Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

 Proverbs 11:25, Galatians 6:2, 6:10, Matthew 25:35-40, and 1 John 3:17-18

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25 

I pause my study of Numbers to focus on text that will be discussed Friday morning with my men's small group.  This text is focused on two sets of five texts that will be used to derive Godly wisdom for a personal situation faced by one of my brothers in Christ. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God does want us to be a light like He is - He seeks for us to bless and do good so that others can see Jesus in us.  We are encouraged especially in Galatians 6:10 to do good "to those who are of the household of faith."  God seeks for us to build up the church as unity and strength of the church is important - this is amplified in 1 John 3:17-18 as John exhorts us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  God does not like when we see someone in great need - He wants us to attend to the needs who need it the most - the "least of these" (Matthew 25:35-40).      
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  My brother in Christ is struggling with a situation where He is not sure whether to give outside his family or to give within his family.  Both are good and this is indeed a struggle worthy of giving to God to seek His wisdom!
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid NOT being a light.  We should also avoid NOT abiding in God and His Word which is the source of all truth and wisdom.  We should claim the promise (2 Timothy 3:16-17) that all scripture is "is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  We should follow the example of Jesus who gave everything that believers could have life to the full now and for eternity. Do good and be a light.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You Jesus for saving me and for also giving me Your Word that I might fellowship with You.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites.

Numbers 35:1-8

And as for the cities that you shall give from the possession of the people of Israel, from the larger tribes you shall take many, and from the smaller tribes you shall take few; each, in proportion to the inheritance that it inherits, shall give of its cities to the Levites. Numbers 35:8

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 35:1-8 - God gives Moses commands to the people to give the Levites a portion of their inheritance of land to live and for their animals to pasture.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God gave the Levites duties to care for the tabernacle and in the priesthood.  He also sought for the other tribes to provide a means of living for the Levites.  Like the other tribes, the land given to the Levites was to be measured out with strict boundaries, consistent with how the other tribes were to live within the borders defined by God (see post yesterday).  The Levites were to be content with how God provides.  Six of the forty-eight cities given to the Levites were to serve as refuge for those pending trial - manslayer (someone who kills without intent) - see both v6 and v11. God has a plan for what He provides and we are to be stewards of what He provides for His purpose. The other tribes should not see their land as their own but as God's and the same as the Levites.  See also Luke 12:48 where Jesus shares a parable to emphasize that "him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."  God expects us to see Him as the owner and for us to be the caretakers - this includes time, talent, and treasure.  And we should be cheerful with regard to how we hold and give - 2 Corinthians 9:7.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: There are many examples in scripture where people are not good stewards of what God provides nor cheerful givers - Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11 is one of the most striking examples.  On the other hand, the poor widow from Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 serves as a positive example.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid holding onto what God provides for our own purpose and desires.  Claim the promise that every good and perfect gift is from Him and that He works in all things for good. Follow the example of the poor widow and give sacrificially.  Trust Him that His plan and design is perfect and that He provides. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of how You love and save, provide and pour out blessings daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated.

Numbers 18:25-32

Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the LORD; from each its best part is to be dedicated. Numbers 18:29

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 18:25-32 - God gives Moses instructions to give the Levites regarding contributions from the people given to them.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks for the Levites to take a "tithe of the tithe" given to the Levites from the people and give it to the Lord.  God then emphasizes that "from each its best part" of contributions given to you "is to be dedicated" to the LORD (v29).  Giving of our time, treasure and talents to God is a reflection of our heart - do we love God fully?  Do we trust that He will provide?  Are we seeking God's glory or our own when we serve or give?
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Many seek their own glory as an outcome of service or giving to God.  For example, in Acts 5:1-11, after many were giving liberally and cheerfully to the early church (see end of Acts 4), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) gave proceeds from a land sale to the early church and held back some of the proceeds for themselves and then lied about it - this did not end well for them and God struck them down.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid giving to or serving God begrudgingly.  Claim the promise that giving to God leads to a bountiful harvest as described in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. Follow the example of those as described in Acts 4 and give cheerfully.

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - You provide every good and perfect gift, and You promise abundance that always delivers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations.

Numbers 15:1-21

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations. Numbers 15:18-21

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:1-21 - while Israel remains in the wilderness, God gives Moses and the people laws for sacrifices that they are to make upon entry to the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks a relationship with Him and one of complete dependence on Him, recognizing that all that we have is because of Him and not of our own effort - see James 1:16.  Read along with Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the text focuses on how the people are to remember, celebrate, and be thankful for how God rescued the people from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land.  God heard Israel's cries, responded and delivered them.  Of course, we should daily be thankful for God, who He is, what He has done, how He provides, and how He saves!  God is good!  Our response should be joyful and we should give as the text directs the people to do - and we are to give freely as a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people up to this point have been grumbling and complaining and now God is turning their attention to a promise He made and how He is going to be faithful and bring them into the Promised Land.  We need constant reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - otherwise, we are prone to wander, grumble and complain as Israel did.  God gives us His Word as His Daily Bread and we are to consume it!
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid grumbling and complaining.  Claim the promise that God delivers us and He is saving a place for us in Heaven - whatever we are experiencing is temporary and God is good....all the time.  Follow the example of those who responded joyfully upon entering the Promised Land and gave cheerfully.  Consume God's Daily Bread!   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.”

Numbers 7:1-11

“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” Numbers 7:5

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 7:1-11, we see the chiefs of Israel give offerings of wagons and oxen (and other offerings) in service of the tabernacle.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Building on my post yesterday on the Aaronic Blessing at the end of Numbers 6, we see offerings of wagons and oxen (v3, and other offerings in v10) made by the chiefs of Israel, and there are all indications that these were free will offerings as we don't see instructions from the Lord to make these offerings.  God seeks our heart, not actions where we go through the motions - see also Hosea 6:6 and 1 Samuel 15:22.  We must remember that every good and perfect gift is from above - James 1:17 - and this should move us to believe that whatever resources we have belong to him, and to be cheerful givers - see also 2 Corinthians 9:7.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Looking ahead through v88, the chiefs of Israel, those who led each of the twelve tribes, set the example of giving freely. This sermon also highlights how no tribe nor any gift they gave was any better in the eyes of the Lord.  We should not feel any less important, nor any less used than another tribe. Everyone's (the exact same gift) gift matters as it is recorded here - repetitively.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid comparing yourself, your ministry, and your congregation to another - you all matter in the eyes of the Lord.  Claim the promise of 1 Corinthians 12 where we are all one body and we cannot say how one part is lesser than another. Follow the example of the tribe chiefs who each gave freely. Give with a cheerful heart. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and You are the source of all provision.  Thank You for how You provide, bless, and save.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:41-44.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv43-44):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "Jesus Knows Why We Give." 
• "With piercing divine insight Jesus saw both the gift and the heart, both the act and the motive behind the act. He knew those who gave only because others were watching, and He knew those who would have given if no one was watching. And then He once again turns the value system of the world on its head."  
• We are exhorted to give sacrificially as we pointed to William Kelly's commentary that shares: 'The test of liberality is not what is given, but what is left.' 
• The commentary then encourages us to study more deeply on what scripture says about God's purpose for money, sharing six purposes: "God wants to grow us spiritually by growing our faith (Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19). God wants to finance His earthly ministry through us for His glory and our good (Malachi 3:10). God wants to unite Christians who have needs with those who have surplus (2 Corinthians 8:14-15). God wants to reveal clearly His infinite power (Deuteronomy 8:18). God wants to help give direction in our lives (Proverbs 3:5-6). God wants to fulfill His promise to supply our needs (Matt 6:31-33; Philippians 4:19)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who provides for all of my needs - most importantly my spiritual needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.

Mark 12:41-44

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. Mark 12:41-42

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:41-44.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of two) division (vv41-42):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "The Poor Woman Who Gave All She Had" and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv41-44) is "[b]iblical giving is a voluntary act flowing from a thankful heart, which involves giving of one’s self and all that one has." 
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Jesus Sees What We Give." 
• "The preceding paragraph mentioned widows as the object of religious exploitation (v. 40). The simple piety of this “poor widow” stands in stark contrast to the self-centered ambition of the scribes. She also must be contrasted with the rich young ruler (10:17-31) who loved his money more than he loved God. In this lady we find a marvelous example of one who “love[s] the Lord [her] God with all [her] heart, with all [her] soul, with all [her] mind, and with all [her] strength” (12:30)."  
• Hurtado's commentary on Mark highlights how the poor widow exemplified Mark 10:31 where the text shares how the last will be first. 
• "Our Lord always has an eye for the individual. He hears the cry of the blind beggar Bartimaeus when no one else does (10:46-52). Now He sees the generous and sacrificial gift of a poor widow when no one else sees a thing. No doubt she came alone, quietly hoping no one would notice her. Being poor and a widow and a woman, she was the least of the least in the cultural context of the day."  
• We are reminded of Samuel's search for a king that found David and that God focuses where man often does not - on the heart - see also 1 Samuel 16:7.

Believers should be grateful that God softens our hearts to be saved (Ezekiel 36:26), and our focus should then turn to how through spiritual disciplines such as daily study of God's Word and prayer transforms our heart and mind to be more like Him.  This is how we can love and give as the poor widow did. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and saves.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and mercy...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:41-44, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God knows both our actions and our intent - our heart, motives.  He is all knowing.  See these examples from scripture about how God knows everything.  He cares most about our heart and our intent.  Many people put large sums of money into the treasury (v41).   The poor widow put in a very small amount but her motive and intent was to give as a true sacrifice, depending on God for her provision.  That is what God seeks from us - motives, intent and a heart to obey His command to love Him and then others. See also vv28-34.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Many act as means to bring glory to themselves.  See v41 as an example where rich people put in large sums of money into the temple treasury - the text contrast this from the widow who gave out of sacrifice.  The actions of the rich people are prideful and not what God seeks.  We must glorify God (not ourselves) in all that we do - this is why we exist.  See 1 Corinthians 10:31.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid pride.  Follow the example of the widow to give sacrificially.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You know everything about me, including my sin yet You loved me first, and while still an enemy and hostile to You, saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 16: The Generosity of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "If one were asked to mention a half dozen keywords of Christian duty, he would be sure to place the word "give" high in the list. One cannot read the New Testament without being halted by that word, for it occurs repeatedly, and always with an emphasis which arrests the heart."
• "Mortals are urged to give as God gives, and God's giving is always fashioned and conditioned by his love. He does not give to every man the precise thing which the man asks for. He says to all of us not once but many times, "No," "no," "no!" Love can never give where giving would work hurt."
• "A man who does not skimp or dole out with a [skimpy] hand is, says Jesus, a man whom the universe likes and blesses. He will lose nothing by his liberality, for the world is constructed on a generous principle, and by surrendering himself to the divine spirit of giving he will be in tune with the Infinite, and shall by no means lose his reward. He need not be anxious about the precise time when such action shall bring its recompense....That blessing may not come in all its fullness in the world that now is, but there will be a complete recompense at the resurrection of the just."
• "Where in the New Testament will you find more exuberant praise than that which he lavishes upon the woman who poured four hundred dollars' worth of perfume on his head and feet?  Miserly souls near him were offended by such extravagance, but he liked it. He appreciated the lavish expenditures of love. When he sees a poor widow throwing her two bits of copper into the treasury in the temple, all the money she had in the world, he does not criticize her for doing a foolish thing as most of us would have done.  But he cries out in a shout which has in it the music of a hallelujah, "She has given more than they all." In a world so filled with grudging and close-fisted men, it cheered his great heart to see now and then a person who had mastered the divine art of giving. He liked givers because he himself was always giving."
• "When he said it is more blessed to give than to receive he was speaking from personal experience. He had not read that in a book. He had found it out in life. When he urged men to give freely, abundantly, lavishly, gladly, continually, he was only preaching what he himself practiced. He had no money to give, but he gave without stint what he had. He had time and he gave it. The golden hours were his and he gave them. He gave them all."
• "When on the last day of his life they laid a beam of timber upon his shoulder he staggered under it and then fell, so completely had he been exhausted by the arduous labors of the preceding months and years. He saved others but himself he did not know how to save. He had thought and he gave it. He had ideas and he scattered them. He had truth and he shared it with men."
• "Many a teacher has saved his best ideas for a chosen few. Jesus scattered his broadcast. He had often ignorant and prejudiced and unresponsive hearers, but he threw his pearls by the handful wherever he went. What glorious ideas he scattered over the crowds of Galilean farmers, what heavenly truths he unfolded to men and women of whom the world took no notice!"
• "His sympathy covered all classes, and no individual, however low and despised, ever appealed to him in vain. Blind men on hearing of his approach lined themselves along the road crying as he passed, "Have mercy also on us." Lepers who were counted unclean and treated worse than dogs ventured to push their way into his presence and ask for a healing touch. Samaritans, the very offscourings of the world in the estimation of the orthodox Jew, knew that in this new rabbi they had a benefactor and friend. When he drove the traders out of the Temple it was the blind and the lame who came to him, knowing that they would not be cast away. Sympathy eats up the blood of the nerves, and he who sympathizes draws heavily on the fountains of energy. This Jesus always did."
• "[H]is love went out also to those who hated him and schemed to bring about his death. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," it is in such a prayer that the loving heart of Jesus is clearly revealed. He poured out his love with a generosity which reminded men of the generosity of God."
• "He gave his life consciously and deliberately. It was not snatched from him by accident or fate, but freely surrendered by a heart willing to pay the great price."
• "The God of Nature has always been known as a generous God. The days and nights, the sky and sea and land, the changing seasons, all bear witness to His amazing generosity. He is prodigal in all His doings. He is lavish in all His benefactions. He scatters good things with the bountiful munificence of a King. He scatters the stars not in paltry thousands but in countless millions.  He creates flowers not in numbers which we can count, but in a profusion which confuses and confounds the imagination. He always gives more than can be accepted. He throws sunsets away on eyes which do not care for them. He gives fruit trees more blossoms than the trees can use. At every feast which He spreads there are fragments remaining filling twelve baskets. He is a munificent, free-handed, bountiful, and extravagant God." 
• "He makes our cup run over. There are a thousand toothsome things to eat, and a thousand lovely things to see, and a thousand exquisite pleasures to experience, and a thousand sublime truths to learn, and a thousand good opportunities to seize — more than we can ever make use of in the short span of life allowed us."
• "If you ask why was Jesus generous, the answer is, God is love. When was love anything but liberal?"
• "When Peter suggested a certain number as being enough to indicate the limits of forgiveness, Jesus told him not to count at all. Love never counts." 

Humanity's nature is to seek one's own interest above all others.  While only God can know the true motives of one's heart, it is a certainty that many who serve others do so with some ulterior motive in which they seek and achieve something for themselves.  This is not for me, nor for any other to judge - again God alone knows hearts.  At the same time, it is a certainty that all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and are in need of a Savior.  Jesus willingly laid down his life so that sinners such as myself could be saved.  Jesus led a perfect and sinless life and He became the Spotless Lamb of God - the perfect final sacrifice that ended the Old Testament sacrificial system.  This needed to be done and Jesus, while undeserving of such a fate, did so willingly.  There is no better example of generosity.  We are called to be last and for Jesus to be first - He gets all the glory, honor and praise.  That is why we exist - not for ourselves, but for Him.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of grace, mercy and generosity for me - You never stop giving for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You give.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:10-12. 

Excerpts from the commentary for the following two divisions and for the conclusion to the commentary's chapter covering Malachi 3:6-12:

• God’s Challenge for Israel to Test His Immeasurable Generosity (Malachi 3:10-11): The text includes "the only time in the Bible where God actually permits one to test Him in the area of finances....The temple’s storehouse was made up of numerous rooms that contained grain, oil, and various other supplies for the well being of the priests. It was the requirement of God that the people give money and supplies for the preservation of the Levites. God, who knows intimately the hearts of men, anticipated His people saying, “We can’t give ten percent.” So God said, 'Test Me.' They thought, 'We can’t afford to give.' God corrects them, 'No, you can’t afford not to give. Test Me.'...God appears to be saying, 'No matter what happens to you, when you are financially faithful to Me, I will provide for you. I will protect you.'"  
  
• God’s Blessing upon Israel Will Result in a Good Reputation among the Nations (Malachi 3:12):  God promises to make Israel (and His people) a great nation.
  
• Conclusion: Two lessons: (1) "if we obey the mandates of God in humble and faithful service, we can expect reward. This does not mean that reward is immediate, or even that we will ever receive it on this side of heaven. But we are guaranteed to experience God’s blessing, either here or in the coming kingdom"; (2) "what defines us is not what we have or what we think we have earned. Rather, it is what we do with the resources God has provided....God is always faithful to His covenant, even when the people are not. Israel would fail again, but in Christ we see the One who gave generously of Himself, even unto death, out of obedience to His Father. And in His sacrifice He also became the generous outpouring of heavenly blessing that God bestowed on all people."

I recommend a listen to this session of Ask Pastor John on DesiringGod.com where John Piper nets it out for believers seeking an answer to whether believers - based on the New Testament - are commanded to tithe. The answer is no but at the same time, those who truly love God as their highest treasure should think to themselves "why would we give anything less than a tithe (10 percent)?"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me...blessing me beyond what I ever imagined You could provide...and Your fountain of grace never stops flowing.  I am not deserving of course.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 3:10-12.  In these two verses, God makes a promise to Israel that He will bless the nation beyond the point where it will no longer have any needs that are not met - see v10 "until there is no more need."  A need is defined as "a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful...a condition requiring relief, [or as the] lack of the means of subsistence."  This promise is of course conditional on the people giving to God their tithe (see text that mentions tithe in the ESV Bible translation, including Leviticus 27:32 which specifically refers to 10%).  Another promise God makes is that Israel will be a land of delight.  For believers today who are under grace vs under the law, there is no longer a requirement for a tithe as believers give what is referred to instead as an offering - see this helpful resource.  We should give freely at least a tithe (10%) as an expression of our love for Christ who gave His life for us.  Believers should also understand that God is the source and provides for all of our needs and whatever we have it belongs to God - this includes our own body.  Everything we have - our lives and our belongings should be used in the service of the Lord, to fulfill His mission, including the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We should trust in how God provides.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs and never leaves or forsakes me - thank You!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You provide. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

Malachi 3:6-10a

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10a

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books.  While yesterday my study included a commentary assisted overview of the book of Malachi and an unassisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a, today my study is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:6-10a.  This commentary for this text is includes the following excerpts:

1. Main idea and introduction to the text: "God’s commitment to His covenant trumps Israel’s rebellious history, holding out repentance to Israel and lavishing blessing on both Israel and the nations. Even though the people have fluctuated in their affections and devotion to God, He has not changed, which, as we will see, is the very foundation of His promise of restoration."
2. Division #1 - Malachi 3:6: The text begins with God's promise of mercy for Israel based on a promise He made to Jacob in Genesis 32:28.  God keeps His promises. The commentary shares: "Most of the time, when the Israelites are referred to as the children of Jacob, it’s a rebuke for their disobedience. It’s a reference to the name of their forefather before the divine blessing was bestowed. Yet, even though they were faithless, God would remain faithful to them, as He was to their father, Jacob. Their rebellion has led them far from God, but restoration is still possible if they desire change."  We are are challenged today with the same promise - repent and return to God and He will return to You (see v7).   
   
3. Division #2 - Malachi 3:7-10a: True repentance and reconciliation with God focuses on humility, where the commentary shares how Israel was challenging God by asking God how to return to Him, thinking they were already living as God intended.  God disputes this and offers a sharp rebuke - the commentary calls the dialogue here not one of "clarification" but one of "disputation."  We should not be so arrogant to argue with God believing His judgement is wrong.  Instead we should seek clarification about why and how we can live as He desires us to. We exist to glorify God.  God's rebuke focused on how the Israelites were not tithing to God - v8 - calling them robbers.  Our possessions come from God and belong to Him.  We should give back to God what is His in obedience to His commands - see also 2 Corinthians 8-9.  In response to those who claim that we are no longer under the law but under grace, the commentary shares that "grace never expects less;it always demands more...We should not give to God because we are under obligation to tithe, we should give because He has already given us the inexpressible gift of His Son Jesus Christ."  See also Luke 18-19. "Malachi is not necessarily calling out those who have been faithfully giving, asking them to give more; Malachi is calling out those who gave nothing. He is calling out those who haphazardly gave. He is calling out those who are giving without worshiping. God doesn’t need your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to understand that a closed hand is unable to receive a blessing. With a generous, open hand, you are opening yourself up to receive God’s blessings. With a rebellious, closed hand, you are hindering your ability to receive God’s blessings."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Father God Jesus for Your grace and mercy and how You keep Your promises despite how I often fall down.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[T]hey asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Galatians 2

[T]hey asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Galatians 2:10

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter twenty-nine - The Pursuit of Pure Doctrine and Passion for the Poor.  Here, John Piper loves and admires Paul for how he combined his ability to help others mature in their faith through sound understanding of doctrine with "care [of] the poor of his churches [and material help for those in need]. Both were prominent.*" Piper starts by referring us to scripture and how it commands us to help those in need - and do not oppress the poor: Amos 4:1-2, James 5:4-6, Deuteronomy 24:14, Proverbs 14:31, Matthew 25:34-36, 40, 2 Corinthians 8-9, Galatians 2:9-10, and Romans 15:26.  Through these scripture examples Piper shares how Paul made "caring for the poor a significant priority*" and that he also knew "that people die a worse death from winds of false doctrine than from the pain of poverty. Physical starvation never damned anybody. But spiritual starvation has brought millions to the grave without hope. Paul would say as strongly as anyone that Christians seek to rescue people from all suffering, especially eternal suffering.* ([references to Ephesians 4:28 and 2 Thessalonians 1:9]).

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me in my time of need - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of who You care for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 10 of Advent, and today Piper explores how the Magis' gifts to the baby Jesus do no reflect assistance - as if God needs anything (see Acts 17:25) - nor bribes (see Deuteronomy 10:17).  Instead Piper wants us to see how the Magis' gifts reflect a desire to show how wonderful the recipient is. Piper writes: "[i]n a sense, giving gifts to Christ are like fasting — going without something to show that Christ is more valuable than what you are going without."  He goes on to share how the desire to give gifts to Christ is driven by a heart that desires Jesus more than what is given to Jesus (and given up by the giver).  The implication here is that whatever our sacrifice - tithing, time, etc. - believers should give freely to God as a cheerful giver (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Piper wraps today's devotion with a prayer that we should all offer to God: "May God awaken in us a desire for Christ himself. May we say from the heart, “Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah, the King of Israel. All nations will come and bow down before you. God wields the world to see that you are worshiped. Therefore, whatever opposition I may find, I joyfully ascribe authority and dignity to you, and bring my gifts to say that you alone can satisfy my heart, not holding on to these gifts.”

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, You are more valuable than gold, or anything else in this world that I may possess or acquire.  You are SO good to me and You are my Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 10-16

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4

Today, I return to my study of Proverbs - moving to chapters 10-16.  Here, the first four questions for this week (week 6) from my study workbook focus on the relationship between wisdom and wealth (see Proverbs 10:1-5 and 11:28), lying and hatred (see Proverbs 10:18 and 26:28), the pitfalls of the pursuit of individual or corporate autonomy (from the Lord) (see Proverbs 12:15), and how our diligence in work (using our God-given skills/gifts) supports the work of the gospel (see Proverbs 13:4). In particular, I am working hard to ensure my 19-year old son Zach understands this last one...

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gifts You give me, including my ability to work - what a blessing.  It is my prayer and hope that I use these to forward the gospel by supporting my church and global/local ministries that take the Word into the world as You command it in the Great Commission.  I know I can do better by being a better worker and a better steward of what You give me to use for Your glory.  Thank You for the blessings but I am not deserving - my sin continues.  Please forgive me for my daily sin and for missing out on those opportunities to be who You intend for me.  Help me turn from my sin and overcome and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on generosity (the broader context of 2 Corinthians 9:8) and how God's grace, both in the past and in the future, serves as the motivation for such generosity. Piper refers to the role of past grace by referring to 2 Corinthians 8:9:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Piper states: "[w]ithout this historical work of grace, the door of Christ-exalting generosity would remain closed. That past grace is an indispensable key to love. But notice how the past grace in this verse functions. It is made the foundation (Christ became poor) of future grace (that we might become rich). Thus, the historical key to our generosity operates by putting a foundation under the experiential key of faith in future grace."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You grace is amazing and it abounds both historically when You became like us and died on the cross, and in the future - thank You Jesus!  I can no good things without You.  Thank You for Your grace and how it serves as the foundation for good works in my life - I am not deserving of Your grace - not one bit. My sin of worry, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Leviticus 25

 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-two - A Theology of Things  - covering Leviticus 25:1-55, looking specifically at the fourth theme for the chapter - God Tells His People to Give to the Poor, So We Give.  Here, the commentary focuses on helping those who need assistance providing for themselves. It highlights verses 35-55 for specific commands God gives us on the circumstances where we are to provide for the poor.  Part of this discussion (which includes v44-46) includes commands on slavery. More than anything I am reminded to be a cheerful giver as God provides for my needs and I am commanded by God to be a good steward of how He has provided and to give back to God and to others.  John Piper has a great post on this. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me.  I am full of sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Romans 15

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Romans 15:27

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:25-27, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Support the Work of Mercy Ministry." Building on my post yesterday, Paul now specifically calls out financial or material support to missionaries and to church planting.  Paul's words imply an obligation or responsibility - as you share in the spiritual blessings (which we all do), we "ought" to share in the material blessings. For me, this underscores the command to "tithe" and to be a "cheerful giver". 

My commentary emphasizes how in these verses Paul went to great lengths go from Corinth to Jerusalem, then to Rome and on to Spain - a total of three thousand miles - to support church plants and missionaries. According to the commentary, he had collected aid from churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-24) and it is speculated that he was describing this aid to the Romans to "spur" their generosity.  The sense of family among believers is also emphasized as Gentiles are spurred to give to Jews (and vice-versa), it should be because of the bond among believers as brothers and sisters in Christ and how both are children of God - cutting across geographic, cultural, and ethnic lines. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided me with brothers and sisters in Christ who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I feel sharpened by You through them!  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin weighs heavy and I know You hate sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.....Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours....Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things....Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Chronicles 26:12-29:22

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.....Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours....Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things....Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:9,11,12, and 14 

Day 106 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on additional division of responsibilities (gatekeepers, guards, treasurers, officials/tribe officers, judges, military commanders, overseers of possessions/herds/flocks, and the naming of David's closest advisors), David's address to Israel proclaiming Solomon as king and admonition to Solomon to be faithful in obeying/serving the Lord and building the temple, David's delivery of the temple plans, and finally a call to contribute funding to the effort to build the temple.

The people's response (1 Chronicles 29:6-9) was both willing and generous, and praised by David.

We must remember where wealth comes from and that it belongs to the Lord - whatever we may possess is first and foremost to be used to further the work of the Kingdom.  We must hold what we have loosely and give generously.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and provides for all my needs - physical, spiritual, etc. - thank You Jesus!  You have never failed to provide - even in the darkest hours.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You provide.  I love You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my sin - gossip, etc. Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You wiht all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Judges 4-5

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Judges 4:8

Day 75 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Deborah the prophet as she urges Barak to attack Canaanite forces in the north central region of the promised land.  Another woman Jael also gains mention of her bravery killing Sisera, commander of Jabin's (local Canaanite king) army.

Barak is cautious and is not fully convinced that the Lord will give Israel's enemies into his hands as Deborah indicates in Judges 4:7.  Barak is not unlike Moses who in Exodus 3-4 expresses doubt to God about how God will help us through challenges.  Moses even asked the Lord to send someone else to confront Pharaoh and rescue the Israelites (Exodus 4:13).

Most of us have expressed doubt when we've felt led by God to serve - should I really do this? What about this concern or that concern?

John Piper tackles this concern head-on in this great post "How Do I Take Risks Without Being Unwise?".  Piper believes that "the burden of the New Testament is to infuse the faith and love that leans toward self-risk rather than toward self-protection."  His post provides six tests to help sort through this when the question arises.  Helpful counsel for sure.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what words can describe - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - I am broken and my sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.