When David said to the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:14) we give to You what is Your own, he was referring to money, material riches. But the Holy Spirit revealed to me a deeper, broader aspect to this truth than I had seen before. This concept puts a whole new radiance on our commonplace duties and normal activities, in fact on every aspect of our daily lives every day. Everything we give to God, including even the desire to give and the very act of giving is God’s gift to us.
This definitely includes our obedience. If I choose to obey God, my choice and my obedience are God’s gift to me. If Jesus did not live in me, if the Holy Spirit did not fill me, I would have no desire or hope of obeying the Lord.
When Adam fell the disposition of sin, which is rebellion against God and against God’s holy will, entered into every human born on earth. (Dr. Stanley) “The devil’s great deception is that we can sin (Genesis 3:4) without consequences”. God says that (the consequences) (Romans 6:23) the wages of sin is death. Hell was prepared (Matthew 25:41) for the devil and his angels. Every person who rejects salvation in Jesus Christ will be an eternal trespasser in hell. That is why (John 3:3) we must be born again, born spiritually into a new life in Christ Jesus. Do we realize that prayer is God’s gift to us? Prayer is the God-given golden connection between the sovereign Lord of the universe Who is in heaven, and redeemed sinners on earth.
If we do a kind deed to assist someone, it is God’s gift to us because in that deed God expresses through us His love and generosity.
If you are very busy, right in the middle of a necessary job when suddenly the phone rings. If you feel the approach of impatience or frustration – STOP – and get the right perspective, the right focus. That phone call is an opportunity for God to express His sweetness and patience through you. Also, His wisdom, because only God knows the needs of that person on the phone. In every case and in everything we give, our very act of giving is God’s gift to us. You will never be bored if you live daily with this perspective. Every good gift (James 1:17) comes from our loving heavenly Father in heaven and is always for our good spiritual benefit. Do not be deceived - - There is not and cannot be any other source of good gifts. Every gift from above is always and only good.
Complacency to sin is a dangerous anaesthetic to our conscience. The loving hand of the Master Potter (Jeremiah 18:4-15) knows how much pressure is necessary to mold the clay into the vessel he wants. He must probe for any foreign elements or bits of dirt in the clay. The probing and molding may be painful to us but in His wisdom the Potter keeps working the clay until it is pliable in His hand. Then He forms a vessel that is according to His will and He is satisfied and pleased. God’s molding process is intended by the Lord to increase godliness within us and strengthen our faith. Micah gives us (Micah 6:8) the recipe for meeting God’s requirements for our lives. It is to act justly, to love kindness and mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.
As our country is flooded with refugees, we need to remember that God has instructed us to show kindness and generosity to the foreigners among us. Just as Israel was told to treat well the alien among them because they themselves had been slaves in Egypt. God is bringing people from all the world to North America and Europe so that we can share with them the good news of the Gospel. God works with the impossible to accomplish the incredible.
In these present days we are living in (Revelation 3:14-16, Revelation 3:20) we need to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey His commands for the church, the body, of which (Ephesians 5:23) Jesus Christ is the Head.
While I was in the shower, the tune of an old song was repeating in my mind. I didn’t want to say those words so I borrowed that tune and put my own words to it. Now I sing to that old tune these words:
You and I have a glorious Saviour,
He engineers every part of each day,
Our relationship with Him
Grows richer, sweeter, deeper,
As we love Him supremely
And trust and obey.
Here is a good example that shows we have nothing to fear ever if we are obeying and trusting the Lord. The same waters of the same Red Sea (Exodus 14:22, Exodus 14:28) became a wall of protection for God’s people and a destroying weapon against God’s enemies. Dry ground for the Israelites and a watery grave for the Egyptians.
Love is kind, love is thoughtful, love is generous and reaches out, but when Love stoops, it is Grace, the amazing limitless Grace of God.
At some time, you might like to do what I did this morning. I stood beside Thomas (John 20:28) before the victorious risen Lord Jesus and with Thomas, gratefully proclaimed - - my Lord and my God!
Little faith will take your soul to heaven. Great faith will bring heaven to your soul.
Our wonderful God never stops giving.