"Does your church make you give ten percent of your money?" This lady, my supervisor at work, seemed to enjoy challenging my faith.
"My church doesn't MAKE me do anything. I give because I want to.
Christian Stewardship is voluntary and a privilege. It is a form of worship. It is not about your ability, it's about what God can do, and it is always more than you can imagine. You don't give because of guilt or if you are bullied.
Our Heavenly Father is the greatest giver.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things.
If our priority is to give ourselves over to The Lord, then we will have little problem with giving our resources.
God longs to lead us in paths of peace. His peace flows like a river in all circumstances and is sustained by fresh supplies of grace from the Holy Spirit.
God's peace grows in us as we learn to abide in Christ by getting into His Word and seeking His face.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
The God of peace will keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. The peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you, growing and maturing you with peace.
Do you long for peace? Sin separates you from the peace of God. If unconfessed sin is in your life, ask Jesus to forgive you. If He is not your Lord and Savior, trust Him.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse;
God's revelation of Himself is so clear that every rational creature should acknowledge and worship Him.
Most scientists now believe that this massive universe came into existence at a specific instance and from a higher intelligence.
The earth is 25,000 miles in circumference, weighs 6 septillion, 588 sextillion tons and hangs on nothing. It spins at 1,000 miles per hour with absolute precision and careens through space around the sun at the speed of 1,000 miles per minute in a yearly orbit that is 580 billion miles long.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.
One day every knee will bow before Him and acknowledge Him as Lord of all.
The New Jerusalem will be presented by God in a way that is nothing less than spectacular.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
The picture of a bride speaks of joy, anticipation, glory, beauty, purity, and love. The sight will be breathtaking.
There's a holy and beautiful city
Whose builder and ruler is God;
John saw it descending from Heaven,
When Patmos, in exile, he trod;
Its high massive wall is of Jasper,
The city itself is pure gold;
And when my frail tent here is folded,
Mine eyes shall its glory behold.
In that bright city, pearly white city,
I have a mansion, a harp, and a crown
Now I am watching, waiting and longing,
For the white city that's soon coming down.
Arthur F. Ingler 1902
Everybody worships someone or something. Some bow down to rocks, statues, and animals. Others give their worship to themselves, their families or their possessions. Some worship their church, their favorite preacher or their old, moldy traditions.
Worship of God is when The Spirit on the inside (who was sent from Heaven to our hearts) bubbles up and fills us with the wonder and glory of our Lord.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Not a single petition is made here. We find an unadulterated worship of the Person and glory of God.
Is your worship God-centered, self-centered or religion-centered?
The Assyrian army captured cities of the Northen Kingdom of Israel, then headed for the Southern Kingdom, destroying city after city on the way. Now thy are camped around Hezekiah's city. As king of Judah, he is frightened.
Isaiah 37:15,16,20 And Hezekiah prayed unto The Lord, saying, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel . . . . save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
And God won their battle.
Isaiah 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand (185,000).
Hezekiah knew that only the LORD of Host could win this battle. We serve an awesome God, whose powers we cannot imagine.
It's amazing what a humble prayer wrapped in faith can do. Yes, He can handle your conflicts.
God already knew David's sin. He didn't want to destroy him. He wanted to deliver him.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
When God searches your heart, He may find all sorts of things in your life that need to go or need to be changed.
God wants you to live in His Holy light. It is a Holy God who can clean up your life when you dare to open the door of your heart and let that light shine in.
Perhaps you are saved, but you are a run away. For some time you have hid from God (as if you could).
God wants an intimate relationship with you. Come to him with a broken spirit, a contrite heart, and feel His loving arms around you. Let Him cleanse your heart.
