Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics Brian LIttrell singing a modern version of the old hymn … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of the reality that Jesus demands of His disciples.
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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 9:7 [NKJV] … 17 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
… Our giving measures the extent of grace given from our hearts as Christians.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2Corinthians 9:6-15 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians to be willing to give willingly and generously to others.
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Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:9-10 [NKJV] … 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
… Paul really was into showing fellow Christians the joy which comes from giving generously and sacrificially to others.
Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] … 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
… God’s promise to provide all we need.
Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:16 [NKJV] … 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
… God’s smiles when we share with others.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa Samra, uses a personal story about her daughter to illustrate how many people don’t share what God has given them. The ODB author wrote: On the way home from church, my daughter sat in the backseat enjoying Goldfish crackers as my other children implored her to share. [See photo] Trying to redirect the conversation, I asked the hoarder of snacks, “What did you do in class today?” She said they made a basket of bread and fish because a child gave Jesus five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed more than 5,000 people (John 6:1–13).
“That was very kind of the little boy to share. Do you think maybe God is asking you to share your fish?” I asked. “No, Momma,” she replied.
I tried to encourage her not to keep all the crackers to herself. She was unconvinced. “There is not enough for everyone!”
Isn’t that just like our basic nature … to try to hold onto to our “goldfish,” rather than sharing them with others who have need? Actually, as Brian Littrell sings in the linked song, Jesus wants us to be willing to surrender our all to Him, Who has given His all for us. And thru all the Scriptures quoted above, mostly from the Apostle Paul, certainly we get the idea that God loves a cheerful, generous, and sacrificial giver.
I’ll leave it to my fellow readers to wrestle with God’s Spirit - as I am today - if we’re convicted to do more to share the bounty of need which God has provided for us (see Phil. 4:19 and Heb. 13:16).
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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your grace, given so freely.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to be more willing to share my goldfish with others. … Amen
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.
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