Sowing seeds...

As we prepare for our upcoming Block Party, I came across this section of scripture. It came from our PowerUP devotional book for today. This section talks about us giving cheerfully. Many only equate giving with money, but it also includes our time, among other things.

Today's passage is from 2 Corinthians 9:6-10..."But this I say , He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things , may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)"

The word today is a calling to give with all you have...to hold nothing back...I think of the song "Live Like You Were Dying"...give like it's your last chance...because it may be the last chance for someone to hear. We should look at our outreach like a field...haven't you noticed that God uses the "harvest" as a way to look at reaching the lost. If we only sow seeds in a small section of our field or garden, would we expect to harvest plentifully from the entire section of property? Duh- no! So, why would we only reach out to a few and expect great returns for God's kingdom?

May we each purpose in our hearts to give, not because we have to...not because others are watching...but because we want to. God loves a cheerful giver. Be glad to give your time. Our Block Party is a great outreach to our neighborhood and city. We see it grow each and every year. This year's promises to be bigger than ever, especially due to economic conditions. It takes the concentrated efforts of a large group. It's not easy, but the rewards are great!

I am amazed to be part of a group of committed folks who are willing to pitch in wherever needed. We will meet tonight to bag up groceries to give away to those in need. We look to bag somewhere between 300-400 bags this evening. That means that many will have to take time out of their Friday night to come help...and they will, cheerfully!

In verse 8, God promises to allow His grace to abound, that we will be able to continue on. He will give us the strength, if we are willing to put forth some effort! Jesus went out and reached out to folks...gave to the poor and ministered to people's needs. We are called to do much the same: ministering bread for food, multiply the seed we sow (the Gospel), and the fruits of our righteousness will be increased.

Think on these things today...sow the seeds of kindness and charity bountifully...give of yourself willingly, time and money...sow more seed (reach out)...and God will increase the fruit of your righteousness...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today.

Resurrect the dead!!!

Thursdays are my day off and today is one I don't particularly look forward to...going to dentist after lunch for a root canal and an extraction. Two of my favorite things, like you, I'm sure. I was thinking about writing about the passage where Paul spoke of doing the things he didn't want to do, but came across this passage instead and was reminded it's not about what I have to say...

The scripture today comes from Philippians 3:8-11..."Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."


When people hear about Christ and being a Christian, many times they think about the things they have to give up...along those same lines, many times we are concerned with what others are still doing a bit too much ourselves. God hasn't told us to clean up to follow Him, but rather give ourselves and let Him do the cleaning. We are still given the free will, which is a blessing and a curse. We only give up what we are willing...and we often hold back and don't allow God to have all of us. If you're like me, it takes reaching a low point to let Him take full and utter control. I, like Paul, now look back at what I gave up as dung for lack of a better PC word.

We are also to be found IN HIM, because like it says we have no righteousness of our own. Paul was teaching to those who were still trying to prove themselves by the law, rather than by faith. They were being hassled by Judaizers who were condemning their every move, trying to make them fall. Thanks be to God for his grace that we live by, rather than falling short of the law...because if you offend the law in the smallest part, you were guilty of the whole, remember?


In verse 10, Paul strives to know the Lord...do you strive to know the Lord, or do you just want to use Him for your personal gains? Really think about that one...when was the last time you prayed just to talk to Him??? When was the last time you just opened up your heart to Him??? When was the last time you prayed before your Bible reading and truly asked for Him to speak to you??? This is where we can all say we fall short, but we can strive everyday to improve our relationship, that we may conform to the image of Christ in our lives.

We should strive to be more like Christ, that others may see Him. Then, through us they can be lead by faith into a relationship with Him. Then, through the salvation given, we have a part in resurrecting a dead soul into life everlasting. That's a miracle that can still occur even in these troubled times we live in. Who says miracles don't happen?!?!

So, today...put things in perspective...glory in the losses we have, that we could win Christ...be found in Him...strive to know Him better...be conformed to His likeness...and resurrect the dead souls (unsaved) you come in contact with...

Please let me know if there is a prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Who will be great among you???

In our devotional journals we are working on during our PowerUP campaign, today was covering Mark 10:35-45. My mind has been on what was spoken in this text. I will be looking at the latter part of this passage, beginning in verse 42..."But Jesus called them to him , and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. (43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: (44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. (45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Leading up to this passage, the apostles were angry about James and John asking to set at the right and left hand of Jesus. I'm not sure whether from them not thinking of asking first, or what. However, Jesus changes the subject quickly and moves beyond it.

Jesus begins talking about the way rulers are set up above others in our human way of doing things. The rulers exercise lordship over the "regulars". The "great ones" exercise authority over them, as well.

But for Christians, it doesn't work that way. Those who are chosen to be great are ministers...and he who will be the chiefest, will be a servant to all. These words are especially meaningful to me. The pastor I serve under leads the congregation by example. He truly has a servant's heart. If there is something to be done, you can guarantee he is there with sleeves rolled up. Do we serve in such a way, or are we waiting to be served? Remember, those who are servants to all will be the most highly exalted...

The final verse puts it all together clearly..."For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Jesus didn't come to be lavished upon with praise, adoration, fanfare and the like...he came to minister to and give His life as a ransom for many.

Be a servant, and you shall be exalted...will you strive for that kind of greatness???

Let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Unto Thee, O Lord...

Sunday evening, we sang the chorus "Unto Thee, O Lord" as one of our opening worship songs. It has been in my head ever since, and I thought it wold be a good place to start in the passage this morning.

Psalm 25:1-5..."Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. (2) O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. (3) Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. (4) Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. (5) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

This passage is a prayer from David, giving himself fully to God, and asking God for boldness and strength. He asks for God to let him not be ashamed and for protection against his enemies. Do you ask for God's strength to cover you when you are going through troubled times? Do you place your trust in Him alone?

Here David shows us to let go of our selfish desires and ask for God's hand to lead. He also asks for others to not be ashamed while they wait upon the Lord. I believe he is speaking of not only those in biblical times, but also the future, which is us...and he even asks for shame upon those who sin without reason, just to sin. Do you ask to feel guilt or shame when you sin??? I don't know about you, but it comes without asking in my life. I think David's prayer is still reaching me today!!!

Next, we find a passage that many of us have said...show me your ways and teach me your path...sometimes, we say it so much that it is just stated without meaning, but when we put ourselves into it God can show us great and mighty things...

And finally, we need to ask for God's leading and teachings DAILY, because He is the God of our salvation and we should wait on Him all the day...

Lift your soul to Him today...trust in Him...do not be ashamed...He will protect you from your enemies...ask for His guidance...and teaching...and wait upon Him...He will guide you in the way that you should walk...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer i can word on your behalf today...

Don't grow weary...

Hebrews 12:1-3..."Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

I believe this passage can be a refuge for a weary, worn-out Christian who is at their wit's end...We can be comforted by knowing there are others around us who are withstanding the same temptations and trials we face daily. Christian love also means to have compassion one for another...a part of that is reaching out and being there to help. If we've been there, that is a part of our testimony to share.

We also need to get away from the sins that are our personal weaknesses...whatever it may be, get as far from as possible. I have learned that to be recovered from our sins, we must avoid the opportunity to fall back into them.

Looking to Jesus gives us hope in the "down-and-out" times we struggle through. So many times, we are looking at others who aren't struggling when we throw our greatest pity parties...but if our eyes are focused on the cross, our troubles will pale in comparison. Consider what He went through for you!!! And it was because of you and me that He suffered and died on the cross...so a little strife here below starts to lose its sting a bit doesn't it?

Realize you're not in this alone...others face trials...we all have sins we struggle with...avoid them...keep your eyes on Jesus...and you will avoid weariness of mind and body!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...