1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  NKJV

I had a person tell me, “It just happened and there was nothing I could do about it” in reference to a failure in their life.  If that statement is true, then the passage above is a lie.  The Word of God is not a lie.  We do get “caught” in faults, situations, and circumstances but they Do Not just happen.  We open the door and fail to look for and receive the “way of escape” God has provided.  It really doesn’t matter what the temptation is, there is a way out if we will stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit and not allow the devil to inundate us with justifications that seek to excuse our behavior. 

Will we tell God that it “just happened” and we were totally caught off guard without a way out?  I don’t think we’d dare attempt that justification or excuse because we know better. If we fail to heed the warning signs of the Spirit and the flesh, we open ourselves to failure on any and every front in our lives. 

I had a woman tell me once about her infidelity, “He said such good things and cared about me unlike my husband, and it just happened.”  NO, IT DID NOT!  You opened the door.  You entertained the flattery and began to enjoy the attention and allowed your guard to be lowered.  I have no doubt that God was continually giving you warning signs and offering you ways out, but you were enjoying the attention too much and the flesh was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. 

We do not just “Fall into Temptation” we walk into it.  If we allow the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life to override the pricks of the Holy Spirit we become subject to succumbing to temptation.  When we “fall” it was not totally unexpected, but we kept moving nearer and nearer to the edge and finally could no longer maintain our spiritual balance, and over the edge we went.  But never doubt there was a way out, a path of escape because that is God’s promise and God never lies.

I cannot emphasize the importance of the biblical directive of Paul in the next verse, “…flee idolatry” and the other biblical warnings to “resist the devil” and to “shun the very appearance of evil.”  We talk ourselves into failure because of circumstances, situations, disappointments, and sometimes simply through flattery. 

I have had preachers tell me, “Well, there is no harm in harmless flirting.”  Seriously?  Harmless flirting?  What is that? Remember it is the “little foxes that spoil the vine”.  If you continue to sow seeds to the flesh and ego, one day you will find the harvest comes in and you won’t like the result.  It is one thing to be friendly it is quite another to flirt which often subconsciously entertains something beyond the harmless. 

I have witnessed situations develop as a result of “harmless flirting” in a moment of weakness, disappointment, and even anger over a situation.  If that door had not been opened the opportunity would not have presented itself and the fall into temptation would not have been a possibility. 

God is faithful and He expects faithfulness from us.  The good news is, “if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father.”  Never, justify a failure or indirectly blame God for not warning you of the danger because He has promised to provide “a way of escape.” 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 –“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  NKJV

Compartmentalization is defined as “an unconscious psychological mechanism used to avoid cognitive dissonance, or the mental discomfort and anxiety caused by a person’s having conflicting values, cognitions, emotions, beliefs, etc. within themselves.”  

In Christianity, it gives rise and attempts to justify holding the view of one’s having a “spiritual life, church life, family life, business life, etc.”  I had a very well-respected man, a pillar of the church and community, tell me that his business life, family life, and spiritual life were all separated and that allowed him to function more perfectly in this present world.  I cannot accept that as biblically valid for we are what we believe and out of our belief system our lives are reflected in our various life engagements. 

If we compartmentalize our lives so that one does not overlap the other, we could be devious in business, disloyal in our relationships, and yet maintain the appearance of godliness in the church.  That dog won’t hunt, in my opinion.  We read in Proverbs 23:7 (Amp), “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior – one who manipulates] …”  Jesus informed us in Luke 12 that a person’s life DOES NOT consist of possessions.  His existence may consist of possessions but not his LIFE!  Life is the sum total of all we are in all areas of our existence. 

I believe compartmentalization is one of the major reasons so many are avid defenders of the idea of “separation of church and state.”  If we completely divest politics from our spiritual and moral makeup, we are able to stand behind and with politicians who are not godly, do not support godly principles, and demonstrate a character unbecoming to the faith.  If we completely divest politics from our spiritual and moral makeup, we are able to support legislation that gives us a benefit on one hand while running afoul of the basic principles of God’s word and morality. 

I do not want to make this devotional about politics, but every area of life is part of our Life and important.  What I believe politically, economically, socially, and relationally is directly connected and stems from what I believe spiritually.  If I value the Word of God and consider the Bible my guide for faith and practice, then I cannot and will not separate it from every compartment or area of my life.  WHAT I BELIEVE IS WHO I AM!

It would cause less angst in our hearts if we could compartmentalize our lives and feel no guilt or remorse for deviousness, often called shrewdness, in business.  However, our conscience will not allow us to have that disconnect Unless we allow our conscience to become “seared”.  

Compartmentalization allows Christians to become anesthetized to the wickedness and evil in society on various fronts.  I am amazed at how little sin troubles many who profess Christ today.  We are able to be inundated with profanity, lewdness, vileness and do not feel completely soiled needing a bath. 

Our spirits are not grieved when we are bombarded with godlessness, and we are able to allow it entrance through our eye or ear gates not realizing that it taints our spirits much more dramatically than we imagine.  I have had some tell me that I am being “holier than thou” or too “Puritan and Prudish” in my views because that’s just the way the world is, and we have to be in it.  Yes, but we are not to be OF IT!

You are not a cat and do not have nine lives distinct and separate from the other compartments of your being.  You are the sum total of the various aspects of your life and a reflection of what you believe. 

If we truly believe the Bible is the Word of God then I suggest that we need to come before our Lord and ask Him, as David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”  [Psalm 51:10-11]. 

In Proverbs 4:23 we find, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”  The word “issues” refers to the “outgoings and boundaries”.  Our hearts (what we believe) shapes our lives, who we are, and all we do.  How can we believe in an Omniscient God who wants us to seek first and foremost His kingdom and righteousness if we compartmentalize our lives including Him in some and excluding Him in other portions? 

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him

Romans 11:33-36 – “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD?  Or who has become His counselor?”  35 ‘Or who has first given to Him, And it shall be repaid to him?”  36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”  NKJV

The incomprehensibility of God has caused some to be unwilling to embrace His reality and existence.  They want an ordered detailed explanation for everything and yet they will accept theories of Science and Evolutionist as realities when they are yet unproven.  I find that incomprehensible! 

When I look at any human being, the creatures upon earth, the atmosphere around our planet, and the order of the Universe I find it Impossible to believe it just happened.  I cannot explain the eternality of God and the devil has attempted to shipwreck my faith more than once on that front but then I consider my own body and my world and find it Impossible to believe anything but Divine Creation. 

I can relate to the declaration, “It is incomprehensible to believe in the existence of God but find it even more incomprehensible to not believe in His existence.”  I may not be able to explain everything with the proofs most require but I have experienced Salvation and know the transformation of my own life. 

I have experienced divine healing in my physical body.  I have witnessed lives completely transformed and a person who could only be described as a reprobate transformed into a wholesome, godly, honest, dependable, and honest person.  I had a medical doctor tell me that before Medical School he was an atheist. 

He said that in Medical School he found so many unexplainable things about the human body he became a guarded skeptic.  He said that after a few years performing delicate surgeries and seeing what he saw in the human body and how things interrelated he determined it was IMPOSSIBLE for that to have just happened or evolved and the design he witnessed demanded the existence of a designer.  He became a believer and has lived with a settled faith for decades.

I make no attempt to make the Incomprehensible Comprehensiblefor that would take intellect and experience greater than I possess.  I know that I was once lost in sin and on that faithful night at my sister’s home at the kitchen table all alone in Palestine, Texas the Lord Jesus forgave me of my sins and transformed my life.  I was changed and things happened in me and my life that I cannot explain but know they are real. 

I recently read that a man who has translated 17 books of the Bible for the Vatican has declared that the language of Genesis where the “Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters” is Starship and the “let us make man in our image” the Elohim refers to DNA cut from the Elohim.  He was arguing that we exist because of an experiment by extraterrestrial visitors from outer space. 

You may believe that if you choose but I believe, “In the beginning God…”  I believe John 3:16 and fully believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the Image and Likeness of the Eternal God and that Jesus, the Son of God who came, died, rose again, and has now ascended to heaven is or has made preparation for me to spend eternity with Him in heaven.  It may be Incomprehensible to the human mind and reason, but it is Incomprehensible to my heart and spirit to not believe in the existence of God.

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day!

Song of Solomon 8:7 – “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.”  NKJV

Today, millions all over the world celebrate this holiday that focuses on Romantic Love.  The Bible is not silent on the matter of romantic love and the power of all kinds of love.  Romantic love will and has literally driven some mad and will cause people to do things they would never have thought possible to please the object of their affection.

I realize that Valentine’s Day was not originally a Christian Holiday and although its origin is associated with Saint Valentine its roots are largely rooted in the Greco-Roman pagan fertility festivals and a medieval notion that birds paired off to mate on February 14th each year.  The tradition of exchanging cards, candy or other tokens probably originated in England and France during the 14th and 15th centuries but became incredibly popular in the United States in the 20th century.  Whether you participate in this holiday and the traditions of Valentine’s Day is up to you and a decision you must make based on your personal convictions. 

However, on this occasion so much focus is on love and especially romantic love I want to address the power of LOVE!  Jesus said that the greatest demonstration of love was to lay down one’s life for their friends. (John 15:13) Paul addressed Love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, saying, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” NIV.  He goes on to say in verses 4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…”  NIV

Paul addressed marital love in Ephesians 5 telling the husbands to demonstrate the same love toward the wife as Christ does for His church.  It is to be a love that is exemplified in 1 Corinthians 13 and Proverbs 31.  We are advised or commanded in Colossians 3:14 to “put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”  Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”  Then in John 3:16 we have the picture of perfect and ultimate love.  In 1 John 3:16 we read, “This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (NIV) In 1 John 4:18 we are told of the power of love, “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (NIV)

So, on this day in which millions focus on love and celebrate love and all its qualities and benefits I encourage you to turn your heart first to the LORD, then to that one God has given you, then to your children, your family, and your friends.  Let us demonstrate the Love of God to all men.

My Valentine is in heaven now and has been for over ten months.  I miss her more than words can convey but one day I will see her again and see the Face of the One Who Died for me!  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO EVERYONE!

If you have your valentine with you in the flesh, hold them close and treasure them. My Valentine has gone to heaven and I’m lonely beyond words today. But ONE DAY… One Day I will see her again!

Blessings as you celebrate this beautiful day in Christ our Lord!

Luke 11:37-44 – “And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So, He went in and sat down to eat. 38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.  40 Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?  41 But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.  44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”  NKJV

Yes, Jesus does choose sides!  I love this story which depicts how our LORD views pomp, ceremony, and outward show.  It reveals how Jesus views our man-made traditions that are not consistent with the Heart and Spirit of His Word.  The Pharisee, not unlike many even in our modern times, was all about appearance.  His focus was dotting all the ceremonial I’s and crossing the T’s religiously and doctrinally.  He was far more interested in the visible than the invisible, the outward rather than the heart.

When Jesus accepted his invitation to break bread with him, he was shocked that Jesus did not participate in the ceremonial washing before eating.  Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach spiritual truth regarding the difference between the external (visible or ceremonial) and the internal (heart).  He addressed the fact that putting on a show, giving the appearance of righteousness, spiritual correctness, and piety, while the inside was full of wickedness and sin, was Wrong.  Jesus did not call him a hypocrite but addressed the incorrectness of his views and actions.

Jesus continued in addressing the religious correctness and outward show of tithing on Everything but failing with regard to justice, doing the right thing out of love for God.  He did not say he was wrong for doing the things he did with regard to giving saying, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”  He addressed the public show and took the most visible position and then called him a hypocrite!

Which side does Jesus choose?  The Inside!  He chooses the inside (heart) rather than the outside and if we remember in 1 Samuel 16:7, the LORD spoke to Samuel saying, “Do not look at his appearance, because I have refused him.  For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  Oh, how guilty we are!  We are often impressed with the visible rather than the heart.  We are impressed with the oratorical ability, the fine dress, the fancy car, the accumulation of wealth, the size of the congregation but too often fail to take note of the condition of the heart. 

You can look like you are a devout believer.  You can look charitable.  You can look successful and may well be by man’s standards, but if in our hearts we are full of dead men’s bones we come short of God’s Glory.  Jesus is looking for hearts that are pure before Him and when He finds such hearts, He will develop hands that heal, help, and lift up.  Which side does Jesus choose?  He always chooses the INSIDE!

God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?” NKJV

I purposefully used the word Sectarianism rather than Denominationalism because most find it more distasteful.  There is an extremely large percentage of Christendom who identifies with one denomination or another and some are far more exclusive and separatist than others.  My question is, “If we are IN CHRIST, believers and partakers of His divine grace are we not members of THE BODY OF CHRIST?”  If we are members of Christ’s Body does not make us brothers and sisters in the faith? 

Sectarianism or Denominationalism is a reference to a group, often incredibly large, who unite under a common faith or doctrine.  Most organize and have a legal hierarchy with rules and regulations for participation and membership.  The tendency for most denominations is to separate themselves from others and emphasize their differences and exclusiveness.  I wonder how these squares with the prayer of Jesus in John 17, “that we all be one”.

 Knowing that I am on thin ice with many let me proceed to the passage listed in our text.  Paul addressed the Church at Corinth with a very strong rebuke.  He said, “I could not speak to you as spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”  Wow!  How would you like to have a recognized and respected leader of the Church come into your congregation and make that assertion?  He went on to say, “I fed you with milk and not solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are not able…”  Paul, you are about to be run out of town on a rail.  He then said, “…for you are carnal.”  What?  I thought they came behind in no spiritual gift!  How is this church with the gifts being identified as CARNAL? 

    His explanation was, “…where there is envy, strife, divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?  For when one says, ‘I am of Paul’, and another “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”  Paul recognized that the separation and exclusivism the Corinthians were practicing, much like today’s Christian world, was evidence of carnality, not spirituality.  It was evidence of man’s preference, not God’s grace and presence.  It was a source of envy, strife, quarrels, and divisions rather than a unifying in Him.

    I do not mind you being a member of any denomination, nor do I believe God does.  However, I do have a problem and believe God does, with exclusivism to the point of relegating all other believers to second-class citizenship of the faith if they do not ascribe to your particular doctrinal tenets.  The apostle reminded the Corinthians that he and Apollos were simply the messengers through whom they had been introduced to Christ. 

In Christianity, there is planting, watering, and harvesting and we each have a work to do and should be diligent in the pursuit of that assignment.  I am reminded of the disciples coming to Jesus in Mark 9 saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your Name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 

They felt good about and maybe even a bit smug in their reporting to Jesus, after all, they were not of their particular brand.  Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side…”  Jesus’ clear message was not that there would not be false teachers, prophets, and preachers but that simply because someone was not of your particular brand does not exclude them from the Family of God and the Body of Christ. 

If we, as believers, spent less time being concerned with our brand, label, or tag than we are the Gospel of Christ and rejoiced when others of faith were laboring in the field of life seeking to reach others with the message of the Cross, we would see far more in the way of spiritual renewal than we now see.

God bless you as you go through this day in Him

Romans 1:1-7 – “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  NKJV

Through the years, I have noticed and been guilty of reading the Bible from strictly a Western mentality.  I have contended for years that if we truly want to understand what is being said we have to understand what it meant to those who read and heard in that day.  Here in Romans Chapter 1, we find some powerful statements by the apostle Paul.

BONDSERVANT – The word is “Doulos”, which often is translated servant, but if we render it properly it means Slave.  It identifies one who is the property of his master and when Paul uses it here it is not for show but for defining purpose.  Those who heard his declaration understood that he was calling himself a Slave of Jesus Christ and that his life was no longer his in any way but entirely the property of the LORD Jesus.  We say that but do we mean that?  He was “willingly” a slave to the LORD!

Called to APOSTLESHIP – The word is “Apostolos” which signifies a messenger or envoy.  He is one who has been sent on a confidential errand.  Here it goes far beyond that and means an “extraordinary messenger” sent on behalf of the Master of the Universe, God Himself.  The fact that Paul said he had been “called” to be an apostle signifies that he understood that He was joined to Jesus just as the Twelve had been.  He was truly a messenger with authority.

SEPARATED Unto The Gospel – This is important in that Paul is not just separated “from” the world but “to” the Gospel.  He has identified a specific work and a work to which he is separated.  The Gospel is his life, calling, and purpose and as a SLAVE his purpose that which the LORD determines not simply his preference nor is it optional.  He has chosen to be exclusively committed to the purposes of God regardless of where that might lead or what the result might be.

Paul identifies this “gospel” which is timeless in the heart of God, promised through the prophets of old, and is now coming to fruition.  The commitment to the “gospel” is paramount in the mind and heart of this apostle.  He has a purpose, assignment, and mission in life and later would declare, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8). 

Paul’s life and ministry are marked by his singular commitment and dedication to his calling.  He refused to be dissuaded or diverted but set his heart to fulfilling the wishes of his LORD and MASTER to whom he considers himself a “willing slave.”  A slave for life by virtue of his choice to be completely bound by the master’s desire. 

That is an incredibly powerful message and testimony.  “I have totally committed my life, will, and desire to Him.  It is no longer my rights but His desire that controls my life and purpose.  I must decrease but He must continually increase.”   If that were the heart of each of us today, Totally, we would see a revival like we have not heretofore seen.  I have not yet attained but I am, like Paul, pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of Jesus.

    God bless you as you reaffirm your commitment and embark on the journey of this day!

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

We have considered three pieces of evidence we are engaged in Grace Giving so let’s consider others as well.  We know we are engaged in Grace Giving when…

• We Give Willingly – [2 Corinthians 8:10-22]

There is a tremendous difference between Promise and Performance.  The Corinthians had boasted to Titus a year earlier what they would do (v. 6) but had done nothing.  In [vv.10-12] Paul addresses Willingness because Grace Giving must come from the heart.

In my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals that were what I call auction offerings and coercions rather than examples of Grace Giving.  I have listened to heart-wrenching tales of dire need and forced myself to laugh at tired old jokes to somehow make it easier to part with my offering. 

I have been scolded, shamed, and almost threatened and I confess none of those stirred me to give more than I had planned to give and in honesty, I have given less than I planned as a result and my becoming disgusted with what I considered a carnal approach.  We must be careful not to confuse Willing and Doing.  If the “willingness” is sincere and in the will of God, there will be a corresponding “doing”.  Paul did not say that “willingness” was a substitute for “doing.”

I am convinced that God sees the “Gift of the Heart” as well as the “Gift in the Hand.”  If the heart wanted to do more but could not, God sees the heart.  I believe that God is more interested in the “proportion” than the “portion.”

• We Give By Faith – [2 Corinthians 8:13-24]

Please understand I am not talking about writing a check on funds you do not have and saying, “I’m giving by faith.”  I question if that is faith or presumption.  Rather step out in faith with the promise and as He puts it in your hands give it.

Grace Giving is an adventure of faith and incredibly exciting.  When we learn to give “by grace through faith” just as we were saved, we will begin to experience a wonderful liberation that transcends circumstances and frees us from the hold of things in our lives.  Instead of things possessing us, we will control them, and we will find a development of a wonderful new set of values and priorities.

            Grace Giving enriches us as we enrich others.

            Grace Giving transforms us to be more like Jesus in our lives.

May the LORD open the wonderful world of Grace Giving in your life and allow you to know the joy and thrill of His Grace in Giving!   Abundant Blessing is my prayer!

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

Today I’d like to pick up where we left off yesterday and consider the pieces of evidence that surface when we enter into Grace Giving.  I truly hope these are beneficial in your consideration of Giving and the Grace of God.  We know we are engaged in Grace Giving when…

• We Give In Spite of Circumstances.  [2 Corinthians 8:1-2]

The churches Paul used as an example were in Macedonia and had or were experiencing severe difficulties.  In fact (v.2) he identifies that they not only were in affliction but a “great trial of affliction”.  They were in “deep poverty” a term used to describe a beggar who has absolutely nothing and no hope of getting anything.  Out of the lack they gave.  Do you remember the widow with her two mites that Jesus took note of?  Grace Giving! 

Their situation may have been, in part, caused by their following Christ.  They may have lost jobs, etc. as a result of their confession of Jesus.  However, the beautiful thing is their circumstances did not prevent them from “giving what they had”.  What did Peter tell the beggar at the Gate Beautiful?  “Such as I have, I give…”  They gave Joyfully and Liberally.  Imagine that!  Great affliction and deep poverty plus Grace equal abundant joy and amazing liberality.  That makes no sense to the natural mind.

When you have experienced the Grace of God in your life you Will Not use difficult circumstances as an excuse or justification to not give.  If we remember that God is still in control, and He truly owns the cattle on a thousand hills and is the one who gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower we can give as He directs knowing He Can and He Will Provide! 

• We Give Enthusiastically – [2 Corinthians 8:3-4]

I ask, “Is it possible to give generously and not give enthusiastically?”  Maybe but incredibly infrequently.  The Macedonian church needed no prompting or reminders, they begged to be included. (v.4).

Their giving was completely voluntary and spontaneous.  It was Grace, not Pressure that prompted their giving.  We sometimes fail to understand that Grace not only frees us from sin, but it frees us from ourselves.  The Grace of God opens both the heart and the hand.

• We Give As Jesus Gave – [2 Corinthians 8:5-9]

Jesus is Always the preeminent example for us to follow whether in service, suffering, or sacrifice.  The Macedonians gave themselves to others like Jesus. [v.5]. The Macedonian’s giving was motivated by Love! 

What a rebuke to the church at Corinth that was enriched with spiritual blessings and gifts. (1 Corinthians 1:4-5).  They were so wrapped up in their gifts they neglected the Grace of the Spirit.  Oh, how we need balance in our lives.  Let me offer this word of caution.  You may have incredible spiritual gifts but that can never become a substitute for generous giving. 

Paul made sure that the Corinthians understood he was not ordering them to give.  He was contrasting the attitudes of the believers in Macedonia with those in Corinth.  His message was that Grace Giving is evidence of love.

Let’s pause here and pick this up again in the next devotional.  May the LORD encourage your heart and quicken your spirit to allow His Grace to permeate your entire being.  Blessings as you go through this day!