Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. You are serving the Lord Christ. (NCV)
Giving our best for God even during this tough financial time can be difficult and challenging, but God is worth it. Don't you think? Better yet, don't you know He's worth it? Let me explain. While it may seem overwhelming to give your best in everything for God, this is the kind of attitude that God promises to reward. How? As you give God your best in your quiet times with Him, He will energize you through prayer and His Word. Haven't you ever gone to Him and just fell at His feet? I have plenty of times. I either went to sleep peacefully or felt this heavy burden lifted and exhaled. The kind of exhale you get after accomplishing a major event like: passing a physical fitness test, completing a big project, having the kids settled down in bed early without a fight, getting your taxes done before the 15 April deadline, and my favorite losing that impossible 2lbs that mysteriously appears every year. The same exhilarating feeling happens when you give God your best from your income. It's giving God thanks in another way. You will also be blessed as you see how it can help others. God doesn't bless you just so you can store it up. God blesses you so that through it, you will bless others. And when you give God your best in serving others, you will be blessed with personal satisfaction as well as deeper relationships. And yes, there will be still be challenges, but our God is greater, stronger, wiser, and able to better equip us with the equipment we need to overcome those challenges. Now, isn't that wonderful how God turns your best efforts into eternal rewards.
Song: Your Name's My Reward (by: Isa Couvertier)
I will seek you Lord, while you may be found
My broken, contrite heart, you have yet to deny
Chorus
O Je-sus, Your name's my reward
O Je-sus,I'm returning to You
With all of my heart, with all that I am.
Verse 2:
I will call upon your name, while you are near
Forsaking all others, clinging only to you
Chorus
I wanna fall more in love with you Jesus
I wanna fall more in love
How can you give your best to God today?
25 May 2009
Pride Keeps You From God, So Lose It
The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes
himself humble like this child. - Matthew 18:4 (NCV)
Whoever then may humble himself as this child, he is the greater in the
reign of the heavens. - Matthew 18:4 (Young's Literal Translation)
Let's take a brief look at your day-to-day life. Oh, and be totally
honest with yourself. Who or what do you truly honor, worship? How do
you worship? What does it mean to honor others? What does it mean to
honor God? You may be surprised, embarrassed, or even angry at the true
and real answer you provide. I know that I don't always honor others in
a way that is pleasing God. I allow pride to get in the way. We all do
from time to time, but when we continue to do it ... that is sin. And
sin is no where near pleasing God. In fact, He abhors sin.
How can you stop? Remember from the previous blog I mentioned a few things
like:
1. You have to recognize your fault (identify) 2. You have to face it
head-on (accept and confront) 3. You have to humble yourself (vulnerable
to others through God) 4. You have to admit it to someone else
(demonstrate God's love)
Well, you have to do the same thing and adding confession/repentance to
God.
You see, the less you seek to honor yourself, the more God will honor
and bless you. Pride builds barriers that keep God out of your life.
If you're like me, you want to keep God IN your life. It's very
important. The Word says, "abide in me and I will abide you". A
valuable asset.
Humility opens the way for God to work in you because it makes you
willing to seek His help and honor Him for it. We should all be seeking
God first in Matthew 6:33 it reads: But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you. (KJV). Pride reaches no further than your own ego. That like
saying, "I trust you as far as I can throw you". Humility is true
greatness because its effects reach into the Kingdom of Heaven, and that
is so much more rewarding than a bruise.
Song: Pride
by Jeremy Camp
Every single word I say
You know it before I speak
You know every thought
The deepest part of me
You draw me closer than I see
Your presence is every thing I need to be The child that you've created
me to be I'm ready now to see it your way
I lay down my pride
My desires my demise
I'm ready now to see it your way
I'm done I'm thru ignoring you now it's true I'm kneeling at the cross
of your grace Lay down my pride
I was faced with passing time
But I knew the choice was mine
To finally come to you
And give you all control
I've wandered miles to find my way
And then you revealed this simple faith
I know that you can see the secrets of my soul
The cross the blood you shed for me
Your back was ripped and bruised
So I can know your love
I kneel I bow to you my kind
Are you too proud to pursue what God says is true greatness?
himself humble like this child. - Matthew 18:4 (NCV)
Whoever then may humble himself as this child, he is the greater in the
reign of the heavens. - Matthew 18:4 (Young's Literal Translation)
Let's take a brief look at your day-to-day life. Oh, and be totally
honest with yourself. Who or what do you truly honor, worship? How do
you worship? What does it mean to honor others? What does it mean to
honor God? You may be surprised, embarrassed, or even angry at the true
and real answer you provide. I know that I don't always honor others in
a way that is pleasing God. I allow pride to get in the way. We all do
from time to time, but when we continue to do it ... that is sin. And
sin is no where near pleasing God. In fact, He abhors sin.
How can you stop? Remember from the previous blog I mentioned a few things
like:
1. You have to recognize your fault (identify) 2. You have to face it
head-on (accept and confront) 3. You have to humble yourself (vulnerable
to others through God) 4. You have to admit it to someone else
(demonstrate God's love)
Well, you have to do the same thing and adding confession/repentance to
God.
You see, the less you seek to honor yourself, the more God will honor
and bless you. Pride builds barriers that keep God out of your life.
If you're like me, you want to keep God IN your life. It's very
important. The Word says, "abide in me and I will abide you". A
valuable asset.
Humility opens the way for God to work in you because it makes you
willing to seek His help and honor Him for it. We should all be seeking
God first in Matthew 6:33 it reads: But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you. (KJV). Pride reaches no further than your own ego. That like
saying, "I trust you as far as I can throw you". Humility is true
greatness because its effects reach into the Kingdom of Heaven, and that
is so much more rewarding than a bruise.
Song: Pride
by Jeremy Camp
Every single word I say
You know it before I speak
You know every thought
The deepest part of me
You draw me closer than I see
Your presence is every thing I need to be The child that you've created
me to be I'm ready now to see it your way
I lay down my pride
My desires my demise
I'm ready now to see it your way
I'm done I'm thru ignoring you now it's true I'm kneeling at the cross
of your grace Lay down my pride
I was faced with passing time
But I knew the choice was mine
To finally come to you
And give you all control
I've wandered miles to find my way
And then you revealed this simple faith
I know that you can see the secrets of my soul
The cross the blood you shed for me
Your back was ripped and bruised
So I can know your love
I kneel I bow to you my kind
Are you too proud to pursue what God says is true greatness?
24 May 2009
Generosity Creates Hospitality
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. - Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing - Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
Old Testament law made it clear that God wanted His people to tithe - to give Him the first tenth of their income - to demonstrate their obedience and trust that He would provide for them. I'm sure we can all agree to how good God provides for us. In fact, when Jesus came, He made it clear that He loves a cheerful giver. This means that He loves a generous heart.
Tithing, what does it mean as a Christian? The principle of the tithe is a good place to start when setting an example of generosity for those you lead.
It demonstrates:
1. Concern for those in need
2. Commitment to being a part of God's work in the world
3. Sacrifice by giving up something in order to give more to others
Quote:
“If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out.”
Marian Wright Edelman quotes
What steps can you take to give more generously to others?
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing - Malachi 3:10 (NKJV)
Old Testament law made it clear that God wanted His people to tithe - to give Him the first tenth of their income - to demonstrate their obedience and trust that He would provide for them. I'm sure we can all agree to how good God provides for us. In fact, when Jesus came, He made it clear that He loves a cheerful giver. This means that He loves a generous heart.
Tithing, what does it mean as a Christian? The principle of the tithe is a good place to start when setting an example of generosity for those you lead.
It demonstrates:
1. Concern for those in need
2. Commitment to being a part of God's work in the world
3. Sacrifice by giving up something in order to give more to others
Quote:
“If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out.”
Marian Wright Edelman quotes
What steps can you take to give more generously to others?
17 May 2009
Commitment: The Best Treatment For Trusting In God
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: - Psalm 37:5 (NIV)
Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. - Psalm 37:5 (Contemporary English Version)
What does it mean to commit? According to Wikipedia, commitment means duty or pledge to something or someone.
Let's look at our commitment to a very special someone ... God. Commitment to God is more than an intellectual agreement with His principles. Commitment involves giving your whole self - body, soul, emotions, and mind - for His use. In His Word it tells us to love God with our all our heart, mind, body and soul. That is a very large part of us, yet we give we Him so little of ourselves even after all He has done for us. Why? It requires a decision of the mind followed by an act of the will to follow through, regardless of the difficulty or the cost. As leaders, followers, parents, or partners in marriage we know about following through. It is very important to our accomplishing something much bigger than our own selves. It is vital to a more personal relationship with Him. Yes, although commitment to God can be costly, remember God promises to help you and bless you when you are faithful to Him. Isn't that worth committing yourself to an eternal life?
Song: "Are Ye Able," Said the Master
"Are ye able," said the Master, "To be crucified with Me?"
"Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered, "To the death we follow Thee:"
Chorus: "Lord, we are able" - our spirits are Thine;
Remold them make us like Thee, divine:
Thy guiding radiance a above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.
"Are ye able," when the shadows close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs, To commend your soul to God?
On a scale from one to ten, what is your level of commitment to God?
Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. - Psalm 37:5 (Contemporary English Version)
What does it mean to commit? According to Wikipedia, commitment means duty or pledge to something or someone.
Let's look at our commitment to a very special someone ... God. Commitment to God is more than an intellectual agreement with His principles. Commitment involves giving your whole self - body, soul, emotions, and mind - for His use. In His Word it tells us to love God with our all our heart, mind, body and soul. That is a very large part of us, yet we give we Him so little of ourselves even after all He has done for us. Why? It requires a decision of the mind followed by an act of the will to follow through, regardless of the difficulty or the cost. As leaders, followers, parents, or partners in marriage we know about following through. It is very important to our accomplishing something much bigger than our own selves. It is vital to a more personal relationship with Him. Yes, although commitment to God can be costly, remember God promises to help you and bless you when you are faithful to Him. Isn't that worth committing yourself to an eternal life?
Song: "Are Ye Able," Said the Master
"Are ye able," said the Master, "To be crucified with Me?"
"Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered, "To the death we follow Thee:"
Chorus: "Lord, we are able" - our spirits are Thine;
Remold them make us like Thee, divine:
Thy guiding radiance a above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.
"Are ye able," when the shadows close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs, To commend your soul to God?
On a scale from one to ten, what is your level of commitment to God?
15 May 2009
Opposition or Fear, You Choose - God Is Always Near
Cry aloud with my voice to the LORD;
I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me. - Psalm 142:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)
I cry out loudly to God, loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
"As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I'm feeling,
Know the danger I'm in,
the traps hidden in my path. - Psalm 142:1-3 (The Message)
Let's face it, sometimes you face overwhelming opposition. Whether it be deployed in close quarters, washing/cooking/cleaning the house while the kids are running around crazy, taking courses online and trying to complete a paper due within hours, or findng time just for adequate sleep ... it's opposition. You feel outnumbered and at times helpless. I know I do, and I found it hard at first to allow God do His part. However, I learned as my faith grows, I call on God much more easier and trust Him to take care of it. I am energized by God. You see, God boosts your confidence by reminding you that just as He has delivered His people from their enemies in the past, He will deliver you from your troubles. Deliverance. Doesn't the word sound exhilerating?
God has given you courage in the face of opposition because you know that God is stronger than your worst problem and that He wants to use His strength to help you. Isn't God almighty powerful? Yes, He is! And His power is available to you when you do what pleases Him.
Remember, God also promises to be with you.
Song: They That Overcome
by: Fanny Crosby
Overcoming evil day by day,
This our warfare on the Christian way;
Yet unto those that faithful endure,
God has declared that His promise is sure.
Refrain
They that overcome, thus saith He,
They that overcome, blessèd shall be;
They that overcome the world and sin,
Life and a crown in His kingdom shall win.
Tho’ we suffer tribulation here,
Tho’ our crosses oft may seem severe,
Think of the joy when trials are past,
Strong in the Lord we shall conquer at last.
Refrain
Overcoming, O my soul, arise,
Overcoming, thou must reach the skies;
Still journey on, and still overcome,
Rest by and by with the Savior at home.
Refrain
What opposition are you facing? Have you asked God to help you overcome it?
I make supplication with my voice to the LORD.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me. - Psalm 142:1-3 (New American Standard Bible)
I cry out loudly to God, loudly I plead with God for mercy.
I spill out all my complaints before him,
and spell out my troubles in detail:
"As I sink in despair, my spirit ebbing away,
you know how I'm feeling,
Know the danger I'm in,
the traps hidden in my path. - Psalm 142:1-3 (The Message)
Let's face it, sometimes you face overwhelming opposition. Whether it be deployed in close quarters, washing/cooking/cleaning the house while the kids are running around crazy, taking courses online and trying to complete a paper due within hours, or findng time just for adequate sleep ... it's opposition. You feel outnumbered and at times helpless. I know I do, and I found it hard at first to allow God do His part. However, I learned as my faith grows, I call on God much more easier and trust Him to take care of it. I am energized by God. You see, God boosts your confidence by reminding you that just as He has delivered His people from their enemies in the past, He will deliver you from your troubles. Deliverance. Doesn't the word sound exhilerating?
God has given you courage in the face of opposition because you know that God is stronger than your worst problem and that He wants to use His strength to help you. Isn't God almighty powerful? Yes, He is! And His power is available to you when you do what pleases Him.
Remember, God also promises to be with you.
Song: They That Overcome
by: Fanny Crosby
Overcoming evil day by day,
This our warfare on the Christian way;
Yet unto those that faithful endure,
God has declared that His promise is sure.
Refrain
They that overcome, thus saith He,
They that overcome, blessèd shall be;
They that overcome the world and sin,
Life and a crown in His kingdom shall win.
Tho’ we suffer tribulation here,
Tho’ our crosses oft may seem severe,
Think of the joy when trials are past,
Strong in the Lord we shall conquer at last.
Refrain
Overcoming, O my soul, arise,
Overcoming, thou must reach the skies;
Still journey on, and still overcome,
Rest by and by with the Savior at home.
Refrain
What opposition are you facing? Have you asked God to help you overcome it?
14 May 2009
Doubt Has No Room When It Comes To God
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul - Psalm 94:19 (NIV)
In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul! - Psalm 94:19 (Amplified Bible)
Virtually every biblical hero struggled with doubts about God or God's ability or desire to help. I can recall Jonah, Moses, Elijah and Jeremiah to name a few. Who can you think of? We left out the most important one ... us. We all have doubted God at one point and time. Let's be totally and completely honest with Him, ourselves and each other.
I can tell you like any other seasoned Christian, God doesn't mind when you doubt as long as you continue to seek Him in the midst of it. That is the key concept ... continue to seek Him.
There are some who say doubt is a sin. Doubt can become sin if it leads you away from God and into skepticism, cynicism, or hard-heartedness. But God promises that doubt can become a blessing if your honest searching leads you to a better understanding of God and a deeper faith in Him. I think back on Thomas, aka Doubting Thomas. Was he doubting God or was he more dumbfounded that it "was" Jesus standing before him? That is a whole other topic for discussion. But eventually we all know that Thomas did believe it was Jesus standing before him because his saw Jesus' hands. Then too, when others see your hope in God even as you struggle with doubt, they will be inspired to follow your example and cling to their faith no matter what their circumstances. In other words, let God's light continue to shine in you for all to see even if it is too dim or too bright, His light will shine for all to see.
Song: God Never Fails (by: George Jordan)
Chorus: God never fails! God never fails! He abides in me,
He gives me victory; No God never fails!
Just keep the faith and never cease to pray;
Just walk upright, call Him noon, day or night.
He'll be there, He'll be there,
There's no need to worry, for God never fails!
I never worry, I never fret;
For God almighty has never failed me yet.
Tho' rebuked and scorned,
I know that I've been reborn,
for God never fails!
No need to cry, I'm not afraid to died;
I've got my Lord, I know He's on my side.
Daily I trust Him, never shall I doubt Him,
for God never fails!
When you find yourself doubting God, do you let it move you closer to Him or farther away?
In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul! - Psalm 94:19 (Amplified Bible)
Virtually every biblical hero struggled with doubts about God or God's ability or desire to help. I can recall Jonah, Moses, Elijah and Jeremiah to name a few. Who can you think of? We left out the most important one ... us. We all have doubted God at one point and time. Let's be totally and completely honest with Him, ourselves and each other.
I can tell you like any other seasoned Christian, God doesn't mind when you doubt as long as you continue to seek Him in the midst of it. That is the key concept ... continue to seek Him.
There are some who say doubt is a sin. Doubt can become sin if it leads you away from God and into skepticism, cynicism, or hard-heartedness. But God promises that doubt can become a blessing if your honest searching leads you to a better understanding of God and a deeper faith in Him. I think back on Thomas, aka Doubting Thomas. Was he doubting God or was he more dumbfounded that it "was" Jesus standing before him? That is a whole other topic for discussion. But eventually we all know that Thomas did believe it was Jesus standing before him because his saw Jesus' hands. Then too, when others see your hope in God even as you struggle with doubt, they will be inspired to follow your example and cling to their faith no matter what their circumstances. In other words, let God's light continue to shine in you for all to see even if it is too dim or too bright, His light will shine for all to see.
Song: God Never Fails (by: George Jordan)
Chorus: God never fails! God never fails! He abides in me,
He gives me victory; No God never fails!
Just keep the faith and never cease to pray;
Just walk upright, call Him noon, day or night.
He'll be there, He'll be there,
There's no need to worry, for God never fails!
I never worry, I never fret;
For God almighty has never failed me yet.
Tho' rebuked and scorned,
I know that I've been reborn,
for God never fails!
No need to cry, I'm not afraid to died;
I've got my Lord, I know He's on my side.
Daily I trust Him, never shall I doubt Him,
for God never fails!
When you find yourself doubting God, do you let it move you closer to Him or farther away?
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