Good Morning Children of the Prayer-Hearing, Miracle-Bringing, King of the Universe! I gotta fly, but PTL! He has allowed me the miracle of sleep--ten hours last night--in response to your prayers and releasing His miracle power in prayer! Thank you and PTL! (Maybe it was the Rita's Ice! We had 30 of us gather and fellowship last nitght! Fun night!)However, that leaves little time to chat this morning as I have Anna Mae's funeral and then latter pre-marriage counseling. Sat I have the baptism of twin miracle babies we have prayed for. God is awesome and always on time! Check out the I to We devo below. Just as I've been saying and taching, we all have a place and a part and on part is too small to not be needed. You were created and are activated for such a time as this! Step boldly into your anointing today. There are a few devos below that that tie through it. We need givers, pray-ers, all kinds of servants to become God's dynamic movement. And we need each other! What's your part? What will you do about it? Praying for you! Keep on praying, believing and following Jesus! I'm praying for you and us and believing there are many more miracles to come--including many new lives in Christ! Pray and believe and do your part with me! Thanks!
I to We
ODB
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In his 2024 address to 1,200 university graduates, billionaire businessman Robert Hale Jr. said, “These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving. [My wife and I] want to give you two gifts: The first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.” His words were followed by the distribution of two envelopes each to the unexpectant graduates—five hundred dollars to keep and five hundred to give away to a person in need.
Though Robert Hale’s wealth has allowed him to share like this on more than one occasion, generosity isn’t reserved for those with great means. Believers in Jesus in ancient Macedonia gave out of their poverty so the needs of believers in Jerusalem could be met. Paul said of the Macedonians, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). He commends them because “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (vv. 3-4).
Those who recognize that they’ve been given much grace from God through Jesus can respond with generous hands to the needs of others. With God’s help, let’s give after the example of the one who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
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What can you offer generously to someone? How have you been the recipient of another’s generosity?
Heavenly Father, please help me to give generously to others.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
A fitting label for the “Macedonian churches” (2 Corinthians 8:1)—Thessalonica and Berea—is “Exemplars of Grace.” These churches were planted by Paul on his second missionary journey in Philippi. Second Corinthians 8 describes these believers in Jesus. They weren’t content simply with being recipients of God’s favor (v. 1); they became channels of generosity. Furthermore, they didn’t allow their destitution to excuse them from sharing with others: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (v. 2). As recipients of God’s grace (v. 1), they viewed their participation not as an obligation but as a “privilege” (v. 4). Finally, the giving of their material possessions was the result of their having given themselves first to Christ (v. 5), who, “though he was rich . . . became poor, so that [we] through his poverty might become rich” (v. 9). As we give sacrificially to others in need, we reflect His giving ways.
Hear more about grace and gratitude in Greco-Roman culture.
Arthur Jackson |
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When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” - Genesis 28:16 (NIV)
Filling the watering can, I became aware that I was not alone. Two large antennae appeared at the top of the can.
Slowly but surely a gray neck became visible and then a magnificent shell, glistening and pristine in various shades of brown and cream. This scourge of the garden was a truly wonderful example of God’s creation.
The glory of God is visible even in the humble snail.
The appearance of the snail was just one of many occasions when I have gained a deeper appreciation of everyday things — when God and the wonder of human existence and creation made a strong impression upon me.
Jacob had such an experience when he awoke from sleep at a place he named Bethel. Jacob had not been looking for this experience; it happened quite suddenly. Each day and in ordinary ways God’s glory is revealed. Paying close attention to what is going on around us can be a transforming experience. God’s glory fills the earth and skies. May we be granted the vision to see it.
Today's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the surprising beauty of your creation. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear your work in the world. Amen.
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