September 8, 2013

Living In Freedom....Giving In Thanks

Luke 20: 20 - 26

Luke

Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent secret agents pretending to be honest men.  They tried to get Jesus to see something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.  They said, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think.  You sincerely teach the ways of God.  Now tell us - is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?"

He saw through their trickery and said, "Show me a Roman coin.  Whose picture and title are stamped on it."

"Caesar's," they replied.

"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to him.  But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.  So they failed to trap him in the presence of the people.  Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they were silenced.

***

Thoughts.....

There are a couple elements that need to be touched on today.  First, let's look at the 'pretending' and 'trickery' factors.

Do you pretend to be a Christian, or a good Christian?  Do you talk about others behind their back?  Do you remark about other folks in your office or work place?  Are you snippy and rude at home?  Do you say you are going to do something and then not do it?  Do you thank people when they let you into traffic ahead of them....are you the one to help folks enter traffic ahead of you?  I know you are in a hurry....we all are.  Do you say you will honor God and then not respectfully choose to listen for his voice or not even talk with him during the day?  Do you not praise him, nor thank him, for what he is going to do, or what he has done? 

And how about those times when you cheated on your taxes?  When you saw that the cashier ring something up incorrectly...to your benefit....did you say anything?  And the times you received more change when you should not have....did you speak up then?  Surely you are quick to see any incorrect balance on your paycheck and bring it to someone's attention.  Have you tricked someone into believing they did something wrong so you could get something for free? 

Years ago when I was in direct sales I placed an order for someone.  They said it never arrived via United Parcel Service, even tho' UPS said it was delivered.  The woman was incensed and demanded money back for herself and everyone who made a purchase under her name.  Months later I had an occasion to enter the home for another reason.  Lo and behold, there was the merchandise decorating her home.  Even those items ordered by others.  How sad.

Another time years ago, I did a direct sales party, and, the Hostess, who had collected money for all the items ordered from others, as did the gal I just mentioned, used the money to have a party for her grandson and buy some new outfits for herself.  She said I never sent the money in, but took it.  YET, it was the Hostess's responsibility to send the money in.  Truth prevailed, but not after much damage to my reputation, credibility and integrity.  Why anyone would choose to do this is beyond me.  I don't get it....I hope I never get it....I don't want those thoughts in my mind!

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:13-26, "For you have been called to live in freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.  For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  He warns us to be careful that we don't destroy one another.

He goes on to say, "So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit.  Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.  The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law."  He further gives a brief list of what not to do and what to do [please take the time to read these partial lists], summing up with these words:  "Those who belong to Christ have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." 

Ladies and gentlemen, leave 'pretending' and 'trickery' at the door to death.  Open the door to a new life with Christ Jesus to live in freedom....for eternal life.  Choose to be like the Teacher, Jesus, who, when he spoke, taught what is right and was not influenced by what others thought....because he did what was right, not wrong.

Throughout life you will find naysayers.  Those who want to tear down as you attempt to build up.  Walk in Truth, Light, Life, Love.

Everything belongs to God.  What does that mean to you?  To me it means that everything I see, touch, feel, possess is God's and was given to me to be used according to his purpose. 

Are those clothes in the back of the closet that you have not worn for years being used according to God's purpose?  I cannot imagine that he purposed for those clothes to help the hangers, or fill the rods.  Yes, shame on me.  I'll work on that soon.  How about you?  There are people who could use those clothes who have no money to buy clothes for job interviews.  There are folks who could clean houses to make an income out of your 'tossables', or make quilts out of scrap, for those items not worthy of wearing or sharing.  These would go to nursing homes and babies.  Maybe you could even make one to share.  Maybe even I, too, could make one to share.  What about those outgrown athletic items?  Couldn't someone young or old, less fortunate maybe, find joy in trying to learn something new?  And those toys in a box, since the last move, that the kids have outgrown or aren't using....a good wash and many children would be thrilled to have something to hold or learn from.  Yup, get to those tools....you never know who else could help to build or plant a dream come true.  That tea service of great great grandma's....maybe someone would enjoy sharing a life chat with that.  These are ways to give back to God in thanksgiving for all he has given.   

And your income.  What about that?  I heard that.  I heard you say, "Whoa, now you are getting personal."  "You are touching too close to home."   "I NEED that money."  "Why would God give me what I need and then tell me to give it away to him or someone else?"  "I don't have enough of what I need as it is."  Here is what I know....the world is round and it will come back to you.  Sound trite?  It does sound trite, but it's true.  Let's look at some references in Scripture to see what God, Jesus, and Paul had to say.

Jesus said,  "If you give, you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you."  Luke 6:38

Do you remember the story of the friend knocking on the other friends door in the middle of the night from Luke 11:5-13?  Doesn't every crisis feel like darkness when you are lacking?  Is this about God knocking on your door?  Or you knocking on his door?  Jesus said, "But I tell you this - though he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won't be damaged."  Are you the friend whose door is being knocked on, or the friend in need who is knocking?  Who is God in this story?  Who do you represent?  Do the positions ever change? 

Jesus goes on to say in this story "You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?  Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion?  Of course not!  If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

First of all, you need to ask yourself, Am I giving anything to God or the Kingdom of God? 

Jesus tells us, as recorded in Luke 16:9-12, "I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends.  In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven." 

"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones.  If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.  And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches of heaven"  And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be trusted with money of your own?"

Are you lacking?  Could it be possible that God is not trusting to give you more because you are not trusting him by not giving into the Kingdom of God?  Or not appropriating where he intended and how?

Jesus also said in verse 13, "No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money." 

We are called to love God and live, love, and give, according to HIS purpose(s). 

Let's look at the story that the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.  He says, "Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia.  Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have over-flowed in rich generosity.  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the precious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem.  [When was the last time you begged God to give to him, to someone else, your church, this church, or a local church?]  Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them.  [Sincerely, have you done this?!]

"So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving.  Since you excel in so many ways - you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us - now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving.  I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it.  This is one way to prove your love is real.

"You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was.  Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 

"I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to begin doing something about it.  Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it.  Give whatever you can according to what you have.  If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give.  God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have.  Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little.  I only mean that there should be some equality.  Right now you have plenty and can help them.  Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it.  In this way, everyone's needs will be met.  Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this?  "Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough."

From the prophet Malachi, we learn in Malachi 3:6-4:2 that we are called by the LORD God to return to him and obey him.  "I am the LORD, and I do not change.  That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed.  Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my laws and failed to obey them.  Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.

"But you ask, 'How can we return when we have never gone away?'

"Should people cheat God?  Yet you have cheated me!

"But you ask, 'What do you mean?  When did we ever cheat you?'

"You have cheated me of the tithes [giving 10% of what God has given you] and offerings [anything given in addition to your tithe] due to me.  You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.  If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you.  I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in!  Try it!  Let me prove it to you!  Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.  Your grapes will not shrivel before they are ripe," says the LORD Almighty.  Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the LORD Almighty.

"You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD.

"But you say, 'What do you mean?  How have we spoken against you?'

"You have said, 'What's the use of serving God?  What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for our sins?  From now on we will say, "Blessed are the arrogant."  For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm.'"

[If you honor God, he will honor you....]

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said.  In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.  "They will be my people," says the LORD Almighty.  "On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure.  I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child.  Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." 

The LORD Almighty says, "The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace.  The arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw on that day.  They will be consumed like a tree - roots and all. 

"But for you who fear my name, the Son of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."  

Choose this day whom you will serve.  On the day of judgment, will you be found living in freedom....giving in thanks?  Or not?       

***

Let Us Pray   

"Praise him from whom all blessings flow, praise him all creatures here below, praise him all of the heavenly hosts, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."  Amen.  Lord God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, yet again I find myself in need of asking forgiveness.  I have not loved you with my whole heart, nor have I loved my neighbor as myself.  I am humbly sorry and I heartily repent.  Please forgive me.  Thank you.  Father God, as you know, I walk a fine line everyday....just like most.  What comes in is not always what needs to go out.  A juggling act goes on, balances are tipped, not always do things flow or go in the right direction.  I do not want to NOT give to you, but I don't know what TO give to you, when I cannot make ends meet to survive.  Forget living abundantly, it's not happening right now.  How can I live abundantly, when I know others are lacking as I....sometimes because of me?  I have to say that I am abundant in hope, believing in your promises.  I forge ahead to do all I can do to find balance.  Some days I over-do and still cannot rise above life circumstances.  Yet I continue to press on.  How can I not?  I am plagued with nightmares of how to do, and what to do, and when to do, and what can happen if I do not succeed....with others, and myself?  I hear you when you speak, well, most of the time.  I place my feet in front of one another on the journey.  I hope I am going in the right direction....I hope it is your voice I am hearing.  Yet I do not know WHY (????!!!!) I continue to be in the position of lack to make ends meet.  Maybe it is not about me.  Maybe it is a lesson for another.  It is a very hard lesson either way as I live it.  Father God, I attempt to make every penny go in the right direction, but when there is not enough, I get mighty concerned.  I understand todays lesson and I ask you to help me in any way you can, to help me do all I need to do, to find ground to stand, not wobble and fall over in the walk of life.  I praise you and I thank you.  I ask you to shine upon me and give me strength.  Holy Spirit, please fill me to overflowing with all the fruits and the gifts Father God and my Savior, Jesus, give you to give me, so that I might be empowered to walk the walk of a child of God.  Tell me what you hear from them, so I might best talk the talk.  I want so much to prove myself worthy in the Kingdom of God.  I go forth with a full heart of love for all because of the love instilled in me from you.  AND because of the wonderful family you gave me to help me understand it all.  Help me to walk in honor and honesty.  Not pride or prejudice.  Help me to bless you and others by the offerings I can give.  Help me to meet my expenses, and be able to give more and more as the storehouse is filled.  May it fill to overflowing!  I praise you and thank you, and love you beyond measure.  Thank you for forgiving me, for letting me walk with you, holding my hand, lifting me up, carrying me, and setting me down gently when I have wings to fly.  May we always walk and fly together!  Alleluia!  Amen. 

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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