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

Give What You Have

 Acts 3: 6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

We may not have a lot of money to give out and help everyone that crosses our pathway who has a need, but such as we have, God wants us to give. What do we have? We have the greatest treasure this world has ever known. A treasure far greater than silver and gold, far greater than the wealth of this world. Houses and land, riches untold grow dim in the light of eternity with Jesus. Jesus, the name I highly treasure. Jesus alone is all I need. God has seen fit to give me some of the things of this world, and I do enjoy some of these earthly treasures, but they will also pass away, and what is left is what abides in the heart. He is the one who can take a sinner and make him whole again. It is Jesus who changes a heart from hate to love. It is Jesus who heals the body and brings comfort to the soul. The world is blinded and lives in darkness. Such as we have, the light of Christ, let it shine as we journey this side of this world.

Praise & Thanksgiving

Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

We praise God for who He is and give thanks for the things He does for us. Praise is always in order, even when things are not always going the way we think they should. We show our thanksgiving or gratitude to Him by praising Him for all His marvelous works. He has blessed us with many things in life that we often take for granted. But even if such blessings were not given, we can still be glad and rejoice because He loved us and bought us with His blood. When we receive such a gift from Him, we then lift our hearts in thanksgiving for the grace and mercy He bestows on us. Thanksgiving and gratitude are reciprocal, it applies that there is a giver and a receiver. Praise is not depended on receiving. We praise Him because He is worthy of our praise, and thank Him for giving us salvation. “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter is gates with praise.”

Helping Hands

Prov. 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

We don’t own anything. We are all stewards of the things we have. God who gives us strength, life, and opportunity to be willing to give to those who are in need. God loves a cheerful giver, one that gives because giving is an extension of God’s grace. Helping hands reaching out to people that are not able to help themselves. Giving because God puts a desire in our hearts to reach out to the less fortunate. “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”(Acts 20:35) Such is the life style of those who love God with all their heart and their neighbor as themselves. Let us open our resources, and show the love of Christ, not in word only, but also in deed.

Giving Back

1 Chron 29:14, 17 “..For all things come from Thee, and from Thine own have we given Thee… As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things;..”

Hold loosely to the things of this world. We came into this world with nothing and we will leave it with nothing. From dust we came and to dust we will return. God has made us stewards of what we have. He has blessed us with life and strength to provide food and shelter. The things we have will fade away with time and only that done for Christ will last when this life fades away.  The things we have are given to us by God, He is our great provider. We take what He has provided and the desire of our hearts is to give all things back to Him. We consecrate our life to Him in full surrender to all we have. It is more than just giving back the temporal things of this world, but the greatest offer we can give Him is the offering of our life. He blesses us in many ways, and my heart is grateful and willing to give back to Him anything He desires. 

Giving All

Luke 21:3 “And He said, “In truth I say unto you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.”-

“Give it all, give it all to Jesus”. It is not how much we give, but the sacrifice that is made when giving that matters. God still blesses those that give of their abundance and is pleased when people are willing to help support the Kingdom’s work, but giving your life is more precious to God than any monetary substance. He wants us to surrender all to Him. Giving all is to submit our hopes and desires to His will. He wants our heart, soul, body, and mind. God is not after our pocket book, He is after our allegiance. The truth of it all is we don’t have to have a penny to our name, and we still have something to give that supersedes the wealth and riches of this world. All to Jesus I surrender, “All to Him I freely give... I surrender all”

Following God

Joshua 14:9b “because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.”-

Following God without any reservations. To Wholly follow the Lord is to fully and entirely do what He wants you to do. It is full obediences to the will of God. Partial obedience is not acceptable. Saul followed only part of God’s will and paid an awful price for his partial obedience. Joshua followed God fully and did not hold back his obedience. Because He did, God blessed him and gave him the desires of his heart. Everyone is called of God to do something for the kingdom. Some are called to led and others are called to follow, but it is all for the purpose to glorify God. Wherever God puts us, He wants us to grow and be all that He desires. To become a mature Christian, living life to its fullness. This is only done, when we are willing to wholly follow Him, no matter the road He may have us travel. “Give it all, give it all to Jesus.”

What is Greatness?

Mark 10:43-44 “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister,  and whosoever of you would be the chiefest shall be servant of all.”- 

The world views greatness when one achieves power, prosperity, popularity or political favor. This is evident in a culture where people are idolized for the feat that they accomplish. Whether it be in music, sports, or in Hollywood, man without God has a twisted view of greatness. In the eyes of God, what is greatness? It is a rare occasion in our media culture that a person is recognized for their selfless giving and holy desire to serve others. The Christian world view sees things through the eyes of Jesus. What does he have to say about true greatness? In spite of wanting to achieve success and a measure of greatness, such aspiration are only truly obtain when we humble ourselves before God and give of our best to the master by serving and giving to help others in time of need. Always willing to give rather than to receive.

Admonitions for the New Year

 Admonitions for the New Year

Philippians 4

Ten Admonition of the Lord

1. Stand Fast in the Lord

In the face of difficult times, hold steady

Hold on to the promise of God’s Word

2. Rejoice in the Lord

Overcome by rejoicing and praising God

Rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life

3. Do all things in Moderation

The Balance life is to do all to the Glory of God

Conduct your life is a way that you reflect the image of Christ

4. Fret not- Don’t worry about “things”

Be anxious for nothing. Human nature is concern about human comforts

That “problem” you face? Let go and let God have it. “Fear not”

5. Pray that God will supply all your needs

Bring your request to God and trust Him to supply your needs

Ask anything in my name. He knows what is best.

6. Keep your mind and thoughts pure

The thermometer that guides your conduct in whatever you do.

“Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus”- 

7. Apply God’s Word to your life- Doer of the Word

Read the Word of God not only for inspiration, but for practical living

Let the Holy Spirit apply the truth to your heart, and follow.

8. Be content with your station in life

Understand, Life is a rollercoaster- Be prepared to make adjustments

If you are living in the will of God, be at peace with your situation

Happiness is an attitude. Attitude is a choice. 

Don’t let circumstances dictate your happiness

Contentment is gained when we put our trust in Christ to accept our circumstances

9. Don’t be a pessimist – Approach challenges in your life with confidence.  “I CAN”

Godly attitude will focus on what you Can do, and not “I Can’t”

God does use your strengths, but only when then are submitted to Him

In our weakness, He is made strong. Give Him glory.

10. Give liberally to the cause of Christ.

God does not need your money. He is the giver of all things

God has chosen through the sacrifice of giving to spread the Gospel

We miss a blessing from God, when we fail to help others or support those who are willing to give of their time to spread the gospel.

God’s Promises

1. He will supply all our needs
2. The Peace of God will be given to you
3. God Peace will be with you
4. He will keep your heart and mind
5. He will give us the strength to do His will- we can overcome any obstacle or adversity.
6. The grace of God will be with you. The favor of God. He will always be at your disposal when you need Him the most.