devotional

May 7, 2013

Gabby’s Story

Andrew and Bethany Frazer, the onsite pastors for Casa Angelina Orphanage in Guatemala, spoke during chapel services at Valley Fellowship Christian Academy. Patti and I and the Valley Fellowship Church family are so thankful to be able to partner with such an awesome team. They shared several stories of children who have been delivered by the efforts of What Matters Ministries and Missions (www.whatmattersmm.org). Gabby’s story really touched my heart. I was graciously given permission to share her story on my blog. (The pictures below are of Gabby at Casa Angelina and of the Frazers speaking in elementary chapel).

Gabby arrived at Casa Angelina expecting the worst. She had no documentation – no birth record, no information about her background – and doctors used her teeth to guess her age at eleven years old. She and her younger brother had been passed from one place after another and Gabby described her abusive journey as “moving from hell to hell.” Deep hurts from people who should have loved and protected her gave her little evidence that anyone could be trusted.

Casa Angelina is a beautiful place, but Gabby was reluctant to open up at first. At the start, her big wish was to be hugged by someone who actually loved her, like she was family. Five years later and with lots of love, Gabby’s dreams are much bigger. God has healed her during her time at Casa Angelina and Gabby now dreams of being a professional singer who travels the world.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:5-6a NIV)

The transformation within her hasn’t always been easy. Gabby had to deal with powerful emotions. Not too long ago, Gabby was very upset by the visit of a social worker. The worker spoke honestly that without documentation, Gabby didn’t exist officially in the eyes of the government. The stark reality hit Gabby deeply. She wept and wept as she pondered, “no records, no birth certificate, no name.”

Over the next several days, the paperwork and redtape to create official records for Gabby offered her a unique opportunity. Gabby was given the chance to name herself, but she was satisfied with that option. Gabby thought about it, but she didn’t want to name herself. She wanted her name to mean something. She wanted to be named by people who loved her.
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The name “Gabby” did mean something special to the staff and ministry and children of Casa Angelina. After consideration, Gabby’s name was officially documented as “Gabriela Celeste Tait Royal”. Her name is special. She is a King’s kid with a bright future.

The government of Guatemala may not have known Gabby’s name, but the Lord certainly did. Gabriela was rescued and carefully placed into the family environment she so desperately desired. The Tait family loves her, the staff of Casa Angelina love her, Valley Fellowship Church loves her, Patti and I love her, but most importantly Heavenly Father loves her!

Heavenly Father loves orphans and wants His family to share His heart. In fact, James lists concern for orphans as characteristic of a pure religion:

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:26-27 NLT)

We share a special connection with Gabriela! For the last several years, Valley Fellowship has pulled together to buy Christmas gifts for the darlings of Casa Angelina. We will be gathering funds and toys in the fall to be delivered before Thanksgiving. I’m sure that Gabriela is going to get something very special.

May 6, 2013

Time for a New Name?

Hopefully, your name gives you a positive sense of personal identity. But, do you remember the names you were called when you in elementary school or college? Would you rather not mention some of them?

Names are significant because names so often alter the way in which you see yourself, and sometimes, how world sees you as well.

During a 2008 Valley Fellowship mission short-term trip, BIG SMILES ensued as these Gift Bags (with gifts inside!) were put into the hands of the orphans at Casa Angelina in Guatemala. Each child really noticed their own name. I think the personalized bag with a personalized gift increased each child’s sense of value.

A new name may be just the ticket to increase something’s value. Years ago, fisherman renamed a deep-sea fish in order to create a market for it. The fish didn’t change, just the name did. Apparently, “Orange Roughy” sells a whole lot better than “Slimehead”.

Maybe that’s why government contractors might want label a pencil as a “portable, hand-held communications inscriber”.

In Scripture, the choice of a new name was always significant. New names signaled something. Often, the new name became a tipping point, a crucial moment that changes everything in a person’s life.

Regardless of the treatment option, common sequelae include a slight extensor lag and a prominent bump on the dorsum of the finger. order cialis Drugs like find out address buy cheap viagrae prescribed by doctors to act as stimulants and increase the flow of blood to the sexual organs of the human body. A worry-free life is online viagra order a pre-requisite to a healthy sexual life. Fortunately, various types of medication are available which cures’ erection problem such cialis viagra sale , Kamagra, Silagra, Penegra, Apcalis etc. The new name might release power or blessing not previously enjoyed. An example is God’s change of childless Abram’s name to Abraham “Father of multitude”). Heavenly Father certainly has the right to change the name of one of His children. “To change someone’s name is to exercise authority over them and their destiny.” (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, p. 731) Every time someone called Abraham by his new name, Abraham was reminded of God’s promise. Abraham’s new name defines his destiny.

The new name might ease assimilation into a new culture and new society. Foreign names were occasionally adopted by loyal Hebrews. Hadassah is much better known by her Persian name “Esther”. When Jesus walked through Israel, many Jews had adopted Greek and/or Aramaic names.

The new name might transition loyalty from one to another. Babylon gave new names to the Judean exiles. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar hoped to ease assimilation into the new society, but more like an attempt to turn them from their loyalty to Yahweh. The chief official Ashpenaz integrated the names of pagan deities into the new news for Daniel and his three friends. Their Hebrew names all contained references to the one true God. Daniel’s new name “Belteshazzar” contained “Bel” (Babylonian deity also called Marduk). Hananiah’s new name “Shadrach” connected to the moon god Aku. Mishael’s “Meshach” meant “who is what Aku is?” and Azariah’s “Abednego” referenced the second greatest Babylonian god Nabu. Much to Nebuchadnezzar’s chagrin, those four young men refused to dishonor their loyalties to the God of Israel.

The new name might express a new status. With his promotion to prime minister of Egypt, Joseph was given a new name by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:45). Upon her return Moab, the sour widow Naomi ( meaning “Pleasant”) wanted her friends in Bethlehem to call her “Mara” which means “Bitter” (Ruth 1:20).

The new name might also denote a new relationship with God. “Jacob”, the heel-grabbing deceiver, receives the name “Israel”. The hot-headed “Simon” is prophetically proclaimed the rock-solid “Peter”.

Is it time for new name in your life? Don’t accept any name that is less than God estimate of your value. Don’t let the label someone put on you limit what God wants to do in you and through you. What God thinks of you is far more important than any other person’s opinion. In school, you had to put up with people calling you names, but to hear the name God calls you requires you listen. Are you investing time – reading His Word and listening to His voice?

May 5, 2013

New Name – New Status – New Future

Twenty-seven years ago (this weekend!), Patti and I stepped into Goldbro department store on Airport Road in Huntsville, Alabama to look at the rings in the jewelry section. Somehow, my mom had managed to tag along and walked behind us as we stepped into the jewelry section.

We stopped at the very first case and Patti pointed to a ring under the glass. She glanced at me and said, “That’s the one I want.”

“Are you sure? We just starting shopping? Don’t you want to look around some more?” I questioned.

“Okay, but that is the one I want.” I gulped as the lady behind the counter placed it on Patti’s finger. “Yes,” Patti said staring at the ring, “I like this one.”

Mom suddenly interjected herself into the discussion, “Well, Greg, are you going to buy it?” Mom knew my bank account. She knew that I had saved money to purchase a guitar.

“MOM!” I glared back. Patti tried to rescue the moment and asked if I needed a second to think about it. I nodded and I held her hand as we took a few steps into the BABY section.

A moment later, we stepped back to jewelry department. And, May 5, 1986, Patti first sported her engagement ring.

In your case, however, this probably involved your forehead drooping and gradually coming to rest against your desk http://pamelaannschoolofdance.com/aid-6190 tadalafil cialis from india as your teacher droned on and on from the front of the classroom about the importance of doing well on your SAT. tadalafil buy cheap There are several online service provide that sell generic ED drugs at reasonable prices. The opposite causes problems too – muscles that are too hot, wear tight underwear, go biking, get cialis generic australia in a sauna-anything that might increase the temperature around his testicles. However, this is not at canada levitra all true in the first place. When a woman marries in the United States, she commonly takes a new name, the name of her husband. Thus, Patti Edmonds became Patti Simon – to my great delight! Patti’s new name was symbolic of her new status (married to me!) and her new future with me.

Within my Logos study software is a collection of the newspapers from the American Civil War, the tumultuous times of 1860 to 1865. (www.logos.com, If you purchase, please let them know I referred you.) An article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch (August, 1861) suggested a new name for an inauspicious purpose:

ALEXANDER the Great hearing that there was a man of the same name with himself in his army, and that he was a notorious coward, sent for him, and said unto him, ‘”fight better, or change your name.”’
Ought not old SCOTT to profit by this example? He lost the battle of Manassas. He confesses himself to be a great coward. Why, then, should he cling to ‘”Winfield,”’ a name indicative of victory? Why does he not write ‘”Losefield“’ as descriptive of his present status?

In Shakespeare’s play, Juliet suggests Romeo throw away his name, after all, “What’s in a name?” What is called a rose still has its smell even if given another name, yet Romeo and Juliet suffer the tragedy instigated by connection to their surnames. A person may be greater than the meaning of their name, but the name remains significant.

Ultimately, real freedom – no matter what label has bound you – comes only from real relationship with the Lord. The Lord spoke through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah that the promised salvation would come with a “new name”. “The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth.” (Isaiah 62:2 NLT)

“The proclamation of a new name for Zion indicates the new condition and character that God’s salvation will provide for her.” (John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66, NICOT, p. 579)

Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” [Hebrew “Azubah”] or “The Desolate Land.” [Hebrew “Shemamah”] Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” [Hebrew “Hephzibah” which means “my delight is in her”] and “The Bride of God,” [Hebrew “Beulah” which means “married”] for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride. (Isaiah 62:4 NLT)

The new name speaks of new promise, new power, new potential, new prospective as a result of relationship with the Lord. Salvation releases new hope, new status, new future for every Christ-follower. I am not saying that we should all change our names like my wife did when she married me. But, I do think we should live up to our status as the Bride of Christ and to lives that honor His Name.

What about you? Are you ready to invest your “guitar” money, your life’s blood for the sake of God’s kingdom? Well, are you going to buy it?

May 4, 2013

Names have power

Patti and I spent quite a while discussing what we should name our children. Just after Patti got pregnant with our first daughter, my dad suggested I let Patti pick the name. “It will be a lot easier,” he said. But, I wasn’t quick to surrender my opinion in the matter. We talked and read namebooks and talked some more. That was before the proliferation of the internet, so we didn’t google names!

We finally decided to name our firstborn after Patti’s sister, but then we argued a bit as to the exact spelling of the name. I campaigned for the letter “z” to set her apart from her aunt. Ultimately, we resolved that Patti would choose the spelling of the name of our first child, and I would . . . agree to the decision. Rosalyn was given the name “Rosalyn”, but I chuckled when our daughter decided to go by the nickname “Rozy”. Yes, God always gives me much better than I deserve.

A name is much more than just a handy label for getting someone’s attention.

Parents living in Biblical days often gave a name to a child to make an announcement about that child or to communicate something through that child. A famous example of this is clear naming of Jesus which means “Savior” (Matthew 1:21). “There is a sense of the significance of the proper name. The name denotes the person, establishes its identity, and is a part of it. It can often be said: ‘As a man is named, so is he.’” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 254)

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible summarizes six common motivations for Biblical names (p. 1522-1523):
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To record some aspect of a person’s birth. Jacob (“heel grabber”, “deceiver”) connives for Esau’s (“red”) blessing.
To express parental reactions to the birth. Isaac (“laughter”) recalls the laughter of Abraham and Sarah.
To secure the solidarity of the family. As is common today, a child is named after a parent, an uncle, or a relative.
To reveal the nature of the person, his function, or some other significant thing about him. “Nabal” is a “fool” (1 Samuel 25:25).
To communicate God’s message. Isaiah named his son “Shear-jashub” to warn that only “a remnant shall return” after God’s coming judgment.
To establish religious affiliation. All the names in the Bible with the endings -iah or -el (e.g., Jeremiah, Nathanael) are in fact statements with “the Lord” (-iah) or God (-iel) as subject.

May 3, 2013

Forgive as the Lord Forgave You

I am thankful for forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus. God loved me long before I knew Him. “If You, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshiped.” (Psalm 130:3-4 AMP)

The sacrament (ordinance) of water baptism is a celebration of forgiveness and a powerful public testimony of the change that has taken place on the inside of a Christ-follower. Baptism is a powerful metaphor for a believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – dead to the old way of life and risen to new life in Christ.

We also celebrate the Lord’s forgiveness when we extend forgiveness to others.

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:13 NASB)
“Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 PHILLIPS)

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John Perkins is a powerful example of the power of forgiveness. Perkins experienced first-hand the hatred and abuse of racism, yet he never lost his sense of purpose and compassion. Following one civil rights demonstration, Perkins was nearly beaten to death in a Mississippi jail, but even in that tortured state he refused to surrender to hate. Perkins writes of that experience:

The Spirit of God worked on me as I lay in that bed. An image formed in my mind. The image of the cross—Christ on the cross. It blotted out everything else in my mind. This Jesus knew what I had suffered. He understood. And He cared. Because He had experienced it all Himself. This Jesus, this One who had brought good news directly from God in heaven, had lived what He preached. Yet He was arrested and falsely accused. Like me, He went through an unjust trial. He also faced a lynch mob and got beaten. But even more than that, He was nailed to rough wooden planks and killed. Killed like a common criminal. At the crucial moment, it seemed to Jesus that even God Himself had deserted Him. The suffering was so great, He cried out in agony. He was dying. But when He looked at that mob who had lynched Him, He didn’t hate them. He loved them. He forgave them. And He prayed God to forgive them. “Father, forgive these people, for they don’t know what they are doing.” His enemies hated. But Jesus forgave. I couldn’t get away from that.…

It’s a profound, mysterious truth—Jesus’ concept of love overpowering hate. I may not see its victory in my lifetime. But I know it’s true. I know it’s true, because it happened to me. On that bed, full of bruises and stitches—God made it true in me. He washed my hatred away and replaced it with a love for the white man in rural Mississippi. I felt strong again. Stronger than ever. What doesn’t destroy me makes me stronger. I know it’s true. Because it happened to me. (John M. Perkins, Let Justice Roll Down, p. 196-196)

Refusing to retaliate isn’t easy, but extending forgiveness after such abuse seems impossible. Yet, with Christ’s strength Perkins forgave. Guess what? With Christ’s strength you can forgive too. You don’t have to hold on to unforgiveness. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

May 2, 2013

Grow in Christ

I am not the avid golfer and don’t own golf clubs. Although I value my experiences at Valley Fellowship’s men’s golf trips, my most enjoyable moments come while driving the golf cart. I have a problem with losing my golf balls when I reach a body of water of any size. I knock my ball, and the next one, and the next one, into the drink. My playing partner usually offers his practice balls and one by one I knock them into the water. I could save time and money by giving my partner all of my balls as soon as I meet up with a water hazard. I would still get pleasure from driving the rest of the day – driving the cart, not the balls.

I haven’t been able to perfect the shot that gets my dimpled-ball over the water and onto the green. With coaching (Thank you, Steve & Barry), I get air under my balls from a practice tee. After careful consideration I have decided my athletic skills are better suited for some other sport. I don’t have the time or money to improve my golf game, but I can grow spiritually – becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Apparently, my golfing ability is static – I parred the ninth hole on my first round of golf, and I parred only one hole the last time I played. But, healthy believers grow. God’s wonderful creation displays growing things. Healthy plants flourish in the proper environment. Even the fairway grass (that I duff!) on the golf course grows. Infants grow; babies don’t stay babies forever; they mature. Change is meant to occur. Believers grow. The Lord does not intend for us to remain the same; He wants us to grow more and more free from sin and more like Jesus Christ in our actual lives.

I discovered golfers never stop trying to perfect their games. Whether it’s working on accuracy from the tee box or improving their short game around the green, they are always in pursuit of the flawless shot. At the moment of new birth in Christ, a progressive, cooperative growth work between God and a human being begins. The Apostle Paul describes this process as a pursuit, as a “perfecting” process. “Dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV).”

Our part in this growth process is both passive in that we depend on God’s work and active in that we strive to obey God. The conditional nature of “let us” underscores the active role we play in perfecting holiness, a life-long process involving daily yielding and individual responsibility. The words “let us” (2 Cor. 7) bring to light that we have a choice to make. Will we build up patterns and habits of Christ-likeness? Will we cooperate actively with Him in this process? The little improvement I enjoyed in my golf game came when I listened and heeded the advice of real golfers.

I am holy through Christ Jesus, but I am deeply aware of my own imperfection. However, I am growing more like Jesus Christ who never sinned. Jesus Christ is our perfect example. None of us yet match our pattern as God intended, but we are being changed. God is not finished. An old gospel song proclaims that simple message:

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart,

“Don’t judge him yet, there’s an unfinished part.”

But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan,
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Fashioned by the Master’s loving hand.

He’s still working on me

To make me what I ought to be

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,

The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.

How loving and patient He must be,

He’s still workin’ on me. [Joel Hemphill, He’s Still Working On Me (Hemphill Music, 1980).]

Spiritual growth is not accomplished all at once. No one is there yet! We may never become professional golfers, but we can become what the Lord intends. No one is perfect, but we are perfecting. Are you ready to cooperate with the Lord and grow? Examine your own life. If you ask the Lord, the Holy Spirit will spotlight something. What is one area where you need to grow? Are you willing to address it?

May 1, 2013

Don’t Give Up Yet

Three strikes doesn’t mean I’m out for good. I am so thankful Heavenly Father is the umpire of my life. When necessary, God has a way of allowing me to take tests again and again and again. He intends for me to ace the exams.

As a student, I hated failing assignments. Even when I went back for masters and doctoral classes at Oral Roberts University, I felt tremendous anxiety to perform well. Dr. Grizzle handed back one of my papers with dreaded words something like “Please redo this assignment following the attached plan.” Somehow I missed the email with the updated requirements, and so I was left to do it again – THE RIGHT WAY.

It may be cliche, but I felt someone had punched me in the gut. I did it to myself. It wasn’t Dr. Grizzle. No, he is a very kind and wise professor that meant me no harm at all. I was the one who didn’t live up to the requirement. Thankfully, I had the chance to complete it the right way for a good grade.

Somebody asked Winston Churchill one time, “What most prepared you to lead Great Britain through World War II?” For a period of time, Great Britain stood virtually alone against Nazi Germany as it dominated the Western World.

This was Churchill’s response: “It was the time I repeated a class in grade school.”

The questioner said, “You mean you flunked a grade?”

Churchill said, “I never flunked in my life. I was given a second opportunity to get it right.” [John Ortberg, “A Mind-Expanding Faith,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 126.]

Just because you’ve blown it, doesn’t mean you give up. Your life should be a sample of God’s work, showing His goodness and giving Him glory in every aspect of your life. Your life matters to God; He wants you to do good works to bring Him glory. There are things that you can do—that only you can do—that will bring Him glory. The Lord custom designs destiny.

“So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7 NLT)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

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Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, [Paul had poor health], and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you too if you stop making excuses. (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, p. 233)

Encourage yourself now. Don’t give up. What not make a loud confession of Micah 7:8? “I have fallen, but enemy, don’t laugh at me! I will get up again. I sit in darkness now, but the Lord will be a light for me.” (Micah 7:8 ERV) Come on! Say it out loud.

April 30, 2013

5 Benefits of Healthy Friendships

You need healthy, Godly friendships to finish the race God has laid out for you. You benefit from healthy relationships, but you must be open to receiving the following five:

#1 Perspective

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14 NASB) You have blind spots. I have blind spots. You and I both need people around us who love us enough to speak into our lives. Others can see things in us that we can’t see – our strengths and weaknesses.

#2 Accountability

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT) Accountability helps keep us out of trouble and maintain integrity both in public and in private. The key to being accountable to someone else is to be open and honest.

#3 Encouragement

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#4 Strength

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT) Two are definitely better than one! God designed it so that when any of us is weak in any area, another is able to supply our lack.

#5 Friendship

“My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!” (1 John 4:11-12 MSG) God placed in each of us a deep need to be known and loved.

Do you have God-honoring friends who help spur you forward? Do your relationships help you serve the Lord?

April 28, 2013

Tithing still has a place in God’s Kingdom

Despite what you may have been told, tithing is mentioned in the New Testament. Yes, the New Testament standard for giving exceeds the legalistic limit of ten percent, but I think tithing is a place to start your life of generosity.

Jesus didn’t call for an end to tithing, but He did raise the bar. His followers cannot just check the tithing box and then go off and do whatever they want with the rest. Truly, God holds us responsible for all our income. Jesus challenged:

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. (Matthew 23:23 NLT)

In a recent magazine interview, Pastor Jeff Manion references Jesus’ call for justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23) as “relational generosity”. I was intrigued by his comments:

A person can be a financial tither but not be gracious in spirit. A generous spirit is cultivated by acting magnanimously; allowing small, insignificant insults to evaporate rapidly; forgiving faster; being gracious with individuals, whether it’s the person in the checkout line or someone taking too much of our time. That generous spirit is called relational generosity—financial generosity is a subset of that. A person who is staggering financially can grow in multiple areas of generosity, knowing that the financial area will flow out of the others. (“Developing a Culture of Contentment”, Leadership Journal, Spring 2013, p. 26)

Do you have a generous spirit?

Patti preached a great sermon “Tithe Consistently” this morning at Valley Fellowship as we finished the God Owns ALL series. You can hear the message online when you visit the media button at www.valleyfellowship.com. Below are some of the highlights.

Tithing (giving the first 10% of income to God) demonstrated the core of the Mosaic law – love for God and love for your neighbor (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:4–9; 26:10–15).

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)

1. Tithing consistently helps me put God first. When God is first, He’ll take care of everything else.

“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” (Deuteronomy 14:23 LIVING)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

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2. Tithing consistently helps me learn contentment.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12 NIV)
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” (1 Timothy 6:5-6 NLT)

3. Tithing consistently increases my faith in God. Some think of tithing as a duty, but really tithing is an act of faith.

4. Tithing consistently releases God’s blessings into my life.

“No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right.” (Psalms 84:11 NLT)
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-11 NASB)

April 27, 2013

Work with the Time You Have

Time is fleeting. Life on earth is brief. Don’t spend your time foolishly. “To waste time is to squander a gift from God.” (John Blanchard) Do you have God’s perspective on time?

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NLT)

“There is nothing [which] puts a more serious frame into a man’s spirit than to know to know the worth and preciousness of time.” (Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, Volume 5, p. 11)
“Time lost can never be retrieved. Time cannot be hoarded, only spent well.” (Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, p. 94)

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The story is told of a man’s return to the doctor for a diagnosis. Sitting down, the doctor abruptly announced, “I have bad news and worse news.”

“What’s the bad news?” the bewildered patient blankly responded.

The doctor paused, “The bad news is that you only have twenty-four hours to live.”

The man leaped, spun around, arms flailing. “I can’t believe this,” the man shouted, “I’m not ready; I don’t have enough time! No! No! . . . If that’s the bad news, what could possibly be worst?”

“I forgot to call and give you the report yesterday.”

“Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.” (Ecclesiastes 8:5b NLT)

You can’t just WANT to do something with your time; you must DISCIPLINE yourself to do something with your time. “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.” (Proverbs 13:4 NASB) I always smile when I read Old Testament passages equating “fatness” with prosperity and success. American society reveres skinniness; Hebrew culture valued body fat. Here is Proverbs 13:4 more dynamically translated for today’s mindset, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (NLT)

“The lazy person claims, ‘There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!’” (Proverbs 22:13 NLT) Unless there REALLY IS a lion out there! Or a shark?

“If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 GNT)

Don’t wait until the conditions are “perfect” or you are in the just the right mood. Feelings are unreliably fickle. Don’t let your emotions – anger, bitterness, sadness, insecurity, etc. – hold you hostage. Choose a constructive frame of mind; choose your attitude; choose to be productive now.

“Our task is not to bring order out of chaos, but to get work done in the midst of chaos.” (George Peabody) Work with the time you have.

This is part two of God’s Perspective on Time. To view part one, click “God Owns ALL – including Your Time“.