Giving Till it Hurts

Scripture
Luke 21
3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

4For 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.

Observation
This widow did not give of her wealth (she didn't have any!) but of fervent desire and true sacrifice. What a role model!

Application
Do I give out of my abundance only? Do I sacrificially give like this widow did?
My husband and I had donated to the Haiti earthquake relief a few days ago and after reading this bible account I am going to double my offering. What a tragedy those people are having to endure.

Lord help me to follow the example of the poor widow who gave till it hurt. I want to exercise faith and believe that you can meet my needs!

God's hand in the life of Joseph

Rather then choosing one specific verse today I would like to spend time on the story of Joseph.



God had promised through Abraham that he would make a great nation that would be like the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea. Even when there were impossibilities and it seemed IMPOSSIBLE God had his hand in the plan. (Abraham sacrificing Isaac and Sarah bearing a child in her very old age are a few so far in Genesis) To think that God would come through in these difficult times is simply mind boggling! And then there is Joseph which has always been one of my favorite bible stories. Joseph told his brothers and parents that one day they would bow down to him in obeisance. While his brothers scoffed, Jacob kept quiet and wondered about Joseph's words. Through plans of murder, being sold as a slave to the Midianites and being sold into Egypt, God's plan of preserving His chosen people rings true no matter the circumstances. What seemed impossible God made possible!

Lord, there are so many things that I would like to take into my own hands and control instead of allowing you to work and will in my life. Help me to trust you with a childlike faith so your perfect will can be done in my life. I want to learn from the life of Joseph that you are really in control.

Multitudes of Mercy

Scripture Psalm 5:7
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Observation
When I first became a Christian I focused more upon judgement then anything else. Maybe it was my age or maybe my mindset, I'm not really sure. Do I believe in judgement? Of course. I believe fear and judgement go hand in hand and that you can't have one without the other. How can the Lord show mercy if He isn't showing you mercy agains some rightful punishment?

But as I have walked the road of Christianity I have found myself focusing on grace and mercy much more. It is God's grace that leads us to repentance. What a wonderful and merciful God we serve! I have served the Lord in fear and I have served the Lord in mercy and there is a difference. The difference I believe is LOVE. I serve the Lord because I want to serve Him out of genuine love for Him.

The Old Testament was full of laws that were impossible to keep. It was judgement and showed us our sin. But in the God coming to earth we find the Law pointed to grace and Christ embodied the answer to the law. Grace is Christ coming to earth, dying for us and showing mercy. Thank the Lord!

Thank You Lord for you boundless grace. For all you have done and the mercy that you have shown me let me love you and serve you Lord. You are such a merciful and gracious God.

Can such a man be found?

Scripture Genesis 41:38
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Observation
Genesis unrolls like a television drama. Betrayal, Seductress, Deceit and more.

Application
In the midst of this chaotic world Pharoah summed it up perfectly. In this sinful world "Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?"

Lord in the midst of this lost world let me be the one. Let your Spirit dwell in me so that others may see Your glory shining in my life.

Simple and Sweet

Scripture Luke Chapter 18:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Observation
The angels rejoice over one sinner that repents! The Bible also says in Zephaniah 3:17 (various versions being referenced) that the Lord-

rejoices over us with JOY
takes great delight in you with gladness
will exult over you with joy
be glad over you with joy

Whichever way I look at it God is rejoicing when we pray and as we live for Him He rejoices over us with singing! Can you imagine God's singing voice????



Lord, I am so thankful

The Last Shall be First

Luke Chapter 14

8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.



Observation

Jesus, in a nutshell, is telling us to remain humble. Do we walk into a gathering expecting royal treatment? Do we feel priveleged and demand only the best? If we are called to step up in posititon then we should do so with humility.

There is such a contrast between the 'privelaged' and unprivelaged' in chapter 14. The Lord told us to not call the rich to feast but to call the poor, lame, blind and maimed. Wow.

Application

Do I feel superior because of my so called 'position'? I don't want to feel that I deserve to be treated a certain way because my husband is the pastor. If I become self righteous in my work for you then I am a hippocrite and a Pharisee. He that is greatest in the kingdom should be the least.

Lord help me be a humble vessel before you. I don't want riches nor do I want position. Let me live humbly before you and check my heart if I be lifted up in pride.

Taking Up Space

Scripture Luke 8

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Observation

The fig tree is an object lesson compared to the life of a believer. The tree had no fruit and it is compared to a man who has no fruit in his life for the Lord.

Application

Am I a tree without fruit? Do I simply take up space within the body of Christ? Am I indifferent and not bearing fruit?

Lord, my devotions lately have been half hearted. It seems as if nothing is standing out to me in your word and I am going through the motions. Please renew my heart and spirit and give me a new thirst for your word. I don't want to be a tree without any fruit. I want my life to be spiritually healthy, one that is growing and that has much fruit on it.

Looking Back with my hand to the plough

Scripture
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Observation
Christianity is compared to plowing a field which is very labor intensive! It isn't a cake walk! It takes work both spiritually and physically. Once you have put your hand to the plow- and taken part of this work do you look back and long for the things of your past?

Application
Do I long for the things of my past life? Have I allowed desires for earthy things choke the good seed in my heart?

Lord, There are so many thoughts in my head today dealing with this scripture. I think of things that I have 'allowed' in my heart and mind that many in my church would think are compromise but I do not believe they are wrong. It is a great struggle for me. I don't want to please others. I simply want to please you. The struggle is so great especially being a people pleaser. Help me to discern between being a people pleaser and being a God pleaser.

Shouted from the rooftops

Scripture Luke 12:2-3
2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Observation
God knows and sees all.

Application
Do I have sins that to men's eyes are hidden?

Lord, I want to be a genuine Christian. I don't want to have secret sins and hide behind the cloak of Christianity. Help me to be true first and foremost to you. Purge my heart of deceit and hippocracy.

Sell me your birthright!

Scripture
Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, (to Esau) Sell me this day thy birthright.

Observation
Jacob manipulated Esau into having him sell his birthright. In the same way the devil would have me to give up my birthright in Christ.

Prayer
Lord, I don't want to give in to the traps of Satan and how he tries ever so gradually to get me to doubt my position in you. I am a child of the King! My home is in heaven. I want to not suffer from spiritual amnesia and forget these truths!

Looking Back

Scripture Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Observation
Christianity is compared to plowing a field. Interesting because plowing is such a labor intensive activity. It definitely isn't a cake walk spiritually, emotionally or physically.

Application
Do I look back on my former life and yearn for ungodly things?

Prayer

Seeds of Life

Scripture
Luke 8:5-15

Observation
God's word is like a seed sewn in the life of people with various types of results.

wayside- They hear the word but the devil takes it away out of their hearts. Their heart was never fully on the Lord.

rock- They hear and recieve with joy but with no depth they believe and in temptation fail because there is no root.

thorn- They are choked with the cares and riches of the world and the pleasures of life. The riches and pleasures are a thorn in their flesh and the seed cannot grow.

good- They are honest and good, hear the word and keep it and bring forth fruit.

Application
Do I allow the devil to steal my faith? Do I have any depth to my faith where I can endure? Do I allow the riches of this world to choke out God's faith in me?

Prayer
Lord help me to prepare my life for you. I want your seed to grow in me and be fruitful in my heart and in my life.

Impossibilities Possible

Scripture
Genesis 18:14
Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Observation
Sarah was 90 years old and had (my supposition) passed menopause because the bible stated she was well past the child bearing age, and here the angels of the Lord are telling her that she was going to physically give birth to a child and she and Abraham's desendants would be like the stars in the sky. No wonder why she laughed!

Application
Do I believe that impossibilities are possible with God?

Prayer
Lord help me to have faith as a grain as a mustard seed and to believe that nothing is impossible with you.

Absolute Ruler

Scripture
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Observation
The word LORD means absolute ruler.

Application
As I read Luke chapter 6 my heart cried out to God because of the many times that I have not been obedient to Him. Why do I call Jesus my Lord if I don't do the things that He tells me to do.

Prayer
Lord my life is plagued by wrecklessness. You convict me of things and then I go my own way not giving a second thought to the workings you have done in my heart. I so need to change this area of my life. I am so thankful that you know how to speak to the heart of your childrem.

James
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Launch Out!

Scripture Luke 5 4-6
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Observation
Jesus told the disciple to launch out their nets into the water in preparation of receiving a great catch of fish. The disciples did what they did many other times- put their nets into the water. Many times God wants actions from us. Not just the ordinary everyday actions but extra effort that requires sacrifice. That extra push! Maybe it is physical, emotional or even mental.. So many times we can only see the limited picture of a small catch of fish when God wants to fill our nets to overflowing!
Peter did something that is so human- he made an excuse! When we lack the faith to believe it is so easy to make an excuse.
“I am tired, Lord”
“I don’t have the ability to do what you are asking.”
“I don’t have the financial resources to go where you want me to go.”
But God is telling us to launch out into deep waters. It is easy to stay in the shallow safe waters but there is an adventure of faith and blessing waiting for us when we cast our nets into deeper waters!
Application
Do I look only on my limited surroundings or do I expand my vision to what God can see and do? Do I believe that God can do abundantly above and beyond what I can ask or believe?
Prayer
Lord, I don’t want to limit myself and think in the box. I want to see your vision, your expectations and your plan for my life. Lord increase my faith to believe and act.

Man Reaching Up

Scripture
Genesis Chapter 11:4-6
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Observation
Disobedience doesn't evade any man! God wanted His people to scatter and populate the earth but what did they do? They did exactly the opposite! They didn't scatter and to add to the chaos they decided to build a structure to reach the heaven. As if they could touch God! Religion is man reaching up to God but Christianity is God reaching down to man. Praise the Lord for that!

Application
Do I try and serve the Lord my own way? Do I make up rules and regulations that are not biblical? Do I have preconceived ideas of the gospel and God's plan for my life? Are my motives pure?

People Pleasing

Scripture Genesis 8:9-10
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.


Observation
Many people are people pleasers and will bend and conform only for the sake of how they will look in the eyes of others. The scripture says that Nimrod was a mighty warrior before the Lord. It doesn't simply say that he was a mighty warrior. This was God's impression! The only approval we need to seek is God's! All others thoughts and opinions are not important.

Application
Am I more concerned with what people are saying then what God thinks of me? Do I seek the praise and approval of man? Is that spiritually healthy?

Prayer
God I don't want to be ashamed of you and seek the approval of people over you. Let my desire to please you be fervent and the desire to please others fall by the wayside.

A Colorful Promise

Scripture
Genesis chapter 9
12And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Observation
God's promises are steadfast and sure. No wavering and no doubt. Thousands of years ago God made a promise that He would not flood the earth again. Never. No IFS ANDS or BUTS!

Application
If God can be faithful to keep that one promise then why should I doubt that He will keep other promises throughout His word to me? His track record is proven. God does not lie.

Prayer
Lord help me to have childlike faith to simply trust you and your promises to me. Your promises are limitless and I don't want to tie your hands with MY unbelief.

And God Remembered Noah

Genesis chapter 8:1a
And God remembered Noah,

As God remembered Noah God also remembers me. I am on God's mind. God didn't forget Noah and He hasn't forgotten me either. Noah had been on the ark for 7 months! I rarely hear people bring up the fact that Noah was hard at work because he surely was NOT on vacation. Maintaining and repairing the ark, feeding all of the animals, cleaning where the animals live. Scooping poop! I'll bet you he wondered when the end would come after scooping all of that poop for over a half a year. Perhaps it was then that Noah thought that God had forgotten him. I can imagine the lies the devil was telling Noah.

"The waters will never dry off the land and you will be here for eternity"

"God has forgotten about you for the past 6 months and do you think He thinks of you now? There is no hope! You will die on this smelly ark"

"You work on this boat all day and all night and you think God is sparing your life? Your life is ruined as well as the lives of your wife, sons and daughter's in law"

"The only thing you are good for is shoveling mountains of poop!"

In light of yesterday's post it is no wonder that the bible reading is relevant to me today. God has not forgotten me. God remembers me and God also remembers you no matter what the situation. God does not forget.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for remembering me. These words ring in my soul that you haven't forgotten me. Thank you for being a faithful and loving God who has been constant in my life in spite of myself. I don't have anyone that would care for me like you do. Thank You for your amazing love.

Safety in the Ark

I am quite (can't find a descriptive word) lately. I can't see the forest from the trees and it is revealing itself in every facet of my life. Yesterday I helped a friend clean out (part of) their home. I won't go into details- there are many that could explain- but it was the most repulsive living conditions I have ever seen. There were rat droppings everywhere and rat urine everywhere. I really tried to keep a Christlike Spirit while helping because this person really needed help. I really believe the Lord would have me to physically help instead of simply throwing money at the issue or turning a blind eye. After coming home I showered and took a badly needed nap since I was possibly the most physically tired I have ever been in my life. To add insult to injury I was really attacked by Satan in various ways- he was saying that I was going to be in that same situation if I didn't submit to the Lord in all things. Also that I would become a reprobate because I don't follow the Lord wholeheartedly. It has been quite the rollercoaster ride.

So I have accomplished my bible reading for the day but not in a way that is very beneficial. I read chapter 7 and there is not much that is standing out for me at present time so I am choosing verse 1.

Scripture
Genesis chapter 7:11
And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Observation
Noah is a type of Christ. Noah and the ark is compared to the safety and saving of lives and salvation.

Application

Prayer
Lord- this isn't my righteousness- but YOURS. Your grace has paved the way and I am resting in your mercy no matter what Satan says. I claim your peace in the name of Jesus.