Unreligious: Week 4 - Day 4
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, you have said in your word, “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isaiah 55:9, NIV). Today and every day, give me the mind of Christ so that I may walk in a way pleasing to you and accomplish your work to help build your kingdom.
4 "So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
REFLECT:
When you are in a relationship with that special someone who will become your husband or wife, you want to learn everything you can about them. What was their upbringing like? Did they suffer trials and heartaches? What are their greatest victories? What brings them great joy and what is the best way to please them? The reason we want to understand how to please them is because we enjoy spending time with them, and we want to express our appreciation for that time together. It has been described by some that we “pursue” our spouse. In that pursuit we learn as much as we can about the one we love and how to bring joy to their lives. As a husband, I think men are looking for “score-keeping” in marriage more than women might. What I mean by that is, when I unload the dishwasher, when I take out the trash or fold that load of laundry, I say: “honey, look at what I did for you!” It’s the recognition and impressing of our wives we are seeking.
Many times, the same is true of our pursuit of God. We come up with great programs to visit new- comers to church. We do projects in our communities. We give money to help our local schools with various items and in many other numerous ways. However, there can be an expectation that those things mean God should bless us with specific financial rewards because of these acts. When we pursue God, we should seek to please him, but without making it conditional. He gave his one and only son, Jesus, at the cross for our sins, to redeem us to himself, unconditionally. We only need to acknowledge Jesus and Lord and savior of our lives. Romans 12:1, NIV says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Pursue God to please him today!
APPLY:
We are all familiar with giving a tithe out of our resources, but what about giving a tithe of our time? How much time do you have for God? You may start your day out with a brief devotional or bible reading. You may even be a part of a weekly bible study. Have you thought about helping in a children’s ministry area? Are there other areas in and around church where you could assist? Do a little inventory on the ways you give to or pursue God and see if you are “tithing your time” today.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, as I begin this day, let my heart and mind be focused on you as I pursue those things pleasing to you. As Paul said in Romans 12:2, NIV, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”