Archive for September 2016

No Fear, No Bitterness

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)

No matter how the present situation seems,
remember:
God has not given us a spirit of fear.
Do not let appearances intimidate you.

No matter what others have done to you,
remember:
God has not given us a spirit of bitterness,
but of forgiveness, love, and peace in Him.

Fear and bitterness are Satan’s deceptions.
Resist them.
Renounce them, and
embrace love.
Embrace faith.
Embrace Jesus.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: One in Purpose, One in Passion
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

The Circle of Love

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You 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. 

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of your service, men will praise God for your obedience and generosity. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10-13, NIV adapted)

All giving begins with God. He is the source of all good things. He is full and overflows in love to all He has created.

He gives to us and urges us to share His joy by giving to others. He frees us to give generously, promising that He will supply everything we need.

When we give to others, they respond by giving thanks to God. They complete the circle of love that God began when He gave: God, to us, to others, and back to God. Everyone is enriched. Everyone experiences the joys of receiving and giving. We are drawn closer to God and to each other.

If we grow too fearful to take what God gives us and share it with others, we break the circle. Others are left in need, and we cause separation between each other and God.

God is offering us the joy of giving. Receive it! Be part of the circle of love!

Listen and sing:
Hymn: The Circle of Love
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

 

Worshiping the Father

from the book, ONE WITH OUR FATHER 

John 4:16-24

“An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24, NASB)

To truly worship God, look to Jesus.
Watch Him,
listen to Him, and
worship as He worshiped.

God our Father is a Spirit.
The worship that pleases Him is
from our spirit to His.

Worshiping God does not depend on
ceremony or style.
The motions are irrelevant to Him.
He wants worship that is honest and unhypocritical,
with no gap between our words and our actions.
True worship rises from our hearts and our lives,
not just from our lips.

Worship God in spirit and in truth.
That is how Jesus worshiped His Father.
That is how He pleased His Father.

The purest prayer and the truest worship
are not expressed in words
but in being and doing.
They are expressed in the faithfulness of
God’s Spirit-filled people,
living from Him and through Him and to Him,
day after day,
age after age.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: Father, Help Me Worship You
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics