The Giver Of Real Joy

Do you find more pleasure in the giving or receiving of gifts? Most people are more inclined to the getting versus the giving. Why do we have such a "me, me, me" or "mine, mine, mine" attitude? It is even worse when we Christians want more. We tend to look at God as a "magic Genie" or "Santa Claus". We ask and don't even think about giving to anyone else.

God is the true joy giver. When we keep asking and asking we seldom find joy that lasts. It is only a short time before we want more.

We need to come as children...in awe and wonder...thankful to our heavenly Father and leave as adults...so thankful that we give to others out of the abundance we have been given. There are many ways to give. Our time, our heart, our finances are just a few ways to give.As we are generous with what we have, we find real joy.

Real joy is really found in the giving and not the receiving. What have you given back to others...to God...out of your abundance?

What is worship...

OK...so we go to church on Sunday mornings. We get all "prettied up"...put on our "Sunday best." We got to a building and maybe greet some people. We find our favorite seat (and don't let someone be sitting in it) sit down and wait? What are we waiting for? Why are we even here in the first place? What are we expecting to hear...to see... to feel? What is this worship thing all about?

Well we need to ask ourselves a few questions:

1. What is our attitude about going to church? Are you going there because it is an exclusive club for you or is it a place for both "sinners" and "saints" alike? Is it a joy or a drudgery?
2. What is our motivation for going to church? Is church a duty...a item on your checklist or is it something much more? Is it a place where you come to be entertained or a place you expect God to show up and is present amongst us?
3. What keeps us from going to church if that is what is happening...? Is it a place where you feel safe or is it a place where you feel you have to always watch your back? Has it become that social club and not a place where you experience the life changing message of hope?

OK...Romans 12:3-5 tells us:
(Romans 12:3-5New Living Translation (NLT)
³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

We gather together as the body of Christ...becoming one body with many parts. We come together to worship God...to thank God for all He has done and is doing in our lives and in the lives of the body of Christ...in the body of believers.

So why do we need corporate worship...why do we need to gather together in one place? Can't we worship God in our own homes...on our own? Well yes we can and should worship God in our homes and our work place...we should live a life of constant worship. But...but...when we come together in worship it renews our faith and renews our joy...we hold each other up in prayer and come along side each other in times of crisis. 

There is value in a Godly community. It is a place where we find our role in God's great design and our purpose for His Kingdom. Have you discovered your role or purpose? It can only be done in community. In community is where we should be able to find meaning and purpose in life. Otherwise we just go through life and not live the abundant life God has in store for everyone who believes.

I think our biggest deterrent to the issue of finding our purpose in life... We use those two favorite words "I can't"... You are right...we can't, I can't...you can't...but God CAN... In Mathew 19:26, Jesus tells us:

(Matthew 19:26New Living Translation (NLT))
²⁶ Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

We just can't do it on our own but God...in and through community with Him and other believers...can do far more than we can ask or hope for. As we come together in community, Ephesians 4:16 tells us"

Ephesians 4:16New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

We grow and become whom God would have us to be...even if we have a hard time, at times, believing in ourselves...God will always help us to succeed in what He has planned for us...God keeps His promises. This truth we can "Take to the bank...we can bank on it."

So what is worship? To me it is a way of life. You don't really "do" worship but you "be" worship in what you say and do. It is saying "Thank You" to God not with just lip service but with action. It is gathering with a rag tag group of people...as Jesus did...and hear the Good News. It is during worship I can expect God to show up and I will be changed forever. It is in and through worship I am free to love all...to see the sacred worth in all...to invite others into my "worship space" and feel the movement of the Spirit with in them.

So...what is worship to you and what will you do with your worship of God. I would like to leave you with a piece of scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew... it kind of says it all...

The Workers Are Few

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Are you ready to be counted amongst the workers?

God's Standards...

No Condemnation (John 3:17)

We often go through the day feeling as if someone is looking over our shoulder ready to judge our actions. My husband probably wonders why I bought that dress . . . My boss is thinking I’m taking too long with that project . . . The elders don’t understand why I can’t take on that committee . . . This isn’t how Mom would have done it . . . And perhaps the voice we hear the most is our own: Why aren’t you good enough?

Even if others praise us, the pressure we put on ourselves can drown out the latest acclaim. We put pressure on ourselves to do more—and do it better and quicker. How could God be pleased with us, we wonder, when we feel so weak?

Listen to the words in this chapter of John’s Gospel. God wants a relationship with us—not to condemn us, but to free us. He offers redemption through Jesus—not because we have done something to deserve it, but because he loves us.

Though we may read those words again and again, they can be hard to believe. But try to wrap your brain around this truth: God does not condemn you. None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God. You may feel guilty because you keep changing the standard.

Richard Foster writes, “The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.” Yes, we are weak. Yes, we often fail to meet our own expectations. But what does God expect of us today? To believe in his Son who set us free from sin. To believe that he is stronger than our doubts, fears, pride and ambition. To believe that he does not condemn us for who we were before we met his Son. To discover who we are in the light of his love, freedom and grace.

We may not feel "qualified" but...our God qualifies the called..."

God of Time and Space

God of time and space, thank you for this New Day Dawning...this New Year given... How awesome it is to know that time is in Your hands. Thank your for the year gone by. As I look back I can see You moving in my life...I can see that in those times I thought I was alone, You were there. How wonderful it is to know that You have all the times in my life setup for me and as I trust You with my life each day comes into being. May I feel You even more present...may I see You even more often...May I know You even more fully in this coming year. Lord, God, create me a new this year. May I serve You more fully as I step out in faith into this new horizon You have created for me. May I be ever closer to Your heart as I strive to live out the life You have set out before me. May I love more passionately...May I be more compassionate with others...May I shine more brightly...May I walk more humbly all to Your glory this coming year. May You use me as Your earthen vessel, waiting to be filled and then poured out for others. I look forward to what is ahead as You use me to bring about Your Kingdom come where Your will is done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen...!

God of Strength

Loving God, full of strength and wisdom, ready to answer our prayers of hope. Thank you for always being there waiting to bless Your children. You are the source of all that is good. Thank for the opportunities You give us to show Your unfailing love to others. May we be aware of Your presence and the "Divine appointments" You have for us each day. May we say yes to Your Spirits prompting and step out in faith, being Your light bearers in a world that is in so much need of light. Show us whom You would have us serve each day and may we have the eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open and pliable for You. May we be Your hands, feet, voice and love in the world.

A Sheep of Your Flock

Compassionate and protecting Jesus...the One who Shepherds me daily. Thank you that when I wander You will leave the others and search for me until I am found. I love to hear Your voice of compassion and hope. Lead me this day out of the pasture of rest into the world where I may lead others to Your loving arms of peace. Use me in this world so that others may come to know Your protective love. I am Yours and You are mine forever more. Use me to do Your good and perfect will...

Have Thine Own Way Lord

God of love and purpose, thank you for using me as you do in the world in which you have placed me. Unlike James and John, wanting to be on your left and right sides, I want to be where you would have me be. Use me for your good purposes. Equip me for those same purpose. Thank you Lord for the coming "deeds" that you have set for me to do. I pray the prayer that John Wesley prayed in saying:
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

Have thine own way Lord in me...