tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74816953236607382932024-02-20T07:14:24.807-06:00Love God. Love others.The two great commands of Jesus. A simple blueprint for a meaningful and purposeful life.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-86881134703616754802010-09-23T08:29:00.001-05:002010-09-23T08:31:39.719-05:00Mistakes 5<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Humble yourself under the mighty hand of your God so that I may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Humility. There's a characteristic we battle against on a daily basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our world screams at us to stand up for our rights; to not let others push us around; to demand that our voice is heard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And yet that was not the way of the Savior, was it? He was led silent, like a lamb to the slaughter. When He was on the path that led to His death, He remained silent. Can you imagine how it would've looked otherwise? If Jesus had fought and kicked and screamed? If He had demanded a lawyer, who would stand up for His rights? If He had struck back at one of His captors?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A huge part of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus was His humility that led Him to not fight when He not only had the right, but also when He had available to Him the power to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So should we let other people run over us and just take take it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No. What we should do is strive to live a life of humility. Not trying to elbow our way into the world for our 15 minutes of fame, but striving instead to be people of high character and great service to others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God will take care of the rest. He promises.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What impresses you about this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-87805092805956874502010-09-16T09:49:00.000-05:002010-09-16T09:49:16.274-05:00Mistakes 4<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>If I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Confession.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">They say it's good for the soul, but it is also hard on the ego. A confession is an admission of wrong. Straight up. No qualifiers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why would God make that a prerequisite to forgiveness? If we've given our lives to Him; done all the steps of believing in Him and repenting of sin and confessing the name of Jesus and putting Him on in baptism...why wouldn't God be satisfied?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because the lack of confession still puts us in charge of our lives, not God. Even if we regret our sin, without confession, we are still calling the shots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But in confession, we assume a humble posture, a posture that says, "You're God and I'm not." And when we assume that posture, a miracle happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We're clean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your impressions of this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-8830505825581066672010-09-15T09:48:00.000-05:002010-09-15T09:48:54.447-05:00Mistakes 3<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>I am confident of this very thing, that You who have begun a good work in me will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we have fallen prey to sin and are convicted of it, it is diificult to think that God still has use for us, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And yet, not only is He not finished with us, He restores the penitent and continues to use us until we go home to be with Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is other words, our mistakes do not define us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God's love does.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this scripture bring to mind for you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-73371913450106983822010-09-14T01:20:00.000-05:002010-09-14T01:20:16.950-05:00Mistakes 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Return to me, the LORD your God....I will heal your backsliding, I will love you freely, for my anger is turned away from you. Hosea 14:1, 4</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For God, there is one thing in His sights when our mistakes, our sin, lead us away from Him. He's looking for our return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our return to Him brings healing. Our return to Him causes His anger to turn away from us. And best of all, our return to Him reminds us that His love for us flows freely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The important thing for us to remember is that His love for us doesn't go away when we choose to turn our back on Him. When we turn away from our Creator, we run away from the benefit of His love. We lose track of the depth of His care. We have no understanding of His compassion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So if your mistakes, your sin has led you away from God and you don't think He could ever take you back or forgive you, there is only one thing that you need to do to have all the benefits of His undying love for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this passage mean to you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-58378614626794746462010-09-13T00:34:00.002-05:002010-09-13T00:36:14.551-05:00Relying on God when struggling with mistakes<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Who is the one who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, rather who is risen again, who is even at Your right hand making intercession for me. Romans 8:34</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever worked for a boss that was harsh and unforgiving when someone made a mistake? I realize some mistakes can be costly and repeated mistakes can damage a company, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the guy who is a tyrant and demands perfection from everyone. Except himself, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In life, as in business, some mistakes are costlier than others. Some mistakes are made honestly and some would be more accurately called sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks be to God! He is not like that harsh boss. His forgiveness is instantaneous when the request comes from a contrite heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the best thing of all? Not only does God forgive our mistakes and our sins, He goes one step further.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He stands in the gap for us. He intercedes for us so that one day, we won't have to pay the price for our mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because He already has.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your impressions of this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-956071406461058982010-09-11T11:57:00.001-05:002010-09-11T11:57:35.863-05:00Illness 7<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>O Israel, you have destroyed yourself, but in Me is your help.....I will ransom you from the power of the grave; I will redeem you from death. O death, I will be your plagues; O grave, I will be your destruction. Hosea 13:9, 14</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes we call on God for healing and He does so. And we are thrilled and grateful. Sometimes we call on God for healing and He does not. And we are crushed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Who knows the mind of God? We fall so short of having any grasp of why God moves the way He moves. Why He sometimes says yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait. I think I like wait the least of the three.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But here's something not only to remember in times of struggle with illness, but something to cling to: God will defeat death. God will overcome death. God will master death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God will destroy death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No more pain, no more sorrow, no more heartache, no more tears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The destruction of death means one thing for those will believe in Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your thoughts on this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-46531692343721601982010-09-10T10:11:00.000-05:002010-09-10T10:11:39.465-05:00Illness 6<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>LORD, You preserve the simple. I was brought low and You helped me....I will walk before You, LORD, in the land of the living. Psalm 116:6, 9</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When is the last time you've been brought low? Of course, we don't have to consider the question, "Have you ever been brought low?" because it is a given that we all have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life does that to us. It knocks us down. It humbles us. Sometimes, it crushes us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Especially when we struggle with illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But God has the answer. As always, He gives us exactly what we need. We are not always blessed with being immediately delivered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But He goes a step further than that anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He preserves us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How does this scripture strike you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-23050089946492796752010-09-09T00:03:00.000-05:002010-09-09T00:03:14.683-05:00Illness 5<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>You, LORD, will deliver me in time of trouble. You will preserve me and keep me alive, and I shall be blessed upon the earth, and You will not deliver me into the will of my enemies. LORD, You will strengthen me upon the bed of lauguishing. You will restore me on my bed of sickness. Psalm 41:1-3</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Deliver. Preserve. Blessed. Strengthen. Restore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Look at the words in this passage! Can you imagine more powerful words being spoken about you from your Creator?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our time of trouble, in our dark night, we have a God who not only loves us, not only cares for us, not only hurts with us...but who promises to deliver us, to preserve us, to bless us, to strengthen us and to restore us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God is telling us in no uncertain terms to take heart. We can't win the battle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But He can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How does this scripture strike you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-39875002916536568742010-09-08T09:03:00.000-05:002010-09-08T09:03:11.244-05:00Illness 4<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord shall raise them up. James 5:14-15</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The elders' prayers will save the sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is there a difference between saving the sick and healing the sick? Yes. Sometimes the recipient receives both saving and healing. Sometimes not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the clear fact here is that James is pointing out that there are things worse than physical illness. Like spiritual illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The prayer of faith will save the sick. Why don't we do this much more often?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is your take on this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-75198268067171996642010-09-07T16:16:00.000-05:002010-09-07T16:16:18.210-05:00Illness 3<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>He bore our sins in His own body on the tree so we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness. By His stripes, we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There's the word we're after when we are struggling with illness: Healed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After a certain point in the torture and crucifixion, there was no doctor that would've been able to heal Jesus' body. It was too far gone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And yet, the great paradox of the crucifixion is that it healed us! The torture that killed Jesus' body healed our souls! The agony of Jesus served an important purpose. He certainly didn't want it to happen, right? He even asked God to not let it happen. Three times He asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the answer was no. His suffering served a purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the middle of illness, we are focused on the cure. And understandably so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But it would also be healthy to consider what purpose it might serve. Might it serve a purpose of getting our attention off of something we had focused on that wasn't good for us? Might it serve a purpose of allowing us to demonstrate faith to some person around us?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We all want to be healed. And ultimately, the sacrifice of Jesus does that for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But in the meantime, until our bodies are healed on this earth, it might be worth praying for God to show you a purpose the illness can serve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That purpose very well could save another person's life. Or maybe even their soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is your response to this verse?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-84966634009281280692010-09-06T23:40:00.002-05:002010-09-06T23:42:44.154-05:00Illness 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me. Psalm 23:4</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Illness strikes fear into the hearts of those who are struggling with it and fear into the hearts of their loved ones around them. Because what illness does is bring us face to face with the unknown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now the fact is, we're surrounded by the unknown with every breath we take, but we don't really come to grips with it until we experience serious illness. And serious illness sometimes brings us into the valley of the shadow of death, doesn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God Himself wants us to know something very important: We do not walk there alone. Our loved ones do not walk there alone. He will never forsake us. His love for us never ceases or even diminishes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And because of that, His desire is that we lay our anxieties on Him. That we trust Him. That we rest in Him. His desire for us is clear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this verse bring to your mind?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-4124476369685306802010-09-05T05:57:00.001-05:002010-09-05T05:57:58.069-05:00Relying on God when dealing with illness<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Why are you so downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5</em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I've done everything I can do. All I can do now is just pray."</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever heard someone say something like that? Have you ever said something like that?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Isn't it funny how we often look to prayer or to God as a last resort, after we've exhausted every other avenue we can? I wonder how that makes God feel, when His promises are eternal and His power is over all, that we keep trying our own little cures?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He is the health of my countenance. In other words, whether I get better physically or not, when I turn it over to Him, I get better, regardless.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What do you think about this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-10653815812460539192010-08-30T02:38:00.000-05:002010-08-30T02:38:30.386-05:00Grief 5<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me. LORD, be my helper. You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have put off my sackcloth and surrounded me with gladness. Psalm 30:10-11</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Two things that are not a part of our vocabulary when we are in the midst of grief: dancing and gladness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a matter of fact, those things seem so far away when our souls are aching that it seems absolutely impossible to even conceive that we might even feel like dancing again. That we might have gladness in our hearts again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, that's what happens when God's mercy gets involved in our lives; when He comes to help us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The real trick is to not let the Evil One convince us that this grief we're experiencing will never go away. That the clouds will never lift and the sun will never rise. It is difficult to avoid thinking those things when our heart is breaking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But God will be faithful. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He promises that to us when we cling to Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And just the thought of His great love for us, when we really ponder it, when we really spend time with it...can make us feel like dancing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is your take on these verses?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-15111132594381494922010-08-30T02:26:00.000-05:002010-08-30T02:26:31.361-05:00Grief 4<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Blessed are You, God, even the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercies and ther God of all comfort. You comfort me in all my tribulation, that I may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which I myself am comforted by You. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pay It Forward. That was the title of a movie with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt in which a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) comes up with this concept of paying forward to others good deeds that are done to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That concept is far from originating in that movie. God came up with it before anyone walked on the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When we're in the middle of grief, God's comfort is the only comfort that will last. And yet He isn't content with our pain subsiding. He then wants us to be instruments of comfort to others around us who are also in need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In other words, God calls us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people we come in contact with. Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because He started it with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your thoughts on this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-12046375114152536612010-08-28T10:08:00.000-05:002010-08-28T10:08:42.942-05:00Grief 3<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>You will swallow up death in victory, and You, Lord GOD, will wipe away tears from all faces...for You, LORD, have spoken it. Isaiah 25:8</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That middle part. The wipe away all tears part. That almost seems more comforting to us than the swallow up death in victory part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why is that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, we almost take for granted that in the end, God wins. We've heard that so many times that sometimes we lose the magnitude of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the wiping away of all tears? That's life now. Here. On this earth. One day brings joy and happiness and the next brings grief and sorrow. And we often don't have any control over either one. Or in some cases, our own behavior brings our tears.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So to think that one day, there will be no more tears, brings a deep sense of comfort that nothing else can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You know why that's true?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because of that last part. The You have spoken it part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How does this passage strike you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-16653461092244265012010-08-27T00:11:00.000-05:002010-08-27T00:11:53.705-05:00Grief 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice... Isaiah 42:3</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever been taken advantage of? Dumb question. If you breathe, you've been taken advantage of. Everyone hates it when that happens, but I think it is even worse when someone kicks a person when they're already down. It can be devastating.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God's assurance here that He will not allow His people to be pushed beyond their endurance level is one of the most powerful promises in scripture. It goes well with what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 about God being faithful to us and not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Check out the way Eugene Peterson translates this passage from Isaiah in The Message: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right.</em></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That's a promise we can count on.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this scripture bring to mind for you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-19710093774572376832010-08-26T23:57:00.000-05:002010-08-26T23:57:31.907-05:00Vacation!The blog has had the past week off, but it is back with post number 2 on Grief coming tomorrow...Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-37553182807827660552010-08-19T09:28:00.001-05:002010-08-19T09:28:37.653-05:00Relying on God when dealing with grief<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>He was despised and rejected of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried... Isaiah 53:3-4</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Any conversation about grief has to start from the bottom-line reference point of Christ. There really can be no meaningful discussion of the topic without addressing the suffering of Christ.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wonder what it must have felt like for Jesus to read scripture like this and know they were talking about Him? The verses that precede and follow these are no better. Actually, they are worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This passage is in God's Word for who-knows-how-many-reasons. However, I can't imagine that one of them wouldn't be to remind us when we are living in the pit, that He has walked where we're walking. He has hurt where we're hurting. He has grieved where we're grieving. He has wept where we're weeping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Does that take the pain and suffering away? Of course not. Does it give new perspective for our lives?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If we let it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What is your response to this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-1164052889159570372010-08-19T09:28:00.000-05:002010-08-19T09:28:19.882-05:00Finances 7<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. Proverbs 11:28</em></strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everything in life is relative, isn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One man appears to be filthy rich to another, but to yet another, he looks poor. One woman's car is nicer than some people's cars, but not as nice as others. One kid's toys are better than some of his friends, but not as good as others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is always someone who has more and nicer and shinier things than we do, isn't there? And then there is always someone who has less than we do. Right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If we know this, why do allow ourselves to get caught up in materialism that throws us into the slavery of debt and steals our opportunities to serve others?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I guess it goes back to our human nature. When we feed our selfish, self-centered side, it always asks for more. It is never, ever satisfied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But when we feed our Christ-like nature, it has an incredible result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It fills our souls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How do you feel about this scripture?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-16335798285582379072010-08-17T23:54:00.002-05:002010-08-18T00:05:05.569-05:00Finances 6<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3</em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Trust. It all ends up coming back down to trust, doesn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We can talk about generosity and prosperity and priorities, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to trust. As in, who are you going to?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As fallen human beings, even in our best moments, we have a hard time getting this passage in the right order. First comes trust and good works and the result is dwelling in the land and enjoying safe pasture. The King James translation renders "safe pasture" as "you will be fed."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our typical order is to go be fed, assure ourselves and our loved ones of safety and then we'll trust in the LORD and do good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In other words, "Me first, then You, God."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But if we truly trust God's hand at work in our lives, we can throw ourselves in His care, being His hands and feet wherever we find ourselves and be confident of His provision for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Trust in the Lord and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this verse say to you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-37469778812026828122010-08-16T01:04:00.001-05:002010-08-16T01:05:12.775-05:00Finances 5<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38</em></strong> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Generosity, take 2.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's a different way to look at generosity. It's a formula. When we're generous, we'll receive generosity. When we're not, we won't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God seems to work this way often, doesn't He? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Certainly Jesus taught that way. He said that when we forgive, we'll be forgiven. If we don't, we won't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Same goes for mercy. When we show mercy, we'll be shown mercy. If we don't, we won't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All of us want to act out of the kindness and purity of our hearts, don't we? Our biggest problem is that we're human and we don't always do what we should or think how we should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So sometimes God compels us. Why? To be harsh? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Because He thinks it is that important to be generous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How do you feel about this verse?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-54114706407820351502010-08-15T00:09:00.003-05:002010-08-15T00:11:27.654-05:00Finances 4<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3</em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prosperity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There are a whole lot of preachers out there proclaiming the good news that God wants you to be rich. And they're not talking about Heaven. They're talking about right now, here on this earth. And if you're not, you may (probably) have a faith issue.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hmmmm....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What about the poor widow gave two small coins (all that she had) and was commended by Jesus? No record of her driving up in a new chariot the next day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What about the man who already was rich? Didn't Jesus tell him to give away his possessions and focus on heaven instead? No record of him doing so, only Jesus' remarks about how hard it is for a rich person to go to heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Prosperity is a strange thing. As a matter of fact, it is totally a perspective thing. If we are in a mindset of this world being the end-all, then it makes sense that we would want as much as we could get while we're here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But if we believe God's promises of a better place; a far, far better place where there will be no such thing as moving trucks, then prosperity takes on a whole new meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And it has nothing to do with money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What are your thoughts on this passage?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-14521089102125205802010-08-14T23:55:00.003-05:002010-08-14T23:56:30.584-05:00Finances 3<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32</em></strong> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Generosity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We're interesting creatures when it comes to generosity. We are almost unwavering generous when it comes to opportunities to spend other people's money, but not so much when it comes to spending what has been put in our own care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Recent studies have shown that half of the people in the United States who claim Christ as their Savior give nothing on an annual basis to the church they attend. For the 50% who do give to their congregation, the average is 2% - 4% of their income.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm not trying to make a point that we need to give a higher number per se. But it does become pretty clear by looking at the numbers that God and humans have different ideas when it comes to generosity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this scripture say to you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-84524501005700389512010-08-13T00:49:00.002-05:002010-08-13T11:40:01.909-05:00Finances 2<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of the hardest lessons for us to learn in life is the principle of giving our firstfruits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why is that? Basically, because people tend to be selfish. People like the fact that God has blessed them; they sometimes tell Him thank you and then they tend to wrap their arms tightly around that blessing, not really wanting to share it with anyone, including The One who blessed them with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Does that remind you of anything?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Like how children act sometimes?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No wonder we struggle so much. When God blesses us richly, then asks us to give back to Him off the top instead tossing Him whatever might be leftover, our true character shines through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why do we tend to buck God, even when He promises He will bless us even more if we'll give our firstfruits to Him?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Could it have anything to do with trust? Or selfishness?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is a hallmark of maturity in Christ to give of our firstfruits and be very generous with the things and money God has put in our possession.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How do these verses strike you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481695323660738293.post-15989153424184747312010-08-12T23:27:00.002-05:002010-08-12T23:28:31.612-05:00Relying on God when dealing with finances<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33</strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Priorities.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We can't have any meaningful discussion on finances without talking about priorities. We've all heard the old adage about being able to tell where our true priorities lie, regardless of what we say, by looking at our checkbook and calendar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How would our checkbook look differently than it does now if we were truly seeking God's righteousness above everything else? How would our calendar look differently than it does now if we were truly running after God's kingdom?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is no way to live life without priorities. They are either clearly articulated or they are ignored (which is still establishing priorities), but life is always lived through priorities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our biggest problem is that, by ignoring the teaching of this verse, we really are only robbing ourselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What does this verse say to you?</span>Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10035205351900557360noreply@blogger.com2