June 7, 2024 … Joy From Giving …

June 7, 2024 … Joy From Giving …       

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    

…  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Heidi Waechter singing … The Joy of Giving … Poignantly singing of how we Christians are blessed by God when we give to help others.   

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Highlight Passage: … Acts 20:35  [NLT] … 

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”    

…  Paul gives personal witness to believers in Ephesus (and to us) about Jesus' teaching Paul about the joy and blessing which comes from God when we give to others.                                                                             

Highlight Passage (in context): … Acts 20:17-24, 34-35  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul teaches and witnesses to the Elders in Ephesus about how Jesus taught about the joy in giving to help others.                                                                                   

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Reference Passage: … 1Chronicles 29:9 [NLT] …  

9 The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.  

… King David is overjoyed to see how God’s people donated so joyfully to rebuild the Temple which David’s Son would build in Jerusalem. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 22:8-9 [NLT] …  

9 Blessed are those who are generous, … because they feed the poor.  

… Solomon teaches that God blesses those who give to help the poor.    

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 [NLT] …  

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”  

… Luke quotes Jesus’ teaching on the blessing which comes from those who give generously to help God’s kingdom.

Reference Passage: … Romans 14:17 [NLT] …  

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians about the joy and peace which comes from those who follow God’s Spirit and give of themselves to help God’s Kingdom.  

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:7 [NLT] …  

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

… The Apostle Paul shows fellow Christians that God loves and blesses those who choose to give freely and sacrificially to help others. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Alyson Kieda -  AT THIS LINK  -  tells of how the mother of a child going thru another surgery for the problems of muscular dystrophy decided to take her mind off her stress and collect and give away her son’s shoes which were still in good condition, and give them to the poor.  And the mother's generosity inspired many of her friends to do the same thing, which led to over 200 pairs of shoes being donated to those who needed good shoes. 

The ODB entry today, along with the linked song and the Scriptures above, call us all to do all we can to give from our hearts, led by God’s Spirit, and to be willing to give freely and joyfully to others, … receiving the joy and blessing which comes back from God, … Who promises, from His word, to bless those who give generously serving God’s kingdom.  

I’m convicted, … how about you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me so much more than I can give to others.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, …to reach out and give freely and generously of the time, talents, and treasures You have given me to serve Your kingdom, Lord.              … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.