The Family Tree

When I researched my family lineage, family lore took on specific names and I was able to trace, through my paternal grandmother, a line all the way back to the Cornelius Van Wyck of 17th century New Amsterdam (now called New York City). I found another man in the same line, Cornelius Wiltse, who was a Revolutionary War patriot. It was all quite interesting. It stirred my curiosity and I will most likely spend more time researching!

The part of my heritage that I value most, however, is not one that leads to colonial America or patriots. I am a son of God! Quite the boast, you say? Not at all. "[Jesus] came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." (John 1:10-13, NLT) My ultimate connection, the best rights and inheritance, come from my Father in Heaven!

The Word promises me a rich inheritance. "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance-an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay." (1 Peter 1:3-4, NLT)

You can share in that inheritance, too. It's not limited by DNA. The Holy Spirit will write His life and character into the heart and soul of everyone who receives the promise by faith. Have you accepted Christ Jesus as Lord? Have you acknowledged your need of adoption into the family of God? I have and I'm so glad, so secure, at rest in the Father's provision. The sin of one father, Adam, caused us great loss. We became orphans, without heritage or name. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ... raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ...For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-" (Ephesians 2:4,6, 8, NIV)

Now that's something to hold precious in my family tree!
Receive the gift today, won't you?
_______________

I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord.
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.

I was humbly kneeling at the Cross,
Fearing naught but God's angry frown,
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.
In the Book 'tis written
"Saved by grace."
O the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven and I know,
By the blood I am made whole.

There's a new name
Written down in glory,
And it's mine.
O yes, it's mine!
And the white-robed
Angels sing the story,
"A sinner has come home."
For there's a new name
Written down in glory,
And it's mine,
O yes it's mine.
With my sins forgiven
I am bound for heaven,
Nevermore to roam.

A New Name In Glory

Miles  C. Austin
© Public Domain

So, what’s up?

Sunday night church gatherings often include something called ‘testimony time.’ In the churches of my childhood, there were always two or three people who could be counted on to stand up and tell the same stories. When I was 12 years of age, and full of myself, I would mouth the words, familiar as they were, silently along with the speaker. Going to church on Sunday night and especially ‘testimonies’ were not my idea of fun! But, every now and then, somebody would break the routine and stand up to tell a story that was brand new, that was charged with emotion – sometimes sorrow, sometimes laughter. Those moments were great and strengthened my faith!

Disciple, we need to get together with other who are lovers of God and talk about what’s going on in our lives, our needs, our fears, our joys, and our successes. One weeps, another rejoices; all are made stronger! The Psalmist writes, "Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies." (Psalm 107:2, NLT)

God made us with the desire to be connected. Our TV cannot replace real friends. Facebook and email, as convenient as they might be, cannot take the place of in person connection. When we do get together, let’s be authentic. What made ‘testimony time’ boring in my childhood was the clichéd expressions that found their way into the words. When someone was too new to the group to adjust their story to accepted norms, it was arresting.

So, we need to just speak up, share our lives, tell our stories, and let God listen in. It’s what the godly men in Malachi’s time did. After they were challenged by the prophet to get back to living in a way that pleased the Lord, the Scripture says they had a testimony time! "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name." (Malachi 3:16, NIV)

Are you connected?
Are you creating regular time to be with those who can help you carry your burdens, those who can laugh along with you in your joy, taking an interest in knowing what the Spirit is doing in the lives of other disciples?

Let me encourage you to start by showing up at church early and staying late. Sit down next to someone and just say, “So, what’s up?” Listen and learn! God’s in on the conversation, too.

Go ahead, put Me to the test!

When I am making a major purchase, I check on the consumer report. Does the product work as advertised? Does it have a good service quality? Various agencies create rigorous testing standards that allow consumers to compare one manufacturers product against another. I have paid more for a product that has a significantly higher rating, believing that the quality is worth the expense.

Generally, we are discouraged from trying to test the Lord! He does not subject Himself to our proofs and standards, except in one instance. There is a situation where HE invites you and me to put Him to the test. Here’s what He says: "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." (Malachi 3:10-11, NLT)

The prophet Malachi, speaking for the Lord, urged the people of God to put Him first; in their worship, in their personal lives, and in their practice of tithing. Do you know what that last one is? It is the practice of taking the first 10% of income and setting it aside for God’s work in this world. His promise is that if we will faithfully put Him first, He will care for us. And, He invites us to take note of His performance. I realize that writing this invites abuse. I know that there are preachers who turn this into a prosperity scheme. “You give God a hundred dollars and He’ll give you back a thousand!” they loudly proclaim, as they enrich themselves by playing to people’s greed!

That is not what that passage means, at all. The Lord calls us to be a people who get our lives in proper order; putting Him first in all things. If we do, He says that He will see to it that we are cared for, that He will make a clear distinction of blessing in our lives. The tithe is just one way, among many, that we show our devotion.

Let me offer this personal testimony. Bev and I have always tithed our income. When we made very little, God got the first 10%. When we had more, we rejoiced that we could give more. Writing those checks over the years has been our joy. When we support ministries and missions with regular, faithful, and sometimes sacrificial giving we feel that we are a part of the work. I have no idea the actual amount we have invested in the Lord’s work over 35 year’s time, but I am sure it is over $150,000, perhaps more. (That’s not a boast! I know many who give many times over that amount!) Did we give our tithe expecting to get rich? Not for a moment. We give because we love Jesus Christ and want to see His work accomplished in this world. We have experienced His faithfulness, time and time again. He provides what we need, when we need it. He has turned little into much, kept us steady in stormy times. Yes, I can say that He has passed the test.

We don’t just tithe to gain a kind of divine insurance. Our practice of tithing is part of a lifestyle of commitment to Him. Disciple, is He first in your life? Does your commitment show in your use of time, in your daily choices, and in your checkbook? God says, "Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams." (Malachi 3:10, The Message)

Actually, that is not an isolated text in the Scripture. Malachi most succinctly summarizes a principle that is woven throughout the Word. We are urged to “love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” The result is that we live in Him, not exempt from the trials of life, but guided and sustained by Him through them. In our devotion, we find grace that teaches us the disciplines that allow us to enjoy abundant lives marked by the fruit of the Spirit which includes all the best qualities – "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance." (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV)

Remember, disciple; spiritual fruit is not produced in a day, or by single choice. It develops to maturity over time, when we consistently and faithfully do His will, accept His grace, and obey His commands. Prove Him! My report is: “He is faithful!”
_____________________

Lord, You have shown
Yourself to be,
Never changing,
Always faithful.
Lord, You have shown
Your heart for me,
The loving touch
Of a caring Father.

In every day that passes
And all the world's distractions;
Through seasons
And life's changes,
You always remain
Faithful to me –

With Your...

Perfect love, perfect love
casts out all fear and shows me that
Every Word and promise to me
Will be fulfilled - will be fulfilled

Faithful, You are faithful
Faithful, faithful, faithful!

Faithful - Eoghan Heaslip

CCLI License No. 810055

I'll make a man out of you.

Dad had a stable and each Spring time a new group of colts arrived that needed to be trained, the goal being having a saddle-broke mount ready by the Fall! My summer work, along with my Dad’s help, was breaking in 6 or 8 horses. To a boy standing 5 feet tall and weighing 100 lbs., a horse is a BIG animal and sometimes a particularly rambunctious one would make me afraid. But, if I tried to retreat, I would hear my Dad urging me to stick with it. He would tell me that I had to make that animal, which stood taller and outweighed me by 10 to 12 times, understand who was in charge. When fear made me tremble, he would take me aside and remind me that life would be hard, and that he was making a man out of me! I never heard those words as unsympathetic, because in the context of his love, I knew they were meant for my best! I am glad that Dad made me face my fears and not back down. Those long ago life lessons in perseverance were never forgotten.


In the writing of Malachi, there is a passage about God’s work in bringing the best from us. We can read them as fearful, harsh words OR we can read them with hope, thanking God that He cares enough to lead us to spiritual maturity. Take a look.
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness ... acceptable to the Lord." (Malachi 3:1-4, NIV)

The difficulties of life can be so hard as to seem overwhelming. There are situations that look like they will destroy us. There are people who work to sabotage us. There is a spiritual adversary who dispatches his demons to try to ruin us. None of this happens without God's permission and He uses it for His purposes. Our Father, by His Spirit, is near and urges us onward, reminding us that He’s refining us, purifying us so that we will become mature, serving Him in a way that enjoys His favor! “So I will come near to you for judgment. ... but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 3:5, NIV)

Here is a word from the Word. Hold onto it when you’re trembling in the tough times! "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" (Hebrews 12:7, NIV) "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:10, NIV) Keep your focus on that goal. Thank Him, stay steady, remember He is always close, never allowing us to be faced with a trial that is greater than we can endure. He’s making a man out of you. (And yes, dear sisters, making a mature woman out of you!)

____________

Purify my heart,
Let me be as gold
And precious silver.
Purify my heart,
Let me be as gold,
Pure gold.
Purify my heart,
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy.
Purify my heart,
Cleanse me from my sin,
Deep within.

Refiner's fire,
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy,
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy,
Set apart for You, my Master,
Ready to do Your will.

Refiner's Fire
Doerksen, Brian
© 1990 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)



CCLI License No. 81005

Inferior worship?

It’s not hard to tell the difference between just doing what needs to be done and engaging with real passion! My son, Sean, loves coffee and it shows. I just make a cup of coffee. He creates a drink to savor! He takes pride in the freshness of the beans and getting the grind just right. Most mornings, I just want a caffeine delivery system! My neighbor loves his yard, carefully trimming, raking, mowing, spraying; and it shows in a lawn that looks like a golf course. I just mow mine and trim where necessary. He wants a beautiful lawn; I’m content with an acceptably mowed one. When I prepare to speak, I never just ‘get up and talk off the top of my head.’ I think, pray, plan, write and re-write, with the goal of moving my audience to take action. Why? I am passionate about communication!

Here’s a pointed question for us today:
how do we serve God, with leftover time, just to meet minimal expectations,
or as a first-line priority because of our passion for Him?

God saw that the people were just going through the motions of worship and challenged them through the words of the prophet Malachi. Take a look at excerpts from that passage:
"The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’" (Malachi 1:6, NLT)
"When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." (Malachi 1:8, NLT)
“How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings." (Malachi 1:10, NLT)
“Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord. “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!" (Malachi 1:13-14, NLT)

Direct application of that passage is impossible since we no longer bring sacrificial animals to a temple! But, the principle is not hard to discern, is it? Do we give God the best part of our life or the leftovers? Does He get our attention in prayer or just sleepy words? Do we do ministry in prime time or just ‘fit it in’ as conveniently as possible? “Shut the Temple doors!” He says. “If you won’t give the best, then don’t go through the motions!”
Jesus challenges us on the same principle. “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!" (Revelation 3:15-16, NLT)

If we want a God-blessed life, if we want to enjoy His favor and know the fullness of joy that Jesus promises, we cannot do what we think is the minimum; we must give Him the first, the best, ‘our utmost for His highest.’ (Oswald Chambers)

Here’s a thought to ponder -
Would you want God to love you in the same way that you love Him?

______________________

Give me one pure and holy passion,
Give me one magnificent obsession.
Jesus give me one glorious ambition for my life.
To know and follow hard after You

To know and follow hard after You,
To grow as Your disciple in the truth.
This world is empty, pale, and poor,
Compared to knowing You my Lord.
Lead me on and I will run after You.

One Pure And Holy Passion
Altrogge, Mark

© 1988 PDI Praise (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) / Dayspring Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055