Cheerful Giver

 2 Corinth 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The motivation to give for a cause should be based on our desire to help build the kingdom of God, and reach out in some way to help someone who has a need. We live in a world where everyone is looking out for self, and seeking to gain just a little more. This is demonstrated when Jesus spoke about the man who wanted to tear down his barn and build bigger ones to store his riches. (Luke 12:18). There is no wrong in wanting to increase your financial standing. We are told to be good stewards of what God has given us. Being forced to give what God has allowed us to earn is not really giving from the heart. Out of necessity, we pay taxes, we don’t give taxes. Out of necessity (the principle of tithing) we pay ten percent of our earnings to God’s work. This giving was established in the OT to support the work of the priesthood.  Paul says, don’t let your giving be done because you're compelled by some law, but let your giving be done from the heart with cheerfulness that you are doing it for God and His cause. The principle of reaping and sowing is demonstrated in how you give. The more you give cheerfully, the more God’s grace will be abound to you. Delight in giving of your means to the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart, and always provide you with what you need

Plenteous in Mercy

 Psalm 103:8,9
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Because God is a holy God, His anger toward sin and rebellion is evident throughout scripture. Humanity was born in sin and with a nature that is in enmity against God. Every child born into this world has inherited this nature. At some point in a person’s life, God holds us accountable for our sinfulness. The simple Gospel message is that Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again to provide a remedy for this sinful nature. It is God’s love and mercy for us that it is now possible to turn away the anger of the Lord. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or our sins.” It is not our fault that Adam and Eve yielded to temptation and cursed the human race, but we are given the choice to believe in Jesus for the remission of sin and be made reconciled back to God. This free gift from God shows that He will not reprove us or scold us. His mercy is plenteous to those who call out to Him for forgiveness. He will not turn away a repented heart who cries out for mercy. He is loving and gracious.

Put On

 Col 3:12,14
 Put on therefore…mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Putting something on is an intentional action. It is a knowing act of choice. It is not governed by feeling or intimidation. We may put on a front to impress or deceive, and this also is done by choice. We often “Put on” because it is the right thing to do, and not necessarily the most expedient or convenient thing to do. Showing kindness and giving mercy is done with purpose. Patience and longsuffering is normally not an innate response when confronted with trials and difficult situations. We make a deliberate decision to be what God wants us to be. With the choice of doing what is good and kind, asking the Holy Spirit to empower you and work through you to be more like Jesus. Putting on is not acting or pretending, it is choosing to imitate what Christ would do. “What would Jesus Do?” is still a good question to ask before we act or react.

Bad Company

 Luke 15:2
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
It is important to guard our influence. The religious people in Jesus day thought this was necessary in order to maintain their reputation. They valued their reputation over seeking the lost. Paul admonishes believers not to be a stumbling block to others by the things they do and say. But on the other hand, he says “​​I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” It is prudent that we be careful with the kind of people we hang around with and guard against being influenced by evil. Guilty by association is often attributed to those who hang around bad company, but Jesus sees people who are lost and need to be found. He casted away any inhibition of being identified with sinners and meets people where they are to share His love and forgiveness. Christian who are the light of the world, a world that is darkened by sin are to live in the world, but are not to be a part of it. Let the light of Christ shine to those who are lost and so they can find a way out of darkness.

Our Vocation

 Eph. 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Not everyone that is a believer is called into full time ministry. Someone needs to pay the bills and support the work of the kingdom. As part of the body of Christ, we all have a part and function within the body.  Beyond the work that God has called us to in the church, He also has given us a vocation, work that will not only support the livelihood of one’s family, but support the church and other ministries around the world that are spreading the Gospel. God has given each of us a talent, an ability to learn and acquire specific skills to work. All work is honorable if the work is honest and does not violate the scripture. We are to always give 100% of our efforts to the job that is given to us. Whether it is rolling out pizza dough, or doing heart surgery, we glorify God in what we do. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” words given to us by Solomon. We are ambassadors for Christ, let our vocation and work ethic reflect the life of Christ.

To Be Perfect

 Matt. 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Is this even possible? 

The words of Jesus to be perfect must be a mistake. A misinterpretation of translation of the manuscript. How can man with all of his imperfection be told to be perfect? What message was Jesus trying to convey to His followers? I don’t believe that Jesus was speaking of doing everything perfect and without error. Man is not all knowing as God is, he only sees things from one perspective, God sees and knows the hearts of men. So, the command to be perfect must have some other meaning. The messages given on this mount by Jesus were matters of the heart. The essences of man’s soul, the motives of man’s heart. A follower of Christ will seek to love not only His friends, but also his enemies. To be perfect like the Father is to have a heart that loves all people regardless of their actions. A heart that harbors hate is imperfect and does not reflect the image of Christ. The scripture can be read in this way, “Be ye therefore a lover of people, even as your Father which is in heaven loves people.” This is only made possible if one is in Christ and the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to love without reservations.

A New Heart

 Ezekiel 36:26-27

 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh…And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

There is something about things that are new. It implies a fresh start. As we begin a new year, we look forward to maybe doing things differently to improve our lives. When God gives us a fresh start, it is more than turning over a new leaf. It is more like letting the old leaf die and letting a new leaf grow. God wants to take the old heart of stone, hardened by sin. The callous heart of unbelief removed and replaced by a heart of flesh, full of faith compassion. The new heart has new desires and affections. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The Spirit of Christ now dwells in the new heart of flesh, a heart ready to receive instructions, wanting to keep his commandments. Yes, the law is now written in our hearts, and our conscience bears witness that hearts belong to Him.

Feed The Poor

 Isaiah 58:7

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Jesus said, “For ye have the poor with you always, and whatsoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.” I don’t know why God chose some to be born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and others who live their lives with barely enough substance to survive. There are many who have gone from rags to riches to escape the plight of being poor. Such accomplishments often extol the resilience of man and his ability to overcome difficult situations.There is something to say about man’s determination and will power in the face of adversity. But in all of man’s success, it is still God who provides what is needed to overcome. To those who have been trapped by their circumstances, Jesus instructs us to “Deal bread to the hungry, and whatever you can, do good to them.” Meeting the physical needs of man is often the best way to reach what really matters, and that is the spiritual need of the heart. Humanitarian efforts are often applauded in the news, and I believe that God is pleased when others are willing to give of their means to help others. But there is a higher calling, the calling to feed the flock of God, and share the bread of life to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men..” “ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Do good to all men, that others may see your good works and glorify the God you serve.

He is Our Help

 Psalm 121:1,2

 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help..My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Needing help implies that a person cannot do it on their own. The psalmist looked around the world he lived in and could not find what he needed to bring him peace. All around people were fighting and seeking their own gain. Everywhere we look the world is in conflict, nations against nations, political parties in constant battle, and people seeking to gain wealth and prosperity at any cost. Help is not found in what man can do, but in the one who created all things. We need to lift our eyes higher, above the turmoil of the world, look upward, toward the hills and beyond and see God. He who is all almighty, all knowing, and all seeing. Deliverance from the chaos of this life comes when we see Jesus, and yield our heart and lives to Him. He will be our help in times of trouble, He is the answer to all the problems that fill this world.

He is Worthy

 Rev 5:9

Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

The book (scroll) with the seven seals contained the prophecy of God’s judgment of mankind who refused to submit to the sovereignty and Lordship of Christ. There was no one on earth that was able to break the seals and open the scroll for all men have sinned and come short of being worthy. But, there appears one with authority and able to break the seals. He is worthy because He was the lamb who  paid the price. He is worthy because He was without sin, and came to earth to give His life to redeem us from our sins, that we may now come boldly to the throne of God. Like the 24 elders, we bow down before Him, worship and adore Him. He will send judgments, those who have rebelled against Him and have denied His grace will see the wrath of God displayed. For those who have bowed the knee in this life will stand with Him on the last day and reign with Him forever and ever. 

Simplicity in Christ

 2 Corinth 11:3

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is possible to be deceived even when you have good intentions. Not everyone that says, “Lord, Lord.” will be true followers of Christ. Paul continues to warn believers that there will be those out there that will not be teaching sound doctrine, that they will preach Christ, but not the simplicity of His teachings and the purpose of His coming. The sound doctrine of Christ is that He was born of a virgin, His Deity as the Son of God, came to die, to pay the penalty for the sins of man, providing salvation to whosoever will believe in Him. He rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sits currently at the right hand of the Father. He is more than a good prophet, teaching us how to live. He is the only way to heaven. “I Am the truth and the way, no man comes to the Father except by me.” This is the simplicity that is in Christ.

Kick Against the Pricks

 Acts. 9:5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

“To kick against the pricks” is an idiom that implies the fruitlessness of resisting authority or truth. Saul (Paul) on his way to Damascus, encounters his resistance (Jesus). He came face to face with God, and try as he might he could no longer resist that inner voice that no doubt was speaking to him since the day he witnessed the death of Stephen. The Holy Spirit had arrested Paul with convictions, and Paul finally quit resisting and yielded his heart to Jesus. It is difficult to resist the prodding of the Holy Spirit when He convicts the heart of sin. When people do so, they only bring more hurt to themselves. God will use every means to bring others to the light. He will not force submission, but in His faithfulness, He will continue to “prick” to show others the way to go to find true peace. Let us not “kick” against the moving of God, but let us yield to His will and let Him have complete control of our lives.

Male and Female He Made

Gen 1:27, 28
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
From the beginning, it has been God’s plan for man to populate the earth. Replenishing the earth with other human beings requires the union of a man and a woman. The culture in our society today no longer accepted the Bible as God’s word. It is unfeasible to think that one can truly believe in the inherency of God’s word and also accept the woke thinking of the world today. From the beginning of time, God created two genders, male and female. Yes, there have been some genetic anomalies that have occurred in nature, but as a baby emerges from the womb of its mother, it is either a boy or a girl.  The acceptance of transgender identity is permitted in our society because we don’t dictate the choices that people make as long as it does not hurt anyone else. Every human being will stand before God one day and will be accountable for the choices they make on this earth. It is clear that God’s word defines many behaviors as sinful and immoral. As Christian, we are to love people regardless of the choices they make. We are to teach and be an example to others to live a life consistent with the word. There is deliverance for all who are enslaved to sin and its destruction. God is love, but it is not His will that His creation live a life of sin. Thank God, He has provided a way out, but the choice is ours to make.

Heavenly Mansions

 John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
In the book of Revelation, John gives us a glimpse of heaven, the mansions that Jesus said He is preparing for those who have been redeemed, and are following His commandments. I can only imagine this place, the Father’s house. The homes that we will live in are described as large and beautiful. We have seen what man can do with earthly material when building an earthly mansion, but this mansion is built by the hand of God. Someday after this life is over, we will live in that city, a place prepared for all those who love Him and are waiting for His appearance. He said He will come back to receive His own. His promises are true, He does not lie. The song written by Ira Stamphill, “I've got a mansion just over the hilltop. In that bright land where we'll never grow old. And someday yonder we will never more wander. But walk on streets that are purest gold.” speaks to the hope and longing of all believers.

God Hates Sin

Psalm 90:7,8
For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled…Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
The image of God given to us here is a God of judgment. A God that hates sin. It is impossible to hide our sins from Him, the light of his presence reveals our sinfulness. This is the picture and perception that many people have of God. A God ready to strike us down as soon as we do something that misses the mark. It is true that God is Holy, and hates sin and is displeased with those who commit sinful acts of rebellion. But He is also a God of love and mercy. He sees our humanity, and our inclinations to satisfy self. It is because of His love that He sent Jesus to provide a way to save us from our sinful condition. We are all judgment bound and will stand before Him. We can stand before Him with clean hands and a pure heart if we have by faith accepted His love of grace and our sins have been covered by the blood of Christ. We can be judged guiltless because Jesus is standing in our place as our advocate.