2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints
but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
So Muscular Christianity. On two nights of insomnia. Family disagreements. Being hung up on. Being untruthed to - om - that. Kids who do what they want. (Ok and hug and laugh.) Surrounded by happy people. And being told what to do.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Ok.
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Years, like almost thirty years ago, we were asked to lead Marriage Encounters. Sometimes youth is smart. I told Edward I'm not sure I'm entitled to lead. Just as you stand up to say you have this sterling attitude and marriage - I told Edward - you realize you are faking your attitude to make everyone else happy. When you were getting along ok before you raised your hand to be perfect.
Like being in a brave place, writing a post, and waking up for the second day at 4 A.M. And having ... attitudes. Oh, boot straps.
Father God, give me one person at a time to be working out harmony with because I'm older and I multitask - how. Hormones? Insomnia? Lack of appreciation for moi? I was asked not to be confused and to make a straight path and be nicer. May I weep now? Could we do one thing at a time? Grumpier is easier.
Father God help the people who sow sparingly because they are not so welcomed to sow. Well, isn't that the truth. And what a relief to know that if you get 9 million likes on a FB prayer, God doesn't say - Thanks for Voting.
God is God. And He sees the people who only have two pennies to sow with. I remember in salad days I suddenly had two coffee drip pots. And I was told about a woman who lost everything she owned in a fire - so - being blessed, we gave our second coffee dripper. That next week. No coffee dripper. So what did I learn? Giving has a cost. And eventually you get another coffee dripper because things lighten up.
We gave a car that was going pretty well because we were able to give. And Later. Then our kids had one car between them, a hand me down we gave. When they were 17. And the second child - well that's a story, but when he needed a car for three years - the first son gave the car he had to earn - to the second child. We got a call from a family member who said - do you feel bitter yet about giving that car away years ago? Om. Em. No. Well. Om. Now I do.
And what did GOD do? All our lives I will have the memory of going to the insurance company to transfer the address of one son to the next. Cal earned a 96 SC Lexus red two door. And the young 20 something insurance man said, "He is giving the use of this sweet car to his brother? Man, I wouldn't do that for my brother and I like him. Love him."
My son did that for my other son. Ask me if I'm thrilled with the love my boys have. Ask me if I see love in my family. Thank you, Jesus Christ.
That's the sad part about not being grateful. And having the law. If you don't tell what Really Bothers You. You are left not remembering what REALLY MOVES YOUR HEART TO LOVE. Seeing a family member being treated so roughly and seeing the grace pour from the heart that doesn't have malice. Not even envy. Finding deep and abiding admiration. Being able to say to God - see that heart - that's a Fine Heart towards God.
Remember with me, the Holy Spirit is fire. Remember.
When we see the embers - a Wind.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things
John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
What the Wind of God can do for the Spirit...
1 Thessalonians 5
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us!!!
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Hello Father God, please be more perfect for me. Because. I'm not. So Today. I pray thanks and help. In Jesus Christ, we know we really need to run on the Grace of God. We do indeed need to hold fast to what is good. To encourage others, to really take time to be fun. To plan to be the good part of someone's day.
If I have a regret in life, I wish I'd worked harder at being fun. Everyday. And hope to have the opportunity to mend that. Help me to remember each day to ask the people you have given me to be fun for them.
Help me to remember that I'm not God and can't win or please all people. And know You are God and Your Will goes forth to Your Glory and that's an Excellent thing. Amen in the name of the One Who is Good - Jesus Christ the Lord.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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