Tag: faithrulness

32. “Our sufficiency is from God”

 

1 Chronicles 29:14   But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.

Psalms 115:1  Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

1 Chronicles 29:9  Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD.

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God

When great resources were needed to build the temple, King David set the example by giving of his personal wealth, followed by all the leaders of Israel. David explained why: “The work is great because the temple is not for man but for the Lord God”. He then said to God that they could only give because He had first given to them.  That is the premise that underlies all giving and service in God’s Kingdom. We give and serve because He has first given to us and served us. As the apostle, John later wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us”. Whatever God has given us in terms of time, talent, or treasure, we owe it all to Him. From the breath of our life to the work of our hands, we give it to glorify the One who first gave to us.

Sometimes I think we give thinking what we have is totally ours, our own, our stuff, mine, mine alone, and I can do with it what I please, when I please, wherever I please. When this happens is there any glory and honor for Jesus Christ? When we think like this our ears become deaf to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. We become a person who gives out of our wealth and not out of reverence to Jesus Christ. We must recognize that all we have and all the talents we have, have been given to us. It is in this recognition that we understand that we are no more than entrusted individuals with what God has graciously given to us.  Learn this well. Understand it well. Only then will “giving” be a joy and not the burden.

To your name give glory

“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Psalms 115:1  Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalms 74:22    Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!

Isaiah 48:11    For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

Ezekiel 20:14     But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

Ezekiel 36:32    It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

Daniel 9:19   O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Today I am reminded of how self-centered I am at times.  I ask God for help and seek His intervention but it is for my own sake I seek.  Notice how, in scripture, writers record calling out God’s help, not so much for the seeker but for others to see and give honor and glory and power to God.  God’s word gives us wisdom, instruction, and knowledge in how to live in such a way that in all we do, all we think, and all we say brings honor and glory to God.  Stay in His word, learn of His holiness, power, might, grace, mercy, truth, justice and love.  Live each minute of each day bringing glory and honor to Him alone.

Take heart

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

John 16:33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 14:22    strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11:25     choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

1 Peter 5:9     Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

2 Timothy 3:12    Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalms 85:8     Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Ephesians 2:14       For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Philippians 4:7     And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 13:20     Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 8:37     No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Note the times reference is made to: “tribulation, hostility, sin, broken down, persecuted, more than conquerors, strengthening, guarding your heart, resisting, peace that passes all understanding and not being afraid”.  Why would we think this world give us any hope of peace when God’s world indicates, that this side of eternity, our world is far from peace apart from Him.   If we are active in our pursuit of humbly serving Him we will see the world as it is – apart from God.  The world we live in is not at peace with God.   Man has gone on his own path which does not serve God.  If we are at peace with what is going on in the world I think we are blind and deaf.  Staying in God’s word, with a bright light, the Holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind is very clear.  We choose paths that give no peace, and when issues and troubles of this life pounce on us our strength to handle them is depleted very quickly.  In our own strength we can do very little, and even less things of God.  His purpose and plan for us is found in His word.  Do not go through life complacent and neglecting Him and His word.  There will always be things of this world battling for your time, effort, thoughts, and actions.  Give time to His word and the Holy Spirit will lead you in paths of peace and comfort.