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Easy Receiving

Matthew 11:29 (NKJV)

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Our God is a good God. His greatest desire is us. Imagine then, how frustrating it must be to have your greatest desire always distracted by lesser things. God has a wonderful plan in place for humanity. Eye has not seen nor ear heard the (marvelously amazing) things which He has for us the scriptures says. He desire is to reveal it, though.

In the above scripture He calls Himself gentle. I did a little research on this word and was blessed by what I found. Perhaps the best definition, at least in my opinion, is easily imposed on. I find it amazing that the creator of everything, you, me, and all that we see, is easily imposed upon. So many people go to God afraid, never really knowing whether He will help or not. That’s how people feel but that’s not the God of the Bible. He says, “Come to Me, I’m ready to answer you.”

The key to coming to God is found plainly in Hebrews 11:6. You must believe that He is a good God and all that that entails AND that He is a rewarder of those who know their place. My daughter comes to me any time she needs or even desires anything. She knows, at least as far as she is concerned, that I am easily imposed upon. She knows it isn’t hard to get her way. Now she knows also that I will never do anything that would harm her so when I do say no, it’s in her best interest. But I don’t make a habit of saying no if it will bless her. Maybe one of the greatest reasons I love to bless her is because it makes me think of my Heavenly Father. He loves to bless me!

We as Christians need to live as God intended us to. He paid for such a glorious covenant so that we could! The key however, to any covenant is knowing what belongs to you in it. When two people marry, they recite vows. These vows lay out the covenant plainly for both people involved. God has laid out our covenant plainly too. The very nature of what we call ourselves, Christians, tells us about this covenant. He has written us the most thorough manual to remind us constantly what we can expect. He gave us the Holy Ghost to declare and remind us continually of His promise. Still, many live without ever experiencing even remotely what He has set aside for us. Eye has not seen nor ear heard the wonderful things God has for us scripture says. His Spirit continually reveals them to us, but do we even listen?

Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

It’s Seasonal

The other day when we arrived at our local grocery store, the parking lot was almost full and I was taken a aback for a minute because I haven’t seen it that full in a while. Then it dawned on me that it was Super Bowl Sunday.  Then I remembered that just a handful of months ago the parking lot looked liked this everyday and in just a handful of months it will be full like this everyday again. If you live in Mayville, you’ll know what that’s like. We are a very seasonal town with a much larger population in the summer months. And in summer, I’m never fazed by the busy grocery store, because I’m expecting it. 

Remember Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:” The Word promises us seasons and it’s our job to be ready for whatever season it is. Naturally speaking, we’re pretty good at this. We get used to just taking care of things and dealing with things in their season. Christians need to get better at handling spiritual seasons as well. Summer time at Tops is just one of those things we get used to. But we also know we get to enjoy the warm weather and the gorgeous lake! It’s winter time now and we’re used to shoveling, plowing, and bundling up. What good would it do for us to complain about that? What if we refused to get out our fans and air conditioners and kept our heat on all summer long because we refused to switch gears? What if we said, “I don’t like snow so I’m not going to come out of my bedroom for the next five months. I’ll show you old man winter!” Well instead winter “showed” you! 

Genesis 8:22 says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” We can expect seasons and all that come with them! If we look at life with this perspective, we’ll be more prepared when each new season comes our way. Look at Ecclesiastes 3:2, “A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;” Some seasons are for planting and some are for harvesting. We need to know what season it is so we’re not surprised by what season we’re in! 

How do we do this? How do we know if we’re in a time to plant? Well, a farmer always sows in order to reap a harvest later on. If we’ve been living in what seems like perpetual lack, what we should be doing is sowing. But, how do I sow when I don’t have? I’m glad you asked. Mark 12:41-44, “…And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” Jesus is still looking for those who will be faithful in the least! Notice this woman with the two mites understood that the kingdom of God was the place to sow that seed. She didn’t only sow to get something, but she sowed in faith with her heart connected to the kingdom! She prepared for harvest season in the time where she needed harvest. 

Look at the account of Joseph in Genesis 41:47-49, “Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.” In a time of harvest, Joseph gathered and stored as to have when the harvest season ended. We need to get better at preparing for the seasons ahead! Now, did Joseph hold back from the kingdom with this abundance? Certainly not! Being thoughtful and preparing right during the harvest season allows us never to have to go without and allows for the kingdom never to lack! 

We know how to recognize when we’re in harvest season or a season of planting naturally speaking, let’s learn to recognize what season we’re in spiritually speaking and endeavor to be fruitful in all seasons! Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée 

Continue reading “I’m Not Fazed”

Where Your Treasure Is…

Look at 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” We should look at the local church as our own body. We should consider that just as we personally have needs, the local church has needs. And just as we must take care of the responsibilities of our natural homes, if we are part of a local church, we must consider the responsibilities of that church home. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” If we are to assemble together, we must have a place to assemble. Psalms 133:1 says, “good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” If we are to dwell together, we must have a place to dwell. 

Matthew 6:21 reminds us of a very important truth, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This word treasure means your wealth, or even your storehouse. We see this idea of a storehouse also mentioned in Malachi 3:10 (ESV),

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” This scripture tells us an important truth, if we don’t fulfill our responsibility, there won’t be food in the storehouse. If we fulfill our responsibilities, the storehouse will be supplied for. This is referring to the local church. God expects that each member of the body does its share. God expects us to bring our full tithe, the first 10th of all of our increase to the local church, the storehouse. He expects this because this is the way the church will be sustained and supplied for. He set it up this way and we can look to natural illustrations such as that of our own homes, that operate just the same. Look at the next half of Malachi 3:10, “And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Our needs are fulfilled when we all do our share and put God first. 

No one of us would consider it wrong or too inconvenient to provide for our own homes. We wouldn’t be angry if we got a bill in the mail to heat our houses or to have internet, but instead would just chalk it up to a normal responsibility of being a mature adult. We can’t get mad at God because He expects us not to be delinquent with our responsibilities within the body of Christ and our local bodies respectively. Sadly, too many Christians look at the local church as only the pastor’s job or the staff’s job to maintain. This is a sign of spiritual immaturity. This is child or teenager mentality that never considers where the substances of the home comes from. Mature adults know better. Mature Christians must know better. If we want a home we must contribute to it. If we want to stay warm, we must pay the heating bill. If we want a local church, we must be willing and obedient with the Word of God. 

Matthew 6:24 (ESV), “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The enemy knows this scripture better than most Christians and, because of this truth, has made it taboo to discuss things like responsibility and money for fear of offending people. Remember Proverbs 4:20-23, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” These scriptures remind us that our health and safety is in keeping the words of the Lord and that it’s going to take diligence to guard the right heart about these truths in scripture. 

It’s time Christians change their perspective. As we separate “our” money from the will of God, we enter the realm of serving that money instead of serving our Lord. Can you see how dangerous this is? Not only will the local church suffer, but our walk with the Lord will suffer as we enter enemy territory. Our health and well-being are attached to our obedience and keeping the right heart. 

When we do things God’s way no one suffers, no one goes without. When we put our full trust in the Lord whether it be in the financial arena or otherwise, He can move on our behalf and supply us with all we need and more. Remember this: Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.”

Be Blessed,

Pastor Re

2 Timothy 4:2-4 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season…”

The devil is known for pop quizzes. Though this is written to a young pastor, the principle of being ready is for us all. No Christian ought to be surprised when a test or a trial comes their way, because the Word promised it would happen. (James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6) We have a real enemy who wants to get us off course. We have a real enemy who wants to get us doubting the one true God.  The question isn’t whether or not the test will come, but rather, what are you going to do when the test does come? Are you going to be ready? Are you going to know how to respond correctly so you don’t fail?

When the test comes, you’ll answer with whatever you’ve been putting in. The knowledge and understanding you’ve hidden in you, is what you will know how to answer with.  If you’re filling yourself up with doubt and unbelief, that’s not going to pass the test. If you’re not feeding yourself with knowledge and understanding of the Word of God, you won’t answer with the Word. You’ll answer with whatever you’ve been building your faith in. We can build faith in God by hearing and hearing His Word or we can build faith in the circumstance, when we aren’t hearing and hearing the Word. If the latter is the case, when the test comes you will not be ready. 

I’ve heard this said, that our faith is like a sponge. Whatever we fill it with will be what comes out when it’s squeezed. What’s coming out of your mouth when you’re tested? What attitude and disposition is being squeezed out of you? Are you speaking faith? Are you speaking scripture? Are you exuding joy?

Ephesians 6:13-17, writes, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Does a soldier put on their uniform and get geared up at the battlefield or before he goes out to battle? 

Too many Christians wait for the battlefield before they get ready to withstand the attacks of the devil. They’re too distracted by the affairs of this life to fill up on and guard the Word of God (Matthew 4:18-19). Is your distraction worth losing your victory? Sadly, too many Christians live distracted all the way to the battlefield and then scramble to find their armor. That is not what Jesus paid for! This is why so many Christians in this world look, act, and sound defeated. That is why so many Christians are defeated. With every distraction and with every time you neglect the Word, prayer, or showing up to your local church, you’re handing your victory over to the enemy, one piece of equipment at a time. 

Recently, I’ve dealt with some trial in a certain area of my life. When I notice that fear is starting to creep in, I realize I’m not guarding the Word enough. So what do I do? I make sure to turn my focus back on Him, not just in theory, like “God, you’re good.” No, instead I get my heart filled up with the right scriptures that will answer the doubt and answer the trial. If I don’t pick up the gear, I’m not going to keep hold of my victory. When a financial trial comes, I better be sure I have the right answer to respond with. If a trial in my body comes, I better know that I’m heal and know where the Word tells me so! If offense tries to come I better guard against that, with the Word! 

I’m a child of God! As a child of God, I’m a joint heir with Christ! All that Christ has is mine. All that the Word promises is mine! The equipment and the weapons are always available for us to use, but we’ve got to get them in our arsenal and keep them there if we’re going to have them when the test comes. Let’s hide the Word in our heart (Psalm 119:11) and have it when we need it, amen!? 

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée 

Faithfulness & Increase

Matthew 25:21 

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

I was at a local business that I frequent, when some revelation about stewardship came to me. See, God will teach you if you are willing to listen, regardless of where you are. I’ve learned over the years that people often act differently about something when they have a personal stake in it. That said, this story is about napkins. 

I am known to hoard drive-thru napkins in my glovebox. I have always loved that when you go through a drive-thru the employee, if they haven’t been absent minded, will give you a stack of them. I like to save these napkins because someone is always spilling something, needs to clean up some mess, or sometimes we have absent minded drive-thru attendants and get none, when we need them. The thing is, often employees have no thought about the cost of waste. To them they are just an expendable and cheap commodity. I’d be willing to bet that if McDonald’s as a corporation released what it spends on just napkins or straws in a year, we’d all be surprised.

As I go to this shop I am often waited on by the owner, as it is a small business. There is something I have always noticed though, no stacks of napkins. In fact, you often have to ask and a stack is rarely offered. I’m sure that napkins are not his top priority but one thing I do know (and rightfully so, I might add), the bottom line is. 

I am not advocating for a poverty mentality nor am I looking down on this business man for his frugalness (You can have an opinion without being opinionated). I am simply making an observation that deserves contemplation. This is the ins and outs of stewardship. The Bible states over and over the importance of faithfulness in what isn’t yours. 

Good stewardship is ultimately is an act of love. 1 Corinthians 13:5 states two acts of love that I am so often reminded of, even in regards to napkins. Love isn’t rude and love does not seek its own. In other words, it looks after the interests of others. It glorifies God when we care about things that do not affect us directly. We don’t need to feel love just as we do not have to feel saved. We just act on them.

We need to ask ourselves, do we look after the interests of others or do we only seek our own. And I mean others that we have no natural affection towards. Jesus said it’s easy to love your own (Matthew 5:46-47), there are no brownie points for that. What would happen though if we chose to love the unlovable? I can tell you, I’m sure glad that He did.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff