Feast On This

March 14 2016
Scripture: Luke 14:13-14 (ESV)

Feast On This!

"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the Resurrection of the Just."

Jesus was invited to a party where we find him 'changing the rules of the game' once again. He states that when you give a feast don't invite your friends, relatives, or rich neighbors, for they may pay you back by inviting you in return. This no longer is a generous giving, but borrowing, because the expectation is "if I do something nice to you, you should do something nice to me to return the favor". 

But true giving is not expecting even a penny back in this life; for the eternal repayment is found in the Father's pleasure at the End of the Age. So Jesus is saying to be generous in this way, it would be easier to invite those who couldn't repay you even if they wanted to. Then you will be blessed because you followed the heart of Jesus' instruction when He said, "as you did to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to Me" (Mat 25:40). 

If I want to know the true joys of giving, I must decide for myself to give, expecting nothing, not even a "thank you". It will not be for my gain, but for theirs. If Jesus was willing to give everything, even His life, what would I be willing to give to those He died for? My resources? My time? My "youth pastor shuddle services"? I must give to those that cannot give back, for Jesus did the exact same thing on the cross by giving Himself when there was no other way for us to repay our debts. 

"Lord Jesus, thank You for throwing Your "heavenly party" and inviting me to join in, when there was no way I could repay You for what You paid to make it happen. Help me to model my giving after You and to find the joy and blessing of serving the least, the poor, the blind, the lame, and crippled. Let me not seek any earthly reward but cling to the eternal reward that You will give during the Resurrection of the Just. Take me and use all I have for Your glory. Amen."

A Heartfelt Count & Recount

March 9th 2016
Scripture Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV)

A Heartfelt Count & Recount

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High."

An attitude of gratitude seems more and more lacking in American culture today. The primary message in the market is not, "I'm so happy for all I have," but rather, "There is no way I'll be happy till I have all." How is this "Me" mentality battled? King David in this psalm highlights two words four times; "I will". For David and the rest of us, thankfulness doesn't come naturally, "I am thankful", but it comes by a choice, "I will be thankful". When counting  and recounting all you're grateful for becomes a habit of choice, you will find that list of thankfulness growing more and more. 

Choosing to be grateful for what I have requires me to say, "Thank You" to God by counting and recounting all His wonderful deeds. Try writing a list of twenty-five things you are grateful for right now. This may be a little stretching (it was for me). Read them aloud and choose to be glad and give praise to the Name of the Most High. Reread that list tomorrow and add any more that comes to mind.

"Lord Jesus, thank you so much for my family and the Joys of Life. Help me to become a more grateful person and to give You the praise You deserve. Again, thank you!"

Here's my list, lets here yours!

Thank you God for...

1 A godly wife

2 A loving family

3 A calling to Ministry

4 Giving me confidence

5 Providing time and time again

6 Deepening my heart with love

7 Music and praise

8 Forgiveness

9 A bed to sleep in

10 A healthy body

11 More than enough food

12 Heat in the winter

13 A purpose for my life

14 The joy of laughter

15 A community of believers

16 Accountability partners

17 Protection thus far

18 The warmth of sunshine

19 The World to explore

20 Always something to learn

21 World Wide Communication

22 Clean water 24/7

23 A simple cup of coffee

24 Great mentors in my life

25 A working car

26 Giving me courage (Joshua 1:9)

27 Religious freedom

28 The joy of camping outdoors

29 My Martin guitar

30 That You call me "son"

31 The Holy Spirit's guidance 

32 That the Best is yet to come

33 Above all else Jesus!