Reluctant Obedience

Jonah 3: Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

³ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. ⁴ Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

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“Shovel your neighbor’s snow” was the message given to me when I was frantically busy. I mean I had to do something important! After complaining a while, I reluctantly gave in. The next day it snowed again, even harder. “Shovel your neighbor’s snow on both sides of you” was the message this time. “Really?! This will take twice as long!”

• There have been times when GOD has given me directions that I did not want to follow.
• There have been times when GOD has spoken directly to me and I found out ways not to obey.
• There have been times when GOD has given me a directive and I chose to do something different.

Jonah was vomited ashore by a fish after praying for three days. Covered with seaweed and stench, he went to a group of murderers he hated with a passion and preached the message GOD told him. The Ninevites believed in GOD that day.

• GOD sends me to people who are open to HIS message.
• GOD tells me to do HIS bidding even when it doesn’t seem as convenient.
• GOD gives me a message to give to others and sometimes I don’t want to pass on the message.

People say to me “How do you know GOD is speaking to you?” When I hear a message that would be beneficial to someone else, grow GOD’s kingdom and I don’t feel like doing it, that’s when I know GOD is speaking to me. “Give that person your last dollar”, “Stay late and help the person who blames you”, “Shovel the snow when you are busy” are examples of GOD speaking to me at the “wrong” time but not “wrong” at all.

GOD has a way of “testing” my obedience. I don’t me a pass / fail test, I mean a test under fire to strengthen me. HE challenges me to believe in HIM and obey what HE wants me to do. Usually HE has me doing something I don’t want to, but when I obey, I can definitely see the fruit of HIS kingdom.

• What is GOD saying to you today?
• Are you fighting GOD when HE is telling you something to do?
• Will you stop fighting GOD and allow HIM to do a marvelous work through you?

Getting out of the Hole

Jeremiah 38: ²⁰ “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.

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“Five dollars!” I said to myself as I pulled my jeans from the dryer. I felt I found a nice windfall. I had no money and now I could get almost half a tank of gas. Okay that was a while ago. I went to a friend’s house a couple of blocks over and he said to me “I just lost my job.” He was not asking to borrow any money, just had to talk about it. Suddenly a voice from within said “Give him the five dollars.” “Aww man, do I have to?” was my thought.

• GOD speaks to me and sometimes I do not want to listen.
• GOD shows me exactly what I am supposed to do and sometimes I want to ignore it.
• GOD give me opportunities to gain HIS wonderful heavenly rewards and sometimes I want to pass.

Reluctantly I conceded to the battle from within. “Here man, I found this, you take it.” He pushed it back and I thought “Maybe I should keep the money!” The voice said “Give it to him.” “Okay” I said this time. I insisted that he take the windfall and walked back home. I’d like to say I found some cash on the way home or a miracle happened, but it didn’t. I got in my car and noticed I had a little more gas than I thought. Maybe a miracle did happen. I went on my merry way.

• GOD tells me to serve HIM daily and it is up to me to listen.
• GOD says “Feed MY sheep” daily and it is up to me to accept HIS path.
• GOD talks to me on a regular basis and it is up to me to listen to HIM so “All will go well.”

I have said this before, I hear GOD loud and clear when HE tells me something to do that goes against my selfishness AND furthers HIS kingdom. HE gives me opportunities to serve others when I don’t think I have anything to offer. HE blesses me over and over for being obedient.

Jeremiah was rescued from a muddy cistern. He was obedient, yet faced cruelty. GOD sent servants and he was rescued from the hole. GOD blesses me in ways I don’t understand. I only have to remain obedient to HIM and watch HIM bless me.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is HE telling you to do something that would further HIS kingdom and you are ignoring HIM?
• Will you give up the fight and allow HIM to bless you?
• Can you seek HIS purpose for you today?

Giving is an act of praise

Deuteronomy 26: ⁸ So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. ⁹ He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; ¹⁰ and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him. 

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Spring was finally here! I wasn’t excited about the trees blooming or a warm breeze gently blowing on my face. It was bonus season!  This particular year I was going to take the vacation of a lifetime. I mean it was going to be first class all the way around! I think I watched my account daily to make sure I could pull the trigger on purchasing multiple tickets to some of the finest places!

• When I have plenty I sometimes forget to give first and plan later.
• When I have plenty I sometimes think it’s all mine.
• When I have plenty I sometimes believe I deserve a break from all of “my” hard work.

It’s amazing how easy it is to think my bank account is “mine.” When it has a lot, I start thinking about some great exotic places I haven’t been and some nice toys I can now afford. I then have more conversations about fine dining, entertainment, better schools and gadgets. But what does GOD want?

• GOD wants me to remember where my wealth comes from so I won’t become arrogant.
• GOD wants me to remember HE is in control of my bank account even when it is low.
• GOD wants me to remember to give when I have plenty and give when I little in order to break the grip of fear money can place me in.

GOD wants me to celebrate the fact that HE is the provider, not me!  HE wants laughter and smiles and celebration rather than giving out of obligation with a staunch, somber, teary eyed face. By taking the firstfruits off of what I make, I am showing GOD that I trust HIM to do what is necessary to provide for me. 

HE can give me plenty and HE can take riches away, but that shouldn’t change my celebration of HIS provision!

• Do you feel you can’t give right now because you don’t have much?
• Do you feel you can’t give right now because you have too much?
• Are you saving up for more stuff?
• Can you give and praise GOD about your giving?
• Won’t you put your trust in GOD instead of your bank account?

Plan for generosity

Deuteronomy 14: ²⁸ At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, ²⁹ so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

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Anticipation and exhilaration flowed through my veins as I waited on a statement from my investments. I was saving up for a cruise and I wanted to make sure I had enough money to go. I planned this trip for months. I booked the plane and excursions. Yes this was a well-deserved trip!

• When I want something I plan for it.
• When I desire something I save up for it.
• When I yearn for something I get excited over it and anticipate its arrival.

Giving is quite the opposite of my vacation planning.  Sometimes I grumble over giving and other times I look up and whatever money is left I give. I say to myself, I don’t have enough to give right now, yet I run out and buy new stuff because I “need” more stuff.

• GOD wants me to plan for giving.
• GOD says “prepare your tithes.”
• GOD says “pay attention to those in need.”

When I know I am going to give then I automatically deduct the amount I have in my hand by what I have already planned. I no longer say to myself I have $1000 rather the LORD has $100 and I have $900. But wait, what if my income doesn’t cover my bills. Well, that’s a longer discussion but I know GOD loves when I am cheerful in my giving.

Giving frees me from wanting more and more for myself because the focus is on others. Through GOD’s generosity, I can be generous.

• Are you planning to give?
• Are you planning to give in big way or have you squeezed GOD’s generosity into your tiny world?
• Has GOD given you a vision for generosity?

A “leftover” attitude

Numbers 18: ³² Bring the best part of what you receive. Then you will not be guilty of holding anything back. You will not make the holy offerings of the people of Israel “unclean.” You will not die.’”

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Wednesday had finally arrived! I got paid twice a month and it seemed like I would run out of money quicker than I wanted to. I could finally pick up the new suit I had put in layaway and I could buy some groceries. I could also pay rent but the car payment would have to wait until the following check.

On Sunday I had a couple of dollars to put in church. “There… I gave” I thought to myself. This was a sacrifice because I could have kept it to myself!

• When I give GOD the leftovers I sometimes run out.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I put HIM last.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I treat HIM with an “HE won’t mind” or “HE should be thankful” attitude.

My giving in church crept into other areas of my life. When it was time to clear the closet I would look at the worn items. When it was time to move I would give away the things I didn’t want or use. I would keep the best and give away the worst. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to give my best to HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to plan my giving just like planning my new clothes, vacations and gadgets.
• GOD wants me to not cringe when I get a large payment and have to give HIM my best.

I need to give without expectation that GOD will double or triple my gift here on Earth. GOD can do with my money and possessions as HE sees fit. HE wants me to not let things have a hold on me so giving helps this process. When I give my best GOD does the rest!

• Are you clinging onto your little change?
• Are you afraid to give your best?
• Can you recognize a part of you that is not giving GOD your best?
• Won’t you start out small and grow into excited giving?