Is what you give God your best, or what’s left over?

What do you give God?

Genesis 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions  from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Would you get jealous of someone else if they brought a better gift to God than yours? If you would, there’s a way to prevent that, bring the best you have to God.

God doesn’t necessarily judge us on what we bring in terms of money, He just wants the best of what we’re able to give. An example of this is found in Mark 12:43,44

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

It’s not how much we give in Dollars, it’s how much we give from our hearts. So what have you given your best of today? Your time? Your devotion? Your attention? All of these things are worth more than gold to God, and you can afford to give them.

Beginning today, wake up in the morning, pray that God shows you what He wants from you, and give it your best. Make it an offering of sacrifice, but make sure it’s the best of what you have. Doing this will bring more blessings than you have ever seen.

A look at 2 Chronicles

Today’s look at the books that most people know very little about is….

 

2 Chronicles: Be Wise and Learn from History

 

This is a book for history buffs. Along with 1 Chronicles, this book is a compilation of official and unofficial documents, the record of the history of God’s people. The history in 2 Chronicles extends from the beginning of King Solomon’s rule to the exile of Judah to Babylon. The author, likely Ezra, focused on telling the story of King David’s descendants and the centrality of the Holy City, Jerusalem, to their lives.

 

Solomon established his authority, unified Israel, and set about to put down early rebellions against his throne. He also built a glorious temple in Jerusalem. Israel’s history during these years included kings who “did right in the sight of the Lord,” others who “did evil,” and some who strayed and then repented. Solomon, on the other hand, started off following God but fell into sin.

 

While there are some who like to erase history, those who are wise will learn from it. Remember God’s blessings. Remember the consequences of sin. Use it all to grow in faith and obedience.

What does the Bible say about the Book of Numbers?

Today’s Book of the Bible that doesn’t get its share of time in the spotlight is….

Judges: Sin Never Goes Unpunished

Judges, likely authored by the prophet-writer Samuel—Israel’s last judge—was more than a collection of military and administrative “stories” from Israel’s history. The phrase, “in those days there was no king in Israel” occurs throughout the book; so Judges describes a character-rich period of history after Joshua’s death and before Saul’s anointing as King, a period of nearly 300 years.

Judges offers an overview of Israel’s moral decline and apostasy, the political and religious upheaval as the Israelites attempted to possess yet-unconquered lands God had promised them, and even tribal infighting in Israel (Judges 12; 20-21). A cycle repeats throughout the book: idolatry and rebellious unbelief followed by God’s judgment through Israel’s enemies, and then a deliverer—a judge raised up by the Lord—to call God’s people to repentance.

This is not a “happy” book; there are numerous disturbing stories. But there are many spiritual giants as well, including Gideon, Samson, Othniel, Shamgar, Jephthath, Ehud, and wise Deborah. Judges’ primary message is this: God will never allow sin to go unpunished. That’s why we need a Savior!

What this Country REALLY needs to do.

Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And BE THANKFUL. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, WITH THANKFULNESS in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God the Father through him.

 

My Dentist is from Vietnam. He was a young child during the war, and lost a brother. His family was sponsored, and moved to San Diego. They proudly became citizens, and became involved in many Civic organizations. He now volunteers his services to the Wounded Warrior Project to help Veterans like me through their Dental issues at little to no cost. He said that it’s the least he could do for a Country that has been so wonderful to him. He doesn’t demand that his Country serves him, he finds a way to serve his Country. I consider him more Patriotic than a vast majority of Americans that were born here.

 

As we were waiting for the first shot of Novocaine to work it’s way into my gums, he said that he just couldn’t understand why there was so much arguing and bickering over such minor issues in this Nation. Most Countries would love to have these petty differences, but they have to focus on starvation, famine, extreme poverty, things that we cannot even imagine in our pampered lives. We rant, rave, and act like spoiled children over who’s right about the wearing of a mask while others starve to death.

 

So many people call themselves Patriots while demanding that their Country bow to their every want and desire. They’ve never done a thing for this Nation other than whine because it’s not perfect. We have become a Country of complainers.

 

Today’s verses talk about being thankful to God for the gifts that he has given us, and we need to take it to heart. We have been blessed and need to stop pouting about what we don’t have, and focus on what we do. We need to stop acting so spoiled and remember to help others like we used to do. We need to grow up spiritually and return to our roots of kindness, generosity, and Christian love.

How do we turn this Country around?

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

I cannot remember a time in my life where I have seen this Country in such turmoil. It’s seems as though every time I turn around, people are expressing their shock about it. I’m not shocked at all! We turned our back on God, and this is what we get. It’s not complicated, we were warned, and given examples of Nations that did the same throughout the Bible. We knew what would happen, yet we did it anyways. We took God out of schools, aborted a future generation, became complacent. So here we are, surprised at how far down this Country has gone.

So how do we turn it all around? Easy, 2 Chronicles 7:14 says If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

That’s all there is too it. Repent, and turn back to God.

Why we need to know the Bible.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 

If you’re not reading your Bible daily, your like a four legged bar stool with three legs. It’s our guide, our instruction manual, and without it, we cannot grow closer to God. It, that plain and simple, it’s that important.

The lesser known books of the Bible, Numbers

Okie Dokie, it’s that time of day. It’s time to look at the lesser known Books of the Bible, and a little background on them. Today we look at the Book of Numbers.

 

Numbers: Learning to Walk the Walk

 

Along with the other four books of the Pentateuch, tradition attributes Numbers’ authorship to Moses. He is central to the book in recording events in detail. There are so many details—statistics, census data, and other data—some people avoid the book altogether. Moses also records the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert after leaving Egypt.

 

The book’s events begin at Mt. Sinai and end in the plains of Moab. Because everyone 20 years and older died as a result of unbelief and disobedience, Moses earnestly addressed the younger generation before his death. As an extra surprise, readers who brave all the details in this book will discover numerous significant events mentioned later in scripture, showing biblical continuity.

 

The book shows God’s people failing Him many times, yet the Lord continued to manifest His faithfulness. In the desert, He taught the Israelites how to walk with Him and live with integrity in front of the surrounding nations. Even today, God expects us to “walk the walk,” not just “talk the talk” of faith.

Today we look at the Book of Nahum

It’s that time of day again, today we look at another great Book of the Bible that most people very seldom read… And without further adieu, Here’s our Minor Prophet with a Major Message…

Nahum: God Judges but Remembers Mercy

Other than his message about God’s justice, not much is known about Nahum. He likely lived in southern Judah near another prophet, Micah—who also spoke of justice. Nahum is considered a sequel to the story in Jonah. For a time, the Assyrians heard Jonah’s message of repentance and received God’s mercy, but that all changed during the time of Nahum. The Assyrians conquered Israel in the north and bullied Judah in the south; so God instructed Nahum to announce His plan to judge wicked Nineveh.

The Assyrian Empire was ruthless, and Nineveh was its capital. Israel’s evil King Manessah ruled in Judah at the time, and Nahum preached during this especially dark and idolatrous period before Manessah turned to the Lord.

Nahum—whose name means “comfort”—also held out a ray of hope for the faithful remnant in Judah. His message was to declare God’s slowness to anger, goodness, and power to restore. This can encourage us, too. God is still at work in the darkest of times.

Zephaniah: A Call for Purity and Righteousness

 

So, today we look at the Prophet Zephaniah, and his Book that focuses on purity and righteousness. When you read through this book, you’ll notice that there are no punches pulled, for an example, Chapter 1, Verse, 12 starts out reading “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ No beating around the bush here, and sometimes we need a blunt answer to a blunt word. Let’s continue on.

This prophet came from royal stock. his family tree hailed back to his great-great grandfather, Hezekiah, one of Judah’s best kings. He prophesied in Jerusalem and made many references to temple worship. Familiar with both political and religious traditions, his message carried a great deal of weight for his countrymen. He prophesied at the end of King Josiah’s reign in Judah, sometime after Josiah’s high priest discovered the lost scrolls.

In childhood, Zephaniah grew up under wicked kings: Manasseh and his son Amon. Zephaniah had to deal with many evils—idolatry, child sacrifice, and murder—along with temple desecration, which likely contributed to Zephaniah’s hatred of religious hypocrisy. He grew into a strong man of God, ready to proclaim God’s message of judgment for sin and calling Israel to reflect, repent, and return to God.

Many scriptures refer to the “day of the Lord”—not only concerning Zephaniah’s day, but eventually in the whole world. Zephaniah also spoke hope to his people, reminding them that God would dwell among, save, and rejoice over His people (Zephaniah 3:17).

So, how do you think this applies to our world today? How does it apply to you personally?

Take the time today to read this very special book of prophecy today, and see what God says about the past, and the present

Stay safe in Jesus

People seem to be more concerned with the song “Baby it’s cold outside” than they are about the people who are actually cold outside

Isaiah 58:7

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Luke 14:13-14

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Leviticus 25:35-36

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.