft Cheese Company, which became the largest cheese company in the world.

James Kraft was born in 1874 to a Christian family and by the time he was 29 years old, he became part owner of a cheese company.

However his partners abruptly dissolved his contract while he was away to Chicago on a business trip for the company. Stranded in Chicago, the young Kraft had only $65 to his name. Out of necessity, he used that money to rent a horse and a wagon and immediately began to try to sell cheese.

After one very unsuccessful day, Kraft who had grown up on the staple of God’s Word, realized that he needed to reorganize his priorities. He needed to ‘seek first the kingdom of God’ (Matthew 6:33) and then all that he needed would be provided.  So he decided to begin giving 25 percent of his personal profits to the Lord in his offerings.

With that decision, soon came a divine inspiration of how to run his business. And as he followed these steps, it gave him an edge over other competitors.

Kraft showed ingenuity by branding his products, building consumer trust, and creating a niche. His business began to succeed so well that within a short time, four of his brothers joined him in the cheese business.

Kraft’s method of producing processed cheese proved revolutionary. What became a game changer  was when the need arose to feed American troops abroad in World War I and the U.S. government gave him a contract in 1917 to supply cheese in tins, to feed the U.S. armed forces.

Throughout his life, Kraft faithfully tithed 25 percent and more of his profits. Later in life, he made this statement: ‘The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord.’”

However, most importantly, Kraft was a man of prayer. He built his great company by prayer. He never made a decision without going on his knees. He recognized God as the senior partner in his business, who must always be consulted before any major decision.

Kraft remained a faithful Christian until his death in 1953 and his products still remain favorite staples on grocery shelves throughout the world today.

 

2 Chronicles 26:5 says ‘And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God, and as long as he sought The Lord, God made him to prosper.’

Indeed it is God that makes the difference in a man’s journey. This is why it is important for us to consult Him through prayers in every step we take. When God partners with us, He strengthens us for the race.

Important decisions are not to be taken in a hurry. It is part of the enemy’s tactics to put you under pressure, to hurry you to take a rash decision, often by making you feel it is ‘now or never’.

But to succeed in our endeavors we must prayerfully consult God so as to arrive at the best possible solution.

Many times God does not speak in a hurry. Like Elijah waited for the ‘still small voice’, sometimes you have to wait in His Presence until He drops into your spirit what next to do.

Isaiah 28:16 says ‘He that believeth shall not make haste.’

Though it does not mean we procrastinate or delay in life, it is important for us to  always take time to hear what God is saying.

In 1 Samuel 30, when David came back and found that the Amalekites had attacked and burnt his home at Ziglag and taken away his family, he could have started running after them immediately, but he took the time to seek counsel from The Lord. Based on The Lord’s counsel, he pursued, overtook and recovered all.

Proverbs 19:21 says ‘There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.’

No matter how busy your schedule, take time to hear from God. Do not just rush into decisions. At each juncture of the journey, at each crossroad, let your heart connect to heaven. Always ask ‘Lord what should I do?’

Waiting to hear from God is what causes men to soar in life. Indeed when you wait upon The Lord,  your strength will be renewed and you will mount up with wings as eagles.

PRAYER: Lord, I receive the grace today to always wait upon You in prayer. Thank You Lord for my strength that is being renewed and the  grace that is being released upon me to scale to great heights this year in Jesus Name.

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There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see. WORDBITE 222