by David Brenneman
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9.
"Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:13-15.
Was reading in Ecclesiates 3...
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by." Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.
During the next several days consider the condition of your heart. Not the blood pumping muscle, the part of you that is your inner man or woman.
What caught my attention in a meme and others comments really made me think concerning the state of the hearts of mankind.
Denial is perhaps one of the greatest ploys of Satan in the human heart. Denying that this is bad for me or that is even good for me. Denying that such an such is a stumbling block towards growing in Christ.
Denying that our motives are truly wrong before Jesus.
People make fun of how right after Thanksgiving, the day we are thankful for everything we've been given, they go out to stores and fight people over things to get for themselves and others.
Millions of people are encouraged to go out and spend spend spend in order to garner a smile on someone's face that might only last a few moments, days or a month.
Then the bills come in January.
The greatest gift ever is what Jesus did for you and I. Nothing we can make or buy can possibly top it. Nothing greater exists.
We are easily manipulated by the world while growing up to believe what is beneficial and valuable to a happy life. That we aren't successful unless we achieve this or that. That we cannot possibly be content unless we have this or that. That we won't "belong" unless we are fans of this team and hate that team.
The hearts of mankind are laid bare before Him with whom we have to do. That's what the Bible says.
Our hearts are always an open book to Jesus.
There is no inviting Him into your life and there being parts of your life that He knows nothing about.
For that matter for those who haven't come to Christ for salvation...He knows all the good, the bad and the ugly about your heart too...and He still wants to save you.
We should take stock of our hearts when we really stop to consider what Jesus went through to leave perfection in Heaven to come to Earth as a baby to save the likes of mankind.
When you do what you do...and rage at people...what does that say about your heart?
When you do what you do in secret...things nobody else knows about that God certainly wouldn't approve of...what does that really say about your heart?
When you're joining in the world in ungodly behavior and you see nothing wrong with it...what is that saying about your heart?
Between now and December 31st the attention of much of the world will shift to resolutions for 2025.
What will you do to improve your heart condition?
Will you finally acknowledge the things that the Spirit is lovingly telling you needs to change?
Will you finally acknowledge the sinful desires that you have been embracing?
Will you finally replace those things with a better relationship with Jesus?
You see that's what we sacrifice.
We sacrifice time with Jesus for time with everything else we replaced Him with. There's to be a healthy relationship with family and friends for sure but we aren't to replace the other times of life granted to us with frivolous and wasteful things.
What's the condition of your heart? Are you giving for giving's sake or just to make points with people or think you're making points with Jesus? Are you truly celebrating the birth of Jesus or are your expectations surrounding just getting something?
Know your heart.
My heart has plenty of flaws and that bothers me. I have to push to remove things from my heart and mind because they're too comfortable. But it's better to acknowledge and take the necessary steps than to not and garner the attention of the Spirit and He has to take the steps for me.
Think about what's motivating you this Christmas season. Think about how you can really tap into the real joy of the birth of Jesus Christ and think ahead to when you will stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him.
Your heart records everything.
Your heart is open before Jesus.
Right now.
Would you be embarrassed or joyful to have Him physically with you? Watching everything you do, say or think? Why should His physical absence make a difference?
Your heart...think about how it's really being used. Think about what you're feeding it with.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Have you made room to do anything else when all is what God is expecting of you?
Your Heart Above All Else...
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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