You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. 
-2 Corinthians 9:11

On our wedding anniversary, my husband, Alan, gives me a large bouquet of fresh flowers. When he lost his job during a corporate restructure, I didn't expect this extravagant display of devotion to continue. But on our nineteenth anniversary, the color-splashed blossoms greeted me from their spot on our dining room table. Because he valued continuing this annual tradition, Alan saved some money each month to ensure he'd have enough for this personal show of affection.

My husband's careful planning exhibited exuberant generosity, similar to what Paul encouraged when he addressed the Corinthian believers. The apostle complimented the church for their intentional and enthusiastic offerings (2 Corinthians 9:2, 5), reminding them that God delights in generous and cheerful givers (vv. 6-7). After all, no one gives more than our loving Provider, who's always ready to supply all we need (vv. 8-10).

We can be generous in all kinds of giving, caring for one another because the Lord meets all of our material, emotional, and spiritual needs (v. 11). As we give, we can express our gratitude for all God has given us. We can even motivate others to praise the Lord and give from all God has given them (vv. 12-13). Openhanded giving, a lavish expression of love and gratitude, can demonstrate our confidence in God's provision for all His people.

Lord, please help us trust Your abundant love and generosity, so we can give to others as You so faithfully give to us. Amen.

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Paul's Defense to Felix

-Acts 24:14
One of my greatest simple pleasures is being awake when much of the rest of the world is asleep. Sometimes, it's intentional when I stay up late to read or watch a movie, or up early to head to the shelter to serve the homeless. Being up early every day to wake the teenagers always has my body in a very specific rhythm by summer's end, so I'm awake early and writing this overlooking Myrtle beach and listening to the waves. As I scan the beach, I'm reminded of a moment earlier this week. 

"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" - Romans 1;17, NIV

"I don't believe in coincidences anymore!" Those were the words one of my seminary professors, Dr. Ben Johnson, said to me once. I can't remember exactly why he said it or what it was in reference to, but I do picture him saying it with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. I also remember him explaining that over time, he began to see the fingerprints of God at work in what he used to think were coincidences in his life. Now he believed that most of those "coincidences" were actually the handiwork of God. The only thing that changed over time was that now, with eyes of faith, he saw those coincidences differently.

Now I do not believe that God causes everything - that is not very sound theology. God alone is God, but the world is not some great computer program with all of the actions predetermined. God is working God's plans out, but there is certainly some degree of freedom in what happens, and in our response to what happens.

Recently I had conversation with a fellow Christian who shared with me some pretty amazing things that had happened in his life - things that he believed were directly related to God. I have to admit that even as a pastor, not many people actually talk that way very often to me. My natural tendency is to look for other more rational and plausible explanations for unusual events, rather than attributing them to God. But in listening to this person share what he believed happened in his life, I wonder if I might be missing something. In fact, I think it might be better to assume God is at work in my world, rather than assuming there is always some other explanation. Maybe that is part of what it means to "live by faith" - that we intentionally live each moment of each day looking for God. So, try it and "see."

One way that I grow deeper in my faith is when I take a section of scripture and consider how it may connect with a current season of life or situation I am encountering. I spent the past week with over 120 children and over 65 youth and adult leaders at Vacation Bible School. Yesterday morning, as I reflected on the week and all that God had been doing, I read this passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians. These are words I would share with all who joined us last week during VBS. It was a week of planting seeds and seeing the fruit from many years of faith experiences. 
 

I would also invite you to see how these words connect with your current season or situation.

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days.

Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does! --Philippians 1:3-8 The Message

Gracious God, May you open our hearts so that your love will flourish and that we will not only love much but well. Help us to learn to love appropriately. Guide us on the path to a life filled with fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. In Christ's Name, Amen.

(inspired by Philippians 1:9-11 The Message)

Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. 

-Jeremiah 23:24

Before he raced out the door to school, I asked my son if he had brushed his teeth. Asking again, I reminded him of the importance of telling the truth. Unmoved by my gentle admonishment, he half-jokingly informed me that what I really needed was a security camera in the bathroom. Then I could check for myself if he had brushed his teeth and he wouldn't be tempted to lie.

While the presence of a security camera may help remind us to follow the rules, there are still places we can go unnoticed or ways we can avoid being seen. Although we may evade or trick a security camera, we fool ourselves if we think we are ever outside the gaze of God.

God asks, "Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" (Jeremiah 23:24). There is both an encouragement and a warning in His question.

The warning is that we cannot hide from God. We can't outrun or fool Him. Everything we do is visible to Him.

The encouragement is that there is no place on earth or in the heavens where we are outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father. Even when we feel alone, God is with us. No matter where we go today, may the awareness of that truth encourage us to choose obedience to His Word and receive comfort-He watches over us. 

Lord Jesus, thank You that there is nowhere I can go that is outside of Your loving gaze. Knowing You see me, help me to honor You with my words and actions. Amen.