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This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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We can debate whether postings on social media are a true sampling of the human psyche, but perhaps they give us an insight into what is important to people.  What’s important…people talk about.  What they think is valuable…they share.

Here’s just a few examples I noticed this evening with a short scroll through Facebook:

• A family announcing the birth of their child and the grandparents-to-be excitedly sharing the news on their feed.
• An individual who had started a successful handyman business, sharing his method to gain good customers and make a good income.
• An individual celebrating a birthday and sharing all the things for which she is thankful as she starts a new year.

We share what is important.  We share what we love.  We share what we are excited about. 

So what about our faith?

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:13 “It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.”  

The reality that drove the Apostle Paul to speak about Jesus to everyone and anyone who would listen was his deep love for the faith that God had given to him.  If he didn’t believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again for HIM, he would have not become the greatest first century missionary he was.  How do we know?  Because before God changed his mind and heart, he was a vocal advocate AGAINST Jesus.  He loved persecuting Christians and speaking against Christ.  Why?  Because he felt it was important and he loved his Pharisee way of life.

We speak about what we love, whether we love Jesus or we love something else.  We will speak about what we love.

So, perhaps here’s a consideration:

If I am having troubles or fears about speaking about Jesus, perhaps I need, not a course in witnessing (although that could be helpful), but a reconnection to the deep love that Jesus has for me and the significant sacrifice he made for me.  As I fall deeper in love with all Jesus has done for me, speaking about it may just become easier and easier.

So, what things do you love about your faith and the basis of that faith in Jesus?  Here’s a few that come to mind for me.

• I love that my identity, value and worth are not based on any human’s opinion, but solely on my heavenly Father’s perspective and the actions of Jesus that died for me…showing how valuable I am to him.
• I love that when death comes, heaven is my home.  I don’t have to fear death, rather I can embrace it and look forward to.
• I love that God has given me his Word of truth to have an objective foundation for not just faith, but for every aspect of life.

The interesting thing is this: These are the topics I probably find myself speaking of. I want people to love Jesus for the same reasons I do.

So take some time today and list at least five reasons that you love Jesus and your heavenly Father.  If someone brought up these topics, would you find it easier to share?  I bet you would!

 

Apply: Do take some time today and simply finish this sentence: “The reason I love God so much is…”

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for giving me so many reasons to love you.  Help me always love you so much that I have no other option but to share you with others! AMEN

This week’s devotions are based on Week 5 of “I Love My Church…Love by Sharing!” (WATCH HERE)

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^{Philippians 1:7} It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

You have to learn to share!

Growing up we are naturally very good at keeping things to ourselves.  We love to have a fist that is clenched on a toy and when a sibling or friend tries to take it we yell, “No! Mine!” 

Have you ever wondered where this comes from?  It certainly screams evidence of a sinful, selfish nature that loves to keep things for myself.  Perhaps secular psychologists might say it is the survival instinct that leads us to keep for ourselves what we feel is important to our survival.  We fear not having enough.

The point is this.  We need to learn to share.  It doesn’t come naturally.

But I’m not just talking about material things, but the thing that matters most:

Jesus.

That shouldn’t be hard to share, should it?

But kind of it is.  We LOVE that Jesus has come to us and WE have the personal assurance of forgiveness.  We are the recipients of God’s grace and we have the hope and promise of eternal life.

That shouldn’t be hard to share, should it?

But it is.

Why is sharing Jesus hard for you?

Here’s some things that make it hard for me…yes, even as a pastor, I have struggles.  So I’m continuing to learn and grow to share myself.

Fear is always a component.  Fear of how a person will react.  Fear of an objection they may raise.  Fear that the person would be offended.  Fear of saying the wrong thing.  What fears do you have?

Laziness creeps in easily.  I have better things to do.  I don’t have time for an involved conversation.  I don’t want to take the time to build a relationship with an unbeliever, it’s a lot of work and who knows if it will matter anyway.

Apathy keeps me sidelined.  The person won’t listen anyway.  Will Jesus really make a difference in their life?  They are so opposed to Christianity, I don’t think it will matter at all.  Perhaps apathy also shows up because I have been a Christian all my life and the impact is not “felt” as much as one who comes to know Jesus later in life.  It maybe isn’t all that exciting at times.

No unChristians in my circle of relationships. Statistically, when a person comes to know Jesus within 2-3 years their relationships change to believers.  What about over 50 years…it takes intentional effort to build a relationship with an unchurched/unbelieving person.  That, honestly, is not always easy.

There are lots of excuses I can come up with for not sharing Jesus and just keeping him to myself.  I repent of them.  All of them are just as ridiculous as a 2-year old holding a toy and screaming, “Mine!”  So forgive me Jesus for just keeping you to myself and Spirit of God overcome my fear, laziness, and apathy and restore in me the joy of God’s salvation and the desire to share it anytime I can.  

 

Apply: Who do you know needs Jesus?  Pray for an opportunity to share with them.  If you don’t know anyone, simply pray for an opportunity today to share your faith with someone else.

Prayer: Lord forgive me when I make excuses for not sharing your love and grace.  Fill and empower me with your grace so my fists open and my heart and lips are excited and ready to share you love with someone today!  AMEN.

Happy Labor Day…here’s a quick history…

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Coming out of the industrial revolution of the 1800’s workers advocated for rights and working conditions that were safer and more favorable to the worker.  The tradition of pausing from “labor” on Labor Day continues to this day as a national holiday.  So enjoy your day off…if you have one! 

Perhaps the greatest thing you are celebrating today is NOT having to go to work.  Mondays can be the challenging start to another work week after a relaxing weekend.  Maybe you love getting to work on Monday…perhaps not.  Labor Day reminds me that work is a gift that God has given.  From the beginning of time, work was not a necessary evil, but a grateful stewardship of what God has given.

Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 

We all enjoy a day off and we need to.  God himself rested on the seventh day.  Yet work is a blessing not only because God entrusted us with work, but he also expects us to work as we are able. Work is a primary way that God provides for us and our families. 

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Finally our work can be a great witness opportunity.  People notice how you show up and your work.  People sense your spirit and attitude about your work. People can see if your work is done well or just enough to get by.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of working hard while the boss is looking, but slacking when he or she isn’t.  As God’s people we get the chance in our workplace to create conversations around work well done.  When people notice and give recognition, it’s an opportunity to direct the praise to your Father in heaven who gave you the abilities, the mindset and the desire to bring glory to him and add value to the people you serve.

Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

So enjoy your Labor Day!  Pause to thank God for the gift of work, what he provides through your work and the opportunities you have to glorify him in your work!

 

Apply: What perspective change would be helpful in your work to show up each day as a child of God ready to do your best and bring glory to God through your work?  What blessings has God given to you through your work?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the blessing of work and the ability to use what you have given to me to glorify you, add value to people, and support my family.  All these are a blessing from you.  AMEN!

This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s Message: I Love my church…Love in Giving (WATCH HERE).

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“All the church wants is my money.”

This “common” claim is one I honestly don’t fully understand or know where and why this stereotype has caught on.  I suppose I do know when you used to “buy” your pew in church for your family and the more you paid, the more prominent position you got.  I have heard of churches asking their members for their annual income and then “billing” their parishioners for a percentage of their income.  TV preachers often make prominent the call for donations with the incentive of a book or other gift. There have been times in my ministry where our expenses were exceeding the gifts of God’s people and so an appeal went out to encourage additional gifts. So I guess I can understand why some feel that way.

And to be honest, I am guilty of not always communicating the gift of giving very well either.  So let’s try this morning.

Giving is my response to what God has given to me in Jesus.

I am not giving to a budget.  I am not giving out of obligation.  I am not giving to gain God’s goodness.  I am giving generously because God has given generously to me.

Giving is my privilege to steward a small portion of God’s creation.  

When I recognize that the “earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” I start asking a different question.  Instead of asking, “What do I want to do with MY money?”, I ask, “Lord what do YOU want me to do with YOUR money?”  This changes the perspective of what I have.  I recognize I am just to be a faithful steward of those gifts.

Giving is my way to honor the Lord.

Giving touches on many aspects of our faith.  By giving to God first in my monthly budget, I am trusting that God will take care of all my needs.  By giving to God generously, I mirror the generosity which I have been given. When I give to the Lord first it is an expression that the love of God is priority in my heart over love of wealth.  Even King Solomon, who was entrusted with great wealth, recognized this truth.  

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Giving is guided by the Lord’s Word.

Perhaps we wonder “what” or “how much” should I give.  Bottom line the amount is what your heart can give cheerfully.  

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

If your heart is looking for guidance, decide on a percentage of your income to set aside.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

If you’re looking for a suggested percentage, consider the tithe or 10%…it’s biblical and easy to figure out! 

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Yes, your local church receives this gift and your church then stewards those gifts for the kingdom ministry which God is leading you to carry out.  The Church is about Jesus.  The Church is about the Gospel.  By your generous giving, the Church can carry out its mission to bring Jesus to people and by your generous giving, you honor the Lord!

 

Apply: Evaluate the percentage you are giving to the Lord through your local church.  Is this percentage generous? Given cheerfully? Honoring the Lord?

Prayer: Lord forgive me for stinginess of heart and lack of giving.  Encourage and empower me by your Spirit to give generously to honor you and be a blessing to your Church.  AMEN.

This week’s devotions are based on Sunday’s Message: I Love my church…Love in Giving (WATCH HERE).

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Do you love God?

Just like yesterday’s question, “Do you love money?” elicits a quick “NO,” so this question will elicit a quick, “Of course!”

Great!  Every Christian will love God.  The challenge is winning the battle against our sinful nature that wants to love money.  By God’s grace and the Spirit’s power, we can overcome and the love of God will grow in its priority and prominence in our life.

But what does loving God look like when it is priority over money?

First we live in gratitude and thanksgiving.

All of our Christian life is lived in response to the love that God has shown to us.  God is the one who first gave to us:  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The gift of God is what engenders our heart to love God and to live for him in every aspect of life.  Our Christian living is a simple response to the life God has given for us and to us.  Giving and generosity are no different.  God gave.  We give.

Second when we love God, it shows up with contentment.

When we realize that everything in the world is the Lord’s and he has entrusted a portion of that to us, we realize that God is the perfect giver and has given us what we need for today.  When we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us today our daily bread” is really a prayer for contentment as well.  Our western culture struggles with materialism.  Every marketer is taught to make the viewer discontent with some aspect of life.  We can buy things at a click of a button and walk into stores just to see if there is something else we “need.”  So when I can see the advertisement, walk out of a store only buying things I truly need or visiting Amazon sparsely is indication we are content with what we have been given.  Contentment does not mean we are lazy, it means our heart is at peace with what we have.  It is free from fear and worry and full of trust that the Lord loves me and will continue to provide for me. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Third, we live in generosity.

A heart that is filled with the love of God lives in grateful response to the gift that God has given to me. The Apostle Paul highlights the Macedonian churches and their generosity.  They pleaded to give.  THey didn’t use poverty or persecution as an excuse not to give.  They were going through challenging times, but the joy in their heart welled up into rich generosity.  We can learn from them!  This is what happens when the love of God overflows from our heart into generosity. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints…. 7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 

When the love of God fills your heart, it shows in many and varied ways.  These are just a few ways the heart responds…enjoy many more ways that the generosity of God drives your generosity!

 

Apply: How has the love of God flowed from your heart? How might your heart be filled with thanksgiving, contentment and generosity?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me your best.  Forgive me for shallow thankfulness and fill my heart with thankfulness and generosity.  AMEN.