Romans 12 The Message
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
3 I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
6-8 If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
And if we will daily choose to live by this epistle, it will truly be a Happy New Year.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for everything You have done for us in this year. Thank You that we are still on the upside of the dirt and able to affect lives for eternal choices. Broaden our sphere of influence so that we may touch more lives with Your love and for Your glory. According to Your Word, we take our everyday, ordinary life—our sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before You as an offering. Help us, O God, to fulfill Your will. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
* Can You Take the Heat?
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1st Peter 1:7 KJV
Have you ever worked with ceramics? The clay is cast onto the potter’s wheel or cast into a mold. When it’s finished on the wheel or the mold is removed, it has a shape, but it’s not very sturdy. It can be broken very easily, just by brushing against it. A fingernail can scratch it irreparably. When you try to add color to it by covering it with glaze, it’s still pretty colorless. It looks nothing like the finished products we see in stores. But boy, when you put it in the kiln and fire it up… wow!!! The dull, weak vessel becomes a thing of beauty with colors blazing and the strength to actually be a vessel.
This past year may have been tough for you. What part of it will you focus on? The bad? The tough times? Or what God has done for you in those times? The beauty for ashes that He promises in His Word. The strength of your soul. The faith forged in the fire of the trial?
Think about this. If everything was climate-controlled – a perfect 72 degrees, no humidity – steel would be about as useful as Styrofoam. It’s in the fire that steel is forged and tempered and becomes strong – fit for its purpose – and able to do what it is designed to do. The pottery becomes beautiful in the fire. Plain, common coal is transformed into a diamond by unbelievable pressure and heat.
Our God is a consuming fire. Can you take the heat?
Prayer:
Father,
Your fire is holy, burning away what is not righteous. Purge us, Father, with Your fire. Make us vessels of worth to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
1st Peter 1:7 KJV
Have you ever worked with ceramics? The clay is cast onto the potter’s wheel or cast into a mold. When it’s finished on the wheel or the mold is removed, it has a shape, but it’s not very sturdy. It can be broken very easily, just by brushing against it. A fingernail can scratch it irreparably. When you try to add color to it by covering it with glaze, it’s still pretty colorless. It looks nothing like the finished products we see in stores. But boy, when you put it in the kiln and fire it up… wow!!! The dull, weak vessel becomes a thing of beauty with colors blazing and the strength to actually be a vessel.
This past year may have been tough for you. What part of it will you focus on? The bad? The tough times? Or what God has done for you in those times? The beauty for ashes that He promises in His Word. The strength of your soul. The faith forged in the fire of the trial?
Think about this. If everything was climate-controlled – a perfect 72 degrees, no humidity – steel would be about as useful as Styrofoam. It’s in the fire that steel is forged and tempered and becomes strong – fit for its purpose – and able to do what it is designed to do. The pottery becomes beautiful in the fire. Plain, common coal is transformed into a diamond by unbelievable pressure and heat.
Our God is a consuming fire. Can you take the heat?
Prayer:
Father,
Your fire is holy, burning away what is not righteous. Purge us, Father, with Your fire. Make us vessels of worth to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Monday, December 26, 2011
An Even Keel +
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
The frantic hoopla and the preparation and the parties. It's over... well, almost. Today starts the after-Christmas sales where they mark them up so they can mark them down and we take our gift cards and buy, buy, buy! And then what? How do we balance the adrenaline rush of Christmas with the rest of winter? It's so anticlimatic...
That tends to happen when we live our life and have our expectation based on what's going on around us, rather than in us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and invite Him into our lives, we have a constant, a balance, a solid Rock.
In Malachi 3, God tells us, I am the LORD, I change not. That's how we know we can count on God, lean on Him, rest in Him and according to Scripture, in Him live, move and have our being. It doesn't matter how many laws are written to allow or justify sin, God doesn't change to adjust to society's demands or the latest trends. He doesn't change His mind in the midst of the storms of life, in the swells of life or in the depths.
We all know life is made up of change. Life as we know it changes so quickly and sometimes so violently, it's hard to keep an even keel. What does that mean? Even keel is a nautical term and it refers to the boat staying steady and not being tossed about. The reason is that it draws the same amount of water abaft as forward. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Living Water. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we steadily draw from Him, His Word, we will always be on an even keel.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for being the One thing we can count on to keep us anchored and steady. Let Your light guide us through the storms, in the swells and in the depths. Keep us on an even keel, Lord. Draw us ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
The frantic hoopla and the preparation and the parties. It's over... well, almost. Today starts the after-Christmas sales where they mark them up so they can mark them down and we take our gift cards and buy, buy, buy! And then what? How do we balance the adrenaline rush of Christmas with the rest of winter? It's so anticlimatic...
That tends to happen when we live our life and have our expectation based on what's going on around us, rather than in us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and invite Him into our lives, we have a constant, a balance, a solid Rock.
In Malachi 3, God tells us, I am the LORD, I change not. That's how we know we can count on God, lean on Him, rest in Him and according to Scripture, in Him live, move and have our being. It doesn't matter how many laws are written to allow or justify sin, God doesn't change to adjust to society's demands or the latest trends. He doesn't change His mind in the midst of the storms of life, in the swells of life or in the depths.
We all know life is made up of change. Life as we know it changes so quickly and sometimes so violently, it's hard to keep an even keel. What does that mean? Even keel is a nautical term and it refers to the boat staying steady and not being tossed about. The reason is that it draws the same amount of water abaft as forward. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Living Water. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we steadily draw from Him, His Word, we will always be on an even keel.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for being the One thing we can count on to keep us anchored and steady. Let Your light guide us through the storms, in the swells and in the depths. Keep us on an even keel, Lord. Draw us ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Monday, December 19, 2011
* Fervent Love
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1st Peter 4:7-8 NKJV
We’re quickly coming to the end of yet another year – one that passed much more quickly than the previous year - and we are looking forward to a new year. In the last few days, so many people have said, I’m ready for this year to be over.
Typically, when we come to the end of something, we are tired. We just don’t have the same drive we had at the start. Sometimes, when we see the end in sight, we ease up a little, knowing it’s not going to take much more effort to finish. I’ve been guilty of that. There are even those who give up, thinking their momentum will carry them over the line. BIG mistake… Every Olympian who ever lost the gold by a millisecond will vouch for that.
Do you ever get tired of praying for people? Especially the same people? You know the ones - It seems as though they go merrily along in their self-destructive ways without a single thought toward their eternity – they never seem to want to change. Do you ever reach the point when you think, Okay, I’m done praying for them. I’m not wasting another breath…? Sometimes, we think we’ve done all we can do.
Peter warns us in our text for today. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins.” Do you know the definition of "fervent" in this Scripture? It means stretch forth, assiduously - which means diligently, persevering, industriously, attentively, hard-working, tirelessly… It goes hand-in-hand with the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man in James 5:16.
Dang…I just don’t see that any of those words have anything to do with slacking off or making allowances for being tired or easing up or coasting to the finish line.
Jesus didn’t give up on us. He’s done more for us than we ever did for anyone else. None of us have been crucified on a cross. Now, if you were to ask me - in my finite mind - I would say He has done all He can do for us by dying on the cross for our sins… but that’s not the end of it. Romans 8:34b NKJV tells us, It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 NLT makes it plain, Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
The end may be in sight, but He has not given up on any of us. He’s not slacking up. He has not folded His arms and said, I’ve done all I can do. I’m not doing one more thing… According to Scripture, He lives FOREVER TO INTERCEDE with God on their [our] behalf.
That’s for us! THAT is fervent love… Should we do less?
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for our selfishness. Change our hearts, Father, according to Your Word in Deuteronomy 30:6. Change our hearts and the hearts of all our descendants, so that we will love You with all our heart and soul and so we may live! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
1st Peter 4:7-8 NKJV
We’re quickly coming to the end of yet another year – one that passed much more quickly than the previous year - and we are looking forward to a new year. In the last few days, so many people have said, I’m ready for this year to be over.
Typically, when we come to the end of something, we are tired. We just don’t have the same drive we had at the start. Sometimes, when we see the end in sight, we ease up a little, knowing it’s not going to take much more effort to finish. I’ve been guilty of that. There are even those who give up, thinking their momentum will carry them over the line. BIG mistake… Every Olympian who ever lost the gold by a millisecond will vouch for that.
Do you ever get tired of praying for people? Especially the same people? You know the ones - It seems as though they go merrily along in their self-destructive ways without a single thought toward their eternity – they never seem to want to change. Do you ever reach the point when you think, Okay, I’m done praying for them. I’m not wasting another breath…? Sometimes, we think we’ve done all we can do.
Peter warns us in our text for today. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins.” Do you know the definition of "fervent" in this Scripture? It means stretch forth, assiduously - which means diligently, persevering, industriously, attentively, hard-working, tirelessly… It goes hand-in-hand with the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man in James 5:16.
Dang…I just don’t see that any of those words have anything to do with slacking off or making allowances for being tired or easing up or coasting to the finish line.
Jesus didn’t give up on us. He’s done more for us than we ever did for anyone else. None of us have been crucified on a cross. Now, if you were to ask me - in my finite mind - I would say He has done all He can do for us by dying on the cross for our sins… but that’s not the end of it. Romans 8:34b NKJV tells us, It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 NLT makes it plain, Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
The end may be in sight, but He has not given up on any of us. He’s not slacking up. He has not folded His arms and said, I’ve done all I can do. I’m not doing one more thing… According to Scripture, He lives FOREVER TO INTERCEDE with God on their [our] behalf.
That’s for us! THAT is fervent love… Should we do less?
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for our selfishness. Change our hearts, Father, according to Your Word in Deuteronomy 30:6. Change our hearts and the hearts of all our descendants, so that we will love You with all our heart and soul and so we may live! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Just Because We Can *
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
1st Corinthians 10:23-24 NLT
The Talleys used to sing a song titled, The Only Word for Grace. The lyrics to the first verse are, Red can't explain the beauty of a rose. White can't tell the magic in the air when it snows. Marvelous can't half convey the grace of the King. The only word for grace is amazing.
Grace. Unmerited favor. That which makes all things lawful. Isn't God's grace absolutely amazing? However, as our text for today so eloquently states, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. As Christians - those who profess to follow Christ - it is no longer an option to live only for ourselves with no thought for how it will affect others. And the way we live our lives DOES affect others, whether or not we are intentional about our actions.
Christ led by example. He could have called ten thousand angels to free Himself from the whole process leading up to, and including, the cross at Calvary. He had the authority and the power and the freedom to do that. It would have been much easier on Jesus personally if He had. He would never have had to endure the beatings and the humiliation and the torture. He wouldn't have had to suffer being brutally murdered... It was an option, a choice He could have made. Instead, He chose the Father's will over His own.
He chose to lay down His life to pay the debt for our sins, so we could have eternal life with the Father. He knew it was going to be more pain than you and I can imagine. He knew He would be murdered. He chose to make a way for our salvation knowing full well that there were, and are, many who would reject Him and the provision He made. Did that stop Him? No. Does it make His incredible gift any less valuable because there are those who reject Him? No.
We are to pattern our lives after His. Everything Jesus did while on this earth was about our Father first and then for others. Should we do less just because we can?
Prayer:
Father,
Bring Godly conviction and true repentance to our lives. By Your Grace, let us live our lives according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
1st Corinthians 10:23-24 NLT
The Talleys used to sing a song titled, The Only Word for Grace. The lyrics to the first verse are, Red can't explain the beauty of a rose. White can't tell the magic in the air when it snows. Marvelous can't half convey the grace of the King. The only word for grace is amazing.
Grace. Unmerited favor. That which makes all things lawful. Isn't God's grace absolutely amazing? However, as our text for today so eloquently states, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. As Christians - those who profess to follow Christ - it is no longer an option to live only for ourselves with no thought for how it will affect others. And the way we live our lives DOES affect others, whether or not we are intentional about our actions.
Christ led by example. He could have called ten thousand angels to free Himself from the whole process leading up to, and including, the cross at Calvary. He had the authority and the power and the freedom to do that. It would have been much easier on Jesus personally if He had. He would never have had to endure the beatings and the humiliation and the torture. He wouldn't have had to suffer being brutally murdered... It was an option, a choice He could have made. Instead, He chose the Father's will over His own.
He chose to lay down His life to pay the debt for our sins, so we could have eternal life with the Father. He knew it was going to be more pain than you and I can imagine. He knew He would be murdered. He chose to make a way for our salvation knowing full well that there were, and are, many who would reject Him and the provision He made. Did that stop Him? No. Does it make His incredible gift any less valuable because there are those who reject Him? No.
We are to pattern our lives after His. Everything Jesus did while on this earth was about our Father first and then for others. Should we do less just because we can?
Prayer:
Father,
Bring Godly conviction and true repentance to our lives. By Your Grace, let us live our lives according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
A Complete Stop *
I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Psalm 26:6b-8 NLT
The first traffic ticket I ever got was for not coming to a complete stop at a posted stop sign. On the daily route, there were 4 stop signs to get to the main road. At the last stop sign that morning, I slowed way down but did the infamous California roll instead of stopping completely...and I had to pay the price for it. Oh, I thought I was justified - even tried to talk my way out of it (I wasn't saved then). The officer patiently explained to me that the book did not read three out of four stops are okay, nor did it say I got to choose which laws I would obey, or that I could stop only when I felt like it and had the time.
There are days when life threatens to overwhelm us with all that we have to do and all the things and people who need a piece of us and there just isn't enough time. Combine that with Christmas and all the extras we want to do as part of this season (and more than likely won't get to accomplish) and it becomes our focus, creating a sure-fire recipe for potential disaster. It's the fourth stop sign all over again. Except this time, we're not stopping to acknowledge and praise God in all things. Are we stopping to give Him thanks in all things - everything - as Scripture instructs? The Book doesn't read three out of four times are okay, nor does it say we get to choose which laws we will obey, or that we could stop only when we felt like it and had the time. Oh, we may throw a few thanks heavenward - they may even be heartfelt - but are we taking the time to come to a complete stop and give Him our full attention to praise Him and thank Him?
If not, take 5 minutes right now and stop. Seriously. Stop. List 5 things you are thankful for - something besides a spouse or children. Something that you know you have only by the grace and goodness of God.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now praise Him for who He is. Acknowledge His greatness. Sing with awe and wonder...How Great Thou Art!
(This rendition is by the group Selah - the middle verse is sung in their native tongue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ZbcCjoj70)
Prayer:
Father,
It is only by Your mercy and grace that we even breathe. We acknowledge and give great thanks that it is only in You we can even live and move and have our being. We know that every good and perfect thing comes from You and we give You praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Psalm 26:6b-8 NLT
The first traffic ticket I ever got was for not coming to a complete stop at a posted stop sign. On the daily route, there were 4 stop signs to get to the main road. At the last stop sign that morning, I slowed way down but did the infamous California roll instead of stopping completely...and I had to pay the price for it. Oh, I thought I was justified - even tried to talk my way out of it (I wasn't saved then). The officer patiently explained to me that the book did not read three out of four stops are okay, nor did it say I got to choose which laws I would obey, or that I could stop only when I felt like it and had the time.
There are days when life threatens to overwhelm us with all that we have to do and all the things and people who need a piece of us and there just isn't enough time. Combine that with Christmas and all the extras we want to do as part of this season (and more than likely won't get to accomplish) and it becomes our focus, creating a sure-fire recipe for potential disaster. It's the fourth stop sign all over again. Except this time, we're not stopping to acknowledge and praise God in all things. Are we stopping to give Him thanks in all things - everything - as Scripture instructs? The Book doesn't read three out of four times are okay, nor does it say we get to choose which laws we will obey, or that we could stop only when we felt like it and had the time. Oh, we may throw a few thanks heavenward - they may even be heartfelt - but are we taking the time to come to a complete stop and give Him our full attention to praise Him and thank Him?
If not, take 5 minutes right now and stop. Seriously. Stop. List 5 things you are thankful for - something besides a spouse or children. Something that you know you have only by the grace and goodness of God.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now praise Him for who He is. Acknowledge His greatness. Sing with awe and wonder...How Great Thou Art!
(This rendition is by the group Selah - the middle verse is sung in their native tongue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ZbcCjoj70)
Prayer:
Father,
It is only by Your mercy and grace that we even breathe. We acknowledge and give great thanks that it is only in You we can even live and move and have our being. We know that every good and perfect thing comes from You and we give You praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Friday, December 9, 2011
* Standard Procedure
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Colossians 3:13a NLT
In Texas, someone who consistently offends or irritates you is commonly known as someone who 'plucks your last nerve.' Have you ever known someone like that? I'm not talking about the occasional pluck. I'm talking about the ones who repeatedly pluck your last nerve. Every time you see them, you know they are going to pluck you like a chicken. In fact, so much so that you get to the point you only have to see them and you can feel it rising up in you... It's as though their only purpose in life is to irritate the living fire out of you. It's their standard procedure.
The Truth is, that very well may be their only purpose in your life. They are a gift from God to help you in your quest to be like Jesus.
How do we learn to be like Jesus? How do we learn to live as He lived? How do we love like He loves - by loving our best friends? That's not difficult to do. What about the proverbial nerve plucker? Do we love them? With them, we certainly have ample opportunity to "make allowances for each other's faults."
Jesus set the standard procedure for dealing with these kinds of people. He dealt with them. Yes, sir, He sure did! A few swift blows and He was nailed to the Cross, where He cried out in their behalf, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" The second part of verse 13 in our text reads, Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Now that's the right standard procedure.
Prayer:
Father,
Let us rise to Your standards. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Colossians 3:13a NLT
In Texas, someone who consistently offends or irritates you is commonly known as someone who 'plucks your last nerve.' Have you ever known someone like that? I'm not talking about the occasional pluck. I'm talking about the ones who repeatedly pluck your last nerve. Every time you see them, you know they are going to pluck you like a chicken. In fact, so much so that you get to the point you only have to see them and you can feel it rising up in you... It's as though their only purpose in life is to irritate the living fire out of you. It's their standard procedure.
The Truth is, that very well may be their only purpose in your life. They are a gift from God to help you in your quest to be like Jesus.
How do we learn to be like Jesus? How do we learn to live as He lived? How do we love like He loves - by loving our best friends? That's not difficult to do. What about the proverbial nerve plucker? Do we love them? With them, we certainly have ample opportunity to "make allowances for each other's faults."
Jesus set the standard procedure for dealing with these kinds of people. He dealt with them. Yes, sir, He sure did! A few swift blows and He was nailed to the Cross, where He cried out in their behalf, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" The second part of verse 13 in our text reads, Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Now that's the right standard procedure.
Prayer:
Father,
Let us rise to Your standards. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Harvest of Generosity *
As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
2nd Corinthians 9:9-11 NLT
People get nervous when you talk about Christianity. They fidget when you start talking about money. But if you want to really see them squirm, talk about money and Jesus in the same breath! However, truth is Truth. Now, before you get upset, I'm not talking about prospering for the sake of prosperity, so don't leave me yet.
Scripture tells us to share freely and give generously to the poor. If we do, according to the Word of God, He will provide and increase our resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in us. The increased resources are NOT for us to keep, but to give away to others. It's not about making us rich. It's about a harvest of generosity. It's about reaping a generous spirit. It's about giving to others so that it opens the gate for them to come into the presence of God because they're giving thanks for what they have received.
Our text for today is the basis for the Law of Reciprocity. BIG buzz word these days. However, I'm not talking about transactional reciprocity - value given for value received. Author Wayne Baker has this to say about the power of reciprocity, "The lesson is that we cannot pursue the power of reciprocity. When we try to invoke reciprocity directly, we lose sight of the reason for it: helping others. Paradoxically, it is in helping others without expecting reciprocity in return that we invoke the power of reciprocity. The deliberate pursuit of reciprocity fails..." Mr. Baker paraphrased what the Scripture has to say and got himself another best seller.
What is our motivation behind giving gifts this Christmas season? Is it obligational reciprocity? Yuck... Is it transactional reciprocity – value given for value received? Or is it - according to His Word - from a great harvest of generosity? If we continue in today's text, verse 13 reads, As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. Oh, please let it be that we are found obedient to the Good News of Christ
Prayer:
Father,
You love a cheerful giver, and You set the ultimate example of giving by giving us Your Son, Jesus. Provide and increase our resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in us, Lord, according to Your Word. Enrich us in every way so that we may always be generous. Help us especially to be generous with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Generous to meet the needs of those around us so they will thank You and give You glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
2nd Corinthians 9:9-11 NLT
People get nervous when you talk about Christianity. They fidget when you start talking about money. But if you want to really see them squirm, talk about money and Jesus in the same breath! However, truth is Truth. Now, before you get upset, I'm not talking about prospering for the sake of prosperity, so don't leave me yet.
Scripture tells us to share freely and give generously to the poor. If we do, according to the Word of God, He will provide and increase our resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in us. The increased resources are NOT for us to keep, but to give away to others. It's not about making us rich. It's about a harvest of generosity. It's about reaping a generous spirit. It's about giving to others so that it opens the gate for them to come into the presence of God because they're giving thanks for what they have received.
Our text for today is the basis for the Law of Reciprocity. BIG buzz word these days. However, I'm not talking about transactional reciprocity - value given for value received. Author Wayne Baker has this to say about the power of reciprocity, "The lesson is that we cannot pursue the power of reciprocity. When we try to invoke reciprocity directly, we lose sight of the reason for it: helping others. Paradoxically, it is in helping others without expecting reciprocity in return that we invoke the power of reciprocity. The deliberate pursuit of reciprocity fails..." Mr. Baker paraphrased what the Scripture has to say and got himself another best seller.
What is our motivation behind giving gifts this Christmas season? Is it obligational reciprocity? Yuck... Is it transactional reciprocity – value given for value received? Or is it - according to His Word - from a great harvest of generosity? If we continue in today's text, verse 13 reads, As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. Oh, please let it be that we are found obedient to the Good News of Christ
Prayer:
Father,
You love a cheerful giver, and You set the ultimate example of giving by giving us Your Son, Jesus. Provide and increase our resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in us, Lord, according to Your Word. Enrich us in every way so that we may always be generous. Help us especially to be generous with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Generous to meet the needs of those around us so they will thank You and give You glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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