Luke 9:23 “And HE said to them all, If any man will come after ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow ME.”
HIS “Returning” Gift!
We give out and then “In”
until “Up” becomes “down”
Likewise Liberty’s gift takes
a hit…without CHRIST.
There Surrender is forced
often forfeiting Care…
giving place to Resentment
where Faith breaks from Life.
Consequently our drive
faces sacrifice daily;
Always “dying to self” so
that others may rise.
Yet great GOD’s rewards
where HE “favors” the saints;
Where HIS blessings unmatched
meet those servants who “die”.
Yes, whose service — relentless;
whose prayers — unceasing!
Be then as these, oh self!
Yes, Lead others — in flight!
As HIServant in your service,
Whitney
Devotional: We’re all familiar with Luke 6:38. But consider also Proverbs 11:25 “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
The “Dying to Self” principle is found in Scripture. Here are two such references.
Mark 8:35 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for MY sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
But simple giving isn’t sufficient when the heart and HIS love isn’t seem. Consider 1 Corinthians 13:3.
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not Love, it profits me nothing.”
Nor is comparative giving the acceptable check box by which someone is “graded”.
2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.”
GOD gives us possessions and gifts of The SPIRIT. But if I press myself to try to keep up with someone else’s charitable pace, then my heart is errantly set on competition and not caring!
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”
We must not withhold or restrain giving the provision in our hands. Why?
I believe it’s because more of what HE gives us past being wise stewards of Self and Family…is meant to be given out instead of held in!
Now GOD’s gift sometimes is returned to us because the other person rejected it. We see that in type in Mark 10:12.
“And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”
Love doesn’t throw it in the unwelcoming person’s face. It simply leaves. But the purpose of GOD’s message to HIS disciples and us today is the urgency of the Hour!
If someone rejects HIS love outpoured through us, then since Time is of the Essence, because there are so many others in need of hearing…move onward in love.
Finally 2 Corinthians 9:10! “Now may HE who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.”
My prayer then for you and reminder to me is give with HIS Love, moving daily — with even hourly frequency —
… blessing the heart, mind, body and soul of others as CHRIST’s loving example shows us! Then HIS love and favor is replenished within us as well!
Amen and amen!
2CJC 