Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Monday, 28 October 2013 ~ “Self Made or Steward?”
Deuteronomy 8:10 You shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which he has given you. 11 Beware lest you forget the LORD your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today; 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built fine houses, and lived in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 then your heart might be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; 15 who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for you out of the rock of flint; 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers didn’t know; that he might humble you, and that he might prove you, to do you good at your latter end: 17 and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.” 18 But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.
19 It shall be, if you shall forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish. 20 As the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you wouldn’t listen to the LORD your God’s voice.(Messianic WEB)
“Self Made or Steward?” by Kenneth E. Crow
Some cultures emphasize the importance of families and other groups. The culture in which I was raised and now live emphasizes the importance and accomplishments of individuals. We don’t think we need anyone else to get to where we are. On the other hand, even as we celebrate our ability to do things on our own, most of us who are parents do our best to positively influence and help our children. Those of us who are ministers believe the church can have a positive effect in the lives of our people. We value independence, but we believe groups like families and churches can make a significant difference in the accomplishments of individuals.
Deuteronomy (8:12-14 and 6:10-12) warns us that when crisis times pass and life becomes more comfortable, we may be tempted to forget the hard times and the faithfulness of God who gave us what it took to survive and get here. In that temptation our culture of pride in our personal accomplishments may work against us, making us more likely to forget that we are stewards of the ability God gives us to produce wealth.
Hymn for Today:
“Jesus Calls Us” by Cecil F. Alexander
1. Jesus calls us, o'er the tumult
Of our life's wild, restless sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth
Saying, "Christian, follow Me;"
2. As of old, apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for His dear sake.
3. Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store;
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, "Christian, love Me more."
4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love Me more than these."
5. Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.
Amen.
Thought for Today:
“The Master calls us to be good stewards by faithfully investing our lives in the Kingdom of God”(Session Truth).
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Saint Martin will come to know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
~~~~~~~
Nazarene Publishing House
2923 Troost Avenue
Kansas City , MO 64109-1593
Nazarene Publishing House
PO Box 843336
Kansas City , MO 64184-3336
~~~~~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment