We Can Do no Less!

The earth is the LORD'S, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
Psalm 24:1-2

In light of the financial crisis in our country and throughout the world, it is a strong reminder of the importance of wise stewardship over all that has been placed in our care. It is a staggering thought that our government has allocated the equivalent of $200,000 per household to address the trouble that our financial institutions have fallen into. We can point fingers all that we want but the truth is, we have spent way beyond what we have. We have not been wise stewards with what we were given. As Christians we have a weighty responsibility over all that has been placed in our care if we really believe that everything belongs to God.

Under the leadership of Joshua, God led the Israelites to the conquest of a portion of land on the face of the earth (Canaan). God, at that point in history chose to redeem the land from the powers of this world that had claimed it for themselves. God chose to give it to Israel, His covenant people, as a place of rest from the oppression of their enemies. It was not because of great power or military prowess that Israel went in and possessed the land, but because of God’s judgment on the inhabitants of the land and mercy on His chosen people. Their “rest” in that land was conditional on their faithfulness in following God’s law in their lives and being wise stewards. They ultimately failed and ended up being carried off into exile, away from the land of “rest” that God had brought them to.

The Psalmist reminds us that everything is the Lord’s. All that we have, even life itself, belongs to Him. The call in our life as followers of Jesus is to serve and honor Him with all that we have been given – money, possessions, relationships, every breath, the ability to enjoy His creation… Our lives are filled with blessing and “rest” when we are faithful in honoring Him with all that He has given. If we fail, we may bring unnecessary strife upon ourselves and forfeit the “rest” that is apportioned out to those who are faithful in honoring God with ALL that He has given.

Take some time in the coming days to evaluate how well you are doing as a steward of all that God has placed in your care. Are your decisions driven by greed or other self-serving motives? Make the choice to honor God in all areas of care that God has given you responsibility for – financially, relationally (family, work, church, neighbors, etc.), time, talents, the earth… This is a part of our worship to Him. We can do no less!

Growing Up "In Him"

In Jim Cymbala’s book “Breakthrough Prayer”, he includes a chapter titled, Breakthrough to Fruitfulness. Jim recalls his worries as a child growing up about whether he would be tall enough to play basketball. He loved playing the game and took advantage of every opportunity to play. His preoccupation with his height led to pencil marks left all over the walls, as he tried to mark how much he had grown from month to month. Jim writes, “I wish we Christians today were as concerned about our spiritual growth as I was back then about my physical growth.”

Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Birth, marks the beginning of growth. As physical birth marks the beginning of physical growth, being “born again” marks the beginning of spiritual growth. Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual growth as much as healthy food is important for physical growth. We are exhorted in scripture to “crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (I Peter 2:2)

When our children are growing up we like to monitor their growth. If they are not growing as they should we become concerned and we may even talk to the doctor about it. What is a key indicator of growth in our spiritual lives? It is a life bearing the right kind of fruit. Jesus taught us that a life which “remains in Him” will bear fruit. A fruitful life is a life that reflects the character of Christ in all that we do; our thoughts our words and our actions. But what does it mean to “remain in Him”?

I love to watch the eyes of my granddaughter light up when she sees someone she recognizes. There is no one that can bring a broader smile to her face however than that of mom and dad. They have made the greatest investment in her life. They have fed her, held her when she was hurting, provided security for her when she was afraid, spent the most time laughing and playing with her, and are there when she goes to sleep and when she wakes up. Even when it comes time to discipline her, in a healthy relationship, she will still long for their arms and embrace. She most desires to be with mom and dad. Our Heavenly Father loves us that much and more. When we come to accept and know that truth, we will give ourselves to a deeper level of conformity to His will for our lives. We will most desire to be with Him. Even when we become busy with life, He will still be at the forefront of every thought. Our lives will be filled with the confidence that He is right there when we lay our head on our pillow at night and will still be there when we wake up in the morning. It is that “remaining in Him” that Charles Spurgeon says is the power in prayer. Jesus says that as we remain in Him, we may ask whatever we wish and it will be given.

We will soon be entering the holiday season with Thanksgiving and then followed up by Christmas. Take hold of every opportunity to get closer to your Heavenly Father this season. Wait with Him in prayer, spend time in His word, don’t miss the opportunities of worship together with the family of God, spend time in solitude with Him, take the time to serve others and take the time to simply enjoy the life He has given you.

As you grow up “in Him”, may your life be filled with the blessings that a loving Heavenly Father wants to pour out in abundance on you each day. Know His love, peace, comfort, assurance, joy and hope. Run into His open arms every day. He is waiting for you.