God Still Blesses Obedience

Last week, I actually allowed myself to wonder if I shouldn't keep my tithe and offering and double my tithe payment next paycheck so I could finish a couple of projects around the house. I knew that this is not what the Lord would have me to do, but I still thought about it. I was convinced that this was the only way that I would be able to get the work done.

Reluctantly, I gave my offering on Sunday and reminded the Lord that I had needs wondering how I was going to meet them. The main job that I needed to finish was grading and gravelling the 15 ft. strip in front of my yard. This project was going to cost more than I had to spend and would take several hours (if I had help) or several days (if I did it myself).

I called the city of Auburn on Friday afternoon after the office had already closed and left a message with the roads department and asked them to call me on Monday so I could request a truckload of gravel.
Promptly, per request, at 7:00 AM Monday I received a call from the roads division of the City of Auburn. Explaining what I had need of, the city representative informed me that the area in question was not an "easement" but was actually a "right-of-way". As such, Eric (from the City) said that he would be by that afternoon to see the area.

At 8:00 On Tuesday AM, a tractor, backhoe, and gravel truck showed up at my house and they got to work. It didn't cost me anything and it saved me countless hours of weeding and grading.

God is so good. Please pray for Eric. I am going to be sending him a "thank you" letter this week along with a Gospel tract. Please pray that he will read it (the tract) and be saved, if not already.

Serving God in the harvest

Thinking about the harvest time that is now upon us, I was reading 1 Chronicles 9 last night. I came across something that made me take notice. The passage in question is listing all of the people who had a part in the temple worship and their responsibility. I was amazed to see the name of Shallum in this list.

You may be wondering who Shallum was, well to be honest, I was too when I first read it. Reading the rest of the verse, we see that he was the great-grandson of Korah. Of course, we know that Korah was the one who lifted himself up against the leadership of Moses in the wilderness and led the rebellion that resulted in him losing his life.

I often thought (growing up) that his entire family died with him, but here we see evidence that this was not the case. Looking back to Numbers 26:11, we read that "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not". I can imagine that people looked down on them and held against them the fact that their daddy was responsible for the death of many, himself included. I know that children can sometimes be harsh in their criticism and ridicule.

Irregardless of what was said to them or what they felt about what had only recently transpired, we see in Korah's kids a desire to go on serving God and not letting the sins of their family keep them from the present and future that God had reserved for them.

Now, many years later, we see Korah's great-grandchildren faithfully serving God in the place God has set for them. There were 11 psalms written by the sons of Korah (Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-88). Some of his sons were porters in the temple. Others were keepers of the doors. They all had a place and they were all in their place doing the work of God, and God was using them in a big way.

Praise God that he graciously allows us to serve. When we dedicate ourselves to serving Him, we often find that He blesses us and uses us (in spite of our frailties) in ways we could never have dreamed possible. If serving God was only for those who came from good families, there are not many of us that would be accepted.

I'm praying that God will give us a great harvest as we serve Him in the only work that REALLY counts for eternity.

The Good American

On the way home from church yesterday, my son Andrew was telling me about his class at church. It is fun to see how a little mind works and what details stick out in this memory. Without knowing what the story was ahead of time, it was very hard to know what Bible story had been taught.

His description was as follows: We learned about the man that was beat with a bat and then thrown into a pit. Then the Levi came by and saw that he had blood and said "Oh yuck. He has blood." Then he walked away. Then another guy came by and said, "Oh no, he has blood" and he walked away from the pit. Finally the good American came and helped him. He did this because he was American and he was good.

Of course, the story is supposed to be the Good Samaritan and although he got some of the details wrong, I'm glad that he loves hearing Bible stories and is always excited to share what he has learned with me.

Tired?

Have you ever felt like there was way too much going on all at once in your life? I sure have. Sometimes, with the responsibilities of parenthood, work, ministry, and marriage relationship you can feel a little worn-out just trying to keep up. With all the things that make one tired, I can't think of anything that works harder against alertness than travel. By the time we have settled into our seats on the plane, I am already fighting sleep (and usually losing).

Reading in the Gospel of John chapter 4, I find that Christ also got tired from travelling. That in itself is amazing to me. Think of it, Christ (the creator of the universe) got tired during His travels. He truly was tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin. I find even more amazement in how Christ coped with his fatigue.

So often, my response is to find an isolated place and try to get some rest. That is not at all what Christ did. the Bible tells us in verse 6 "Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour." To completely understand what is happening here, you need to study the oriental culture. Much like many cultures throughout the world still today, the well was a central part of the town. It was the place where all would go for water. It was a place that the women would go to daily for the water needs of their household, as they washed dishes, clothes, cooked and cleaned.

To sum it up in a few words, Christ went to the place where people gathered when he was wearied. He chose rather than to seek out some obscure, remote location for rest to follow the leading of the Spirit and go where someone was going to need spiritual water.

The passage also says that "he must needs go through Samaria". Christ never did anything on accident. He always had a purpose in the steps he took. He went that way and rested there (at the well) because He knew there was a need coming His way.

As I go through the day, I am praying that (even when tired and weak) that I will allow God to speak and guide me to the place where there is a need. Christ did this and a lady was saved along with countless others. Later in the passage, it tells us that "they (the men of the city) went out of the city and came unto Him." In the end, many believed because of the word of the woman and many more for the word of Christ.

It's okay to be tired, just don't let your tired keep you from doing something for God.

The Vision of a Child

Mark 9:35-37 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.



Beginning on January 15,1945 and for the next 27 years on both radio and television, Art Linkletter reminded us that kids have a unique perspective on things (One that would be good for us to adopt many times). Kids have a unique ability to cut through the hype and fancy layers and get to the root of the issue.

Yesterday, while playing with my kids (Andrew and Renee) my son presented me with just such a moment. He and Renee were drawing with chalk on the patio and called me to come look at what they had produced. Looking at my son's drawings, I guessed at what they were but got it wrong. My son informed me that it was "sad balloons". Jackie and I asked him why they were sad and he replied that they were sad "because no one had told them about Jesus yet".

Even though the theology might be a little off (balloons being saved), I'm glad the message has resonated in his heart that without Christ there is and can be no joy. We teach them Bible verses and sing Bible songs about joy only coming through a relationship with Christ. How precious and innocent a statement.

I believe that we, too, would benefit from such a viewpoint. Without Christ, there can be no peace or joy. This doesn't only apply to salvation and eternal peace, but also to our daily walk with God. If we, as believers, attempt to live as if God is not Lord in our lives, the best we can hope for is unhappiness.

Thank God for a simple child-like faith and an equally simple point of view.

Doing right brings its own reward

Two months ago, while out doorknocking, we were able to witness to a young mother named Esmeralda. She was wonderfully saved that next week along with her husband. A few weeks ago, she let us know that she is trying to bring her son, Jose Antonio, here from Mexico. He is 12 years old and has early signs of Leukemia.

The family is very poor and didn't have the money needed to bring him here. So, we took an offering to help her in our evening service. To God be the glory, the amount raised was enough to help bring him here. He arrived last week.

Three days ago, Esmeralda noticed that her other son (Christian, pictured at left) was not looking well. She took him to a clinic and they told her that he was having liver problems. He had been the recipient of a liver transplant 3 years ago. It seems that the liver is now trying to reject his body. (Please pray for him and Jose Antonio. Neither of them are saved yet but both are asking a lot of questions.)

While meeting with the family at the hospital this evening, the doctor asked her if she has any family in the area that can be a support system for her and her family during this time. She initially answered "no" but then changed her answer and said this, "My church is my family. They are more like a family to me than my real family is. When I needed help getting my son here, my family didn't do anything to help but my church family did. This IS my family." What a wonderful testimony of God's grace at work in her life.

I'm so glad that the Lord led us to knock on her door and introduce her to the Saviour. I am so glad that she sees our church as her family. I'm so thankful that God has given her a place to belong.

I wonder, what she would be doing right now without God?
How would she be dealing with this situation?

When you do right and show and share the love of God, it truly does bring its own reward.

John 13: 15 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

In my reading this week, I came across a very familiar passage and noticed something new. I love it when the Lord does this. His Word truly is alive, quick and powerful.

In Daniel 1:8 (you would probably think that I would mention something about purposing in your heart, but I'm not going to this time), we read that Daniel "requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself". We see, in this phrase, that humility and submissiveness of Daniel. When many of us might exercise our mouth and say something we later will wish we hadn't, Daniel (realizing that there is a correct way to do these things) requested permission to not defile himself.

The Bible says in Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grevious words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."

Again in Proverbs 13:3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying "it is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

The words that we use and the way in which we use them are VERY important. I imagine that if Daniel had gone to the prince and demanded anything, he would have been rejected and possibly would have lost his life. But he went in with graceful "speech seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6) and the Lord gave him favor with the prince.

I wonder how often the Lord plans to give me favor with others and I go charging in like a bull in a china shop demanding what I desire. This passage proves the point that it does matter how you do something. Even someone with great intentions and right desires will not get as far as someone who goes forward with the right attitude. Don't give up your principles and convictions, but at the same time, don't be a jerk about it. So often, I fear that we have forgotten to be graceful in our speech.

To be able to control our words and our testimony, we must be Spirit led. To walk outside of the leading of the Spirit and try to be Christ-like is, at best, an effort in futility. Romans 8:8 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

The key to having the right talk is not to have the right positive mental attitude but rather to have the right influence in your life, the leading of the Holy Spirit of God.