Content In Any Situation

I will never forget visiting a friend once and looking as she opened her pantry. In it she had two or three of everything from canned goods to cleaning products. I remember being awed by it. She noticed and said, "When I was little, we had nothing, so I make sure I have plenty of extra around." The reason I was awed was because in our financial state at the time we were lucky to have the one we used let alone extras. When we ran out, we got more, unless the money wasn't there, in which case then we went without. At that point, I couldn't imagine having an extra bottle of laundry detergent, extra box of cereal or second box of Q-tips.

I also remember the first time I got a paycheck for a job I loved. I remember weeping thinking someone was actually paying me to do something I enjoyed doing. I was honored by it, almost feeling undeserving. I think when God gifts you with a talent and you use it to serve him, it's humbling when someone wants to pay you to use it. But I was also used to making so much less, that receiving a larger paycheck was a bit of a shock.

I remember times of turning down invitations to go see something with friends because the money just wasn't there. I remember a number of Ramen noodle soup lunches. I shopped thrift and discount stores for our clothes, furniture and other household needs (still do, actually - I enjoy finding treasures). I rejoiced (and still do) when friends gave me hand-me-downs.

But I don't remember going hungry. I don't remember worrying about filthy windows just because I was out of Windex. I don't remember having nothing to wear. I don't remember ever not having a warm place to lay my head in winter. So even our "for poorer" was far richer than many will see in their entire lives.

It did give me a respect for what I have and a desire not to waste money. I am always searching for the better deal.

My sweet ones, you may end up being financially set in the future with not a monetary care in the world, and honestly I wish that for you. But then again, you may have times where the dollar isn't stretching as far as you wish it would. You will learn from both. You will be blessed in both. Proverbs 22:2 says, "The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." And 1 Samuel 2:7 "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts." And Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." We pray whatever situation you find yourself in that you praise the Lord and remember those who have less than you. Remember where your money comes from and to Whom it belongs. And bless the Kingdom with it. 

Discussion: Tell of a time when you were in plenty. In want. What did you learn from those experiences? How can you bless others in the times of want? What are things you do now to not be wasteful?

Prayer: We give thanks to you, the Most High God, for any blessings you give us. We know all good things come from you. Thank you for caring for us. Help us to be wise and generous with what we have. And may you always be glorified in it. In Jesus name, Amen.

Building On The Foundation

The other day in Bible study we were examining the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus found in Luke 16. The story tells about a beggar man named Lazarus who laid by the gate of a wealthy man, who lived in luxury. This beggar man was hungry and injured. Soon both men died. The beggar went to Paradise where he rested with Abraham and the rich man went to Hell. An amazing conversation ensues between the rich man and Father Abraham, which you should read about. But it was a question your Daddy asked about the destination of both men that got me thinking. Daddy asked, "Why did they end up where they were?" Obviously the answer isn't because one was rich and the other poor. Only God knows the hearts of both men and can judge those destinations, but it seemed pretty obvious what the rich fellow didn't do. Here was a poor, hungry, injured man laying outside his front door every single day, and he just walked on by. You never hear about him offering in any way to help this man. He didn't care. Here he was with all these blessings from the Lord and ignored one of God's children. His reward? Eternal agony.

We discussed in our study that our job as disciples is to reach the lost. We are to share the Word, most certainly, but we are also to share His mercy, love, compassion and caring. As He does for us, so we must do for others. Our financial successes are not given to us for frivolous purposes. They are given to us for His glory. It seems the rich man didn't get it until it was too late.

We have no idea how the Father will bless you both. Will you live in luxury? Will you live paycheck-to-paycheck? Will you live comfortably? That is for the future to determine. But this we can assure you ... you are called to care regardless. It is our prayer that you will not step over the lost ones. That you will see the sick, hurting, lonely, hungry, homeless and persecuted and reach out to them in anyway you can. Yet not even just those, but the ones nearest you who may have even tinier needs. Let your hearts be moved, be empathetic, to the world around you. Pray God opens your eyes to see the hurt around you and inspires you in whatever ways you can offer help.

God tells us in Malachi 3:2 that God is like a refiner's fire. He will look at all we do in this world and reward us accordingly. If you believe in the Christ, you are saved. But what reward you receive is based on the good you do on Earth. What kinds of good? The very things mentioned in the previous paragraph. 1 Cor. 3:11-15 says, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." 

We aren't worried about your destination. We fully intend on spending eternity with you both. Our prayer is that you will have a heap of gold, silver and costly stones sitting there atop your foundation so the Lord can say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). And we'll celebrate with you.

Discussion: Where do you see the hurting in your area? What are ways you can help? Do you think you need to seek out the lost or just keep your eyes open for them?

Prayer: Lord, help us remember that all good things come from you. We pray you open our eyes to the hurting around us and enable us to be Your Light in the midst of them. Thank you for Jesus and His teachings. In His name we pray, Amen.

Open Your Hand

Today Daddy and I and some friends are working the Operation Christmas Child Distribution Center in Atlanta helping to ready the shoe boxes for shipping to countries all over the world. The last time we worked an OCC distribution center was years ago when Ayla was in high school. We drove with the youth of Emmanuel UMC to Minneapolis to volunteer. We had so much fun. We felt like Santa's elves in the toy workshop at the North Pole. I remember wondering what each child would think as they opened their shoebox. Would it be something they needed? Would it bring them joy? It was a long shift, assembly-line work, but we had such fun working it. I remember our hoots and hollers when we stacked our boxes high on a pallet, wrapped it in cellophane and rolled it away for delivery. I will be interested in seeing how our experience today compares to that memory. What new things will we learn? What new people will we meet?

I also remember that after we worked the center, we spent a day at the Mall of America. It was a fun time trekking all over that 4.2 million-square foot mall of 522 stores to do some Christmas shopping. Likewise, Daddy and I will be going to the Mall of Georgia. It's got less than half the stores, but it is the largest mall in Georgia, and I'm looking forward to visiting it. Daddy, not so much. It the juxtaposition of working the distribution center where a small shoe box is filled with toys, school supplies and other needs and a mall filled with, well, stuff that really puts into perspective what we're doing and whom God has called us to serve.

We are blessed beyond measure. We have food, clothes, a place to live, our health and lots of stuff. Sometimes we complain about what we don't have or can't afford, but honestly, it's pathetic when compared to the child who walks miles for water or is lucky to have one meal a day.

God is very clear about our job of helping the poor. God said through Moses in Deuteronomy 15:11, "Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.” Christ spoke to it in Matthew 25, reminding us to care "for the least of these" as if they were Him. We will always have the poor, Christ tells us in Mark 14:7.

We want to encourage you to seek opportunities to help the poor. Find times to volunteer for an organization that reaches out to those in need or to donate to it. Shelters, child-sponsorship charities, food banks and the like are a good place to start. Even ringing a bell next to a red kettle outside a department store for the Salvation Army (or dropping currency in it) can help. Go on a mission trip if you can. It reminds us that we are not the center of the universe and there are so many with far less than we have. And the blessings you will get from spending the time or money to do so will far outweigh any Christmas gift you get this year. If it means sacrificing a few lattes a month, it's worth it. Do it together. Do it for God's children. Do it for Jesus.

Discussion: Tell about a time when you volunteered to help the least of these? Is there a charity that is near to your heart that you both could volunteer at or donate something to?

Prayer: Lord, we get so caught up in the business of the season and our lack of time or funds to meet it. Help us to remember there are people all over this world who are struggling and living on little. Help us to make an effort to reach out to these in Your name and for Your glory. In Jesus, Amen.