Follow the Money - from 9.27.08

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay." Luke 3:10-14

Observations: John’s preaching moved people to a point of decision—“What should we do?” In his preaching he called the people to demonstrate fruit (proof) that their repentance was genuine. When pressed, he challenged them in the area of their finances: give generously, exercise integrity, live contentedly. Pretty fruitful money tree. It’s worth noting that when the LORD challenged His people to return to Him, he began with them getting their financial priorities in order (see Malachi 3:7-12).

Application: In the face of God’s provision, how could I not demonstrate the generosity, integrity and contentment called for in this passage? 2 Corinthians 8:7 challenges me to “excel in this grace of giving.” Regardless of where I am, there's always room to grow. So, what should I do? In general:
1. Look for ways to be generous.
2. Guard my integrity in the area of my finances.
3. Cultivate contentment by living below my means.
Specifically, when presented with a choice to spend, seek a less costly alternative, and give the savings to back to God. After all, it all belongs to Him. He is the Owner. I am His steward.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that money is a trust, a tool, and a test. How I handle it may be the most consistent way to gauge the condition of my heart. I You were to measure my heart change today, what would my wallet tell You? Help me not to be content to feel like I’ve arrived in this area. Help me grow—excel—in this grace of giving.

Fearless Servant - from 9.16.08

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:28-38

Observations: I can only imagine all that must have been floating through Mary’s mind with the news that: 1) she was pregnant, and 2) the baby was the Son of God. She may have thought, “Highly what!?” The truth is that anytime God is at work in us and through us, we are highly favored and have no need to fear. Mary’s response is classic: “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Application: As I seek a new level of listening to God and following His promptings, I need to remember three aspects of this passage:
1. I am under God’s favor, not His wrath. I’ve nothing to fear when following His promptings.
2. “Nothing is impossible with God.” Where God leads, God provides. As God provides, (or doesn’t) He is leading.
3. “I am the Lord’s servant.” What God wants to do through me is more important than what I want to do for Him (or for myself, of course). Life in its fullness is found in full surrender to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, given what I know about You and my relationship with You, I should never be afraid. Give me a heart like Mary’s; one that simply says, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

The Safest Hideout - from 8.31.08

Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the LORD had hidden them. Jeremiah 36:26

Observations: After Jeremiah had dictated to Baruch the words the LORD had given him, he had Baruch go and present them to the people. The scroll made its way to king Jehoiakim who, when he found the words offensive, burned the scroll. He sent orders for Jeremiah and Baruch to be arrested. “But the LORD had hidden them” so they could rewrite the scroll. This they did, and added some words of judgment.

Application: I should never fear what might happen for being faithful to the will of the LORD. When I need to be hidden, He protects. When I need to be defended, He defends. Any fear rises either from my lack of trust in God’s purpose and power or my placing my trust in myself and worrying that I might not have what it takes to deal with the situation. Neither is where I want to be. Rather, my trust in God’s planned purpose and His powerful provision surrounded by His unfailing love should result in all fear being cast aside. The worst that can happen to me—death—turns out to be the best that can happen to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, though I don’t have many fearful moments when called upon to obey You, nevertheless, I want to live at all times in the full confidence of Your will and way for my life. Grow my faith in You into an untainted boldness to do Your will without thought of the temporal consequences, knowing that You will hide me from all harm that will thwart Your plan for me.