Intimacy With God part 4

The emotional aspect of any relationship is a very strong chord.  In today's Snack, we will see how Jesus is fondly aware our emotions and cares deeply for our feelings.  He goes to great lengths to maintain the emotional strength of our relationship with Him.

Here's a little snack: Fear is one of man kind's strongest emotions.  And yet, when this emotion is not tempered with an even stronger faith, it can make our relationship with God very secure.  We see this clearly in the 6th chapter of John's Gospel. 

Shortly after Jesus fed nearly 15,000 hungry followers on the dusty side of a mountain, the disciples set sail on the Sea of Galilee.  About half way across this 11 mile lake, a spontanious storm set the stage for yet another opportunty for Jesus to show how much He cared about His relationship with man.

Out of no where Jesus comes into view.  Though their very lives were in danger, His chief concern was for their emotional state. "...he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid."  What an opportunity for Jesus to show how much He cared for the emotional condition of the relationship He had with His people.  If only we showed the same care for our relationships with others, what a difference it would make.

You see, fear, in any relationship is a dangerous thing.  Fear will cause us to do things for all the wrong reasons.  Fear will cause a woman to give into sexual demands, even when married, and never see the beauty of intimacy.  That same action, when driven by love, produces a greater response.  Fear of losing his wife to another man will cause a husband to actually push his wife away from the relationship instead of drawing her closer by faith in the relatioship.  Fear can be very devistating.

2Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  When we are afraid, we must first recognize this fear as a spirit.  We must then know that this emotion does not find its origin in Christ, for Christ would not give us this spirit.  Fear must be rebuked and taken into captivity by power, love and a sound mind.

Every strong relationship understands its controlling factors and what holds it together.  Authority (power), passion (love) and peace (sound mind) are the bond of healthy relationships.  When we are given authority by our mates (which is based on faith) it draws us closer to that person.  When we are allowed to express our passions (without fear of ridicule), intimacy is created. And when we know clearly that their love is unconditional, peace is the inevitable outcome.  Power, love and a sound mind are gifts of of the Spirit that allow us a healthy and strong relationship with others, and with God.

So, how is your relationship with God?  Are you afraid of losing your salvation?  Do you have fear of not measuring up?  Are you afraid of letting Him down?  How can you let God down when you were never holding Him up?  God is the strengh of the relationship.  Place your faith in Him today and He guarentees a strong relationship tomorrow.

Intimacy With God part 3

How do we, as Christians, define our relationship with God?  As a husband, my relationship to my wife is defined by our marriage.  As a father, my relationship with my children is defined by my parenting into and through this life.  But what about our relationship with God?

Here's a little snack: Our study of John 6 has led us to the first of 3 areas of the Lord's caring for His people.  His feeding of the multitude on the Mount of Multiplication (as it is commonly referred today) allows us a generous view of how God feels about us physically.

Verse 5 says, "When Jesus then lifted up [his] eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"

Notice that the very first thought that came into the mind of divinity was for the physical welfare of God's people.  Verse 6 tells us that this question that Jesus asked was a test for His disciples... and oh what a test it was!  Perhaps the need that most perplexes man kind in the flesh is the flesh itself.  Our thoughts about our own physical well being has to rank at the top of our priority list. 

We, as humans, give more thought to food than most anything. And yet, the multitude of people had walked more than 9 miles without considering how they might find nourishment for their bodies.  Jesus saw their commitment and made a way to feed them as they had never been fed before.  What an awesome God!  When we can't think for ourselves, the omniscient One thinks for us.

These followers of Christ were not haphazardly wondering through the wilderness without thought to provision.  No doubt they had given much thought of food along the way.  However, their desire to be with the Master had overridden their need for physical sustenance.  "How could we give thought to food when the bread of life is in our very midst."  "We can eat anytime, but walking with the Master is not an opportunity that comes everyday. May we walk yet another mile."  And on they went, mile after mile, fighting one another to see who could walk in the Master's foot prints.

Perhaps, when we think of our relationship to God, we fail to recognize Him as provider for our physical needs.  This is an area of caring that ranks high for God.  Later, Jesus would teach them to give no thought to food and clothing.  This was a lesson they had learned by first hand experience as they followed they Lord.  Friend, even today, Jesus cares for us physically.  May we trust Him today to care for every area of our lives.

Intimacy With God part 2

The relationship between God and man is a most interesting thing. The fact that the relationship exists at all should humble us as nothing else could.

Here’s a little snack:  A focused reading of the 6^th chapter of John’s Gospel will expose us to at least 3 elements of God’s relationship with His people.  First we see the care that Christ expresses as He feeds the multitude of hungry followers.  This allows us a generous view of how Christ feels about us physically. 

Secondly, we see Christ’s care for us emotionally through the deliverance of the disciples from the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee.  In our relationship with God, there is no need for fear. 

Thirdly, we see Christ’s care for us spiritually, as takes time with the few remaining followers and loves them intimately through His teachings.

Every aspect of our life hinges on our relationship with God.  Nothing in our life will seem worthwhile or purpose driven until our relationship with God is as it should be.  The supreme Governor over all regulates our physical, emotional and spiritual pace.  Until all 3 elements are willing placed in His care, we will never know a fulfilled relationship with God.

May we be awe struck today to know that a Holy God would even desire a relationship with sinful man.  That He would allow us to be witness to His Glory is enough to bring us to our knees in humble worship and jubilant praise to the Supreme One, who would be God- with or without us.  Praise His Holy Name!

So, how is your relationship with God?  Have you placed all 3 elements into His care?  May I encourage you today to relinquish yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually into the care of a loving God who cares so much for you.

Intimacy With God part 1

The very purpose of Christ was to make God available to man that we might be witness to the Glory of God.  The life of Christ gives us back-stage-passes to the theatre room of intimacy.  Our studies this week will journey us into and through the 6^th chapter of John’s Gospel.

Here’s a little snack:  It’s hard to imagine that a holy God desires a relationship with sinful man.  The two natures collide with more force than the punch of a prize fighter. The world and all its galaxies have never witnessed such contradiction.

In one corner, clothed in righteousness, sits Holiness, with Love standing at the right hand of Glory.  In the other corner, draped in filthy rags, sits vanity, and sin as its only claim to fame.

Jesus was and is God’s plan to reunite sinful man with the holiness of God.  The two were separated in the garden many years ago.  The desire, on the part of man, to be autonomous was the sword which severed the perfect relationship between God and Adam.  Since then, God has had but one singular premise- to create for Himself beauty from ashes; glory from corruption; for His good pleasure.

What was the Father’s plan to reunite Himself with His chief creation?  To pardon man from certain fatality by the resurrection of His Son from the dead.  The Gospel would be the power of the relationship and love would be its sustaining bond.

The 6^th chapter of John’s gospel will take us through 3 stages of God’s effort to reconnect man to Himself.  We will examine these 3 stages as we snack together.

Pastor Mike Carmody
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

Responsible Giving part 3

Remember when it hit you?  You know, when it clicked in your understanding that the need was too great for a few to shoulder and that you had a responsibility to do your part?  Like an epiphany you raised your head off the pillow saying “How did I not get this a long time ago?”

Here’s a little snack: Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  What we see here is the promise of God’s response in accordance to the forthright effort of His people.  When we sow little, we will in turn reap little.  On the other hand, when we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully.  I want us to see the need today sow bountifully based on our understanding of our responsibility.

Few know and understand the needs of support until they find themselves in a foxhole, wondering where their fellow soldiers are.  The same can be said for ministry.  Most, understandably, will never see the need to support the cause until they are knee deep in the thick of ministry.

This is how it usually happens: You finally say “yes” to the church’s plea for a much needed nursery worker.  Although the Pastor had made numerous requests and the Sunday bulletin was highlighted with a cartoon drawing of crying babies, you simply never noticed… you assumed that someone was going to take care of it.  Sitting in that tiny, baby filled room, it dawns on you; “My Sunday worship wouldn’t be the same if someone didn’t choose to respond to the need.”

What about the utilities, the church mortgage, missionary support, outreach ministries and Pastor’s salaries?  All these things require your response.  We get the word “response” from the word “responsibility.”  Before we can see the need to respond we must see our responsibility.  This is where our text comes into play.

God always responds. He meets our efforts with an equal or greater response.  “…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Notice God’s response to our effort?  Also, notice that the only contingency is our effort to be responsible.  In other words, when we are responsible to do our part, God responds likewise.

I want to encourage someone today to open the eyes of your heart to see the need.  As disciples of Christ in our respective local churches, we must be responsible.  In fact, we are responsible… so may we now respond!

Responsible Giving part 2

I suppose nothing makes people more uncomfortable than the meddling of finances.  My prayer is that you will allow the Holy Spirit to meddle in your business this morning and reveal to you a new understanding of giving.

Here's a little snack: Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service."  The word "reasonable" is a very interesting word.  It's equivalent in application as the word "responsible."  May we consider it our responsibility to be good stewards with what the Lord has given us.

I will never forget when the understanding of my responsibility to give was made known to me by the Holy Spirit.  When my Pastor preached on "tithing", I tried to shut the doors of my ears so that it wouldn't apply to me.  However, the Holy Spirit had His way and penetrated His way through those doors.  I'm so thankful that He did.

If you have failed to see your responsibility to give, you stand in a long line.  For many reasons many today fail to see their need to give.  They enjoy all the benefits of worship, ministry and church programs without seeing the cost of them all.  I have known some who taught Sunday school classes and never gave a second thought to how their supplies were paid for.  Why is this?  It's simple; Satan has placed blinders over the eyes of our hearts and caused us to go haply on our way, none-the-wiser.

Take a moment now to thank God for all that He has provided to you through your church.  As you give thanks, ask Him to remove any blinders that may still be hanging on your heart, that you can see your reasonable service.

Responsible Giving part 1

In preparation for Stewardship Month, I have designed 4 sermons that revolve around the Christian and his/her money.  I have titled this series, “Me and Money.”  Over the next 4 weeks, we will be spending our snack time chewing on what God says in His Word about obedience, responsibility, sacrifice and cheerfulness.
Here’s a little snack:  John 15:7 says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”  This text is a river flowing from two directions: first, our action (“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…”) and secondly, God’s reaction, (…ye shall ask what ye will, and it will be done unto you”).  For every Christian action, there is a much greater reaction from the hand of God.

Be sure not to miss something of great significance in this verse.  Notice the confidence that we have in God’s reaction to our action.  Praise God, we can be confident that God sees our obedience and WILL respond accordingly.  Nothing goes unnoticed by the all-seeing-eye of God.  He sees every abiding and responds with blessed caretaking.

Someone once said that there are two emotional factors that result in our lack of financial giving to the Lord: one is greed and the other is fear.  I truly believe, for most Christians, fear is the greatest hindrance in giving.  We are afraid that either God <span>will not</span> keep His promise of caring for our needs or He simply <span>is not capable</span> of caring for our needs.

Ask yourself this question: “Am I failing to give because I do not believe the promise of God or the capability of God?”  You see, when we first called upon God for salvation we did so on the basis of confidence.  That’s right!  We were confident that God heard our prayer and redeemed us from the punishment of our sin.  Now, may we continue living in that same confidence that God can and will keep His promise to provide for us as we are obedient unto Him.

Another question to ask is this, “Who am I placing my confidence in for my daily bread? Myself or God?”  Friend, your response will determine your level of giving.  If you are struggling in the area of giving, please know that I am praying for you.  You are dear to my heart and I truly care for you. I am excited to see what God is going to do in your life through this series.  I truly believe it will be life changing.  May God bless you as He heals you in this area.

Obediential Giving part 3

While obedience is a choice, it’s not an option.  To receive the anointing and favor of God we must be willing to love Him.  Today we continue our discussion of obedient giving.

Here’s a little snack: What an awesome change that was made in your life the very moment you came to know Christ as Savior!  Perceptions changed, desires changed… life itself changed for you.  The evidence of that change could be mostly seen in your new emotion for God’s Son.  Chances are you would have said that you loved Jesus even before you knew Him as Savior.  However, upon salvation, you were truly introduced to love at its very best.  Never before had you known love like this love!  From that point on, you grew in your desire to express your love to the one who loved you first.

It’s interesting, however, how little we understand our need to express our love to God.  More often than not, God’s example of love toward us (sacrificial crucifixion) is returned by us in the form of flippant prayers and haphazard church attendance.  Do we truly love God?  Do we truly love the one who gave everything… for us?

I have good news for you today!  The God who demands that His people love Him also gave us His chosen method of love.  That’s right; God not only mandated our love, but He also methodated our love. In other words, He both demanded our love and developed the only expression of love that He will receive. What is it?  The answer is obedience.  Obedience is the only expression of love that God will accept.

Our giving of tithes and offerings must be in response to His command to do so.  Not in a dictated manner, but rather, as an expression our love for Him.  You see, obedience is an expression of appreciation.  Because we appreciate His sacrifice for us, we will be obedient to His commands to us.

Furthermore, may we be appreciative of the fact that He would allow us to express our love to Him.  Think about it; God could have mandated that we love Him but not allow us a guaranteed method of love.  Like blindly throwing darts, we could be aimlessly expressing our love to Him… hoping that He will accept it.  Not so my friend! God gave us His chosen method of love by first demonstrating it to us in the form of Christ’s offering of Himself for our sins.  Jesus was obedient to death… “even the death of the cross”

May we, in return, express our love to Him by being obedient unto Him.  May we give of tithes and offerings, in the name of obedient love.

Obediential Giving part 2

Obedience is both the differing factor and the defining factor of our lives.  To whom do we pledge our allegiance?  As we look onward toward the Sunday sermon, we will continue to see the need for obedience concerning giving.

Here’s a little snack:  Matt. 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Have you ever wondered what one thing separates you, as a Christian, from those who do not follow the Lordship of Jesus Christ?  The answer is obedience. It is truly what separates us from who we were before grace.  Of course, I am not speaking of a works based salvation but rather our response to salvation by grace alone.

Perhaps you have said, with your head held in a tight grip due to the frustrations of recent sinful activity, “I look, act and think no differently than before I was saved by God’s marvelous grace”.  What causes a Christian to live a life of repentance due to the haunting sins of life?  The answer is simple; God has called us to a life of obedience.  You see, obedience separates the already Christian from the man he used to be and it maintains his peaceful and purposeful standing in Christ.  In other words, before Christ came into our lives, we saw or felt no need to repent for injustices toward God.  In fact, in our minds, there were no injustices toward God.  In our minds, all injustices were toward us.  It was only after God’s grace miraculously transformed our lives that we saw the need for obedience.  Again, it is both the differing factor and the defining factor of our lives.

This is why today’s disciple gives 10 percent or more of their gross income to the storehouse of God… obedience.  Obedience causes us to do things that seem unrealistic and irrational to those on the outside looking in.  However, for true followers, obedience has become the defining agent of our lives.  Not only does it separate us from who we used to be but it defines who we currently are.  Let’s face it; as Christians, we are most miserable when we are least obedient.  Why is this?  Obedience toward God gives us peace and purpose. Without it, we have neither.

I know many Christians who do not attend Sunday morning worship when their finances are lacking. Why? Because they feel the shame of disobedience when the offering plate is passed through the pews.  In their minds, if they avoid the offering plate at church, they are also avoiding the conviction of their disobedience in giving.  However, now they not only feel conviction because of not tithing, they also feel conviction for disobeying God’s command to gather weekly with His people for the purpose of worship.

You see, obedience not only pleases God, but it also allows the Christian to follow the Lord shamelessly.  Friend, I promise you, when you begin to be obedient to God with your tithes and offerings, you will experience a harmony with God that non-tithers will never feel.  God has called every Christian to be obedient in their giving.

Obediential Giving part 1

Obedience is what separates Christians from non-Christians.  Both our desire to be obedient and the outward expression of our obedience set us drastically apart from those living lives of rebellion.  This week’s Snacks will be devoted to the thought of Christian obedience toward giving.

Here’s a little snack: Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. Guilt is the natural response of man.  However, a desire to be obedient to the laws of both man and God is a Christian monopoly.  Giving doesn’t make you unique.  However, giving due to obedience is a special quality.

Think about it. It isn’t rational to give away at least 10 percent of your gross income. In fact, everyone reading this Snack today could probably use an immediate 10 percent raise.  “Why would you do that?” the world might ask.  The answer is simple; Christians have an innate desire to be obedient unto God and His commandments to us in every area of our lives.

Our text helps us to understand why Christians desire this level of obedience.  “…he humbled himself…”  You see, for Christ to lower himself to be found in the fashion of man required humiliation.  This same humiliation is required to reach the level of commitment had by those who are tithers.  A tither understands that he cannot reach the next spiritual level without obedience.  He cannot glorify a holy God without obedience.  Thus, he humbles himself to the commandment to give, and is obedient.

If you want to reach levels of spirituality known by few, submit yourself to obedience.  Whatever God calls you to do, be obedient to it.  This requires humiliation.  Decide today to drop your pride today and be a tither.  As you do, you will find your desire to do so will increase with every act of obedience.  This is what separates the Christian from the non-Christian.

Do you have a desire to go to the next spiritual level?  God’s chosen method of reaching greater heights of spirituality is to keep His commandments.  Obedience will set you apart… from yourself!

Cheerful Giving part 4

“…not grudgingly, or of necessity”.  Wow! He must really care about us!

Here’s a little snack: It’s so easy to see the love of God in verses like John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” or 1John 4:8, “…God is love.”  However, at close examination of 2Corinthians 9:7 we see the love of God like an unexpected, but much needed, rain.  The benevolent dictatorship of God in the life of His people is a beautiful thing.

The benevolent dictator within our God is of necessity to those who would never naturally go seeking for His love.  You see, the fact is, we simply do not know what is best for us.  We would never choose to be tithers; it’s not our nature to extend but rather to retrieve.  If it were left up to us, Acts 20:35 “…It is more blessed to give than to receive” would be swept under the rug of our carnal heart.

Notice that our loving God not only commands the gift, but also the emotion of the giver.  What a beautiful thing that God does not leave it up to our heathenistic natures to decide how we will give.  Though our giving is a choice, it is not an option.  If we are to give in such a way that it glorifies an already glorified King of Kings, the heart our gift must match the receiving hand of our God: “…not grudgingly, or of necessity.”  You see, God will never receive our gift in bitterness; neither will He receive it because He has to.  If God so chooses to receive out gift to Him, He will do so based upon the generous heart of the giver.

To give in bitterness is the same as the repenting of sin in word only.  The heart of our gift is of greater importance than the gift itself.  This is why it is so important that we examine our hearts when giving.  If the emotion of our giving is grudging or of necessity, our only option is to repent… and give.

You see, the giving of tithes and offerings isn’t simply to pay the bills or provide ministry to saints and sinners.  The giving of tithes and offerings is an opportunity for God’s people to do a heart examination.  It is our opportunity to repent each and every time we worship Him corporately.  Why?  Because, if we had it our way, we would neither repent nor give.  Thank you Lord for loving your people!

Cheerful Giving part 3

“…so let him give”.  It’s amazing how 4 simple words can change everything. These 4 words, when understood, will change the way will feel about tithing… and take you to the next level in giving.

Here’s a little snack: The complete verse says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

This verse, in and of itself has nothing to do with the amount of a gift but rather the heart condition of the giver.  In fact, twice in this verse do we see that word, “give-r” and never do we see a dollar sign or a moving toward the amount of the gift.  The giver is the focal point of this verse.

Many have come to me over the years asking me to help them pray about the amount of their giving.  To which I might reply, “Friend, there is nothing more to pray about.”  You see, the “tithe” (10 percent of one’s gross income) has already been established.  There is nothing to consider when figuring the amount to be given to the local church.  However, disciples pray often for one another’s heart condition when giving.  The emotion of the giver is of great importance.

“…so let him give”.  Notice that the weight of our giving is on us, the giver.  God does not force His hand into our purses.  Likewise, God will never force His blessings upon us either.  The choice is ours to be a giver or to withhold from God that which is His.

“…so let him give”. The idea behind a gift is it is freely bestowed.  A gift with a bill attached to it is not a gift but rather a service rendered for the purpose of hire.  However, the tithe, though to be given obediently, is to be given freely.  The emotion of our heart when giving will determine if it was for hire or as a gift.

Should a disciple pray about their giving?  Absolutely!  In fact, may I encourage you to lay hands on your tithe, each and every time you give, and ask God to receive it cheerfully, as you give it cheerfully.

Cheerful Giving part 2

Moving forward to our next corporate gathering, we will continue our examination of 2Cor. 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

Here's a little snack: As we discovered in yesterday's snack, the condition of the heart will determine the attitude of our giving.  The theme of heart correctness is overwhelmingly obvious as we examine our text.  Even the first two words help to eliminate a corrupt heart: "Every man..."  How easy it is to find an excuse to exempt ourselves from tithing: "My bills are too great for me to tithe." "I have responsibilities that wont allow me to be a giver." "My income is so small, it wont make a difference anyhow."  Perhaps you can dream of many other excuses to be disobedient in your giving. "Every man..." eliminates any loop holes that we may be inclined to discover.

"...according as he purposeth in his heart,".  What a beautiful entrance into giving!  Like majestic pearls lining a palace gate, cheerfulness hangs off the heart of purpose.  The idea is that each man has authority over his own heart of giving. In other words, no other person has authority to decide the state of your heart but you.  You have control over the emotion of your giving.  You decide if your giving will be done grudgingly or cheerfully.  Therefore, if your attitide of giving is sour, it is in your control to change it.  You can not blame anyone else for the emotion of your heart.  With purpose, you can decide how you are going to give.

God does not need our money. Our giving doesn't add equity to the Kingdom of Heaven; giving is for our benefit.  So, what is your attitude concerning giving.  The condition of your heart is in your control.  Give cheerfully!

Cheerful Giving part 1

Our focus this week will continue in the area of giving… this being Celebration of Giving Month at Calvary.  This week we will gain a greater understanding of “Cheerful Giving.”

Here’s a little snack: 2Corinthians 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Let’s take this week to break down this verse, in preparation for Sunday’s corporate gathering.

Often you will hear a partial quoting of this verse.  Most will overlook the beauty, blessing and benefit of the first part of this text and flippantly recite by memory the later, “…God loveth a cheerful giver.”  It’s true that much value is to be gleaned from this portion of the verse and should not be eliminated.  However, much gain is forfeited by the casual reader who moves with a light finger across the page and ignores the golden nuggets found in these opening words.

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart…”  The idea is that the heart must be cheerful before our giving can be cheerful.  Before giving, one must examine his or her heart to reinstate a platform of cheerfulness. You see, it is upon this cheerful platform that we set the stage for our giving.  If our heart of giving isn’t as it should be, the heart of our wallet will not be either.

I’m reminded of Daniel chapter 1.  Daniel was forced to eat meat and drink wine that was set forth by King Nebuchadnezzar.  Verse 8 says, “”But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank…” Did you catch that?  Before he could move forward with his intentions, Daniel had to get his heart right.  It was then that God moved Daniel to the next level.  At the end of Daniel’s testing, he faired greater than all those that ate the portion of the King’s meat and drank the King’s wine.  The condition of Daniel’s heart set the stage for his intentions.

Do you want to stand before Kings?  Do you desire for God to move you to the next level of giving?  As you pray about your giving, pray also about your heart.  Within every cheerful giver is a heart of cheefulness.

Sacrificial Giving part 4

As the day of our corporate gathering grows near, we will conclude our study today on the sacrificial giving of the widow woman in 1Kings 17.

Here’s a little snack:  We have discussed at length the obedience of Elijah as it pertains to the sovereignty of God in the life of a widow woman and her son.  My how God so richly blessed Elijah with the gift of ravens to feed him at the brook Cherith and also the widow of Zarephath, both of which were prepared aforetime by our Lord!  Walking in obedience, Elijah held tightly to the promise of provision made known unto him by the voice of God.

And yet, the sacrifice of this poverty stricken woman cannot go unnoticed.  While obedience is always better than sacrifice (1Samual 15:22), to overlook her generosity would prove to be our own financial downfall.  This is truly an example to us all of the Lord’s call to protocol as it pertains to our giving.  Sacrificial giving is most certainly within the Lord’s plan for our giving unto Him.

Notice the pattern set forth for us by this poor woman.  First, her sacrifice was in response to a call. We read in verses 10 and 11, “…and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch [it], he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.”  She heard the call and responded in sacrifice.  To refuse the call would have been to forfeit the blessed hand of God.  It is of great importance to know that a sacrifice without a call is simply an expression of irresponsibility. However, there was nothing irresponsible about this woman’s gift.  Her sacrifice was an eternal investment.

Secondly, notice that her sacrifice was in regard to a consequence. What was the consequence of this woman’s sacrifice?  Verse 12 tells us that the consequence of her sacrifice was death; “…behold, I [am] gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”  Friend, there is no greater consequence of sacrifice than death itself; for a sacrifice without a consequence is not a sacrifice at all, but rather a donation made by the hand of plenty. 

Finally, notice that her sacrifice was a revelation of her conscience.  Verse 13 says, “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go [and] do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring [it] unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”  She could not, in good conscience, provide for herself before she provided for God’s prophet.  What an example to us all!  There is no such thing as a sacrifice that is made of leftovers.  May we give to God first and then trust Him to supply for us.

What was the reward for this poor woman’s sacrifice?  The answer is found in verses 14 thru 16; “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day [that] the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat [many] days. [And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” 

Friend, God is calling His people today to give until it hurts.  May we fully understand that sacrificial giving is an investment.  And may we invest sacrificially for the cause of the Lord today. 

Sacrificial Giving part 3

As we discuss the sacrifice of a widow woman, may we see clearly that we have been commanded by God to do the same.

Here’s a little snack: We have been drawing our text from the well of 1Kings 17.  Verse 9 says, “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”  Elijah was given specific instructions to follow and in doing so, God would not only expose Himself to Elijah but also to a struggling widow and her son.

Sitting quietly in her home was a widow woman, without provisions for her and her son. The death of her husband, coupled with the drought and famine had left her destitute of even a proper last meal. Crouched in a fetal position, this dying woman could almost hear the footsteps of provision, if she had only known to listen.  Had she known that God’s prophet was speedily making his way in her direction she could have rejoiced to know that help was on its way… but she had no idea.  She had no idea that a sovereign God was working on her behalf.

You see, the word “commanded” in verse 9 is the same as our word “prepared”.  In fact, God had not yet spoken to this woman to command her to do anything. However, He had prepared her and her situation, that God, by His good pleasure, would be glorified by the obedience of a Prophet and the sacrifice of a widow.  The whole scene was designed and orchestrated by the divine hand of a providential God.

How important it is to know, in our time of famine, that God is not far away! In fact, He is very near.  He not only knows about our desperate situations, but He has provided the means of sustenance.  Can you see how that both Elijah and the widow woman were used to provide for the other?  While one is called to obedience, the other is called to sacrifice.  Both are the necessary ingredients of provision.  To see the Lord work in our lives, we must be obedient unto sacrifice.

Tomorrow we will see the depth of this woman’s sacrifice.  Your comments are most welcome.

Pastor Mike Carmody

Sacrificial Giving part 2

One of the greatest beauties of Bible analysis is getting to watch God work behind the scenes in the life of His people.  We will see this today as we study the sacrificial giving of a widow woman.

Here’s a little snack:  Drawing our text this week from 1Kings 17, we literally find God working behind the scenes of two people at one time. Both for the same purpose: to allow us to see the beautify of sacrificial giving.  As flippant readers of God’s Word, we have a tendency to look past the not-so-obvious and glean only that which we need; forsaking the mass quantities of leftovers reserved only for those who seek diligently for the Lord.

One such leftover is found in this week’s text. While the story in 1Kings 17 is broken into two separate scenes, when we closely examine the story we see that the two scenes overlap.  At the same time that the prophet Elijah was joyfully being fed by ravens sent by God, the widow of Zarephath wondered where she might find food for her and her son.  One was stuffed to the gills while the other was famished and ready to die.  Both, however, were unknowing participants in a play-write that could only be stroked by the divine pen of a Sovereign God.

While Elijah was guided loudly by the audible voice of God, the widow unknowingly participated in silence.  Behind the scenes God was preparing her for never-ending sustenance, and she had no idea. Friend, in our loneliness, in our weakness, in our silence, the voice of provision echoes loudly in the ears of obedient prophets.  While one is questioning, the other is answering. While one is doubting, the other is awe struck. While one begging the other is running to provide.God will never truly leave us by ourselves.  In our most silent of moments, He is whispering hope.  It’s when God is seemingly the quietest that we must believe the loudest.  For those who listen loudest hear loudest.

In due time God not only provided a meal for the obedient prophet through the sacrifice of a widow, but He also provided eternal sustenance for the widow through the obedience of the prophet.The question is to ask is, which are you?  Are you the blessed prophet obeying the loud voice of direction or are you the struggling widow waiting on the Hand of Provision.  Both are necessary if ever we are to see God work behind the scenes.

Sacrificial Giving part 1

I suppose the greatest of all giving is the giving out of sacrifice.  In preparation for our next Lord’s Day gathering, we will study the barrel and cruse of our hearts to find a sacrificial offering for our Lord.  1Kings 17 will be our chosen text.

Here’s a little snack: Of the four types of giving that have been studied in our Celebration of Giving Month, the last seems to be the greatest.  Sacrificial giving requires much, but rewards with an even greater portion. 

Responsible giving is of necessity lest all that we have been given is taken away by default; obedient giving is a choice but not an option; cheerful giving is authorized by our loving, Benevolent Dictator; but sacrificial giving requires that we search even the bottom of our hearts to define our giving.  This is not an easy task for those of us who are top-water feeders by nature, loving to receiving and giving only by command.

This week’s text is a challenge to even the most benevolent of givers.  If ever there were a giving that was monopolized by few, it would be sacrificial giving.  Few in this world truly know what it is to give to the point of hurt. The example set by this widow woman is not an easy one to mimic; and those who choose to do so will stand in a very short line of believers who dare to give all.

But before we can examine this woman’s outstretched gift of sacrifice, we must first note the obedience of Elijah, God’s chosen man.  It is in the early verses of our text, long before the widow woman had a need to sacrifice, that we find Elijah submitting himself to the call of God to go to the brook Cherith and wait for God.

Often God will call His children to an act of obedience that He might reveal Himself in new and unusual ways.  Obedience will, more often than not, require us to evacuate ourselves from the comfortable to pursue the uncomfortable.  This type of obedience will never go unnoticed or unrewarded by our God.  Elijah’s reward for being obedient to God’s call to dismiss himself from the place of comfort was to witness the promised hand of God’s provision.  You see, being fed by ravens wasn’t a dietary demotion, but rather diving promotion.  Had Elijah failed to be obedient to God’s command to leave his place of comfort, he would have never seen God’s hand of provision.

All the while, a widow woman and her small child quietly watched their only source of sustenance slowly evaporate before their eyes.  With each passing day she wondered, with a vivid imagination, how her and her child would survive this unforeseen famine.  Little did she know, behind the scenes God was preparing a man of obedience to provide for her nourishment that would never run dry.  More to come tomorrow.