Monday, November 14, 2011
Home
Well, we have moved in, if that is what you want to call it. Ugh! We have more stuff outside than we do inside, but I have hope that we will get there. The kids are thrilled with their rooms. They have played together more in the last two days than they have in the last two months. Yesterday evening we went to the "old" house to say goodbye. I have to say it was an absolute "cry fest", but it was a necessary step that we all had to take. It was so empty! A house really is walls and a roof. A home is what you make it. We spent time in each room, and relived many memories. I know it seems a little melodramatic, but we needed to go through that together in order to move on. We came home with closure. We have been so blessed, and the Lord will continue to provide us with more memorable times as a family in our new house. We all slept like babies. Cobb and I both woke up saying that we hadn't slept that good in weeks. We are excited about each new day in our new house, oops....home. Upon waking up, I found my new spot for my devotion time, and I looked up my devotion for the day. I was a little confused by the word that the Lord had for me today, but I backed up within the chapter and found the gem that I feel the Lord wanted me to read. It is found in 1 Corinthians 7:31-32, "Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. I want you to be free from the concerns of this life." Wow! I needed that. He always knows just what to say. He wants us to be free. Free to worship, free to serve, free to love, and free to give. Free from worry! Amen
Saturday, November 12, 2011
We are Called to Give
I woke up early this morning to go to my usual spot to do my devotion on this my last morning in this house. When I got to the computer, the e-mail was not in my inbox. (I subscribe to Dr. David Jeremiah's devotionals and they come to me automatically each day.) I panicked! I wanted this devotional to be special. It is my last day in this house! This devotional has to be good. I know God has a perfect word for me this morning. (I can be quite dramatic and emotional at times.) So, anyway, I decided to go to his website and see if he had any backlogged devotions. God provided the perfect Word for me, and I thought I would share it. Here is the wellspring that I tapped into:
Giving in Proportion to Our Ability—and Beyond
Verse: Ezra 2:68–69
Both the Old and New Testaments promote the principle of giving in proportion to our ability. Here we see a positive example of this standard in the action of the returning exiles (compare this to the account of the Israelites giving more than was needed for temple construction in Ex 25:1–7; 36:2–7).
The apostle Paul may have been alluding to this passage when he commanded Christians to give in proportion to their incomes (see 1Co 16:2), as well as when he commended the Macedonians Christians, who “gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded … for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (2Co 8:3–4). Paul holds out the example of the Macedonians as committed, loving Christians, centered not on their own needs, desires and rights, but on those of others.
This principle of proportional giving makes sense, we agree, but working it out in our daily lives is not quite so simple. Why? Because our chosen lifestyle affects our ability to practice generosity.
In a reading adapted from author Randy Alcorn, editors John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson and Judson Poling attempt to identify the essential qualities of a Biblical lifestyle with regard to spending habits. Alcorn begins by contrasting two opposite but equally incorrect beliefs about money: materialism and asceticism. Alcorn notes:
During World War II, when fuel was precious, billboards routinely asked motorists, “Is this trip necessary?” Every resource used for individual convenience was one less resource for the country’s central concern, winning the war.
As Christians, we are also engaged in a great battle that requires great resources. We too must realize that spending resources on our own private concerns leaves less resources for our kingdom’s central concern. We should ask, “Is this thing necessary?” Does this thing really contribute to my purpose in being here on this earth? Is this thing an asset to me as a soldier of Christ …
In the words of Peter H. Davids, “A biblical lifestyle will necessarily recognize itself as being in opposition to the prevailing values and lifestyle of its culture. It is informed by a different view of reality.” This view of reality is not a harsh or austere view. It need not lead to bare-bones living, or to condemnation of those Christians who have greater opportunity or feel greater liberty to possess more than I do. Rather, it is a view toward the riches of the eternal kingdom.
Those who hold such a view are sincerely grateful for the refreshing pleasures and helpful possessions of this life. But regardless of what material things surround it, this view of reality remains focused on what is truly the greatest pleasure and possession of life, both here and hereafter—the pleasure of possessing Christ.
Think About It
•In what ways do you give according to your ability?
•How does your lifestyle affect your ability to give?
•How does your view of reality affect your lifestyle choices?
Pray About It
Lord, I want to live in a way that reflects a Biblical view of reality. Help me to do that.
This devotion is from the NIV Stewardship Study Bible by Zondervan. Used with permission.
Giving in Proportion to Our Ability—and Beyond
Verse: Ezra 2:68–69
Both the Old and New Testaments promote the principle of giving in proportion to our ability. Here we see a positive example of this standard in the action of the returning exiles (compare this to the account of the Israelites giving more than was needed for temple construction in Ex 25:1–7; 36:2–7).
The apostle Paul may have been alluding to this passage when he commanded Christians to give in proportion to their incomes (see 1Co 16:2), as well as when he commended the Macedonians Christians, who “gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded … for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (2Co 8:3–4). Paul holds out the example of the Macedonians as committed, loving Christians, centered not on their own needs, desires and rights, but on those of others.
This principle of proportional giving makes sense, we agree, but working it out in our daily lives is not quite so simple. Why? Because our chosen lifestyle affects our ability to practice generosity.
In a reading adapted from author Randy Alcorn, editors John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson and Judson Poling attempt to identify the essential qualities of a Biblical lifestyle with regard to spending habits. Alcorn begins by contrasting two opposite but equally incorrect beliefs about money: materialism and asceticism. Alcorn notes:
During World War II, when fuel was precious, billboards routinely asked motorists, “Is this trip necessary?” Every resource used for individual convenience was one less resource for the country’s central concern, winning the war.
As Christians, we are also engaged in a great battle that requires great resources. We too must realize that spending resources on our own private concerns leaves less resources for our kingdom’s central concern. We should ask, “Is this thing necessary?” Does this thing really contribute to my purpose in being here on this earth? Is this thing an asset to me as a soldier of Christ …
In the words of Peter H. Davids, “A biblical lifestyle will necessarily recognize itself as being in opposition to the prevailing values and lifestyle of its culture. It is informed by a different view of reality.” This view of reality is not a harsh or austere view. It need not lead to bare-bones living, or to condemnation of those Christians who have greater opportunity or feel greater liberty to possess more than I do. Rather, it is a view toward the riches of the eternal kingdom.
Those who hold such a view are sincerely grateful for the refreshing pleasures and helpful possessions of this life. But regardless of what material things surround it, this view of reality remains focused on what is truly the greatest pleasure and possession of life, both here and hereafter—the pleasure of possessing Christ.
Think About It
•In what ways do you give according to your ability?
•How does your lifestyle affect your ability to give?
•How does your view of reality affect your lifestyle choices?
Pray About It
Lord, I want to live in a way that reflects a Biblical view of reality. Help me to do that.
This devotion is from the NIV Stewardship Study Bible by Zondervan. Used with permission.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
It is just a house, right?!
It is well with my soul. How can I even say that? "It is well with my soul!" What does that even mean? I am such an emotional wreck, but I feel so at peace at the same time. I am certain that selling this house is what God wants us to do. Every single time I begin to get mired down in the emotions that are attached to this house, He brings me back with his word. I awoke this morning and immediately began to cry because I knew that this would be our last Sunday to wake up in this house...this house that we love...this house that we have watched our children grow up in...this house where they lost their first teeth...this house where they had all of their sleepovers...this house where we slept under the Christmas tree...this house where they played until after dark with their friends in the neighborhood. I could go on and on, but it is just a house, right?! After all, we are not leaving our children behind. I have always been this way. I get especially emotional on the last day of a vacation. I never want to leave. I am afraid that I will forget...forget what it felt like to call my children in from this front porch...forget the way it felt as we had devotion on Evan's twin beds (which he is also moving out of)...forget the laughter that came from upstairs when my kids were playing. I know I won't forget, but still I panic. As I said before, I woke up in tears this morning. I felt God whispering, "Please come to me, I will give you rest." Reluctantly (because my bed is warm and it is especially cold outside), I came to the special place that I always go to meet with Him. It is here that I read his word and lay on my face at times in prayer. I had to gather my thoughts for my Sunday School lesson, so I turned to the scripture given in the lesson: Hebrews 4:4-16. Hebrews 4:9 states, "So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God." He is giving me my rest. I can rest in Him. Knowing that we are following Him. The next scripture that was given was Mark 10:21: "Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. 'There is still one thing you haven't done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Okay, God I am listening. That is what we are called to do. It is just a house! All of the memories are tucked away in my heart. We will go forward, and in the words of my very wise husband, "we will make new memories in our new home." Thank you God for giving me a fresh word of encouragement and for carrying me when I often feel I can't take another step.
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