Giving

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!  Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

Many years ago when my children were young, we were super tight on funds. I was a single mom and it was hard. I had just gotten paid. I went to the Grocery store and when I got home I sat down to pay the bills. After that, there was a little bit left. I was excited about that because my daughter needed a new pair of shoes.

Then, I heard the Voice. “You didn’t pay tithe.” So I started reasoning. Lord, if I pay tithe I won’t have money for shoes. Silence. I have learned enough to know when I get the silent treatment from God it’s because He knows I know what I’m supposed to do.

Not sure what came over me because my inclination was to buy shoes but I paid the tithe.

A few days later I was at work and a lady walked into my office. She said “Don’t you have a daughter that’s 2?” I said yes. She said “My daughter is just a little older than that and I just went through her clothes getting rid of the things that were too small. Would you like them? Maybe they’ll fit your daughter.” I assured her I would definitely like the clothes.

She came back a little while later with a kitchen sized garbage bag full of clothes. I took them home and started going through them and guess what was at the very bottom. A pair of shoes just the right size with the tag still on them! Not only did I get a pair of shoes, I got an entire bag full of clothes!

I know we’ve all heard stories about this kind of thing. God’s faithfulness is timeless. But, I can attest to the fact that over the years, in more ways than I can count, he has provided for me when I’ve been faithful to him. Some days, the possibilities look scary until I remember who God is and all he has done. Then I realize the possibilities are endless.

Giving Thanks No Matter What

I have this friend and I love her to pieces. When I am complaining about my life, sometimes she looks at me and says “Elaine, those are first world problems.” And she’s right. Some of the things I whine about are definitely not problems.

But, there are problems that are not first world. There are days when the news is overwhelming and you can’t see how you are going to get through.

Whether you are dealing with pesky problems or life altering news, giving thanks is important. Maybe we aren’t going to give thanks for the horrible news we just received but we can give thanks for things around it. We can give thanks for people that help us on the journey. We can give thanks for God’s voice in the middle of the mess. We can give thanks that nothing we are walking through ever surprised God. He is in it with us.

In America today, we are celebrating Thanksgiving. Maybe we shouldn’t just give thanks for our bounty but also for the trials that draw us closer to our Creator.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Walking Past Your Promised Land

I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. Job 42:2 (NLT)

The Israelites were told to go explore the land of Canaan (Numbers 13). This is the land that God had repeatedly promised to give them after they left Egypt. Moses picked twelve men to go on the expedition. When they returned, ten of them were against going in and two were for it. The ten men that were against moving forward were afraid. They saw things unfamiliar to them. They saw obstacles that were bigger than their courage could handle so they decided that this would be a failure.

They described the new land as bountiful; flowing with milk and honey. And then they did what we do. They said “But.” But, the people living there are powerful. They have lots of weapons and fortresses. They are all over the place! They were huge. We are nothing compared to them. We cannot do this. It’s too big for us.

They forgot some important “Buts.”

But, you are God’s people.
But, God will go before you.
But, there is nothing stronger than your God.
But, if this is God’s plan for you nothing can stop it.

The Israelites were so focused on what they saw instead of who they knew that it stopped them from stepping into God’s plan for them.

Do you do this? How often do we look at the path ahead and decide it is too hard for us? Our courage evaporates because we can’t see past our fears. Probably more often than we’d admit. We should never confuse what we can do on our own with what God can do for us. When we do, we miss out on our promised land.

Strategies For The Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

I love this text and of course, God brought it to my reading just when I needed it. Sometimes, if I look at all that seems to be on my plate (which this week feels like a large turkey platter), I get overwhelmed. It’s too hard. I can’t get there from here.

This verse reminds me that my focus is myopic. I am looking at my list of things to be done and not looking at the big picture. Think about Jesus’ life. He intentionally mentored 3 people (Peter, James and John) and also coached the other 9. In addition to that, there were people he encountered that he also helped along the way. He had friendships that he maintained and there was a constant, demanding throng that were always taking from him. How did he do this?

Scripture tells us Jesus kept his eyes on the end game. He never lost sight of where he was headed. Were his days busy? Sure. Did he get tired? Yes, he did. But through all that, he stayed in touch with the Father and he stayed focused.

What drove him? We did. He knew he was headed to the cross. He knew what that looked like and the immense shame and pain that would bring but, he kept walking. He ran the race getting rid of anything that would prevent him from reaching his goal. He was looking forward to the joy he would experience when the task was finished.

Remember. Remember the love that drove him down the path of sacrifice. This will encourage you on your journey. This (He) is our example.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Not A Coincidence

When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, “Since Mordecai—this man who has humiliated you—is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.” Esther 6:13 (NLT)

The book of Esther is a different book. It’s a story of a young girl, captured and placed in the king’s palace until she was brought before the king. If he liked her, she might become queen. If he didn’t she would like as his concubine for the rest of her life. Strange book to be in the Bible, huh? What’s even more unusual is that God is not mentioned in it at all.

As you follow the story, there are a series of events that happen.

1. Esther is captured and groomed for her night with the king.

2. The people helping Esther really liked her and went out of their way to help her succeed.

3. The king loved Esther more than any of the others and made her queen. (Esther 2)

4. Mordecai, her uncle, just happened to over hear a plot to kill the king and saved the king’s life by revealing it to the authorities.

5. The second in command, Haman, hated Mordecai and decided to have all the Jews killed. He did not know Esther was Jewish. (Esther 3)

6. Esther decides to reveal her identity and Haman’s plot but she is terrified that she will die. She and all the Jews pray. (Esther 4)

7. She goes before the king, invites him and Haman to a banquet, but does not yet reveal her purpose. (Esther 5)

8. That night, King Xerxes could not sleep so he asked his servants to read him the King’s chronicles. They just happened to read the part where Mordecai had saved his live and he discovered that Mordecai had never been rewarded. (Esther 6)

9. He forced Haman to honor Mordecai. This humiliated Haman.

There is turn of events after turn of events that move the story in favor of Esther and the Jews. Some people would call these coincidences. But, I would not and apparently, neither did Haman’s wife. She said “Since he is of Jewish birth, you will not succeed in your plans.” Had she heard of the God of the Jews who went before his people and protected them? Did she know of the stories where they miraculously triumphed over those seeking to destroy them? Obviously, she believed what she had heard before.

The story goes on and the Jews are saved. God was working in the background all along to work things out for his people. He is still doing this for us today. We are not left to chance. God is always at work. Even if things look coincidental, they are not. There is a Divine Plan in place. Trust in the One who is setting that plan into motion.

It's For Your Own Good

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Last week I had the occasion to sit in a criminal court room. I watched the accused come forward one by one.  Mostly, the cases were continued. Then a woman stepped up. Her lawyer asked for a continuance.  The judge noted that she had not fulfilled the requirements that were set forth in the last hearing. Apparently, she did not pass a drug test that she should have passed. 

He said he was reluctant to grant a continuance but instead wanted to revoke her bond. The lawyer argued. The judge asked if she would be willing to submit to a drug test (urinalysis) today. She said no.

The judge revoked her bond. She looked very distraught as the Sheriffs came in to place the hand-cuffs on her. My heart was racing as I watched this unfold. Then, the judge said something that made me pause. He said "Miss, I am doing this so you don't die."

It dawned on me in that moment that this is what God does with us. He allows us to face our consequences and even sometimes increases them so we will pay attention. He wants us to have eternal life.  

And I imagine, as Jesus was hanging on the cross and God's heart broke that he said "We are doing this so they won't die."

A Minute In It - More Than You Need

A minute in God's word will change your life. Take a minute to read the passage below. Then, ask yourself the questions at the bottom of the post.

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NIV)

Why did Elisha ask her what she had in her house?
When he told her to collect jars, how many jars did he tell her to collect?
Why do you think he said "Don't ask for just a few?"
What does this story say about what God can do?
How would the story be different if she only collected a few jars? What would that have said about her faith?
How many jars would you have collected?

Your Task For Today

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

How is it possible to not worry about tomorrow? Don't we all worry about tomorrow? I know I am tempted to. I want to worry about my job, our finances, our parents, our kids and grand kids. I want to worry about my health and the logistics of keeping my home flowing. And sometimes I do.

One of the things God has been talking to me about over the last year is letting him take care of it. What does that mean exactly? Does that mean I can go out and spend a ton of money on unnecessary things and expect God to work out my finances? No. God does expect me to do my part. Does it mean when I have done my best and the ends don't meet that I can trust him to provide? Yes.

Why shouldn't we worry about tomorrow? I think maybe it's because if you spend a lot of time worrying about tomorrow, you miss what God is doing today. God is always at work. He is always doing something. We get so focused on what was or what could be or what should be (in our minds) that we miss what God is saying to us today. 

We miss his love language. We miss the promises he shares. We miss the smiles and laughter that are possible because we think we have to do it all. And most importantly, we miss his still small voice.

So how do you know what is yours and what is God's? Take a sheet of paper. Write down all the things you are worried about. Then, separate them into columns about what you can actually do something about and what you can't. The column that you can do something about is yours to tackle. The column you can't is God's.

Pray over all of it. But, don't try to move stuff from his column to yours (or visa versa). If you do, you will miss the best part of life - and that is today....this moment in time.