A look into Giving: The 2009 Slate 60

I was reading The 2009 Slate 60: The Largest American Charitable Contributions of the year and I'm blessed, I mean totally blessed with these great philanthropist of our time! I'm blessed not because they've given so much (i mean literally) but blessed they've chosen to give. A lot of us who are far poorer than these guys can't even give at least a little to those who are in need. How much more when we become as rich as they are. Would it be easy to give by then million dollars?

I remember the passage in the Bible about the woman who gave two coins.

Mark 12:41-45 (New International Version)


The Widow's Offering


41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[a]worth only a fraction of a penny.[b]


43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

I'm not sure though if these philanthropist gave just because they have excess. I hope not. But looking at us, we had a bigger chance of giving more! We can be just like this woman who out of her poverty gave everything!

It's not the amount. It's the attitude of our hearts in giving. We may not be part of the Slate 60 or be famous but when we give everything, Jesus sees us and knows we have given more!

Just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

TAWG: Time Alone With God

Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Reflection:

Our God is a personal God. He wants to relate to us in a personal way. It's no wonder it's called a "love" relationship between man and his God.

Sometimes, we can get caught up with a lot of ministry work and good deeds. Sometimes, we may be very busy in handling small groups left and right, attending fellowships here and there and even preaching the Word of God to the lost but we forget the most special thing to God's heart. It's the time alone with God. God is calling out just to talk to us. (Gen. 3:8-9)

When was the last time you spent quality time with God? When was the last time you just poured out everything in your heart to Him? Or is your time with God during your prayer before meals? Or maybe while you're lying on your bed trying to pray, trying to concentrate and struggling not to sleep.

Jesus, as God as he is went off to a solitary place early in the morning to pray(Mark 1:35) and I believe he wants us, his followers to do the same.

Please note the word: solitary. Our time alone with God should be, if possible done in a solitary place where there'll be no distractions and any disturbance. Just you and your God. This is the time where you'll tell him things just you and He knows. This is the time when you'll just lay down every struggle, every defeat and hurts to him. This is also the time that you praise and thank Him for everything He had been doing and will do in your life. There are times that we desire something in our hearts that we want to keep just to ourselves. This is is the best time for you to just present all your requests and petitions to God. On the other hand, this is also his time to talk to you and reveal to you His wonderful things and perfect will for your life. You're struggling with a major decision right now? Spend time alone with God and he'll surely answer you. Need some advices on problems? Talk to him and he'll answer you.

As a whole, your time alone with God is your date with Him. A date to just have fun, be strengthened and to make your relationship sweeter. Just like a flower, it's your TAWG that waters your relationship with God for it to bloom.

Now, set a time for your "Time Alone with God" and set this time aside just for Him. He's waiting for you.

Recommended Readings:

Live By Your Personal Journey with Jesus of JourneyInTheSpirit

Spending Time Daily With God of Jesus Devotionals.org

How To Do Quiet Time - Time Alone With God of BibleSEO

Be Still and Know that He is God

Forsaking all for Christ

Luke 14:33 (New King James Version)
"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

Reflection:

To Follow Jesus is not a minor or a light decision that a person can do. It’s forsaking your ALL and making HIM your ALL. It is carrying your cross. It is dying to yourself and living through the life he had given. Let’s read the preceding verses:

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."

God is a jealous God [Exodus 20:5] and He deserves to be the #1 in your life!

There was a young rich ruler who went up to Jesus and asked what it takes to inherit eternal life. He asked what more he can do when he faithfully obeys all the commandments. To this Jesus looked at him and loved him, said “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” [Mark 10:21]And the young ruler went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.

A lot of us are like this Young Man. We can easily confess and announce that we follow Jesus but we turn back and went away when things start to be demanding, when it starts to change our lifestyle, when it starts to prevent us from doing what we love to do and when it tries to invade our lives. Remember, when Jesus is not Lord of all, he’s not Lord at all.

Christian life is not a happy-go-lucky life! It takes one to sacrifice. It takes one to change. It takes one to forsake his ALL! Let go and yes LET GOD!


I would like to also recommend for you to read Sacrificing for your Enemies by Provocative Christian Living.

God bless you as you continue to follow him!

Recommended Readings:

Be Still and Know He is God

Remember not to Forget | Make Him your First

Answered Prayers | Shout ALL the more!

Mark 10:47-48 (New International Version)
When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Reflection:

Bartimaeus was a blind man who desperately needed miracle! So when Jesus was passing by the road where he was sitting, he grabbed this chance to call on him. A crowd was following Jesus and a simple or soft call surely won't be heard. A loud CRY must be done! When he cried loud enough, the people rebuked him and told him to be quiet. This didn't discouraged him, instead he cried out all the more!

Have you been praying for something and it seems that God's not listening? Have you been praying for a long time now and are now starting to get discouraged? I experienced that as well. Surely, there will be a time that it would seem God is so far away and all our prayers just bounce back. There will be times that everything and everyone just disagree and contradict to what you desire in your heart. And there will be times when it seems God is sleeping and deaf to our prayers.

What is God telling us?

We can learn from the life of Bartimaeus. He was born blind and was really in desperate need for a miracle to restore his sight. When the chance came, the people rebuked him and stopped him. He could have just given up and shut up. But he didn't! He SHOUTED ALL THE MORE! He didn't get discouraged! The persecution and the situation fueled his faith instead.

When you pray and no one seems to listen, PRAY Harder! Sometimes God would ask you to pray harder to bring you closer to him and for you to go deeper in your relationship with him. Trees dig down deeper to get water but at the same time this makes its foundation stronger. In the same way, God wants you to dig deeper to be stronger in him. Be assured, God is listening! Don't give up! Pray harder!

Recommended Readings:

Prayers are Answered God gives you Joy

Prayers Answered by God through faith

Prayer of Jabez

Prayers Answered By GOD through Faith

For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

Mark 5:28 [NKJV]

This woman was healed immediately after she touched the clothes of Jesus Christ. A lot may have touched Jesus because a mob is following him but this woman did something different. She Believed! She had faith that her Prayers will be answered by God. She had been bleeding for 12 years and when she heard Jesus was passing by, she said to herself; "If Only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Jesus felt this and confirmed, "Woman, your faith has healed you!" [Mark 5:34].

What does it take for your Prayer to be Answered?

Have Faith! Believe that your needs will be met. Believe that your dreams will come true. Believe that you'll be promoted and be succesful in what you do. Believe that YOU Shall be Made Well. And yes, your faith shall heal you!

Recommended Readings:

Prayers Are Answered God gives you JOY

Prayer of Jabez

2 Daughters in 1 of Ptr. Guy from Heresy Today

Be Still and Know that He is God

Mark 4:39 [King James Version]
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm

Reflection:

Sometimes when we're faced with a tremendous problem, we panic and we rattle. When we are overwhelmed with the situation, we lose control. When we're pressed with deadlines and severe needs, we rush and fear. The disciples also felt the same way when they faced Storms and Great Winds. They thought they're all going to die [Mark 4:38]. But Jesus was just asleep the whole time until the disciples woke him up. Jesus then stood and "rebuked the wind saying; PEACE, BE STILL!".

Jesus asked the disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" [Mark 4:40]. Now, he's asking you why do you panic and rattle when you're faced with great problems? Why do we forget God at times like these? I believe God was not just directing "Peace, Be still" to the storms but to the disciples as well. God said:

"Be Still and Know that I AM GOD."
Psalm 46:10

Know that HE IS GOD! God who has control of everything! God who is the "Lord, the God of all mankind" and there's nothing too hard for him [Jer. 32:27]. God who can make all your problems, bad situations, difficult circumstances cease.

Next time you encounter a problem or if you have problems presently, BE STILL! Yes, don't move! Trust HIM and believe. God can solve them!

Recommended Readings:

You can do All things through HIM

Believe in God's Promises

Trust In Jesus Completely