(November 2, 2011)
Prayer House News!
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me. I have a stress test and a couple other tests to go through Wednesday morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Devotional!
Commit
The second part of the missions theme is to give. Pray, give and go.
Mark 12:41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. (42) And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (43) And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
(44) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. "
I would imagine you have heard a hundred sermons on the widow’s mite and how she gave more than all the rich people did because she gave out of her poverty whereas the rich people gave out of their surplus.
I was very intrigued by the idea of Jesus observing their giving. He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine going to the temple to pay your tithes and suddenly see the Lord Himself sitting there watching how much money you are putting in? What if that actually happened today? What if when you put your money in the offering plate, or while you are filling out your faith promise card, you find that Jesus is standing there watching you? Before you drop your envelope he picks it up and looks at the amount. And then he compares that amount to what he knows you bring home each week. How would you feel about that? Would you even continue to attend a church where Jesus was the usher?
Do you see what all is going on in these verses? These verses are showing Christ as the observer and judge of human actions. Christ observes all men and all things: all our actions are before his eyes; what we do in public and what we do in private are equally known unto him. He observes the state and situation we are in: his eye was upon the abundance of the rich who had given much; and he was well acquainted with the poverty and desolate state of the widow who had given her all. God sees every penny we possess, and constantly observes how we lay it out. What an uncomfortable thought for those who struggle in supporting his work.
Christ sees all the motives which lead men to perform their particular actions; and the different motives which lead them to perform the same action: he knows whether they act through vanity, self-love, self-interest, hypocrisy, or whether it’s through love, charity, zeal for his glory, or just a simple desire to please him.
Jesus shows us by this that all men are in a state of equality; for though there is and ought to be a difference in outward things, yet God looks upon the heart, and the poorest person has it in his power the ability to make his mite as acceptable to the Lord, by simplicity of intention, and purity of affection, as the millions given by the affluent. It is just in God to rate the value of an action by the spirit in which it is done.
There are two important lessons to be learned from her conduct:
1. A lesson of humiliation to the rich, who, by reason of covetousness and greed on the one hand, and luxury on the other, give very little to God and the poor.
2. A lesson of reproof to the poor, who, through distrust of God's providence, give nothing at all.
The widow gave sacrificially and Jesus did not stop her. She gave everything she had and Jesus did not step in and say, “Hold on there – you don’t have much you better keep this.” Sacrificial giving is an acceptable thing to God because it’s an indication of the spiritual condition of the heart.
I remember several years ago sitting in a missions convention when the speaker challenged us to give sacrificially. I was a seminary student at the time and yet that hit me so powerfully and I realized that I didn’t have that kind of heart – but needed one. Sacrificial giving is different than giving out of our abundance. It actually hurts to give sacrificially.
I struggled with whether or not I should share this but the bottom line is that we are coming into some tough times in our nation and if we don’t learn how to give to God sacrificially we are going to have a very difficult time. As a minister with the Assemblies of God I am required to send my tithe to the district office. All of our pastors credentialed with the A/G have to do this. Lou and I determined a long time ago that we would send our tithe to the district and then give an additional 5% of our income to the church. We have been able to increase that to where today our total tithe is 18%. That’s our tithe – for missions we give over $400 a month – that is on top of our tithe. We all owe God our tithe that’s why God said in the book of Malachi
Malachi 3:8-9 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and offerings. (9) "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me,
Tithes and offerings are two different things. We are not to take from the tithe and give part of it to missions. Missions and love offerings are over and above the tithe.
I didn’t tell my wife that I was going to share this info because she probably would not have wanted me to do so. However, I want you to know as that your shepherd, I too give and sacrifice for the kingdom of God. I don’t ask you to do something I do not do.
Some might say – you have it so it’s easy to give it. I say – we have it because we give it. If we won’t give it then we won’t have it. This is a matter of trust. Can God trust you with a financial blessing? When He blesses you are you true to Him.
If God is going to be successful in bringing us into all He wants for us, our hearts have to want what He wants. If our hearts want what He wants we will give sacrificially. After this incident I would imagine Jesus would trust the widow, who gives sacrificially, with a financial blessing much sooner than he would the Pharisee who only gives out of his abundance.
These verses deal more with the widow’s heart than her mite. We need the widow’s heart. We need the same spirit in our church that she possessed. We need to be completely comfortable with Jesus looking directly into our hearts and seeing exactly what we are offering Him.
I have often heard pastors talk to their congregations and tell them that their offering was a part of their worship. I sort of understood what they meant by that but there always seemed to be something missing. As I was putting this message together and I came upon the phrase that Jesus purposely sat and observed what they were giving I finally made the connection. What we give the Lord is a measure of what’s in our hearts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medication: A Merry Heart
BABY BOOMER TEST
(Have a paper and pencil handy to record your answers... Your mind isn't as sharp as it once was!)
This is NOT a pushover test. It's a Baby Boomer Era test!
There are 20 questions. Average score is 12.
This one will be difficult for the younger set..
Have fun, but no peeking!
Good luck, youngsters,
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
B. Roy Orbison..
C. Gene Autry.
D. Rudolph Valentino.
E.. Fabian.
F. Mickey Mantle.
G. Cassius Clay.
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and....
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D He wasn't home.
E. He's really me and you.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.
4. Good night, David.
A.. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well.
C. Good night, Irene.
D.. Good night, Gracie..
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve..
5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.
6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
A. Stuart Whitman.
B Randolph Scott.
C. Steve Reeves...
D. Maynard G. Krebs.
E. Corky B. Dork.
F. Dave the Whale.
G. Zippy Zoo.
7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and......
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane .
C. TV ratings.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F.. The American way.
G. News headlines.
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time..
D. It's time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F... The Mighty Mouse Hour..
G. Scoopy Doo Time..
10. Lions and tigers and bears....
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no..
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared...
E. Oh my.
F.. Help! Help!
G. Let's run.
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone....
A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C.. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, 'Trust me'..
G. Who eats tofu.
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway
13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Grease ball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A littl e dab'll do ya.
14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Over the windowsill.
E. With thyme and dill.
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable.
B. Mary Martin.
C. Doris Day.
D. Errol Flynn.
E. Sally Fields.
F. Jim Carrey.
G. Jay Leno.
16. Name the Beatles...
A.. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder, wonder, who.
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?
18. I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli..
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you for get it.
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
G. To outlast Bruto.
19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
B. Smile, you're on Star Search.
C. Smile, you won the lottery.
D. Smile, we're watching you.
E. Smile, the world sees you.
F. Smile, you're a hit.
G. Smile, you're on TV.
20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy.
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
C. Make you fat.
D.. Melt your heart.
E.. Make you popular.
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
G. Come in colors.
Below are the right answers:
1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebs
7. C - Pants on fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh my
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt in your mouth not in your hand
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me. I have a stress test and a couple other tests to go through Wednesday morning.
-------------------------------------------------
Devotional!
Commit
The second part of the missions theme is to give. Pray, give and go.
Mark 12:41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. (42) And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. (43) And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
(44) for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. "
I would imagine you have heard a hundred sermons on the widow’s mite and how she gave more than all the rich people did because she gave out of her poverty whereas the rich people gave out of their surplus.
I was very intrigued by the idea of Jesus observing their giving. He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine going to the temple to pay your tithes and suddenly see the Lord Himself sitting there watching how much money you are putting in? What if that actually happened today? What if when you put your money in the offering plate, or while you are filling out your faith promise card, you find that Jesus is standing there watching you? Before you drop your envelope he picks it up and looks at the amount. And then he compares that amount to what he knows you bring home each week. How would you feel about that? Would you even continue to attend a church where Jesus was the usher?
Do you see what all is going on in these verses? These verses are showing Christ as the observer and judge of human actions. Christ observes all men and all things: all our actions are before his eyes; what we do in public and what we do in private are equally known unto him. He observes the state and situation we are in: his eye was upon the abundance of the rich who had given much; and he was well acquainted with the poverty and desolate state of the widow who had given her all. God sees every penny we possess, and constantly observes how we lay it out. What an uncomfortable thought for those who struggle in supporting his work.
Christ sees all the motives which lead men to perform their particular actions; and the different motives which lead them to perform the same action: he knows whether they act through vanity, self-love, self-interest, hypocrisy, or whether it’s through love, charity, zeal for his glory, or just a simple desire to please him.
Jesus shows us by this that all men are in a state of equality; for though there is and ought to be a difference in outward things, yet God looks upon the heart, and the poorest person has it in his power the ability to make his mite as acceptable to the Lord, by simplicity of intention, and purity of affection, as the millions given by the affluent. It is just in God to rate the value of an action by the spirit in which it is done.
There are two important lessons to be learned from her conduct:
1. A lesson of humiliation to the rich, who, by reason of covetousness and greed on the one hand, and luxury on the other, give very little to God and the poor.
2. A lesson of reproof to the poor, who, through distrust of God's providence, give nothing at all.
The widow gave sacrificially and Jesus did not stop her. She gave everything she had and Jesus did not step in and say, “Hold on there – you don’t have much you better keep this.” Sacrificial giving is an acceptable thing to God because it’s an indication of the spiritual condition of the heart.
I remember several years ago sitting in a missions convention when the speaker challenged us to give sacrificially. I was a seminary student at the time and yet that hit me so powerfully and I realized that I didn’t have that kind of heart – but needed one. Sacrificial giving is different than giving out of our abundance. It actually hurts to give sacrificially.
I struggled with whether or not I should share this but the bottom line is that we are coming into some tough times in our nation and if we don’t learn how to give to God sacrificially we are going to have a very difficult time. As a minister with the Assemblies of God I am required to send my tithe to the district office. All of our pastors credentialed with the A/G have to do this. Lou and I determined a long time ago that we would send our tithe to the district and then give an additional 5% of our income to the church. We have been able to increase that to where today our total tithe is 18%. That’s our tithe – for missions we give over $400 a month – that is on top of our tithe. We all owe God our tithe that’s why God said in the book of Malachi
Malachi 3:8-9 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and offerings. (9) "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me,
Tithes and offerings are two different things. We are not to take from the tithe and give part of it to missions. Missions and love offerings are over and above the tithe.
I didn’t tell my wife that I was going to share this info because she probably would not have wanted me to do so. However, I want you to know as that your shepherd, I too give and sacrifice for the kingdom of God. I don’t ask you to do something I do not do.
Some might say – you have it so it’s easy to give it. I say – we have it because we give it. If we won’t give it then we won’t have it. This is a matter of trust. Can God trust you with a financial blessing? When He blesses you are you true to Him.
If God is going to be successful in bringing us into all He wants for us, our hearts have to want what He wants. If our hearts want what He wants we will give sacrificially. After this incident I would imagine Jesus would trust the widow, who gives sacrificially, with a financial blessing much sooner than he would the Pharisee who only gives out of his abundance.
These verses deal more with the widow’s heart than her mite. We need the widow’s heart. We need the same spirit in our church that she possessed. We need to be completely comfortable with Jesus looking directly into our hearts and seeing exactly what we are offering Him.
I have often heard pastors talk to their congregations and tell them that their offering was a part of their worship. I sort of understood what they meant by that but there always seemed to be something missing. As I was putting this message together and I came upon the phrase that Jesus purposely sat and observed what they were giving I finally made the connection. What we give the Lord is a measure of what’s in our hearts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medication: A Merry Heart
BABY BOOMER TEST
(Have a paper and pencil handy to record your answers... Your mind isn't as sharp as it once was!)
This is NOT a pushover test. It's a Baby Boomer Era test!
There are 20 questions. Average score is 12.
This one will be difficult for the younger set..
Have fun, but no peeking!
Good luck, youngsters,
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
B. Roy Orbison..
C. Gene Autry.
D. Rudolph Valentino.
E.. Fabian.
F. Mickey Mantle.
G. Cassius Clay.
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and....
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D He wasn't home.
E. He's really me and you.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.
4. Good night, David.
A.. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well.
C. Good night, Irene.
D.. Good night, Gracie..
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve..
5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.
6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
A. Stuart Whitman.
B Randolph Scott.
C. Steve Reeves...
D. Maynard G. Krebs.
E. Corky B. Dork.
F. Dave the Whale.
G. Zippy Zoo.
7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and......
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane .
C. TV ratings.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F.. The American way.
G. News headlines.
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time..
D. It's time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F... The Mighty Mouse Hour..
G. Scoopy Doo Time..
10. Lions and tigers and bears....
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no..
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared...
E. Oh my.
F.. Help! Help!
G. Let's run.
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone....
A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C.. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, 'Trust me'..
G. Who eats tofu.
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway
13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Grease ball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A littl e dab'll do ya.
14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Over the windowsill.
E. With thyme and dill.
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable.
B. Mary Martin.
C. Doris Day.
D. Errol Flynn.
E. Sally Fields.
F. Jim Carrey.
G. Jay Leno.
16. Name the Beatles...
A.. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder, wonder, who.
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?
18. I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli..
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you for get it.
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
G. To outlast Bruto.
19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
B. Smile, you're on Star Search.
C. Smile, you won the lottery.
D. Smile, we're watching you.
E. Smile, the world sees you.
F. Smile, you're a hit.
G. Smile, you're on TV.
20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy.
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
C. Make you fat.
D.. Melt your heart.
E.. Make you popular.
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
G. Come in colors.
Below are the right answers:
1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebs
7. C - Pants on fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh my
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt in your mouth not in your hand
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