Extra, Extra

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack-that there may be equality. 2 Corinthians 8:3-5

Everyone is out for your money. You work hard for it, but everywhere you turn, someone is asking for it.

Why, then, would you bother reading a devotional that is about money? You'd read it because the truth is that God has called all of us to some very God-sized visions, and if we're going to see them come to pass, it will take wise use of our money. It is with this heart that Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to talk about our minds.

Paul tells us that we need a willing mind-a mind willing to learn new things, to give control of our finances over to God, and to give generously according to what we have. Now, Paul is not telling us that we should give ourselves into debt and lack. What he is telling us is that when we help supply what is needed when others lack, God will also supply to us what we lack.

You know what I think of there? I think of Africa. Some of us are like, Well, if you're on the radio in Africa, why aren't the Africans paying for it?

With what? I mean, they desperately cling to every word, not having Bibles, wanting a page out of your Bible, knowing you have multiple Bibles probably in your house on shelves gathering dust. You have extra, okay? Don't be looking at me like, Extra! Extra! I don't think this applies to me. I have none.

Look, if you parked your car inside last night, then you have extra. If you have clothes hanging in a closet, then you have extra. If you have food in your cupboards, then you have more extra than half the world has. Do you have money in the bank? Most of the world lives on two dollars or less a day.

That's called extra. And maybe this extra is more like an Extra! Extra! This is news to me! That's okay for it to be news to you, but we need to know what to do about it. For us where I pastor, our extra is helping to supply Africa's lack.

But you know what? We have a need that they are helping to meet by sending missionaries to reach our nation.

Give of your extra, because if you do, God will supply for your lack.

Prayer Lord God,

Thank You for giving me extra! Now please also help me to really see it as extra so that I can see how to give of my extra to supply others' needs.

Amen

MySpace.God

I have declared the former things from the beginning; they went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. Isaiah 48:3

How do you believe the world began? It would be interesting sometime to walk down the street and interview people to see what they think.

It just so happens, though, that God has an opinion on the matter. He says that He did it; He spoke the world into being. If you don't believe Him, then let us reason with each other for a moment. However you look at it, there are only four possible explanations for the origin of the universe.

First, it is just an illusion; it doesn't really exist. Well, I'm sorry, but if you believe this then you are a little crazy. I think, therefore I am, applies here. Something has to exist in order for you to think and experience all the things that you do.

Second, the universe spontaneously arose out of nothing. This was once very popular, but has now been proven to be completely absurd scientifically. Matter cannot create itself, it is simply impossible.

Third, the universe has always existed in some form. This remains a widespread belief today, but also is disproven by science and mathematics. The theory of thermo-dynamics tells us that everything is gradually losing energy, slowly wearing out and going away. This indicates that there has to have been a beginning to everything, which leads us back to the indefensible theory number two.

This leaves us with our fourth and last explanation: Somehow, sometime, somewhere, everything was put into place by a Creator. This is the only remaining scientific explanation. It is the only reasonable view of the origin of the universe. Because matter and energy are both finite things-ever decreasing and never increasing, ever decaying and never creating, ever ignorant and never intelligent-they are completely incapable of creating an ordered universe or a populated planet, whether by design or by chance.

These things have to have been done by an infinite God, a God who exists outside of time, matter, and space, an uncreated God who is not limited by the boundaries of creation.

Have you met this infinite God?

Prayer Lord God,

Thank You that You are God, the Creator of all things! Thank You for revealing Yourself in the intricacies of creation. I worship You today and ask You to help me live out the reason for which I was created.

Amen

Being Wise in Foolish Times

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-7

This has got to be one of the best promises in scripture. Seriously! God promises that whenever we need wisdom, all we need to do is ask.

Just ask, and He'll give it to us liberally. Not just a little bit, not just barely what we need, but liberally, God will give us wisdom. Now that's a great promise in this day and age in which we have a lot of tough decisions to make and a huge need for wisdom!

But God says that when we ask, we cannot doubt, because if we doubt then we won't receive anything. So to help us receive when we ask, let me give you four things about wisdom that we need to pray for together.

First, we need to pray for wisdom that produces a hearing heart. This means that the first thing we're listening for when we pop out of bed in the morning is God's voice of wisdom. More than the voice of Fox News, more than the voice of whatever newspaper you grab first, you are living to hear His voice.

Second, we need to pray for wisdom that produces a clearer vision. Here's the scary thing about this-it's not the same as what we see as logical. Why? Because God's wisdom told Peter to get out of the boat during a storm. What's His wisdom telling you?

Third, we need to pray for wisdom that produces a deeper passion. I've heard it said that as we get older, our wisdom increases and our passion decreases. I never want that said of me. Wisdom should bring us closer to the Lord to the point where our passion to serve Him increases more and more.

Fourth, we need to pray for wisdom that produces a higher calling. I believe, in all the events that are happening in the world right now, God certainly desires to see His Church step up the plate and swing for the fence, embracing His wisdom that enables us to accomplish great things for the glory of His name.

Will you pray for this kind of wisdom with me today?

Prayer Father God,

Thank You that You promise to give wisdom to whoever asks! I ask for wisdom today, wisdom that produces in me a hearing heart, a clearer vision, a deeper passion, and a higher calling. Help me to be a part of what You're doing in the world today for Your glory!

Amen

Driving in the HOV Lane

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant...But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all...But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:1,7,11

Have you ever met someone who was gifted? This kind of person simply excels at a certain thing, having natural ability that goes beyond most other people's natural abilities in that area.

I want you all to be gifted, but with more than just your natural abilities. I want you to be gifted to do things that are impossible without the Holy Spirit.

This gifting of the Holy Spirit begins with an inner work before it goes to the outward signs. It begins with the role of the Holy Spirit as the One who convicts us of sins and opens our understanding of the scriptures, of all that Jesus taught. He works to internalize the realities of God's Word so that our lives-our actions, character, and motivations-begin to look like Christ. In this way the Holy Spirit glorifies God.

But the Holy Spirit does give other gifts, and we can see lists of them in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, among other places. All of these gifts are subject to the guidance and boundaries of scripture. Anyone who starts claiming that their gift of the Spirit somehow equals or supersedes the authority of scripture is not worthy of our trust. That is how cults get started.

The gifts never trump scripture. Never. I'm clear on that, right? However, the gifts are real. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers that empower them to do supernatural things they couldn't do on their own.

How does that work in your life? It works by faith. The Holy Spirit's role is to do the inner working of making you like Christ, and He gives you gifts that you use by faith. Why by faith? Because it takes faith to do something that you couldn't have done if the Holy Spirit didn't help you to do it!

What are the gifts for? As our verses for today tell us, they are for the benefit of all. So why should we pay attention to them in our lives? Because they benefit people and glorify God. Let's ask God together for the faith to use the gifts He has given us so that we can benefit all and glorify God.

Prayer Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Your gifts! Please help me to have the faith and character I need to use the gifts You have given me. I want to bless others with what You have given me.

Amen

What to Be Watching For

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Church, with all my heart and the greatest respect of love, some of you need to move from being believers into being followers.

To be followers of Jesus is an entirely different thing than just being a believer. It's to become a disciple, to go into all the world and make disciples who are committed followers of Jesus, not just believers. The Bible tells us in James 2:19 that even the demons believe, but we must go beyond believing into following.

Do you remember all the stories that Jesus would tell about this? He would say, Come and follow me. And some guy would come up with the lame excuse like, Well, I've got these oxen that I've got to go test drive first. Can I go back and say bye to my folks? Can I go do this and do that? I've got business to attend to.

And for Jesus, the excuses were never anything more than that. He kept on moving while people found reasons to not follow Him. Jesus even rejected the excuse of disciples pointing to other disciples saying, Hey what about him? What if he kind of... and Jesus looks and says, Forget about him. You follow me.

They became followers of us. They became followers of Christ.

Let me tell you one of the absolute hardest things about pastoring a congregation that God has given me. In the neck of the woods where our church is, everybody wants to lead. Nobody-and I mean nobody-in these parts wants to follow.

I don't know if it's that authority thing or that success thing or some other thing, but I'll tell you something I do know. Make sure you're following Christ, because if you don't follow Christ, you're not going to get to Heaven.

You are not going to get there on your own. You need to follow. You need to sacrificially follow Christ; and that is the biggest difference, I think, between believers and followers-sacrifice.

The disciples left their nets and followed Jesus. Paul counted his life as already lost for Christ's sake. They were followers who were willing to give their all. They weren't just believers, sitting on their hands, thinking that their ticket to Heaven was somehow already punched.

Are you willing to give your all today? Or are you just a believer?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I'm so sorry for just living my life as a believer. I want to grow beyond that today. I want to be a follower. My life is Yours today! Please come and fill me so that I have the courage to follow You wherever You lead!

Amen

When Excess Is Too Much

Then the LORD said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.' Exodus 16:4

Alright, time's up, pencils down. Please pass your tests to the end of the row and someone will come by to collect them.

Like it or not, we've all had tests. Even though most of us are done with school, we still have tests. Really, every day, every unique and new situation, is a test. And in this life that is filled with tests, God will also sometimes test us.

In our verse for today, we see an example of a time when God tested Israel from which we can learn a lot about His tests.

First, God tests with instruction. He'll make things really, really clear for us, and He'll wait to see if we can follow instructions. It's like, Are you listening? This is first base. I mean, you can't pass any of the other tests if you don't get at least this far. If you forget to read the instructions on the SAT's, then it won't matter how hard you try to answer correctly, you'll still get quite a few wrong. It's the same way with God. We have to listen to His instructions or we'll fail the tests.

Second, God tests our obedience. He wants to see, not just if we'll pay attention to the instructions, but whether we will obey them. Now that you've listened to the instructions, will you do them? Or will you say, You know what? I think I know a better way to answer these questions than this test facilitator said. I'm going to try it my own way! Yeah, good luck with that one. When God gives us instructions for life, we need to obey them, living life His way and not our own way.

Third, God tests our contentment. So you've listened to the instructions and obeyed them, but are you criticizing the facilitator and His tests? Man, that facilitator thinks he's just so important, like everyone should listen to him. Who does he think he is? Besides, that test was stupid. I could totally come up with better stuff than that. Really? We've got to guard our attitude and make sure we stay thankful that Almighty God simply wants to help us and be part of our lives.

Watch throughout your life and you'll notice this pattern happen over and over again. God will give you instructions, wait to see if you obey, and then watch your attitude through the process.

So now you've received your key to the test. Pencils up, your time has just begun.

Prayer Father God,

Thanks for helping me understand how You test me! Please help me now to be faithful in times of testing so that I can pass. I want to live completely for You!

Amen

One Way

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16

Have you made up your mind about communion yet? It's important, because communion is all about Christ Jesus.

Communion reminds us of the road He took through the cross to the grave and the vic-

tory of the resurrection, and it invites us to follow Him. It demands that we make a stand. It calls us to be committed. It questions the core of who we are, forcing us to look into the deepest places of our hearts and ask ourselves, Do I really believe this?

Have I made up my mind about Jesus? Have I decided that this is my road?

You know, I do funerals from time to time, and I like to ask the people who come, Do you believe this Jesus thing? Is it real to you?

I hope that you believe today. I hope that you are not like Martha when her brother Lazarus died, telling Jesus, Oh, if you had only been here. Where have you been? I hope instead that you hear Jesus' response-I am the resurrection and the life, and he who believes in me, though he may die, yet shall he live.

No matter what you are facing today, even if you are facing death, communion reminds us that it isn't over until Jesus says it's over. He is the resurrection and the life. He is the one who faced death head on and won. He is the victory, our champion who now holds the keys to death, hell, and the grave.

Do you believe these things? And if you don't believe these things, then what do you believe? If you don't have someone who conquered death for you, then what is your hope? Do you really think you can conquer it for yourself?

Maybe you're saying to yourself today, I think I believe it, but how do I know?

You know you believe something when you take action on it. If you believe it, then you live it, proclaim it, and profess it.

And right there is the proof of whether we take communion and Jesus Christ seriously-that it shows in our actions as we live out our faith every day, communing with Him in everything we do.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

I do take You seriously, and I thank You for everything You have done for me! Please help me every day as I live out what I believe, putting action to my faith and taking You into every part of my life.

Amen