“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you- see that you excel in this act of grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Look at the words of generosity or abundance in these verses:

Vs. 1 ABUNDANCE of joy
Vs. 2 OVERFLOWED in a WEALTH of GENEROSITY
Vs. 3 BEYOND their means
Vs. 4 BEGGING us EARNESTLY
Vs. 7 EXCEL in everything
Vs. 8 EXCEL in this act of grace

The principle of generosity is not having a stingy heart that only wants to, or perhaps is willing to, do just enough to get by.

Paul’s words, inspired by God, chosen to communicate the heart of the Macedonian church, express not just a willingness to give but an eagerness to give, so much so, that they begged earnestly for the FAVOR to give, to take part in the relief of the saints.

Generosity goes beyond just finances- at the root it is an attitude of the heart that is evidenced in every area of life.

Do I have a generous heart? Am I eager to give? Do I look for ways to give and do beyond my means?

Diane

“How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.”
Psalm 104:24-35

Recently I was in Cape Cod on vacation and was able to go out on a Whale Watch. It wasn’t my first trip out, and probably won’t be my last time to go whale watching. I was again not disappointed as the whales played and waved their tails at us like they were showing off. This time as we were coming up on different whales the guide would begin to name it or them. I looked at the lady next to me and almost in unison we said… “How do they know their names?” As if the guide heard us he then preceded to tell us that whales are most commonly identified by their tails (the coloration of the ventral surface of their flukes). You see, whales have different tail patterns ranging from all white to all black. A whale’s tail patterns are like human fingerprints – no whale has the exact same pattern, just like no human has the exact same fingerprint as another human. Each one is unique to the individual. All I could think of as I listened and observed each whale I was taking pictures of was – that’s just like our God that created them! How can you not believe in a God when we learn that even non-humans were each created different and unique? In Genesis we learn the animals were named… I figure that meant – that’s a whale, that’s a raccoon, that’s a deer, etc… but now, I’m thinking they were actually named. Creation screams there is a GOD!

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

If God took so much effort to make whales different and know them by name… How exciting it is to know that that same God tells me that He knows me by name. There is nothing that escapes God’s knowledge and ability to pick me out from the rest. God doesn’t miss what is going on in my life… I am clearly identified by Him, my Creator. That is the kind of God I have looking out for me. My Creator has given me an identity from all others. Not just whales, but Humans… we are each fearfully and wonderfully made. That is the same God who is looking out and watching over you.

Scientists can follow whales as they migrate and swim the vast seas. God watches over us no matter where we are or what is going on in our lives. Because He made us, designed us, and marked us… there is no place where we are hidden from Him. I don’t know about you, but to me that is fantastic news and news that allows me to rest in Him. I am never alone…

“If I take the wings of the dawn, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall guide me.”
Psalm 139:9-10.

Lynne Jahns

Here I am, sitting in the hospital – waiting to be called to the OR for a heart catheterization. Nervous? Sure, some.

This morning when I awoke around 4 am I was praying and recalling Scripture. One of my favorites in times like this is Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

It occurred to me as I prayed, before drifting back to sleep, that perfect peace sounded pretty good (and even more so as I sit here waiting) – but as Scripture says, my mind needs to be stayed on the Lord – but I realized, in my own strength, I can’t even do that.

So the Lord showed me again, apart from Christ I can do NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

So in my prayer I began thanking God for His peace and asking Christ to live His life through me today to keep my mind stayed on God – by faith I believe Jesus is doing that.

Diane

I recently received some unexpected news that I had what appeared to be a partial blockage in one of my main arteries – a week later I was being scheduled for a heart catheterization, which I think any one of us would rather pass on.

I received a phone call from a friend who had recently undergone hernia surgery. She anticipated anxiety which she had struggled with historically, but had none. She made a statement that I was already agreeing with even as she said it – “It’s like God takes us through these things and each time says, ‘Just give Me a little more…’.”

That was exactly what I was feeling and thinking. Each time we go through a trial we have a little more faith, a little more trust.

Life experience with Jesus grows us, sanctifies us. Each time we give Him (or rather He gives us) just a little bit more.

Diane

In a culture of instant gratification, we are not apt to willingly accept suffering. In fact, in many ways we would do “just about anything” (legal and moral) to avoid or get out of suffering.

But can suffering be good?

Yes –

Recently, reading through “The Complete Green Letters” by Miles Stanford, I read this statement:”Christ suffered in the flesh – for us, was crucified for our sin. Therefore arm yourselves with the same purpose (suffer rather than to sin)…”

Every time we are faced with temptation we have a choice – choose sin (get what I want – with the appearance that I avoid suffering) OR choose obedience (yield what I want and suffer the loss of my own way).

In a sense, obedience, denying self, refusing the flesh – requires suffering – more or less depending on what I am surrendering.

Are we THAT committed to obedience? Are we willing to suffer the loss of our own desires rather than to sin to get what we want?

Are we willing to suffer rather than sin?

Diane

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6: 34

Are you a worrier? Do you find your mind meandering (or racing) ahead to the “what if’s” that may or may not lie ahead?

Various organizations purport to have coined the phrase, “one day at a time” but it really comes from the Bible. We would avoid a great deal of anxiety and worry if we refused to anticipate what the future might hold (most often we are wrong).

God told Paul that His grace was sufficient. “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strenght is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Why does it so often seem that it is not sufficient? Let me encourage you to memorize this statement: God’s grace is sufficient for my reality not my imagination!!!

If we are worrying about tomorrow, we’re on our own. Tomorrow is in our imagination until it becomes today. God’s grace is not in our imagination. As we walk through tomorrow when it becomes today, God’s grace floods our soul moment-by-moment, so it is vital in order to experience God’s grace that we stay in those moments one by one.

Practice staying present and be amazed at God’s abundant grace IN THE MOMENT.

Diane

“But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'” Matthew 16:23

Whew! How would you like to have been Peter at this point, rebuked by “the Christ, the Son of the living God” whom you just confessed moments earlier (Mt. 16:16), the one Christ just finished encouraging because God revealed Christ’s identity to him (Mt. 16:17)?

Can you see it? One minute Peter was feeling pretty good because he got it right and Jesus Himself pointed it out to everyone. Peter’s chest probably got just a little puffed up. The next minute – Peter probably deflated like a runaway balloon propelled by expelled air. This time he got it wrong because he was focused on the things of man, not of God.

Oh, how easy and natural it is for us to be focused on the things of (wo)man, losing sight of the things of God. Invariably, when we focus on God and seek His perspective in every situation we have more faith and peace. When we focus on the world, on things of (wo)man we will get bogged down with worry, anxiety, fear, confusion and, let’s face it…self.

Take a deep breath and ask God to give you the grace to see His perspective and rest there.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (NIV) Hebrews 12:2.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

Diane

Today I received an email from a friend who is a sister in the faith of our Savior King, Jesus. Her email letter was a response to one I’d sent to her asking how she was doing and wondering whether or not I’d offended her in some way. Her honest answer was, “Yes.” At some point in the past she had reached out to me and I had neglected to reach back.

I wish I could say this was the first time I’d ever done that; and I wish I could promise to make it my last. I really do! I wish I could keep things so perfectly straight in my head and life that no one I care for and love ever had to feel, think or believe I’d let them down by not being there. But, alas, I know I cannot.

I am guilty…of forgetting and neglecting my family and friends. I don’t know when it happened, or how and why I allowed myself to arrive in this place. When did my life get so full of busyness that the people who matter slipped from a place of importance and priority?

For sure, there are a number of things I could point to that would let me off the hook. But the truth is I don’t want to be. I own the fact that I allowed later to become much later or never. For that I am truly sorry.

Why do I bother you with this today? Well, it’s really simple. It’s to encourage you, not to let that be said of you. For most of you this may not even apply, but if it does, I implore you to make a change! Don’t allow your job or ministry to cause you to neglect family and friends. They matter too much.

The words to a popular song from 1971 written by Carol King titled, “You’ve Got a Friend” just came to mind. One of the lines says, “When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand…ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend?”1

My answer is, “yep, it sure is.” Nothing beats having a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Are you that friend?

Stephanie

1 http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/james+taylor/youve+got+a+friend_20069226.html

As we go through life it is easy to fall into a comfortable pattern or routine: devotions, work/school, dinner, TV/reading, bed, start over – Wednesday evening prayer service, Sunday church, week after week. We could feel pretty good about the regularity of our devotional/prayer life. But how intentional are we about all the time that happens in-between? Moment-by-moment we are afforded choices about what to do, what we think about, etc. We could go through our “Christian routine” all the while our heart and mind is grumbling about the woman at church who gets all the attention and accolades or we could be musing about our husband’s lack of attention. How intentional are we to live EVERY MOMENT IN CHRIST?

1 Corinthians 9:25-26 “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.”

Are you running towards the goal? Every single step? Are you “hitting” your target? Every “punch” you throw?Let’s chose to live in Christ with determined intentionality.

Diane

This year’s BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won’t want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America’s KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

Why do I repent of the same thing over and over again? It is easy to repent if I am only saying I am sorry that I got caught doing something, saying something or acting in some manner that offends God. But true repentance includes obedience.

Kathy Howard writes in BEFORE HIS THRONE of a time that she had found herself in an area she had never driven before. She realized she was heading in the wrong direction and had to exit the highway, go under it, turn around and start driving the right way. Something had to be done in order to go in the right direction again. In Malachi 3:6-10 God calls for repentance with complete obedience. Kathy Howard also says this: “When we are in sin, God calls us to stop heading in the wrong direction. But stopping is not enough. He also calls us to turn around and head in the right direction. He wants us to follow Him in obedience.”

Our obedience, or lack thereof, reveals a number of things. Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind? Do I have any other gods before God? Have I lost the fear of the Lord? What do I really believe about who God is and what He says? What is my attitude toward sin and following Jesus completely? God reveals our sin so that we can repent but we must add to repentance obedience or we will go ’round and ’round and never get headed in the right direction.

In Malachi 3:12 God tells the people that their obedience will bring about blessings. But the blessing isn’t for them alone. Others (nations) will notice their obedience and will testify of the goodness of God. What an opportunity we have to share the goodness of God with others through obedience. Our obedience to God from a proper heart attitude speaks volumes to those around us. Take a glance in the rearview mirror. Is anyone following Jesus because you have been faithful to obey Him? By the way, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing numerous times but hoping for different results.

Are you and I ready to turn around and head in the right direction?

Kathy Withers

This year’s BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won’t want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America’s KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.