Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

January 16, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

The Voice of the Nature of God
I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' -Isaiah 6:8

When we talk about the call of God, we often forget the most important thing, namely, the nature of Him who calls. There are many things calling each of us today. Some of these calls will be answered, and others will not even be heard. The call is the expression of the nature of the One who calls, and we can only recognize the call if that same nature is in us. The call of God is the expression of God's nature, not ours. God providentially weaves the threads of His call through our lives, and only we can distinguish them. It is the threading of God's voice directly to us over a certain concern, and it is useless to seek another person's opinion of it. Our dealings over the call of God should be kept exclusively between ourselves and Him.

The call of God is not a reflection of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are of no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God. But when God brings me into the right relationship with Himself, I will be in the same condition Isaiah was. Isaiah was so attuned to God, because of the great crisis he had just endured, that the call of God penetrated his soul. The majority of us cannot hear anything but ourselves. And we cannot hear anything God says. But to be brought to the place where we can hear the call of God is to be profoundly changed.

God's Guidance System

In Matthew 6:22-24, Jesus tells us the impact when God has our whole heart,"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

While it may not seem like it, Jesus is talking about the heart.

As we learned in our previous devotionals, if you give to God, and give for the right reasons, God has your heart. Your heart belongs to Him. When God has your heart, He can lead you; because that is how God leads, He leads through your heart.

That's really what this illustration is about. That is what He means by, "The lamp of the body is the eye."

Think about the difference light makes when trying to walk on a narrow, craggy path. When light comes into your eye, you can see your way. Your eyes, when the light is able to come in, are a built-in guidance system, aren't they?

Well, you know what? You have a guidance system God uses to lead you. That guidance system is called your heart. If God has your treasure, He has your heart. But God can't lead you through your heart if He doesn't have your heart.

If God has your heart, then He can begin to lead you. You can go anywhere He tells you to go. And interestingly enough, the loyalty of our heart is expressed through our giving. Giving and guidance tied together? According to Jesus... definitely!
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Read: Psalm 52
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love. - Psalm 52:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
One day, a man asked Jesus to settle a family financial dispute: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Instead, Jesus warned His listeners: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." He then told a parable about a rich man who was anticipating a profitable harvest, making plans to build bigger barns, and relaxing in the "security" of his wealth. "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.' . . . This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:13-21).
As Jesus so dramatically emphasized, trusting in money is folly. His ancestor David taught the same lesson in Psalm 52. This psalm was written during a low point in his feud with King Saul, during the years he was waiting for God to put him on the throne of Israel.

The psalm begins with a portrait of a wicked man (vv. 1-4). He is boastful, destructive, and deceitful, with a tongue like a "sharpened razor." As a "disgrace in the eyes of God," such a person is marked for divine judgment (vv. 5-7). The righteous will rejoice when justice is done on such a person. What was the man's key mistake? Why did he "love evil rather than good"? Why did he do the things he did? He "did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth" (cf. Job 27:13-23).

In contrast, David trusted not in his money but in "God's unfailing love for ever and ever" (vv. 8-9). Pride did not govern his actions-instead he was motivated to praise and worship the Lord. As a result, he was "like an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God." Olive trees-this is one of only two in all the psalms (the other is Ps. 128:3)-are particularly long-lived and fruitful. This image thus clearly expresses David's faith and hope in God (cf. Ps. 1:1-3).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We are also vulnerable to the temptation to trust in money. We might see it as security in retirement, for example, when our true security is God. We might see it as a source of freedom, when our true freedom is found in Christ. We might see it as an indication of ability or success, but the Lord has very different ways of using our abilities and measuring our successes. For some, money is a source of self-confidence and self-worth. We must resist temptations to think in these ungodly ways!

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 17, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

The Call of the Natural Life
When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me . . . -Galatians 1:15-16

The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature. The call of the natural life was stated by the apostle Paul- "When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him [that is, purely and solemnly express Him] among the Gentiles . . . ."

Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God's call is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.

When God Has Our Hearts

In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus applies all we have covered over the last few days, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Given the context of the preceding verses, Jesus is telling us that if God is first in our giving, then He indeed has our heart. If He has our hearts, He can guide us and meet our needs, and we have no need to worry about provision for our life.

He feeds the birds. He will take care of you. Do not worry. Obey Him, trust Him, and look to Him for your daily bread.

Matthew 6:33 says,

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
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Read: James 5:1-6
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. - James 5:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Nehemiah investigated the situation among the Jewish returnees from exile, he was appalled to find economic injustices (Nehemiah 5). Some had been forced to mortgage their fields to buy food. Others had no financial option but to have family members work in a kind of slavery. Worst of all, the people were being squeezed by their own countrymen! Furious, Nehemiah summoned the leaders and forcefully reminded them of their responsibilities: "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them" (Neh. 5:9-11). The leaders did respond to Nehemiah's rebuke and promised to do better.
Money and spirituality go hand-in-hand, and using money to exploit or oppress others is wrong and will be judged by God. In his epistle, James warned unbelieving rich people about the "misery that is coming upon you" (v. 1). We know they are unbelievers because they are told to "weep and wail," that is, to repent and turn to the Lord. The priorities, purposes, and actions of wealthy believers, as we know, should look very different. James's warning included vivid images of riches rotting away or becoming corroded, showing how fleeting and worthless they are (vv. 2-3a). The "corrosion" is not only physical but also spiritual, which is why it "will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire."

These financial resources would testify that the wealthy have "hoarded" money for themselves instead of paying what they owed to their laborers (vv. 3b-4; cf. Jer. 22:13). These rich people are guilty of self-indulgence or living in luxury (v. 5), while at the same time they withhold wages and in effect murder innocent men by stealing their livelihoods (v. 6). They put self ahead of others, luxury ahead of integrity, selfishness ahead of justice, and money ahead of God. He will judge them severely for their sinful priorities and actions.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich, presents the financial challenges faced by the working poor in our country. The author recounted trying to make ends meet by working minimum wage jobs. Her stories of what happened are funny, shocking, and insightful. This secular book has sold over 1.5 million copies and has done much to help people understand and empathize with those near the bottom of the financial pecking order.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 18, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

"It Is the Lord!"
Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' -John 20:28

Jesus said to her, 'Give Me a drink' " (John 4:7). How many of us are expecting Jesus Christ to quench our thirst when we should be satisfying Him! We should be pouring out our lives, investing our total beings, not drawing on Him to satisfy us. "You shall be witnesses to Me . . ." (Acts 1:. That means lives of pure, uncompromising, and unrestrained devotion to the Lord Jesus, which will be satisfying to Him wherever He may send us.

Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him. It is easier to serve than to pour out our lives completely for Him. The goal of the call of God is His satisfaction, not simply that we should do something for Him. We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in His battles. Are we more devoted to service than we are to Jesus Christ Himself?

The Coming Reward

Let me quote to you from Daniel 12:3, which says,

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

There is a coming reward for those who turn people to righteousness.

The dearest thing to God's heart is winning humanity and bringing them into His family. Nothing is more important to God. He bankrupted heaven and gave His only begotten Son to save humanity.

The Bible teaches us that there will be a reward, my friend: authority in heaven, a place in heaven, honor in heaven.

In addition to that, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Someday there is going to be a joy and a fullness in heaven, but there are some who will not experience that level of joy.

The story is told that Cyrus, the king of Persia who had defeated Babylon and set the captive Jews at liberty, was walking through his garden one day with a visitor. The visitor was looking at all of the beautiful trees and shrubs and exclaimed how much pleasure the garden was giving him.

Cyrus said, "Not nearly the pleasure it gives to me for, you see, I have planted every one of these trees myself."

I think there is going to be something about being in heaven and seeing your fingerprints on people who are there because you shared, because you gave, and because you prayed. I believe there is going to be a greater joy for some because they did more for heaven while on earth than others.

There is a coming reward!
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Read: James 2:1-9
Don't show favoritism. - James 2:1

TODAY IN THE WORD
"Does God want you to be rich?" asked a 2006 Time magazine cover story. The main article explored contemporary versions of the "prosperity gospel." This "gospel" holds that God wants all believers to be professionally successful and financially well off. Its followers dream of large homes, expensive cars, and other signs of wealth-this is their definition of "blessing" and the "abundant life." They reason that since an all-powerful God loves us and wants the best for us, and since success and wealth are the best life has to offer, then all we must do is act in faith to receive this blessing. Or as Time put it, "Why not gain the whole world plus my soul?" This is not a fringe movement: In a Time poll, 17 percent of Christians surveyed said they were part of a"prosperity gospel" church, and 61 percent agreed that "God wants people to be prosperous."
Unfortunately for "prosperity gospel" followers, God's Word does not agree with them. God might sometimes choose to bless or reward people materially, but the fact is that material wealth is unrelated to spiritual status in the kingdom of God. James's command in this matter is simple: "Don't show favoritism" (v. 1). In his supporting example, a rich man and a poor man go to church. The rich man receives personal attention and a privileged seat from the church leaders, while the poor man is ignored and shunted off to the side (vv. 2-4). These "judges with evil thoughts" had made the mistake of attaching evaluations of worth and importance to clothes, jewelry, and wealth.

The truth, however, is that God's evaluations turn worldly ones upside-down (v. 5; cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-31). In this case, the financially poor have been chosen "to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom." Why, asked James, would you favor these rich anyway? They're the ones exploiting you, taking you to court, and slandering God's name through their behavior (vv. 6-7). Showing favoritism to them is an insult to the poor, not to mention a violation of the command to "love your neighbor" (vv. 8-9).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Despite thousands of books of financial advice, perhaps what we need most are the two greatest commandments. According to Jesus, these are, "Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:37-39). How does our handling of money fulfill or reflect these two commandments? Many budget-related discussions and prayers might flow from this single question.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 19, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Vision and Darkness
When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him -Genesis 15:12

Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" (Isaiah 49:2). The saint's duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness" that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God's displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11).

Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."- El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.

Worry About Work

In 2 Corinthians 11:28, the apostle Paul says something very interesting,

Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

You may be wondering, "Bayless, what does this have to do with my life?" Let me show you.

The phrase "deep concern" literally means anxiety and worry. And that phrase "to come upon"in the original language literally means "it conspires against me in order to overthrow me."

The apostle Paul's job was to oversee the churches that God had used him to establish, and in this verse he is confessing, "I daily have to battle with worry over these churches. How are they doing? Are they being misled by false prophets? Are they staying true to good doctrine?"

He was dealing with worry about those churches. Every day he grappled with that worry, and he had to throw it down.

It is easy for all of us to worry about our job. Some people, even though they are at home, never leave their job. They carry the burden around with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

They are always worrying about the job, even when they are home with their family. "How are things going at work? I wonder what they're saying. I wonder about the competition. What about sales? What about my job security? What's going to happen tomorrow?"

Consequently, when they get home from work, they are carrying this burden of work around with them, and they are robbing their family. Their own spiritual life is robbed, many times almost to the point of bankruptcy.

Do not let your family be robbed. Do not let your own personal and spiritual life be robbed because you carry the care of your job around with you. Instead, give it to God.
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Read: Matthew 19:16-30
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. - Matthew 19:24

TODAY IN THE WORD
In the beginning, Solomon's heart was devoted to the Lord. He knew he couldn't rule successfully without God's help. God offered the young man anything he wanted, and Solomon showed the quality of his heart by choosing wisdom. "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (2 Chron. 1:10). Unfortunately, spiritual decay later set in (1 Kings 11). Solomon married foreign women, let them build temples to false gods, then joined them in idolatry. He took increasing pride in his great knowledge and wealth. He relied more on himself and less and less on the Lord. His faith eroded, and his final legacy was not a godly one.
Power and riches can seduce the heart, as today's reading also shows. This is the story of a rich young man's encounter with Jesus. At the start of the conversation, the man asked how to get eternal life, but the implied question was really, "How good do I need to be?" Jesus countered that salvation is not about our

goodness but about God's goodness. To prove it, He also gave a more straightforward answer, "Obey the commandments" (v. 17). A godly person would have known that perfectly keeping God's law is impossible, but the rich young man asserted that he met the standard.

Trying to enlighten this proud person, Jesus switched tactics and presented the man with a practical challenge: Sell your possessions, give to the poor, and follow me (v. 21). He knew that wealth, not God, had first place in this man's heart. The rich young man "went away sad," and perhaps also shocked and humbled (v. 22). The true state of his heart had been revealed.

Jesus followed up by teaching His astonished disciples that riches are a fierce and direct competitor to faith and to our valuing God above all else (vv. 23-26). In fact, those who have given up earthly riches for committed discipleship will be blessed with far more heavenly riches than those they gave up (vv. 27-30).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The rich young man believed he could earn his way to God through spiritual performance without rearranging the priorities of his heart. But God will not share the throne of our lives with our love of riches, security, comfort, or self. He alone will be worshiped. Good works should flow out of our love for Jesus, but works alone cannot substitute for our praise and obedience to God (see Eph. 2:10). Do we spend more time worrying about financial investments than praising the Lord who protects us?

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 20, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Are You Fresh for Everything?
Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' -John 3:3

Sometimes we are fresh and eager to attend a prayer meeting, but do we feel that same freshness for such mundane tasks as polishing shoes?

Being born again by the Spirit is an unmistakable work of God, as mysterious as the wind, and as surprising as God Himself. We don't know where it begins- it is hidden away in the depths of our soul. Being born again from above is an enduring, perpetual, and eternal beginning. It provides a freshness all the time in thinking, talking, and living- a continual surprise of the life of God. Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step with God. We say to ourselves, "I have to do this thing or it will never get done." That is the first sign of staleness. Do we feel fresh this very moment or are we stale, frantically searching our minds for something to do? Freshness is not the result of obedience; it comes from the Holy Spirit. Obedience keeps us "in the light as He is in the light . . ." (1 John 1:7).

Jealously guard your relationship with God. Jesus prayed "that they may be one just as We are one"-with nothing in between (John 17:22). Keep your whole life continually open to Jesus Christ. Don't pretend to be open with Him. Are you drawing your life from any source other than God Himself? If you are depending on something else as your source of freshness and strength, you will not realize when His power is gone.

Being born of the Spirit means much more than we usually think. It gives us new vision and keeps us absolutely fresh for everything through the never-ending supply of the life of God.

An Original


1 Samuel 15:19 and 24 provide us with real insight into an area of anxiety for many people. One that may control your life today.

This is Samuel talking to Saul,

"Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"

Saul gives his answer in verse 24,

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice."

Hmmm! "I feared the people and obeyed their voice." Saul confessed that he was worried about what other people thought of him and what other people would say about him. As a result, he made a horrible decision that was counter to what God wanted.

Too many people, even good Christians, are eaten up with worry over what other people think and say about them. Let me tell you, the worst place to have your peace is in somebody else's head. As Proverbs 29:25 says, The fear of man brings a snare.

Saul is a perfect example. He never fulfilled his destiny, he never fulfilled his purpose in life, because he was too worried about what people thought about him even though God chose him to be king.

Someone wisely said this:

"It is not what I think I am that molds me and drives me, and it is not what you think I am that molds me and drives me. It is what I think that you think I am that molds me and drives me."

Is that your concern today? If so, let me give you some advice: Be yourself. You were created by God as an original, and it would be a shame if you died a copy.
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Read: 2 Samuel 19:31-39
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. - Proverbs 11:28


TODAY IN THE WORD
Lincoln Electric, a global leader in arc-welding equipment, treats its employees based on the Golden Rule. The brothers who started the company, John and James Lincoln, were influenced by their father (who was a preacher) in this regard. There are no layoffs, and profits are shared according to workers' performance. If times are bad, everyone suffers, but no one loses their job. According to the current CEO, "They know we're not going to desert them in the bad cycle, and they become more and more committed as far as the company is concerned." Not one worker has been laid off for economic reasons in more than 60 years!
This is a good example of how people might use money in ways that honor the Lord. In Barzillai, we find a biblical example of a rich person who used his money for godly purposes. He provided for King David during the rebellion of Absalom (v. 32). It would have been far less risky to stay out of the political conflict. If he were a betting man, the

"smart money" was on Absalom, whose populist rebellion seemed certain to succeed. But Barzillai honored David as God's anointed king and put his money where his mouth was. Supporting David and his men when they were on the run wasn't cheap! And if Absalom had won, Barzillai would no doubt have paid with his life. His support meant so much to David that the king spoke of it on his deathbed (1 Kings 2:7).

Barzillai's attitude was one of duty and humility (vv. 34-37). After regaining the kingship, David invited his benefactor to return with him to Jerusalem, no doubt to be honored and rewarded. Barzillai, however, preferred not to seek such attention and instead recommended Kimham, probably one of his sons. This was not a "price tag" for his help, though, as made clear by the emphasis on "whatever pleases" the king and by his receiving the king's blessing even though he was by some measures in the superior position (v. 39). His righteousness caused him to "thrive like a green leaf" (Prov. 11:28)!
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Barzillai serves as a model for those with wealth and also for those with more modest means. No matter how large or small our sphere of financial influence, each of us must use our money according to godly priorities, whether those seem high-risk or low-risk under the circumstances. Consider the contrast between Barzillai and the rich young man, mentioned yesterday. With the rich young man, money owned his heart. With Barzillai, his heart belonged to God alone.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 21, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Recall What God Remembers
Thus says the Lord: 'I remember . . . the kindness of your youth . . .' -Jeremiah 2:2

Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Does everything in my life fill His heart with gladness, or do I constantly complain because things don't seem to be going my way? A person who has forgotten what God treasures will not be filled with joy. It is wonderful to remember that Jesus Christ has needs which we can meet- "Give Me a drink" (John 4:7). How much kindness have I shown Him in the past week? Has my life been a good reflection on His reputation?

God is saying to His people, "You are not in love with Me now, but I remember a time when you were." He says, "I remember . . . the love of your betrothal . . ." (Jeremiah 2:2). Am I as filled to overflowing with love for Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He ever find me pondering the time when I cared only for Him? Is that where I am now, or have I chosen man's wisdom over true love for Him? Am I so in love with Him that I take no thought for where He might lead me? Or am I watching to see how much respect I get as I measure how much service I should give Him?

As I recall what God remembers about me, I may also begin to realize that He is not what He used to be to me. When this happens, I should allow the shame and humiliation it creates in my life, because it will bring godly sorrow, and "godly sorrow produces repentance . . ." (2 Corinthians 7:10).

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The Power of a Word

Proverbs 12:18 gives us some valuable advice,

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Did you ever know someone who is good at making cutting remarks? They spoke like the piercings of a sword?

Over twenty years ago I was at the house of some friends. We were all just kind of hanging out and I made a comment to one of the brothers in the family. It was a clever little comment and was basically meant to take a jab at him.

A couple of the family members heard it and snickered and said, "Oh, way to go, Bayless! You got him!" But as soon as I said it, his countenance fell, and my heart just sank. While I looked for an opportunity to apologize to him that night, I didn't do it because he ended up leaving early.

I've regretted that comment ever since. I repented, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleansed me from that sin. But you know what? Those words were out, and I couldn't get them back.

Shortly after that night, he went feet first into a very destructive lifestyle involving his sexuality. I have to think that quite possibly my words pushed him away from God. It may have been that little jab of the sword that pushed him off the edge.

The New Testament says in Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but only that which is good for edification or for building up that it may minister grace to the hearers.

Are your words ministering grace to those who hear them? Are they building up? Or are they tearing down?

Read: Ecclesiastes 5:10-19
He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. - Ecclesiastes 5:15

TODAY IN THE WORD
According to varying reports, between three and 30 million pieces of luggage are lost annually by airlines around the world. If unclaimed, this luggage often ends up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. The Center is like a giant thrift store, with items from the unclaimed bags available at bargain basement prices. Clothing, electronics, jewelry, and other goods are all for sale. One customer compared shopping there to a treasure hunt. The CEO called it "an archaeological dig." About 7,000 new items come into the store per day, or about one million new items per year.
Lost luggage is a reminder that "you can't take it with you" (v. 15; cf. Ps. 49:16-20). As one preacher put it, "There are no U-Haul trucks behind the hearse." Earthly riches are only temporal. People who are spiritually dead live in denial about this. "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income" (v. 10). At a practical level, argued Solomon (he would know!), wealth is empty or troublesome. A rich man can't sleep because he's worried about it, while a poorer laborer enjoys sweet sleep (v. 12). If money is hoarded, it brings harm; if it's lost, it was all for nothing (vv. 13-14). What, then, is the point of all the work involved in getting it (vv. 16-17)? It's just more chasing after the wind.

To treat acquiring money as a worthy purpose in life leads to worship of things rather than God. It embraces covetousness as a lifestyle-it is a thirst that can never be quenched. For this reason, when it comes to money and material goods, simplicity and contentment are recommended biblical values.

Wisdom's response to the "we can't take it with us" dilemma is that contentment can be found in accepting whatever socioeconomic lot God assigns us and enjoying whatever work He gives us to do (vv. 18-19). "When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God."

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Verse 11 of today's reading seems to describe the current world economic situation: "As goods increase, so do those who consume them." Consumerism is a never-ending spiral, with goods and buyers always increasing and the amounts of money (and debt) always escalating as well. But to what end? What's it all for? "What benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" Now more than ever, a hopeless world needs to hear the good news of eternal hope and salvation in Christ.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 22, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Am I Looking To God?
Look to Me, and be saved . . . -Isaiah 45:22

Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us? He says, "Look to Me, and be saved . . . ." The greatest difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and His blessings are what make it so difficult. Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere. The basic lesson of the Sermon on the Mount is to narrow all your interests until your mind, heart, and body are focused on Jesus Christ. "Look to Me . . . ."

Many of us have a mental picture of what a Christian should be, and looking at this image in other Christians' lives becomes a hindrance to our focusing on God. This is not salvation- it is not simple enough. He says, in effect, "Look to Me and you are saved," not "You will be saved someday." We will find what we are looking for if we will concentrate on Him. We get distracted from God and irritable with Him while He continues to say to us, "Look to Me, and be saved . . . ." Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries about tomorrow all vanish when we look to God.

Wake yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him. "Look to Me . . . ." Salvation is yours the moment you look.
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No Fear

People tend to worry in these days about world events. In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus tells us this,

"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places."

Jesus said, "When these things happen, don't be troubled. Don't worry. They must come to pass." Think about some of those things.

Earthquakes in various places. I have been told that around the world earthquakes are increasing both in frequency and in size. They are happening more and more, and they are getting worse and worse. It is a sign, my friend.

Jesus mentions pestilences-diseases without cures. Ring any bells? There are certain nations where it is reported that 50 percent of the population is infected with AIDS. It is rampant in many countries of the world. It is an incredible problem even in our own country.

Jesus points to famines. There is drought, which is causing famines, which is causing starvation around the world.

Then Jesus talks about wars, rumors of wars, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom. You can't turn on the news without hearing about some terrorist attack. There are countries today aggressively pursuing nuclear capabilities. Nations are poised against one another.

The leaders of our nation and other nations make decisions that affect literally the whole world. It seems like the world is on fire! Things are hanging in the balance.

Our response? It should not be fear, but rather recognition that these things must come to pass before Christ returns!

Read: Proverbs 30:7-9
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. - Proverbs 30:8

TODAY IN THE WORD
Using Peter and Matthew as examples, musician and writer Michael Card sings of "the freedom we find from the things we leave behind." The lesson of the song is that "worshiping goods" is love of the world, whereas a true Christ-follower's heart is not tied to such things. The song continues: "Every heart needs to be set free from possessions that hold it so tight, 'cause freedom's not found in the things that we own, it's the power to do what is right. Jesus, our only possession, giving becomes our delight. We can't imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind."
For those of us who trust in the Lord, our daily bread is enough. The godly virtue of simplicity is relatively simple. As followers of Christ, we abandon the world's frantic pursuit of more and bigger and better, understanding that money and material goods do not and cannot satisfy our deepest needs and desires. The so-called rat race promotes anxiety and covetousness, not thankfulness and a sense of God's blessing.

That's why the otherwise-unknown figure of Agur declared in today's reading that he had only two prayers. The first prayer was for truth or honesty, and the second prayer was for simplicity or contentment (v. . He defined "simplicity" as a balance between poverty and riches; it is enough to live on, that is, "daily bread." For the Israelites, this was a powerful historical image of God's provision. They remembered well how God had provided manna for them day by day in their desert wanderings during the Exodus.

To Agur, "daily bread" was the perfect midpoint between two extremes (v. 9). If poor, the temptation would be to steal. Rich or poor, stealing is a sin-God's ethics are not relative (Prov. 6:30-31). If rich, on the other hand, the temptation would be to rely on money and forget God. Moses had long ago warned the nation that prosperity could bring faithlessness if the people failed to remember that wealth and the ability to produce it are God's gift (Deut. 8:11-20).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A trip to your local grocery store (all those choices!) reveals how complicated "daily bread" might become if we let it. We hope that today's devotional has given you a deeper appreciation for the line in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us today our daily bread" (Matt. 6:11). Money and things cannot satisfy, but Jesus Christ is our "Bread of Life . . . Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever" (John 6:26-58).

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 23, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Transformed by Beholding
We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . . -2 Corinthians 3:18

The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person's life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord's own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it- something good, but not what is best.

The most important rule for us is to concentrate on keeping our lives open to God. Let everything else including work, clothes, and food be set aside. The busyness of things obscures our concentration on God. We must maintain a position of beholding Him, keeping our lives completely spiritual through and through. Let other things come and go as they will; let other people criticize us as they will; but never allow anything to obscure the life that "is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). Never let a hurried lifestyle disturb the relationship of abiding in Him. This is an easy thing to allow, but we must guard against it. The most difficult lesson of the Christian life is learning how to continue "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord . . . ."
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Convicting and Convincing

In yesterday's devotional, we talked about the fifth "C" of soul winning-the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is such an important part in witnessing I want to take you to another passage today to help you understand His role more clearly.

The passage is John 16:7-9. Here Jesus is talking to the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me."

Jesus is not telling us that we need to pray, "Holy Spirit, go convict this person." Rather, the foundation from which He is speaking is found in John 14. In that passage He says, "When the Holy Spirit comes, He will no longer just be with you, but He will be in you."

In the following verses, He then talks about all the things the Holy Spirit does within us. And here, when He talks about the Holy Spirit convicting people of sin (and, as the Amplified Bible says, convicting and convincing the world of sin), He does that work when we engage them with the gospel.

When we talk to people about Christ, the Holy Spirit then goes to work.

I think about that little boy who told me about Jesus-a Spirit-filled 12-year-old. I had never heard the gospel in my life, yet there was something so captivating, so arresting about him, I could not get him out of my mind.

It was the power of the Holy Spirit working through him. And He wants to work through you as well.

Read: Luke 12:22-31
Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:31

TODAY IN THE WORD
The Internet has put more information than ever before at our fingertips-maybe too much information. Sometimes people get obsessed, for example, with checking online the balances in their retirement accounts. "How's my 401(k) or IRA today?" they wonder. "Is the market up or down? How is my mutual fund performing?" Worried, they switch funds or reallocate to investments that are thought to be more secure. They watch television shows like Mad Money, desperate to pick up tips that will give them an advantage. If the numbers are headed downward, they get depressed or panicky.
Such worrying, Jesus said, is sinful. Habitual anxiety about finances is doubting that God can or will provide for our needs. Money is a tool, a means to ends. Handling it well is part of being responsible stewards, but it's just not worth all the fretting and worrying that sometimes goes on.

Jesus taught this in today's reading in three different ways (v. 22; cf. Matt. 6:25-34). First, He gave two natural object lessons. Ravens and lilies neither work nor worry, yet God ably takes care of their needs. Since people are even more valuable to God, surely we can trust Him to take care of our needs as well.

Second, Jesus used rational arguments against worry. One was that life is about more than basic needs (v. 23). If we go overboard obsessing about food or clothing, we've lost perspective. Also, worry is useless, practically speaking (vv. 25-26). It accomplishes nothing, so why would we waste our time on it?

Jesus' third strategy was spiritual arguments against worry. Worry shows a lack of faith (v. 28). God already knows what we need, and He is our Provider. In addition, worry characterizes a pagan lifestyle, not a godly one (v. 30). To pursue lesser things is to obtain only lesser things. As we know from the parable of the seeds, the "worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" can conspire to choke out faith (Matt. 13:22). By contrast, we should invest our time, energy, and money in seeking God's kingdom first (v. 31)!

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Worry sneaks up on us. We tend to think it's not a serious sin like murder or adultery. But it is a sin that reveals the state of our hearts, and the temptation to worry must not be underestimated. If we are habitually anxious about our bills, budget, job, health insurance, savings, or other financial aspects of life, we are dishonoring the name of the Lord by forgetting His promises and faithfulness. Thankfully, He stands ready to forgive and to remind us of His deep and everlasting love for us.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 24, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

God's Overpowering Purpose
I have appeared to you for this purpose . . .-Acts 26:16

The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was not a passing emotional experience, but a vision that had very clear and emphatic directions for him. And Paul stated, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). Our Lord said to Paul, in effect, "Your whole life is to be overpowered or subdued by Me; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but Mine." And the Lord also says to us, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go . . ." (John 15:16).

When we are born again, if we are spiritual at all, we have visions of what Jesus wants us to be. It is important that I learn not to be "disobedient to the heavenly vision"-not to doubt that it can be attained. It is not enough to give mental assent to the fact that God has redeemed the world, nor even to know that the Holy Spirit can make all that Jesus did a reality in my life. I must have the foundation of a personal relationship with Him. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim. He was brought into a vivid, personal, overpowering relationship with Jesus Christ.Acts 26:16 is tremendously compelling ". . . to make you a minister and a witness . . . ." There would be nothing there without a personal relationship. Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ's. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).
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Wise Counsel

Counsel-the counsel of God. By that I mean the Word of God. It's important we learn to share the Word with people.

Our testimony is powerful and should be shared. But even though that may move people and influence people, folks need to know they are anchoring their trust in the promises of God. Not just in a feeling they have gotten, not just because they feel influenced and moved-even if that is by the Holy Spirit.

Why? Because feelings change. Our feelings can go up and down like a rollercoaster. You may be feeling God today, and tomorrow feel like He is nowhere around. Ever felt that way?

I have had days when I have woken up and not felt God at all, even though I had experienced a good time with Him the night before. In those times, if I would have gone by my feelings, I would have said, "God, You have deserted me this morning."

But I know He hasn't because God's Word makes it clear that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. When a person is saved, they need to be anchoring their faith on the promises of God, not on their feelings.

Promises like Romans 10:9-10,

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So when we witness to people, we need to give them the counsel, the promises of the Word of God.

Read: Philippians 4:10-13
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. - Philippians 4:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
How can we live simply in a materialistic culture? Christie and Paul Borthwick addressed this question in their article, "Alternatives to Affluenza: Living Light in the Land of Plenty." The world bombards us with an incredible variety of goods, advertising, and the examples of peers and colleagues buying the latest gadgets. The Borthwicks, however, did not want to "end up making choices based on cultural pressure instead of convictions grown from our commitment to Christ." They have made their financial decisions by the godly principles of stewardship, freedom in Christ, and identifying with the poor. "In all of our life choices," they wrote, "God notices. What we do in terms of giving more or spending less or choosing simplicity might not be world changing, but the God who knows every sparrow that falls will know when we intentionally bring our lifestyles more in line with discipleship, obedience, and His global purposes. In that knowledge, there is great reward."
Paul, too, had learned the secret of contentment. In today's reading, he thanked the Philippian believers for their financial support of his ministry, and he described his gratitude in the context of godly joy and contentment (v. 10). This was not a psychological strategy for prompting another gift. Rather, because of God, Paul was always joyful and satisfied, whatever the situation (v. 11). He understood that contentment is rooted in God's ever-present faithfulness, not the ebb and flow of bank accounts and material circumstances (Heb. 13:5). Paul's statement that he had "learned to be content whatever the circumstances" is not an empty boast, for he had experienced a wide variety of what life has to offer (v. 12). He had been well-fed and hungry. He had lived in prosperity and in poverty. He had been popular and persecuted. Paul had experienced life's highs and lows, and he knew God was always faithful.

Paul's key to contentment was the realization of "him who gives me strength" (v. 13). Circumstances don't bring contentment, and neither do abilities, self-confidence, or optimism. Rather, it was Jesus Christ who empowered Paul to do "everything" for God's glory (cf. Col. 1:10-12).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The opening illustration today is from a 2006 special issue of Discipleship Journal. The publisher, NavPress, has since turned parts of this issue into a resource packet, "The Good News About Money." For a small fee, it's available for download from www.navpress.com/product/9781600067839/The-Good-News-About-Money-Discipleship-Journal. Other helpful resources on money and godliness are available at your local Christian bookstore or online.

GOD BLESS!


January 24, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Leave Room for God

When it pleased God . . . -Galatians Galatians

As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give God "elbow room." We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly- God meets our life ". . . when it pleased God . . . ."

Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides. 

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Uniquely You

Each of us possesses strengths which God has given us.  Psalm 18:32 says,

It is God who arms me with strength.
And in Philippians 4:13,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
And King David said this in 1 Chronicles 29:12,

...in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
God gives us all strength, yet I believe there are specific things He gives each of us that make you and me strong individually.  The book of Psalms says in 33:14-15, From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually.  In the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 12:27 it says, Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

We are collectively the body of Christ, but God has wired us each differently.  God has formed our hearts individually.  He has put certain deposits in one person that may not be in another person.  He has given one person a certain kind of strength that may not be another person's strength.

Here is what I am getting at.  I believe there is something uniquely you that gives you strength and character and presence, something that makes you a person to be reckoned with, something that God has put in you.  It is a foundation, a seat of strength that He wants to move through in order to influence and to bless others.

Rather than coveting someone else's unique giftings and strength, discover and develop your own.  Remember, God individually fashioned you.  There is something wonderfully unique about you, through which God wants to bring blessing to others. 

Read: 1 Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. - 1 Timothy 6:10

TODAY IN THE WORD
Given all that Scripture says about money, perhaps the question is not, "Does God want you to be rich?" (see Jan. 18), but "Is poverty spiritual?" As one writer asked, "Would [we] not be able to trust God far better and have greater faith, if [we] had less material goods to rely on?" But this misses the point. Our sins with regard to money and possessions are not so much about having things as about using them-sins such as self-indulgence, irresponsible stewardship, and stinginess are about what we do with the resources we have, whether much or little. Furthermore, even those who possess little can sin by idolatrously organizing their lives around the pursuit of wealth and goods. Scripture urges us to consider the context and the attitude of our heart. Believers have wrestled with such questions throughout history. The truth that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" is a difficult one (v. 10). This is why the Bible so often warns about wealth as something in competition for our souls' allegiance, and why it so often emphasizes simplicity, contentment, and walking in dependence on the Lord to provide.

In today's reading, Paul warned Timothy about false teachers who were motivated by pride, ignorance, and greed (vv. 3-5). By contrast, "godliness with contentment is great gain" (vv. 6-8). This means that we understand we can't take material possessions into eternity, and that we're satisfied with having enough to live on. We are also vigilant against the love of money, knowing it can lead people to wander from the faith and "[pierce] themselves with many griefs" (vv. 9-10).

At the end of the chapter, Paul added more strong exhortations for the believers who are rich (vv. 17-19). They should not give in to the temptation to be arrogant because of their financial success, but rather they should seek to be generous, rich in good deeds, and seekers of eternal treasures. Whether wealthy or poor, followers of Christ should be characterized by generosity and humility rather than stinginess and pride.

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are we guilty of treating "godliness as a means to financial gain"? It's the human tendency to bargain-"Just get me out of this one and I'll . . .", or perhaps feeling that God owes us material blessings in exchange for our obedience. We owe Him a debt we can never repay, so we should stop pretending we have anything to bargain with. Godly contentment rests in the good gifts from God rather than attempting spiritual manipulation in the pursuit of more money or things.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

January 26, 2011

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers 

Look Again and Consecrate 

If God so clothes the grass of the field . . . , will He not much more clothe you . . . ? -Matthew 6:30

A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that "if God so clothes the grass of the field . . ." how "much more" will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed "the cares of this world" to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the "much more" of our heavenly Father.

"Look at the birds of the air . . ." (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your "feathers" too.

"Consider the lilies of the field . . ." (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don't take root anywhere. Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. Did Jesus Christ lie to us? Are we experiencing the "much more" He promised? If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries. How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him? Consecration is the act of continually separating myself from everything except that which God has appointed me to do. It is not a one-time experience but an ongoing process. Am I continually separating myself and looking to God every day of my life?
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Promises, Promises

Here are four thoughts to help you when it comes to experiencing the benefit of God's promises:

1. Find a promise from the Bible that covers your need. Faith begins here.

2. Consider the promises.

Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

And Hebrews 11:11 says, By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

4. Start thanking God and exercising patience.

Hebrews 10:36 says, For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

And Hebrews 6:12 says, That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.If you will do these four things, you are on your way to experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises in your life. 3. Act on the promise, fulfilling all necessary conditions. God is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of conditions. God has given us His promises because He wants to fulfill them. Be they promises of peace, restoration, healing, or for material supply, we must keep in mind that the Lord would not have made the promise if He did not want to do it.

Read: Malachi 3:6-12
You are robbing me. - Malachi 3:9

TODAY IN THE WORD
In the days of the prophet Haggai, the people looked after themselves instead of taking care of God's house. After returning from exile, the Jews started to rebuild the temple, but stopped when the going got rough. Instead, they focused on their own homes and fields. They made excuses, "The time has not yet come." God condemned their attitudes and actions: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin? . . . Give careful thought to your ways." He had tried to get their attention by making their labor difficult and unproductive, but they had missed the point. "Go up into the mountains," God said, "and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored" (Hag. 1:2-11). The people obeyed.
Withholding proper offerings to the Lord is sinful, as today's reading emphasizes. In this final week of our month's study, we'll focus on giving. The Bible has a lot to say on this topic, and any study of what the Word has to say about money would be remiss not to stress it. With regard to godliness and money, giving is an essential spiritual discipline.

Malachi's condemnation was built around contrast. On one side was God's character, perfect and unchanging (v. 6). He's faithful to His covenant, which is why the people hadn't been destroyed. If He reacted based on their actions, they'd be dead already. On the other side of the contrast was the people's character, rebellious and disobedient (v. 7). Because of God's character, they had hope; but they needed to repent of their sins and change their ways.

The first thing they needed to change was their attitude and practice of giving. The people were robbing God by withholding their tithes and offerings (vv. 8-9). In order to return to the Lord, they should give appropriately. Then, in response to their renewed obedience and trust, God could pour out covenant blessings (vv. 10-12). The prophet's audience desperately needed transformed hearts-the road back to closeness with God would start with this one specific, measurable part of life.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Two principles that should guide our giving are regularity and firstfruits. Regularity means that we set aside money for God at regular intervals. This means including giving in our regular budgets (1 Cor. 16:2). Firstfruits means that we honor the Lord by giving to Him first (Prov. 3:9-10). Our giving is not done after all other expenses have been met. That's the mistake Malachi exposed in today's reading-we are not to put our own "houses" ahead of God's house or worshiping Him.

GOD BLESS!