EVEN MORE.....

I just heard of a couple, who learned about another family who was working to become debt free so they could adopt. They were $10,000 away from debt freedom and were carefully plodding along in obedience headed toward His goal for their lives. When this couple met them they only spoke for a few minutes, just long enough for the family to share what God was doing.

A few days later the couple contacted the family to set up a time to come by. Honestly, the family thought the couple was desiring to come by to try to sign them up for some kind of Multilevel marketing scheme. They even said that to the couple, that they had no intentions or desire to "join" up with such. After being assured this was NOT the goal and a few more persistent calls they finally relented.

When the couple arrived they sat for a few minutes of general chat when all of a sudden they spoke up and said, "after our conversation the other day, we realized your desire to be debt free so you can adopt. We want to help! They then pulled out their check book and said what is your full name." They proceeded to write out a check for $10,000, in the family name and gave it to them. The only thing we ask is that 1) you don't act weird towards us at church and 2) you tell no one who gave it to you. Before they knew it the couple was then out the door and on their way. The family was in shock! Then revival broke out in the house!

What in the world just happened? Can you imagine being such a part of God's great plan on this earth that you are free enough to give so graciously? To love so freely? To give so sacrificially? I will tell you. It is a sign of the presence of CHRIST!

Today's treasure is found in an obscure book of the Bible.....Philemon, probably just one page in your Bible. 25 little power packed verses.

I am confident as I write this letter
that you will do what I ask AND EVEN MORE! verse 21

Paul was writing to a friend named Philemon, whose slave had run away from him. The slave's name was Onesimus and God had brought him to Paul where the slave was saved. Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon as a brother in Jesus and encouraging him to receive him as just that. By law he could have done anything he wanted but by Christ law he had a different direction.

Paul knew Philemon was a believer and knew God's presence in his life would bring about a different response to the return of Onesimus. He knew that he would do even more than Paul had instructed. How did he know that?

It is found in Ephesisans 3:²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.


Notice the words "INFINITELY MORE!" They are words of the work and wonder of God. HE always does more than expected. Shows HIMSELF strong in ways that bless us and stretch us. So much more than we could ask! Should not HIS children reflect the same??? Should that not be a trademark of the Church. Now for those of you who love to slam the church..... just remember the church is not a building or denomination but people....AKA YOU AND ME!


So, how much are you giving? How greatly are you joining HIM in HIS great work? It ain't about the money..... (duh, look past the green)....IT is about the HEART! When our hearts are right with HIM they will be open hearts and open hearts lead to open hands. The couple who gave such a gift proved their love for Christ not by their mouth (which is sooo popular today) by by their actions which reflected their Christ filled heart.

My constant prayer is that I personally be completely debt free so I can give so lavishly and freely. But let me say the end result, is not that, the end result is that I be so full of HIM that I overflow in the EVEN MORE of life. Even more of my time, my talents and treasures. Not to be consumed by my flesh but giving willingly to others.


How about you? Are you giving your best for God? If not then it is because you are not giving your best TO God! Join Him in the work. Learn the EVEN MORE'S of your life and let HIS light shine!


You'll be glad you did!


Blessings

Bruce

What kind of Tree are YOU?

It's mid summer now and we are seeing the effects of both the abundance of rain earlier in the spring and the absence of it now. Some gardens are showing the signs of struggle without water to supply the much needed nutrients. Trees also are showing signs of stress and struggle. Especially the ones just planted this year....

Yesterday we looked into the treasure chest of God's Word to discover the pathway of true happiness. In this same passage God reveals to us what those who follow HIS plan will look like in life. He likens them to TREES! Let's look together...

³ They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do. NLT

Let me remind you of HIS truths from yesterday....He is speaking of those who delight in HIS word and apply them to their lives, night and day. He refers to something we all can identify with... Trees. All of us have seen trees! We've seen healthy ones and dying ones also. HE wants us to think on one type of tree in particular...Trees planted along riverbanks or ponds. You've seen them. They have some very distinct characteristics and HE reminds us of them....

1) They are planted alongside an unending, abundant supply. They will NEVER run out of their most vital necessity, water. Without water, trees die. This tree will NEVER die from lack of supply. Those who make their delight God and HIS word will never lack HIS abundant supply. All the resources of Heaven, God HIMSELF, are available to them......MMMMMM, WOW!

2) They will have a fruitful life. As the tree grows and matures, at the proper time of life and season, it WILL bear its fruit. Those who make their delight God HIMSELF and HIS word will, in HIS perfect time, bear fruit. There are seasons of fruit bearing. We must be receiving a constant daily supply for us to be ready to bear fruit in season. God will accomplish this as we feed constantly on HIS supply!

3) They will have a sustained life. The leaf of the tree will NOT wither. We usually see withered leaves in seasons of prolonged drought or due to disease that has taken its hold on a weakened tree. But not so for those planted by the riverbanks. Healthy, strong and abundantly sustained for the long haul of life. Those who make their delight God HIMSELF and HIS word will also find HIS sustaining power at work in them. They WILL NOT WITHER! Under stress and distress the true christian shows his greatest evidence of conversion. They STAY! We shall not be moved!

4) They will have a successful life. The tree will also enjoy a long and prosperous life as trees go. Leaves, fruit, growth and longevity are all signs of its prosperity. For those who make the delight God HIMSELF and HIS word, they too will find prosperity. The word actually means to succeed. Biblical success is a sign of being planted in the right spot.....near the streams of God's abundance. HIS presence will permeate the life of those who choose to come to HIM. Success, HIS success/prosperity will be evident by right decisions, peace, joy, provision, and many others, no matter what the circumstances.

I was speaking with an unsaved young man this week who at 18 years of age now finds himself with a pregnant 17 year old girlfriend. He is grappling with not only his life choices and their ramifications but also with his parents issues and his grandparents issues. He is on the 3rd generation of this cycle of failure. If he doesn't change, he is set up to continue to fail in life and to struggle for all of it! My instructions to him were simple. Either do it God's way or yours but look at the cost. In reality the cost is.....Success vs Failure in life! Right decisions will lead to success, wrong decisions will lead to failure. God's way is the ONLY way to success!

So, look at you life today. Which tree are you??? Are you finding your delight in HIM and HIS word? Much today demands our attention, time and resources, so to get the best you have to choose the best. The BEST is GOD, HIS WORD and HIS WAY! It is the only way to true success! Any other way will ultimately end in failure!

Turn to HIM now and confess your wrong choices. Make the next one..... HIM! Find in HIM your all in all!

You will be HAPPY you did!

Blessings
Bruce