Sowing and Reaping! (Part 2)

This world puts a lot of emphasis on how important it is to look out for number one. We seem to be born with a natural fear of not having enough – for ourselves. So we hoard whatever we can just in case our perceived disaster ever strikes. But this isn’t the kind of life God intends for those who are a part of his family.

God wants us to live a generous life, full of both receiving and giving. But if we don’t give freely and joyfully, we miss out on the supernatural blessings that come from a life of generosity.

Living a life of generosity requires trust and a big commitment. But we must trust and be committed to the right things, the things of God. And as we follow that trust with faith in God, he will always provide us with exactly what we need.

Don’t let the fear of doing without rob you of trusting in God’s provisions for what you need. Remember, God doesn’t need us to give to others. It is us who needs to experience the act of giving so that we can live a truly blessed and abundant life.

Man's Best Friend!

Is this cool or what?

Sowing and Reaping!

Providing for people in need is a way of giving thanks for what we have been given. It’s like silently saying, "God has blessed me and He has asked me to share that with you."

If we are generous, God will return the favor. When we sow, we scatter God’s blessings for growth. When we reap, we harvest those blessings. Reaping and sowing are a unified, continuous process that requires a diligent and ongoing obedience to God.

When you are obedient and share what you have with others, you will be provided with all you need, every time you need it. When you give cheerfully and unselfishly, you are demonstrating your faith. And the hearts of those you touch, even with the smallest of gestures, will be blessed as they give thanks to God for your obedience.

Are you lacking in any specific area of your life? Check out this verse:

"Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop." 2 Corinthians 9:6

Have you ever seen God smile?

Is that cool or what? Tell me what you think!

Want to be a catalyst?

Strangers or not, all christians are brothers and sisters. And as family, we’re called by our Father to help each other.

"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God." 3 John 1:5-8

Has there been a time when a perfect stranger helped you out of a situation? A time when you thought to yourself, “Wow, if they hadn’t done that for me, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Now take that memory and think back to all the people you told that story to. Whether you knew it or not, by sharing, you were spreading the message of God. Someone heard your cry, you were given grace and your prayers were answered.

You can never tell when going the extra mile will allow you to extend your faith and touch someone’s life in a way you could have never imagined. Find a creative way to fill the need of someone you don’t know.

What would happen if we went beyond the traditional and did something extraordinary?

The Need For a New Year!

Well...Happy New Year! It is 2009 and hard to believe. We need a New Year every year because we need another chance to start again. We need to know that all things change yet God is forever unchanging. We need to be reminded of the opportunites that are awaiting those who chase their dreams like a child chases the ice cream truck.

Where does the passion for life and living go? Anywhere? It doesn't go anywhere, but sometimes throughout the year, we lay our passions down for fear of failure...fear of success...fear of the unknown...doubt...and the list goes on.

Where do we go when life gets monotenonous and drury? Nowhere! It is where you are that you are being challenged to be your best.

We need a New Year every year but we can find fulfillment in Christ at anytime on any day!

Again, I say, "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Raise the Bar

Some of us think that hospitality is reserved for grandmothers who love to bake pies. Others think it’s just something we’re obligated to do once a year around the holidays when we invite family and friends over for dinner. But none of this comes close to how God defines hospitality.

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:9-10

We have each been given a gift. It may be speaking, teaching, baking, organizing, engineering – you name it, the list is endless. Hospitality is using whatever gift God has given you to help meet the needs of someone else. But hospitality is not just reserved for our family or close friends. If we see a need that we can meet, we have an obligation to help meet that need so we can be a part of sharing God’s grace.

There is someone in your life right now who needs to be shown some hospitality. Don’t let your gift go to waste.