Key Verse:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
Central Truth:
What a gift . . . . Everlasting life!
JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE
Finally, we get a chapter in the Bible that is so very familiar to us and, more specifically, has the most familiar verse to many people. In fact, this chapter contains the very first Bible verse we ever learned and memorized. Do you remember learning this Bible verse as a small child? What meaning did it have for you when you were 8 or 9 years old? 14 or 15 years old? College? Young married couple? What about when you had your first child?
When we were blessed with our first child, this verse took on a whole new meaning for us. It was not just that we were promised everlasting life, but that our children would have everlasting life with us. It was now our duty as parents to do whatever it takes to feed our children’s spirits on the road to their everlasting life. It is not a job to be taken lightly, and there are many bumps along the way. But, if we do our best to lay a Christian foundation, it will never fail our children when they hit those bumps. Then the last verse in this chapter is something they will never have to face. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36)
No one ever said everlasting life was easy, but it is quite simple. We pray that today you find the “simpleness” in obtaining everlasting life. Just imagine how many missionaries utter the simple words of John 3:16 and how many lives have been forever changed hearing, understanding, and believing this verse. It has the simple message that God loved the world so much He gave His Son. It is as simple as love: loving Jesus with all your heart.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 8, 2010, John 2
Key Verse:
To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”
(John 2:16)
Central Truth:
You can’t earn it. You can’t buy it. It’s a Gift.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Jesus didn’t seem to get angry often. So when He stops what He’s doing to braid a whip… um, yeah- this has my attention! Whatever set Him off, I want to make sure I don’t ever do THAT!! Ok, I understand that we need to respect God’s house. This seems simple enough. And I don’t think Jesus has anything against business itself. So what, exactly, was so offensive?
Ever pay six bucks for a coke at a college football game? They don’t allow you to bring your own, so they exploit that. They can pretty much charge whatever they want. But that’s ok, that’s capitalism. If you don’t like the price, either don’t buy the coke or don’t go to the game. You have a choice. But what if someone did that at Church? What if someone made obstacles to your connection with God, then charged you a high price to get around them?
One problem with the market in the Temple was exploitation. People had to travel from far away to worship at the Temple. Then, they were supposed to sacrifice a pure, clean animal to God. But what if you got there and your pigeon had developed pink-eye or maybe a weird spot on its wing? You give the pigeon-guy your bird, and he says “Whoops! Sorry dude, your pigeon’s no good. No time to run home and get another one, so I guess you’ll have to buy one of my pure pigeons. That’ll be six bucks.” Sound familiar sports fans?
The good news for us, since we are now under the new law of love and grace, is that our pigeons don’t have to be perfect anymore. This rocks. This means I am justified in the sight of God, even though I’m imperfect.Jesus paid the price already. By accepting Christ as your Savior, you receive justification as a gift- and there’s nothing you could EVER do to earn it. Nothing. So why do we run around struggling to meet quotas of good deeds, like Boy Scouts earning merit badges? Why do we worry and fret about whether we are performing Christianity good enough? “Am I giving as much money as that guy? Have I accumulated enough volunteer hours this month to buy God’s approval for another thirty days?” It sounds silly, but it is SO easy to slip into that mindset without realizing it.
You can’t earn it. But the more you realize how much God loves you, how much of His acceptance, mercy and grace you have already received- then the more you will WANT to take risks, move out of your comfort zone, and give your life to God. Not because you have to. Not because you feel obligated and pressured to keep pace with the Christian next-door. But -because you love Him so much - you truly WANT to bring glory and honor to the One who set you free.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 7, 2010, John 1
Key Verse:
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
(John 1:8)
Central Truth:
God's light surrounds us each and every day.
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting both my son and daughter for a Dad day at school. The kids sang songs and gave us gifts, and the teachers worked very hard to show how the kids appreciated us. I could look over and see my son with a big smile on his face, just excited that I was there. My daughter would just come up and hug me and tell me how much she loved me.
My oldest son gets in the car each morning on the way to school, and we talk about what sport he's playing, what his friends are doing, or the test that he may have coming up. He's getting a little older now, so he always says "I love you" before he opens the door to get out. (Wouldn't want others to hear it or anything . . . .) But I know that he enjoys our conversation time, and I think he misses it as much as I do if I don't get to take him to school one morning.
My wife and I have been blessed with three beautiful, healthy children. We have jobs, a loving supportive marriage, a roof over our heads, and food on the table. Life doesn't always go our way, but we are thankful for what we have.
God shines his light on people in so many different ways. Listed above are some of the ways that I see his light in my life every day. It may not be anything bigger than the smile that one of my children flashes to me every now and then, but I take it as His way of letting me know that He is there. Now it's up to me to share His love.
John was given a big purpose. John was to spread the word about a Jesus that he had never seen and sell people on the fact that He was coming soon and they had better prepare. He knew that Jesus was the Savior. He had an unbelievable faith in his mission, even though God didn't promise him worldly fame or wealth if he would go out and preach His word. God didn't promise him an easy life, but John knew that he would have eternal life. John knew that he couldn't save people, but that Jesus could. He knew that he wasn't the light, but he had to describe the light. He had to make others be able to see the light in a dark world.
So many times we take for granted the blessings that we have and how God has shined His light in our lives. We forget about those little things that give us hope in a cruel world. We don't share with others how God loves us in so many little ways each day. We seek for God to do big miracles, and we don't give Him the credit that He deserves for the little things.
I have seen God's light in my life, and I know that someday He will come back to take me to an eternal life with Him. Am I any different than John? Were we not both put here with the purpose of sharing God's Word and His love with all of those around us? Didn't we both know that we was coming?
I challenge you today to look at how God's light has shined in your life and share that with someone.
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
(John 1:8)
Central Truth:
God's light surrounds us each and every day.
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting both my son and daughter for a Dad day at school. The kids sang songs and gave us gifts, and the teachers worked very hard to show how the kids appreciated us. I could look over and see my son with a big smile on his face, just excited that I was there. My daughter would just come up and hug me and tell me how much she loved me.
My oldest son gets in the car each morning on the way to school, and we talk about what sport he's playing, what his friends are doing, or the test that he may have coming up. He's getting a little older now, so he always says "I love you" before he opens the door to get out. (Wouldn't want others to hear it or anything . . . .) But I know that he enjoys our conversation time, and I think he misses it as much as I do if I don't get to take him to school one morning.
My wife and I have been blessed with three beautiful, healthy children. We have jobs, a loving supportive marriage, a roof over our heads, and food on the table. Life doesn't always go our way, but we are thankful for what we have.
God shines his light on people in so many different ways. Listed above are some of the ways that I see his light in my life every day. It may not be anything bigger than the smile that one of my children flashes to me every now and then, but I take it as His way of letting me know that He is there. Now it's up to me to share His love.
John was given a big purpose. John was to spread the word about a Jesus that he had never seen and sell people on the fact that He was coming soon and they had better prepare. He knew that Jesus was the Savior. He had an unbelievable faith in his mission, even though God didn't promise him worldly fame or wealth if he would go out and preach His word. God didn't promise him an easy life, but John knew that he would have eternal life. John knew that he couldn't save people, but that Jesus could. He knew that he wasn't the light, but he had to describe the light. He had to make others be able to see the light in a dark world.
So many times we take for granted the blessings that we have and how God has shined His light in our lives. We forget about those little things that give us hope in a cruel world. We don't share with others how God loves us in so many little ways each day. We seek for God to do big miracles, and we don't give Him the credit that He deserves for the little things.
I have seen God's light in my life, and I know that someday He will come back to take me to an eternal life with Him. Am I any different than John? Were we not both put here with the purpose of sharing God's Word and His love with all of those around us? Didn't we both know that we was coming?
I challenge you today to look at how God's light has shined in your life and share that with someone.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April 6, 2010, Luke 24
Key Verse:
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
(Luke 24:450
Central Truth:
When we are reading God's word, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to open our minds and reveal to us what God wants us to know and learn.
Woohoo...IS THAT YOU?
I hope after you read this chapter you just went, "WOW!" There is nothing more powerful than reading about the actual day that the Resurrection is revealed. I would be remiss if I did not have a little "revival" right now. So excuse me while I channel my inner Gaither. We worship an amazing, awesome, holy, honest, loving, pure, true, real, healing, protecting, serving, providing, authentic, LIVING, REDEEMED SAVIOR!!! Can I get an AMEN??? God's promise was fulfilled, and while I take the time daily to thank him for that, I also stop and think about how I know for sure that it is true.
In this chapter, we enter right as the women discover that Jesus is missing from His tomb. As they go and tell others, it mentions that they all wonder what happened. Next, we follow two BELIEVERS traveling by foot on the road to Emmaus. Jesus himself comes up and begins walking along side these men. He talks to them and asks them what is wrong. They hang their heads they tell Him the story of the Crucifixion and how the third day is here and how bummed they are because they thought Jesus was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Ok, now, this is what I am talking about...if I was Jesus (insert laugh) I would be waving my hands, jumping up and down, dancing a little jig, like... "Hello people, woohoo, it is ME!!!!!" Well, that is not exactly how it goes down. Jesus tells them how foolish they are for not believing the prophets that have spoken. He continues on with them and even joins them in their home for dinner. It is there that they realize who He is.
It goes on in the chapter to Jesus revealing himself to his disciples in Jerusalem. Again, they do not believe He is the risen Christ. Once again, I would start doing some funky tricks like disappearing and coming back real quick to get their attention. But what does He say? "It is written...." He again takes them back to scripture. I mean, He is right there and could have chosen so many other ways to convince them, but He simply tells them to go to their scriptures and remember the words of the prophets sent by God.
How many times do we go to other sources to find answers in a time of search or need? Don't get me wrong, Christian counselors, friends, pastors, books, etc. are all crucial and necessary. BUT, if that is all we are utilizing and we are not including scripture and prayer as the first part of the recipe, then we are missing the mark. This chapter confirms this truth over and over.
God has provided us everything we need right between two leather bound covers. We need to pray, as He instructed, for the Holy Spirit to open our minds and reveal to us what God wants us to know and learn in the moment. So my challenge to you is to put God's word first in your search for answers - or even in your times of praise. There is SO MUCH POWER in speaking praise to God straight from His own word. Try it . . . . I mean really try it. What better way to glorify our Father than speaking aloud His word?
If you are part of this journey everyday, then you have already taken the first step. So, I leave us with an awesome scripture of praise. Please join me in praising our redeemed savior today! "All honor and praise be to You, my God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light" (1 Timothy 6:15).
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
(Luke 24:450
Central Truth:
When we are reading God's word, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to open our minds and reveal to us what God wants us to know and learn.
Woohoo...IS THAT YOU?
I hope after you read this chapter you just went, "WOW!" There is nothing more powerful than reading about the actual day that the Resurrection is revealed. I would be remiss if I did not have a little "revival" right now. So excuse me while I channel my inner Gaither. We worship an amazing, awesome, holy, honest, loving, pure, true, real, healing, protecting, serving, providing, authentic, LIVING, REDEEMED SAVIOR!!! Can I get an AMEN??? God's promise was fulfilled, and while I take the time daily to thank him for that, I also stop and think about how I know for sure that it is true.
In this chapter, we enter right as the women discover that Jesus is missing from His tomb. As they go and tell others, it mentions that they all wonder what happened. Next, we follow two BELIEVERS traveling by foot on the road to Emmaus. Jesus himself comes up and begins walking along side these men. He talks to them and asks them what is wrong. They hang their heads they tell Him the story of the Crucifixion and how the third day is here and how bummed they are because they thought Jesus was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Ok, now, this is what I am talking about...if I was Jesus (insert laugh) I would be waving my hands, jumping up and down, dancing a little jig, like... "Hello people, woohoo, it is ME!!!!!" Well, that is not exactly how it goes down. Jesus tells them how foolish they are for not believing the prophets that have spoken. He continues on with them and even joins them in their home for dinner. It is there that they realize who He is.
It goes on in the chapter to Jesus revealing himself to his disciples in Jerusalem. Again, they do not believe He is the risen Christ. Once again, I would start doing some funky tricks like disappearing and coming back real quick to get their attention. But what does He say? "It is written...." He again takes them back to scripture. I mean, He is right there and could have chosen so many other ways to convince them, but He simply tells them to go to their scriptures and remember the words of the prophets sent by God.
How many times do we go to other sources to find answers in a time of search or need? Don't get me wrong, Christian counselors, friends, pastors, books, etc. are all crucial and necessary. BUT, if that is all we are utilizing and we are not including scripture and prayer as the first part of the recipe, then we are missing the mark. This chapter confirms this truth over and over.
God has provided us everything we need right between two leather bound covers. We need to pray, as He instructed, for the Holy Spirit to open our minds and reveal to us what God wants us to know and learn in the moment. So my challenge to you is to put God's word first in your search for answers - or even in your times of praise. There is SO MUCH POWER in speaking praise to God straight from His own word. Try it . . . . I mean really try it. What better way to glorify our Father than speaking aloud His word?
If you are part of this journey everyday, then you have already taken the first step. So, I leave us with an awesome scripture of praise. Please join me in praising our redeemed savior today! "All honor and praise be to You, my God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light" (1 Timothy 6:15).
Monday, April 5, 2010
April 5, 2010, Luke 23
Key Verse:
"Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
(Luke 23:34)
Central Truth:
God's intense & unconditional love for us is unfathomable! As our Creator, He desires our fellowship more than anything else. He has been pleading for "it" for 5,000 years!
"WE JUST DON'T GET IT!"
Don't beat yourself up too much. Adam and Eve, who were only left alone in the Garden for 30 minutes(?), "botched it" and very few people have gotten it right since! What I mean is, very few people have truly captured our Father's love, forgiveness, and the fulfilled life of fellowship with Him as He intended. Just spend some time reading the Old and New Testaments about all of the "godly" men and women who endured hardship and defeats because they "didn't get it!"
K.I.S.S. :
1.) God created everything in Heaven and on Earth, including man & woman for His purpose, pleasure, glory and fellowship! Yes, we were created for His FELLOWSHIP! Period. "Do we get, that?"
2.) We were created in His/Their likeness, including a "will" to make decisions; good/bad, right/wrong, healthy/unhealthy, for God/against God, etc. There's the hitch!
3.) God loves us, you & me . . . every human ever born, Again, He created us & His love for us is incomprehensible and unconditional. Didn't they know/believe "that"? Don't we know/believe "that" . . . ? We have 5,000 years of history and testimonies to prove it! We're STILL trying to "get it"!
4.) In spite of God's unwavering desire to have close and loving fellowship with His creation (man & woman), they/we exercise their/our "will" by choosing other objects for their/our affection and adoration. I think I read somewhere that sin is NOT the "use" of that which is bad, but the "MISUSE" of that which is good. Remember, God created everything for His purpose, pleasure, glory, etc . . . . Just a thought, but what if our motive each day was to "use" the blessings and challenges God provides to promote closer fellowship with Him . . . ??? How do I "get that"?
5.) Because of His nature and His unwavering, unconditional love, God provides 3,000 years of endless methods of sacrifices for rebellious man to regain intimate fellowship with God their Father. So, what's next? What else could God possibly do to capture the hardened and wayward heart of His lost children?
6.) Our loving Father, "Abba God," offers the ultimate and most outrageous sacrifice for a stubborn and sinful mankind that never did "get it"! Can you imagine the conversation? God: "Jesus, my Son, you and I have been witnessing and laboring over man and woman for 3,000 years. I am not satisfied with My relationship with them. Their hearts are cold and hardened toward Me. There is only one way I can think of that will change the heart of my most precious Creation and give me what I want most of all - a close and intimate love relationship with every man and woman, which of course I have created!" I can't imagine how the Father felt when He saw the look on His Son's face knowing fully what He was asking of Him! Jesus "got it," oh so clearly!
7.) "A Father after His own 'kids' heart"! Bottom line, God has been so intentional about His relationship with us that He asked and let His only Son come to earth, live a perfect life for 33 years - performing miracles, showing compassion, love and forgiveness to a perpetual generation of sinners, transgressors, and haters of God - and then finally endure the most humiliating and torturous death conceivable. Oh, and how does He respond while He's breathing His last breath? "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
8.) Please tell me that "we get it, now!" How can we not respond to God, our Father, our Creator that, for 5,000 years has been pursuing a "love" relationship with us? Talk about, "passion with a purpose" . . . . There it is!
9.)"WE GOT IT," now "GIVE IT!"
"Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
(Luke 23:34)
Central Truth:
God's intense & unconditional love for us is unfathomable! As our Creator, He desires our fellowship more than anything else. He has been pleading for "it" for 5,000 years!
"WE JUST DON'T GET IT!"
Don't beat yourself up too much. Adam and Eve, who were only left alone in the Garden for 30 minutes(?), "botched it" and very few people have gotten it right since! What I mean is, very few people have truly captured our Father's love, forgiveness, and the fulfilled life of fellowship with Him as He intended. Just spend some time reading the Old and New Testaments about all of the "godly" men and women who endured hardship and defeats because they "didn't get it!"
K.I.S.S. :
1.) God created everything in Heaven and on Earth, including man & woman for His purpose, pleasure, glory and fellowship! Yes, we were created for His FELLOWSHIP! Period. "Do we get, that?"
2.) We were created in His/Their likeness, including a "will" to make decisions; good/bad, right/wrong, healthy/unhealthy, for God/against God, etc. There's the hitch!
3.) God loves us, you & me . . . every human ever born, Again, He created us & His love for us is incomprehensible and unconditional. Didn't they know/believe "that"? Don't we know/believe "that" . . . ? We have 5,000 years of history and testimonies to prove it! We're STILL trying to "get it"!
4.) In spite of God's unwavering desire to have close and loving fellowship with His creation (man & woman), they/we exercise their/our "will" by choosing other objects for their/our affection and adoration. I think I read somewhere that sin is NOT the "use" of that which is bad, but the "MISUSE" of that which is good. Remember, God created everything for His purpose, pleasure, glory, etc . . . . Just a thought, but what if our motive each day was to "use" the blessings and challenges God provides to promote closer fellowship with Him . . . ??? How do I "get that"?
5.) Because of His nature and His unwavering, unconditional love, God provides 3,000 years of endless methods of sacrifices for rebellious man to regain intimate fellowship with God their Father. So, what's next? What else could God possibly do to capture the hardened and wayward heart of His lost children?
6.) Our loving Father, "Abba God," offers the ultimate and most outrageous sacrifice for a stubborn and sinful mankind that never did "get it"! Can you imagine the conversation? God: "Jesus, my Son, you and I have been witnessing and laboring over man and woman for 3,000 years. I am not satisfied with My relationship with them. Their hearts are cold and hardened toward Me. There is only one way I can think of that will change the heart of my most precious Creation and give me what I want most of all - a close and intimate love relationship with every man and woman, which of course I have created!" I can't imagine how the Father felt when He saw the look on His Son's face knowing fully what He was asking of Him! Jesus "got it," oh so clearly!
7.) "A Father after His own 'kids' heart"! Bottom line, God has been so intentional about His relationship with us that He asked and let His only Son come to earth, live a perfect life for 33 years - performing miracles, showing compassion, love and forgiveness to a perpetual generation of sinners, transgressors, and haters of God - and then finally endure the most humiliating and torturous death conceivable. Oh, and how does He respond while He's breathing His last breath? "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
8.) Please tell me that "we get it, now!" How can we not respond to God, our Father, our Creator that, for 5,000 years has been pursuing a "love" relationship with us? Talk about, "passion with a purpose" . . . . There it is!
9.)"WE GOT IT," now "GIVE IT!"
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2 - Luke 22
KEY VERSE:
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
(Luke 22:40)
CENTRAL TRUTH:
Prayer changes things!!
DO YOU PRAY EVERYDAY ?
The first time I read this chapter it brought back memories from my childhood. My family and I were in a passion play called “He Touched Me” at our church. It was a very powerful play based on the last days Jesus was on earth. We did it every year starting about six weeks before Easter with standing-room-only crowds that came by bus from all over Georgia. It was so real to me. So when I read Luke 22, I could see Jesus at the last supper, Judas betraying Jesus, and the disciples with Jesus praying on the Mount. I can still remember our pastor, who played Jesus, saying “pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus actually says this to his disciples twice in this chapter, which really grabbed my attention because prayer is very big part of our daily life.
Bedtime prayers are done by Wes, and my kids will not go upstairs without him going and praying with them. I sometimes come in for goodnight kisses, and my children will be praying with each other or to themselves. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing your son praying with his younger sister or listening to your children praying for their friends and family.
I pray with the kids on the way to school, usually the same place on Catherine Drive (the back road in to Tattnall). If you see me swerving, I could have accidentally closed my eyes in prayer. (Really, if we are having a car study session or if I possibly take a cell call, my kids are quick to remind me to pray.) We are definitely not prepared for our day without a prayer, even if it is just a quick "shout out" to tell Jesus thanks for the beautiful day and that we love Him. I cannot imagine making through a day without prayer because I see daily what it is doing in my family’s life.
I challenge each of you to pray every day. You will soon see how prayer changes things.
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
(Luke 22:40)
CENTRAL TRUTH:
Prayer changes things!!
DO YOU PRAY EVERYDAY ?
The first time I read this chapter it brought back memories from my childhood. My family and I were in a passion play called “He Touched Me” at our church. It was a very powerful play based on the last days Jesus was on earth. We did it every year starting about six weeks before Easter with standing-room-only crowds that came by bus from all over Georgia. It was so real to me. So when I read Luke 22, I could see Jesus at the last supper, Judas betraying Jesus, and the disciples with Jesus praying on the Mount. I can still remember our pastor, who played Jesus, saying “pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus actually says this to his disciples twice in this chapter, which really grabbed my attention because prayer is very big part of our daily life.
Bedtime prayers are done by Wes, and my kids will not go upstairs without him going and praying with them. I sometimes come in for goodnight kisses, and my children will be praying with each other or to themselves. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing your son praying with his younger sister or listening to your children praying for their friends and family.
I pray with the kids on the way to school, usually the same place on Catherine Drive (the back road in to Tattnall). If you see me swerving, I could have accidentally closed my eyes in prayer. (Really, if we are having a car study session or if I possibly take a cell call, my kids are quick to remind me to pray.) We are definitely not prepared for our day without a prayer, even if it is just a quick "shout out" to tell Jesus thanks for the beautiful day and that we love Him. I cannot imagine making through a day without prayer because I see daily what it is doing in my family’s life.
I challenge each of you to pray every day. You will soon see how prayer changes things.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April 1, 2010, Luke 21
Key Verse:
For they all (the rich) gave out of their abundance (their Surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on which to live.
(Luke 21:4)
Central Truth:
God wants us to give sacrificially.
IS IT YOU OR A TIP IN THE JAR?
The beginning of this text has a small life lesson, and it can be easy to gloss over as you think you completely understand it. I know. That’s what I did when I first read it.
Jesus sees the elites coming in and giving their offerings to the temple, and I’m sure their offerings varied in amounts. Some were proud of the way their coins sounded as they caused the buckets to ring. Others just tossed it in, not really thinking of the significance of their gift. Then there was this poor widow, who had thoroughly thought about what she was able to offer. She probably had some doubts as to the wisdom of dropping so much in, considering she was really pressed financially to afford the necessities like food and clothing.
You see, the rich were giving out of their surplus. It was not a sacrifice. It was safe. It was comfortable, and it felt good. For the widow, it was none of those things. It was a huge sacrifice. She was looking at possibly going hungry because she gave so much. It was risky. She might have been unable to pay her taxes the next time the collector came by. It was scary to give what she did, and I bet she walked into the temple a little nervous knowing she had possibly given away her food for tomorrow.
God wants us to be “all in” when we give. I don’t think that means he wants us to sell our house and give the proceeds to the poor. He has provided that house for me (and you) to use. But he does want us to give in a way that is sacrificial. What better way can He show his faithfulness to us than when we rely heavily on him. Whether it is time, finances, or abilities, our giving should be done whole-heartedly. In racing we call it WOT. It means “wide open throttle.” Do you do “church” or do you do church “WOT”? I bet, if you’re doing church “WOT,” God is revealing his character to you in new ways all the time. If you are going through life wondering if God will give you one of those "Ah Ha!" moments, try opening up the throttle.
For they all (the rich) gave out of their abundance (their Surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on which to live.
(Luke 21:4)
Central Truth:
God wants us to give sacrificially.
IS IT YOU OR A TIP IN THE JAR?
The beginning of this text has a small life lesson, and it can be easy to gloss over as you think you completely understand it. I know. That’s what I did when I first read it.
Jesus sees the elites coming in and giving their offerings to the temple, and I’m sure their offerings varied in amounts. Some were proud of the way their coins sounded as they caused the buckets to ring. Others just tossed it in, not really thinking of the significance of their gift. Then there was this poor widow, who had thoroughly thought about what she was able to offer. She probably had some doubts as to the wisdom of dropping so much in, considering she was really pressed financially to afford the necessities like food and clothing.
You see, the rich were giving out of their surplus. It was not a sacrifice. It was safe. It was comfortable, and it felt good. For the widow, it was none of those things. It was a huge sacrifice. She was looking at possibly going hungry because she gave so much. It was risky. She might have been unable to pay her taxes the next time the collector came by. It was scary to give what she did, and I bet she walked into the temple a little nervous knowing she had possibly given away her food for tomorrow.
God wants us to be “all in” when we give. I don’t think that means he wants us to sell our house and give the proceeds to the poor. He has provided that house for me (and you) to use. But he does want us to give in a way that is sacrificial. What better way can He show his faithfulness to us than when we rely heavily on him. Whether it is time, finances, or abilities, our giving should be done whole-heartedly. In racing we call it WOT. It means “wide open throttle.” Do you do “church” or do you do church “WOT”? I bet, if you’re doing church “WOT,” God is revealing his character to you in new ways all the time. If you are going through life wondering if God will give you one of those "Ah Ha!" moments, try opening up the throttle.
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