Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:1-4
Christmas is a time of giving, so the culture tells us. And at this time of the year, we give and give and give some more, but we give out of "I want" not "I need". Of all the people you gave to this Christmas, what was their NEED, their TRUE need? The heart of Jesus is not in the "I need", it is giving to those who are hurting. Given the state of finances in our country today, there is great need among a great many.
I think we would all be shocked to see what the December event REALLY cost us. Let's do a breakdown. Be honest now, no rationalizations. :D This is between you and God and He already knows, so just be honest with yourself. Go down the list and put in what you spent.
■Tree - did I buy a new one this year?
■Decorations (you always buy something new every year) -
■GIFTS FOR ANYONE (including taxes where applicable -
■wrapping paper -
■bows -
■ribbons -
■name tags -
■tape -
■christmas cards -
■postage -
■baking supplies -
■food -
■gas to go shopping SEVERAL times -
■increase electric bill -
■additional beverages -
■alcohol -
■additional snacks -
■candy -
■new holiday clothes of ANY kind -
■new holiday jewelry -
■did you travel anywhere? gas, transpotation, and/or lodging fees -
■actual man hours spent on shopping, traveing, decorating, wrapping, special cleaning projects, and extra preparation such as holiday baking x your hourly salary - or if not workng, x 10.00 =
■how much overtime did your stove and oven work? cost -
■INTEREST ON YOUR CREDIT CARD PURCHASES -
■Anything else -
You say Christmas is about giving, right? It's all about the warm fuzzies you get when you give without expecting anything back, right? Now, if you really want some awesome "warm fuzzies", if you really want the heart of Jesus, a truly giving heart, spend absolutely NOTHING on yourself or your family & friends, do not put up or decorate a tree or your home, take all the time, energy and money you would spend on the above and do one or more or all of the following until you use all the money you would have spent on the above. Send a note to whoever you would have bought a gift for and tell them what you did IN THEIR NAME, in place of giving THEM a gift. Their excitement or disappointment will be a good indication of where THEIR hearts are.
1. pay a pesioners heating bill for a month
2. pay a pensioners extra health care preimum for a month or two
3. buy a month's worth of groceries for a single parent
4. buy someone's medicines for month who has no health coverage
5. buy a couple of tanks of gas for someone who is not working
6. know a single parent who is strugglng - find out their most pressing need and fill it
7. go to the local nursing home and buy a gift for as many residents as you can. The need is great for sweaters and sweatshirts as they are ALWAYS cold.
8. find a struggling family and buy them all coats and boots for winter (kids certanly do grow)
9. pay the dentist bill for someone or a family
10. make gift baskets for several families with the following: lanudry soap; dish soap; bath soap; shampoo; toothpaste; new toothbrushes; deoderant; toliet paper
11. pay someone's rent or mortgage
12. pay someone's car insurance premium for a year
13. pay utilities for a single parent
14. send all the money to a local shelter for the homeless
After you have done this, tell me how your heart feels. If Christmas is TRULY about Christ in your heart, if it really is about giving and not receiving, we will be able to do this without batting an eye.
Give to your family and friends when there is absoutely no occasion to do so. Awesome. A gift right out of the blue for no reason whatsoever is the most wonderful gift of all.
This will tell the tale for all of us. Blessings on your life.
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Luke 12:33
"Jesus, I want your heart, I desire no part of the world's heart. Change me, Lord, change me. I want only to be like you. Amen"
John 3:15 - Believe? Believe?
". . . that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."
When was the last time you thought about the word "believe"? Can you define it? "to be persuaded of the truth or existence of" is one of the definitions of dictionary.com. Hmmm, I am persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God. I am persuaded that I have eternal life. Somehow, it just doesn't seem to pack much of a punch.
One (of the many) problems of the English language is that it is so bland. Blah. No body to it. It states a fact but doesn't convey deep meaning or thought. Like "love". The Greek has Eros, philios, agape. You know exactly what kind of love is being spoke of when in conversation. But English just has "love". It's left up to the listner to determine the kind of love, and sometimes we settle for the wrong one.
"Believe" is another one of those words. I believe. I am persuaded. Naw. Not happening. The Greek translation of the word "believe" in this verse is as follows: "to entrust (to charge with a responsibility) ones entire spiritual well-being to God". Now THERE'S some starch for your shirt! It takes the meaning of that scripture to a whole different level.
". . . that everyone who entrusts their entire spiritual well-being to Him may have eternal life." You can be persuaded that Jesus exists; you can be persuaded that He is the Son of God; you can be persuaded for any number of things. But, are you willing to entrust your entire spiritual well-being to someone you cannot capture with any of your physical senses?
I believe Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin, died and resurrected and that He now sits at the right hand of God. I am persuaded this is so. But have I entrusted, I have charged with a responsibility, my entire spiritual well-being to Him, to be taught, guided, built up by Him, or is my reliance on the word of man? Am I following a particular person more then I am Jesus Christ? Have I believed, but not entrusted? Entirely?
Take time to ponder this definition. Mull it over. Chew on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you stand in regard to trusting Jesus. Let Him be your teacher and guide first, in all things.
"Almighty God, I place my body, soul and spirit in your keeping; I entrust it all to your care. You, and you alone have the power and authority to mold and shape me into the person you want me to be. My trust is solely in you. Guide me by your most Holy Spirit, teach me, open my ears to hear your voice. Change my heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. To your honor and glory. Amen."
When was the last time you thought about the word "believe"? Can you define it? "to be persuaded of the truth or existence of" is one of the definitions of dictionary.com. Hmmm, I am persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God. I am persuaded that I have eternal life. Somehow, it just doesn't seem to pack much of a punch.
One (of the many) problems of the English language is that it is so bland. Blah. No body to it. It states a fact but doesn't convey deep meaning or thought. Like "love". The Greek has Eros, philios, agape. You know exactly what kind of love is being spoke of when in conversation. But English just has "love". It's left up to the listner to determine the kind of love, and sometimes we settle for the wrong one.
"Believe" is another one of those words. I believe. I am persuaded. Naw. Not happening. The Greek translation of the word "believe" in this verse is as follows: "to entrust (to charge with a responsibility) ones entire spiritual well-being to God". Now THERE'S some starch for your shirt! It takes the meaning of that scripture to a whole different level.
". . . that everyone who entrusts their entire spiritual well-being to Him may have eternal life." You can be persuaded that Jesus exists; you can be persuaded that He is the Son of God; you can be persuaded for any number of things. But, are you willing to entrust your entire spiritual well-being to someone you cannot capture with any of your physical senses?
I believe Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin, died and resurrected and that He now sits at the right hand of God. I am persuaded this is so. But have I entrusted, I have charged with a responsibility, my entire spiritual well-being to Him, to be taught, guided, built up by Him, or is my reliance on the word of man? Am I following a particular person more then I am Jesus Christ? Have I believed, but not entrusted? Entirely?
Take time to ponder this definition. Mull it over. Chew on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you stand in regard to trusting Jesus. Let Him be your teacher and guide first, in all things.
"Almighty God, I place my body, soul and spirit in your keeping; I entrust it all to your care. You, and you alone have the power and authority to mold and shape me into the person you want me to be. My trust is solely in you. Guide me by your most Holy Spirit, teach me, open my ears to hear your voice. Change my heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. To your honor and glory. Amen."
Genesis 1:1-2 - Copy Cats
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
Did you ever get sooooooooo excited about something that you just went and plunged right into it? Your wedding day. The day you found out you were pregnant with your first child. Your first job. Bubbling excitement that caused you to run and tell everyone. Most certainly this often happened as children, like on Christmas morning. We'd get so excited to see all the goodies under the tree that we'd simply tremble all over, wiggle like jello, then just start grabbing to see what we got. Sometimes we'd get so excited we'd grab the wrong gift. Uh-oh.... but still lots of fun. Uncontainable joy.
When I read these two verses in the beginning of Genesis, I wonder at the joy, the eagerness, the anticipation of God as He ponders what He is about to do. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit all together; the love, the joy, the trembling readiness as they prepare to create the world. Can we do it now, huh, huh? Can we? Can we? I'm ready, I'm ready NOW.
The last part of verse 2 says this: ". . . and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Was hovering. Waiting. Expecting. Not acting. Holding back. Examining. Watching. Listening. Eager. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. The Holy Spirit of God is subject to the command of God and will not act on His own, but only as God the Father directs. Isn't this awesome? The Spirit of God is subject to the command of God.
We are made in God's image. We are body, soul and spirit, triune beings. OUR spirit is under our control, and should act only at our express command. 1 Cor 14:32 says that "the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet." We have control over ourselves the same as God the Father has control over Himself. And the spirit is obedient to what we tell him. One of the Fruit of the Spirit is "self-control". There ya'r. Control of self. Control of our spirits. Not allowing "fools to rush in where angels fear to tread". Sometimes these songs ring with truth.
The Spirit of God waited upon God for direction, timing, and permission. If God's Holy Spirit is so in tune with God, so obedient, can we do any less? As our spirits look to us for direction, timing and permission, so we must look to God.
Are we practicing self-control? Are we copy cats of God?
"Sweet Jesus, change my heart, Lord. I want my heart to be yours. Help me, Master, as I submit to you, to bring my spirit under control also. Forgive me when I fail, and strengthen and renew me to do better with each try. Lead me in obedience, Jesus. Amen."
Did you ever get sooooooooo excited about something that you just went and plunged right into it? Your wedding day. The day you found out you were pregnant with your first child. Your first job. Bubbling excitement that caused you to run and tell everyone. Most certainly this often happened as children, like on Christmas morning. We'd get so excited to see all the goodies under the tree that we'd simply tremble all over, wiggle like jello, then just start grabbing to see what we got. Sometimes we'd get so excited we'd grab the wrong gift. Uh-oh.... but still lots of fun. Uncontainable joy.
When I read these two verses in the beginning of Genesis, I wonder at the joy, the eagerness, the anticipation of God as He ponders what He is about to do. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit all together; the love, the joy, the trembling readiness as they prepare to create the world. Can we do it now, huh, huh? Can we? Can we? I'm ready, I'm ready NOW.
The last part of verse 2 says this: ". . . and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Was hovering. Waiting. Expecting. Not acting. Holding back. Examining. Watching. Listening. Eager. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. The Holy Spirit of God is subject to the command of God and will not act on His own, but only as God the Father directs. Isn't this awesome? The Spirit of God is subject to the command of God.
We are made in God's image. We are body, soul and spirit, triune beings. OUR spirit is under our control, and should act only at our express command. 1 Cor 14:32 says that "the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet." We have control over ourselves the same as God the Father has control over Himself. And the spirit is obedient to what we tell him. One of the Fruit of the Spirit is "self-control". There ya'r. Control of self. Control of our spirits. Not allowing "fools to rush in where angels fear to tread". Sometimes these songs ring with truth.
The Spirit of God waited upon God for direction, timing, and permission. If God's Holy Spirit is so in tune with God, so obedient, can we do any less? As our spirits look to us for direction, timing and permission, so we must look to God.
Are we practicing self-control? Are we copy cats of God?
"Sweet Jesus, change my heart, Lord. I want my heart to be yours. Help me, Master, as I submit to you, to bring my spirit under control also. Forgive me when I fail, and strengthen and renew me to do better with each try. Lead me in obedience, Jesus. Amen."
Romans 8:28 - Blessed Assurance
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called accoding to his purpose."
Paul begins this verse with a VERY emphatic "WE KNOW". No doubt, no wavering, no pondering, no guessing, no questioning, no nothing. Just "WE KNOW". You cannot shake us; you cannot change our minds; you cannot instill doubt; you cannot move us; you cannot do anything to make us think otherwise, simply because "WE KNOW'. A child of God KNOWS God, KNOWS the truth of God, and is an immovable pillar in this knowledge.
Ah, but what do we know? WE KNOW all things work for good . . . everything: the good, the bad, and even the ugly. Sickness and disease? Yes. War? Yes. Floods and Famines? Yes. Prasie and Worship? Yes. Sunshine and blue skies? Yes. Rain and snow? Yes. Vehicles that won't start? Yes. You name it, God can turn it around for good. But it doesn't always happen, does it? We get frustrated, angry, sometimes we even blame God for bad things out of our control and we forget His promise: ALL things work for good . . . . . . .
Maybe we failed the conditions God has set for the promise to be active. The first condition is that that promise is for "those who love God." Well, I love God. Just ask me, I'll tell you. But the Bible tells us that if we love God, we will obey Him. Have we been obedient to EVERYTHING He has asked? Now....don't get in a huff. Think about it. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have not been obedient. 1 John 5:3 says "this is love for God, that we obey His commands......"
The second condition is ". . . who are called according to HIS purposes." Well, isn't everything we do in Jesus name for His purposes? And the answer is NO. We can get so wrapped up in doing good deeds that we begin to practice "Christianese". Just because it's a good work and glorifies God doesn't mean we are to automatically do it. God created each one of us with a very specific purpose for our life. Our responsibility is to find out what that is. Ask God. Constantly. He will direct you, put a burning desire in your heart, guide you into the INTENDED, PURPOSEFUL work He has just for YOU. Every born-again believer has a God-appointed task. The problem with the church today is that there are way too many people who won't ask God what their purpose is, and then step up to the plate and do it. And the other problem is the over-achiever who feels called to "do it all". Both are wrong in God's eyes. In the Lord's Prayer, we pray ". . . THY will be done, on earth as IT IS IN HEAVEN" Matt 6:10. GOD'S WILL, not mine, as it has been established IN HEAVEN, not in my earthly desires.
All of God's promises are conditional upon us. Are you willing to comply with the conditions? Will YOU know that you know that YOU KNOW .......... that ALL thing's work for good . . . . Do you have that Blessed Assurance?
.
Paul begins this verse with a VERY emphatic "WE KNOW". No doubt, no wavering, no pondering, no guessing, no questioning, no nothing. Just "WE KNOW". You cannot shake us; you cannot change our minds; you cannot instill doubt; you cannot move us; you cannot do anything to make us think otherwise, simply because "WE KNOW'. A child of God KNOWS God, KNOWS the truth of God, and is an immovable pillar in this knowledge.
Ah, but what do we know? WE KNOW all things work for good . . . everything: the good, the bad, and even the ugly. Sickness and disease? Yes. War? Yes. Floods and Famines? Yes. Prasie and Worship? Yes. Sunshine and blue skies? Yes. Rain and snow? Yes. Vehicles that won't start? Yes. You name it, God can turn it around for good. But it doesn't always happen, does it? We get frustrated, angry, sometimes we even blame God for bad things out of our control and we forget His promise: ALL things work for good . . . . . . .
Maybe we failed the conditions God has set for the promise to be active. The first condition is that that promise is for "those who love God." Well, I love God. Just ask me, I'll tell you. But the Bible tells us that if we love God, we will obey Him. Have we been obedient to EVERYTHING He has asked? Now....don't get in a huff. Think about it. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you have not been obedient. 1 John 5:3 says "this is love for God, that we obey His commands......"
The second condition is ". . . who are called according to HIS purposes." Well, isn't everything we do in Jesus name for His purposes? And the answer is NO. We can get so wrapped up in doing good deeds that we begin to practice "Christianese". Just because it's a good work and glorifies God doesn't mean we are to automatically do it. God created each one of us with a very specific purpose for our life. Our responsibility is to find out what that is. Ask God. Constantly. He will direct you, put a burning desire in your heart, guide you into the INTENDED, PURPOSEFUL work He has just for YOU. Every born-again believer has a God-appointed task. The problem with the church today is that there are way too many people who won't ask God what their purpose is, and then step up to the plate and do it. And the other problem is the over-achiever who feels called to "do it all". Both are wrong in God's eyes. In the Lord's Prayer, we pray ". . . THY will be done, on earth as IT IS IN HEAVEN" Matt 6:10. GOD'S WILL, not mine, as it has been established IN HEAVEN, not in my earthly desires.
All of God's promises are conditional upon us. Are you willing to comply with the conditions? Will YOU know that you know that YOU KNOW .......... that ALL thing's work for good . . . . Do you have that Blessed Assurance?
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