connecting individuals to Jesus
The other day pastor Jerry and I got talking about big things and little things in our lives. The big things, of course, are hard to miss. The little things, on the other hand, are easily missed … and often are much more important than we give them credit for being.
Neither the author nor the audience of this book is specifically named, but the book is written for Jesus-believing Jews who are in danger of falling away from the faith. Our reading today from chapter 12 reminds us that God’s discipline is always done in love.
Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
One Final ThoughtFear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalms 34:9 There are three kinds of givers: the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. To get even a spark from a flint you have
Give God His Tithe“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30 Instead of saying, ‘I’m giving God my tithe,’
Giving Brings ReceivingRemember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Jim Penner says: ‘It was a cold snowy day as my mother drove my sister and me to church.
Be GenerousRather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:8 God instructed the Israelites, ‘If there is among you a poor man…you shall open your hand wide to him’ (vv. 7-8). Giving is the loftiest level of
Either Rule, or Be RuledThen God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,
Crossing the ‘What if’ LineYou will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 Pastor Andy Stanley writes: ‘As