A few days ago, the Spirit spoke to me, saying,
"Thomas, you have to realize that Christianity is a religion of receiving, not of giving."
Huh. That was an interesting way to put it; there was some context involved here! Recently I've been studying the major differences between Christianity and other belief systems. While the differences seem clear (and are!), it's been a good, important review of things.
We need to remember that Yahshua said, "freely you have received". We tend to overlook this message in our impulsive attempts to overemphasize the second half of it. We make His command more a message dictating us than an essence pointing to Him.
It's not about us, it's about Him (though He thinks you're wonderful, and you should too)! However, for things to be about Him, blessings must also be directed to you. Don't you realize that you're an extension of Him? It's about getting ourselves aligned with the perspective of God.
Once we're aligned, we'll realize that this reception of Yah's goodness will lead to thankfulness, joyfulness, happiness, peace, love. His mind couldn't lead to anything else.
If we focus on the receiving of Heaven from Him, then we'll be able to freely give. Why? Because we won't even think of it? We'll be so distracted by God that we can't help but give.
Other religions might be summed up like this:
Give to others, so that you may receive from God.
Or, Become Holy, so you can be like God.
Or, Pray as much as you can, so you can be near to God.
In true Christianity, this trend is reversed. It's time to take our focus off of ourselves and be overwhelmed by our Heavenly Father. It's time to focus more on receiving -- all that we have, will, and want to receive -- so that we can believe enough to have an overflow to give from. Christianity says
You are like God, so be holy.
Or, You are near God, so pray to your heart's delight!
Or, You have received, so continue receiving even while you give. It's not about your efforts, it's about His.
Showing posts with label Thankfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Contentment
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
~1 Timothy 6:6
There is a contentment out there that only comes from God. This expression of contentment comes when we live in the reality that Jesus is enough, when we live in peaceful union with Him. Godliness and contentment go hand in hand, because being like God means being with God. And being with God is always enough!
Contentment is knowing that there is always something to be thankful for. There are so many precious promises that God has made known to us. We may not know the future, we may only see in part (1 Cor. 13:12), but we do know that the word of Yahweh stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).
"He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield." ~Psalm 91:4
It's worth being knit to God. It's worth constantly feeling His peace, His presence. He's the Comforter, and He makes everything easier. He makes it easy for us to draw near and experience Him. He makes it easy to feel safe and secure.
We were made to crave this sense of togetherness, where the Holy Spirit has hemmed us in on every side (Psalms 139:5). We were created to feel swaddled! This is what our Heavenly Father wants us to want. He wants us to experience true security.
Contentment is eternal life, and eternal life is to know Yahshua (John 17:3), to enjoy His protection. He'll give you just as much joy as you want, and He'll give you peace along with it.
You are on the ancient path (Jer. 6:16); you have arrived in the promised land (Hebrews 4:9); you were known since before the world began (2 Tim 1:9). Isn't that wonderful? Enjoy it today.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Living in Thanks
"I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of Yahweh" ~Psalm 107:22
So many things in our lives can be sanctified by thanksgiving. Whether we are waking up in the morning, working, or folding laundry doesn't really matter--we can experience the holiness weaved into each moment by awakening to a state of thanksgiving.
When we call on the name of Yahweh, we're really also calling on all that goes with it. We are calling on a force greater and more noble than ourselves. We are calling for a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude to overtake us.
So many rituals in the Old Testament point to future spiritual parallels found in the New (Colossians 2:17), It's our job, not God's, to become appropriately thankful for all the things He's already done. Thanks offerings are still a part of the righteous person's walk.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
We're no longer on the other side of the fence, offering sacrifices to a distant, overarching God. Yahshua has come! Instead, we can let Christ in us commune with the Father in the same way He did while on earth in bodily form. We're one with Him, and He's one with us, even One with all who believe. Thankfulness can be our natural state of being. It's part of our calling, and it's a medium through which more specialized aspects of our Father's plans are directed. God doesn't always make things easy, but He does make things easier.
So many things in our lives can be sanctified by thanksgiving. Whether we are waking up in the morning, working, or folding laundry doesn't really matter--we can experience the holiness weaved into each moment by awakening to a state of thanksgiving.
When we call on the name of Yahweh, we're really also calling on all that goes with it. We are calling on a force greater and more noble than ourselves. We are calling for a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude to overtake us.
So many rituals in the Old Testament point to future spiritual parallels found in the New (Colossians 2:17), It's our job, not God's, to become appropriately thankful for all the things He's already done. Thanks offerings are still a part of the righteous person's walk.
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
We're no longer on the other side of the fence, offering sacrifices to a distant, overarching God. Yahshua has come! Instead, we can let Christ in us commune with the Father in the same way He did while on earth in bodily form. We're one with Him, and He's one with us, even One with all who believe. Thankfulness can be our natural state of being. It's part of our calling, and it's a medium through which more specialized aspects of our Father's plans are directed. God doesn't always make things easy, but He does make things easier.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
New Year, New You: Become a Servant
What is the second thing God directed me to for the New year? Let's consider how important it is to be a servant. Are you willing? Jesus was.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
Even our master became a servant. Even He became a friend of the unpopular and lowly. Do you want to be like Him? Jesus, build our Love. To be a servant and do so joyfully, we need to have His Love. We need to have it lit up within us. We need to have it light us up.
Once we focus on Him, we have fulfilled the first five commandments. We have loved Him with everything! So let's allow Him to take us further. Let's love our neighbor as ourselves. Let's become servants.
When Jesus saw people in need and oppressed, He was moved with compassion. We need to be the same way. Our desires need to be spent on God, and then on giving Him to others. Jesus said, "feed my sheep". Do you love Him? Then bear fruit and obey Him. Let's all feed His sheep (John 21:17).
God wants to save His people from any evils, and He wants to bless them forever (Psalms 28:9). Will you join Him in the work that He's given Himself since before time? He will accomplish His purposes regardless. Don't you want to partner with Him? It takes loving and being loved to truly serve. But these love exchanges testify to our true identities--as the sons and daughters of God. Let's serve accordingly.
God wants to give you His passions. Jesus is the most passionate One in the universe. He has more than enough passion for you, and He has more than enough passion to give you. Allow it to compel you. Allow it to give you humility. Allow His love to give you unconditional thankfulness. Allow serving others for His purposes to become pure joy.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
Even our master became a servant. Even He became a friend of the unpopular and lowly. Do you want to be like Him? Jesus, build our Love. To be a servant and do so joyfully, we need to have His Love. We need to have it lit up within us. We need to have it light us up.
Once we focus on Him, we have fulfilled the first five commandments. We have loved Him with everything! So let's allow Him to take us further. Let's love our neighbor as ourselves. Let's become servants.
When Jesus saw people in need and oppressed, He was moved with compassion. We need to be the same way. Our desires need to be spent on God, and then on giving Him to others. Jesus said, "feed my sheep". Do you love Him? Then bear fruit and obey Him. Let's all feed His sheep (John 21:17).
God wants to save His people from any evils, and He wants to bless them forever (Psalms 28:9). Will you join Him in the work that He's given Himself since before time? He will accomplish His purposes regardless. Don't you want to partner with Him? It takes loving and being loved to truly serve. But these love exchanges testify to our true identities--as the sons and daughters of God. Let's serve accordingly.
God wants to give you His passions. Jesus is the most passionate One in the universe. He has more than enough passion for you, and He has more than enough passion to give you. Allow it to compel you. Allow it to give you humility. Allow His love to give you unconditional thankfulness. Allow serving others for His purposes to become pure joy.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Snapshot: Prophetic Praise
If we draw near to God, we will be consumed in His Love. We will Praise Him, we will worship Him, and maybe we'll even dance to Him. This is what King David did, and this is what God wants from those who would express themselves this way. Music is a powerful thing, and a force that can align us with either Jesus or evil. God wants us to glorify Him through music. He wants us to know that "for Him are all things" (Romans 11:36).
In the last month I've been reading about King David and his team of musicians in my new Bible commentary books. I've been realizing in a new way that David was a very musically- oriented man. Music was a means of life for David, because David lived for God. He had such a heart for God's people coming together in worship. God wants to give all of us a heart like that.
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
When the hungry come together, they come to worship and experience true Life. They live in His presence, and they live for their relationship with Him. When the hunger is there, the Holy Spirit is there.
So Worship elevates us to a place where we better understand Jesus. And worship music helps with this. Worship music is a holiness tool. It elevates us to a place where our thoughts and our actions bring us to the King. It gives a testimony to Jesus.
This is where prophecy comes in. This is where we can give a revelation of Jesus through our speech and through song. This is where music brings in a message from God that testifies to forgiveness and love. This message testifies to Jesus. It tells us that God is doing a new thing; that He is making a way where there was only hopelessness before.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
It tells us to change in accordance with His will. And it speaks of a future hope and a future calling that far exceeds past doubts and failures. This message comes as the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) And music helps us get to that place. When God's people come in unity and seek Him in song, God is pleased. When the music and the worship please Him, the atmosphere becomes prophetically charged.
This is one thing King David loved about the body. This is why David surrounded himself by a team of worshippers and musicians. It allowed Him to come closer to God.
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation."
Let's praise Him vocally. Let's sing and praise and shout as we become the hope of God. Let's sing a new song, let's sing in the Spirit, let's sing as we are led. Let's worship with all of our spirit, as His Spirit leads into all truth (John 4:24).
But don't sing out of obligation--God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Sing because there is no other way to express His character. Sing, because when His Love comes, it's often hard to be quiet. Make a joyful noise, as He fills you to overflowing with His Love. Wigglesworth said that you're in a terrible place if you can't shout. Now, to each their own. But we need to be passionate about our God. We need to be passionate about what He's done, and we need to be passionate about giving Him all the glory we can.
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed." Psalm 40:3
God gave this. God is still doing this. By the Spirit, He will give you all the songs you want. Let Him inspire you. Let Him renew your mind and give you music that glorifies Him. Sing to Him, and sing to Him a new song. Sing by His leading to glorify what He's done, to share your testimony. That's what King Hezekiah did after God healed Him (Hezekiah's Song). So sing praises, and allow Him to uplift you and spread His glory.
Confirmed: As I was writing the last paragraph, seen above, Vanessa came in with a testimony. She was singing to God in the other room, singing praise as she felt led and thanking Him for His goodness. All of a sudden, she was prompted to file down her fingernails, so she left the room and found a new nail file in the next room over . As she filed, she turned it over and read the back--sometimes God will lead you towards apparently random things--and it said, "ENCORE!".
Glory to God! He likes our music. God is pleased by our worship. He wants us to continue in it! He wants us to give Him an encore! He wants us to stay in praise, abide in Him, and let Him take our fears away. He wants to surround us with His Love and with a sense of His presence.
So Worship elevates us to a place where we better understand Jesus. And worship music helps with this. Worship music is a holiness tool. It elevates us to a place where our thoughts and our actions bring us to the King. It gives a testimony to Jesus.
This is where prophecy comes in. This is where we can give a revelation of Jesus through our speech and through song. This is where music brings in a message from God that testifies to forgiveness and love. This message testifies to Jesus. It tells us that God is doing a new thing; that He is making a way where there was only hopelessness before.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
It tells us to change in accordance with His will. And it speaks of a future hope and a future calling that far exceeds past doubts and failures. This message comes as the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) And music helps us get to that place. When God's people come in unity and seek Him in song, God is pleased. When the music and the worship please Him, the atmosphere becomes prophetically charged.
This is one thing King David loved about the body. This is why David surrounded himself by a team of worshippers and musicians. It allowed Him to come closer to God.
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation."
Let's praise Him vocally. Let's sing and praise and shout as we become the hope of God. Let's sing a new song, let's sing in the Spirit, let's sing as we are led. Let's worship with all of our spirit, as His Spirit leads into all truth (John 4:24).
But don't sing out of obligation--God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Sing because there is no other way to express His character. Sing, because when His Love comes, it's often hard to be quiet. Make a joyful noise, as He fills you to overflowing with His Love. Wigglesworth said that you're in a terrible place if you can't shout. Now, to each their own. But we need to be passionate about our God. We need to be passionate about what He's done, and we need to be passionate about giving Him all the glory we can.
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed." Psalm 40:3
God gave this. God is still doing this. By the Spirit, He will give you all the songs you want. Let Him inspire you. Let Him renew your mind and give you music that glorifies Him. Sing to Him, and sing to Him a new song. Sing by His leading to glorify what He's done, to share your testimony. That's what King Hezekiah did after God healed Him (Hezekiah's Song). So sing praises, and allow Him to uplift you and spread His glory.
Confirmed: As I was writing the last paragraph, seen above, Vanessa came in with a testimony. She was singing to God in the other room, singing praise as she felt led and thanking Him for His goodness. All of a sudden, she was prompted to file down her fingernails, so she left the room and found a new nail file in the next room over . As she filed, she turned it over and read the back--sometimes God will lead you towards apparently random things--and it said, "ENCORE!".
Glory to God! He likes our music. God is pleased by our worship. He wants us to continue in it! He wants us to give Him an encore! He wants us to stay in praise, abide in Him, and let Him take our fears away. He wants to surround us with His Love and with a sense of His presence.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Snapshot: Repentance brings an Atmosphere Shift
A few days ago, I was really having a rough time with thankfulness. All I could do was get angry at things, and honestly, I surprised myself. I knew what God was pleased by, but I just refused to do it. I was definitely not walking in the Love of God.
The next morning I was in the Word and kept coming to rebuking messages. I read about Saul's downfall and His being tormented by an evil spirit. I read about the harsh actions of wicked men in the psalms. And I kept coming to more 'negative' verses, some of which were obviously condemning, some of which were not.
After a little while, I realized that there was a hole in my spiritual armor. Thankfully, there is no condemnation for us, as we belong to Jesus (Romans 8:1). But if we are not abiding like He'd want, we are vulnerable to condemning thoughts or signs. It is satan, the accuser of the brethren, who places these mindsets in. And the only reliable way to overcome him is to be cleansed by God (see Zechariah Chapter 3).
So, by Grace I realized something had went wrong. I realized--the Lord laid it on my heart-- that I needed to repent for my sins, namely anger and disobedience, the day before. I thought I'd already done this, but He revealed to me it wasn't quite heartfelt. I didn't fully tell Him, "sorry". Nor did I commit to future change.
At that point, I repented. I humbled myself and apologized. And just like that, I knew I was forgiven! Our Lord is so quick to do that. I felt Him tangibly take that burden of my shoulders. My vision opened up, and I felt remade as new. With great faith--it comes from a great God--I opened up my Bible to another place and began reading what I saw first (for more on reading the Word, click here).
"...that He may lift you up in due time" 1 Peter 5:6
And that's exactly what He does. If you humble yourself, He will lift you up. If you repent, He will forgive. These are His promises! And when you repent, you enter freely into the Kingdom. Just like that, the power of our Lord and His angels is at hand. Just like that, we know what it means to have a yoke that is easy, and a burden that is light. We can be sure that He has forgiven us. We can be sure He has claimed us as His own and silenced the accuser. We can see and take great joy in the reality that He has turned our darkness into light (Psalms 18:28). His life becomes our light. Glory to God!
The next morning I was in the Word and kept coming to rebuking messages. I read about Saul's downfall and His being tormented by an evil spirit. I read about the harsh actions of wicked men in the psalms. And I kept coming to more 'negative' verses, some of which were obviously condemning, some of which were not.
After a little while, I realized that there was a hole in my spiritual armor. Thankfully, there is no condemnation for us, as we belong to Jesus (Romans 8:1). But if we are not abiding like He'd want, we are vulnerable to condemning thoughts or signs. It is satan, the accuser of the brethren, who places these mindsets in. And the only reliable way to overcome him is to be cleansed by God (see Zechariah Chapter 3).
So, by Grace I realized something had went wrong. I realized--the Lord laid it on my heart-- that I needed to repent for my sins, namely anger and disobedience, the day before. I thought I'd already done this, but He revealed to me it wasn't quite heartfelt. I didn't fully tell Him, "sorry". Nor did I commit to future change.
At that point, I repented. I humbled myself and apologized. And just like that, I knew I was forgiven! Our Lord is so quick to do that. I felt Him tangibly take that burden of my shoulders. My vision opened up, and I felt remade as new. With great faith--it comes from a great God--I opened up my Bible to another place and began reading what I saw first (for more on reading the Word, click here).
"...that He may lift you up in due time" 1 Peter 5:6
And that's exactly what He does. If you humble yourself, He will lift you up. If you repent, He will forgive. These are His promises! And when you repent, you enter freely into the Kingdom. Just like that, the power of our Lord and His angels is at hand. Just like that, we know what it means to have a yoke that is easy, and a burden that is light. We can be sure that He has forgiven us. We can be sure He has claimed us as His own and silenced the accuser. We can see and take great joy in the reality that He has turned our darkness into light (Psalms 18:28). His life becomes our light. Glory to God!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Snapshot: Respond to God
Yesterday morning in my quiet time the Lord showed gave me a visual that showed me how we as
Christians should respond to Him. This whole teaching helped me understand how God wants us to react to His presence.
Picture yourself in Church. You and your churchmembers are in a time of worship and God is present and bringing comfort and conviction. Those hungry for Him are being satisfied and He is showing Himself Love on behalf of His many promises:
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
So, the people are seeking God, and He is showing up. The Kingdom of Heaven is being taken by God's mercy. God's arm and His Spirit have been brought into the room on behalf of those who seek Him. The Church responds in worship and repentance, and whatever other things the Spirit prompts the people to do. Everybody praises God and has been maneuvered to a state of thankfulness.
But what happens after the music stops? What happens when the people go home and go about with their lives? This is exactly what I've been thinking about recently. And this is what God was speaking to me about beginning yesterday.
How do we respond to His Love? By changing our ways. By "bearing fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). In other words, by showing our change of heart by putting out greater effort to emulate Him. Those who change their ways can and WILL live in the Kingdom long after being affected by the Lord in the Church service. Those who are willing to follow Him wherever He takes us, wherever He goes, are the ones who are able to stay in the Kingdom.
And so many things distract us from Him. So many things block out our Heavenly Home. We need to think about Him. We need to purify our hearts. We even may need to give up our things if we are wanting to truly follow Him. Let's not be like the rich young ruler. Nothing among our own possessions is worth keeping if that means being unwilling to enter the Kingdom of God.
So, we need to be passionate for Him. And we need to be flexible enough to stay with Him long after the worship ends. We need to be flexible enough that He causes us to bend our wills, and even our perceptions of His. The passionate and flexible--the hungry and thirsty--are those who will see God.
He desires to have us remain in His presence all day. Will you yield? It's only after yielding that we can abide in Him. This is the way to part from the world and become best friends with God. It's not by power or by might, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). And it's by a humble and desperate heart.
Confirmed: Today Vanessa was reading Hosea and came across a great passage. Let's LIVE in His presence:
"After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." Hosea 6:2
Let's be revived through worship, live our life in His presence, and the press on to know Him. If we press in, He will allow it. If we search for Him, He will reveal Himself. Glory to God!
"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3
Christians should respond to Him. This whole teaching helped me understand how God wants us to react to His presence.
Picture yourself in Church. You and your churchmembers are in a time of worship and God is present and bringing comfort and conviction. Those hungry for Him are being satisfied and He is showing Himself Love on behalf of His many promises:
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
So, the people are seeking God, and He is showing up. The Kingdom of Heaven is being taken by God's mercy. God's arm and His Spirit have been brought into the room on behalf of those who seek Him. The Church responds in worship and repentance, and whatever other things the Spirit prompts the people to do. Everybody praises God and has been maneuvered to a state of thankfulness.
But what happens after the music stops? What happens when the people go home and go about with their lives? This is exactly what I've been thinking about recently. And this is what God was speaking to me about beginning yesterday.
How do we respond to His Love? By changing our ways. By "bearing fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). In other words, by showing our change of heart by putting out greater effort to emulate Him. Those who change their ways can and WILL live in the Kingdom long after being affected by the Lord in the Church service. Those who are willing to follow Him wherever He takes us, wherever He goes, are the ones who are able to stay in the Kingdom.
And so many things distract us from Him. So many things block out our Heavenly Home. We need to think about Him. We need to purify our hearts. We even may need to give up our things if we are wanting to truly follow Him. Let's not be like the rich young ruler. Nothing among our own possessions is worth keeping if that means being unwilling to enter the Kingdom of God.
So, we need to be passionate for Him. And we need to be flexible enough to stay with Him long after the worship ends. We need to be flexible enough that He causes us to bend our wills, and even our perceptions of His. The passionate and flexible--the hungry and thirsty--are those who will see God.
He desires to have us remain in His presence all day. Will you yield? It's only after yielding that we can abide in Him. This is the way to part from the world and become best friends with God. It's not by power or by might, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). And it's by a humble and desperate heart.
Confirmed: Today Vanessa was reading Hosea and came across a great passage. Let's LIVE in His presence:
"After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." Hosea 6:2
Let's be revived through worship, live our life in His presence, and the press on to know Him. If we press in, He will allow it. If we search for Him, He will reveal Himself. Glory to God!
"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3
Friday, November 28, 2014
A Deliberate Sacrifice
Will you give God your time? Will you make life about Him?
If you seem Him you will find Him. If you seek earnestly, and with a pure heart, you will see His WORD play out in your w. The pure in heart will see God.
In the old testament they had obligations and particular offerings to atone with. They were instructed by God in His law: none were allowed to appear before Him empty handed (Exodus 23:15). Today the Holy Spirit pleads with us to offer up all. We don't need sin offering or guilt offerings. We don't need to place material gifts between ourselves and the wrath of God as if they could act as a cushion. What we need are intentional gifts to the Lord.
God loves a cheerful giver. Sacrifice and offerings He does not desire, but He does desire to open our eyes (Psalm 40:6). What a breakthrough. What a revelation. God is spirit and He wants full possession of our spirit. When He has captured us, He gives us a pure heart--He gives us exactly what He wants us to have! He has given us the qualities and free gifts to allow us to please Him. We have the glory of bringing thanks into the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 33:11).
He gives us a pure heart so we can worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). He gives us an overpowering truth. The truth is what sets us free and allows us to give joyfully. His inner trust is what offers to Him thank offerings. That's what God requires. The sacrifice of unconditional praise. Will you thank Him? Will you give Him credit for the life He gives?
Look at Job. God made Him sacrifice all by allowing destruction. But what God really required was the biggest sacrifice, that of never-ending praise. How did Job stay righteous in God's eyes? He didn't have any fatted calves to offer up when his life's worth was taken away. God desired praise from Job, not just the giving of material possessions. Praise God that our praise, our deliberate thankfulness, pleases Him. Will you call Him blessed? (Job 1:21) This is what God requires.
If you seem Him you will find Him. If you seek earnestly, and with a pure heart, you will see His WORD play out in your w. The pure in heart will see God.
In the old testament they had obligations and particular offerings to atone with. They were instructed by God in His law: none were allowed to appear before Him empty handed (Exodus 23:15). Today the Holy Spirit pleads with us to offer up all. We don't need sin offering or guilt offerings. We don't need to place material gifts between ourselves and the wrath of God as if they could act as a cushion. What we need are intentional gifts to the Lord.
God loves a cheerful giver. Sacrifice and offerings He does not desire, but He does desire to open our eyes (Psalm 40:6). What a breakthrough. What a revelation. God is spirit and He wants full possession of our spirit. When He has captured us, He gives us a pure heart--He gives us exactly what He wants us to have! He has given us the qualities and free gifts to allow us to please Him. We have the glory of bringing thanks into the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 33:11).
He gives us a pure heart so we can worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). He gives us an overpowering truth. The truth is what sets us free and allows us to give joyfully. His inner trust is what offers to Him thank offerings. That's what God requires. The sacrifice of unconditional praise. Will you thank Him? Will you give Him credit for the life He gives?
Look at Job. God made Him sacrifice all by allowing destruction. But what God really required was the biggest sacrifice, that of never-ending praise. How did Job stay righteous in God's eyes? He didn't have any fatted calves to offer up when his life's worth was taken away. God desired praise from Job, not just the giving of material possessions. Praise God that our praise, our deliberate thankfulness, pleases Him. Will you call Him blessed? (Job 1:21) This is what God requires.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Thankfulness
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18
What does it mean to rejoice always? It means to stay uplifted in God's truth. Rejoice, you've been forgiven! You've been redeemed, the goodness of God in sacrificing His son Jesus has saved you!
What does it mean to pray continually? It means to keep prayer and communion with God at the forefront of the mind at all times. It means staying aware of God going before you, God backing you, and God emanating Himself through you, and verbalizing this awareness (even if verbally) to Him constantly.
What does it mean to give thanks in all? It means to keep gratitude for God at such a high level that any momentary troubles are not worth comparing to future glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). It means looking forward to our return home and allowing that faith to overshadow present-time testing. Let's realize and even appreciate that our treasures are stored up in earthen jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7), so that God's power in us might become even more awe-inspiring (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God never fails. Let's praise Him for His character. Let's praise Him that He is ready to forgive. He is mighty to save.
What does it mean to rejoice always? It means to stay uplifted in God's truth. Rejoice, you've been forgiven! You've been redeemed, the goodness of God in sacrificing His son Jesus has saved you!
What does it mean to pray continually? It means to keep prayer and communion with God at the forefront of the mind at all times. It means staying aware of God going before you, God backing you, and God emanating Himself through you, and verbalizing this awareness (even if verbally) to Him constantly.
What does it mean to give thanks in all? It means to keep gratitude for God at such a high level that any momentary troubles are not worth comparing to future glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). It means looking forward to our return home and allowing that faith to overshadow present-time testing. Let's realize and even appreciate that our treasures are stored up in earthen jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7), so that God's power in us might become even more awe-inspiring (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God never fails. Let's praise Him for His character. Let's praise Him that He is ready to forgive. He is mighty to save.
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