New Blog Address

Greetings all, I'd like to invite you to visit my new wordpress blog at

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I will no longer be posting to this blogger site. Thanks.

Giving God Our Best Part 2

In Part 1 we looked at the book of Malachi and saw quite clearly that God desires the best of what His people have to offer to Him, not the leftovers. We also noted that the unacceptable offerings the priests made were directly related to their low view of God. But when it comes to practical application in our own lives, it might be difficult for us to relate to the Levitical priesthood and animal sacrifices in ancient Israel. So here's a few more considerations that can help us discern what giving God our best looks like in the 21st century.  

First, we need to recognize that God has put a different calling on each of our lives, according to the abilities he's given us and the resources He has entrusted us with.

"...the Lord has chosen Bezalel...and he has filled him with the Spirit of God...with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze..." 
Exodus 35:30-32

"...Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord..." 
1 Chronicles 25:6-7

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

God doesn't expect us to be excellent at something we haven't been called to or equipped for.  If you aren't clear on what God has called you to or what abilities and resources you could be using in service to Him, it's important to discover that. Pray about it. Do some brainstorming. What are you good at? What personal resources could be of kingdom use? What needs do your church and community have? Keep in mind that God will often use our weaknesses too. Seek counsel from other believers, sometimes they see something in us or sense a call on our lives that we don't. 

Secondly, God desires sacrificial giving, but whether an offering is truly sacrificial or not is somewhat relative. Consider this example from Luke 21 about giving our possessions.

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:41-44

How might this play out with talent or skills? I'll put myself under the microscope for this one. Out of the "wealth" of training and experience I have as a guitarist it's possible for me to barely practice and still play the songs sufficiently during a service. I don't make a habit of this, but if I'm honest it does happen sometimes. On the other hand, I've had students that pay for weekly lessons and practice a lot just to be able to lead their congregations in song. So on a Sunday where I've done minimal preparation, I may still end up playing better than they do. But I believe in God's eyes the other guitarists are putting "more into the treasury." 

We could go on with different scenarios but the bottom line is that God will hold us accountable for what we did with the time, talent and treasure He has given us. Did we use it for His glory and purposes? Or did we dedicate most of it to lesser things? Do we desire to bring Him sacrificial offerings because we love Him? Or are we trying to get away with giving as little as possible because ultimately we're not convinced that God is worth our best? These are important questions to ask ourselves and check our hearts on. 

In closing there's something we should never forget as we consider these things. Even our best still falls short of what our holy God deserves, and in and of ourselves we are not even worthy to come before Him to worship and serve. Thanks be Jesus for cleansing us with His blood, so that we can come confidently before God's throne and have the privilege of offering our lives as living sacrifices.       

Giving God Our Best - Part 1

During World War II the expression "good enough for government work" meant something could hold up to the most rigorous standards.  Over the years that saying has been used in a more ironic sense, meaning something is minimally acceptable but far from the best quality.  I have to admit that I use that expression fairly often, always with the latter meaning in mind.  What's sad is how "good enough for church" can often be taken in the same way.  It ought to mean excellence for our great God, but instead can mean we're okay with mediocrity or worse.  In the book of Malachi we see God's own priests settling for less and get to hear what God has to say about that.
  

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?'...When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?" 

Malachi 1:6-8 (ESV)

It's interesting that God doesn't reject these offerings solely based on His ceremonial laws.  Instead He asks these priests to consider their own cultural standards. What they offered to Him would have been dishonoring to human authorities, let alone the God of the universe!  Now let's be clear, this wasn't a case where the priests only had blemished animals to offer.  Simply put, they were withholding their best from Him. 

"Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations."

Malachi 1:14 (NIV)

So if they had the ability to offer God something better, why were they holding out on Him? Perhaps they were greedy and simply wanted to keep the best for themselves? That may have been part of their motivation, but God's diagnosis of their hearts reveals an even more tragic cause for their shoddy service to Him. 
  

"You profane me when you say, 'Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account,' and when you say, 'I'm bored—this doesn't do anything for me.' You act so superior, sticking your noses in the air... And when you do offer something to me, it's a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless."

Malachi 1:11-13 (The Message)

These priests did not recognize what an honor it was to be in their role of serving God and His people.  It seems there was a deficiency in their love and view of God which made worship and service seem like a chore or a burden, rather than a privilege.  That being said, we shouldn't get too comfortable pointing out their sins.  It's all too easy for us to fall into a similar pattern of irreverence and offensive offerings.  Next week, in Part 2, we'll try to make some practical applications from this study and explore what it looks like to give God our best and guard against the "good enough for church" mindset.          

IDOP for the Persecuted Church

This post is a follow up to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church that took place across the globe yesterday.  The number one request persecuted Christians have is that we would pray for them, and there are ways we can do that on a regular basis (not just once a year or even once a month).  There are also other ways that we can support them in their need and also partner with them in their ministries.  Below you will find several links that will connect you with these opportunities.  Please take a look at these opportunities and consider getting more involved in caring for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Voice of the Martyrs - Check out the section of the site that says "Get Involved" for a number of ways you can partner with the persecuted church.  Also sign up for their free monthly newsletter or weekly prayer updates email.

Open Doors - Another great ministry that keeps us informed and provides opportunities to get involved.

Prisoner Alert - This is where you can write to people imprisoned for their faith as well as advocate for them to government officials (this has had a huge impact in the past and resulted in people being freed).

Text a Bible - We take having access to bibles for granted, but many believers around the world in restricted nations do not even possess a single bible.  Help bring God's word to those who long for it.

Support Families of Martyrs - Often when a pastor or evangelist is imprisoned or killed for their activities, their families are left with little means of financial support.  This fund is used to help sustain these believers until they an find alternative means of support.

VOM Medical -Often when Christians suffer severe persecution they are in need of urgent health care and quality surgery.  I have read many amazing testimonies about the amazing things this ministry has done. 

Follow the Persecuted Church Blog 

Engage Worship "Praise the Lord"

Engage Worship is a group in the UK with a heart for really engaging people in worship (hence their name) with some really creative ideas.  Some of these leaders are also part of Resound Worship which is more focused on songwriting.  I have to admit that sometimes I find ideas on Engage worship to be a little out there, or at least not something that I would try with our congregation at Christ's Church.  But I recently discovered one of their latest songs/engaging ideas and I think it's great.  Perhaps this will inspire you to get creative in engaging people to "Praise the Lord."  Let me know what you think, I'd sure love to try this at some point.

I Refuse

We sang this song as special music at Christ's Church this morning to connect with the guest speaker's message.  I think this video is really cool and challenging for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people we encounter on a daily basis.  Of course we can't go back in time and redo those moments where we neglected to minister to someone, but we sure can change our perspective and actions moving forward.  Enjoy.

I Will Follow - Lead Me to the Cross

I was recently listening to a podcast entitled "The Power of the Resurrection." In it Rabbi Jason Sobel (a messianic rabbi based in California) highlights the fact that the resurrection and what it means for us is all about being changed, from death to life.  But that change came at a great price, it cost the very life of the Son of God.  Now of course we all want to see that kind of resurrection power in our lives and in the world around us.  The problem Rabbi Jason identifies is that "we all want change, but we're not willing to pay the cost for change."  Now we might be open to change that isn't too costly, something that only costs the spare change of our lives, but not the bigger kind of change that will cost us our time, plans, comfort, money, reputation...  And yet when we looked at Luke 9 in Part 1, we saw that one can't be a disciple unless they are willing to surrender their entire lives to the Lord on a daily basis.  And thus, as Rabbi Jason observes,  Jesus has "lots of fans, but few true followers."  


What's the difference between a fan and a follower?  Consider this excerpt from J.C. Ryle's "The Cost."

"Any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33 

What does it cost to be a Christian?

I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian. A man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on Sunday, and to be tolerably moral during the week--and he has gone as far as thousands around him ever go in religion. All this is cheap and easy work--it entails no self-denial or self-sacrifice. If this is saving Christianity and will take us to Heaven when we die--we must alter the description of the way of life, and write, "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to Heaven!"

But it does cost something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are . . .
  enemies to be overcome,
  battles to be fought,
  sacrifices to be made,
  an Egypt to be forsaken,
  a wilderness to be passed through,
  a cross to be carried,
  a race to be run.
Conversion is not putting a man in a soft armchair, and taking him pleasantly to Heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. Hence arises the unspeakable importance of "counting the cost."

True Christianity will cost a man . . .
  his self-righteousness,
  his sins,
  his love of ease, and
  the favor of the world.

A religion which costs nothing--is worth nothing! 

A cheap, easy Christianity, without a cross--will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown.

This week's song is "Lead Me to the Cross," written by Brooke Fraser.  It was first released on the Hillsong United album All of the Above.  One of my favorite lines in this song says, "Rid me of myself, I belong to you."  Oh Lord, may we truly live each day as if our lives were not our own.