Keys of the Kingdom: Generosity

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." -2 Corinthians 9:6

 

Have you ever experienced extraordinary blessing in your life? Or, have you had the opportunity to be a conduit for blessing in someone else's life? Generosity is a huge key that unlocks the door of God's kingdom into our lives. 

I had just received a very large gift from someone that was rather unexpected. So large, in fact, that the gift was very difficult to accept! 

But, I realized this gift was as much for me as it was for the giver. After speaking with several trusted people about the gift, we joyfully received it. It was an unexpected blessing that helped us in greater ways than could have been quantified in natural terms! The uncanny thing was that we had given money to a kingdom ministry just a day before that had now returned to us 100 fold. 

All that we have is not our own. We are simply managers of what God has entrusted to us. It is by God's grace that He gives it - as it says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change." -(James 1:17)

God desires that generosity cover all of us - so that we are never in need. "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.'" -Luke 12:22 & 23 He desires that we place our trust in Him so that we can have peace that He is the source of our provision. 

Generosity unlocks the windows of heaven into our own lives. Have you graciously received or been generous today?

Getting Rid of Judgments

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” -Ephesians 4:1-3

As human beings, we are naturally wired to make assessments about things. We like to make up our minds about things or people; we like categorizing and putting things into boxes. "She sounds like Alanis Morissette," we may say, or, "He reminds me of 'so and so'."

But the problem arises when we make negative assessments (judgements) about people, institutions, churches, businesses, or whatever it may be. When our judgement becomes a protection mechanism, that's when we need to be careful.

There was one person very close to me in my life that I kept on judging. I didn't know I was doing it until someone revealed it to me. I was continually defensive as I expected them to respond a certain way, or do certain things. Even if my judgements were true, they were controlling me! My judgements turned into self-protective anger.

Sometimes it is good to make an assessment of a situation, to know if it is something or someone we should or should not be involved with. But when we judge people, places, or institutions, we bring this same judgement upon ourselves. God's word says it! “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” -Matthew 7:2 That's why we need to work hard to be gentle and forgiving, and to “keep the bond of peace.”  This doesn't mean just in our physical reality- it means in our hearts.

Is there anyone or any situation you need to let go of today? Our judgments can keep us in bondage. Let the Holy Spirit set you free today.

Second Chances

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  -James 4:6 & 7

Some days I wish I could start my life all over.  I feel like I have fallen short.  Other days I am immensely grateful for all I’ve been given, the grace & healing that God has given me, and all of His second chances. 

When we trust God for our lives and repent for our mistakes, He gives us second chances.  This is what I take from the life of David.  Even though David made many mistakes, even adultery and murder, God still gave him a second chance. God gave David grace because he had a repentant heart.  He was a "simple fool."

The Bible talks about the difference between the wise and the foolish.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) A simple fool is someone who is able to change direction, apologize and repent for his or her actions.  A hardened fool is someone who makes poor decisions but for whatever reason does not repent. (Ps 53:1)

Saul was an example of a hardened fool.  Although he was given several warnings, he decided to go his own way.  (1 Samuel 15:11) Because he decided not to turn back to God, he became a hardened fool.  

Aren’t you grateful that God gives us second chances when our hearts are soft toward Him? Take that chance and make something of it today.

A New Heart

"And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations." Ezekiel 36:24-28

You know, when we begin to think about the New Year, there is a lot of talk about New Year’s Resolutions.  In 2007, Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol did a survey of 3000 people to see how many actually fulfilled their New Year’s resolutions.  According to his findings, a staggering 88% of people do not fulfill their New Year’s resolutions.  What does that say about us?  I think it says that only 12% of us keep our promises to ourselves!

Right before the time of Jesus, Israel had been stuck in a cycle of idol worship. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied that the people of Israel would become brand new: “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.”  Ezekiel prophesied the transforming power that Jesus would have in their lives.

Today, this hasn’t changed.  Jesus is changing lives & hearts all over the world, in every nation, in every kind of community!

Have you ever wanted a new heart, or a fresh start? If you want an authentic change in your life, and a new heart, why not ask Him to give you that today, even if you’ve already asked Him into your heart.  God is in the business of giving away new beginnings, because of His son Jesus who died, so that we might be live completely free and unfettered by our past.

Clear Eyes, Pure Hearts, Can't Lose

"But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." -Matthew 6:15
 
Sometimes life can make us upset. Sometimes people do things that just aren't right - even people who should know better! Or people may unknowingly do things that frustrate or hurt us, without even realizing it. Still, we have to "guard our hearts" in order not to let these "bitter roots" or feelings resulting from these things contaminate our faith and keep us from God's grace. 

"Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." -Hebrews 12:15
 
It's difficult to let things go when we feel we have a right to be upset. Betrayal by someone close to us is especially hard to overcome. But, anything that anyone does to us doesn't give us the right to any offense, or give us an excuse to lash out - pushing us into our sinful nature. 

"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God." -Galatians 5:19-21 
 
Are you keeping your heart pure and protected? When people do bad things, are you able to respond with grace and forgiveness? Don't let your soul be pushed into spiritual danger due to someone else's wrongdoing or sin.