The Trial of Faith

"If you have faith as a mustard seed . . . nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20)

We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith- faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in a direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a Life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to "Walk by faith" (2 Corinthians 5:7). And you are worth much more to Him now then you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.
Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not what we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him- a faith that says, "I will remain true to God's character whatever He may do." The highest and greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is- "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

Devo from My Utmost for his Highest

Spiritual Enemies

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

In a battle, it is imperative to identify your enemy. If you are not aware of the point of your attack, you are vulnerable. Paul had many enemies. Some resented him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry. In spite of the persecution he faced, Paul never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. When people attacked him, he knew they were not his real opponents. They were simply unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.

When you meet opposition to your faith, your first reaction may be anger toward your antagonist. This may divert your attention from the deeper, spiritual dimensions of your conflict. Your adversary may be hopelessly in bondage to sin. Rather than retaliating, you should immediately and earnestly intercede for that person. Your opponent's hostility is your invitation to become involved in God's redemptive work to free him or her from spiritual bondage.

Be alert to the spiritual warfare around you. It is real and potentially destructive to you and those you care about. Knowing your real foe will protect you from the bitterness and unforgiveness, Your hope lies in the reality that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Do not place your hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already defeated your enemy.

devo from Experiencing God, Oct 30

-kim

Down with THE-MAN?

Romans 13

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
----------------------------------------------------

Last wednesday we went on a sandwich run and were able to see first hand the "lowest" of our city. Not to say that we've never seen them, but because we were actually looking for them probably allowed us to be more observant of gtheir predicament. Now for a realted observation:
On that same day i dropped into my friend's criminal justice class, andthey had brought in some guest speakers on the aboriginal status regarding criminal justice. they said that in 1990, it was confirmed that the aboriginal population in criminal institutions was misrepresented. Misrepresented in that the amount who were sent to jail were a higher percentage than of those people who actually commited the percentage of crimes. Meaning that if they or you were to commit the smae crime, it was statistically a fact that you had a higher chance of being being put in jail just because of not being a native. Anyways, soon afteer this was realised(although it had been known but not proven for a long long time), there was an act made to "fix" the issue. The act roughly said that natives were to be treated more lightly when sentenced just becuase of their race. but the important part is the reasoning when the judge passed this. It was stated in legal jargon that not only was there a problem with the treatment of these people, but MAINLY that there was a problem with the government, becuase it had let this happen for such a long time.

Now i know that people see the government corrupt from a christian stnad point and i cant say that it isnt. But form the passage and my event..... Im not too sure what to think. I know that the bible is the be all and end all but regardless it is importnat to critically analyze things in order to confirm their validity. So yea, leme noe wut u guys think.

-Brian Tse

On the whole girlfriend and marriage thing.

Hey all, credits go to Voddie Baucham and the 722 Series on Love & Marriage. I know we're all at the age of looking for girlfriends, so I thought I could shed some light on the biblical perspective on what to EXPECT of a potential mate.

Verses come from Eph 5:22-24...and more surrounding it.

22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

So this is the whole submission verse that most Christian guys know. And they hear it, and think marriage is a pretty sweet gig. The wife has to be submissive to the male. Can I get an AMEN?! That's where the logic usually stops....but there is more to this than meets the eye.

These two verses, are actually part of a set..in fact, part of the verse above it. In v21.

21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The Eph 5:22-24 part is actually part of a huge section: Eph 5:22 - Eph 6:9. It's the ways on how we submit to one another out of reverence to Christ:
1. Wives submit to Husbands.
2. Children submit to Parents.
3. Slaves submit to Masters.

The Bible doesn't acknowledge the idea of boyfriends and girlfriends. Girlfriends don't have to be submissive to boyfriends. HOWEVER, she must be submissive to her FATHER until married.

So what you should be looking for in a girl..
1. A girl who submits to Christ.
2. A girl who submits to the authority that God has placed over her. (Father...if not there...Mother...if not there...Uncle...Aunt...Older Brother, etc.)
3. A girl who submits to the Biblical view of marriage. (Titus 2:3-5)

Cheers,
Richard

Bible Verse:

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

What does it say?

• Kingdom is like a mustard seed
  
• Planted in the ground
  
• it take the nutrient, and all the other things it needs to grow
• in grows into the largest of all garden plants
• Which birds can come and find shade

What does it mean?
Like a mustard seed, we all start of as a small seed, and slowly with the power of God, we too grow into large plants which can provide shade to birds. An example of this in real life, would be the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. Peter, was a man with little educational background, when he stood firmly to speak the word of the Lord, he spoke boldly, and brought what we know as Christianity to where we all know today. Paul, a prisoner, with his highly influential works, changed many, including the people today.

Here is the last part...What does it mean to me?...I will leave this to you in the commentary.






-Note: this Devo wasn't taken from anywhere, just from the format that was taught to me. Sorry for any grammar problems

James and rbk?

Men's small group today was great, a lot of reflecting, insight and openness was shared.

For next week's MSG, please read James.

Also, what's rbk? Come find out, and be a part of something great.

Sweet, or Just Poison?

No, I haven't turned away from what you taught me your words are sweeter than honey." (Psalm 119:102, 103, The Living Bible).

Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104
Song: "Sweet, Sweet Spirit"

I'm a recovering sugar-holic and still crave my daily dose of chocolate. But I've found that honey can be a good alternative for soothing my sweet tooth. On the one hand, sugar is known to pervert our appetites and increase our chances for dental visits, diabetes, and pancreatitis. On the other hand, honey-in moderation-offers the body 15 nutrients and is an excellent food.

Sugar also causes fermentation in the stomach, leading to bacterial growth. But honey, in its raw state, tends to aid digestion. It even acts as a natural antibiotic as it satisfies the appetite and ewnters the bloodstream slowly.

I'm glad the psalmist likened God's words to honey. The Word brings a sweetness to life that satisfies our longing for rich intimacy. Nothing in our lives is so perfect as God's counsel.

I think it's safe to say that when the psalmist speaks of false teaching, he alludes to words that are nutrient-free. Like sugar, they are empty, non-sustaining, and can even be considered posin to our inner being.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gifts You've given me. Keep your Word flowing in my soul and increase my love for your Son, Jesus, in whom I pray. Amen.

- taken from 365 Devotions by Standard (Pocket Edition)

Growth Persuasion

My Uncle Lester, who lived in Florida, was discouraged by the lack of fruit on his grapefruit tree. Someone told him he needed to whack the trunk of the tree a few times with a board.

Apparently, there is some truth to this unusual method of encouraging growth. One gardening expert says: "At times, the flowering hormone in the tree seems to get stuck and no flowers appear. Carefully persuade the tree to flower by shocking it. Hit the trunk . . . several times, [which will cause] small bruises in the bark." This advice may stimulate growth.

When trouble comes into our lives, we sometimes feel as if we’ve been hit broadside. We feel desperation and then we wonder, Why is this happening to me?

One possibility is that God is using a painful experience to get our attention. In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening "yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

Is God using pain in your life to lovingly persuade you to change? The season of trouble may not be easy, but if we let ourselves be trained by it, new growth will result as we become more like His Son (Phil. 3:10). —Cindy Hess Kasper

We shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Gardener knows
The deeper the cutting and paring
The richer the cluster that grows. —Anon.

Affliction for God’s people can be the pruning knife to prepare us for greater fruitfulness.

-Jon posting for Jono

A Seductive Glow

"The following Spring, the time of year when kings go to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon David got out of bed after taking a nap and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusal beauty taking a bath." - 2 Samuel 11:1-2

A temptation is an opportunity to go wrong. It is also a chance to do right. A temptation is a potential seduction, but handled correctly it results in an actual strengthening. This can be seen clearly when we compare similar incidents in the lives of Joseph and David. Both of these men were presented with adulterous opportunities. Both knew that adultery was wrong. Joseph accordingly resisted the temptress's advances and, at a great cost to himself, preserved his integrity. David, on the other hand, not only succumbed but caught himself in a spiral of selfish decisions that sucked him into ever-deepening culpability.

David's fall was not sudden. Apparently, he had been undisciplined for some time. He was not leading his men into battle but was staying home and letting them fight his battles for him. And it does seem odd that he was getting out of bed in the evening. Whatever had happened to the dashing young warrior, the devoted servant of the Lord, the man after God's own heart? Had he grown careless? Had he become fat and feckless in his advancing middle age?

Perhaps he did not know that Bathsheba would be bathing in full view - and her motivations may well have been impure - so he could not be held responsible for seeing her. But he certainly was responsible for gazing, lusting, sending for her, and engaging in adulterous sex with her. At any point he could - and should - have said no. But the erosion of principle and discipline had already taken place, and the moral failure concluded in disaster.

We can all learn from mistakes, but learning from the mistakes of others is less painful than living with the consequences of our own. David's fall tells us that failure to reverse spiritual erosion leads to undermining moral principle. Then, when we are subjected to the stress of temptation, failure and collapse quickly result.

Strong men know how to stand firm, but even the strongest man becomes a weakling if he ignores basic prudent precautions and begins to play with temptation on the assumption that he can break off at any time.

Moths love candlelight. They are attracted to its seductive glow and flirt with its warm embrace. Closer and closer they are lured until their wings are singed and they crash and burn. Learn the lesson from David or, if you prefer, behold the disaster of the moth. Be prepared to stand against temptation or you, too, may crash and burn.

Wrestling in the Night

Read: Genesis 32:22-32
(expanded verse, all of Genesis 32)

READ
Read the passage slowly. (To find out about Jacob's fear of meeting his brother Esau, whom he tricked many years before, read the expanded passage)

THINK
Read the passage aloud this time and pause after each of the three questions in the text (verses 27, 29). Jacob, whose name means "manipulator," had made elaborate plans to reconcile with Esau in a generous, peaceful way. Then he stayed behind, which was uncharacteristic of such a quintessential deal maker. There with the night sounds and the smell of the brook, Jacob encountered "a man." Was this man an angel, a God-man, Jesus? (It's okay that we don't know for sure)

1. Picture yourself in this passage. Are you Jacob? Are you an invisible bystander watching it all?
2. What moment in this passage resonates wth you most?
+ wanting desperately to be blessed
+ wanting desperately to know more of God
+ other: ________

PRAY
Depending on what resonated with you, pray about what you desperately want from God. To avoid letting your mind wander, try writing down your prayer, listening for words from God in response.

LIVE
Sit quitely before God, imagining the night sounds and the smell of running water. Try to be comfortable with God in this wild atmosphere. What does it feel like to trust and to reveal the desires of your heart? Be honest if you feel uncomfortable. What would you like it to feel like? Rest in that.

- Taken from "The Message // Remix : Solo", pg. 2

(Jono posting for Jon Tsui)

Oct 19- The Great Physician

Read John 9:1-7


In reflecting on his deteriorating health, John Donne (1572-1631) described his feelings as physicians examined him to find "the root and occasion" of a serious illness. In hushed tones, they discussed their conclusions outside his room.

At first Donne was afraid, but in time he saw compassion in their faces and began to trust them. Their concern reminded Donne that he could trust the Great Physician. As he read the Gospels, he saw God the Father's face in the tender, compassionate face of Jesus.

Many of us struggle with our thoughts about God, especially during illness. Perhaps we grew up attending a church that portrayed an angry God who inflicted sickness on us. Can we trust Him? Like Donne, we turn to the gospels for our reason to trust God. And we find it in His Son Jesus, who was unfailingly compassionate toward those who were inflicted, regardless of the reason.

So we pray as Donne prayed, "Deliver me, therefore, O my God, from these vain imaginations"- the belief that by our sin we have forfeited God's goodness and mercy. As Donne wisely said, the Great Physician "knows our natural infirmities, for He had them, and knows the weight of our sins, for He paid a dear price for them - David Roper


Devo taken from Our Daily Bread

Spiritual Blindness

This is an exerpt from my random devo that I found to be interesting.

John 9:35-41 (New International Version)

Spiritual Blindness

35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

39Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?"

41Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

The man in the passage(not the Pharisee), did he have spiritual blindness or hunger? Is arrogance a potential downfall of having this knowledge?

When I read passages I almost always ask why why why, does this relate to me, if so is it a good or bad thing? And so on…

I chose this passage because the whole idea of blind faith is very interesting to me, it seems in this passage that atleast a portion of “faith” is achieved through blind belief. Am I wrong? Even if im interpreting this correct, what do you guys think about this topic? Remember why why why why why, cuz if you don’t ask you’l always be blind.

Brian TSe

Stones

Read Joshua 4:20-24.

This occurs after the Israelites cross the Jordan river into the Promised Land. Similar to the Red Sea, the Jordan river is parted, and the Israelites safely cross over as part of the invasion of Canaan.

But, why set up these stones? It was set up as a reminder of what God had done that day. God had charged the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan. Crossing the Jordan river could be seen as the first step into the ministry God had set for them. Once they crossed over, they set up the stones to remain as a testament of His power. So that even generations later, their children will know that "the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God, forever."

It's the beginning of a new school year. For some of us, including myself: this will be our last year at Ryerson. God has called us to certain ministries, whether it will be helping out with worship, mentoring others in ccf, encouraging people, taking part in the various sports ministries, and the list goes on. If you feel like you aren't doing anything anywhere, I ask that you pray and seek out what He wants you to be at Ryerson, this year. If you are taking part in a ministry, that is good, because I have a question for you. My question to you is this:

Are you setting up "stones" that people will see in the future? Upon seeing these "stones", will they know the Lord is mighty and offer Him praise?

-Richard Chong

October 16, 2007
Devo taken from "Josh McDowell’s Youth Devotions"

Bible readings: Isaiah 66:1-2

"This is what the LORD says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place. Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the LORD. 'This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.'" (Isaiah 66:1-2)

Almost this time every year, the major league baseball season comes to an end. By that time, each league (the American League and national league) will have already announced a "most valuable player" for each league.
The very first MVP award was given after the 1911 baseball season. A man named Hugh Chalmers, who owned the Chalmers Motor Company, announced that he would award one of his companies automobiles to one player in each league who "should prove himself as the most important and useful player to his club and to the league at large in port of deportment and value of services rendered." A committee of baseball writers voted, and the first MVP awards were given to Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers (who hit .420 that year) and Frank Schulte of the Chicago Cubs (who hit .300 that year with 21 home runs and 107 runs batted in.)
There have been many MVP’s since then. Some have had high batting averages. Some have hit a lot of home runs. Some have stolen a lot of bases. Some have been pitchers who won a lot of games. But all have been considered the "Most Valuable Player" on their team in that particular year.
Well, if God had a MVP award, you know how you could win it? By being humble. At least that would be one of the requirements. In today’s Bible reading, God says, "This is the one of I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in Spirit, and trembles at my word" (Isaiah 66:2 NIV). In other words, God really values humility. He thinks humility is terrific.
Of course, God doesn’t give out Most Valuable Person awards; he values all people. But he has announced several Most Valuable Principle awards, and the principle of humility is one of his favorites. That’s why God commands us to be humble; because humility is something he values-even more than a great batting average or a lot of stolen bases.
Prayer: "Lord, I know you value humility; you ‘esteem’ the person who is humble and contrite in spirit. Help me to always be that kind of person towards you and towards others."

Sheer Bliss (From God)

Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines" (1 Samuel 7:3)

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:2-6
Song: "Father, Whate'er of Earthly Bliss"

Marcy enjoyed running, and she was good at it. Every Saturday she would compete in local and regional races and usually bring home a first-place trophy. Soon running became a great love of her life; it was sheer bliss.

No doubt Marcy would second what Eric Liddell (the great 1924 Olympic runner) one said: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

How wonderful to know deep joy in any pursuit-and to recognize it as gift from God! Perhaps that is the essence of the difference between praising the creator and somehow idolizing an aspect of His creation. Surely it's what the ancient Israelites often failed to recognize. If only they would take their deep desire to worship-a good thing-and turn it toward the only one who deserved it. Then they would feel His pleasure as well.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I'm thrilled with everything I'm involved in today by Your grace. All good things come from You, and I can only return my thanksfulness. Please help me never to forget the source of my joy-You alone! Through Jesus, my deliverer, I pray Amen.

- taken from 365 Devotions by Standard (Pocket Edition)

The First Principle of Wisdom

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you." And Solomon said ... "Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil."
1 Kings 3:5-6, 9

Near the beginning of Solomon's reign, God approached the young king with a proposal: Ask Me for anything you want. Much to God's delight, Solomon didn't ask for great riches, respect among world leaders, or an invincible nation. Solomon asked for wisdom, and God answered abundantly.

The Bible tells us that the Lord gave the king "wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore," and that his wisdom exceeded that of any other man. Solomon's expansive mind explored the disciplines of botany, zoology, and music, and pondered topics ranging from economics to communication to love. The wisdom of King Solomon helped Israel to prosper greatly. Solomon himself amassed wealth greater than all the kings of the time.

But by the end of his reign, this brilliant king somehow forgot the first principle of wisdom: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10). Only wisdom energized by a vibrant walk with God makes godly leaders.

- Taken from "Leadership Promises For Every Day" by John C. Maxwell, p. 313.

Name taken for granted

Exodus 20:7

7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

one of the favourite ones here, you see many people constantly misusing God's name in substitution of profanity or with it. i was just going over my bookmarks in my dusty bible and i came upon this verse. this is one that hit me than other ones because i see this happen so much and almost everywhere i go and any day. As most of us do it because of habit or just see it as better than plain old profanity, well guess what? its not, its just as bad if not worse if you believe.

rather than saying something in substitution why not just not say anything at all, i know its hard as i do it as well so i challenge the group of you to not do it for at least 2 weeks

~devo not taken from anywhere, i just found a passage from reading the bible

Humbling Reality

" I will say it again: The Lord your God is not giving you this good land becuase you are righteous, for you are not - you are a stubborn people." - Deuteronomy 9:6

The man who walks with his nose in the air is liable to land in trouble. Or if you prefer, "Pride goes before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18). By contrast, the humble man walks with his nose down and his eyes fixed on the road, because he knows his propensity for going wrong, his capacity for missteps.


It would not have been surprising if the children of Israel had assumed that they merited God's extraordinary generous treatment of them. God had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt, had taken the initiative to make a unique covenant with them, and had fed them and protected them for forty hair-raising years in a desolate wilderness. And finally he was giving them the land that had previously belonged to other people. They must have been righteous!

The reality is, the Israelites were anything but righteous. So Moses took steps to bring them face-to-face with reality, which would lead to appropriate humility. he told them, "Don't say to yourselves, ' The Lord has given us this land because we are so righteous!' ... The Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are righteous, for you are not - you are a stubborn people" (Deuteronomy 9:4-6). Then he embarked on a long recital of events that showed unequivocally that they were remarkably undeserving of the blessings bestowed upon them. For them to think they were blessed because they deserved it would have been rank fantasy.

God was not being unkind in reminding Israel of their unworthiness. He knew that the more self-satisfied they became, the more they were in danger of spiritual pride and eventual downfall. On the other hand, the more they recognized God's grace and mercy, the more their hearts would be gripped by his love, moved by his grace, and touched by his mercy. Hearts so affected become loving, obedient hearts. That's where true blessing is found, and that is what God wanted for his people.

It's hard for men today to be humble, since they are so smart and have accomplished so much. But a few reflective moments will help us realize that humility is necessary and anything else would be grossly inappropriate. The thoughtful man knows that unless God provides him air to breathe, food to eat, and raw materials with which to work, he cannot produce. And the insightful man sees that unless God gives him blessings that are completely undeserved, he cannot even exist! Reality is humbling but those who humble themselves make God proud.

- Devotional taken from Devotions for Men by Stuart Briscoe.

Why do we give?

"3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

-Matt 6:3-4

Whatever happened to the notion of giving for the sake of giving?" asked Tim Harford, columnist for FinancialTimes. "The closer you look at charitable giving, the less charitable it appears to be." A study of door-to-door fund-raising campaigns, for instance, found that organizations earned far more by selling lottery tickets than by asking for donations.

"This hardly suggests a world populated by altruists seeking to do the maximum good with their charitable cash," says Harford. At least for some people, there’s a something-for-me/something-for-you approach to giving.

Jesus also dealt with the issue of motives in giving. When He said not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He was teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. Our giving should be in response to God’s love. To encourage pure motives, Jesus instructs people to give and to do good deeds in secret with no thought of themselves. God, who sees everything, will reward them (Matt. 6:3-4).

Our generosity should be God-centered—not to make us look good, but to please the Lord. With your next good deed, ask yourself: If I knew that no one would ever find out that I did this, would I still do it? —Marvin Williams

~Devo taken from The Daily Bread Oct 11, 2007~

Coming to Jesus

"Come to me..." (Matthew 11:28)

Isn't it humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things about which we will not come to Jesus Christ. If you want to know how real you are, test yourself by these words- "Come to Me...." In every dimension in which you are not real, you will argue or evade the issue altogether rather then come; you will go through sorrow rather then come; and you will do anything rather then come the last lap of the race of seemingly unspeakable foolishness and say, "Just as I am, I come." As long as you have even the least bit of spiritual disrespect, it will always reveal itself in the fact that you are expecting God to tell you to do something very big, and yet all He is telling you to do is "Come..."

"Come to Me..." When you hear those words, you will know that something must happen in you before you can come. The Holy Spirit will show you what you have to do, and it will involve anything that will uproot whatever is preventing you from getting through to Jesus. And you will never get any further until you are willing to do that very thing. The Holy Spirit will search out that one immovable stronghold within you, but He cannot budge it unless you are willing to let Him do so.

How often have you come to God with your requests and gone away thinking, "I've really received what I wanted this time!" And yet you go away with nothing, while all the time God has stood with His hands outstretched not only to take you but also for you to take Him. Just think of the invincible, unconquerable, and untiring patience of Jesus, who lovingly says, "Come to Me..."

Devo from My Utmost For His Highest - Oct 8

Be Coachable!

Casey Seymour, successful soccer player and coach, notes that everyone on his team hates the 10-by-100 drill that ends practice. Before the men can leave the field, they must run 100 yards 10 times at full speed with minimal rest. If they don’t beat a prescribed time, they have to do it again.

The players hate it-until the day of the game. Then they find that they can play at full capacity for the entire match. Their effort has been rewarded with a championship!

The apostle Paul used metaphors of training and competition in his letters. While he was a missionary to the Gentiles, he submitted to the instructions and drills of God amid great suffering and hardship. Twice in Philippians 4, he said, “I have learned” (vv.11-12). For him, and for each of us, following Jesus is a lifelong learning process. We are not spiritually mature the day we are saved, any more than a schoolboy athlete is ready for professional soccer. We grow in faith as we allow God through His Word and the Holy Spirit to empower us to serve Him.

Through hardship, Paul learned to serve God well- and so can we. It’s not pleasant, but it is rewarding! The more teachable we are, the more mature we will become. As members of Christ’s team, let’s be coachable – Dave Egner

Oh, its hard to learn the lesson;

As we pass beneath the rod,

That the sunshine and the shadow

Serve alike the will of God – Anon.

God’s work in us isn’t over when we receive Christ- it has just begun.

Devotion from Our Daily Bread- October 8, 2007