“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-10
We have not been given to hoard but to give away, whether it be out of plenty or “slim pickings.” With many out of work or working without a paycheck (as in Pennsylvania state government), this reminder is so important for us today. Neighbors, co-workers, family, friends or you may even be in this situation. God’s economic system is not like that of the worlds which tells us to “save it for a rainy day.” The Bible clearly tells us God has given us EVERYTHING so we can be generous on every occasion, doesn’t say “wait until you have to be generous”…be generous NOW. Look around at those in need. Doesn’t always require giving of money, sometimes it may be our time, the sharing of a meal or a ride, sharing a talent/trade God has given you. Bake a cake for your family and give some to a neighbor. Weed a neighbor’s flower bed or if you are a handyman fix something for a neighbor. Give a word of encouragement …all it cost is your time.
“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of this service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that ACCOMPANIES YOUR CONFESSION of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-13
Bless someone today...not to receive, but just to give…………
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Be the light...
I sent these scriptures with my daughter when she left on a missions trip Friday. May they be an encouragement to you and I as we open ourselves for God to use us...wherever that may be.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
REMEMBER: The One who is in you is TRUTH and is greater than the deceiver!! PRAYING that eyes and hearts will be opened to the Truth
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1
REMEMBER: Your only limitation is unbelief. PRAYING your faith will explode
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor 2:14-15
REMEMBER: Daily “heart-cleansing.” PRAYING those around you will smell the sweet aroma of Christ through your touch and your words; through you, others will be drawn to experience His cleansing.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is of God and not us. 2 Cor 4:7 For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10
REMEMBER: when it seems tough, you are not there on your own strength. PRAYING your weakness will be a magnifying glass for God’s power to be seen.
REMEMBER: The One who is in you is TRUTH and is greater than the deceiver!! PRAYING that eyes and hearts will be opened to the Truth
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1
REMEMBER: Your only limitation is unbelief. PRAYING your faith will explode
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor 2:14-15
REMEMBER: Daily “heart-cleansing.” PRAYING those around you will smell the sweet aroma of Christ through your touch and your words; through you, others will be drawn to experience His cleansing.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is of God and not us. 2 Cor 4:7 For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10
REMEMBER: when it seems tough, you are not there on your own strength. PRAYING your weakness will be a magnifying glass for God’s power to be seen.
For our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:2 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord Prov 21:30
REMEMBER: what God has determined…will be accomplished. PRAYING God will give you discernment to know when the enemy is working against you and when God’s divine interruption is at work; that in and through Jesus Name His power will be released to proclaim freedom and liberty to those who are bound and their eyes and hearts would be open to experience Jesus Christ.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15
REMEMBER: even when you don’t realize it, you are being watched. PRAYING God will not only bring to remembrance His Word for you to share at just the right moment but you will also be “living” His Word EVERY moment.
REMEMBER: what God has determined…will be accomplished. PRAYING God will give you discernment to know when the enemy is working against you and when God’s divine interruption is at work; that in and through Jesus Name His power will be released to proclaim freedom and liberty to those who are bound and their eyes and hearts would be open to experience Jesus Christ.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15
REMEMBER: even when you don’t realize it, you are being watched. PRAYING God will not only bring to remembrance His Word for you to share at just the right moment but you will also be “living” His Word EVERY moment.
But you are a shield around me, O Lord; I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps 3:3,5,8
PRAYING God will invade your dreams so rest and peace will flow through you at night. Encouragement and praise will be on your lips.
PRAYING God will invade your dreams so rest and peace will flow through you at night. Encouragement and praise will be on your lips.
God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him (Phil 2:13 New Century). Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 New Century
REMEMBER: God called you and at just the right moment will equip you with everything you need to serve Him. PRAYING you will rest in His “equipment”…whatever form it takes on!
REMEMBER: God called you and at just the right moment will equip you with everything you need to serve Him. PRAYING you will rest in His “equipment”…whatever form it takes on!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
But I tell you!
“I don’t care if everyone else is doing it…you are not!” “It doesn’t matter what Susie says, that is not how we __________!” Oh the NUMEROUS times I heard this growing up, vowing never to say it to my children! How quickly the 'nevers' are forgotten when we then sit in the parent seat!!
While reading Matthew 5 this morning, I was struck with what Jesus said not once but multiple times, “You have heard it said____________, but I tell you______.” Words…actions…traditions are powerful tools in shaping our thought patterns, values and even what we believe as truth. Life or death is given to those around us with our choice of words or phrasing when we speak. We “hear” a teaching or possibly hold the bearer of those teachings in high esteem and automatically believe what they say is truth.
Those who heard Jesus speak were amazed at his teachings because “he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Mt 7:28-29; Mk 1:22; Luke 4:32). This proclamation has always amazed me. One would think being teachers of the law they would be authoritative in their teachings. After all, this was God’s law they were teaching…or was it?
Traditions and hundreds of man-made laws, added to what God originally gave Moses on Mt. Sinai, had so bound and burdened the Israelites that when Jesus spoke it must have seemed like a refreshing cool shower sweeping over their hearts. While life was never intended to be experienced in the law neither was the additional burden inflicted by the religious leaders. The law was given as a moral and spiritual guide until the One, Jesus Christ, would come who was to fulfill the requirements of the law for them and us. (Romans 3; Matthew 5:17).
Was it not Jesus who said (with God’s authority), “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10), and “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke (my teachings) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke (my teaching) is easy and my burden is light." (Mt 11:28-30 italics added)
God’s truth (His Word) must be the foundation of any directives or instructions we give to others and receive from others…no deviations. If not Jesus words still hold true for us today, “I don’t care what others are saying or doing, BUT I TELL YOU!”
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
WHAT’S IN YOUR JAR? Part two…
2 Kings 4:1-7
III. When there were no more containers the oil stopped flowing
Just as in the days when Israel wandered in the wilderness and God met their needs with manna every morning, God will give us what we need, when we need it, to accomplish His good work within us.
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10
We need not compare ourselves to others who may be doing “more” or to whom the Spirit may be manifesting himself in a different manner. The oil that God is pouring into your jar and my jar will be just the right amount that He will need to accomplish what He wants to accomplish in and through our lives. Period…no more and no less!
When our lives are done and His purposes are accomplished then the oil will stop flowing.
IV. Used the oil for debt payment (practical use)
God has been gifted us not only for spiritual ministry to one another but also for ‘practical’ ministry.
“In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:30-37)
We are to use the ‘oil’ that has been poured into us from God wherever we go to help those in need around us…no matter what church they attend or don’t attend; no matter what belief structure they have or don’t have; no matter what nationality, race, or sexual preference.
Bottom line: no matter how much ‘oil’ we have received, “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Luke 10:8) We will forever owe a debt to Christ for what He has done for us. As He freely gave to us we are to freely give back to Him by giving to others.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8)
V. What seems like hoplessness…
A number of years ago, one of the coffee cups from my china set broke. I had two choices, throw it away or use Superglue. When hopelessness and desperation come into our lives sometimes we only see, “throw it away…what’s the use anyway.”
The value of something is not always seen from the outside. Sometimes in order to see the true value or strength of a jar it will be packed to the limit and possibly broken. The antonym for packed is “empty.” At times we will be so packed with the cares and worries of this world we may crack if not break under the pressure. It is exactly at that moment when our “stuff” empties out that you and I also have a choice, be thrown away or allow God to put “humpty dumpty back together again” with His Superglue. We live in such a disposable world but YOU and I are not disposable! “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How great is the value God placed on us that He gave up His son for us...before we were even born!
God will NEVER throw us away. When we finally let go we then will be in a position for Him to mold and shape us for His divine use.
I Superglued my coffee cup and it sits in my china closet with the other “perfect” cups. It serves as a reminder to me that God isn’t finished with me yet either. I may not be perfect, I have a few “scars” but each one bears witness to the all-surpassing power of God that is still at work within me.
So….What’s in your jar?
III. When there were no more containers the oil stopped flowing
Just as in the days when Israel wandered in the wilderness and God met their needs with manna every morning, God will give us what we need, when we need it, to accomplish His good work within us.
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10
We need not compare ourselves to others who may be doing “more” or to whom the Spirit may be manifesting himself in a different manner. The oil that God is pouring into your jar and my jar will be just the right amount that He will need to accomplish what He wants to accomplish in and through our lives. Period…no more and no less!
When our lives are done and His purposes are accomplished then the oil will stop flowing.
IV. Used the oil for debt payment (practical use)
God has been gifted us not only for spiritual ministry to one another but also for ‘practical’ ministry.
“In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:30-37)
We are to use the ‘oil’ that has been poured into us from God wherever we go to help those in need around us…no matter what church they attend or don’t attend; no matter what belief structure they have or don’t have; no matter what nationality, race, or sexual preference.
Bottom line: no matter how much ‘oil’ we have received, “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Luke 10:8) We will forever owe a debt to Christ for what He has done for us. As He freely gave to us we are to freely give back to Him by giving to others.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8)
V. What seems like hoplessness…
A number of years ago, one of the coffee cups from my china set broke. I had two choices, throw it away or use Superglue. When hopelessness and desperation come into our lives sometimes we only see, “throw it away…what’s the use anyway.”
The value of something is not always seen from the outside. Sometimes in order to see the true value or strength of a jar it will be packed to the limit and possibly broken. The antonym for packed is “empty.” At times we will be so packed with the cares and worries of this world we may crack if not break under the pressure. It is exactly at that moment when our “stuff” empties out that you and I also have a choice, be thrown away or allow God to put “humpty dumpty back together again” with His Superglue. We live in such a disposable world but YOU and I are not disposable! “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How great is the value God placed on us that He gave up His son for us...before we were even born!
God will NEVER throw us away. When we finally let go we then will be in a position for Him to mold and shape us for His divine use.
I Superglued my coffee cup and it sits in my china closet with the other “perfect” cups. It serves as a reminder to me that God isn’t finished with me yet either. I may not be perfect, I have a few “scars” but each one bears witness to the all-surpassing power of God that is still at work within me.
So….What’s in your jar?
Monday, July 6, 2009
WHAT’S IN YOUR JAR? Part one…
2 Kings 4:1-7 “The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves." Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?" "Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
A few observations:
I. She had nothing “except a little oil”.
How much oil are we working with? Working on ‘overload’, trying to do it all, making sure all bases are covered? Bound by perfection? Have a zillion lists and checking them off like a crazy person?
Do we run on ‘just a little oil’ and then wonder why God is not using us the way we think he should?
When we renew our mind (Phil 4:8-9; Romans 12:2; and re-prioritize our “lists”, bring them into alignment with God’s priorities, we then will be able to say, “If all I have is a little _______, then I want you, God, to use the little that I have to multiply it for your kingdom. My life is yours!
All God needs to work in our lives is “a little oil”.
II. Empty jars, not just a few but gather many then pour oil in them.
Empty jars attract dust and bugs. Unless used strictly as a decoration, empty jars are not ‘usable jars.’ God is not calling us to be decorations left on a shelf to look good or be reminded how “useful we once were”. Fruit left on a tree will eventually drop and rot, it won’t provide nourishment for anyone. Left uninhabited by the Holy Spirit our lives will eventually return to what we left behind, unnourished and rotted.
We will never experience the “springs of living water” that will yield the abundant life He has promised us if we don’t first empty those ‘things’ in our jars that are crowding God out. What needs to be emptied from the jar of your life before God can use you? Perhaps:
Guilt over a situation…
Disappointment in how others may view or treat you…
Consequences resulting from choices made by you or someone else’s choices that have affected you…
Living in disillusionment that your life was suppose to be_________by now.
Living in the past…
Jesus Christ has promised to cleanse our ‘jars’ from sin daily and fill them instead with the presence and power, the oil of the Holy Spirit. This can only come through daily communion with Father God (John 15).
This cleansing and communion also prepares His people, you and me, for works of service (not to add one more thing to our ‘to-do’ list) so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:12-14).
What is the ‘fullness of Christ’? His character displayed in our daily lives…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to which there is NO LIMIT (Galatians 5:22-24).
I love the fact that she was told to gather “not a few but as many as you can”. We limit ourselves so much when we can’t see the potential God sees in us.
Surround yourself with people willing to challenge you to see the potential in your life that God sees. Potential that can be used for greatness in God’s kingdom. God is the Potter we are the clay. He has molded us to be used for His Kingdom (Romans 9:20-21).
God may use our jars in different ways and at different times in our lives.
We are not empty jars. God has been with us and has seen everything that has come through our jars even before we were born (Psalm 139).
When we allow Him to use heartaches, sickness and pain that have come into our lives then His Glory can be seen to those around us. (Romans 5:1-8)
Without purpose in life we will always be unsure and never have a sense of fulfillment.
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. (The Message Mt. 5)
If we truly want to live a powerful and purposeful life, then we must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with his oil…his power…his life…his joy.
Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
A few observations:
I. She had nothing “except a little oil”.
How much oil are we working with? Working on ‘overload’, trying to do it all, making sure all bases are covered? Bound by perfection? Have a zillion lists and checking them off like a crazy person?
Do we run on ‘just a little oil’ and then wonder why God is not using us the way we think he should?
When we renew our mind (Phil 4:8-9; Romans 12:2; and re-prioritize our “lists”, bring them into alignment with God’s priorities, we then will be able to say, “If all I have is a little _______, then I want you, God, to use the little that I have to multiply it for your kingdom. My life is yours!
All God needs to work in our lives is “a little oil”.
II. Empty jars, not just a few but gather many then pour oil in them.
Empty jars attract dust and bugs. Unless used strictly as a decoration, empty jars are not ‘usable jars.’ God is not calling us to be decorations left on a shelf to look good or be reminded how “useful we once were”. Fruit left on a tree will eventually drop and rot, it won’t provide nourishment for anyone. Left uninhabited by the Holy Spirit our lives will eventually return to what we left behind, unnourished and rotted.
We will never experience the “springs of living water” that will yield the abundant life He has promised us if we don’t first empty those ‘things’ in our jars that are crowding God out. What needs to be emptied from the jar of your life before God can use you? Perhaps:
Guilt over a situation…
Disappointment in how others may view or treat you…
Consequences resulting from choices made by you or someone else’s choices that have affected you…
Living in disillusionment that your life was suppose to be_________by now.
Living in the past…
Jesus Christ has promised to cleanse our ‘jars’ from sin daily and fill them instead with the presence and power, the oil of the Holy Spirit. This can only come through daily communion with Father God (John 15).
This cleansing and communion also prepares His people, you and me, for works of service (not to add one more thing to our ‘to-do’ list) so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:12-14).
What is the ‘fullness of Christ’? His character displayed in our daily lives…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to which there is NO LIMIT (Galatians 5:22-24).
I love the fact that she was told to gather “not a few but as many as you can”. We limit ourselves so much when we can’t see the potential God sees in us.
Surround yourself with people willing to challenge you to see the potential in your life that God sees. Potential that can be used for greatness in God’s kingdom. God is the Potter we are the clay. He has molded us to be used for His Kingdom (Romans 9:20-21).
God may use our jars in different ways and at different times in our lives.
We are not empty jars. God has been with us and has seen everything that has come through our jars even before we were born (Psalm 139).
When we allow Him to use heartaches, sickness and pain that have come into our lives then His Glory can be seen to those around us. (Romans 5:1-8)
Without purpose in life we will always be unsure and never have a sense of fulfillment.
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. (The Message Mt. 5)
If we truly want to live a powerful and purposeful life, then we must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with his oil…his power…his life…his joy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
