Heavenly Bank Transfer

a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor..." I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Matthew 26:7-9,13

Jesus deserves our very best!  Sometimes we think and scheme up the best ways to love and honor our Savior but the heart of it is pretty simple; with whatever you have, offer it.  It doesn't necessarily mean to go sell all you have an give it to the poor it means give all you have when God prompts us.  Sometimes it's everything and sometimes it's what you have in my pocket today.  God deserves our heart and if we cherish earthly treasures over Him, He will definitely let us know.  And this doesn't just apply to our finances; a lot of times people just need someone to talk to or a friendly smile.  God teaches us constantly about our character but rarely about money.  Which is a better gift to bless others with?

There are always concerns about finances but what God is teaching me here is about my character.  What's more important in God's kingdom?  Am I willing to bankrupt myself on earth for the sake of immeasurable riches in heaven?  Today, no; but I know that's not where God wants me to stay.  He placed me at the starting line now without the intent on me staying there.  He needs me to run to His riches.  A lot of distractions and tests will appear in this season, I need to run with focus and determination to build character in the midst of having less.  

Heavenly Father, it's all Yours.  Every dime I have is to glorify You and I know the current situation I'm in isn't for me to be without but a down payment on so many eternal treasures being stored up.  Help me never to steal from You but to glorify You by purchasing something so much more wonderful in heaven  Less is definitely more!  I pray for relationships to be strengthen and transformed minds and hearts for You!  In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Peace in Repentance

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit... Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

Psalm 32:1-2,6

There's a peace and comforting of our spirits when we remain under God's covering.  When we are not slaves to sin we can go through life without the heavy burdens that can destroy us.  This doesn't mean that we are totally free from sin and we never make mistakes; it means that when we do sin the Holy Spirit stirs something inside of us so unpleasant that we are convicted and need to take action.  We can't just let it dwell in our hearts because it separates us from God.

This is definitely something that has happened to me.  In my "BC" days, I frequently could live with sin; one) because I didn't know what sin was, and 2) because the Holy Spirit wasn't residing in my heart to convict or counsel me yet.  That wonderful gift was delivered after I accepted Christ into my heart.  Whenever I sin now ("AC" days) I can't sleep and my heart is so uneasy and overbearing that I need to act on it.  I either repent or I bury it deep down to where I don't even see it.  Whether I choose wisely or not, God reveals my transgression.  I need to pay attention to that uneasiness and lack of peace whenever it happens and turn to God so that the raging waters can't reach me.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful gift of conviction.  It's my rumble strip to warn me that I'm going off course and into disaster.  It's a light reminder to refocus back on You and I'm so grateful.  LORD, I continue to pray for all relationships.  I'm so very grateful for those godly hearts You surround me with.  I'm so blessed by them.  I pray that I can love them as much as You love me.  In the forgiving name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Who's Got Your Back?

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity." Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!

2 Samuel 12:5-7

We now David started off with one sin and then a whole chain of sin happened that lead to Uriah's murder.  But what caught my eye in today's readings was that David did not repent or show any signs of remorse or guilt up until this time.  David is the very one who has an amazing heart and thinks of God all the time.  This period of time lasted at least the time of Bathsheba's pregnancy because the LORD took their son after he was born.  Did David really think he was okay in God's eyes?  Was he really blinded by his passion and initial sin that he couldn't see the devastation he created?  Did he really believe that allowing someone else to pull the trigger that he was guilt-free?  David was a repentant as there could be but sometimes we're just in too deep and we can't see the forest through the trees.  Nathan the prophet was there to speak truth into David.  At this time David realized what he'd done and repented.  God forgave his sin but there were major consequences.  We all need a "Nathan," someone to keep us accountable and watch our back.  

This is so true and I can see this in the most worldly media, television.  TV shows people sinning to cover up another sin and it goes on and on.  It's terrible domino effect that needs to be nipped in the bud.  We can't do this alone; we aren't designed to do this alone.  I look no further than my marriage & my ministry.  Thins will fall apart as we do it alone... feelings, tasks; all these are created for relationships, first with Jesus then to our neighbors.  We need to focus on unity!

Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing us with relationships; the greatest being with You!  Like a branch cut off from the tree, we will be okay for a short time but eventually we'll die without You.  I pray LORD that we all continue to hold onto each other with godly motives and unified worship!  I thank You for every hand that I hold... most especially Yours!  In the compassionate and loving name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Where in the Bible

Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?" Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 

Matthew 22:28-30

In this life we're faced with so many choices and an incredible level of distractions.  How in the world so we navigate through this world when the bible doesn't give us specific right or wrong answers?  I'm in error because it does!  When studying the scriptures, we need to really understand the heart and will of God.  If not, we would be in error; only knowing a part of the scriptures, not in context to Jesus' greatest two commandments (in v37-39).

I've always been cautious to understand scripture in context.  It's a lot to chew on especially as a new believer because the whole bible has a lot to read.  But as we grow and mature in the faith we'll grasp the will of God behind the scriptures a little better each time.

There's a specific battle going on today that affects a dear brother.  I look to the bible and there's nothing that addresses what's going on  But if I look deeper in to scriptures and into the heart of it, I know God's giving me a list of things I need to do (love, encourage, rebuke, sharpen) and also him (persevere, trust, humility).  It seems to make sense why Jesus spoke in parables; so that the message & teaching behind the word are caught instead of a list of yes/no rules.

What an amazing Teacher, Father God!  I love spending time with You, growing and meditating on Your heart and teachings.  There's no place I could ever go with You already paving the way.  Your counsel and guidance are unparalleled and I pray that I'm always open to receive it.  LORD, I pray for my brother, please reach deep down into his life and shield him from all attacks from the4 devil.  Help Your will be done not ours and certainly no the enemy's.  We love You and I pray my task today is all about relationships.  In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Pursuing Godliness

"Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

2 Samuel 9:7-8

We will surely leave behind a legacy.  It may be one of pain or suffering or it could be a beautiful blessing.  Saul's son Jonathan was a dear friend to David and Jonathan asked him to bless his sons/descendants so that their name will always have an inheritance.  After sometime passed and after Jonathan's death, David sought out to fulfill his promise. to bless Jonathan's son.  On Jonathan's side, he blessed his son through Godly relationships and on David's side he pursued Godliness by not sitting on his hands waiting for Jonathan's son to seek him.

I have two thoughts this morning as I journal. The first is about how the things we do today will affect future generations.  We don't know what it will bring but we know God will perfectly align all the pieces.  A wonderful blessing was left behind to someone undeserving.  

The second thought and more prominent one was how David went looking for someone of Jonathan's household to bless.  His promise to Jonathan still dwelled in his heart and it didn't matter that he was already dead and no one to keep him accountable.  Everything God does has eternal value and lasting ramifications.  I need to remember that just because I leave a job, that doesn't mean God's assignment for me there is done.  Just because God's allowed new relationships to grow doesn't mean to discard the old ones.  I need to constantly look for opportunities to love God by faithfully keeping to my promises and assignments.  I can't be passive in ministry.  It's good to touch on different ares of preaching the gospel but not to the point where it pulls our heart away from our primary assignment, our calling.

Wonderful God and Father, thank You for our DESIGN, our calling and purpose.  I think I'm still trying to figure that out but I know the general direction.  Help me remain focused on Your calling for my life.  Help my task today be about relationships!  In Your powerful name, Amen!