May 2016 – Page 2 – Praying Pint

All of me and All I have

Sometimes we get into a thought pattern that is all about getting more and more without the thought of giving more and more. Where is the limit on what we should give? How much of what God has blessed us with should we hoard? Doesn’t He want us to bless others with what He gives us? It is easy to think I have worked for something or I deserve something because of my effort. Yet in all of this is it not God who has given us abilities and opportunities to both think and do. Our treasure is still waiting for us in Heaven. Our life here should be one of humbly serving God. Learning to hear His quiet voice speak to our heart to give to those in need rather than to ourselves. We think giving 10% of what we make is good . In reality there is no percentage on what is expected – rather we should thankfully place it all in the hands of God and not limit our giving to a certain percent. Is it possible that we limit God into our lives because we close our ears and hearts to His leading when we hit 10%?

Matthew 19:20
What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Acts 5:2
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles ‘feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God

Matthew 6:19
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

Ezekiel 33:31
And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain

Ezekiel 8:18
Therefore I will act in wrath. My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. And though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them

Divorce?

We live in a culture where marriage is not Holy or sanctioned by God. We must be careful on what influences our decisions. It is so easy for us to follow after what the culture around us approves of. Guard your heart. Let God be whom you follow in this world. In Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” I heard someone say this once “wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it, and right is right if only one is doing it” Yesterday was a devotion on “Forgiveness” – how appropriate is it when looking at these verses? I love the words of an old hymn that says “Turn your eyes on Jesus, look full into His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”

Matthew 19:3

And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy

Hebrews 3:9
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways. ’
As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest. ’”
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God

Why Forgive Others?

Every last one of us, or someone close to us has been wronged by someone. It will have happened from a stranger, wife, husband, mom, dad, brother, sister, extended family member, colleague, boss. and even us to others, etc…. No matter where it comes from it hurts and I think it hurts most when it comes from those closest to us. Yet scripture is very clear isn’t it – there is no limit on how many times we are to forgive. Our example on forgiveness is to be looked at from the side of understanding what God has done with us who have received His forgiveness. Our Holy God not only forgave us, but also the debt of sin was paid in full by His son. The act of Forgiveness only takes the action of one person. It is up to the individual alone to forgive even if the other person has no desire to reconcile. What would life be like if we were to forgive, forget, and show mercy and love to those who wrong us. Do you want to be a light to the world that sees no hope? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those around you? Do you want to honor and glorify God? – Forgive those who have wronged you – Show the same grace, mercy and love God has given you!

Matthew 18:21
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy- seven times “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. ’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe. ’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you. ’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? ’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart

Probers 21:12
Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered

James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy

Matthew 6:15
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

Who is the Greatest?

Pride has a way of entering our lives without us even noticing it. More than likely we can look at the last time we were upset and get a clear picture of our heart. It seems simple things will drive us up pride mountain where we take a stand and claim our right to whatever. We must examine our heart and intent constantly to ensure we walk a path of being humble. Sometimes we just don’t know where to start. Choose to desire to know God. Choose to listen to what He is telling your heart. Be obedient to where He is leading you. Pride enters into our lives when our focus is on ME, MYSELF, and I.

Matthew 18:1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

20:25
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

23:11
The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted

Proverbs 29:23
One’s pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor

James 4:6
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Faithless and Twisted Generation

There are many times I read scripture like this and wonder what Jesus would say about our generation and culture. If anything we are more faithless and twisted. If we just look to the discoveries in science and see the complexity of the human body – this should point us, in awe, toward God. Yet, rather than acknowledging God and His omnipotence we entertain the idea of a big bang creating all there is. Even if we allow ourselves to go down this path how can we logically say that something came from or started from nothing. Science should point us toward God in awe and wonder. In Romans it says: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Start today with open eyes to see the handiwork of God.

Matthew 17:17
And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?

Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life

John 20:27
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed

Deuteronomy 32:5
they are no longer his children because they are blemished;
they are a crooked and twisted generation.
Do you thus repay the Lord,
you foolish and senseless people?
Is not he your father, who created you,
who made you and established you

Believe It or Not

Believe it or not but there is a time coming when all will stand before God and give account for their life. Saying this is a fairy tale does not make a difference. God sent His Son to redeem mankind so that all who believe would not perish but have everlasting life. We will enter a time of judgement before God. Some may look at Matthew 16:27 and think they must earn their way but what they do. Scripture says two clear points on this. 1. The only work that God requires is that we believe in the redeeming work of His son. 2. It is not by works we are saved but by the grace of God, lest any man should boast. This may seem contradictory at first glance – Not by works yet judged by what we have done. In short if we believe then we have said in our heart that we trust in Christ not only for salvation/redemption but also for leading us through life in a manner that honors and glorifies God. Believing/Trusting is not a one and done event but rather a life long commitment to humbly follow and serve the God of our salvation.

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words

Jude 1:14
“Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him

Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done

Deny Self

What does it mean to deny self or renounce all we have? Deny self of what? We battle self and desires all the time that are not pleasing to God. Some of this is temptations from Satan and some of it comes from our sinful nature. Our culture waters down the cost of following Christ and living to honor and glorify God. Our culture would say that serving God and denying self means giving up Sunday morning and attending church. Following Christ is not one morning per week activity. It is not a one hour per day daily devotional. It is so much more than this. The cost (if it is truly a cost) is heart, mind, and soul deep. It is a true desire and choice to live for Him. Denying self is to stop seeking what pleases my interests and start understanding and doing that which honors and glorifies God. Deny self for how money is spent, how thoughts are fermented, how time is utilized. Denying self is a daily battle that can easily be lost. Check your heart – what are it’s desires?

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul

Matthew 4:10
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve

2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us

Luke 14:29
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple

Psalm 49:7
Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice

Set Your Mind on Things Above

We see, we hear, and we want. The temptation to keep our eyes on what we can see is always before us. It is understandable. Yet God wants us to see with our heart open to what His word is telling us. He wants us to listen to His leading (that quiet small voice speaking light into our life). He wants us to want (desire) Him. This world would tempt/tell us that life is about us and getting what we want here. God tells us that we are just passing through this world and there is a place in heaven for those who choose, in this life, to live to honor and glorify Him – denying self and humbly serving/following Him.

Matthew 16:23
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man

Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace

Philippians 3:18
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

A True Heart

What comes out of the mouth originates in the heart. Do you find yourself at times saying things that should not be said? Are there thoughts that come to your mind that are wrong and expose an area of darkness in your heart? What goes into the the heart and mind are what is most likely to come out. Commit to daily feeding both your heart and mind with God’s word. Desire to have Him the center of all you do. Try this for 7 days and see if your thoughts and what you say doesn’t change.

Matthew 15:10
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.
“Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.

James 3:8
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Psalms 140:1
Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps

Live for God

Do we do a “pretend” church life of honoring and glorifying God? A life where we think honoring and glorifying God boils down to a single event of making sure we are in church on Sunday. The purpose of being in church is to corporately worship God. Somehow I think many miss this purpose and instead use Sunday as a means to be right before God. God wants our entire life’s desire to be Him and His plan/purpose in our life. This desire is 7 days per week not just one. Don’t water down the gospel in your life – keep it pure – live all seven days of the week for God.

Matthew 15:7
You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men

Matthew 23:15
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves

Colossians 2:20
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world,do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ( referring to things that all perish as they are used) —according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self- made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh