We’re beginning the 3rd and final week of fasting, praying and seeking God during The Power of Everyone Series. During the days leading up to Nov. 23 and our Celebration Offering and the Thanksgiving Family Festival, I’ll list a scripture for you to read and consider. I’ll also share a few thoughts of my own, but my primary desire is that you ask God to reveal to you what this passage means in your life and how you should apply it as you think about what God would have you do. I would also ask that you pray and ask God to speak to the hearts of all the people in our church about this particular passage concerning what they should do. I’m pumped about the miracle I believe we’ll experience this Sunday – Nov. 23.
Bless you – Pastor BJ
Nov. 19 1 Chronicles 29:10-14
10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
As Israel prepared to build a Temple in honor of their God, the leaders and people had given freely, generously and wholeheartedly. As the people gathered, David spent time praising God. I think this is one of the most significant prayers of praise recorded in Scripture. Go back and read it again and think on the majesty of the God we know and serve.
One of the first times I remember reading this passage seriously, I was grabbed by verse 14; “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” This verse was an incredible reminder to me that everything I have comes from God and when I have the privilege of giving tithes and offerings to Him – I’m only giving Him what actually came from His hand to me. This verse is a reminder to me that everything I have actually belongs to the Lord; and when you get to that point of belief – giving isn’t difficult – it’s a pleasure and privilege.
BJ Rutledge 