I was moved today by Matthew 11. This chapter begins with John sending messengers to ask if Jesus is really the Savior that had been prophesied or if there was another to come and ends with Jesus calling John the greatest man ever born of a woman. There is great mercy in Jesus’s reaction. (This was John who saw the Holy Spirit come down like a dove and the audible voice of God say “THIS IS MY SON WITH WHOM I AM VERY WELL PLEASED!” Hello???) He could have called John weak. He could have commented on his faith. Instead He clearly states that John is not only unshaken, but He is a man greater than a prophet. The truth was that John was shaken. But God looks at the heart of a man (or woman). His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
When a test makes you stumble, when a fast makes you cheat, when a crossroads makes you doubt God’s voice, do not be ashamed. God does not see a reed shaken by the wind. He sees you strong as you are IN Christ. In Matthew 11, Jesus says that even the least of these is greater than John the Baptist. He sees the motives and the root of the questions in your heart, and He is eager to perfect these motives & answer these questions. It’s okay to ask Him when you feel shaken.
“God is more eager to answer than we are to ask.” — Smith Wigglesworth
You know…. I like Obama. There I said it. A southern Christian, (bible belt even) that likes Obama. If I could vote, I probably would have voted for him (convict –>me), but the very reason I would have voted for him is bothering me now. He seemed to propose parts of the sermon on the mount that the other guy did not. He said that we should care about each other and help one another. This quote today really aggravated me:
“To the people of Haiti, we say clearly and with conviction: You will not be forsaken. You will not be forgotten. In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you. The world stands with you,” he said. Source
That’s God’s language. You will not be forsaken nor forgotten. Why is he mimicking God’s language? Then he inserts America and the World in God’s place. Sneaky deception. If he was going to use God’s language, you would think he would mention Him.
Little known fact, Britney and I are exactly the same age. I mean we were both born on December 2nd, 1981. Something about that makes me pay attention to her. I’m interested to see what she did for her birthday, how she is aging, where she is in life.
This new song made me sad. You know, I used to be one of these girls that took the bad things that people said about me and called me and took ownership of it — mainly to show people that not only does it not bother me, but I took pride in it. Seems strange to say now, but it made sense then. Britney has been fighting to prove that she is not innocent. And even more trying to prove “everybody loves me” as these lyrics say (and for some reason bleep out). I’ve been involved in threesomes before. You don’t feel that way. You can tell that she feels incomplete and mainly that she “can’t get no… satisfaction” (another song she covered). She needs Jesus in the worst way. There is satisfaction… not in Peter, Paul, or Mary (why did she use Bible names in this song? Hmm…) Well, we all do, but I’m praying for her cuz for some reason I feel compelled to.
For a period of time, I chose not to tithe and rather to give in a generous way. The problem was, as God pointed out to me, the “giving” most of the time brought at least a little glory to me. The people that I gave to would see how generous I was rather than God seeing how generous I was towards Him. True, this giving can give glory to God also, but He does not like sharing. Tithing is something that is done in secret. Only you know whether you are consistent and/or generous. It keeps in perspective that God is sovereign and knows exactly how the money needs to be dispersed. Giving to the church is an organized way to disperse this money. Not that God won’t lead you to give also. He said “what you do for the least of these, you did for Me.” He requires you to give time, energy, money, etc.
A friend told me that it was too legalistic–the whole 10% every month thing. Also, in this legalistic requirement, people gave out of a “have to” rather than “want to” spirit. Truthfully, she’s right. In the beginning, I did give because I felt it was a requirement. But then again, that is why I started fasting, praying, giving to others… Somewhere along the way, the “have to” turned to “want to”. When it started, I was a little afraid what would happen when I did not tithe. It seemed that when I didn’t tithe, my money seemed less or spent faster. When I did, I would get checks in the mail from who knows where? After starting to take notice of these consequences (both positive and negative), I began to tithe out of “have to” AND “afraid not to”. Now, it is so different. It took about 3 years of consistent tithing, but I am at a place where I feel real joy when it’s time to give tithe. I find myself asking what I can give more and still be a good steward. I still have a lot of immaturity in this area, but I have seen the progression just a little bit, and it excites me.
As far as the whole 10% thing, God looks at the heart. Give what you can. But remember, if it doesn’t hurt you a little, it doesn’t require faith. 10% is enough that I cringe a little when I write the check (told you bout that immaturity). If that’s not enough for you to feel financial strain, moneybags, then give 20%. Anyway, just try it for a few years , your life and finances will dramatically change. (Yep I said years. This is an eternal kingdom where life is but a breath. But if you give a few years to a spiritual concept, you will see supernatural, powerful change in that area of your life.)
Partnering with me financially allows me to continue to minister to the Lord through worship, to stand before Him as a voice for the voiceless through the ministry of intercession, and to serve the orphan, widow, and homeless through works of justice. Your financial donations and prayer commitments have eternal weight to them and are remembered by Jesus. If this website or I have blessed you in any way or you believe in what I am doing, consider donating to his ministry.
