God Gives The Increase

Good Morning!! Christians have different gifts, that produce different fruit, for God's work. While we can accept this in Scripture,...we still question why some Christians are more successful in ministry than others. We wonder why one church is so much larger than another. We tend to look at the "successful person", and try to pattern ourselves to be like that person,...instead of keeping our focus on the Lord.

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.—1 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NIV)

Paul makes a piercing statement that should penetrate each of us, right into the depths of our heart. Our focus in life, as in ministry, needs to be about God,...period. Without God, there is no increase, no success,...and no value to our work. Without God, there would be no gifts, skills, or fruits. Without God, there would be no us. Because of God, one person is given certain talents while someone else is given the complement to those gifts,...both designed by God to fulfill His purpose only (1 Corinthians 12:11). In these verses, Paul is planting while Apollos is watering, both chosen by God to perform His service.

If you are feeling frustrated, fatigued, and frazzled, comparing yourself to others,
...then you are missing what God has for you.

God, You are our Farmer. You have given us the talents and skills, to plant and water,...but all for Your purposes, and glory. We now know; without You, there will be no growth, and no success for anyone. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Back To Egypt,...Really??

Good Morning!! The temptation to crawl back into our Comfort Zone, never truly goes away,...without guidance and focus. A reference to going back to Egypt, is made often, in the Old Testament. The Israelites spent over 400 years in Egypt,...and most of that time consisted of hard labor, and enslavement. They cried out to God,...and He answered their cries. But, as soon as they encountered trials, even on the journey, the people were quick to want to go back to Egypt and their old way of life. Why would anyone want to go back to a life that was filled with bondage, and suffering?...because they at least knew what to expect,...and sometimes, that is more comforting than having to face the uncertainty of our future.

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.—Isaiah 31:1 (NIV)

And it doesn't look as if much has changed with us, even today. Except as Christians, we have God's Holy Spirit who is our Helper and our Comforter. We know trials and hard times, are inevitable in our lives, because we live in a fallen world,...that brings sorrows and pains. Though we will be tempted at times to give up and to go back to our familiar territories, we must press on towards the upward call of Christ Jesus. We can not put our trust in the strength of men, or money, or worldly power,...but we must put our trust in our Lord. Turn your eyes to Jesus, and He will lead the way.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:5, 6 NIV)

Holy Spirit, help us find ways to better apply the Word of God to our lives, every day. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Make And Keep, God First

Good Morning!! What about me,...and what I want? There is nothing wrong with wanting something, for ourselves,...the problems begins, and quickly get out of control, when we trust anything other than God, to make it all better. We have to learn to pull ourselves out of our situations, and begin seeing things from God's perspective,...instead of our own. It takes discipline and self-control to live for the Lord, despite the situations, and events, in our lives. We need to say, "OK,...God is powerful, and He has the ability to change my circumstances, if needed. God is wise, and He has the ability to give me the wisdom to deal with these circumstances, if needed. God is loving, and He knows what I need, better than I do." When we can apply these three attributes of God: powerful, wise and loving, to all of our circumstances,...we're able to trust God,...in all situations and events,...and thus, able to bear fruit in all we do,...and with all we have.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:8-9 (NIV)

Two thing to learn and remember: To pull ourselves out from the circumstances, recall the attributes of God. To pull ourselves out from our emotions, be in the Word of God. We have to claim verses, as promises, to keep us focused on doing those things that please God,...even if it does not please others. It is in praying for self-control, to maintain a steadfast life, that brings God glory. Decisions counts, and our choices really do matter.

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."(Psalm 62:7 NIV)

Father God, we seek to trust You,...above all else. Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Come In Confidence

Good Morning!! When we teach on prayer, we often use many of the following verses, as references. Regardless of the audience to whom we are speaking,...because almost everyone is familiar with at least some of these verses. In the gospels, Jesus tells us to "ask" for things. Matthew 7:7 says,..."Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Emphasis added)...A few chapters later, Jesus says, "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)...When you study the gospels, you will notice that Jesus makes it clear that asking and believing, go hand in hand. In other words: when we pray, we need to pray (or ask) in faith.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.—1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

John gives us a clearer picture of that faith by using the word "confidence" in how we approach God in prayer,...but how many of us really come to the Lord in confidence? Many people feel that if they are not praying God's Will, then they can not approach Him in confidence. They try to figure out what God wants them to pray before they come to Him in prayer. That approach is confusing and can lead to misguided, fruitless prayers. How can we ever truly know God's will? Let's not put the cart before the horse; start with the basics of prayer. Start with asking. Go to the Lord in honesty and humility and tell Him where your heart is. Tell Him that you are not sure what His will may be for you but that you want to know. Tell Him that you are not sure what to pray but these are the things on your heart. Ask the Lord to help you pray in confidence and to approach His throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16).

The Lord already knows our wants, needs and desires,
...He just wants us to come and fellowship with Him.

Father God, we open our hearts to You in honesty,...and trust Your Spirit to help us with the rest. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

Don't Let Money Fool You

Good Morning!! How do we keep a spiritual perspective about money,...while living in our materialistic society? Money seems like a good thing to most of us, even spiritually speaking,...think of the potential for good. Family, friends and church, you could bless them all,...if you won this week's Mega Millions prize. But don't forget the potential for evil, or real greed. Everyone who's ever caused you harm,...suddenly you have the means within you hands, to make them truly suffer. Or maybe your first thought is for self,...a bigger house, a new car, a great vacation,...or better yet, the ability to just pack up and leave everything, and everyone, behind. The fact is; if we're not doing much good with what we have now,...it's real unlikely that we'll be able to show real generosity, because we've hit it big.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.—1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)

Often Jesus would be speaking to someone about the eternal, while they would interpret His words in the temporal. For example, when Jesus talked about the living water and the bread of life, He was speaking of spiritual elements that affect our earthly lives. But the Samaritan woman asked for the living water so she wouldn't have to return to the well, and the people asked for the bread Jesus promised because they wanted to be fed continually on earth. Paul is saying the same things in these verses above. He is trying to help us focus on eternal values by using temporal tools. Paul is saying: We should give our earthly materials generously,...and willingly for God's kingdom. By keeping a spiritual perspective on earth, we are laying for ourselves a firm foundation in the life that is to come. Paul is saying to use your money on earth for the things of God. This way, God's work will continue here, while laying a firm foundation for you in the coming age.

"Do not trust money alone to provide for your needs,...but rather, depend on God."

O' Lord, help us to have a spiritual perspective towards money the we have, and receive. Help us to be generous and willing to share. We want to lay up treasures in heaven,...and we want to trust in You, to provide for our needs on earth. Please increase our faith.

"Investing in the less fortunate, is investing in God."

The Bible,..A How To Book?

Good Morning!! The Bible is a template for living,...a "template", which refers to an overlay used in graphic arts, or in sewing to replicate letters, shapes, or designs. As believers we have to use the Scripture as our overlay, to help us replicate in our lives, to what we've seen in the Book.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.—John 13:17 (NIV)

"We are in a true age of faith, the Holy Spirit no longer writes Gospels,...except in our hearts; saintly souls are the pages, suffering and action are the ink. The Holy Spirit is writing a living Gospel with the pen of action." (Jean-Pierre de Caussade) I love the phrase "the pen of action." When we open the Bible to read carefully,...to think deeply,...to pray faithfully,...we must ready ourselves, to act it out in our lives,...courageously.

We must develop the spiritual discipline, to perform in our lives, what we have seen in the Bible.

Holy Spirit of God, as we read Your Word more deeply, help us to live more faithfully. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."

Fear Of The Lord Is Beneficial To All Saints

Good Morning!! Psalm 34 says that the fear of the Lord is the key to happiness. Do you want all good things,...and to lack for nothing? Do you desire life, do you want to see many days? Well then, "Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" (v. 11). And that’s not all. We’re also promised spiritual blessings. Listen to Mary: "His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50.) What more could you ask for? A rich, long, happy life here,...eternal life through the covenant mercies of God hereafter,...All for those who fear the Lord.

Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.—Psalm 34:9 (NIV)

A rich, long, happy life here,...eternal life through the covenant mercies of God hereafter,...all, for those who fear the Lord. But we know, it’s not quite as simple, as that. Psalm 34 also points out, that the Lord is "close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (v. 18). It talks about the many afflictions of the righteous and their cries for help. It even points to the suffering of the perfectly Righteous Man; "he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken." (v. 20) ,...words fulfilled by Jesus,...the Ultimate God-fearer,...even on the cross.

As we fear the Lord, our lives,...all of them, rich or poor, long or short, painful or trouble-free,...are truly blessed beyond measure.

Father God, may we learn to live in Your fear,...and die in Your favor. Amen.

"Don't just take your troubles to God,...leave them there."