Greedy, Indecent, Immoral.

Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
-- Ephesians 5:5 (CEV)

Lord, I want to be generous, not greedy.
I want my life to be sacred, not indecent.
And please make me holy, lest I be immoral.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Give Freely and Spontaneously

(7-9) When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost. Don't listen to that selfish voice saying, "It's almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled," and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He'll call God's attention to you and your blatant sin. (10-11) Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God's, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors. -- Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (MSG)

Count it all joy!
Grateful

Holidays on the Horizon

I just want to say I am looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays on the horizon. Today, I just give thanks in advance before the holy days actually arrive, yes I give all thanks to our Generous God Who loved us so much that He gave us His one and only Son, sending Him to Bethlehem's manger so He could journey on to Calvary's Cross, to save and to sanctify our souls.

Meet me at John 3:16-17.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Everyone Gets It? Not Everyone Gives It?

When it comes to generoisty, obedience, and sacrificial giving, is it possible that everyone gets it, but not everyone gives it?

You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for in so doing you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ.
-- Philemon 1:6 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

May I Pray Philemon 3-7 For You Today?

I pray the very words written in Philemon 3-7 (NLT), for all the saints, yes, for all of those who are God-owned and others-focused. May I pray this prayer for you, today?

(3) May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (4) I always thank God when I pray for you, (YOUR NAME HERE) (5) because I keep hearing of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. (6) You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for in so doing you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ. (7) I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother (SISTER), because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise on 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Surrendered Heart. In Unity. We Get To.

By now, must who of you probably know that I was a professional photographer for about fifteen years before becoming a full-time minister. Though I do not use my photo skills often these days, I do publish a yearly full-color calendar titled "Surrendered Heart" and it contains photos I have taken of the places I love or have traveled in the previous year. The purpose of the "Surrendered Heart" calendar is to encourage others day-by-day, or at least month-after-month and yes, it is one way to keep my creative skills at least dusted off?

My 2010 calendars are almost totally distributed now, marking seven straight years of publishing these "Surrendered Heart" calendars. While there are thirteen color photos in each collection -- a front cover image and a monthly selection -- the final page of the calendar is the most important to me. Yes, on the back inside cover of each yearly calendar I write inspiring words that are especially close to my heart and take time to dedicate each particular calendar.

In today's blog entry, I have decided to print the words from this year's back inside calendar cover. I hope it inspires your life in some meaningful measure.

"Surrendered Heart -- We don’t have to. We get to."

True Love has a Surrendered Heart.
True love is marked by giving, not getting.
We love because we want to.

Philemon 8, is an irresistible and inspiring invitation:
“I appeal to you on the basis of love…”
In other words: “You don’t have to. You get to.”

In John 14:15, Jesus teaches us that our love is proven by our will.
Listen to His Love letter:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
We do not obey Him to prove we are His.
We obey Him because we are His.

We love God so much, because He first loved us too much.
Holy God is True Love.

True Love is not a job-description. True Love is all joy-description.
True Love is not about hard and stressful, religious duty,
but holy and blissful, relational devotion.

True Love is undeniably about pleasure, not pressure --
opportunity, not obligation -- invitation, not intimidation.

I dedicate this year's calendar to the local church that has partnered
with me in Love & Unity for 16 years. We don’t have to. We get to.
Yes, to the family -- Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene --
You’re a generous people. I’m a grateful pastor. All Joy!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! - God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful