IMPROVING MY BIBLE IQ (part 1)

On this site, I’ve posted a couple of articles about the lack of biblical literacy among Christians   (See last week’s post as well as my post about “Bible Knowledge At All Time Low" ). Well a person is either part of the problem or part of the solution.  I choose to be the latter.

My goal is not to create a theological debate.  It is to encourage believers to become committed to reading and studying the Bible.  The New Testament writers, as well as Jesus himself, spent some time warning us about false prophets and teachers. I am convinced that those who succumb to false teaching are lacking in Bible knowledge resulting in biblical illiteracy.

There are many ways Believers can fight personal biblical illiteracy. In this post and the next, I intend to recommend a course of action for improving one’s Bible IQ.  All of these recommendations have been successful with either myself or with others.  A good place to begin is with my story.

Even though I had been raised in the church and was frequently a candidate for “perfect attendance” in Sunday School, at 28 years of age I found myself suffering from a lack of Bible knowledge.  I was not serving in any church at the time (in fact I was going through a time of rebellion against God). 

After renewing my focus on Him, God began to convict me about my need for Bible study.  The first thing I learned is: “I don’t know as much as I think about The Bible or God.” 

I began slowly and simply to study The Scriptures.  I began with a “Men’s Devotional Bible.” I tried to begin every day reading the daily devotional and all of the supporting scriptures.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I was growing in spirit and in Bible knowledge.

During Army basic training and MP school, I carried my Gideon’s Bible and a copy of “Open Windows” (now called “Daily Bread”) everywhere I went.  I kept those books wrapped together in a plastic freezer bag and stuffed into my BDU cargo pocket. Whenever I had a break (usually after lunch), I’d move over somewhere alone and read the devotion and it’s scripture.  To this day I have a page from that devotion book stuck in my study Bible.  Later I learned of the positive effect this had on my fellow soldiers and even on one Drill Sergeant.

Each year since my revival, I have chosen a different yearly devotional book to guide my study. Some of my favorites have been used multiple times. Over the years I have used Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost For His Highest, C. H. Spurgeon’s Morning By Morning, several different devotionals by A.W. Tozer, Dallas Willard, and others. Most of these are available now on a smart phone, but I’m kinda “old school” in this area preferring paper and ink over bits and bytes.    

The important thing is to choose a study plan and stick with it.  The number of good plans far outweigh those that are not so good.  I am convinced that God is most honored by our perseverance and our obedience to read and study HIS Word!

HELPING PEOPLE DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL LIFE

The most fundamental question people ever wrestle with is "Why am I here?" Unlike past generations, people today aren’t necessarily looking for “the meaning of life”. Instead they’re searching for meaning in life.

Americans especially are desperately seeking something that makes their life worth living. We are so desperate for it, we will grab onto any activity, cause, or belief regardless how poorly it fits into our lives.  The fact is we are seeking the very thing for which God made us. 

The Bible teaches that God made everyone for a relationship with Him.  That relationship is the key ingredient for a meaningful life.  For instance, in Colossians we’re told: 

because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 (HCSB) 

The Bible also teaches that there are several steps we can take toward developing a meaningful relationship with God.  Following each of these steps is the single most important thing any of us can ever do.  God holds us accountable for living these five purposes as an example to the people around us and most importantly to our children as part of training them in the ways of the Lord.

STEP NUMBER 1:   We were created to Worship God.

If there is one thing people in the world, especially in the United States, understand it is how to worship.  People who worship Star Trek are called “Trekkies”; those who worship Jimmy Buffet are called “Parrot Heads”; those who worship famous stars are called “groupies”. I should also mention those who might worship sports, T.V. shows, possessions, pleasure, popularity, or power.  The truth is we get worship.  What we don’t get is the correct focus of our worship.  The Bible tells us that we were created to worship God!

"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."  Revelation 4:11 (NASB)

Most people struggle with love and acceptance.  We need to understand how critical it is to build into other lives the precious knowledge that all of us were created as an object of God’s love.

By understanding God’s love for us, we can reflect our love for God. In Matthew 22:37 (the verse we know as the Great Commandment) Jesus says:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (NIV)

People who miss this are missing something of critical importance in life. We need to teach people to know God, and we need to teach them to express their love to God through worship.

Before we teach others about worship, we must first understand worship and begin to develop a worshipful lifestyle.  Worship of God builds our relationship with God and gives our lives meaning. 
In my next post I will present some thoughts and scripture about developing a lifestyle of God worship.

H.A.B.I.T.S. (part 2)

This is part 2 of  "Six HABITS that will build a great life."  Part one contained the letters H. A. B. part two has I. T. S.

I.  = Involvement in a ministry of the Church
There are a multitude of ways to be involved in the church. One of the most important ways is to be involved in a small group Bible study.  A person will never connect with the church by attending Sunday services alone.  Small group Bible studies (some call this Sunday School or home groups) is the place where people connect, it is the place where true community happens.

Additionally, we need to become involved in the things of the church.  Things like being a hall monitor for children's or student ministry. Watching the parking lot during and following the mid-week services.  Spending one Sunday a month as a greeter or at the welcome center.  Volunteering to help put up decorations for a church member or at the church once a year.  Showing up for one or more of the "work days"  at the church.  These are only a few of the simple ways that every church has to be involved.  There are way too many to name them all here.

T. = Tithing to the church
Why is money the second biggest reason people give for not attending a worship service (the biggest reason is hypocrites in the church)?  It takes money to pay the electric, water, insurance, building repairs, paper, Bible study materials, copy machines, office supplies, cleaning supplies, building maintenance supplies, alarm system and monitoring, various licenses for audio and video, wages for nursery workers, maintenance/custodial staff, office staff, and pastors.  In addition to that a % of each offering goes to support missionaries all over the world.  The main reason to tithe is BECAUSE GOD COMMANDS IT!

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)

Before someone says, “That’s an Old Testament idea.” check this out...

“Well then,” he [Jesus] said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Luke 20:25 (NLT)


S. = Serve others through God’s Love
Jesus was in the HABIT of S-serving.  Since we are called to be imitators of Jesus we too should serve.  We serve God by serving His creation, people.

Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 (HCSB)

Why is serving so important? Because, it demonstrates our love for God.

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. John 13:14-15 (HCSB)    

When we start developing the first five parts of HABITS, the S. naturally begins to happen.  After all God wants EVERYONE to know HIM and love HIM.

This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
1 John 2:3-6 (HCSB)

Developing these H.A.B.I.T.S doesn’t happen over night or even in the course of a year.  It takes a lifetime.  So get started right-a-way.  The sooner we commit ourselves to developing good H.A.B.I.T.S. the sooner we will begin GROW-ing in Christ!

H.A.B.I.T.S. (part 1)

There are six habits that produce a GREAT life! Today I'm posting the first three of those habits (some have suggested that my posts are too long) and I'll post the other three later this week (so keep checking back, or just join and follow for automatic updates).

 Some time back Stephen R. Covey wrote a book titled, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The book identifies 7 habits that will make the reader more effective in his personal and public life. Additionally, Covey claims that “this is powerful advice that will help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.”
    These six HABITS will produce perseverance, joy, and fulfillment in life no matter how good or bad things get!  The only cost is the time to read this post and the effort to implement the habits. WHAT A GREAT DEAL!

Here are the first three HABITS!
H. =  Hang Out with God
The most important habit we can develop is to spend time with God daily. The more the better, but remember God values quality above quantity.  Choose a place and a time where there is the least chance of being interrupted. I have a place on my porch that I use.  Praying or singing is allowed, but also listening.  It may feel awkward at first but stay with it!  It takes a little time to learn to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 49:10)

A. = Accountability with another believer(s)
Last year we emphasized every attendee being a part of an accountability group.  Here is the problem, many people have stopped their accountability groups.  Just because the banner is down, doesn’t mean the practice of accountability should end.  Strong Christians have trustworthy accountability partners (note more than one).  Begin today to gather a group of 3-5 devoted believers as accountability partners. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

B. = Bible Study regularly
To love God, we must first know God.  We get to know God through reading the Bible.  There are two ways we need to study the Bible. Alone (during our “hang time”) and together in a small group (accountability thing).  The Bible describes God’s personality, it helps us to experience Him, it describes His attributes, most importantly is repeatedly affirms His love for us.  There are more than 7,000 promises God makes to us in the Bible.  How many of them can you name? But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 (NIV)

Take time this week to begin to develop these first three HABITS!  They will serve you well in working on the next three.  If you need some help with H & B I suggest "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.  It's a 366 day devotional book that only takes about 8-10 minutes per day to do, but it is rich enough that you can also spend 30 or more minutes in deep study.  In short, it's very adaptable.

THE “SCIENCE OF INTERPRETATION”

A proper understanding of Scripture is not a daunting task!

Previously in “Growing in Christ” I posted about the critical importance of curriculum as a means of monitoring what is being taught in Bible studies. While only one comment is visible, several others have questioned the phrase “science of interpretation.”  I totally understand how this phrase has created some confusion.  Allow me to kindly clarify what I was trying to express. 

To begin, we need working definitions of the word “science” and “hermeneutics.”  According to Webster’s Dictionary science may be defined as: “a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study (i.e. the science of theology).”  Additionally, Webster’s defines hermeneutics as “the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible).” The question was raised regarding where is this supported in the Bible.  The Scriptures are filled with commands and declarations of the benefits of Bible study.  Here are just a few: Ezra 7:10; Nehemiah 8:13; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 111:2; 2 Timothy 2:15. 

The Holy Spirit has to be involved if we are to understand and apply God’s Word.  However, believers must participate in the Work of the Holy Spirit.  We do that by spending time in the word, asking questions and searching the Scriptures for answers. 

A specific example of this can be found in Acts 17:10-11. Paul and Silas traveled to Berea where the people “welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (HCSB) The Jews at Berea tested the truth of Paul's message by the standard of Scripture rather than judging it by political and cultural considerations. So they examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what Paul proclaimed was really true, and many believed. In short the Bereans demonstrated the “science of interpretation.”

Bible study leaders have an obligation to rightly understand the Scriptures.  Incorrect doctrine, theology, and inappropriate usage of Scripture often occurs when a person does not devote himself to the Bible as “an object of study.”  Specifically, what happens is misquotes of scriptures, but most often misapplications. When repeated these misquotes and misapplications become accepted resulting in the spread of false doctrine. 

I plan to post a couple of recommended study methods to this blog in the upcoming weeks.  If there is one in particular you would like to see please post. 

THE CASE FOR CURRICULUM

One of the more difficult tasks for a pastor is monitoring what is being taught within each of the church’s Bible study groups.  When Bible study groups go unmonitored, the door is opened for dissension within the church.  Unrestricted study group leaders can allow false doctrine to be taught, groups to degenerate into gossip sessions, and bad theologies to become accepted within the group.

To write a good Bible study lesson takes a lot of time and study.  Biblical interpretation is a science and writing a good lesson requires careful and correct hermeneutics. Without the proper preparation, a Bible study leader can easily twist and contort Scripture into a false doctrine or bad theology (even unintentionally) in an effort to respond to a question or comment.

Good Bible study curriculum, can limit misinformation being presented in the study.  Curriculum should be evaluated prior to being allowed to be used in a Bible study group.  Basic criteria for evaluation includes, but is not limited to, publisher, author, ease of use, doctrine(s) presented, and key theological points.

Equally important is good judgement on the study leader’s part. Leaders need to be free to  respond with “I don’t know” when faced with a question or comment not covered in the lesson material. More importantly, to ask “Where is that in the Bible?” when anyone makes a statement with the words, “I think . . .” (or anything similar to that phrase).

At Deltona Lakes, we use several key checkpoints to monitor our groups:
1.    Interview small group leaders who desire to write their own lessons.
2.    Require lesson notes from those who write their own lessons.
3.    Limit, review, and approve all Bible study materials that are used.
4.    Once a year for 8 weeks the church goes into “lock-step.” Every small group is studying the same Scripture text and every sermon is preached from that same text.  This is a great opportunity for us to present correct theology and doctrine to the entire church body.

These checkpoints may sound legalistic or over controlling, but they are not when they are applied through reason. What these checkpoints tend to do is to eliminate divisive personalities before they get into a position to do harm to the body.

In addition to the four checkpoints, we require our leaders and co-leaders to attend one of  two small group leader workshops held each year.  At these workshops we not only present the rules but also explain the reason for the rules.  Additionally, we spend about 90% of our time at the workshops providing training to enhance their small group leadership skills.

Since implementing curriculum standards and leader workshops, we have noticed a positive outlook and spiritual growth within Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.  There is a growing passion for ministry and a growing desire to know God!

THOUGHTS ON LIVING THE DREAM!

Many people spend their days trying to find real peace, true happiness, and complete rest. We often find ourselves chasing our shadow trying to grasp “the dream.”  The very first Psalm is a step by step process for receiving happiness, peace and rest from God.
Note: All scripture quoted from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, except where other wise noted.

    (1) How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers!
A truly happy person is quickly identified by the things he doesn’t do. That is to say, his life is NOT directed by the opinions, advice, or influence of unbelievers. True happiness is a result of being full of joy, not a shallow pretense that is created by a temporary event or experience. A major problem among our society is most people are intellectually constipated.  People often say, “I am an individual and want to express my individuality.” But in truth the expression that they cherish is determined by someone else.  It may be a fashion designer, a writer, a photographer, reporter, etc., but they allow others to determine their actions.  This problem is not limited to fashion, rather it extends into every area of our existence.  We seek, even follow advise without concern for the qualifications of the advisor. 
God paints a verbal picture of the life style He has appointed for us in the book of Jeremiah, “I never sat with the band of revelers, and I did not celebrate [with them]. Because Your hand was [on me], I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.” (Jer.15:17). 

    (2) Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
The Bible is God’s instruction book for our lives.  Have you ever noticed that everything the Bible tells us to not do is harmful for us?  Not only that, but everything the Bible tells us to do is beneficial for us.  What is equally amazing to me is that sooner or later secular science always ends up agreeing with the Bible (regarding healthy and unhealthy habits).  The reason why the happy person doesn’t take advise from the world is because the world is made up of amateurs!  We are a bunch of creatures trying to pretend that we are more than we are, that we know more than we do.  Most worry-some of all is we are creatures pretending that we have it all figured out.  God is the expert! He created us and wrote the instruction book for life (The Bible).  The real question here is “Which does it make more sense to follow an amateur or the expert?

    (3) He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
    Cyprus trees are known for strength and their resistance to rotting.  Ever thought about where they grow?  They grow next to the water. In searching for life on other planets, astronomers focus their search to find “water planets.” One thing that biologist agree on is water is the source of life!  Jesus speaking to the woman in John 4 used the term “living water” to illustrate it importance of our relationship with God.  The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “For My people have committed a double evil: They have abandoned Me, the fountain of living water, and dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) 
          The Bible is God’s instruction book for life, it connects us with the “streams of water” that God provides to us.  Streams which make us strong, that enable us to “bear fruit,” and keep us from withering away.    

    (4) The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away.
The Hebrew word translated into English here as “wicked” can also be translated into English as “criminal.”  Other translations use the word “ungodly” here. We may conclude that “the wicked” are those who disobey God’s law.  They are “wicked,” “ungodly,” “criminals,” in God’s eyes.  The same law that the “happy man” (see verse 1) delights in destroys those who violate it.   I have spend a lot of time counseling people regarding the dangers of certain substances or particular behaviors.  We need to be equally motivated to proclaim the truth about God’s ways and His mercy available for those who disobey His law.

    (5) Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous.
The Bible makes it clear in multiple and varied ways and in numerous locations, that God is reserving a “day of judgement” for HIS creation.  As followers of Christ we must believe that!  Knowing that judgement is coming, our love for people should compel us to tell others about Jesus and the grace offered through His sacrifice.     
               
    (6) For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
This Psalm began with statements about people who are happy and those who are not. It closes with one of the pursuits coveted by people, the pursuit of protection. God promises His protection and also His guidance for those who obey His instructions. The Bible is our instruction book for life.  The better we know it, what it says to do and to avoid, the better our lives become.  It is so obvious and so simple.

YOU GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY

A couple of years ago the following article came to my attention:

Maine Fisherman Reels In Drowning Man

Hollowelle, ME (AHN) -- A man who jumped of a bridge into a frigid Maine river was rescued by a fisherman who hooked his shirt and reeled him in.
    Bob Greene, 42, told the Portland Press Herald that he was having his morning coffee and reading the paper at 4:30 a.m. Thursday when he heard a noise he thought must've been a bird. About twenty minutes later, he saw what he thought was a log floating down the Kennebec River. Soon, he realized it was actually a man and could barely hear a call of "help."
    Michael Gibbs, 25, told police he had jumped from the Cushnoc Crossing bridge in Augusta, known locally as the third bridge. While the 114-foot drop did not kill him, Gibbs did sustain injuries.
    By the time the men's paths crossed, Gibbs was faintly calling for help. Greene told reporters his first instinct was to jump in the water, but a 911 operator told him to try to throw something to Gibbs instead and pull him to shore. Since Greene was getting ready to go fishing, he used his fishing pole.
    Greene was able to hook Gibbs by the shirt, and though he said it was difficult to pull him in against the river's current, he was an experienced fisherman and maker of fishing rods, so he knew how to be ginger with the line so it wouldn't snap.

THE POINT

    What Bob Green did was meet a need.  Notice what he did not do.  He didn’t stop to question if he was qualified to help.  He didn’t wait thinking that someone else will take care of it.  Mr. Green didn’t even ask, “Do I know enough about this man to help him?” or “Do I know enough about rescue?”  He didn’t make excuses. He saw a need and acted with the tools and the talent that he had at the moment.
    Just recently I completed scuba certification as a “rescue diver.”  Part of that training involved CPR certification.  One of the things emphasized in CPR training is “doing something is always better than doing nothing.”
    The point of all of this is: GOD CALLS US TO SERVE. Sometimes it is for a moment, sometimes longer, but HE calls us to serve here and now.  No matter where a believer is in life, there is a place where he can participate in God's activities. Granted some areas require specialized training, but most areas require simply require devoted participation. 
    Not only does God direct us to serve Him by serving each other, but HE promises in the Bible that HE will provide what we need to accomplish what HE wants us to do.

But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” Exodus 3:11-12 (HCSB)

    Additionally, God promises that HE will bless us for being obedient in serving.    
“If you follow My statutes and faithfully observe My commands, I will give you rain at the right time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.
Leviticus 26:3-4 (HCSB)
    Also. . .
And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 (NIV)

    I have discovered that two types of churches exist, those who are serving God and growing and those who are serving themselves and not growing.  Churches that are growing are constantly seeking volunteers, because the need for workers is increasing exponentially with the growth. There are areas of need in every church, too many to list here, these are not things that require prayer about our level of involvement, they require participation.  Growing in Christ always involves going with Christ to serve. Get in on what God is doing, start serving. 
So, grab the fishing pole and cast out there.  Remember: WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE! 

HOLIDAY ADS ASK, 'WHY BELIEVE IN A GOD'?

You better watch out. There is a new enemy in the Christmas wars.
    A couple of years ago, signs proclaiming, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake," were visible on Washington, D.C., buses. The American Humanist Association was sponsoring the ads that ran through the end of December. Fred Edwards, spokesman for the Humanist group, was quoted saying, "We are trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds." The humanist group believes that “many people imagine that the only way to be good in this world is through belief in a god.”  Humanists use reason and the tools of science to better understand our world and the best way to live in it. Humanists understand that compassion for fellow human beings, as well as an acknowledgment of their inherent dignity and worth, must form the basis of our interactions with each other.  They offer the question, “Does religious faith offer the only lens through which to judge life’s events?”
    Several problems in our society exist as a result of a humanist philosophy. 
    The first problem is foundational to community and order within any community.  Humanists ask, “Why believe in a god?  Just be good for goodness sake.”  There is no such thing as existence without a god.  Voltaire was partially right when he said, “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.”  People who refuse to worship or even acknowledge the One True GOD, always choose to worship a false god, most often themselves.  Whatever a person chooses to be their god becomes the basis for their values.  Who or what we worship, determines our view of what is right and what is wrong.  Without the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, there are no absolutes, therefore each person chooses what is right or wrong based upon their own desires. 
    A second problem is exposed in the statement, “Just be good for goodness sake” (after all isn’t that why Santa Clause is coming to town?)  Why should we be concerned with goodness? If there is no god or no heaven, then why should anyone be good?  This attitude is demonstrated in society through the “just don’t get caught” philosophy of life.  The trend is to view our actions not as what is right or what is wrong, but rather by asking, “What are my chances of getting caught?”  Case in point: right now ask yourself, “When I’m driving, do I obey the speed limit because it is the law or do I disobey the speed limit because they never run radar on this road.” 
    So here are only two of the problems that result from a humanist philosophy, I assure you there are others that presently exist and more still to come. 
    There is a solution to these and other problems. As followers of Christ we can begin to share God’s love through our actions.  We can live out the promise in our lives.  It only takes 3 things:
PRAYING
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.  Luke 5:16 (NIV)
They [Christians] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NIV)
The story is told of two church leaders discussing a major problem.  Having exhausted every possible solution, one of the leaders said to the other, “All there is left to do is to pray.”  To this the other replied, “Do you really think it is that bad? Has it finally come to that?” 
What a sad commentary on our faith when we view prayer as a “last resort” or “act of desperation” when it is instead our primary means of hearing from God.  Think of all the time wasted by praying after we exhausted all other options. Lets begin today praying first and then acting.

GIVING
" Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10 (NASB)
Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"  Mark 10:28 (NIV)
And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. Luke 5:28 (NASB)
    Right now reflect on how you reacted to the word “Giving.”  There seems to be very few verbs that cause a consistently negative reaction or thought as the word give.  Why is that? And why do we almost always associate the word give with another word, money? 
    Perhaps the problem is we start with our possessions rather than starting with our own lives.  I don’t believe for a second that God needs our money or possessions.  In fact, it is the opposite!  WE NEED God to give us money and possessions.  Our society has gotten to a place where our possessions possess us!  Instead of giving our lives over to God, we have given our lives over to our stuff. 
    Tithing involves more than stuff, it also involves our thoughts, energy, talents, skills, words, in short, everything we think, say, and do.  We commit our whole lives to following Jesus’ example and then giving a tithe of what God already has becomes easy.  Instead of giving 10%, God gives to me 90%!

SERVING
For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)
Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9-10 (HCSB) 
    Our world, in particular the United States, has lost something of great value.  We have lost the concern for others.  We are slowly losing the desire to serve without thought of compensation.  Evidence of this can be found in shows like “Survivor” where the hero, the winner, is the person who is the most “cut-throat” or ruthless.  There seems to be a growing trend in professional sports where the needs (or wants) of the player is greater than those of the team.  A good example is the epidemic of selfish acts on the football field and basketball court.
    Serving is not one of the hardest things God tells us to do, rather, it is perhaps one of the easiest areas for us to become obedient. Yes, serving might mean going to the farthest reaches of the earth and live under a bush eating bugs. More often it means being kind to the cashier as we check out or helping a neighbor. God tells us to serve one another because we need one another to get along in this world.

A WORD ABOUT DISCIPLESHIP...

    Life is about change, everything changes. There are two ways things change, they either grow or they diminish, some things change quickly, while some others extremely slow. Some changes are for the better (even if they don’t appear that way at first), while other changes are for the worse.

    The change that God values and supports, begins inwardly and then manifests itself in improved “spiritual” behavior and life style.  Since Jesus is the author of faith (He 12:1-2) it requires focusing on his life, imitating his behavior, and evaluating our own motives.  Religion, on the other hand, demands that we change our behavior in hopes that it will spur, instill, or implement inward transformation, which almost never happens.

    The following is excerpted from Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard:

VIM is derivative of the Latin term “vis” meaning direction, strength, force, vigor, power, energy, or virtue:  . . . If we are to be spiritually formed in Christ, we must have and must implement the appropriate V-vision, I-intension, and M-means. 

        And Here in a nutshell is the explanation of the widespread failure ot attain Christian maturity among both leaders and followers . . .  That is why today you find many professing Christians circling back to non-Christian sources to resolve the problems of their inner life.

        Instead of inward transformation, some outward form of religion–often today even called “a spirituality”– is taken or imposed as the goal of practical endeavor.  What is then important is to be a “good _____” (you can fill in the blank). . . . The individual even enforces it upon himself or herself as what is “obviously” right. But, whatever the details, authentic inward transformation into Christlikeness is omitted.  It is not envisioned, intended, or achieved. (pp 85-86)