The other day my 9 year old daughter and I were coming home from Bible study and as I drove down the road ‘This Christmas’ was playing and I began to tell her… I remember when I was a little girl I would dash to the radio each time this song would come on. “For what,” nonchalantly said my daughter. “Well as you know I wasn’t as fortunate as you to have married parents. My mom and dad ‘were divorced,’ jointly said by my daughter. I stopped at a red light and looked back in the rear view mirror, laughing saying, “Hush your little mouth.” “So why did you rush for this song, what’s so great about it, mom?” I commenced telling her the story as I a proceeded down the road. Well, because my parents were divorced, I would sit and listen to the song and dream that my imaginary family was sitting around the fire place singing Christmas carols, with presents and my world being filled with cheer.
As we got out the car she said to me with her big starry eyes, “I am happy to have you for Christmas mom.” I am happy to have you, as I urged her to get out the car. A few days later she told me about one of her classmates. She said, “mom I have a friend at school and she came to class crying because her parents got a divorced.” My heart dropped imagining the pain her friend felt. As I began to speak, “I know how she feels,” my daughter interrupted saying yes, I know and I told her that you used to make believe your family sitting around the fire place after your parents got a divorced. She told me her friend was so sad walking away with her head dropped to the floor.
As I ponder my mind is captured by God’s mercy. Luke 1:78-79 says, “With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace."
This scripture is saying God has a desire to help and will help the miserable and afflicted. It continues to say a new day from heaven will dawn upon us; the rising of the sun (Christ) will look after the afflicted; shining light to those who dwell in misery. Through Christ reflecting light we will be able to see our journey to peace. We will then be lead to a path way of safety and prosperity.
Christmas is a time to share the love of Christ but what do we do if we feel the love of our life has left? Perhaps you feel all alone, as if you are in the dark. Are you in misery from a divorce, a death in your family, loss of a house or loss of a job? Is your spirit low? When we find our self consumed by pain, the throbbing circumstance in our life, our heavenly Father desires to help us by His grace. Only peace from God can restore the shattered spirit we have and make things secure and prosperous.
Consider not imagining love and share the love of Christ to others? Pray to God to help you revise a list to give His Spirit of love to others. Ask God to help narrow your thoughts to the sacrifice of Christ. Call upon the Lord to give you strength and remind you how nothing or no one is bigger than our Lord. God desires to heal our brokenness for “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds,” Psalm 147:3.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Remember Your First Love
When I was a young teen I liked being in the choir. My first choir director in middle school was fun, stern and loving. She would challenge me do things I never expected myself to do. I remember the first time she told me to sing a solo. I told her, “no one wants to hear me sing.” I went to high school dedicated in the choir but this choir director would take us to churches to sing. I would get chills when we sang not knowing the presence of the Spirit. I stayed in choir year after year getting chills never knowing His presence but I loved it.
I would look around at my peers wondering, “Do they feel what I feel?” I would say, “I am cold” and they would laugh saying, “it is hot.” The day came that the choir director would appoint me to sing a solo and again thinking to myself “no one wants to hear me.”
I sang Till We Meet Again and a rush of chills consumed my body at the age of 17, still not knowing His presence. I thought, I can’t do this, I can’t even control myself. I went to college singing, still not knowing His presence. As an adult after many years of being removed from singing, I attempted to join the choir and tears flowed as a river. I knew His presence and I welcomed it but still couldn’t control my emotions.
Reminiscing on my first love reminded me of Jesus telling the church, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love,” Revelations 2:4.
A church, like people can love something more than Christ. The church can love the building more than it loves Jesus; its history and traditions more than it loves Jesus; its worship songs more than it loves Jesus; its programs and missions more than it loves Jesus; the fellowship or love of the lost more than it loves Jesus.
Consider why the church was created. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Consider why humans were created. Isaiah 43:6-7 says “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
So the purpose for all God’s creation is for the fulfilling of His glory, is it not? Jesus tells the church rendering your first love will channel your focus on results rather than the Messiah. Focusing on the program and not the Precious Lamb will put us in danger.
But focusing on Christ, our first love takes care of how great the program does, how effective the mission will be. When we are engulfed with our first love, we can’t help but talk on and on about our love. Worshiping fuels the mission. You can’t brag on and praise God if you neglect the first love of Christ.
When I worship the Father I am reflecting on the glory of God, valuing Christ above all things. My first love with Christ was through music. He touched me like no other before and continues to use music to minister to my heart, to touch me, feel me, move mountains, cast out fear by me opening my mouth blessing and praising His name.
My first love helped me in my lowest point, when I didn’t have anyone to understand me, when I didn’t have anyone else to talk to, when I thought I lost my mind, on my face in a pool of tears, the redeemer, the restorer, the reviver came in my heart rescued me when I had no one else feeling lost and empty. I would sing out Jesus, Jesus and he gave me sanity, He kept me safe and continues to revive me.
What is your first love? When did you first hear His voice, feel His presence, tremble at His touch? Maybe you have gone astray? Became faint in your worship? Possibly you focused on the things you have, focus on the places you go or don’t get to go. Perhaps you became consumed with being in a church that has everything you want except the presence of God?
Remember what worship is, acting and thinking in a way that reflects the glory of God. When we let go of our first love it says in Revelations 2:5 that the lampstand will be removed. There will no longer be light shining, just acting without glorifying God.
What are you promoting? What are your eyes fixed on this morning, this day, these weeks and month to come? Are you sharing the love of God with others or sharing your problems? Are you showing how deep God’s love is or how deep in debt you are? Have you lost your first love? Have you stop going to the church that helps you grow in your faith?
Consider not abandoning your first love. Ask God to forgive you for letting Him go. Call upon God to forgive you for satisfying temptations and not satisfying Him. Pray to God to keep you strong in your faith, to keep you active in going to church, going to Bible study, going to be taught the Word. For “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God,” Revelation 2:7.
I would look around at my peers wondering, “Do they feel what I feel?” I would say, “I am cold” and they would laugh saying, “it is hot.” The day came that the choir director would appoint me to sing a solo and again thinking to myself “no one wants to hear me.”
I sang Till We Meet Again and a rush of chills consumed my body at the age of 17, still not knowing His presence. I thought, I can’t do this, I can’t even control myself. I went to college singing, still not knowing His presence. As an adult after many years of being removed from singing, I attempted to join the choir and tears flowed as a river. I knew His presence and I welcomed it but still couldn’t control my emotions.
Reminiscing on my first love reminded me of Jesus telling the church, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love,” Revelations 2:4.
A church, like people can love something more than Christ. The church can love the building more than it loves Jesus; its history and traditions more than it loves Jesus; its worship songs more than it loves Jesus; its programs and missions more than it loves Jesus; the fellowship or love of the lost more than it loves Jesus.
Consider why the church was created. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:13-14: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
Consider why humans were created. Isaiah 43:6-7 says “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
So the purpose for all God’s creation is for the fulfilling of His glory, is it not? Jesus tells the church rendering your first love will channel your focus on results rather than the Messiah. Focusing on the program and not the Precious Lamb will put us in danger.
But focusing on Christ, our first love takes care of how great the program does, how effective the mission will be. When we are engulfed with our first love, we can’t help but talk on and on about our love. Worshiping fuels the mission. You can’t brag on and praise God if you neglect the first love of Christ.
When I worship the Father I am reflecting on the glory of God, valuing Christ above all things. My first love with Christ was through music. He touched me like no other before and continues to use music to minister to my heart, to touch me, feel me, move mountains, cast out fear by me opening my mouth blessing and praising His name.
My first love helped me in my lowest point, when I didn’t have anyone to understand me, when I didn’t have anyone else to talk to, when I thought I lost my mind, on my face in a pool of tears, the redeemer, the restorer, the reviver came in my heart rescued me when I had no one else feeling lost and empty. I would sing out Jesus, Jesus and he gave me sanity, He kept me safe and continues to revive me.
What is your first love? When did you first hear His voice, feel His presence, tremble at His touch? Maybe you have gone astray? Became faint in your worship? Possibly you focused on the things you have, focus on the places you go or don’t get to go. Perhaps you became consumed with being in a church that has everything you want except the presence of God?
Remember what worship is, acting and thinking in a way that reflects the glory of God. When we let go of our first love it says in Revelations 2:5 that the lampstand will be removed. There will no longer be light shining, just acting without glorifying God.
What are you promoting? What are your eyes fixed on this morning, this day, these weeks and month to come? Are you sharing the love of God with others or sharing your problems? Are you showing how deep God’s love is or how deep in debt you are? Have you lost your first love? Have you stop going to the church that helps you grow in your faith?
Consider not abandoning your first love. Ask God to forgive you for letting Him go. Call upon God to forgive you for satisfying temptations and not satisfying Him. Pray to God to keep you strong in your faith, to keep you active in going to church, going to Bible study, going to be taught the Word. For “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God,” Revelation 2:7.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Just Like My Daddy
After my parents divorced, I was told, “You are just like your daddy.” I would get a stare as if I was the scum of the earth and feel far from warm within my own family. As a teenager I would make remarks, look a certain way or even stand a certain way only to hear, “You are just like your daddy.” The interesting thing is I could not stand to hear that as a child. As I have developed into a woman hearing I am like my Daddy is not such a bad thing.
In Matthew it states, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect,” 5:48.
Naturally, many strive for perfection;however, it is in God we are made perfect. The previous verses 43-47 are advising us to love our enemies and bless those that curse us. Human relationship is connected to perfection. How we treat others unveils our perfection as our heavenly Father.
Have you ever wondered, if your life would be better if he or she was not in it? Maybe you have thought, "My life would be perfect if..." Did you ever wish you had a different boss, child, parent or maybe spouse? What if God thought such way of us? I am so happy God did not opt to not have you and me in His life for He would not continuously work on us. Yet it is through our relationship with the people He allows in our life that we are able to get through and be perfected in Christ. As we grow in our relationship with the Father we begin to look more and more just like our heavenly daddy.
Consider you as a walking light of God displaying peace and love to others. Pray to God to show Christ to others through you. Allow the Lord to let others come to know Christ by the love you display and not hate. For God perfects us through relationships, so we can be perfect just like our Father.
In Matthew it states, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect,” 5:48.
Naturally, many strive for perfection;however, it is in God we are made perfect. The previous verses 43-47 are advising us to love our enemies and bless those that curse us. Human relationship is connected to perfection. How we treat others unveils our perfection as our heavenly Father.
Have you ever wondered, if your life would be better if he or she was not in it? Maybe you have thought, "My life would be perfect if..." Did you ever wish you had a different boss, child, parent or maybe spouse? What if God thought such way of us? I am so happy God did not opt to not have you and me in His life for He would not continuously work on us. Yet it is through our relationship with the people He allows in our life that we are able to get through and be perfected in Christ. As we grow in our relationship with the Father we begin to look more and more just like our heavenly daddy.
Consider you as a walking light of God displaying peace and love to others. Pray to God to show Christ to others through you. Allow the Lord to let others come to know Christ by the love you display and not hate. For God perfects us through relationships, so we can be perfect just like our Father.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Healing for the Paralyzed in All of us
This time last year I was only contemplating publishing a book so I could finally mark off, "I published a book." However, God had other plans. After publishing my first book this ministry became public.
I remember visiting with the Father saying, "How am I supposed to do what you ask of me, and who am I to do what you ask of me?"
The Lord brought to my memory "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion," (Ecclesiastes, 4:9-10).
As preparation began, he sent a group to move forward. A father who felt like a fatherless child has helped the ministry through encouragement and providing services of the Web site and financial donations. A couple with eight children who struggled seeking their destiny, willing supported the ministry with their family helping for all events. A stay-at-home mom who was in a shell about singing opened herself not only to sing once but to be the minister of music for the organization as well as help with clerical duties. A mother who had suffered for five years with heme-facial spasms, after a severe car accident opened her home once the ministry did not have a location to hold its workshop sessions.
A mother who almost died in a car accident dedicated her time in collecting clothing donations on behalf of Healing of a Broken Heart Ministry. A father and veteran of the military recently suffered from a stroke and has continued to be an advocate, with the blessing of being on TV and radio programs.
All these people have helped not only by acts of service presenting themselves as a living sacrifice but also investing their time in planning and finances; they promote the ministry, ask others to donate and are always full of cheer.
This has been a blessing like no other. It has ministered to others and it has ministered to a paralyzed woman - me. Jesus did the same for a man thousands of years ago.
In Luke, we note Jesus was teaching and his power to heal was present. "Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven,'" (Luke 5:18-20).
Those standing by questioned Jesus' authority. Later in the text we see "He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today," (vs. 24-26).
This year the Lord has used my husband and children along with the help of the father who felt like a fatherless child, the couple with eight children seeking their destiny, the mom who was in a shell, the mother who had suffered for five years of spasms, another mother who almost died in a car accident and, finally, a father who suffered a stroke.
I was not paralyzed as the man in the Bible, though mentally I was paralyzed from thinking, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Today, I am most thankful for being delivered from sitting on my mat. I am grateful for God sending people to help work together to fulfill his mission. It has been a blessing and a reward to do what he ordained this year with the help he sent.
As you reflect on your life today, search what God has done for you. What areas have you been paralyzed in your life? Have you told yourself you can't do this or that? What is he telling you to do?
Consider paying attention to what you can do with what the Lord has provided you. Pray to God to lift you to do his will. "For woe to him who is alone, when he falls, for he has no one to help him," (Ecclesiastes 4:10).
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
God's Prevailing Love
When I was a little girl my parents divorced. By the time I was a teenager, I remember thinking my mother hated me. I was such a rebellious teen. Although I did everything I could to win her love and please her, yet I spent years trapped in fear thinking she never loved me.
During those years it was a tremendously difficult time for me and my mother. Then one day as young adult I heard her read a poem. It was as if I had met her for the first time. She stood in the crowd so confident; I had never seen that side of her.
When the crowd was gone I went to my mother and told her, “I love you”. But it was as if I told her for the first time. I will never forget that day, for I realized that we had so much in common and our river of love flowed again.
As I contemplate my past, my mind is captured by writings of the Apostle John. He wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit” 1 John 4:12-13.
The Scripture is saying while we have not physically seen God with our eyes, we see Him spiritually through the expression of sincere, godly love. We are able to love one another because His love has been placed in us, once we confess the Savior. We are able to testify that we live in Him and He is us because His Spirit dwells within us. As His Spirit dwells within us, His love supersedes all else, casting away the negative. Through it we are able to lay aside every harmful, malicious and irresponsible thing anyone has said or done. It is by the power of God’s love that we are able to love as He loves.
Maybe you have been hurt by someone you love yet can’t seem to understand their actions. Possibly someone has been so malicious towards you that you can’t see beyond their actions or even your own. Could it be you have not been perfected in love? Could it be that you have confessed the name of Jesus but no one can tell He abides within you?
Later in the passage, John says, “There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18. When we walk around in agony over what another has done or did not do, are we displaying the Spirit of God’s powerful love or the fear of love? If we are hurt by something from the past and have a fence guarding us against loving another, or being loved, we are being tormented. Our fruit shows any imperfections in our love. Yet when we love even when it is difficult, we allow the Spirit to take over and consume us.
Consider allowing the Spirit of God’s love to override your fear of love. Ask Jesus to come into your heart so you may truly love and accept love. Pray and ask God to forgive you for any hatred that may dwell in your heart. Then call upon the Lord to cast out fear so you may love as He wills.
During those years it was a tremendously difficult time for me and my mother. Then one day as young adult I heard her read a poem. It was as if I had met her for the first time. She stood in the crowd so confident; I had never seen that side of her.
When the crowd was gone I went to my mother and told her, “I love you”. But it was as if I told her for the first time. I will never forget that day, for I realized that we had so much in common and our river of love flowed again.
As I contemplate my past, my mind is captured by writings of the Apostle John. He wrote, “No one has seen God at anytime. If we love one another, God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit” 1 John 4:12-13.
The Scripture is saying while we have not physically seen God with our eyes, we see Him spiritually through the expression of sincere, godly love. We are able to love one another because His love has been placed in us, once we confess the Savior. We are able to testify that we live in Him and He is us because His Spirit dwells within us. As His Spirit dwells within us, His love supersedes all else, casting away the negative. Through it we are able to lay aside every harmful, malicious and irresponsible thing anyone has said or done. It is by the power of God’s love that we are able to love as He loves.
Maybe you have been hurt by someone you love yet can’t seem to understand their actions. Possibly someone has been so malicious towards you that you can’t see beyond their actions or even your own. Could it be you have not been perfected in love? Could it be that you have confessed the name of Jesus but no one can tell He abides within you?
Later in the passage, John says, “There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18. When we walk around in agony over what another has done or did not do, are we displaying the Spirit of God’s powerful love or the fear of love? If we are hurt by something from the past and have a fence guarding us against loving another, or being loved, we are being tormented. Our fruit shows any imperfections in our love. Yet when we love even when it is difficult, we allow the Spirit to take over and consume us.
Consider allowing the Spirit of God’s love to override your fear of love. Ask Jesus to come into your heart so you may truly love and accept love. Pray and ask God to forgive you for any hatred that may dwell in your heart. Then call upon the Lord to cast out fear so you may love as He wills.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Suffering for His Sake
I can recall a movie that I saw in which there was a scene about a husband who could not maintain a job that would provide for his family’s day to day survival. The wife became fed up with hearing excuses day after day as to why her family could not have “this or that.” Finally, she left her husband and son behind, refusing to suffer because of what she considered a selfish decision made by her husband. She journeyed one way to pursue happiness as the son and father journeyed another direction, also in pursuit of happiness.
This movie reminds me of the journey that we as Christians have in life. There are certain aspects of life that everyone must face – temptation, affliction, discouragement. The Apostle Paul wrote “For thy sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter,” (Romans 8:36).
This Scripture is saying that God’s faithful people will continually face trials for His sake as the enemy daily and unceasingly seeks our destruction. It is during these hard times that we must look above our troubles and to God; believing that though the enemy is allowed to test us, he has no real power over us. Power belongs to God.
What temptation are you experiencing right now? Are you being afflicted? Do you feel discouraged? Perhaps you are suffering or possibly you know someone who is going through right now.
The father and son mentioned previously, experienced much hardship. Living in a hotel, sleeping in a train’s station restroom and when they could, a shelter. This father knew that there was more to life and he was determined to suffer in whatever way necessary – even while caring for his son—in order to get to happiness. Do you have that same type of determination for the cause of Christ?
Consider finding comfort in the midst of your situation while meditating on the Word of God, and seek to be content. Call upon our heavenly Father to restrain you from seeking relief by any sinful manner. Let Him mold you into the person He has already equipped you to be. Ask the Lord to give you strength and help you face each day. Pray to God that you will not beat yourself up during your time of destitution. Remember “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you,” 1( Peter 4:14).
This movie reminds me of the journey that we as Christians have in life. There are certain aspects of life that everyone must face – temptation, affliction, discouragement. The Apostle Paul wrote “For thy sake we are killed all the daylong; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter,” (Romans 8:36).
This Scripture is saying that God’s faithful people will continually face trials for His sake as the enemy daily and unceasingly seeks our destruction. It is during these hard times that we must look above our troubles and to God; believing that though the enemy is allowed to test us, he has no real power over us. Power belongs to God.
What temptation are you experiencing right now? Are you being afflicted? Do you feel discouraged? Perhaps you are suffering or possibly you know someone who is going through right now.
The father and son mentioned previously, experienced much hardship. Living in a hotel, sleeping in a train’s station restroom and when they could, a shelter. This father knew that there was more to life and he was determined to suffer in whatever way necessary – even while caring for his son—in order to get to happiness. Do you have that same type of determination for the cause of Christ?
Consider finding comfort in the midst of your situation while meditating on the Word of God, and seek to be content. Call upon our heavenly Father to restrain you from seeking relief by any sinful manner. Let Him mold you into the person He has already equipped you to be. Ask the Lord to give you strength and help you face each day. Pray to God that you will not beat yourself up during your time of destitution. Remember “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you,” 1( Peter 4:14).
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Generosity out of Poverty
A few days ago, I received a phone call from a woman who was struggling to survive. She said, “It would be my delight to supply an offering. Through God's favor, I will do my very best to provide an offering.” The next day she said to me, “my heart wants to give but I really don’t have enough.” As we closed our conversation, I reminded her that her prayers are sufficient and God knows her heart, so that is a blessing.
Moments later she sent in a donation, saying it was only but a ‘small donation.’ Interestingly, I noticed so many others commenting saying they can only give a ‘small donation.’ Such phrases reminded of the Bible passage that speaks of a widow’s two mites.
Luke wrote: And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:1 – 4)
This Scripture is saying that when the poor widow let go of the thin, small brass coin, worth about a 1/5 of a cent; she did not have any attachments to it. She willingly gave from her heart. From her offering, we can learn that what we give to assist the poor, in the support of God’s worship, is actually given to God. God knows our heart and delights with whatever offering we give to help the Body of the Church and to bring relief to the poor.
Luke continues to say “she of her penury cast in all the living that she had.” That is, in her deficiency she gave all that she had to live off of– and it was the very thing that she was lacking.
What state of mind would we find ourselves in, if we were impoverished? Some might be saying “I am in poverty right now.” Would we have a heart to give with no strings attached? Could we say, I might not have enough for my rent this month, but I still have a roof over my head, the Lord is worthy? Would you give property, if you were lacking? Would you give resources, if you were lacking? How would you give out of poverty?
The Lord rejoices knowing we give the small we have, simultaneously giving our soul to Christ. He knows what we have because He is the reason we have anything at all. Our giving displays our attachment to possessions, to God. It shows our reliance towards our heavenly Father.
Many are struggling; some who never knew they would are facing poverty right now. The enemy wants us to believe because we lack we can’t give. It is only a trick. Some have nothing physically to give but can still lift up prayers. Some can’t give financially but know others that can pitch in financially. Some can’t buy clothes but can still share the clothes they have. Some can’t buy food but can cook a meal to share. We all have something that is satisfactory to give. When our heart connects with the Father and we seek Him about our giving, He reveals what we can give, even out of poverty.
Consider giving from your heart, knowing that our small delights Christ. Don’t think your small is not enough, for it pleases God that we give, even out of our deficiency. As the world goes through, walk with faith that you are coming through. Call upon the Lord to help, you see that the small you have is sufficient. Pray to God to help you to not cling to the things of this world but to help bring relief to the poor. Ask God to bless you so you may be a blessing to someone else. Pray to the Father to help you understand “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Moments later she sent in a donation, saying it was only but a ‘small donation.’ Interestingly, I noticed so many others commenting saying they can only give a ‘small donation.’ Such phrases reminded of the Bible passage that speaks of a widow’s two mites.
Luke wrote: And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:1 – 4)
This Scripture is saying that when the poor widow let go of the thin, small brass coin, worth about a 1/5 of a cent; she did not have any attachments to it. She willingly gave from her heart. From her offering, we can learn that what we give to assist the poor, in the support of God’s worship, is actually given to God. God knows our heart and delights with whatever offering we give to help the Body of the Church and to bring relief to the poor.
Luke continues to say “she of her penury cast in all the living that she had.” That is, in her deficiency she gave all that she had to live off of– and it was the very thing that she was lacking.
What state of mind would we find ourselves in, if we were impoverished? Some might be saying “I am in poverty right now.” Would we have a heart to give with no strings attached? Could we say, I might not have enough for my rent this month, but I still have a roof over my head, the Lord is worthy? Would you give property, if you were lacking? Would you give resources, if you were lacking? How would you give out of poverty?
The Lord rejoices knowing we give the small we have, simultaneously giving our soul to Christ. He knows what we have because He is the reason we have anything at all. Our giving displays our attachment to possessions, to God. It shows our reliance towards our heavenly Father.
Many are struggling; some who never knew they would are facing poverty right now. The enemy wants us to believe because we lack we can’t give. It is only a trick. Some have nothing physically to give but can still lift up prayers. Some can’t give financially but know others that can pitch in financially. Some can’t buy clothes but can still share the clothes they have. Some can’t buy food but can cook a meal to share. We all have something that is satisfactory to give. When our heart connects with the Father and we seek Him about our giving, He reveals what we can give, even out of poverty.
Consider giving from your heart, knowing that our small delights Christ. Don’t think your small is not enough, for it pleases God that we give, even out of our deficiency. As the world goes through, walk with faith that you are coming through. Call upon the Lord to help, you see that the small you have is sufficient. Pray to God to help you to not cling to the things of this world but to help bring relief to the poor. Ask God to bless you so you may be a blessing to someone else. Pray to the Father to help you understand “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
