The Lesotho children learning the Word of God in their weekly Bible study.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Bible
It’s not IF, but WHEN
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy… when you pray …when you fast” Matthew 6:1, 2, 5, 16
It’s interesting that when Jesus was describing examples of religious righteousness He didn’t look at giving to the needy, prayer, or fasting as options. He didn’t say, “If you give, if you pray, if you fast, then this is how it ought to be done.” He said, “WHEN you give, WHEN you pray, WHEN you fast.”
Giving to the needy, prayer and fasting (abstaining from food for spiritual reasons and\or discipline) should be an integral part of our faith and life. And each of these are expressions of our love for others and for God. Giving is seeking to serve others, especially the needy. Prayer is seeking God’s presence and deepening our relationship with Him. Fasting in part is denying ourselves something and results in further enhancing our discipline as well as focusing our attention on God.
So on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest) . . .
How would you rate your giving to the needy?
How would you rate your prayer life?
How would you rate your efforts at fasting?
What do you need to do in each area to move further towards 10?
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
For Your Eyes Only
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV) Matthew 6:17-18
As with prayer and giving, Jesus assumed that His disciples would fast (the denying of food and sometimes drink for a period of time for specific spiritual reasons). Jesus said that the purpose of fasting is not to draw attention to ourselves. And it’s not to gain a holier than thou reputation for ourselves. Instead fasting builds on self-discipline, and is an expression of humility before God. The Pharisees had turned fasting into an event that turned the attention to them and brought accolades from man. But, that was their only reward.
Whose eyes do you hope will see your actions? your spouse’s eyes? your boss’ eyes? your teacher’s eyes? your minister’s eyes? your children’s eyes? your peer’s eyes? your subordinate’s eyes? your coach’s eyes? your parent’s eyes? Who are you trying to please with how you live your life?
How would you run your race of faith, if you knew that only Jesus would see anything you did? Remember, ultimately there’s only One person we are trying to please. . . God.
When You Pray
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV) Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room. . .” Andrew Murray sums it up by saying: “The morning watch is the key to unceasingly and fully maintaining our surrender to Christ. By meeting God in the inner chamber we confess that our inward life also needs daily renewal. It is only by fresh nourishment from God’s Word, and fresh communion with God Himself in prayer, that the vigor of our spiritual life can be maintained and grow.” (from The Inner Chamber by Andrew Murray)
How’s your prayer life? When was the last time you retreated to your inner chamber to connect with our Almighty God? Was it a week ago? A month? A year? Can’t remember when? Do you feel disconnected from God? Wondering what He wants you to do next? Facing a major decision but, unsure of God’s will?
Do you need a fresh touch of God’s presence? Do you need the joy returned to your faith? Is there a burning passion deep within to know Him? TRY PRAYER!!!
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
When You Give
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIV) Matthew 6:2-4
When we give there are at least 3 possibilities for our motives: 1) We want others to praise our actions, 2) We attempt to be anonymous in our giving, but secretly we’re quite pleased with ourselves, 3) We desire for God alone to receive the congratulations.
When you give who gets the attention? Do you like to see your name on the list of givers? How many other people know what you give and who you give it to? Do you enjoy the attention that fundraisers give you? Do you feel that you “control” some organizations or churches because of what you give? How do you pride yourself with where you give and how much? Do you compare what you give to what others give? and do you think you’re doing pretty fine? And lastly, how much would you give if it was guaranteed that only God would know? After all, in the scheme of things, He’s the only One who matters!
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Holy and Incomparable
The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (NIV) Psalm 77:13-19
O Lord,
Through this Psalm, we know that You are holy and incomparable. We know that You are the One who performs miracles and displays Your power among the people. You are the One who has the power and the desire, to redeem Your people. Your power is displayed as incredible power over nature. . the waters obey You. . .the skies resound with thunder. . .Your lightning lights up the world. . .the entire earth trembles and quakes in Your presence.
You were the One who lovingly cared for Your people by parting the waters of the Red Sea to provide deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. Although You did not leave a visible mark through Your footprints, the people knew You were the only One with the power to deliver them!
O Lord, if You can do all that, why do I doubt Your power at work in me? or Your power at work in others? Help me to see Your power at work around me today. . .and may I continually acknowledge Your glory and dominion over all Your creation! Amen
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Loving Through Sacrifice
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (NIV) Matthew 5:41
Many times the display of our love is seen in our sacrificial actions and attitudes towards others. A sacrificial act is one which a loss is incurred or suffered without a return. The greatest demonstration of love is seen in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
How is your love for others sacrificial? When was the last time you sacrificed for someone else with no expectation of a return? How might you demonstrate sacrificial love for someone today?
“Love must be ready to be deprived of everything if need be.” (Leon Morris)
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Who Are You Following?
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said . . .(NIV) Matthew 4:19
Life is full of choices. Each new day brings new opportunities, new challenges, new choices. And each day brings you to a new decision spiritually. We each have the choice of following God or something else. It’s one or the other. We have to choose to focus on Christ and follow Him.
To determine who or what you’re following ask yourself these questions: Who is really in control of my life? Who is making the decisions regarding how I spend my time and my money? Or am I reacting to circumstances rather than making decisions?
What’s the top priority in my life? Does my calendar substantiate what I say are priorities? Does my checkbook verify that these are my priorities? Would others be able to easily recognize what my priorities are?
Who are you really choosing to follow? Christ? or something less?