As I sit down to write my August newsletter, I am struck with the fact that within the past 48 hours my inbox seems to fill with testimonies of His Grace. In the life of my sister, purified, who now finds pure joy to have gone through the painful laceration of divorce as it brought her closer to Him, or a friend in a field of repentance as she literally is surrounded by the rice fields stuck in a remote area in the Philippines, faced with her idolatry and pride, now rejoices. This world is filled with sorrow, yet a believer is always rejoicing. I think about that again. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing… (Ps 71:20)
My thoughts then go to Minneapolis, MN with the collapse of Interstate 35 Bridge over the Mississippi River and the acute shock that has hit the Twin Cities. A cause for another email that pops into my inbox spoken from a Minnesotan working a mile away from the bridge to impart an interpretation of the disaster that comes from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God. He states something worse than the collapse of the 35W Bridge, is that ALL have sinned and deserve death. His interpretation of the collapse of this bridge is that “he is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever”. (Rom 6:23a)
God is our sustainer from birth. He gives and takes away. We are all dependent on his mercy- if the sun endures, if rain shall come, if our abundance of food is sustained. Are we prepared against the enemy of this world- death? There is a hope for the forgiveness of sins, a hope for eternal life.(Rom. 6:23b) As my two sisters in the Lord sing praises to Him (2 Cor. 7:10), they are living testimony of God’s mercy (2 Peter 3:9); now living, we have time to turn from sin, unbelief, and eternal destruction. (Rom. 2:4) We may be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. (2 Cor. 6:10)
Tomorrow, I will go see the Bourne Ultimatum with my brother for his 36th birthday. Ironically, I am homonymly reminded (there’s got to be an adverbial form of homonym) in the movie title that we are all Born with an Ultimatum: to believe or not to believe, a final decision to make with penalties to ensue. He saves all who trust in Him.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Family Camp
“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
How you can get involved
If you'd like to begin giving, you may follow this link: http://efca.org/giving
Please include my ID with your donations: #1514. Checks are payable to EFCA and donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for your support!
How you can get involved
Prayer
"Until we know that life is war we will not know what prayer is for." - John Piper
For a good sermon, said better than I could, check out DesiringGod.org for Prayer: The Work of Missions.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Because of Him
God has captured my heart. From the early days in Pioneer Girls at NorthCreek Church memorizing Ps.119 through song and sign language, the high school trips to Mexicali, and the cross-cultural experiences during college in Europe, Central and East Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Central America, I realized how much God loves the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
In the summer of 2005 in Kenya, the Holy Spirit convicted me of how often I compare my budget and lifestyle with those of my affluent neighbors but do not compare myself to the poorest one-half of the world’s people. I was challenged to give of my time, knowledge, and money seeing the current condition of the world and knowing God's view that “whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17) Everything is God’s. He gives and He takes away. I have never been so grateful for the many blessings I have. The most difficult part is the reconciliation of the knowledge I have and the actions I need to take.
Just a year ago, I was contemplating another short term summer opportunity with the church, yet I was extremely unsettled. My spirit within me said, “Another short term?!” At the direction of the Holy Spirit and outside counsel, I decided to stay and prayerfully consider what that meant. Within days, doors began to open with many unique opportunities. I was reminded that the harvest is plentiful and yet the workers are few. I had committed myself to stay till October of last year with my current employer to finish the coordination of our annual charity golf tournament. The local beneficiary, Capernaum Young Life Diablo Valley, was an organization dear to my roommate, and so also dear to me. In June, I was able to take a week off, to assist with EFCA’s Crisis Response Team in New Orleans, LA, and was moved even more to find a place where my skills and passion could be combined to serve God.
In October, NorthCreek Church’s former high school youth pastor, Doug Stolhand contacted me and shared what he has been doing, launching the program LIVEº (pronounced Live to the Power of Nothing or Live Zero). It was developed in 2006 as a vehicle for Christ’s followers to live out compassion among the underserved in the most overlooked places in the world. Infected in Sudan, homeless in Sarajevo, hungry in Manila, there are places in the world where hope is almost non-existent. How can we change that? Military power? Political power? Economic power? God’s plan to fix the world is through the unique power revealed in the life of Jesus Christ. How did Jesus live? He made himself nothing. Phil 2:7 He reached out to the poor, the outcast, the sick, the sinner. He allowed Himself to be subjected to ridicule, hunger, betrayal, death. He became nothing so a broken world could be healed, restored, repaired, renewed. Nothing saved everything. LIVEº teams live simply among those they serve for a period of 2 years. During that time, they partner with missionaries and relief organizations, striving to display the power of God in tangible ways to the hurting, the sick, and the poor in their communities. LIVEº is part of ReachGlobal’s (Evangelical Free Church of America, International Mission) outreach to multiply healthy churches.
Doug asked me to think and pray about joining the team being the office support staff in Minneapolis, Minnesota- like what I do now at Summit Financial Group, a financial planning office, in San Ramon. I have completed ReachGlobal’s Evaluation Training and received the approval from our Global Outreach Team to serve on LIVEº staff. I am extremely grateful for the many blessings I have and for this opportunity to use my skills, gifting, and passion for God’s Glory.
It is a daily struggle to not succumb to worldly ‘common sense’, but to be recklessly abandoned to HIM. “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (2 Cor. 5:15) Today, that means leaving family, friends, a great job, and sunny California weather; but I must not ask at what cost? But for what privilege do I owe this honor? For I know tomorrow may hold the eternal kingdom where I will kneel before the one true God.
check out http://www.goreachglobal.org/ and http://www.powerofnothing.org/
In the summer of 2005 in Kenya, the Holy Spirit convicted me of how often I compare my budget and lifestyle with those of my affluent neighbors but do not compare myself to the poorest one-half of the world’s people. I was challenged to give of my time, knowledge, and money seeing the current condition of the world and knowing God's view that “whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17) Everything is God’s. He gives and He takes away. I have never been so grateful for the many blessings I have. The most difficult part is the reconciliation of the knowledge I have and the actions I need to take.
Just a year ago, I was contemplating another short term summer opportunity with the church, yet I was extremely unsettled. My spirit within me said, “Another short term?!” At the direction of the Holy Spirit and outside counsel, I decided to stay and prayerfully consider what that meant. Within days, doors began to open with many unique opportunities. I was reminded that the harvest is plentiful and yet the workers are few. I had committed myself to stay till October of last year with my current employer to finish the coordination of our annual charity golf tournament. The local beneficiary, Capernaum Young Life Diablo Valley, was an organization dear to my roommate, and so also dear to me. In June, I was able to take a week off, to assist with EFCA’s Crisis Response Team in New Orleans, LA, and was moved even more to find a place where my skills and passion could be combined to serve God.
In October, NorthCreek Church’s former high school youth pastor, Doug Stolhand contacted me and shared what he has been doing, launching the program LIVEº (pronounced Live to the Power of Nothing or Live Zero). It was developed in 2006 as a vehicle for Christ’s followers to live out compassion among the underserved in the most overlooked places in the world. Infected in Sudan, homeless in Sarajevo, hungry in Manila, there are places in the world where hope is almost non-existent. How can we change that? Military power? Political power? Economic power? God’s plan to fix the world is through the unique power revealed in the life of Jesus Christ. How did Jesus live? He made himself nothing. Phil 2:7 He reached out to the poor, the outcast, the sick, the sinner. He allowed Himself to be subjected to ridicule, hunger, betrayal, death. He became nothing so a broken world could be healed, restored, repaired, renewed. Nothing saved everything. LIVEº teams live simply among those they serve for a period of 2 years. During that time, they partner with missionaries and relief organizations, striving to display the power of God in tangible ways to the hurting, the sick, and the poor in their communities. LIVEº is part of ReachGlobal’s (Evangelical Free Church of America, International Mission) outreach to multiply healthy churches.
Doug asked me to think and pray about joining the team being the office support staff in Minneapolis, Minnesota- like what I do now at Summit Financial Group, a financial planning office, in San Ramon. I have completed ReachGlobal’s Evaluation Training and received the approval from our Global Outreach Team to serve on LIVEº staff. I am extremely grateful for the many blessings I have and for this opportunity to use my skills, gifting, and passion for God’s Glory.
It is a daily struggle to not succumb to worldly ‘common sense’, but to be recklessly abandoned to HIM. “He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (2 Cor. 5:15) Today, that means leaving family, friends, a great job, and sunny California weather; but I must not ask at what cost? But for what privilege do I owe this honor? For I know tomorrow may hold the eternal kingdom where I will kneel before the one true God.
check out http://www.goreachglobal.org/ and http://www.powerofnothing.org/
Friday, June 08, 2007
the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep
L'Éternel est mon berger: je ne manquerai de rien. Il me fait reposer dans de verts pâturages, Il me dirige près des eaux paisibles. Il restaure mon âme, Il me conduit dans les sentiers de la justice, A cause de son nom. Quand je marche dans la vallée de l'ombre de la mort, Je ne crains aucun mal, car tu es avec moi: Ta houlette et ton bâton me rassurent. Tu dresses devant moi une table, En face de mes adversaires; Tu oins d'huile ma tête, Et ma coupe déborde. Oui, le bonheur et la grâce m'accompagneront Tous les jours de ma vie, Et j'habiterai dans la maison de l'Éternel Jusqu'à la fin de mes jours. Psaume 23
Monday, May 07, 2007
leaving Lacassie
What shall I miss most when I leave Lacassie #3?
Ah, first it will be the sticky summers, so hot I would sweat when I walked on inside.
A sure lack of respite as I walked through the door,
from the sun that shined, yes, even 5 hours before!
Would it be the sounds of the ocean from the murmur of cars with the crashing of waves from the hum of our BART?
And of course- not to forget! The Episcopal ringing and singing of bells!
if I slept in, I would never be late!
Because I’d always, be reminded at 8!
No joke! I will miss the summers, the sounds, and the seriously shorter commute! (Not to mention the generous availability of parking at Pres!)
But, more importantly, it would have to be, my roommate, Becki.
whom I could count on coming home late each night.
And who lived out Christ each day of her life.
Nothing says love more than the life of Jesus Christ.
Eph 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ah, first it will be the sticky summers, so hot I would sweat when I walked on inside.
A sure lack of respite as I walked through the door,
from the sun that shined, yes, even 5 hours before!
Would it be the sounds of the ocean from the murmur of cars with the crashing of waves from the hum of our BART?
And of course- not to forget! The Episcopal ringing and singing of bells!
if I slept in, I would never be late!
Because I’d always, be reminded at 8!
No joke! I will miss the summers, the sounds, and the seriously shorter commute! (Not to mention the generous availability of parking at Pres!)
But, more importantly, it would have to be, my roommate, Becki.
whom I could count on coming home late each night.
And who lived out Christ each day of her life.
Nothing says love more than the life of Jesus Christ.
Eph 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Smiling at the future
Shootings, floodings- All heartrending stories- particularly not knowing the status of all those souls. (Rev. 20:10; 2 Thes. 1, 2; Proverbs 31:25) Headings of local news and I could not help but laugh. Sounds insensitive to the pain and anguish of others, yet on contrary it is because I know that Satan has been defeated and it is only a matter of time before God’s glory is displayed for all eternity.
I pray that my feet will be firmly rooted in Him, that I would cling to Him, thus never wandering or running, but strengthened by abiding in Him, so as to face the things to come.
I pray that my feet will be firmly rooted in Him, that I would cling to Him, thus never wandering or running, but strengthened by abiding in Him, so as to face the things to come.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Idleness. No, but I said sick
She eats not the bread of idleness, v. 27
Savior, hear my humble cry.
“go home”, “take it easy”, “get some sleep”. All that I hear is not my excuse for idleness, as sickness seems to bring. The virtuous woman loves her business better than her ease or her pleasure… and has more true satisfaction in having given meat to her household and is not searching for praise- for Her own works will praise her.
A simple cold has shown my idleness.
Savior, hear my humble cry.
“go home”, “take it easy”, “get some sleep”. All that I hear is not my excuse for idleness, as sickness seems to bring. The virtuous woman loves her business better than her ease or her pleasure… and has more true satisfaction in having given meat to her household and is not searching for praise- for Her own works will praise her.
A simple cold has shown my idleness.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
The wallpaper of my life...
Isa 42:5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it, "I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness, I will hold You by the hand and watch over You..."
Isa 43:7 ...Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory...
Friday, March 30, 2007
Hallowed be Your Name
Hallow : transitive verb
1 : to make holy or set apart for holy use
2 : to respect greatly : venerate
Holy: Adjective
1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2 : divine
Venerate: transitive verb
1 : to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference
2 : to honor with a ritual act of devotion
1 : to make holy or set apart for holy use
2 : to respect greatly : venerate
Holy: Adjective
1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2 : divine
Venerate: transitive verb
1 : to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference
2 : to honor with a ritual act of devotion
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Falling in love…
Am I falling in love? Is it true?
The consuming thoughts I can’t get away from,
Having my breath taken away by your love,
Do you really love me that much?
The way you have displayed your love- it consumes me.
I am unaware of the boundaries.
I am caught up with you.
I am desiring more- I want to be continually pursued until I am no more.
To think I’ve been blind. All these years.
You were there wooing me.
With the same intensity from the beginning,
Yet where was I looking?
What was I doing that distracted me?
Looking back over time, now I see.
You knew I was yours before I even knew your name.
You knew what I had to go through before I’d respond.
You have whispered in my ear and now I shout with joy!
I am yours and You are mine for all eternity.
…with my Savior
The consuming thoughts I can’t get away from,
Having my breath taken away by your love,
Do you really love me that much?
The way you have displayed your love- it consumes me.
I am unaware of the boundaries.
I am caught up with you.
I am desiring more- I want to be continually pursued until I am no more.
To think I’ve been blind. All these years.
You were there wooing me.
With the same intensity from the beginning,
Yet where was I looking?
What was I doing that distracted me?
Looking back over time, now I see.
You knew I was yours before I even knew your name.
You knew what I had to go through before I’d respond.
You have whispered in my ear and now I shout with joy!
I am yours and You are mine for all eternity.
…with my Savior
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
ENGAGE REV/O
From January 21-27, 2007, I attended Evangelical Free Church of America International Mission's (EFCAIM or soon to be known as ReachGlobal) Engage-Readiness Evaluation Event/Orientation. The purpose of ENGAGE is to glorify God by assessing, coaching, and integrating healthy individuals into healthy teams throughout ReachGlobal in order to multiply healthy churches among all people. All of us potential missionary candidates were evaluated on our cross-cultural, spiritual, emotional and relational health. We also received training in these areas. Nine candidates were accepted as workers with ReachGlobal. This was the 3rd Readiness Evaluation Event since starting the new missionary induction process a year ago. ReachGlobal holds three per year, with the next ones scheduled for May and September. 
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
When I walk by the Spirit...
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor 12: 4-7
Called by God to live:
Hospitality
Knowledge
Evangelism
Defined:
Hospitality has the ability to meet the basic social needs of and to extend care to persons (strangers) beyond one's immediate circle of friends.
Knowledge has the capacity to cognitively comprehend the complexities of God's Truth and to explain these complexities to others.
Evangelism has the capacity to discern when and how the Gospel message should be communicated to persons outside the Christian community.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5: 22-25
Called by God to live:
Hospitality
Knowledge
Evangelism
Defined:
Hospitality has the ability to meet the basic social needs of and to extend care to persons (strangers) beyond one's immediate circle of friends.
Knowledge has the capacity to cognitively comprehend the complexities of God's Truth and to explain these complexities to others.
Evangelism has the capacity to discern when and how the Gospel message should be communicated to persons outside the Christian community.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Gal 5: 22-25
You wove me in my mother’s womb
INFP Temperament - Idealist Healer
Introversion
Intuitive
Feeling
Perceiving
E/I differentiates between social styles. Introverts tend to draw energy from private, solitary activities. S/I differentiates between types of focus. Strongly intuitive folks seem more at home in the abstract, conceptual world of ideas. The T/F assesses how people govern themselves and make decisions. Strong Feelers can be more easily swayed by emotions and tend to be more sympathetic. J/P measures how people process information. People high in Perception like to keep their options open, gathering information and looking for opportunities and exploring possibilities.
Ps 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
Introversion
Intuitive
Feeling
Perceiving
E/I differentiates between social styles. Introverts tend to draw energy from private, solitary activities. S/I differentiates between types of focus. Strongly intuitive folks seem more at home in the abstract, conceptual world of ideas. The T/F assesses how people govern themselves and make decisions. Strong Feelers can be more easily swayed by emotions and tend to be more sympathetic. J/P measures how people process information. People high in Perception like to keep their options open, gathering information and looking for opportunities and exploring possibilities.
Ps 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
StrengthsFinder
1. Adaptability- "go with the flow"/ "carpe diem"
2. Connectedness- reason and link between everything/ bridge builder
3. Ideation- ideas and connections woven together/ free thinker
4. Strategic- idea arranger/ask "what if"
5. Input- collector of ideas and information
4 of 5 are Thinking Strengths for working smarter (the first is Striving Strength for working harder)
Said another way:
1. enables me to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull me away from my plans... on some level, I actually look forward to them.
2. Everything happens for a reason or more succintly put: God is sovereign.
3. An idea is a new perspective and I actually receive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to me.
4. I see patterns in the clutter, questioning the next step and looking around the corner filtering through all the paths.
5. I am inquisitive and collector of facts. I acquire, compile, and file information because perhaps one day it will prove valuable!
Ah, but the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Ps 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. Ps 59:17 O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness. Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
2. Connectedness- reason and link between everything/ bridge builder
3. Ideation- ideas and connections woven together/ free thinker
4. Strategic- idea arranger/ask "what if"
5. Input- collector of ideas and information
4 of 5 are Thinking Strengths for working smarter (the first is Striving Strength for working harder)
Said another way:
1. enables me to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull me away from my plans... on some level, I actually look forward to them.
2. Everything happens for a reason or more succintly put: God is sovereign.
3. An idea is a new perspective and I actually receive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to me.
4. I see patterns in the clutter, questioning the next step and looking around the corner filtering through all the paths.
5. I am inquisitive and collector of facts. I acquire, compile, and file information because perhaps one day it will prove valuable!
Ah, but the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Ps 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. Ps 59:17 O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness. Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Biblical motivation to give
I Kings17:8-16
God told Elijah to go to a town where a woman would feed him during a time of famine. She was a Gentile woman who believed in Yahweh. She said she barely had enough for one meal for her son and her. Elijah asked her to feed him first and then herself and as she did so she would not run out of food during this drought. She then acted in faith and did what she was told. So, what do you think happened?! The Lord fulfilled his promise because of how she LIVED OUT her faith in her actions. What a call to TRUST and OBEY His Word and specifically to give FIRST to the Lord.
Malachi3:8-12
Malachi was addressing Israel’s rebellious spirit in specifically robbing God. They had turned away from faith and obedience in God. I find it interestingly that the Israelites claimed ignorance, “How have we robbed you?” They were either blind to their sin or denying their guilt of not giving their tithes and offerings. A reminder for me pointed out in James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”. However, back to the point, failure to support God’s temple was robbing Him. God promised blessings to the Israelites when they obeyed His commands and curse if they did not.
Matthew6:19-21
Ahh, treasure… What is our treasure?! Where do I put my time, energy, skills, money? Where is my heart? Jesus calls us to store our treasures in heaven. Why? Everything on earth decays or is stolen or lost. Where as everything in heaven CAN NEVER be!. Where are you storing your treasure? Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there is your heart found. What do I love? What does God love? What do I need to change?
Luke 8:3;10:1-7
Here in scripture, many women were giving out of their own for the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. They witnessed the power of God and on their own accord of their own means, motivated by what Christ did for them; they acted out their thankfulness and belief in giving what they could. In chapter 10, Jesus sends out followers in twos to 1. pray for workers 2. warning it will be dangerous 3. travel lightly and with haste 4. stay in homes where they show hospitality for their provision of food and place to stay is wages for the followers work.
2Corinthians 8:1-15
Paul speaks of the generosity of the churches of Macedonia. They gave an over and beyond, were joyful in their hardship that was a result of the over generosity, not only gave, but had a desire to give so much so they “begged” to participate. WOW! How many times have I done that? They gave themselves to God first and then to them by God’s will. Paul encouraged them to continue on in the love they are demonstrating by reminding them of Christ’s demonstration. He became nothing that we could have everything.
I Timothy5:17, 18; 6:17-19
The elders, those who were in charge of overseeing the congregation, preaching and teaching, were worthy of wages for their work, even double wages. Paul was instructing those who had wealth not to fix their hope in it, but to put their hope in God and in so doing put them to good works, sharing generously. This is the way to store up treasures in heaven. For life is not made up of material possessions which can not be kept, but of Christ himself, which is eternal and can not be taken away.
3 John 1:5-8
John was commending their hospitality and particularly to the “traveling missionaries” for providing for them as worthy of God. Giving generously to them was as giving to Christ himself. They went out for the honor of Christ’s name and Christians are under obligation to support such “to work together for the truth”.
God receives glory and gives blessings to both the giver and receiver at their faith demonstrated in their obedience. The giver and receiver are also united in the body working together for the truth. My motivation to have others partner with me: I can’t do anything alone. I need God’s hand and the body of believers. I can ask others to give because they are like minded and understand (play in the same sandbox). It is understood that it is our calling to work together as a body, to generously provide for others needs for the purpose of Christ being proclaimed and glorified. People can give their time, monetarily, in prayer, with words of encouragement, and counsel.
God told Elijah to go to a town where a woman would feed him during a time of famine. She was a Gentile woman who believed in Yahweh. She said she barely had enough for one meal for her son and her. Elijah asked her to feed him first and then herself and as she did so she would not run out of food during this drought. She then acted in faith and did what she was told. So, what do you think happened?! The Lord fulfilled his promise because of how she LIVED OUT her faith in her actions. What a call to TRUST and OBEY His Word and specifically to give FIRST to the Lord.
Malachi3:8-12
Malachi was addressing Israel’s rebellious spirit in specifically robbing God. They had turned away from faith and obedience in God. I find it interestingly that the Israelites claimed ignorance, “How have we robbed you?” They were either blind to their sin or denying their guilt of not giving their tithes and offerings. A reminder for me pointed out in James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all”. However, back to the point, failure to support God’s temple was robbing Him. God promised blessings to the Israelites when they obeyed His commands and curse if they did not.
Matthew6:19-21
Ahh, treasure… What is our treasure?! Where do I put my time, energy, skills, money? Where is my heart? Jesus calls us to store our treasures in heaven. Why? Everything on earth decays or is stolen or lost. Where as everything in heaven CAN NEVER be!. Where are you storing your treasure? Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there is your heart found. What do I love? What does God love? What do I need to change?
Luke 8:3;10:1-7
Here in scripture, many women were giving out of their own for the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. They witnessed the power of God and on their own accord of their own means, motivated by what Christ did for them; they acted out their thankfulness and belief in giving what they could. In chapter 10, Jesus sends out followers in twos to 1. pray for workers 2. warning it will be dangerous 3. travel lightly and with haste 4. stay in homes where they show hospitality for their provision of food and place to stay is wages for the followers work.
2Corinthians 8:1-15
Paul speaks of the generosity of the churches of Macedonia. They gave an over and beyond, were joyful in their hardship that was a result of the over generosity, not only gave, but had a desire to give so much so they “begged” to participate. WOW! How many times have I done that? They gave themselves to God first and then to them by God’s will. Paul encouraged them to continue on in the love they are demonstrating by reminding them of Christ’s demonstration. He became nothing that we could have everything.
I Timothy5:17, 18; 6:17-19
The elders, those who were in charge of overseeing the congregation, preaching and teaching, were worthy of wages for their work, even double wages. Paul was instructing those who had wealth not to fix their hope in it, but to put their hope in God and in so doing put them to good works, sharing generously. This is the way to store up treasures in heaven. For life is not made up of material possessions which can not be kept, but of Christ himself, which is eternal and can not be taken away.
3 John 1:5-8
John was commending their hospitality and particularly to the “traveling missionaries” for providing for them as worthy of God. Giving generously to them was as giving to Christ himself. They went out for the honor of Christ’s name and Christians are under obligation to support such “to work together for the truth”.
God receives glory and gives blessings to both the giver and receiver at their faith demonstrated in their obedience. The giver and receiver are also united in the body working together for the truth. My motivation to have others partner with me: I can’t do anything alone. I need God’s hand and the body of believers. I can ask others to give because they are like minded and understand (play in the same sandbox). It is understood that it is our calling to work together as a body, to generously provide for others needs for the purpose of Christ being proclaimed and glorified. People can give their time, monetarily, in prayer, with words of encouragement, and counsel.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
