Ever since we have been hearing about the economy being in crisis and people losing their jobs, oil and gas, and all this hoopla about how we are going into a recession, I have been periodically thinking about how this is going to make an impact on the giving from the Christian’s perspective, especially giving towards foreign missions. The reason I wonder is because as soon as things start to get a little bit tight, financially that is, not your jeans around your waist, we tend to cut back on certain things, namely giving. So maybe that is the real concern that I have, are we, as Christians, going to continue to give as times get tough? Or are we going to allow the cares and fears of this world to impact us more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
I am sitting here thinking about two worlds. We live in a natural, physical world of which we are called to be in, but not of. As Christians we are a part of God’s kingdom. We are to think and live according to that kingdom and not the one in which we currently live. This is something that has been difficult for me to grasp, but in recent weeks and months God has really been teaching me what this is all about. As Christians we look forward to Heaven and living in that kingdom, but until then we are to live as though we are a part of that kingdom already, because we are. That means that when things get tough economically and financially in this world we continue to operate according to the other world, God’s world. Not that this isn’t God’s world too, but you get what I mean, right? We are a part of God’s kingdom and ought to be living like that. If you don’t know how, you need to seek it out. (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus said that in order to find life we must lose it, that the servant would be great in His kingdom. These two statements don’t really make sense in this world, but are the reality of the other. Which kind of go along the same lines with our giving. Just because things get tight doesn’t mean that we stop giving. Malachi 3:10, the classic verse on giving our tithes to the Lord, says that when we do that He will pour out a blessing for us and that there will not be room enough to receive it. We also have the promise given in Matthew 6 that we do not need to worry about the things that we are going to eat, drink, and wear because God knows that we need these things. Doesn’t it seem that when money gets a little tight those are the very things that we begin to worry and get anxious about? We have bills to pay, a mouth to feed, a body to clothe, a gas tank to fill up and then, on top of it all, a Church and work of God to give to. Heaven forbid that we should get caught up in the economy and thinking of the world. God’s promise is that He will take care of us and, yes, even bless us when we give back to Him some of that which He has given to us.
Much of this has to do with an attitude of our heart. If we do not believe what the Word of God says we are not going to trust in the promises of God. If we do not trust in the promises of God we are not thinking and acting according to His kingdom. If we are not thinking according to His kingdom we are not going to be giving as God would desire for us to give. Maybe giving to God’s work means that you are going to have to give up something else. Maybe in order to continue to give to the ministries you have been supporting, but now are wondering how you are going to because of the rising costs on everything, you will give up something that you like but don’t need. Maybe instead of giving up supporting a ministry that is taking the Gospel to and meeting the needs of people that desperately need help you could give up cable TV, lattes or eating out every other meal. In a sense I am grateful for times that make us question and wonder what is going to happen and how things will turn out. They put us into the pressure cooker of life and in that pressure cooker is when faith and trust are activated. We begin to see that God’s promises are true. He does some of His best work in us during the hard times of life.
I end with this challenge to you. Please do not forget about the foreign missionaries that are bringing the Good News of salvation in Christ to many people around the world. Please continue to support them and those around you who desire to go and preach the Gospel to those around the world. You may be just a college student, but God has called you to give as well. Don't be afraid of what tomorrow brings. Continue, or even begin today, to give to God’s work. See how He will bless and take care of you in the times to come.
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted March 2009
Showing posts with label kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kingdom. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bible Study - Born Again – Are you?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17
1. Have you experienced that love?
2. Have you ever realized that God did not send the Son, Jesus, to judge us but instead to save us?
3. Do you think that it is God’s will for you to perish?
4. Do you know where you are going to spend eternity?
Scripture Reading: John 3:1-21
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do theses signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see he kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You mush be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you don not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Just as Nicodemus was confused about what it meant to be born again, so too do we sometimes question and wonder don’t we? I mean, think of it, to be born again, to be given life within our lifetime? It doesn’t really make sense does it, unless one is thinking with an eternal perspective? And that is how Nicodemus and Jesus are talking, in the eternal. I love how Jesus takes the time to explain these things to Nicodemus. He takes the time to explain to Him a very odd concept, to be born again, to a man who was seeking to know the truth. The question remains the same though. “Do you know where you are going to spend eternity?” The only way to spend eternity in heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ and in so doing to be born again.
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted September 2008
1. Have you experienced that love?
2. Have you ever realized that God did not send the Son, Jesus, to judge us but instead to save us?
3. Do you think that it is God’s will for you to perish?
4. Do you know where you are going to spend eternity?
Scripture Reading: John 3:1-21
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do theses signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see he kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You mush be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you don not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Just as Nicodemus was confused about what it meant to be born again, so too do we sometimes question and wonder don’t we? I mean, think of it, to be born again, to be given life within our lifetime? It doesn’t really make sense does it, unless one is thinking with an eternal perspective? And that is how Nicodemus and Jesus are talking, in the eternal. I love how Jesus takes the time to explain these things to Nicodemus. He takes the time to explain to Him a very odd concept, to be born again, to a man who was seeking to know the truth. The question remains the same though. “Do you know where you are going to spend eternity?” The only way to spend eternity in heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ and in so doing to be born again.
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted September 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)