September's Shadow, a $75k Win, and the Power of His Provision

Today is September 1st, the month in which Cash was murdered. I can't believe it is here already; it somehow feels like it has been ten years, and yet less than a year, all at once. September 30th is the exact anniversary, and if I am being completely honest, I will be dreading this entire month. But as I sit here doing my daily devotions, Bible reading, and journaling, it is a beautiful morning in St. Pete Beach. The sun is just catching the buildings, there is a cold breeze coming off the water, and it actually feels like fall in the air. I am choosing to give this morning entirely to Him.

I am heading to the doctor today, but my recent blood work is already looking great—even better than it was pre-COVID. Praise God for that physical healing. I also have an appointment with a neurologist that I booked six months ago for my sleep issues. I have been waking up at 4:00 AM frequently, but today I actually slept until 6:26 AM and got out of bed at 6:46 AM. That is almost seven solid hours of sleep without a watch, without drugs, and without forced physical activity. As the saying goes, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away—and we must never forget to add the final line: praise be to Him.

Coming off the strict fast last week, I am incredibly energized by the community God is building around me. Between worshipping at Radiant East and West, diving into connect groups, starting marriage counseling with Ceara, and joining both a pickleball devotional group and a Thursday morning men's Bible study, my schedule is anchored in faith. Sunday night, I even visited a networking kickoff party for a group of young Christian guys who bought a mansion together to honor God with their mouths and their finances. At 52, I was the oldest man there, but I always find myself drawn to guys in their early 20s—the exact age Cash would be. They made me feel like just one of the guys, and I made sure they know I am there for them if they ever need anything. Today, I'm hitting the pickleball courts with my old Michigan neighbor, Landon, to catch up after a month and a half.

The business front is where I am seeing some of the most massive breakthroughs. I have officially paid down a $75,000 loan to just $2,500. I am not taking out any more loans, which will instantly increase my revenue by 20% next month to help attack the remaining balances. I am stepping out in faith and praying the Lord allows me to pay off all my debt before the end of this year. It is a tall order, but I know He can do it. He's already giving me fresh ideas on how to scale so I don't end up fruitlessly working 12 to 18 hours a day, and we had some huge wins yesterday with identity resolution that I am implementing today.

Today's SOAP

S - Scripture

2 Peter 1:3 (NIV): "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

O - Observation

As I read through today's plan in Isaiah (chapters 42, 43, and 44) and Psalms (chapter 10), I am starkly reminded of the heavy consequences that come when we do not follow or please the Lord. God's Word shows the destruction of pride, but the Verse of the Day in 2 Peter 1:3 counters it with a profound promise: we are not left to figure it out on our own. His divine power has already equipped us with absolutely everything we need for a godly life. It doesn't come from our own strength or manifesting; it comes entirely through our knowledge of Him.

A - Application

I have a healthy fear of the Lord today. It makes me smile thinking back to 12-year-old Terry, Cash's best friend, arguing with me about the fear of the Lord versus the New Age concept of manifestation. Cash and Terry had it exactly right. All the credit belongs entirely to the Lord; I do not manifest my health, my sleep, or my business wins. It is His divine power that provides the $75,000 breakthroughs, the deep sleep, and the strength to face the dread of September. I will step into this heavy month relying completely on His glory and goodness, not my own.

P - Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the peace of this cool morning as I step into a month that carries so much heavy dread. Keep my mind anchored in Your goodness as September 30th approaches. Thank You for the physical healing in my body, the rest You provided last night, and the massive financial breakthroughs in my business. Guide my steps as I scale these new ideas, and help me to be a godly mentor to the young men You place in my path. Remind me daily that every good thing comes from Your divine power, not my own making. In Jesus' name, Amen.