The Real King of kings

.. And the Rab-shakeh said to them, Say now to Hezekiah, These are the words of the
great king, the king of Assyria: In what are you placing your hope? ... (2 Kings 18:19; Isaiah 36:4; cf. 2 Chr. 32:10)

Thoughts: So this question of the king of kings was asked of the king of Judah- are you still placing your hope in the King of kings?  Our hope never lies in a president or a congress or a governor or an army or a navy or a missile system.  Our hope lies in the Lord of lords and King of kings- the Lord Jesus- Jehovah- the Holy Spirit.  It is recorded 3 times.  
    Now the king of Assyria was the strongest king of his day.  He had defeated Babylon and Egypt.  He was known for his brutality.  He had not long before defeated the northern kingdom of Israel and only the little state of Judah was left.  The armies outnumbered Hezekiah's army four to one at least.  They had the city surrounded and were laying siege. 
    It would have been a good time to surrender.  But Hezekiah had already surrendered to the Lord.  He was not going to doubt His help now.
     This lesson is for us.  When you feel surrounded and about to be overwhelmed, remember where your hope lies.   Our hope lies in the Lord- the Maker of heaven and earth and the head of the greatest army of all- the Lord of hosts. 
     Isaiah prophesied that the Assyrian king would not enter into Jerusalem.  The next day 185,000 were dead.  Sennacherib retreated back to Ninevah where he was killed by his own sons   No one should mock God.  

Prayer: Lord you are king of kings.  no one is like you anywhere.  

Hope is for Sharing

"I pray you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6 NIV).

Thoughts: Rick Warren writes in his daily devotional that if you had a cure for cancer or HIV , you'd want to share it.  I might add, that even if you didn't have a complete cure- but a treatment or a possible cure on the horizon, then you'd want to share that too.  We have, of course, a hope for the next life- a hope of a cure for a mortal condition shared by every human- eternal life through Jesus.  But we also have hope in the midst of the here and now.  For we know why we are here.  We know that God cares about us in this life.  He not only cares about our behavior and words- He also simply cares for us as His children.  We have hope for the abundant life- and joy right now.   Eternal life does not start after we die- it begins the moment we believe- having faith in God, hope in God and a love for God and neighbor.  This is a wonderful gift of hope that we can share.  The passage above mentions that when we share our faith (and hope) then we grow in our understanding of the blessings of God. 
    I have found that to be true in my own life.  When I share my faith- I have to rely on my faith and my God.  When I am active in sharing it I feel better about my faith.  For sharing faith is a bit of a risk- people can reject you, look down on you, and in some cases persecute you. 
     Last week a young man, John Allen Chau, a missionary for All Nations Missionary group, was killed trying to reach out to the North Seninelese islanders.  Despite what others say, India had lifted its ban on contact with the island.  Chau was not simply off on a venture.  He had taken numerous shots and was prepared to help the islanders with their own medical needs.  He had initial contact in September a month after the ban was lifted, and was shot at while preaching off shore by a native.  But Chau had hope in Jesus, and wanted the islanders to have hope too- so he was willing to risk and give everything.  He also had hope in God so that he did not fear death.  Jim Elliot in the 1950s was trying to reach a similarly isolated group of natives- the Aucas of South America.  He also died in the process.  But he gave this famous quote for those who criticized his efforts, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  Hope makes us bold in sharing our hope. 

Prayer: Lord, give me a deep desire that others will know the hope that is available in you.  

Below picture of Jim Elliot and John Chau

     

Expectations vs Hope

Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.  Proverbs 27:1

Son of Man can these bones live?  I said, Sovereign Lord, you alone know."  (Ezek. 37:3)

Thoughts:  The word "expectations" differs from the word "hope."  Expectations means we believe- expect, bank on, count on, almost demand that it happens.  The Bible doesn't use this word much.  We do not demand from God but we trust in Him. The word "hope" means a confidence in what we do not see.  I think that in this life we should have low expectations (because of the vicissitudes, problems, and sins of life), but high hopes (because of God). 
       Hope by itself (without God) can make us feel more positive and put a jump in our step.  But hope in the wrong object can end up being broken.  We do not hope in ourselves- no mater how skilled or intelligent we may be.  We do not put our trust in rulers or princes to save us.  We do not put our trust in our wealth- which we will leave behind for someone else.  We do not trust in our super weapons or army (Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1).  The Bible says "the king is not saved by the size of his army" (Psalm 33:16).  Real hope is not just whistling in the air- or wishing without any basis.  Hope that will work is based in the reality of life.  The One who made all of life is the ultimate reality- for He created everything we see.   God calls us to believe in Him- which means to trust and hope in Him.  Many people say that the key to life is having high expectations.  But high expectations without any power makes little difference.  But on the other hand, to not put hope in the One who is asking us and calling for us to put our hope in Him- also makes little difference.  But if we hope in the One who is the Almighty-all-knowing God, then we will have victory over our worry, over our problems, over our sadness, over our debt, our broken relations,  over whatever.   Nothing is impossible with God.  These dried bones can live and come together and make a mighty army.  God can make a way, open the doors, and bring the answer that you think cannot be found.  One minister said, "Hope is putting its hand out in the darkness knowing with absolute confidence that God is reaching back from the other side." 

Prayer: Lord, help me to have hope.  Help my faith to develop hope.

The Son of David and Son of God

1Why do the nations conspire ^a

and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3“Let us break their chains

and throw off their shackles.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them.

5He rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6“I have installed my king

on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;

today I have become your father.

8Ask me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

9You will break them with a rod of iron ^b ;

you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11Serve the Lord with fear

and celebrate his rule with trembling.

12Kiss his son, or he will be angry

and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Thoughts: This is a Messianic prophetic psalm that links one of the Davidic sons to the essence of God's Son.  It is a hope that God will establish a divine King to lead the people of God. 
    It is also a recognition that the nations are in rebellion against God.  But this rebellion is useless, pointless, and powerless.  What king can compare to the King of kings?  What army can do anything against the Lord of hosts?  So who thinks they are rich compared to the Lord of lords and King of kings?  What intellect can fight against the mind that designed the heavens and earth?  Fighting against God is like pounding your fist against a steel lined concrete wall- you just end up hurting your hand. 
   But the grace is that God welcomes all who will quit fighting against Him and start taking refuge in Him.  

Prayer: Lord, be King and Lord of every area of my life, my heart, my mind, and my soul.  

Christ the King

Acts 2:30 "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE,

John 12:15 "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT."

1 Timothy 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

Revelation 19:16  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

John 18:37  Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Thoughts: "Hark the Herald Angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King."  He was born a king.  Herod knew the Messiah's birth meant a threat to his throne and so he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem to kill Jesus (Mathew 2).  He lived not a life of luxury and court but lived as a king in exile.  This is the way God is king over the earth right now.  He still is affecting things- helping, answering prayers, guiding people, providing for people, loving His subjects.  But He is not recognized normally and openly by those on thrones or seats of power as the king of kings and Lord of lords.  Jesus showed he was king in turning the water to wine; calming the sea, walking on water; healing so many; fulfilling prophecy; His teachings that jived with the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament.  He came to Jerusalem as a Jewish king- on a colt the foal of a donkey.  He was arrested and the crime he was crucified for (capital punishment charge) was for his claim to be a king.  The question remains- do you believe He is king.  Then do you give Him allegiance, and how do you show that allegiance?  In our day, we seem to be told that the government exists to serve us.  We almost believe that God exists solely to bless us- and never to hold us to account.  God cares about what we do as a good king would care for his subjects and kingdom.  But in our consumer culture we seem to think it is all about me- when He alone is worthy of our worship, honor, glory and praise. 

Prayer: Lord, on Christ the King Sunday, let me remember you are my king.  Let me listen to your voice, let me grow in my following of you as a loyal subject. 

A prayer of Thanksgiving for all people

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Thoughts:  Thanksgiving is an American holiday.  You won't find it in Europe or Asia.  There were roots in a day of Thanksgiving in scripture and also in medieval celebrations.  But in America, the immigrants who were exploring/pioneering the land did not know how to grow or trap food on the new continent.  So Coronado proclaimed a day of thanksgiving when his group almost starved in Texas.  So the Jamestown settlers had a starving time in 1610 and proclaimed thanks for getting through it.  So the pilgrims got down to rationing only three kernels of corn- with half their company dead. 
     It is one of the suggested holidays for flying the American flag (Infoplease.comhttps://www.infoplease.com/when-and-how-display-us-flag).  In 1863, in the middle of the civil war, Lincoln proclaimed a naitonal day of Thanksgiving.  It has been kept every year since- but changed in 1941 to the fourth Sunday of each month. 
    This passage in 1 Timothy 2 says that thanksgiving should be made for all people- especially for those in authority.  In our day, when people love to be outraged at politicians or those they disagree with, we should learn to see the good in others.  It is part of loving our enemies.  But it is also a part of the recognition that God has made everyone.  There is a bit of his image- however tainted- in everyone.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those over me- those in authority.  May they listen to your voice and seek your will.  Thank you for those who I love and those who love me.  But also thank you for those who do not love me and who differ from me.  Give me the grace to be a thankful person.  

Thanksgiving Spreads

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 4:15) 

Thoughts: As people are told the good news of Christ thanksgiving occurs.  Souls are thanking God for His love, for forgiveness, for hope, for strength.  We should be about the process of sharing God's love so that thanksgiving to God might be multiplied.  

Prayer; Lord, let me be involved in spreading your thanksgiving.  

Historical notes; 
In the Bible thank offerings were encouraged. 
The people were encouraged to take times of remembrance and thanksgiving for special occasions .

In America
1541- Coronado, Spanish explorer, proclaims a day of thanksgiving for finding food.
1610 & 9/6/1619- Jamestown makes proclamations for thanksgiving.
1621- Pilgrims give thanks at the end of the harvest that they have survived the starving time. 
1777- Americans have national day of thanksgiving for victory at Saratoga.
1789- Washington proclaims thanksgiving day.
1863- Lincoln makes national day of thanksgiving yearly event.  Observed each year since. 

Give thanks for God's Goodness

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

2Let Israel say:

“His love endures forever.”

3Let the house of Aaron say:

“His love endures forever.”

4Let those who fear the Lord say:

“His love endures forever.”

5When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;

he brought me into a spacious place.

6The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?

7The Lord is with me; he is my helper.

I look in triumph on my enemies.

Thoughts: God is good.  For that, over and over in scripture, we are called to give thanks.  The scriptures are clear that God is good but human beings are not.  We are all- universally- sinners (Rom. 3:23) who fall short of the glory of God.  God is good not because humans are always good.  God is good not because things go right with my life all the time.  It is a faith statement that God is good and trustworthy.  It is true faith to believe that He is and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  If we believe He exists but doesn't care or doesn't act to help then we have lost faith. 
   In this Psalm the writer speaks of God helping Him.  He knew it.  He was trapped and enclosed- almost buried by his problems- but God led Him out into a spacious place.  God delivers.  He is our Savior. He is good.  Therefore we can give thanks without holding back.  

Prayer: Thank you Lord for helping and delivering me.  

Aware of the Needs

13“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’  (Luke 16) 

Thoughts: On th esurface it seems like the rich go to hell while the poor are rewarded,  But the context is vs. 13 "You cannot serve God and money."  The real point here is that the rich man did not care for the poor man.  There was no generosity.  But a secondary point is that there is hope beyond this life.  For the poor this is esecially helpful.  I have heard some wonder about the need for eternal life- for they are perfectly happy with this life.  

Prayer: Lord, let me always have hope.  Let me be aware of those in need around me.  

Not Serving Two Bosses

13“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. (Luke 16:13,14)

Thoughts: Why not?  Why not serve God and money?  Many American Christians would infer that you can live for money while living for God at the same time.  But the problem of two masters is that they both require your attention, your time, and your obedience.  Some times money may tempt you to not listen to God.  For example- Sabbath keeping.  If all you do is pursue money, you may think the Sabbath keeping command in the Ten Commandments doesn't make any sense.  But in the end, rest reduces stress and is good for us and for our productivity.  All the studies show that taking a break in a work day and a work week increases efficiency and productivity.  Jesus says if you seek Him first- then all these other things will be added to you (Mt. 6:33).
     Jesus said, in compliment to not serving two masters that "what people value highly is detestable in God's sight."  What do people value highly?  They act as if this life is all there is, this stuff, this day's reputation is all there is.  There was an old beer commercial that captured this- "You only have one life to live.  Go for all the gusto you can."  But there is a God who oversees this life and holds us accountable for the life He gives us as a gift.  There is  hope beyond this life.  But we also are called to live this life with hope in the next.  So the stuff we have should be held gingerly.  The fires in California have cost that state $85 billion in two years.  Hurricanes Michael and Florence have cost the Southeast $31 billion.  Such things teach us to not over-value our houses, our stuff, our cars, and more.  

Prayer: Lord, let me serve you first in my life, and be willing to let go of my stuff.  

Trustworthy of Our Gifts

10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16)

Thoughts: If you have not been trustworthy with worldly wealth- what about true riches?  In some ways how we handle our stuff and money is training for how we will handle the true and eternally valuable gifts of God.  So in some ways our financial gifts are tools to allow us to see ourselves as stewards.  Money is a concrete way to see stewardship- but we are also stewards of our time- it is a gift; of our talents and abilities- they are gifts too.  God gives us all the property we have.  It is true that we did not make anything.  But more than that, God is the provider and it is a test to see what we will do with His provisions.  Our calling by God is to be trustworthy of the gifts He gives us.  

Prayer: Lord, Help me to be a good steward of the gifts you give.  let me be trustworthy of your gracious gifts to me. 

Thanksgiving Frees Us

 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Tim. 4)

Thoughts:  The scripture here is speaking of a freedom that is given with thanksgiving- specifically thanking God over food.  When we thank God for our food, we are blessing it, asking God to make it clean and good for us to eat.  
    I have known people who will not eat many types of food out of fear for their health.  Certainly this passage is not saying that diabetics can eat all the sugar they want as long as they bless it.  Nor is it saying to eat all the transfats or poison and all will be okay. 
     God made everything- and He made it good.  But we can take good things and misuse them. Mercury may be good for cleaning silver,or tanning leather but it is not good to eat.  
      This writer is not talking about all foods, but foods that have been forbidden religiously- food offered to pagan idols and then sold in the meat market; and plants/animals forbidden to be eaten under Jewish law.  
      Thanksgiving frees us to eat.  It frees the germaphobe from being afraid of germs.  It frees the anorexic or bulimic- because if we are thankful for our lives and how we look- we are not upset about what we eat or that we eat at all.  Thanksgiving releases negative feelings and frees us to enjoy life.
     But more than just affecting our thinking, it involves God Himself in the regular call of eating.  We are asking God to be present and to bless the food so we may be a blessing to Him.  Thankfulness to God frees us from ourselves.  It recognizes that what we have is not simply from our work, but it involves God's gift and God's blessing.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to live a thankful life.  Thank you for your provision for me- food, body, time, family, and friends.  

Lord make us truly thankful for these and all your many blessings.  Bless this food to our use and us to your service.  Make us mindful of the needs of others.  In Christ's name, amen.  

Norman Rockwell "saying grace" 

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his ^a ;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.  (Psalm 100)

Thoughts: This is a great Psalm reminding us to be grateful for what we have.  There are many studies that show gratitude is a sign of mental health and a well life.  It moves us away from self-centeredness.  Thanksgiving allows us to do real giving.  It brings joy and hope for life, enabling us to appreciate what we have instead of just looking at what we wish we had. 
     When we are grateful, then the next question is to whom should we be grateful?   The Psalmist had no doubt.  We sing with joy to the Lord.  We know that He made us- and all we have is a gift.  When we are grateful, we want to come to Him in worship- we do not want to stay away.  The petty objections to worship (the nursery is too small, the sound system is not right, the songs are too slow, the preacher doesn't preach the way I want, the heat is a tad too hot, etc) melt away.  We do not worship (and should not stop worshiping) because of such things.  In our consumer culture, we think the church does not cater to our needs, and therefore we can just move on.  But then we miss the gratitude, and the joy of worship.  I remember Mr. Anderson in my Asheville church.  Mr. Anderson told me every week it was a great sermon- and always smiled.  My head was big until about a month later I realized Mr. Anderson was completely deaf and never heard a word I said.  I later communicated to him my puzzlement that he would say this each week when he never heard.  He said, I did not come to hear you, I came to worship God.  He appreciated my being there, and I appreciated being in His presence.  We are not to be entertained.  I have worshiped with saints outside underneath trees because they could not afford a building at all- but they smiled with gratitude to God for His salvation and love.  Of course, a church should do all it can to help people feel good in worship.  But there is a balance. 
    We do not worship because the church is good or the people are good.  we worship as the Psalmist says, "Because the Lord is good.  His love endures forever and His faithfulness to every generation."  HE is worthy of our praise and gratitude.  

Prayer: Lord, may my eyes be fixed on you, and not my own comfort.  Give me the ability to worship you wherever saints are gathered in your name, with gratitude in my heart.  

Grace and a Pledge

7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19) 

Thoughts: The grace of God is not fair by regular human standards.  Regular human standards say that God only helps those who help themselves.  But fortunately for us, when we mess up, or are unable to help ourselves- even by circumstances beyond our control- God still helps.  The poor people that Zacchaeus taxed could not help but be taxed.  They also could not help that Zacchaeus converted and decided to give money back to them.  All the people thought Jesus was doing wrong by going to a sinner.  But if Jesus never went to sinners, none of us would be saved from our sin.  God recognizes grace is necessary even when we do not see the need for grace. 
     Jesus said that salvation had come to his house.  This happened in two sense: 1) Zacchaeus had changed.  He showed his change in concrete ways when he met Jesus- he made a pledge.  The pledge was to give to the poor and make restitution for his wrong.  Pledging such things is a sign of a good- god influenced heart.  2) The play on words- Salvation came to his house- but what house?  The same house that Jesus came into.  So salvation- Jesus- came into Zacchaeus.  Jesus is the Savior.  When He comes to us- and we let Him in- salvation comes to us.  We show this by a change of intentions- indicated by a pledge of good will.  

Thoughts: Lord, thank you for your grace- your salvation- that comes to me.  Help me to renew my intentions and my love for you in response to your love.  

We do not Provide for God

7“Listen, my people, and I will speak;

I will testify against you, Israel:

I am God, your God.

8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices

or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9I have no need of a bull from your stall

or of goats from your pens,

10for every animal of the forest is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know every bird in the mountains,

and the insects in the fields are mine.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you,

for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”(Psalm 50)

Thoughts: The idea of giving to God is mollified.  God doesn't need food to live.  The Pagan ideas of God- you had to feed God in order for that god to live. The true God made everything- all the cattle, all the fields, everything.  He never grows hungry or tired.  Instead He longs for us to call on Him for help when we are hungry and tired.  Our weariness is a reminder that we are not God.  But God does not grow weary or faint like we do.  He is the eternal energy- the source of eternal life and hope. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you provide for me instead of the other way around.  

Zacchaeus Seeks Jesus

1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladl  (Luke 19:1-6)

Thoughts: Zacchaeus had all the money he needed.  But he was missing something. He was missing an eternal reason to live.  He was missing love.  He was missing God.  He had heard of Jesus for he had been to Jericho before and healed people.  He wanted to see the One who might get him to God.  But Jesus sought him out.  He called him by name.  He knew his sin, but He also loved this sinner.  He said, "I must stay in your house."  God does not ask us to invite him- he says "I must stay with you."  In response Zacchaeus welcomes him.  When we seek God, He rewards Him. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek you and find you.  

Trust in the God who blesses us

25I was young and now I am old,

yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

26They are always generous and lend freely;

their children will be a blessing. ^b

27Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever.

28For the Lord loves the just

and will not forsake his faithful ones

29The righteous will inherit the land

and dwell in it forever.

Thoughts: Psalm 37 is all about trusting, hoping, and committing to the Lord.  But this trust has a promise from God, the One who is able to bless us and answer our prayers.  The promise is that God will not forsake us, and the righteous- not the wicked will inherit the land.  Jesus similarly said, "The meek will inherit the earth."  This does not mean to not work or not live your life with purpose.  Living a life of trust in God also means answering His call upon your life- your "vocation."  But this Psalm is an assurance that when we trust in God, He will not let us down. 
     But part of trusting that is implied here is a spirit of generosity.  The children of the righteous are always generous and lend freely- that is they bless others because they have been blessed.  When we trust in God, we can give more generously.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you, and not simply in myself.  Let me rely on your mighty power.  

Reasons to Give

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever.” ^a

10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Thoughts: One of the important parts of faith is to believe that God blesses us.  God is the ultimate Blesser.  Everything we see is created by the Creator.  So all that is a blessing is from Him.  We are motivated to give in part because all we have is a gift of God. He supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. 
     The second motivation is that when we give, we believe God will provide for us so we can give some more.  This passage infers this- we sow and reap in proportion.  We cannot outgive God.   
     A third motivation is that we are given gifts in order to be generous toward others.  Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth to join the church in Macedonia and Rome in giving to the church in Judea which was undergoing a famine and persecution.  

     Giving, however, is not just a logical thing.  It is a matter of faith.  If you love God and He calls you to love neighbor, we must give of what we have.  When we trust God, He enables us to glorify Him.  

Prayer: Lord, let me be generous in imitation of your generosity and blessing.