The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance. You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to the Christ.
I had the incredible pleasure to attend a Christian writing conference here in town at the beginning of November. It was wonderful to meet some very talented writers, who also happened to love Jesus. I learned so, so much from them.
When I arrived, I was very much out of my comfort zone -- I attended by myself and I had never done anything "official" for my writing before. I had no idea how these things worked. So, I sat back quietly and tried to take it all in as an observer so I wouldn't somehow unknowingly make a fool of myself.
A woman walked in and sat in front of me. She had come down the aisle with a limp and looked a little disheveled, her outfit a bit eccentric. Oh, writers, I thought to myself. She proceeded to make conversation with the young people down the row from her, and at first, I thought they all knew each other but soon found out that they didn't...but she was talking to them a mile a minute and she didn't even know them. How awkward. She was so chatty. Lady, just sit quietly so you don't embarrass yourself.
I continued to sit there in my puddle of arrogance and judgment.
Then the lady down the row from me starts chatting it up, too. Normally, I am all about chatting with strangers, but since I felt so out of my comfort zone, I was annoyed that she wouldn't just let me sit in peace. Again, the arrogance.
This blonde lady, with stringy hair and lip stick that was way too dark in my opinion, starts telling me all about her life and her job as a writer. She kept referring to me as "Beth" and was telling me way more detail than was socially acceptable for strangers, so now I sat there swimming in my arrogance and judgement. My name is Molly. How do you get Beth from Molly?
They asked us to find someone near us to get to know. There was a really cute, stylish, pretty, young woman in the row behind me, so I tried to make eye contact with her. She paired up with the old guy next to her. I was left with Blondie.
We introduced ourselves officially now, and then she asked me something that caused me to reveal that my mom had died in the past few years.
I could see her pause. She asked me a few more questions about it and about Mom. And then she started tearing up. She was in her second year of grief since she'd lost her mom, her best friend. If you ask me anything, I'll tell you that the second year of grief was a lot harder than the first, so my heart sank when I heard the words "two years ago."
Slowly, God started melting my cold heart toward this stranger. My Stephen Ministry brain kicked in so that I could give comfort, and I realized that God had sat us (out of the 500 people in the room) next to each other on purpose. I should have known -- everything He does is on purpose.
So, I was getting a little more comfortable with my surroundings. But I still wasn't sure what sessions to attend -- the options were endless, and I didn't even know where to start.
It was then that the lady with the limp and the need to talk constantly turned around and said, "Is this your first conference?" And when I answered that it was, she asked me what I write and helped guide me to the sessions that would be best for me. She also told me that the woman who would be editing some of my work was one of the most-coveted editors. "You are blessed," she said with a big smile as she turned back around. I was so grateful that she'd given me some confidence that I was where I needed to be.
Tears came to my eyes.
I'm so sorry, Lord. I can't believe how self-centered, judgmental, and higher-than-thou I have been. I feel so ashamed. I feel so low. I feel unworthy and anything but beautiful in your sight right now.
The weekend continued on, and my heart was open to all people and anything they wanted to say or any way I could care for them. It was an incredible weekend. A life-changing weekend.
Then, on the last day, during the last session, we worshiped together -- Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Assembly-folks, Weslyans, and me. With our many different styles of worship (including the woman behind me who was ad-libbing her own part during every song), we worshiped the God who created us all. The appearances and differences did not matter. Not at all. THAT was The Church right there. Some lifted hands, some did not. Some danced to the beat, others did not. And it was all perfectly lovely.
And wouldn't you know, there I was placed between my two new friends, Blondie and Chatty, with our hands in the air, standing together as sisters in Christ. And I was so thankful in that moment that God is never done with me...
Why had I let appearances get in the way? Appearances meant nothing. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. And, wow, their hearts were absolutely beautiful.
So, today, let us look at the hearts of the people we come across. If we only look at the outside, we are going to miss some the greatest beauty God has ever created.
Molly Monroe
Coffee with Jesus
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
2 Corinthians 10:1-6 (Weapons)
Now
I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of
Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only
when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
In case you forgot, I want you to be ready. You are going into battle today. A big one. Not a battle with guns and swords, but a battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). You are battling against an enemy you can't even see, and he likes it that way.
In this passage, Paul is talking about the battle he is doing for the sake of Christ. He is trying to spread the Word, while his opponents are trying to spread rumors about him being a weak man so people won't follow him. Their attacks have really taken a toll on Paul's important ministry, and he's had just about enough of it. So, he's writing to the Corinthians to let them know the truth. As I read straight through chapters 10-12 today, I felt as if I was listening to a passionate preacher. It was incredible! Paul gets really fired up about this, and the Truth of what he says is refreshing. I'd encourage you to take five minutes and read through the rest of the book!
Our battle is against satan. He's not just some mystical creature. Just look around our world! If God is love, then someone else definitely has a hand on this earth. He is a destroyer, a liar, a lover of all things self. And he prowls around looking for people who are ready to be deceived into thinking his way is the better way. I wonder, have we been believing any of his lies lately?
Who is that person in the mirror? She's so ugly, and she really doesn't matter.
If I could just get that raise, then all my problems would go away and I'd really be content.
My marriage is not what I thought it would be. Where did the romance go? I don't deserve this. I know I said until death do us part, but I just don't think I can or should have to stay in this.
Or the one that always gets me: If I could just have _________, then I'd feel settled.
And there are so many more lies we believe every day! How do you battle something so subtle?? Paul reminds us:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We are going to have problems, and we are going to automatically believe these lies because that's our human nature. Unless we wage war. Waging war is more than just a verbal reprimand. Do we get the picture from this text that battling this enemy takes more than just a few minutes of thought and the few minutes we spend reading devotionals? To wage war means to carry on, to keep doing it. Constantly. The moment we ease up is the moment we are defeated. We can't forget this enemy and this battle.
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. God's weapon's are available to us as we fight against the Devil's strongholds in our lives and the lives of others. They seem foolish to the world, and the world will tell us they are useless, but they are the weapons that will work. We must choose whether we want to use God's weapons or the world's, but in defeating an invisible enemy, I'm not sure a gun or tank is going to work. God's weapons--prayer, faith, hope, love, God's Word and the Holy Spirit--are the only weapons that can break down the arguments our culture makes in favor of satan's ways and that can destroy the walls he builds to keep people from knowing God.
Let me give you a recent example: Just yesterday, I was remembering a time when I was stuck in the midst of an emotionally exhausting situation (one that is too personal and raw yet to tell), but I did not know how to share something with a person I dearly love. I thought the news would shatter them, and I feared that this news would literally be life-changing in a negative way. For a couple days, I prayed and trusted that God would take care of this situation on my behalf. Three days later when I talked to this person, they shared with me how God had used two strangers to talk to this person and prepare them for what I needed to say. Strangers! Two different ones at two different times over the course of those three days! I wish I could tell you more than that right now, but I'm telling you, the Holy Spirit, our faith, and our love for people are a powerful and effective combination. "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).
And to battle the lies we believe (like the ones listed above), we give 'em the one-two punch. We must be in the Word so that we can know the Truth, and then we can pray that the Truth would saturate our hearts and minds. We must choose to do this. For years, I told myself that I believed the Bible, but yet I was somehow still believing all the lies that came my way. That's not belief! My Sunday church attendance was not enough to fight the enemy. I needed to commit to spending time in the Word myself, and though I am far, far, FAR from perfect in my belief, I can see that I have come some distance.
Are you ready for battle today? It's gonna be rough at times, but you have the weapons! They will work. God promises that.
Molly Monroe
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
In case you forgot, I want you to be ready. You are going into battle today. A big one. Not a battle with guns and swords, but a battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). You are battling against an enemy you can't even see, and he likes it that way.
In this passage, Paul is talking about the battle he is doing for the sake of Christ. He is trying to spread the Word, while his opponents are trying to spread rumors about him being a weak man so people won't follow him. Their attacks have really taken a toll on Paul's important ministry, and he's had just about enough of it. So, he's writing to the Corinthians to let them know the truth. As I read straight through chapters 10-12 today, I felt as if I was listening to a passionate preacher. It was incredible! Paul gets really fired up about this, and the Truth of what he says is refreshing. I'd encourage you to take five minutes and read through the rest of the book!
Our battle is against satan. He's not just some mystical creature. Just look around our world! If God is love, then someone else definitely has a hand on this earth. He is a destroyer, a liar, a lover of all things self. And he prowls around looking for people who are ready to be deceived into thinking his way is the better way. I wonder, have we been believing any of his lies lately?
Who is that person in the mirror? She's so ugly, and she really doesn't matter.
If I could just get that raise, then all my problems would go away and I'd really be content.
My marriage is not what I thought it would be. Where did the romance go? I don't deserve this. I know I said until death do us part, but I just don't think I can or should have to stay in this.
Or the one that always gets me: If I could just have _________, then I'd feel settled.
And there are so many more lies we believe every day! How do you battle something so subtle?? Paul reminds us:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We are going to have problems, and we are going to automatically believe these lies because that's our human nature. Unless we wage war. Waging war is more than just a verbal reprimand. Do we get the picture from this text that battling this enemy takes more than just a few minutes of thought and the few minutes we spend reading devotionals? To wage war means to carry on, to keep doing it. Constantly. The moment we ease up is the moment we are defeated. We can't forget this enemy and this battle.
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. God's weapon's are available to us as we fight against the Devil's strongholds in our lives and the lives of others. They seem foolish to the world, and the world will tell us they are useless, but they are the weapons that will work. We must choose whether we want to use God's weapons or the world's, but in defeating an invisible enemy, I'm not sure a gun or tank is going to work. God's weapons--prayer, faith, hope, love, God's Word and the Holy Spirit--are the only weapons that can break down the arguments our culture makes in favor of satan's ways and that can destroy the walls he builds to keep people from knowing God.
Let me give you a recent example: Just yesterday, I was remembering a time when I was stuck in the midst of an emotionally exhausting situation (one that is too personal and raw yet to tell), but I did not know how to share something with a person I dearly love. I thought the news would shatter them, and I feared that this news would literally be life-changing in a negative way. For a couple days, I prayed and trusted that God would take care of this situation on my behalf. Three days later when I talked to this person, they shared with me how God had used two strangers to talk to this person and prepare them for what I needed to say. Strangers! Two different ones at two different times over the course of those three days! I wish I could tell you more than that right now, but I'm telling you, the Holy Spirit, our faith, and our love for people are a powerful and effective combination. "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).
And to battle the lies we believe (like the ones listed above), we give 'em the one-two punch. We must be in the Word so that we can know the Truth, and then we can pray that the Truth would saturate our hearts and minds. We must choose to do this. For years, I told myself that I believed the Bible, but yet I was somehow still believing all the lies that came my way. That's not belief! My Sunday church attendance was not enough to fight the enemy. I needed to commit to spending time in the Word myself, and though I am far, far, FAR from perfect in my belief, I can see that I have come some distance.
Are you ready for battle today? It's gonna be rough at times, but you have the weapons! They will work. God promises that.
Molly Monroe
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
2 Corinthians 9:8-15 (Cheer)
God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. (God loves a cheerful giver, NIV.)
8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
The Message
Do you ever have a week where it seems that God is really trying to tell you something because many of the things you read, the songs you hear, and even the commercials you watch seem to all have the same message? Well, that's me this week. And the word? Cheer.
After reading about being a "cheerful giver" yesterday, I was flipping through the December issue of Real Simple and came across this fact: "[There are five] elements that add up to "Christmas spirit," reports the Journal of Consumer Marketing. Researcher Peter Clarke asked 450 adults which words they associate with the concept, then grouped their answer into categories: bonhomie, gay abandon, ritual, shopping, and dejection."
Okay, first of all, one of the largest categories was dejection?! That means that many, many people are feeling low and depressed around this time of year. What a great reminder for me as I engage with people this holiday season -- not everyone is happy and gay this time of year, and there were a couple years recently where I wasn't either. That's something I need to remember. And secondly, bonhomie?! Who is this guy? What the heck does that word even mean?
So Josh and I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how you'd even pronounce it, let alone what it meant, and finally resorted to a dictionary.
8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This
most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for
your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you
can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God,
wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way,
producing with us great praise to God.
12-15 Carrying
out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the
bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful
thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your
very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the
plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through
your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really
toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your
lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for
whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can
praise it enough!The Message
Do you ever have a week where it seems that God is really trying to tell you something because many of the things you read, the songs you hear, and even the commercials you watch seem to all have the same message? Well, that's me this week. And the word? Cheer.
After reading about being a "cheerful giver" yesterday, I was flipping through the December issue of Real Simple and came across this fact: "[There are five] elements that add up to "Christmas spirit," reports the Journal of Consumer Marketing. Researcher Peter Clarke asked 450 adults which words they associate with the concept, then grouped their answer into categories: bonhomie, gay abandon, ritual, shopping, and dejection."
Okay, first of all, one of the largest categories was dejection?! That means that many, many people are feeling low and depressed around this time of year. What a great reminder for me as I engage with people this holiday season -- not everyone is happy and gay this time of year, and there were a couple years recently where I wasn't either. That's something I need to remember. And secondly, bonhomie?! Who is this guy? What the heck does that word even mean?
So Josh and I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how you'd even pronounce it, let alone what it meant, and finally resorted to a dictionary.
bonhomie-- bon·ho·mie [bon-uh-mee', bon'-uh-mee; Fr. baw-naw-mee] :: noun ::
frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; having cheer.
Did you see that last one? Having cheer! We do associate cheer with this time of year. Much of the cheer comes from knowing we will be receiving presents; we get to decorate our house; we get to eat more than we should and not feel guilty. But don't worry, I'm not all Scrooge. I do think that many people are just in a good mood, a mood of cheer! I know I tend to give a little more grace to people in the parking lot "because it's Christmas time," and I tend to reach out to others more than I normally do "because it's Christmas time," and I look for ways to give "because it's Christmas time."
And even though the secular world doesn't realize it, they are finding 'good cheer' doing exactly what the Bible promised would bring them cheer!
Just as the verses above tell us, "be generous in every way," "meet the bare needs of the poor," "live at your very best," "show gratitude," and give cheerfully!
That is the true spirit of the season, and it is centered on Christ Himself, for He has done all of these things for us and more.
The paradox is that if we want to receive, we must give away. If we want to feel joy and cheer this holiday season, we must give and sacrifice for others.
As we are with our families this Thanksgiving weekend, we need to be looking for ways to serve them, to be generous, to show gratitude, and to meet their needs in whatever ways we can....even Uncle Whats-his-name who drives us crazy and Cousin Whats-her-face who is so selfish. Even them.
Vs. 12: Carrying
out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the
bare needs of (people). It also produces abundant and bountiful
thanksgivings to God.
Well, lookie there. Thanksgiving. Our meeting the needs of others, will produce true Thanksgiving.
My sister Haley is a testament to what our actions can do. While she was in Africa a few years back, God changed her heart. My three sisters and I were majorly selfish sisters, I'd say, looking to please ourselves and serve ourselves in our little family...until Haley came back from Africa. She returned with a tattoo on her arm written in Hebrew. I can't remember what the actual word is, but upside-down it looks like soynog. But it means servant.
But I didn't need the tattoo to tell me that -- she was different. If someone wanted her comfy seat on the couch, she gave it up. If someone wanted a drink, she would go get it. If someone was cleaning up dinner, she was there helping dry the dishes. And...she was always cheerful.
I remember watching her example that summer when she returned, seeing that something big was happening. And I wanted to be like her. She didn't have to tell us what God did in her heart over there on the other side of the world...it was evident in her actions and her joy.
If we want true holiday cheer this season, we have to be a soynog. We have to be servants. If we really want to receive this holiday season 2012, we have to give away -- our time, our money, our seat on the couch. Whatever we can offer, do. And see if this holiday season isn't your most cheerful one yet!
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Molly Monroe
Monday, November 19, 2012
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (Give, Part 3)
6 Remember
this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But
the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You
must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give
reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who
gives cheerfully.” 8 And
God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have
everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Josh and I have been talking about our finances lately: where we need to cut back, where we need to budget more, those kinds of talks. Always a highlight....
We both want to feel comfortable financially, as most people would, I imagine. But like most people, we have had some unexpected experiences and expenses come up: many medical bills this year, emergency house repairs, and then just yesterday, in our rush to get to church, Josh backed into someone's car that was parked in our driveway (we will be calling our insurance guys still yet this morning...). With all these expenses piling up, it often feels that there is just not room to give. And for goodness sake, definitely not "cheerfully" as the verses above say!
Then, yesterday, as we continued this financial conversation after church, we decided to stop by one of our favorite pizza places for lunch, and we saw a waitress we hadn't seen since the spring. She was skinnier and more gaunt then when we'd last seen her. Josh smiled and said, "Well, hi! We haven't seen you for a while! Have you been busy with school?" To which she replied frankly, "No, I've been having treatment since March. I have stage 4 cancer."
Speechless. And here she was working to pay her medical bills.
Suddenly, the sum of mine paled in comparisson.
And then the crunched car in the driveway and the house-repair expenses didn't seem so bad either.
I'm sorry, Lord.
Sometimes we just need a little perspective.
These verses do remind us that God will generously provide all we need, and He has. All of us in this country have far more than we need -- and plenty leftover to share with others. Because let's be honest, I need food to eat, but it doesn't have to be from a certain place that I like. I need shelter, but it doesn't have to have cleaned carpets and seasonally-themed decor.
In our corner of the world, it's so easy for me to mix up the needs with the wants.
I have so much more than I need, plenty to share with others, and sometimes I just need a reminder about that.
And it's when I remember my abundance that I am overwhelmed with gratitude and want to give. I do have much, and I love to give much. And wouldn't you know, I even feel cheerful about it? Very, very cheerful.
Take some time to remember your abundance this morning. Thank God for what He has generously given you in all areas of you life, and see if you aren't more inclined to give it away today.
Molly Monroe
Josh and I have been talking about our finances lately: where we need to cut back, where we need to budget more, those kinds of talks. Always a highlight....
We both want to feel comfortable financially, as most people would, I imagine. But like most people, we have had some unexpected experiences and expenses come up: many medical bills this year, emergency house repairs, and then just yesterday, in our rush to get to church, Josh backed into someone's car that was parked in our driveway (we will be calling our insurance guys still yet this morning...). With all these expenses piling up, it often feels that there is just not room to give. And for goodness sake, definitely not "cheerfully" as the verses above say!
Then, yesterday, as we continued this financial conversation after church, we decided to stop by one of our favorite pizza places for lunch, and we saw a waitress we hadn't seen since the spring. She was skinnier and more gaunt then when we'd last seen her. Josh smiled and said, "Well, hi! We haven't seen you for a while! Have you been busy with school?" To which she replied frankly, "No, I've been having treatment since March. I have stage 4 cancer."
Speechless. And here she was working to pay her medical bills.
Suddenly, the sum of mine paled in comparisson.
And then the crunched car in the driveway and the house-repair expenses didn't seem so bad either.
I'm sorry, Lord.
Sometimes we just need a little perspective.
These verses do remind us that God will generously provide all we need, and He has. All of us in this country have far more than we need -- and plenty leftover to share with others. Because let's be honest, I need food to eat, but it doesn't have to be from a certain place that I like. I need shelter, but it doesn't have to have cleaned carpets and seasonally-themed decor.
In our corner of the world, it's so easy for me to mix up the needs with the wants.
I have so much more than I need, plenty to share with others, and sometimes I just need a reminder about that.
And it's when I remember my abundance that I am overwhelmed with gratitude and want to give. I do have much, and I love to give much. And wouldn't you know, I even feel cheerful about it? Very, very cheerful.
Take some time to remember your abundance this morning. Thank God for what He has generously given you in all areas of you life, and see if you aren't more inclined to give it away today.
Molly Monroe
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
2 Corinthians 8:10-15 (Give, Part 2)
For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. (9:2)
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
So the Christians in the Corinthian church had money, and according to 9:2 (verse listed first), they had made plans to send some of that money to the poorer churches who needed it a year previously...but then they got busy and forgot. So, Paul is writing to them, reminding them that the need is still great.
There are four principles to giving found in this piece of text. Let's see if we can draw them out...
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so...for if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
#1 -- Your willingness to give enthusiastically is more important than the amount.
It's great that they gave, but Paul seems to be most pleased that they jumped on board with the idea of giving first, and that they had a strong desire to do so! If there's anything the Bible continually repeats, it's that the amount isn't what matters. God loves a cheerful giver (9:7), not the one who gives most. God nor I want to receive anything that is given out of guilt or with reluctance, so why should I give to others that way as well? Instead, we give cheerfully and sacrificially according to what we do have.
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
#2 -- Strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
Finish it. If we take on a financial commitment, or borrow money from someone, or say that we are going to give a certain amount to a certain recipient, we need to strive to finish it! I remember attending a concert in college, and the singer gave us the opportunity to sponsor a child through a particular organization. Well, I jumped on board; my heart strings were pulled---a month later, I quit. That is exactly what we don't want to do. Being (for lack of a better term) a missionary kid as a child, I can remember what it was like when people did not fulfill their commitments. It left our family unable to pay bills! Our financial commitments are a big deal to the people on the other end, no matter what the commitment.
I like this word 'strive' here, because it reminds us to 'exert oneself vigorously; to try hard'. Fulfilling our financial commitments takes work and effort. We need to put some elbow grease into the fulfillment of our financial commitments. That's being a good steward of our money and being Christ-like. It's not fun, but it's right.
To whom do you owe money, either on paper or by mouth? Let's strive to be finishers of those commitments. A weight will be lifted when we do!
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.
#3 -- If you give to others when they are in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need.
I learned this as a kid, when people would help send me on missions trips...and now I truly enjoy getting to do the same for other people. Then I saw this again when my mom was sick and people brought us food (really, really good food and lots of it)...and now I like to take meals to people when it's helpful. And I'm sure you can think of a time when something was given to you, and because it meant so much, you vowed to do the same thing someday for someone else. We already know this principle, but sometimes we forget it. Perhaps the specific people in India that you support won't be able to pay you back literally someday, but you will be taken care of in one way or another. God makes sure of it! He cares for the people in India (that's why He sent you), and He cares for you (that's why He'll send someone when you need it).
The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
#4 -- In the body of Christ, we take care of one another.
Our hearts, which love and serve Christ, should regulate our hands. As we walk shoulder to shoulder with the other believers, our surplus matching their deficit and their deficit matching their surplus, everyone has what they need. This doesn't mean the rich work hard and give away everything while the poor take it easy as the others are sweating it out. This is a partnership -- with everyone doing their part so that all have what they need. If someone is carrying a burden and you can help lift it, do it.
Who can you help today? A single mom? A grieving family? A recovering addict? A widowed shut-in? An orphan? They are part of this body. You don't have to do everything, but you can do something. Let's be do-ers and givers, and cheerful ones at that! We are part of God's great design when we do!
Molly Monroe
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
So the Christians in the Corinthian church had money, and according to 9:2 (verse listed first), they had made plans to send some of that money to the poorer churches who needed it a year previously...but then they got busy and forgot. So, Paul is writing to them, reminding them that the need is still great.
There are four principles to giving found in this piece of text. Let's see if we can draw them out...
And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so...for if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
#1 -- Your willingness to give enthusiastically is more important than the amount.
It's great that they gave, but Paul seems to be most pleased that they jumped on board with the idea of giving first, and that they had a strong desire to do so! If there's anything the Bible continually repeats, it's that the amount isn't what matters. God loves a cheerful giver (9:7), not the one who gives most. God nor I want to receive anything that is given out of guilt or with reluctance, so why should I give to others that way as well? Instead, we give cheerfully and sacrificially according to what we do have.
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
#2 -- Strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
Finish it. If we take on a financial commitment, or borrow money from someone, or say that we are going to give a certain amount to a certain recipient, we need to strive to finish it! I remember attending a concert in college, and the singer gave us the opportunity to sponsor a child through a particular organization. Well, I jumped on board; my heart strings were pulled---a month later, I quit. That is exactly what we don't want to do. Being (for lack of a better term) a missionary kid as a child, I can remember what it was like when people did not fulfill their commitments. It left our family unable to pay bills! Our financial commitments are a big deal to the people on the other end, no matter what the commitment.
I like this word 'strive' here, because it reminds us to 'exert oneself vigorously; to try hard'. Fulfilling our financial commitments takes work and effort. We need to put some elbow grease into the fulfillment of our financial commitments. That's being a good steward of our money and being Christ-like. It's not fun, but it's right.
To whom do you owe money, either on paper or by mouth? Let's strive to be finishers of those commitments. A weight will be lifted when we do!
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.
#3 -- If you give to others when they are in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need.
I learned this as a kid, when people would help send me on missions trips...and now I truly enjoy getting to do the same for other people. Then I saw this again when my mom was sick and people brought us food (really, really good food and lots of it)...and now I like to take meals to people when it's helpful. And I'm sure you can think of a time when something was given to you, and because it meant so much, you vowed to do the same thing someday for someone else. We already know this principle, but sometimes we forget it. Perhaps the specific people in India that you support won't be able to pay you back literally someday, but you will be taken care of in one way or another. God makes sure of it! He cares for the people in India (that's why He sent you), and He cares for you (that's why He'll send someone when you need it).
The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
#4 -- In the body of Christ, we take care of one another.
Our hearts, which love and serve Christ, should regulate our hands. As we walk shoulder to shoulder with the other believers, our surplus matching their deficit and their deficit matching their surplus, everyone has what they need. This doesn't mean the rich work hard and give away everything while the poor take it easy as the others are sweating it out. This is a partnership -- with everyone doing their part so that all have what they need. If someone is carrying a burden and you can help lift it, do it.
Who can you help today? A single mom? A grieving family? A recovering addict? A widowed shut-in? An orphan? They are part of this body. You don't have to do everything, but you can do something. Let's be do-ers and givers, and cheerful ones at that! We are part of God's great design when we do!
Molly Monroe
Monday, November 12, 2012
2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (Give)
And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Think of a time that you gave away money. Perhaps your bought some groceries for someone, helped pay for someone's mission trip, or donated financially to an organization close to your heart. How did you feel? Or even more, have you given away money more than once in one day?
Last week, I mentioned how fear is a lie that we believe because we have nothing to fear according to the Bible. Well, here's another lie: it doesn't feel good to give away what I have. Satan wants nothing more than for us to think that it will be completely painful to part with our possessions and money. And we usually believe Him. I know I do. One look around my house, and we could probably deduce that I only need about 1% of what I own...and I'm "just a teacher," not some bank president or company owner with a large mansion on a hillside. Yet, how often I believe this lie, and I constantly fight the battle to loosen my tight grip on my money.
Because I can also say from experience that giving away brings unexplainable joy. Have you gotten to experience that yet?
Here, Paul is talking to the Corinthians who, according to verse 7, "excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in love." These people were doing a lot of things really well, and they also had a lot of money comparatively. They lived in the upper-middle class of society and could afford some of the "extras" of life (sound like anyone you know? Cough, cough...). But Paul wanted still more for them, that they might "also excel in this grace of giving."
So Paul shares a story with them about some people he was just with in Macedonia. How incredible to read about what the Macedonian churches did in verse 3-4:
"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." They refused to believe the lie. Even in the midst of a very severe trial (one that we're not sure of, but it was very severe), they gave. How easy is it for me in the midst of a recession, or a job loss, or in something even more perilous, to say that "now is not the time for me to give, but when this gets better, I might give then."
Not so for these people! Despite their very severe trial, their overflowing joy in the midst of extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity! Quick note: look at the adjectives here. Paul must have really meant these things -- very severe trial, extreme poverty, and rich generosity.
Even in hardship, we are not meant to hoard things for ourselves. Hoarding never produces joy.
"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." As much as they were able...and beyond." And that is what God desires from us. He's not like a Discover Card that tells us how much we need to give back -- 1% on groceries, 2% on gas, 3% on entertainment. No! Rather, we are to give as much as we are able.
The tithe of 10% comes from the Old Testament law, but in the New Testament, no amount is given. My thought is not that that means, oh we don't have to give 10% anymore, but rather that, if anything, the bar was raised -- give whatever you are able. And see, there's no checklist, so for people like me who like to follow the rule so I can check it off, there is no hard and fast rule anymore. Give what you can....and beyond, it says. Be generous.
"Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people." Despite their extreme poverty and severe trials, they pleaded for the privilege of sharing. I bet I know why why -- they had been given much, and now they wanted to give back. Haven't you felt that before? Someone does something big and unexpected for you, and don't you want to find a way to repay them or pay it forward? The Macedonians had been given Salvation. And despite their poverty, they were extremely grateful and wanted to give.
Perhaps like me, it's easy for you to lose sight of the feeling of gratitude for what Christ did for us. This is why we have to take time to remember it -- at the Lord's Table during communion, or even now in front of this screen. When we think of how much we've been given for eternity, money pales in comparison.
Verse 9 reminds us: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Christ had all He ever wanted or needed in Heaven, but He chose to become human and set aside His rights and glory, limiting His power and knowledge for a time, so that we might receive salvation.
So now, you may be reeling, wishing you'd never read this post and thinking, "As soon as I saw it was going to be about money, I should have stopped." I know. Money is a touchy subject. But as we continue to study this over the next couple days, perhaps our grip on our stuff will become a little less tight. Jesus doesn't just want to take from us, though He completely has the right to do so. Instead, He allows us the choice to give. And our giving does not return null and void, but rather, when we give to others, we receive a renewed sense of perspective and some extreme joy.
I dare you. Give it a try today.
Molly Monroe
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Think of a time that you gave away money. Perhaps your bought some groceries for someone, helped pay for someone's mission trip, or donated financially to an organization close to your heart. How did you feel? Or even more, have you given away money more than once in one day?
Last week, I mentioned how fear is a lie that we believe because we have nothing to fear according to the Bible. Well, here's another lie: it doesn't feel good to give away what I have. Satan wants nothing more than for us to think that it will be completely painful to part with our possessions and money. And we usually believe Him. I know I do. One look around my house, and we could probably deduce that I only need about 1% of what I own...and I'm "just a teacher," not some bank president or company owner with a large mansion on a hillside. Yet, how often I believe this lie, and I constantly fight the battle to loosen my tight grip on my money.
Because I can also say from experience that giving away brings unexplainable joy. Have you gotten to experience that yet?
Here, Paul is talking to the Corinthians who, according to verse 7, "excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in love." These people were doing a lot of things really well, and they also had a lot of money comparatively. They lived in the upper-middle class of society and could afford some of the "extras" of life (sound like anyone you know? Cough, cough...). But Paul wanted still more for them, that they might "also excel in this grace of giving."
So Paul shares a story with them about some people he was just with in Macedonia. How incredible to read about what the Macedonian churches did in verse 3-4:
"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." They refused to believe the lie. Even in the midst of a very severe trial (one that we're not sure of, but it was very severe), they gave. How easy is it for me in the midst of a recession, or a job loss, or in something even more perilous, to say that "now is not the time for me to give, but when this gets better, I might give then."
Not so for these people! Despite their very severe trial, their overflowing joy in the midst of extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity! Quick note: look at the adjectives here. Paul must have really meant these things -- very severe trial, extreme poverty, and rich generosity.
Even in hardship, we are not meant to hoard things for ourselves. Hoarding never produces joy.
"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." As much as they were able...and beyond." And that is what God desires from us. He's not like a Discover Card that tells us how much we need to give back -- 1% on groceries, 2% on gas, 3% on entertainment. No! Rather, we are to give as much as we are able.
The tithe of 10% comes from the Old Testament law, but in the New Testament, no amount is given. My thought is not that that means, oh we don't have to give 10% anymore, but rather that, if anything, the bar was raised -- give whatever you are able. And see, there's no checklist, so for people like me who like to follow the rule so I can check it off, there is no hard and fast rule anymore. Give what you can....and beyond, it says. Be generous.
"Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people." Despite their extreme poverty and severe trials, they pleaded for the privilege of sharing. I bet I know why why -- they had been given much, and now they wanted to give back. Haven't you felt that before? Someone does something big and unexpected for you, and don't you want to find a way to repay them or pay it forward? The Macedonians had been given Salvation. And despite their poverty, they were extremely grateful and wanted to give.
Perhaps like me, it's easy for you to lose sight of the feeling of gratitude for what Christ did for us. This is why we have to take time to remember it -- at the Lord's Table during communion, or even now in front of this screen. When we think of how much we've been given for eternity, money pales in comparison.
Verse 9 reminds us: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Christ had all He ever wanted or needed in Heaven, but He chose to become human and set aside His rights and glory, limiting His power and knowledge for a time, so that we might receive salvation.
So now, you may be reeling, wishing you'd never read this post and thinking, "As soon as I saw it was going to be about money, I should have stopped." I know. Money is a touchy subject. But as we continue to study this over the next couple days, perhaps our grip on our stuff will become a little less tight. Jesus doesn't just want to take from us, though He completely has the right to do so. Instead, He allows us the choice to give. And our giving does not return null and void, but rather, when we give to others, we receive a renewed sense of perspective and some extreme joy.
I dare you. Give it a try today.
Molly Monroe
Friday, November 9, 2012
One of the many reasons...
I came across this today, and this is good. The last paragraph is something I have never thought of before. I just have to share it with you.
Why NO to sex outside marriage….and though I have personally found there are many, many reasons to say wait until marriage, this last paragraph was one I hadn't considered:
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives
should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify
her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he
might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any
such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way
husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife
loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes
it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his
wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and
the church.
Marriage is more than sex, but it's not less than sex. In fact, in the ancient biblical world, sexual union was the primary means by which a man and woman married each other (see, for example, the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24:67). Unlike today, religious clergy of the ancient world did not create a marriage through a formal pronouncement; rather the act of sex itself created the marriage. Thus, a healthy marriage relationship is the living out of the union that is established through sexual intercourse. (This is why a sexual relationship that occurs outside the context of a marriage relationship is so emotionally destructive. The act of sex, which is meant to initiate and sustain a permanent union of marriage, is broken apart and divorced from its very purpose.)
Adapted from Sex,
Dating, and Relationships by Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas, © 2012, pp.
17-26.
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