We generally are happy to see Friday come but today is especially special for those of us who know and serve the LIVING God. 2,000+ years ago Jesus died tonight but we don't serve a dead Savior.
We serve a RISEN God
He is alive and deserving of our praise today. So I'm leaving this praise break with you today because the spirit of the Lord came down and dwelt among us and we have life because of it.
We stand in awe of Him today.
Hallelujah!
Not by might Not by power By your spirit God Send your spirit God
You are the fire We are the temple You are the voice We are your song You are our God We are your people You are the light We stand in awe We stand in awe of you
Not by might Not by power By your spirit Send your spirit God
You called us out Out of the darkness Into your love , into your light Grace upon grace Beauty for ashes You come to us. We come alive
We stand in awe of you We stand in awe of you
Not by might Not by power By your spirit God
Send your spirit God
Breathe, come and breathe on us Spirit breathe on us
We stand in awe of you
Not by might Not by power By your spirit Send your spirit God
Breathe , come and breathe on us Spirit breathe on us
When my husband called me to tell me that we were evicted from our apartment it crushed me. I was at work, 6 months pregnant and stressed out. The sheriff was there and all he allowed my husband to take was his phone and the clothes on his back.
This wasn’t sudden. We had known for months we could be evicted but I thought that God would by some miracle save me from my bad decisions. But when it actually happened it crushed me. I was homeless.
I was the good Christian girl with two degrees and a job and I was homeless. I was ashamed. I was devastated. And my faith was shaken. And those close to me made me feel even worse.
I was at a crossroads in my faith because we are often taught that if we do all the right things God is gonna bless you. Which many interpret as nothing bad ever happening to you.
As I have learned that’s a bunch of hogwash. Pick a disciple, John the Baptist, Jesus. Jesus especially. Goodness does not equal easy street.
I asked, why me Lord? I’ve done everything I was supposed to do. Why?
When I first started in ministry I didn’t wanna do it. I was a reluctant leader. And then a pastor I greatly admired told me I’d be a youth pastor. I vehemently denied it. He couldn’t possibly see that in me.
Shortly after that he passed away. It crushed me because for the first time in my life I had someone who saw something in me. Believed in me and pushed me to be better.
As a result I embraced ministry. I found I was good at it. It caused me to be creative and to go deep into God’s word. But ministry isn’t easy and I wasn’t always supported so my initial enthusiasm waned. My passion became bitterness and resentment and painful. A chore instead of a blessing. But to people I was the picture of good Christian character.
Watching the talk between Bishop TD Jakes and Pastor Steve For Bishop Jakes’ new book Crushed spoke to me on a deep level because I wish I had known as a young, on fire Christian that this faith walk can be crushing. It wouldn’t have stopped me from trusting God but I would have at least been prepared for the hurt and disappointment.
When I was 19, struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide my aunt told me that if Satan wants you dead this bad that means God has amazing things planned for you. It should have triggered the story of Job to me then but now that I’m older I understand that story’s importance in the Bible and to me.
Job was faithful. He did everything right. In the church of today Job should have been fine. However, that is not how it works in God’s economy. In God’s economy because of his faithfulness God used him to show His power. So he still lost it all. His money. His family. His health. His “friends”.
What he never lost was his faith. He knew that God have given it all to him in the first place and He could give it back to him again. But he questioned and that was ok.
Every great figure in the Bible in some way went through trial by fire. From Abraham and Moses to Jesus who paid the ultimate sacrifice. So how did I truly believe that if I was to be great for the kingdom I would experience nothing but easy street?
I needed the crushing. I needed the crushing of my arrogance in ministry. I needed the crushing of my goody-goody attitude. I needed a crushing of my belief that the ministry needed me. I needed to be humbled to be vulnerable. To let go of my anger. To stop making excuses for my bad behavior.
It was painful and still is but necessary.
I never thought I would be thankful for that day I got evicted. It was a dark day. And the days, weeks and months after were darker. But it forced me to deal with my relationship with God and better understand who He is, who I am and recognize His faithfulness even in the midst of my darkness.
Christian life is NOT easy. You can do everything “right” and still “lose”. But this walk with God means you never walk alone and through you lose a few battles victory is already yours. The path may be rocky but it ends with you on top.
Be encouraged. God hasn’t abandoned you. He’s right there and you’ll be better for it. God turns pressure into power.
If 10% of what you make is $15 and you give $15 to further the work of God,
You and God are straight.
I hate that some churches have turned tithing into an auction. Can I get another $100. C'mon we need $100 for the building fund. Take those checkbooks out. I know we have another $100, $100 here. Going once, give to the Lord twice. Sold to the deacon with the puffed up chest.
This has always bothered me. Didn't Jesus shake the tables in the temple for the same reason?
Now I will say this. It makes no sense for people to ask why the church needs money. Churches pay bills just like everyone else and they also do charitable work. However, asking the church to fund a plane purchase is ludicrous. Here's looking at you Creflo Dollar. Churches are supposed to be good stewards of the Lord's money.
Jesus, Peter, Paul all depended on the kindness of others on their ministry journeys because you have to pay Caesar.
However, God NEVER asks for more than you can give. So if you feel led to give more than your 10% please do so. But if you feel bullied to do so don't and find a church that doesn't pressure its members to give more than is required by God.
What not to do? Stop Giving. The person you need to be good with is God not the pastor.
The truth is that God says to give, not because He needs the money but to see if you trust Him enough to supply your needs. He is the one that has blessed you with the resources you have. Where do your priorities lie?
If you believe that He won't let you starve then put your money where your mouth is. Literally.
My favorite passage of scripture on tithing is the widow who brought all she had to the altar (Mark 12:41-44). This is my favorite passage because it wasn't about the amount. That is an earthly measure. What she gave was much more valuable because she gave from her heart. She gave what she had because she loved God.
I can personally attest that when I tithe I never lack, God always provides and I feel blessed because I'm honoring the request of my savior.
Its the sacrifice. Its the trust. Its the faith. For some 10% is nothing and for others its a lot. God requires 10% but what's most important is your intent.
I may not be your typical Christian but I am definitely a Christ follower. I've had to make hard decisions but every time I chose Christ he blew my mind. So once again I'm saying Yes! to my Savior. If you decide to follow my journey He might surprise you too.
