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Generosity

December 3, 2012

2 Corinthians 8:2 "…how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless joy even amid their deep poverty has overflowed to increase their generous liberality."  NIV
"The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts."  The Message

            I confess, I’m rarely happy in a time of trial. Yet Paul writes of the church in the Macedonia province and how the people’s true colors came through in their time of pressure and trouble. Instead of going inward and lamenting their sad state, they "pleaded for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians".  Their joy even amid deep poverty overflowed to increase their generosity. How did they do that, how did they draw upon such a spirit that witnessed to their love of Jesus by giving more than they could even afford?

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Kick Start: Living Life Full Throttle

November 30, 2012

“People facing the end of their lives are forced to recognize their powerlessness and limitations. The weaker they get, the more they have to depend on others to take care of them. At the end of the day, they know that much of their lives is out of their control. Ultimately, they’re forced to turn to God. The ironic thing is that when they finally stop struggling and rely on His strength, they discover real power to live the rest of their lives to the fullest.

You have the same limitless power available to you each and every day. Do you feel like you’ve been pushing a motocross bike around a rugged track? With a powerful engine, all you have to do is kick-start it and tap into God’s power for your life. In Ephesians, Paul says, ‘I pray that [ … ]

Relationships from “Yes”

November 29, 2012

“No one can meet my needs but Christ. To ask my wife or anyone else to meet them is to ask people to do what only God can do. If we lived according to this truth, how would it transform our understanding of relationships? Relationships are transformed for the better when we love without expecting anything in return. We don’t have to manipulate the other person to get our needs met. We can let them be who they are. We can celebrate with their successes and grieve with their losses without jealousy or possessiveness. Out of the overflow of his own life, Jesus loved the people he encountered. Because he is complete in himself, he can extend himself even when his love isn’t returned.”

Excerpted from The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn Daily Reflection: How can you show your [ … ]

The New Earth

November 28, 2012

In Deception, Clarence’s father Obadiah (son of a southern sharecropper) and mother Ruby watch through Heaven’s portals, and converse with their best Friend about what they see and hear:

“Ain’t it strange what these folks think?” Obadiah Abernathy asked.

The Carpenter nodded. “They cling to youth and health with a white-knuckled grip. But they don’t take time to prepare themselves for what awaits them on the other side.”

Obadiah nodded. “The one who spends his life movin’ away from his treasures is goin’ to despair. But the one who spends his life movin’ toward his treasures is goin’ to rejoice!”

 “Looking back,” Ruby said, “I wonder why I was so afraid to grow old. Every day brought me one day closer to being here with You.”

“Elyon’s Word tells us to look forward to a new heaven and a new [ … ]

God’s Blessings

November 23, 2012

It is vital that we recognize and express our daily appreciation to God for the overwhelming blessings He provides to us. Anyone who seriously considers the opportunities and financial resources available to North American and European Christians in comparison to the billions who live in less-developed, less-prosperous countries will acknowledge that we are blessed.

When we consider our blessings compared to virtually all those who lived in past centuries, we must acknowledge that we are truly blessed to live in this era. Our access to healthcare, medicine, sanitation, clean water, and economic opportunities are unmatched in past centuries and in most parts of the world today.

The Word of God affirms that it is God’s blessing that provides the gift of wealth: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power [ … ]

Happiness

November 22, 2012

It’s impossible to be grateful and unhappy at the same moment in time. Any moment, hour, day, or week that you are unhappy, you have chosen to let your focus rest on something other than the gifts you have been given. Let your unhappiness serve as an alarm to redirect your focus and energy. If you want to increase your happiness, follow Solomon’s example: Make a list of all the things that you should be grateful for. Then, every time you notice unhappiness creeping into your thoughts, redirect your focus to those wonderful gifts.

Excerpted from The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott

Daily Reflection: What are things on your list that you are grateful for?

Heaven

November 20, 2012

When I [Randy Alcorn] explained the premise of my book Heaven, my friend looked at me, incredulous. I rephrased my explanation using different Scriptures and illustrations and suddenly the light went on. He said, “I’ve never thought this way before. I don’t think many people have.”

Unfortunately, he’s right. Few have thought long and carefully about where they will spend eternity, and those who have given any thought at all to it often have notions that are popular in our culture but lack any biblical basis.

In this excerpt from Deception, Ollie looks to Jake and Clarence for a reason to anticipate Heaven:

“Why would anyone want to go to heaven? When my grandmother spoke about heaven, it was the last place I wanted to go. Who wants to be a ghost anyway? My idea of utopia was a place [ … ]

Just Like Your Father

November 19, 2012

The woman asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. “Oh yes!” he replied. “I cannot take my eyes off the silver. If it is left in the furnace even a moment too long, it will be destroyed.” The woman suddenly understood the beauty and comfort of Malachi 3:3: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

Yes, there are times when it seems as if we will be swallowed whole by the fires of hell itself. The pain seems too hard to bear. The fear is paralyzing. The doubt is overwhelming and the questions flood our hearts and minds…

Our trials are not random persecutions. Heaven is not in a panic. Where we are and what we are going through [ … ]

Following His Example

November 16, 2012

Genuine forgiveness does not depend upon another’s response. It is based on truth—the truth that Christ has forgiven us. Whether others respond well to our desire for reconciliation—or completely reject it—is irrelevant. What is relevant is that we choose to be obedient and follow the example of our Lord.

Excerpted from Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder

Daily Reflection: How will you choose to be obedient and follow His example?

Free Choice

November 15, 2012

Romans 8:28 promises that God will work everything together for good for those who love Him and keep His commands. It’s not easy to understand how God can take the results of evil choices and create good. In this conversation from Deception, Jake and Clarence challenge Ollie’s desire for both freedom to choose and freedom from evil’s consequences:

“You believe in free choice?” Jake asked.
“Yeah.”
“Doesn’t free choice demand the freedom to choose evil?”
“Not if it causes this much suffering.”
“How much suffering is acceptable? Can you have real choices without consequences, both good and bad?”
I [Ollie] shrugged.
“Isn’t it inconsistent,” Clarence piped in, “to say it’s good for God to give us free choice, but then say He shouldn’t allow evil consequences from evil choices?”
“You can’t have [ … ]