Thursday, July 13, 2023

Grace of giving…l

 


Grace of giving…

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.2 Cor. 8:7

Paul talks about  giving several times …but, I loved this statement “grace of giving”…another description is “gracious inclination to give”…

These people gave out of their poverty, graciously, to others who were even in more need…
One illustration, was a man who experimented with giving attitudes…..dressing poorly, going to am affluent section of town, he stood waiting for donations with no success…upon going to the poorer section, he found much more generous people…those who realized what a donation might mean, gave liberally…

Grace meaning. Merriam Webster Online…

1
a
: unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b
: a virtue coming from God
c
: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
2
a
: APPROVAL, FAVOR
stayed in his good graces
b
archaic : MERCY, PARDON

“Gracious inclination to give”…
“Giving is a matter of grace from beginning to end. Christ gave himself for us. We receive his grace, and then we give ourselves to him and to others in his name. This response to grace includes giving what we have. That is how the Macedonians gave out of their poverty with great liberality. And that is how we give out of our affluence. It is the same.” https://faculty.wts.edu/posts/the-grace-of-giving/


 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.
 The goal is equality, 
The Cheerful Giver 
The  point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;his righteousness endures forever.” 
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
2Cor.8.7-9, 2Cor.8.14,2Cor.6-12

We who have much to be thankful for, can extend that grace of giving…

Thank YOU….

How can I say thanks….



Thank you for giving to the Lord…



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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

A night at the movies…l

 Not my usual kind of blog…



A night at the movies…

“A nights at the movies “ usually means, for me, a fun, uplighting evening of entertainment, leaving the movie house feeling good, cheerful and exhilarated…”La, la land music” type of feelings…

Not so this week…

This week was “Sound of Freedom”…not the usual entertaining , uplifting genre …I didn’t go home blissfully entertained, feeling good about the world…

This week was a message, a brutal message…of loss…of  children used, abused and thrown away…

“Human trafficking is a global business generating $150 billion in illegal profits. It encompasses forced labor, sex trafficking, organ trafficking and more.” https://www.heritage.org/immigration/commentary/fighting-human-trafficking-and-battling-bidens-open-border

Scenes from  scripture came to mind..

 You shall not give any of your children to offer them [by fire as a sacrifice] to Molech [the god of the Ammonites], nor shall you profane the name of your God [by honoring idols as gods]. I am the Lord. 
 “Moreover, you shall say to the children of Israel,‘Any Israelite or any stranger residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech (the god of the Ammonites) [as a human sacrifice] shall most certainly be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.  I will also set My face against that man [opposing him, withdrawing My protection from him] and will cut him off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them], because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name.  If the people of the land should ever tolerate that man when he gives any of his children [as a burnt offering] to Molech, and fail to put him to death [as My law requires],  then I shall set My face against that man and against his [extended] family, and I will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in playing the prostitute (commit apostasy) with Molech.
Lev.18.21,Lev.20.2-5

 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
Gen.13.13

 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”
Gen.19.4-8

 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matt.18.5-6

 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” 
And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
Acts.16.16-19

I thought this interesting…instead of dwelling on the problems this movie presents, some people are skimming over reason behind it to tear it down…whitewashing the darkness…



There is help…there is hope…

 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2Chr.7.14

Psalm 11
Joel

I don’t have nice pictures to include in this blog…but lists of places to look up…to find info…search out…

Let the children come…








 





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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Look to Jesus…

 

Look to Jesus…

The song “turn your eyes upon Jesus “ has long been a favorite…it comes to mind when days are long, weary and tiredness overtakes…bringing focus back to the One who gives rest…the gentle Savior who carries us along…who desires that we cast our burdens  on Him rather than carrying them ourselves…

Thank YOU….

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb.12.1-3 NIV

 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb.12.2-3 AMP

 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. 
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: 
The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
 And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: 
Be reconciled to God. 
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2Cor.16-21



History of “turn your eyes upon Jesus”…



Lyrics…hymnary.org.





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Monday, July 10, 2023

Temporary housing…

 Temporary housing…


Every year, it seems there are catastrophes somewhere in the world…wars, floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, or migrations of people…all in need of shelter…there are NGOs, governments, private citizens, families who step into the gap in some cases to help these displaced people…the needs can be overwhelming and push the limits…in the past year, we have seen millions cross borders because of wars, or desire for promised  better lives…

God showed Abraham a promised land, Moses later brings the Israelites to the brink of that land…Joshua taking them in…

Paul, in 2 Corinthians, speaks of our temporary “housing” as jars of clay or earthly tents (like the Israelites journey across the desert) which will be replaced by a heavenly, indestructible home.
Jesus, in John, promises he will build this abode…

David speaks of our refuge/dwelling in God…

As believers, we have the promise f a heavenly home, prepared and waiting for each of us…no more brokenness, no more temporary…no more cloth tents…no more decay but incorruptible…and eternal…

Thank YOU…

 Psalm 90A prayer of Moses the man of God.Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,
Ps.90.1,Ps.91.9

 In your unfailing love you will lead the  people you have redeemed.In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exod.15.13

 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it.
 But each one should build with care. 
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. 
It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 
If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
 1Cor.3.10-17

 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2Cor.4.7,2Cor. 5:1-5

 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 
You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through me. 
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
John.14.2-7

Let your kingdom come…
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Sunday, July 9, 2023

Words with friends…integrity…

 Words with friends…integrity….


I play Words with friends with two people who do not live near…we can chat sometimes online and catch or just play the game…both of them are brainy, so I seldom win…and as much as I would like to look up words to play, we established not to use a dictionary…and I trust that they don’t…they have given their word…

This word, integrity, popped out of the Word this am…I realized I look for it in others and try to live it…
When going to a new advisor, doctor, business, etc.., buy a new product…I look up their/it’s rating…we have the magazine, “consumer reports” which is supposed to be unbiased and tests products…do they live up to the hype received?…I want to know the truth about the product or person…

Paul, in one of his letters to the Corinthians speaks to them of integrity…how they dealt with them…
Job is described as a man of integrity…
David led his people with integrity…
Titus was admonished to teach with integrity…
And of course, God is the ultimate worker and shower of integrity…
We can count on Him…as he is Truth…

integrity

1
: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : Incorruptibility , Merriam Webster 

 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. 
We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. 
He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
2Cor.1.12,1.21-22,24

 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
Job.2.3

 May integrity and uprightness protect me,because my hope, Lord, is in you.
Ps.25.21

 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;with skillful hands he led them.
Ps.78.72

 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
Prov.10.9

 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
Prov.29.10

 “Turn to me and be saved,all you ends of the earth;for I am God, and there is no other. 
By myself I have sworn,my mouth has uttered in all integrity a  word that will not be revoked:Before me every knee will bow;by me every tongue will swear.
Isa.45.22-23

 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. 
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Titus.2.7,8

Questions I ask…to examine my behavior, motives, words…
Am I or are they being truthful?
Do I deal with others in a way, that shows  integrity?
What’s my “ rating”? 1-5 stars?

Paul speaks of this in regard to  overseers…
 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
1Tim.3.7

Job 31…

Thank YOU….

May the Words ….


 


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Thursday, July 6, 2023

Comforting…

 Comforting….


I spent a bigger portion of yesterday on the phone or waiting for phone calls with a complete stranger working through a problem for which we had to find a solution …this went on into the evening …finally we think there is a resolution and then we stopped talking “shop” and turned personal…they, having lost a spouse this year, handling grief became the topic…I listened a bunch more, tried to encourage until, I finally asked if I could pray…the answer was “yes”, even though they added, “I am so mad at God, this wasn’t supposed to happen or it wasn’t in our plans”….
My heart just broke for this person….but wanted to make sure they had someone local they could talk to…some kind of connections…some kind  of comfort….the loss was sooooo raw yet…

Then, this morning, the passage in 2 Corinthians was my reading…a passage I have had leaned into many, many times over the years…God comforts….but not only that He comforts, but that we can comfort others…

When I am going through trials, I always wonder who is going to come across my path that I can pass that comfort on to…’cause it isn’t just about my comfort …it is about Him and His comfort…

Thank YOU…

 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: 
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; 
and if we are comforted,
 it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 
Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.
 For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 
Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 
He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. 
On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2Cor.1-11

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matt.24.35 

When I survey…

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Tuesday, July 4, 2023

If my people…

 


If my people….

I realize theses words were spoken to the Israelites….but we can garner from the principles spoken…


 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Ps.33.12

 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

“But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 
And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 
Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them.
 Therefore he has brought all this disaster on them.’”
2Chr.7.14,2Chr.7.19-22

Thank YOU…

Happy 4th of July….

If my people…

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