A simple quick powerful thought on this Wednesday.
You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.‘” Acts 20:35 MSG
or as other translations put it
It is more blessed to give than to receive. YLT
‘You will have a greater blessing when you give than when you receive. ERV
‘We are more happy when we give than when we receive.’ (NLV)
Give yourself today!
It’s not even 9 in the morning, I already feel like quitting for the day.
You ever have a day like that? From the moment the alarm goes off things just are not “on frame” – as they say in soccer. You can’t find stuff, teenagers are doing their best at being, well, teenagers. Then there are schedules, pressure, etc etc etc etc.
Today’s one of those days. So I am trying to slip in a little bit of motivation for myself ( and you) before I get whisked away in the land of endless emails.
So, a few verses I am trying to consider today, to reduce the anxiety and refocus my brain:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7 ESV
and then there is this one below. This is a verse that most of the time we may not attribute to encouragement on a difficult day. However I find it both humbling and full of purpose. It seems to emphasis the only task for the day that really matters and provides a little bit of clarity about the things that are causing stress.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 ESV
If your day has started like mine, spend a moment to recenter on the one mission and goal for the day – “the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Oh its a new year, and a new fresh start. For many of you it’s the first day of work in the new year – new policies, new insurance, new tax rates, new calendars and hopefully for many – new ways.
Of course that means there are old ways – the things that you want to leave behind in 2010 – the old practices and standards. Just like the big file I have of receipts, statements and tax forms, we want to file away those old practices and standards.
But lets make sure that there is one thing that we don’t leave behind, in fact we should pick it up with more earnest. In 2011, let us follow the example set by Peter and his fellow followers of the Christ just weeks after the death of that same Christ. The leaders of the day told Peter and his posse to stop talking about this Christ and this was his reply:
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5 NIV
In 2011, let us take that stand – “We must obey God rather than human beings!”. . As you mark off each new day on that new calendar let us confirm anew our desire for obedience.
Happy New Year!
This was originally sent as an email on Talk Like a Pirate Day 2008 ( Friday September 19, 2008)
Me hearties,
Tis ‘talk like a pirate day!’. Me thinks it be a jolly day t’ scrub th’ poop deck an’ gather me some Doubloons!
I be not aye to be doin’ this for t’ whole email, so me reckon me will translate t’ verses today into pirate talk.”
Pray fer e’eryone an’ share th’ loot with e’eryone ye can this day
Heartly enjoy!.
No Quarter!
Jason
Acts 2:38
Repent an’ be baptized, e’ery one o’ ye, in the name o’ Jesus Christ fer the fergiveness o’ yer sins. An’ ye will receive the gift o’ the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 9:19
Though I be free and belong t’ no scurvy dog, I make meself a slave t’ everyone, t’ win as many as possible.
Acts 3:5-6
5So th’ scurvy dog gave them his attention, expectin’ t’ get somethin’ from them. 6Then Peter said, “Pieces of eight I do nay be havin’, but what I be havin’ I gift ye. In t’ name o’ Jesus Christ o’ Nazareth, walk.”
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the safe little environment that I live in. Nice comfortable house, water coming from the faucets, a very nice place to work, good roads, internet connections, electricity, all those things that we come to expect, and things that don’t get me wrong are great blessings from God. However, I think some times they all with the other aspects of life can make us complacent all the way around.
So I have been thinking about taking risks. I don’t mean bungee jumping off the New River Bridge, or necessarily backing up and moving to the Sudan. I am thinking about things closer to home that will force me out of what can become the comfort zone of life. I am not sure what this means yet, but I think it may lead to a good thing. With those thoughts, I have two things to share today. One is a video that I shared a few years ago with several of you from Francis Chan. If you can’t see this on your work computer, as I know YouTube is blocked a lot, make sure you check this out at home.
The second is this guy named Ananias from the book of Acts. God told him to go and see this bad dude named Saul who was persecuted those who followed the Christ, and he after a little bit of hesitation, went. He took a risk and great things happened
10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:10-18
What risks are sitting in front of you that you are hesitant to take. Trust in God and see where he leads you. Great things are ahead, if we dare!