2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; 2 Corinthians 8; Psalm 3

I am still learning principles that are laying foundations in my life as a disciple of Jesus. One of those lessons has been in the area of giving. It was a difficult process and in some elements, even today, there are areas that I find challenging..

 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels^[g] of silver. – 2 Samuel 24:24  ESV

A key thought – if my offering to the Lord does not cost me anything, then it is not much of an offering. As a disciple of Christ, I am called to take up my cross and follow hard after Him.

I know there are moments when we want to count what we have as opposed to how much we are giving. Satan messed up David in this matter.

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. – 1 Chronicles 21:1  ESV

So Paul has these strong words, in the form of a testimony, for me that have challenged me when I have gone astray in my own thinking, especially when I was beginning to hoard.

We want you to know, brothers,^[a] about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,  for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-2  ESV

When I find myself stressed by circumstances, bills or pressures, it is in God’s Word where I find the lessons of giving. At the end of the day, this principle has always sustained me — 

Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! – Psalm 3:8

Father, continue to allow me to be a blessing on Your people, keep the joy of Your salvation in my heart, and give me a testimony of giving that will encourage and strengthen others to do the same. I still need this to cost me. May I not be tempted to step aside. Thank you for walking with me through my journey of giving. Amen

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Genesis 45; Mark 15; Job 11; Romans 15

 To Be Known.  (and To Know God)

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, … , “I am Joseph!  – “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. – “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? – preach the gospel where Christ was not known …  join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.  Genesis 45,  Mark 15, Job 11, Romans 15

Found at Bible Gateway –  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2045;%20Mark%2015;%20Job%2011;%20Romans%2015&version=NIV1984  

I want to be known and understood! Valued and Loved, just as I am!

God wants me to know Him! Valued and loved by me! God-man Jesus (Hebrews 1:3) lived, died and rose for me to know Him. Then Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to keep me knowing Him more intimately (John 15:26)!

Genesis 45 –             Joseph is known! After 22 years Joseph finally reunites with his brothers! No more living in obscurity as “lord of all Egypt.” v.9. Joseph bursts to reveal himself to his brothers. Great conversation reveals Joseph wants to be known and to know his family intimately again. “he threw his arms around his brother… he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. … Now hurry back to my father and say to him … Come down to me; don’t delay.” v.14-15, 9 A spectacular reunion!! 

Mark 15 –                    How was Jesus known? “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. v.2 Others mocked Jesus before He took the punishment for their sins. v.16-20, 29-32. “The centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus… said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” v.39  The Lord God knew Jesus as the only acceptable and permanent sacrifice for all sins (v. 33-34, 37-38, Hebrews 10:5-6,10,19-23). So I can approach God’s Holy of Holies through Jesus Christ.     

Who is Jesus to me? A historical person? A friend? Lord, Master and God? A Savior saving me from eternal hell? Do I relate with Him personally, intimately, and dependably? Or is Jesus just another stranger who is really strange?

Job 11 –                      How is Job understood? How is God understood?  Job was not known by his friend. Zophar wrongfully accused Job (Job 11:1-6, Job 42:7-10). Yet Zophar knew the Almighty’s character: “Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—” v. 7-9  Zophar knew sound advice for a sinful man to heed: “Yet if you devote your heart to him … if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell … you will stand firm and without fear.” v. 10-20  

Romans 15 –             Are other Christians known? Do I know their walk and heart, their struggles, strongholds, and freedom victories which the Lord Jesus Christ did for them? Do I studying them through the lens of God’s Word? Do I “bear with the failings of the weak and not to please” myself, but “for his good, to build him up” in Christ Jesus? v.1-2  Do I accept and serve them just as Christ accepted me “in order to bring praise to God”? v.7-8

Do I make Jesus known? How do my heart and actions prove that I am “a minister of Christ Jesus… proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit”? v.16  Do I boldly “not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me… through the power of the Spirit”? v.18-19

How do I come to my siblings in Christ with “the full measure of the blessing of Christ” and in His Joy? Do I join in the struggles of my fellow Christians by praying to God for them? v.29-30 Do I pray for their success under Christ Jesus for the salvation and maturation of souls?

Do I study people not yet regenerated in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:17)? Do I learn of their needs in order to bring them to Christ through prayer and action? Do I invite the Holy Spirit to show them Christ through me and His Word? Is my heart broken for those heading for hell? Do I yearn to make Christ known? v.20  

            I am Soooo grateful that You know me LORD!! I bask in Your Presence as I rest in You! Nothing is sweeter or more medicinal than You!! I treasure Your Word and Holy Spirit. Continue to show me Yourself and how You can live through me more and more! Please reveal Yourself to those who are deceived (Matthew 7:23). Please reveal to me any harbored resentment or unforgiveness so that I can embrace more people with Your unconditional Love as Joseph did. Show me my blind spots of sin so I can hate them as You do, turn away from them, and live without shame, standing firm without fear and being secure with hope. (Job 11:15-18) Give me Your heart of compassion for those perishing so when my life is done, my joyous reunion with You in heaven will be to Your Glory alone!! Matthew 25:14-30

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)