Receiving to Give

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (New International Version)


We cannot give away what we do not first possess for ourselves and we cannot possess what we first do not receive. Paul stated this in relationship to his receiving and then passing on to others, the gospel message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. I, too, never shared the gospel with an individual until after I had received it for myself.

This morning, I am pondering the things I pass on to others because I have received them myself. I listen when another speaks to me because I have had others give me their undivided attention. I forgive and give others a second chance because forgiveness has been extended to me. I ache for the hurt of others because I have had individuals come along side me in times of darkness and pain. I hug another in greeting because arms have welcomed me in ways that hugged my soul as well as my body. I encourage another in their faith because people have so graciously and consistently encouraged me. In other words, I pass on what I first received. I demonstrate what has been shown to me.

This idea of passing on what has been received is one of God’s kingdom principles. It is the way He has designed the Christian life to be lived. It honors Him as it helps others. I thank Him this morning for the people He has used in my life. They have invested their time, energy, and wisdom and I do not want to live as if it were all in vain. I want their actions to bear fruit beyond the branches of my life. I want their kindnesses to be multiplied as I duplicate and imitate them.

When Jesus fed the 3,000 and then the 5,000 he started with a small lunch of fish and bread. He handed to His disciples what was handed to Him. They then distributed to others what had been given to them. Our words and actions are part of the receiving and giving principle. May we learn to be receptive receivers and generous givers.

Father, thank you for all that You have given to me either directly or through the lives of other believers. May my life be one that keeps passing on what I have received. Amen.

Jesus You're Beautiful - CeCe Winans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8FSUNFXHM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Staying Power

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (New King James Version)

What is it that robs you of peace and joy? Circumstances? Failure? Disappointment? Loss? According to James 1:3, those things develop us into stronger Christians. They are what we face in life but they are not the robbers. Our thoughts and what we choose to meditate and dwell upon are the culprits! God’s promise for peace is contingent upon our keeping our thoughts directed toward Him. Looking to Him to sustain and uphold us. To be our leaning post upon which we rest and relax. Not just every once in a while but on a continual basis.

Flowery words? To some. But they are meant to be more than words. They are meant to breath life into our fitful lives. God knows how easily we can drain and strain our strength by the mere practice of looking away from Him and (for the most part) forgetting about Him. We wear ourselves out with worry and anxiety. Like the slow churning of lava prior to the volcanic eruption, we poise ourselves for emptiness and bewilderness. Jesus promised abundant life and we dig our feet into the sod of a cemetery.

So what is it that fills me with anything but peace? Allowing myself to continually dwell on past relationships that did not work out the way I had hoped. Resigning myself to the thought that life holds no more adventure or change. Harboring regrets over past failure and present relapses into dangerous thinking. Allowing perceptions and distortions to play freely across the fields of my mind. It is deliberate thinking in the wrong direction and on the wrong objects.

A read through of the Psalms will quickly give me more than enough to think upon. Reviewing God’s past intervention in my life will equip me to live life peacefully. It is purposeful and intentional meditation upon the heart, character, and actions of God that will break the cycle of peace-draining mindsets.

I write often of the thought life because I experience the painful results of not taking the thoughts captive. Today is a day for redirecting my thoughts and standing guard against any that would be counter productive to God’s desire for me. He who holds my life in His hands longs to be the one upon whom my mind is fixated!

Father, fill my mind with thoughts of You! Amen.

Warrior is a Child/Do I Trust You - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Living With Blindness

Let them alone, they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit. Matthew 15:14 (New American Standard Bible)

These words were spoken in relationship to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. There were many things they could not see when it came to Jesus and His teachings. Their view of Scripture was filtered through their own mindset of traditions. How tragic when man’s opinion and preference is put on equal footing with the Word of God. What is it like to be one of the blind being guided by the blind?

For three decades I lived my Christian life out of an inability to freely approach God’s Word and see what it said for myself. When it came to personal standards, much of my “list” was made up of what others said a Christian should and shouldn’t be doing. I am not talking about things that are clearly spelled out in Scripture. Any time you see the words “Thou shalt not” in front of something in the Bible there should be no question as to the necessity to implement that into your life. Who would question the fact that a person should not kill, steal, lie, commit sexual sins, etc….? While some churches have ceased to even mention clear cut biblical commands from the pulpits, praise God for those who still do!

My problem was never with those areas being taught. Yet I did struggle to realize that the gray issues of our society were not to be held on equal footing with direct commands from the Bible. The gray issues for me were things being taught by the church that were not spelled out in Scripture. They usually fell under the heading of scriptural principles when in actuality were the opinions and preferences of people. Each church has its own set of acceptable and unacceptable behavior for Christians. My list would probably look different from yours.

I am not saying that standards are wrong to have. Standards are necessary! The problem is not in having standards. The problem is using those standards as a measuring tool for ones spiritual and heart condition. None could have standards higher than the Pharisees of Jesus’ day and yet their hearts were not connected to God in any way, shape or form.

The day I learned to see my list as coming from people instead of God’s Word was the day my list took a drastic blow! It had become my basis of spirituality and God was letting me know it was not accurate. Spirituality needed to come from my heart and a direct relationship with God instead of aligning myself with the traditions of men. The Bible had to become my place from which doctrine, life style, and choices stemmed. May I never again allow others to take the responsibility of establishing a list of do’s and don’ts for me. May I possess standards that are for my good and God’s glory.

Father, there is a blindness among Your family. Please give me eyes to see the truth, ears to hear Your voice, and a heart to follow You. Amen.

Open the Eyes of My Heart - Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnqb7Vn4AEE&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Avoiding Captivity

So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 1 Chronicles 9:1 (New King James Version)

It is a phrase that is often repeated throughout Israel’s history in the Old Testament…..carried away captive. Bondage. Being captive was not their choice but rather a result of their choice to be unfaithful to God. The warnings were simple, obey and be protected and blessed. Disobey and fall into the hands of captors. They could not have one without the other. Neither can we!

While I have never been taken captive by a nation, I have tasted areas of captivity in my life. My forms of bondage are results of addictions particularly in the area of food and friendships. When I keep things balanced and in the healthy amounts I do well and walk in freedom. If I start looking to food or friends to be what they were not intended to be I quickly find myself captive to all sorts difficulties.

God has purposes for both food and friends in my life. Food is for the nourishment of my body. He has graciously added taste, texture, and temperature for my enjoyment but the bottom line is that it fuels my body. When I see it as such I derive satisfaction and stamina. When I decide to eat out of emotions rather than hunger I turn to binging, poor choices, and huge amounts. The results are weight gain and sluggishness and an open door to losing control in other areas of my life. It doesn’t take long for me to realize my appetite has become my captor and it is ruthless.

People are social, emotional, and spiritual encouragers. They are often God’s hands, feet, and heart to me. When I see them as such and accept God’s gift of love through them life is a joy. On the other hand, when I make them my personal need meeters and look to them to take responsibility for my emotional well being the dependency issue becomes my captor. The results are a heavy heart, confused thoughts, and a restlessness that is filled with spiraling mood swings.

God’s answer? Be faithful to Him. Look to Him as my primary Source and appreciate the others (food and people) as a part of Himself rather than a competition of Him. It is never a free for all. Boundaries and limits are necessary and together, He and I are working to set the parameters of those boundaries and limits. I want it to be said of me, “She was not carried away captive because of her faithfulness!”

Father, you have stirred my heart with Your truth this morning. The captors are always waiting to carry me away. May this be a day when I give them no opportunity to do so. Amen.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjBBzQBK7po&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

My Past Is Not My Future

Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Terror struck the hearts of Joseph’s brothers because the person who knew what they had tried to bury for so long was standing before them. They expected harsh judgment maybe even death but received mercy and a plea to draw near. Healing of emotions comes with accepting the truth of what has happened along with the release of bitterness, anger, and revenge. We can only give away what we first have received for ourselves ~ grace, mercy, forgiveness.

Joseph had the right perspective of his life and the circumstances he faced. Our trials should carry us to God not from Him. We have a choice to focus on ourselves, our circumstances, other people's treatment of us, or God. Joseph not only saw the big picture from God's perspective but he wanted his brothers to see it as well. His counsel to not be grieved or angry with themselves was meant to help them walk in freedom.

So often we are prone to allow our past sins, failures, and wrong choices to define what our future will be like. It becomes a sign we wear over our life that says, "I did such and such and because of that I do not deserve to be loved, forgiven, or viewed without shame." Sometimes we place the sign over other people's lives. Any success or good thing is dampened because of the past if we hang on to it.

Joseph is not telling them that what they did was okay. He is simply telling them not to spend the rest of their lives under guilt and condemnation. How is that possible when you come face to face with the horrible things you have done? I am sure as time went on and they began to see the full extent of what they had done they doubted things could ever be made right. I find the most difficult time to embrace forgiveness is when my actions have affected another person. Freedom is found when I own what I have done, go to the one I have wronged, and go to God. I must know that there is always a big picture. With a few strokes of His brush He can restore the picture I have ruined.

Who is it today that I need to forgive? What are the words, actions, or perceptions I need to release through the act of forgiveness either toward myself or others? What is it that has me in turmoil as much as the turmoil of Joseph’s brothers? I look to God to show me what is hidden as well as what is being easily ignored.

Father, Your hands hold me and mold me. It will not always feel good but You have promised it will be a masterpiece when You are finished. I like that! Amen.

What Sin? - Morgan Cryar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Wdzzx6-f4&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Guaranteed Returns

As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head. Obadiah 1:15 (New International Version)

Our actions matter to God. The way we treat others and respond to the situations of their life is noticed! What comes to your mind when you read today’s verse? It will all depend on how you have interacted with people. If we really understood what God is saying we would put more thought into the way we are living our lives. Throughout Scripture, God presents the reaping and sowing principle. Count on this….there will be a harvest. God is giving us the opportunity to make sure that harvest is good.

Let’s get practical! Do I live my life out of graciousness, forgiveness, generosity, tolerance, and benevolence? God says it will come back on me. Do I live my life out of selfishness, anger, impatience, revenge, and bitterness? God also says that will come back on me. What I want must be what I am demonstrating to others. It is not a matter of waiting for others to treat me the way I want to be treated and then acting in response to their goodness. That is backwards thinking. God’s way is for me to take the initiative and act first. When I do so, in the right way, I am following the pattern God has shown me….time and time again.

Sometimes we hesitate to live with other’s best interests at heart because we fear our needs will go unmet. God reminds us that will not be the case. We can trust Him on this one. It is like a boomerang! What I send out always comes back to me. Maybe not from the person I extended the goodness to, but it will come back. That is what He meant when He said, “Give and it shall be given unto you. Pressed down, shaken, and running over.”

A few illustrations come to mind….driving! I find that when I am prone to give way to other drivers the same is done back to me countless times. But when I drive selfishly and impatiently I can count on other drivers being just as rude toward me. As I encourage others, encouragement comes my way. As I give to others I become a recipient later on to an act of kindness. God said it this way, “To have friends you must show yourself friendly.” Part of living by faith is realizing goodness comes back to me that I have extended to others. I count on that harvest!

Father, help me to live my life giving away the very things You have given to me. May I demonstrate Your heart to others. Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Waiting for Direction

Abram called on the name of the Lord…The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him….For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth…..arise, walk through the land….for I will give it to you. Then Abram moved his tent. Genesis 13:4, 14-18 (New American Standard Bible)

Have you ever had a difficult decision to make and weren’t quite sure what to do? I am learning that it is imperative that I learn to wait until I have discerned what it is God wants me to do. My personality is such that it is very easy for me to base decisions on emotions and the opinions of the people in my life. I am a “spur-of-the-moment” kind of person. I have spent the past couple of years departing from comfort zones, jumping off cliffs of security, and running with abandon into freedom. It has been quite interesting and necessary. But now I am sensing a shift in my own decision making processes. I am learning to wait!

I watch God’s interaction with Abram and find it settling. Genesis 13 is a chapter of returning, removing, and reaching for Abram. God brings him back to Bethel….a place of altar-building and decision making. Sometimes it is necessary for us to return to our own Bethels and realign ourselves with God’s agenda. It is a time to assess what it is God is doing in us, through us, and around us.

The first thing Abram is confronted with is disunity. The land is not big enough to support the herds of both Lot and Abram. A choice to separate is made with Lot being allowed to choose first. He picks what he believes to be the prime real estate and moves on. It is then that God gives some clear direction to Abram which is full of rich promises. He is promised land as far as his eye can see and descendents that are without number. Abram’s move comes after clear direction from God.

May I too learn to wait for clear direction from my heavenly Father. He will let me know in my spirit what I am to do, how I am to do it, and when I am to do it. There will be no confusion or second guessing. He may use the counsel of friends but I will not limit Him to that option alone. As I open myself up to hear His voice in this matter, I can rest assured He will speak.

Father, I desire to hear from You. I rest in the fact that I will know when You have given me direction. It is You I long to follow. Amen.

With All I Am - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMrAafe7Mns&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.