2 Corinthians 9:6-15 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You 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. 12This 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. 13Because of the 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. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
There is so much in this passage to really be able to give it all equal time but one verse really stand out to me in this time in which we live. "8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Wow what an amazing verse for the times that we find ourselves and country struggling through. But the question is do we really believe it or not? I believe the way we show that we believe it is by practicing the verses preceding it by giving back to God. Call it tithing call it whatever you like but giving back to God is absolutely a practice taught in scripture. What is amazing is here Paul is speaking of money, but giving back to God involves every aspect of our lives, from time to relationships. Notice what happens when we give back to God, He meets all of our needs, not wants, but needs. Big difference and one that often I think we overlook and then blame God because He has not met our wants. Today as I go through this day may I find myself believing that God can and will meet all of my needs at all times.
Father may I trust you as you see the bigger picture and know what is best for me. May I not lean on my own understanding but in everyway acknowledge you and live for you as I go through this day.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Jars of Clay
2 Corinthians 4:7-12 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Just one question what is inside your jar of clay (your life)?
Father may what is inside of me be revealed, oh how I want you to be that treasure, but oh how I know so often I replace the treasure of you with fool's gold. Help me today to live for you and allow the treasure of you to be revealed.
Just one question what is inside your jar of clay (your life)?
Father may what is inside of me be revealed, oh how I want you to be that treasure, but oh how I know so often I replace the treasure of you with fool's gold. Help me today to live for you and allow the treasure of you to be revealed.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Shine Make Them Wonder What You Got
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Newsboys have a song entitled "Shine" in it they challenge us the listener to "shine make them wonder what you got make them wish that they were not on the outside looking on." Obviously Satan has blinded people to the truth of the Gospel and it is God that make His light shine into our hearts illuminating the darkness and giving us the knowledge of Him. We must live our lives in such a way as verse 4 exhorts us to be servants for Jesus. However I must remember that without God it is impossible to shine, it is impossible for men to see the light. God is the only one who can save, I am just a vessel, a demonstration of what His light can do in a heart that was once filled with darkness. Today may the light of Christ shine through my life as I serve Him.
Father give me the strength to shine out your light as I serve you. Help me to be obedient to whatever task you call me to do today as a servant of your son. As I serve may I serve not to preach myself but your son.
Newsboys have a song entitled "Shine" in it they challenge us the listener to "shine make them wonder what you got make them wish that they were not on the outside looking on." Obviously Satan has blinded people to the truth of the Gospel and it is God that make His light shine into our hearts illuminating the darkness and giving us the knowledge of Him. We must live our lives in such a way as verse 4 exhorts us to be servants for Jesus. However I must remember that without God it is impossible to shine, it is impossible for men to see the light. God is the only one who can save, I am just a vessel, a demonstration of what His light can do in a heart that was once filled with darkness. Today may the light of Christ shine through my life as I serve Him.
Father give me the strength to shine out your light as I serve you. Help me to be obedient to whatever task you call me to do today as a servant of your son. As I serve may I serve not to preach myself but your son.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Attitude Check
Philippians 2:5-10 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Wow what a statement to try to live up to in my life. So easy to say but so hard to do. So what was Christ attitude, a servant's heart. A willingness to be obedient to anything His father told Him including dying for sinful man. But it did not stop with just willingness but resulted in action. To have an attitude like that would mean to be completely taking the focus off myself and placing it on God. In myself there is no good thing, nothing righteous of my own making. It is only Christ in me the hope of glory that gives me anything of eternal value and allows me to be used to do eternal things. Today I wonder is my attitude reflecting Christ?
Father give me the determination to say yes to whatever you direct me to do and give me the strength to do it, so that I might reflect Christ.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Wow what a statement to try to live up to in my life. So easy to say but so hard to do. So what was Christ attitude, a servant's heart. A willingness to be obedient to anything His father told Him including dying for sinful man. But it did not stop with just willingness but resulted in action. To have an attitude like that would mean to be completely taking the focus off myself and placing it on God. In myself there is no good thing, nothing righteous of my own making. It is only Christ in me the hope of glory that gives me anything of eternal value and allows me to be used to do eternal things. Today I wonder is my attitude reflecting Christ?
Father give me the determination to say yes to whatever you direct me to do and give me the strength to do it, so that I might reflect Christ.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
James and John's mother comes to Jesus and asks her to let her sons be the one's who would sit next to Jesus on his throne in Heaven. To her she was asking for them to be in a place of great significance. This made the other disciples upset and Jesus then pulled the disciples together to teach them the principle of being a servant. Greatness in God's eyes does not come from power or authority but rather the willingness to put others before yourself. As a father and husband this principle is huge. Maybe just as in our fathers eyes greatness comes from service, maybe in our kids and our spouse greatness would be seen in our service. May we learn to put their needs before our own and may they see in our life a lifestyle of service that would translate into seeing God through our actions.
Father give us the heart of a servant and may we learn from the example of your son to serve others just as you came to serve and not be served.
James and John's mother comes to Jesus and asks her to let her sons be the one's who would sit next to Jesus on his throne in Heaven. To her she was asking for them to be in a place of great significance. This made the other disciples upset and Jesus then pulled the disciples together to teach them the principle of being a servant. Greatness in God's eyes does not come from power or authority but rather the willingness to put others before yourself. As a father and husband this principle is huge. Maybe just as in our fathers eyes greatness comes from service, maybe in our kids and our spouse greatness would be seen in our service. May we learn to put their needs before our own and may they see in our life a lifestyle of service that would translate into seeing God through our actions.
Father give us the heart of a servant and may we learn from the example of your son to serve others just as you came to serve and not be served.
Friday, March 06, 2009
The New You
Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
The key to putting the things mentioned in verse 5-9 is verse 10. "Put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge in the image of its Creator." Pjillippians 4:8-9 gives us some insight to this new self, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Now obviously the new self begins with a relationship with Christ and is developed over time as we walk with Him. However in these verses we find the exact opposite of the Colossians passage and one that I believe is crucial to putting on the new self. This putting on carries with it the idea of getting dressed and getting ready to face the day. We would not face it naked, no we must cloth ourselves and we will. Either we will choose to cloth ourselves in righteousness which comes from Christ or self-righteousness which comes from ourselves. The choice is our today may we choose to put on the new self.
Father give me the strength today to put on the new self which you began in my life some time ago. May I live in such a way that others see in my you and may my life and actions reflect that of putting on the new self.
The key to putting the things mentioned in verse 5-9 is verse 10. "Put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge in the image of its Creator." Pjillippians 4:8-9 gives us some insight to this new self, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Now obviously the new self begins with a relationship with Christ and is developed over time as we walk with Him. However in these verses we find the exact opposite of the Colossians passage and one that I believe is crucial to putting on the new self. This putting on carries with it the idea of getting dressed and getting ready to face the day. We would not face it naked, no we must cloth ourselves and we will. Either we will choose to cloth ourselves in righteousness which comes from Christ or self-righteousness which comes from ourselves. The choice is our today may we choose to put on the new self.
Father give me the strength today to put on the new self which you began in my life some time ago. May I live in such a way that others see in my you and may my life and actions reflect that of putting on the new self.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Chewing Your Cud
Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
This man's delight is the Word of God and he meditates on it everyday throughout the day. The word meditates carries with it the idea of a cow chewing its cud. A cow does not have a very good digestive system and it has to continually cough up its food and re-chew it as it breaks down the food in order for it to be digested. That is why you always see cows jaws moving because they are chewing and re-chewing their food in order for it to pass through their system. This is what mediating on God's Word is all about, throughout the day continually chewing on it utill we are able to digest and live out what it says. As we do we become like a tree planeted near streams of water strong, vibrant and fruit bearing.
Father today help me to meditate on your Word and allow it to impact my life as I live out all that you are teaching me.
This man's delight is the Word of God and he meditates on it everyday throughout the day. The word meditates carries with it the idea of a cow chewing its cud. A cow does not have a very good digestive system and it has to continually cough up its food and re-chew it as it breaks down the food in order for it to be digested. That is why you always see cows jaws moving because they are chewing and re-chewing their food in order for it to pass through their system. This is what mediating on God's Word is all about, throughout the day continually chewing on it utill we are able to digest and live out what it says. As we do we become like a tree planeted near streams of water strong, vibrant and fruit bearing.
Father today help me to meditate on your Word and allow it to impact my life as I live out all that you are teaching me.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Wait for the Lord
Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.
Cutting corners, taking short cuts, not reporting things that should be reported and more seems to be a trend these days in our society and sadly our economy is taking the full force of many peoples ill-gotten gain. Notice the verse says the their very lives will be taken away. Is this not what we are seeing happening today. Sadly the innocent are effected right alone with the guilty. That is the curse of sin because really none of us are innocent. We are all born with a sin problem. However maybe all is not lost maybe through this people will turn to God and put their faith and trust in one who is really in control and sees the end from the beginning. Psalm 27:13-14 says "I will see the Lord in the land of the living, wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage, wait for the Lord." May I today wait for the Lord and rely on His strength and may I look to Him to guide me.
Father guide my heart today and may I be found faithful in serving you and proclaiming you throughout this day.
Cutting corners, taking short cuts, not reporting things that should be reported and more seems to be a trend these days in our society and sadly our economy is taking the full force of many peoples ill-gotten gain. Notice the verse says the their very lives will be taken away. Is this not what we are seeing happening today. Sadly the innocent are effected right alone with the guilty. That is the curse of sin because really none of us are innocent. We are all born with a sin problem. However maybe all is not lost maybe through this people will turn to God and put their faith and trust in one who is really in control and sees the end from the beginning. Psalm 27:13-14 says "I will see the Lord in the land of the living, wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage, wait for the Lord." May I today wait for the Lord and rely on His strength and may I look to Him to guide me.
Father guide my heart today and may I be found faithful in serving you and proclaiming you throughout this day.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Understanding Spiritual Things
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"But we have the mind of Christ.
As I read this passage I am reminded why so many that so greatly stand against the Word of God do so. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." The creation story, abortion, homosexuality, men and women's roles in marriage, the Ten Commandments just to name a few all are rejected by men because they do not have the spirit of God to discern the teachings of the Bible. Yet I find myself sometimes treating or thinking about such people that they must be fools when in fact it's not that they are fools but they lack one thing, God. I assume they just accept the Bible as true and that is simply not true. Sadly we are living in a time that is increasingly rejecting the Bible as a truth source. We must pray that God will open men's eyes and hearts to see their need for Him spiritually.
Father as I go throughout my day may I be mindful that you are at work in people's hearts and that you call all men to yourself. Help me not get caught up in judging men for rejecting your truth and instead determined to live out how your Word has impacted my life. Use me today to be a light for you in this dark world.
"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"But we have the mind of Christ.
As I read this passage I am reminded why so many that so greatly stand against the Word of God do so. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." The creation story, abortion, homosexuality, men and women's roles in marriage, the Ten Commandments just to name a few all are rejected by men because they do not have the spirit of God to discern the teachings of the Bible. Yet I find myself sometimes treating or thinking about such people that they must be fools when in fact it's not that they are fools but they lack one thing, God. I assume they just accept the Bible as true and that is simply not true. Sadly we are living in a time that is increasingly rejecting the Bible as a truth source. We must pray that God will open men's eyes and hearts to see their need for Him spiritually.
Father as I go throughout my day may I be mindful that you are at work in people's hearts and that you call all men to yourself. Help me not get caught up in judging men for rejecting your truth and instead determined to live out how your Word has impacted my life. Use me today to be a light for you in this dark world.
Monday, March 02, 2009
More Than Conquerors
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Often we here some to say that "God wants to bless us and give us His best", of which I totally agree. However often what they are speaking about is wealth, health and luxuary. I am not really sure where anybody gets that idea from but all I can say is that it is a complete misinterpretation of scripture. Yes God does want to bless us and allow us to live life and life it to the fullest, but sometimes those blessings come in the midst of a storm. Hardship and trial is something that every believer will face, non of us are somehow exempt. Actually the Bible makes it clear if you live for Jesus you will endure many hardships. But it is those hardships that make us stronger and challenge us to move forward. Do we feel like giving up? For sure but then we are reminded as in the verses above that nothing can seperate us from God's love. In the midst of the trial is God holding out His hand of mercy to guide us through. Just as David said God goes with us through the valley of the shadow of death. I am thankful for the storms of my life because I would not be where I am today if it had not been for them.
Father today as I face a new day with many challenges help me to gain my strength from you and not try to tackle it alone. May I sense throughout the day your presence as you guide me through this life.
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