Do what the Bible Says - James 1:22

 James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

A few examples of what it says: 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us to give cheerfully. Proverbs 21:26 tells us to give without sparing. Luke 6:38 tells us to give and we will receive back a full packed-down measure. We’ve heard all of these in the last few months. 

I think we all agree and believe these, at least in our heads. Moving this down the 12 inches needed to get into our heart can be a bit challenging. Oswald Chambers said

“It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment.”

If we don’t have a vision or a call, we get to do what makes sense to us and call it “God’s work”. It looks great to the world, it feels good. It even does good. But as we learn in Lifetime Guarantee, God isn’t concerned about our results - that’s His job. God cares about our methods, and that requires total dependence upon Him. And what does that require?

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith requires an object. In who or what should ours be? God of course. Faith in what He provides, such as food, clothing, and shelter? Well, let’s look at Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Seek first His kingdom. FIRST, seek His kingdom. This is the opposite of common sense. Common sense tells us that we need to first search for food, clothing, and shelter, and then everything else might be okay. But Scripture tells us in verse 33 to seek God first. Verse 34 tells us this:

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So do you worry, or do you have conviction of things not seen? I encourage you to go with what God says and remind you of James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Offering prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wise teachings of James. We realise how important it is to not only have a genuine faith by trusting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus at Calvary, but to be  fruitful Christians in word and in deed. Keep us from worldly ways of relying on our common sense and from slipping back in the carnality of fleshly living, but may we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as we abide in Him. May we bring forth much fruit to Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Giving Widely and Generously - Proverbs 11:24

Proverbs 11:24

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,

And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

I see two ways to read this. The first is the literal - One scatters what he has - gives widely and generously - and he increases all the more. Picture scattering seed after which the harvest is plentiful. One withholds what he should be scattering, and he ends up only wanting - both because his harvest is light and because he continues to want more and more, never satisfied.

But also consider that what we should scatter is God’s word. What happens when we share the word with others, when we teach another person? Our own understanding grows also. While the one who withholds God’s word never gets to see God at work in others and doesn’t develop a deeper understanding and relationship with God.

Offering prayer

Heavenly Father, we confess that it's sometimes hard to be generous, to give freely of our time, resources, and talents. We ask that you would help us overcome our tendency towards selfishness and greed. Help us to be more like you, who gives so generously to us. We pray that you would fill our hearts with a spirit of generosity, and that we would trust in your provision, knowing that you bless those who are a blessing to others. We thank you for your word, and ask that you embolden us to share it widely with the people we meet. May we be a source of refreshment and blessing to those around us, and may we experience the abundance that comes from living a life of generosity. In Jesus' name, Amen."