“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things. Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat; then you swallow a camel!
Matthew 23:23-24
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
In Touch - 05/04/06
In God’s elementary math class we learn to take the first and give it to God. The remaining nine are left to us to handle as we choose. In God’s plan, the tithe (the first 10%), belong to Him and you choose what to do with the rest (90%). Many have learn the lesson of God’s math … you can do more with the 90% on His plan than you can do with 100% on your plan.
Jesus tells us to tithe AND do “the more important things.” There is a lot more to the faith walk than doing the minimum. Trusting God with the first tenth is the minimal level. Going beyond the tenth … giving more … seeking justice for others … showing mercy to those most in need … faithfully following God wherever He calls you … is the calculus, trigonometry, algebra of God’s math.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
NO EXCUSE
While the Israelites were camped at Acacia, some of the men defiled themselves by sleeping with the local Moabite women. These women invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods, and soon the Israelites were feasting with them and worshiping the gods of Moab. Before long Israel was joining in the worship of Baal of Peor, causing the LORD’S anger to blaze against his people. The LORD issued the following command to Moses: “Seize all the ringleaders and execute them before the LORD in broad daylight, so his fierce anger will turn away from the people of Israel.”
Numbers 25:1-4
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 05/03/06
God had given Moses the Law and Moses had told the people. The Israelites could not claim ignorance as an excuse for their ungodly behavior. The sin of God’s chosen people caused “the LORD’s anger to blaze.”
Do we have any excuse for our ungodly behavior? NO! God’s commandments are clear. Whether you choose the Old Testament Law (Exodus 20:1-17) or Jesus’ proclamation of the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), the LORD’s instructions are clear and we have no excuse.
Follow the instructions … heed the warning … do not cause “the LORD’s anger to blaze.”
Numbers 25:1-4
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 05/03/06
God had given Moses the Law and Moses had told the people. The Israelites could not claim ignorance as an excuse for their ungodly behavior. The sin of God’s chosen people caused “the LORD’s anger to blaze.”
Do we have any excuse for our ungodly behavior? NO! God’s commandments are clear. Whether you choose the Old Testament Law (Exodus 20:1-17) or Jesus’ proclamation of the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), the LORD’s instructions are clear and we have no excuse.
Follow the instructions … heed the warning … do not cause “the LORD’s anger to blaze.”
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
ENDURANCE WITH PATIENCE
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 05/02/06
“All scripture is good…” (2nd Timothy 3:16).
We each may have a favorite passage. Yours may be John 3:16 or Philippians 4:13 or Romans 8:28.
Mine is Isaiah 40:31. It has been for a very long time. I have eagles all around me which remind me of this verse. I had no idea why this verse, above all others, especially spoke to me. Then came the season of recovery from my surgery. I understood. Now I am in another season of waiting for the LORD to move in my life. I can see Him working all around me and know that He is working on me during this season. I wouldn’t dare predict His timing but I can also see Him bringing this season to a close. I am so thankful for what the LORD is doing.
What is your favorite scripture? How is God working with you through your favorite passage? I would love to hear from you and with your permission, share some of your responses.
Isaiah 40:31
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 05/02/06
“All scripture is good…” (2nd Timothy 3:16).
We each may have a favorite passage. Yours may be John 3:16 or Philippians 4:13 or Romans 8:28.
Mine is Isaiah 40:31. It has been for a very long time. I have eagles all around me which remind me of this verse. I had no idea why this verse, above all others, especially spoke to me. Then came the season of recovery from my surgery. I understood. Now I am in another season of waiting for the LORD to move in my life. I can see Him working all around me and know that He is working on me during this season. I wouldn’t dare predict His timing but I can also see Him bringing this season to a close. I am so thankful for what the LORD is doing.
What is your favorite scripture? How is God working with you through your favorite passage? I would love to hear from you and with your permission, share some of your responses.
Monday, May 01, 2006
THE FATHER'S GRIP
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion… For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalm 116:3-5, 8-9
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
The Upper Room - 05/01/06
When a brother or sister turns to the LORD, it is as if they are ripped from the grip of Satan … “The cords of death entangled me…”
I praise God for the opportunity He gave me to work the Kairos this past weekend. Greater still was the blessing of seeing the Father rip (PRAISE GOD!!) several of the men from Satan’s grip and bring them to the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Others returned to the faith of their youth, which they had walked away from, as they chased after the riches of the world. Others were touched by the love of Jesus and moved to change the way they were living. We pray still for their entry into the Kingdom.
Those ripped from Satan’s grip are now securely in the Father’s grip and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29).
Psalm 116:3-5, 8-9
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
The Upper Room - 05/01/06
When a brother or sister turns to the LORD, it is as if they are ripped from the grip of Satan … “The cords of death entangled me…”
I praise God for the opportunity He gave me to work the Kairos this past weekend. Greater still was the blessing of seeing the Father rip (PRAISE GOD!!) several of the men from Satan’s grip and bring them to the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Others returned to the faith of their youth, which they had walked away from, as they chased after the riches of the world. Others were touched by the love of Jesus and moved to change the way they were living. We pray still for their entry into the Kingdom.
Those ripped from Satan’s grip are now securely in the Father’s grip and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29).
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