Beneath The Surface
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
His name is Mr. Yates. He lived in West Texas through the Depression season our country went through. Mr. Yates is now famous for owning a particular property that was once a ranch, soon to be foreclosed.
The bank gave notice and said, “We are going to take this property back from you because you are about to foreclose on your land in the next couple of days. You have 21 days to come up with the money.”
So Mr. Yates finds himself in utter desperation. A seismographic team comes from an oil company. They sensed that this particular ranch would possibly have a vast resource of oil beneath the surface.
What did he have to do? Mr. Yates was like, “yeah, drill. Figure out if there is anything here of value.” They drilled down 1,115 feet and they hit so much oil that it produced 85,000 barrels a day for 30 years.
They would go on to say that it could potentially produce 125,000 more barrels a day because this was a tremendous reservoir. It’s now called Yates Pool.
The question I want you to consider is this: when did Mr. Yates become a millionaire? Was it when they hit the oil? Or was it the moment he bought that property? I’ll wait...
It was the moment he bought the property. Here was a man living in poverty, not knowing what lay beneath the surface. Now, I want to ask you the same question, what lies beneath your surface?
When you gave your life to Christ, you purchased the ultimate property. You now have God’s spirit living inside of you. You have access to everything you need to live the ultimate version of your life.
Do you realize what is beneath the surface? It’s time to dig up your oil and maximize your resources. You have a Heavenly Father who wants the very best for you. Are you starting to see what lies beneath the surface for YOU?
His name is Mr. Yates. He lived in West Texas through the Depression season our country went through. Mr. Yates is now famous for owning a particular property that was once a ranch, soon to be foreclosed.
The bank gave notice and said, “We are going to take this property back from you because you are about to foreclose on your land in the next couple of days. You have 21 days to come up with the money.”
So Mr. Yates finds himself in utter desperation. A seismographic team comes from an oil company. They sensed that this particular ranch would possibly have a vast resource of oil beneath the surface.
What did he have to do? Mr. Yates was like, “yeah, drill. Figure out if there is anything here of value.” They drilled down 1,115 feet and they hit so much oil that it produced 85,000 barrels a day for 30 years.
They would go on to say that it could potentially produce 125,000 more barrels a day because this was a tremendous reservoir. It’s now called Yates Pool.
The question I want you to consider is this: when did Mr. Yates become a millionaire? Was it when they hit the oil? Or was it the moment he bought that property? I’ll wait...
It was the moment he bought the property. Here was a man living in poverty, not knowing what lay beneath the surface. Now, I want to ask you the same question, what lies beneath your surface?
When you gave your life to Christ, you purchased the ultimate property. You now have God’s spirit living inside of you. You have access to everything you need to live the ultimate version of your life.
Do you realize what is beneath the surface? It’s time to dig up your oil and maximize your resources. You have a Heavenly Father who wants the very best for you. Are you starting to see what lies beneath the surface for YOU?
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
A Prophetic EarLearning the Voice You Hear Every DayAdopted, Not ToleratedThe Same Spirit Lives in YouWhy Jesus Chose DependenceExisting Versus Truly LivingWhen God Interrupts Your RoutineConviction Calls You Up, Not OutHe Who Gets the Son Gets It AllLet the Word Get in YouThe Book You Never FinishWhen You Finally Taste What’s BetterGod Is Speaking Every Time You Open the BibleFreedom Comes from Knowing the TruthThe Holy Spirit Works with What You StoreYou Might Be the Only Bible They ReadThe Word You Read Today Might Be for Someone Else TomorrowA Love Letter, Not a Rule BookFaith That Moves Without ProofWhen Desperation Strips Away DignityTrusting God in the SmokeThe Miracle Was Not Just for YouWhen Familiarity Kills ExpectationThe Timing of God Is Never AccidentalA Savior Who Shows Up to Ordinary MomentsWhen the Wine Runs OutTake It to Jesus FirstDo Whatever He Tells You to Do
March
The Promise Of New LifeBreaking Free From The PastThe Power Of TransformationWalking In Your New IdentityThe Gift Of GraceLiving By FaithRenewed Mind, Renewed LifeThe Fruit Of New LifeGrowing Through TrialsThe Power Of God's WordWalking In LoveThe Joy Of SalvationLiving In FreedomEquipped For Good WorksResisting TemptationFighting Spiritual BattlesOvercoming FearDealing With DoubtPersevering Through HardshipStanding Against The EnemyFinding Strength In WeaknessSharing Your StoryMaking DisciplesServing OthersLiving With PurposeShowing Christ's LoveBeing Salt And LightPreparing For EternityCelebrating God's FaithfulnessCommitting To GrowthLooking Forward With Hope
No Comments