WHEN GOD CLOSES THE DOOR... June 30 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

CHAPTER ONE, “Bring on the Giants.” P. 1

...HE OPENS A WINDOW           

        

 “When God closes the door He opens a window,

He opens a window so I can see

He’s workin’ it out the very best for me

He opens a window just for me.”

Ronna Jordan wrote that song for our musical “The Dreamer” in `1983.  And the truth is, if it’s God’s business we are in, why should we care if it’s door #3 or a window?  Our part is to be available, a servant, and do what The Lord has placed in front of us until we are given direction to move on, no matter how many doors get closed on the way there.

At the end of his ministry here on earth, Jesus told his disciples not to worry about the future. He said, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in my Name.  Until now, you have not asked for anything in my Name.  Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” Our asking God for direction to follow His will is exactly what He wants as well. So, I believe the answers will most certainly come as we are asking with the right motive.

In David’s case, after he was told by Samuel what His calling and destiny would be, the Spirit of God came on him in power. But, the sheep pen’s door still got closed behind him and the window in front led back to the pasture.  God did not feel David was ready to be king quite yet.  But David was still able to say, “Show me the way I should go, for to You, I lift up my soul.  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good spirit lead me on level ground… for I am Your servant.” Ps. 143:8,10,12.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come on us in power as well. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Paul told us in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 what God’s will for us was. He said, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And I will add….

KEEP YOUR WINDOWS OPEN!

SET THEM FREE - June 29 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Seven, “Cry Out and Shout” p. 92

SET THEM FREE                                                 

That was the title of the album and our theme in 1991.  It was an era when freedom was on everyone’s lips and on everyone’s minds.  Eastern Europe was getting free from Communism and South Africa was gaining freedom from Apartheid.  The Continental groups were touring in all of these countries with the message that Jesus Christ would SET THEM FREE as well, and the message was received with great excitement.

We sang songs like “Now I am Free”, “I Will Speak Out”, Wayne Watson’s “Freedom” and Tim Hosman’s “Takin’ The Message to the World.”  Our message was Jesus’ words in John 8:32, “…If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  In Galatians 5:1, the apostle Paul exclaimed, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

David spent his life freeing Israel from enemies on all of its borders.  Finally, he succeeded and in 2 Sam. 22:1-2 it says, “David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.  He said, ‘The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer…’" and in verse 47 of this song he sings, “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior.”

It’s the same song we sing!  This is our calling, and yours as well.  It is the goal and destiny of every Christian.  Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “…Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.”  David said it in a way that puts music to it, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear (respect) and put their trust in the Lord… I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord.  I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation.  I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly.”  Ps.40:3 and 9-10

And neither do we.  Let’s reach out to our world and…

SET THEM FREE

MIGHTY PURPOSES - June 28 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One “Bring on the Giants” pp. 7-8

MAKE SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

“God’s chief criteria for selecting special servants for MIGHTY PURPOSES is ‘Are you willing to do My will? This is the acid test.’”  (W. Philip Keller in his book, “The Time of Saul’s Tyranny”).

Are you willing to do God’s will wherever it leads you and whatever the cost?  Are you willing to stand alone for a while and bleed for something you believe in?  (That is, work tirelessly to achieve your calling?)

God gives us dreams and ideas.  He selected David for one and it took him 20 years of hard times to achieve it.  He slew a giant, led an army, and then spent seven years in hiding.  He built a guerilla band of mighty men, chased down bands of raiders, rescued ranchers, lost his home, went hungry and thirsty, but never wavered in his calling, his goals, or his belief in his destiny.  He bled for it!

God certainly won’t require those kinds of things from us, but He will expect belief, constant communication, and the kind of faith Jesus talked about.  “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.” Matt. 17:20.  I don’t believe He will expect you to move a mountain without giving you a bulldozer!

You were chosen for a reason, so fulfill it! Climb it! Pursue it! Reach it! Don’t be afraid of “all-nighters”! There are no hours for someone who is making something from nothing.  God told David and, He tells us, too.  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Ps. 32:8.

It is helpful to inspire others to join your dream.  Thurlow Spurr told me in 1962, “alone we can reach 1,000, together we can reach 10,000”.  So, I inspired and recruited and did my all-nighters and then was accused of “using people”.  Well, what else?  Donkeys? I always wanted to be used myself and still pray for it every day.

David was so successful in the military responsibilities given him that the people and officers of the army were thrilled. The women came out with tambourines, singing and dancing saying, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.” I Sam. 18:7

You don’t have to slay anyone!  Just be an inspirer, fulfill your calling, make something from nothing and

DON’T GO IT ALONE!

TRUST GOD - June 24 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” p. 31

IN GOD WE TRUST

Our founding fathers believed it!  Our money proclaims it!  Yet there are dissenting voices in our educational, government, and legal systems that are fighting to take God out of our daily lives.

I read a long article recently that said millennials (14 to 34 year olds) biggest issue is trust.  They mostly do not trust anything they read or hear, those writing or speaking.  And, given our financial, governmental and educational leadership, that lack of trust is well deserved.

So who can we trust?  Believe it or not, you can still depend on God just like David did.  He said, “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped” Ps. 28:7.

Throughout David’s Psalms, he keeps trust as the issue, “The king trusts in the Lord” Ps. 21:7. Even when it came to armies and weapons, as the commander in chief he said, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God” Ps. 20:7.

Today we would say, “Some trust in our superior military might and some trust in our strong economy, but…” oops, that is where America puts its trust. 

So, where can we tell the seventy-six million millennials to

go to gain the confidence they need to exist in the 21^st century?  

We could tell them to go back to Sunday School, (that phrase is probably politically incorrect or it simply doesn’t matter) and memorize Proverbs 3:5 & 6, like we did - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

And if you and I are to find the path to success and fulfillment, and if America is to regain its place in the world, we must all agree with what our dollar bills declare:

                             

IN GOD WE TRUST

Click here to listen to "In God We Trust" from The Continentals 2002 program Live It Up! - and be encouraged! 
https://sites.google.com/site/continentalsmusicsource/home/audio-files/10-In%20God%20We%20Trust.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

 

PERSEVERANCE - June 23 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” pp. 25-28

PERSEVERANCE

You have heard the phrase, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. That’s true, but in other cases where perseverance is necessary, it could just be a matter of continuing to move forward until your goal is reached.

David had one of the tough ones; seven years of running, hiding, doing without, knowing he was called, but dodging disaster until God’s timing, and his, collided and his anointing to become King was achieved.

As he trudged forward through adversity, his attitude was always, “My hope is in You all day long” Ps. 25:5.  He was trusting in God’s timing and determined to never give up.

Because attitude is so important in perseverance, I love what the great baseball home run hitter Babe Ruth once said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run”. We all want to “hit the home run” in life and reach our goals.

Jesus talked about your calling, and mine, in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last”.  It’s pretty clear that to achieve our calling, we have to move forward and bear fruit for Him.  On the more difficult side, He mentioned that if we run into some opposition, He expects us to move forward anyway. “And anyone who does not carry his cross (endure the difficulty) and follow me cannot be my disciple”  Luke 14:27.

So, here are my words for each of us on how to persevere: 

stand strong, push through, take the hits, stay focused, take one step and then another, be determined and driven and never give in. 

And if you do all those things, not only will you achieve your calling and your intermediate goals, You can probably also…

                          

CLIMB MT. EVEREST

LOYALTY (being Loyal) - June 22 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” pp.18-19

FAITHFULNESS (being faithful)

When I think of the great virtues, especially those of the Knights of the Round Table, loyalty to king and country, being loyal to friends and companions, is high on the list, if not number one.

This great descriptive word does not exist in our Bible.  Instead, the verb faithful and the noun faithfulness are used in place of loyal and loyalty.

God is faithful to us and expects it from us in return.  David wrote, “To the faithful, you show yourself faithful” Ps 18:25. In his Psalm 145, he wrote line after line of many of the great virtues God looks for in our hearts.  Verse 13 works for our theme today, “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.”

In the news, we are hearing more and more about Christians having to stand strong and faithful to the moment they are shot and killed.  Recently, students in Oregon and Nairobi paid the ultimate price for their belief in Christ.  And others around the world are facing death every day for being faithful to the Lord.  Jesus’ promise in Revelation 2:10 is worthy to remember right now.  He said, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Hopefully, you and I may never face such a situation.  “But, even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.  But in your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:14-15

We believe our friends and family will always be loyal and faithful, too, and it is our great pleasure and responsibility to be faithful to them in return.  And, may each of us hear Jesus’ words as we stand before Him someday, as He looks us in the eye and says,

     

“WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT” Matt.25:33

HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART? - June 21, Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAIVD’S 7 SECRETS

“Prelude” p. XXI

HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART?

Hopefully this past weekend you were being encouraged by a stimulating, scriptural message from the pastor and worshiping the Lord as you let your voice fill the room with a worship chorus like this one by Paul Baloche:

OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, LORD

OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART

I WANT TO SEE YOU,

I WANT TO SEE YOU

The concern is still about our hearts. Remember, that is where God looks every time.  He is concerned with our motives and our honesty.

Jesus, in Matthew 15:8, quotes from the prophet Isaiah, who was voicing God’s word when he wrote, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship in vain (whoa - God notices!), their teachings are but the rules taught by men.”

That’s the heart of the matter isn’t it?  Jesus is looking at our hearts.  He wants to see a pure heart and a true worshiper.

When I was in college and testing out different churches, one Sunday I found myself in a big charismatic church. They were singing a song that was new to me. The lyrics went like this:

HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART?

IS IT RIGHT WITH GOD?

THAT’S THE THING THAT COUNTS

TODAY

Well, all these years later it is still the big question.  The thing that counts today with God, who is looking past our outward appearance and what our voices are saying, is still what is going on…

ON THE INSIDE

ORDINARY PEOPLE - June 20 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Five “ALL” P. 68

ORDINARY PEOPLE

David was just an ordinary shepherd boy until he experienced God’s call on his life.   Then, he gave his all to that call, and that destiny.  And God was able to say to him later in his life, “….I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my People, Israel.  I have been with you wherever you have gone and I have cut off all your enemies from before you, now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth”.

From the lambs to the Lord.  From the pasture to the palace. How did this amazing circumstance happen?  It happened because He believed God had chosen him, and he was faithful in the small and difficult things God laid out in front of him to do.  He never looked back. And, lots of bad stuff happened for a lot of years.

He wrote Psalm 23 when he was a young man.  It told of the journey he was embarking on for the rest of his life.  From the peaceful green pastures, past the turbulent dark valleys, and naysayers, to the jubilant culmination of his impossible dream. 

The last phrase, verse 6, of this great Psalm embodies his total commitment to God and his calling. “And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever”.  Stretching out those words, he was saying much more. “…And I will always live to serve You, to accomplish Your plans for my life and to live out my destiny.  All that I am, and all that I will ever be, is Yours forever.”

You also are called and have a destiny.  However small or big your personal world is, that’s where God has placed you to begin.  God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

He can take the smallest, weakest most insignificant one of us, and yet, if we have the same heart commitment as David, He can use us to make an amazing, positive difference in our world.  “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong…”  I Cor. 1:27

In 1978 I recorded a Daniebelle Hall song called “Ordinary People”.  As the Continentals sang it all that summer, it changed their hearts and their commitment…

Just ordinary People

God uses ordinary people.

He chooses people, just like me and you

Who are willing to do as He commands.

God uses people that will give Him all

No matter how small your all may seem to you,

Because little becomes much

As you place it in the Master’s hand.

Let’s face it, you and I are really just ordinary people, but like the song and the scripture says, if we are willing to put our all in His hands…

Ordinary becomes extraordinary!

For a blast from the past, click here to listen to the song "Ordinary People"

https://sites.google.com/site/continentalsmusicsource/home/audio-files/Ordinary%20People-02.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

HUMILITY - June 17 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table”  p. 22

                                        HUMILITY

Have you ever met someone who was proud of their humility?  What a laugh!  In a social world where attitude is so important to communication, it is refreshing to find someone strong, gifted, intelligent, and seemingly in control, with a humble spirit.

Solomon, a very wise man who learned a lot from his father, King David, said, “Humility comes before honor”, Prov. 15:33.  David is a good example of a humble leader.  He made decisions based on Paul’s future declaration, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” Rom. 12:3.  Wouldn’t it be nice to find this characteristic in today’s leaders?

After David killed Goliath, he became a legend in his own time. The young girls of the country sang songs about his exploits.  One of the rewards for taking down the giant was an offer to David by the King of his daughter’s hand.  David’s attitude was, “Who am I and what is my family, that I should become the King’s son-in-law?  I am only a poor man and little known.” I Sam. 18: 18 & 23

When we are young, asserting our talents and growing in knowledge, we have to deal with pride.  The more experience we gain, and the longer we live, the easier it is to be humble because we learn how insignificant we are in God’s big scheme.

The Bible teaches, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up”, James. 4:10. So, it’s not how loud and forceful you are, it’s how much heart you have in delivering your requirements. It’s your attitude.  Be strong, but be full of the spirit and deliver your message with a heart of humility.

And, if you make a mistake, acknowledge it, apologize, ask forgiveness, and change your ways.   Hang your head and…

EAT SOME HUMBLE PIE

SEND ME - June 16 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter one, P. 1

SEND ME - I WILL GO

I had lunch today with a former Continental who traveled with us to Puerto Rico, Haiti and Jamaica in 1967.  He caught the vision of a world in need and eventually found himself raising his family in the Congo, flying for Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Tomorrow I meet with a Christian businessman who works for Tommy Bahama.  Both are following where God has led them.

David’s words reverberate in my mind thinking about this diversity…  “show me the way I should go, for to you, I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground… for I am your servant."  Ps. 143: 8,10 and 12

Once we have made our commitment to follow the Lord and to do whatever He has laid out in front of us, we begin to carry His light everywhere.

But you need this special attitude that shouts out, “Send Me…I will go, I want to be the one who makes the difference.”

This reminds me of Isaiah 6:8-9 “…I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here I am.  Send me!”  He said, “Go!”

I remember a rehearsal camp in 1985 at Arrowhead Springs.  Paul Eshleman from Campus Crusade was challenging our directors to go to some remote corner of the world and show the Jesus Film to people who had never heard the name “Jesus”.  Music and film -  what great tools to bring people together to hear the good news. Paul prayed as we bowed.  When I opened my eyes, an aforementioned director, initials (J.E.W.), had his face in mine and he said, “Send me! I want to be the one to go!”

He did go and others went as well. Jim Schmidt, current CEO of the Continentals Global Foundation, and I went to El Salvador to see firsthand how the film’s mission worked.  Then Jim took a group of Continentals to West Africa with Scott Wesley Brown.  They sang and showed the film; slept in dung huts and natives from villages came and for the first time ever, heard the name of Jesus and discovered new life in a dark corner of the world.

It makes no difference where God leads you, but….

IT’S TIME TO GO

ABOVE IT - June 15 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Seven, “Cry Out and Shout” P. 92

ABOVE IT

We have all been around people who live “under it”. Under the dark cloud.  Not much is very good, bad stuff happens all the time to just them, no one else.  If only “such and such” would happen, things could be bearable.

The lesson from David is that he learned to walk daily above the problems of everyday life.  He did not let them drag him down.  True, in so many of his Psalms, he moans and groans about people out to get him, but he always turns it, in the end, into trust and praise and belief in God’s deliverance. He was teaching his people that God would always be there for them.

In Psalm 40:1-3, David talks about being buried in the mud!  He said, “The Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth….”

He sang his way out of the pit!!  He was never really in it.  He walked above it.  He knew God would handle the problem and it always gave him a chance to praise Him because of it.

For seven years, David ran from Saul and his armies, hiding in caves, going hungry and thirsty.  Did he ever say, “poor me” and give up?  No, instead he said, “poor me” followed by big praise to God, and then built a band of brothers called David’s Mighty Men.

His attitude shines through in Ps. 56:13 when he wrote about the Philistines seizing him in Gath - “You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the light of life.” Everyone it seems, at that time, was out to get him.  Yet, he lived each day above the circumstance.

How did he do this?

He was chosen by God. 

(So are you!)

So, he had confidence in himself and his friends.

(You do too! And in addition to that, you have today’s remarkable opportunities at your disposal!)

He knew that God was looking out for him. 

(You have the same promise from Jesus in the Gospels.)

He expected answers to his prayers. 

(Of course You can have the same expectations.)

Stuff happens.   So what.  

LIVE ABOVE IT!

MUCH IS REQUIRED - June 14 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Five, “All” p.74

MUCH

Do you have family or friends who love you?  Have you been to high school?  Have you been to college or earned a degree? Do you have any kind of talent?  Do you have a job?

When you think about all the opportunities and things you have been given by living in a free society, you have to admit, we have a lot!  We have been given much.

There is a principle regarding “much”.  We who have received much must give back more than someone who has been given less.  Jesus put it this way in the old King James version, “For unto whomsoever much has been given, of him shall be much required.” And in the NIV … "from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded…” Luke 12:48

I have to say that from the beginning of my ministry, way back in the early 60’s, I was doing all I could to inspire singers and instrumentalists to be better than they were, to strive for greatness.  They had been given much, now they had to rehearse much!

David was “sold out” to the Lord.  He loved God with all his heart and all his strength.  He had been given power, leadership and a kingdom to rule.  He said in Ps. 18:1, “I love You, O Lord, my strength.” And with that leadership charisma, he led a nation in worship.  “How great You are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like You, and there is no God but You”, 2 Sam. 7:22.

He led by the principle of “loving God with all his Strength” because he could and that’s who he was.  The Apostle Paul said the same thing in Col. 3:22, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Jesus often talked in stories, called parables, to transfer his truths to his followers. In Matthew 25, he laid down one truth in the “Parable of the Talents”; if you are given five talents (a lot), increase what you have been given, bring back five more or however more you can!  But, if someone has been given less, don’t be afraid to use what you have been given, don’t bury it and the same blessing is yours as the one who can do a lot more than you can!

There is a chapter in Romans, chapter twelve, that most Christians know as one mentioning a “reasonable” ask.  It’s when the writer urges us to serve the Lord and not conform to the contemporary world we live in.  In verse 6 he says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” And in verse 11 he tops it off with, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Whatever gifts or talents, or knowledge or abilities or voice you have been given, use it for the Lord.

IT’S MORE THAN AN ASK, IT’S REQUIRED!

RUN TO WIN - June 13 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” p. 27

                                         

RUN TO WIN

In 2016, we are in an Olympic summer.  In August, athletes from all over the world will fly to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the XXXIst Olympiad.  1988 was also an Olympic summer and George H.W. Bush was running for President as the Republican nominee. And appropriately, the Continentals theme was "RUN TO WIN".

Our T-shirt that summer had five contemporary designed runners with big red printing across the front saying, “Run to Win” I Cor. 9:24.  I still have one and actually wore it this morning at tennis!

George H.W. Bush also had one and he wore it everywhere that fall.  There were pictures of him wearing that shirt in newspapers and magazines, so we framed one that hung in the Continental office for a long time.

In 1 Cor. 9:24 Paul said, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize!”

George H.W. Bush did and he won the prize and became the 41^st President of the United States.

We sang a Twila Paris song that year called “Runner”

RUNNER

Courier valiant, bearing the flame

Messenger Noble, sent in His name

Faster and harder, run through the night

Desperate relay, carry the light, carry the light

Runner, when the road is long

Feel like giving in, but you’re hanging on

Oh runner, when the race is won

You will run into His arms.

Hanging on is sometimes the tough part.  Many of the most successful people in the world faced impossible situations and found a way to keep going.  Dale Carnegie said, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

Paul’s prize was winning people to the Gospel of Christ.  He was shipwrecked, beaten and lashed, he was stoned, and when people rose up against him and threw him in prison, he still found a way to keep on running.  He had a determined goal to run the race and win. 

At the end of his life he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

So what about us, you and me?  

Are we running to win?  If some days you feel like you are treading water like I do, start asking God for some really big scuba fins.  Today’s world needs us runners as Ambassadors for the Lord more than ever. 

But if you do decide to really get in the race…

RUN TO WIN…

you may enjoy listening to the song Runner

https://sites.google.com/site/continentalsmusicsource/home/audio-files/08-Runner.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

www.continentalsglobalfoundation.org

GENEROSITY: GIVERS AND TAKERS - Today's Perspective

GENEROSITY

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table,” p. 34-35

GIVERS AND TAKERS

David was a man of integrity.  It was one of the characteristics (secrets) God saw when He looked into David’s heart as a young man.  David always made sure his giving was from the right motive.

Jesus talked about giving and the heart when He said in Matthew 6:21, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  

Motive and intent is a big deal in all kinds of generosity.

Some of us have been guilty of making sure everyone knows about our giving.  I suppose we have also given to get something in return at one time or another in our lives.  I think it is ok to expect God’s blessing when we give, but giving, in order to get, is the wrong motivation.

There is also the kind of generosity that is about giving time and effort to help others.  Many of you see posts on Facebook by Cher Floria Nelson. From the early 70’s to the mid 80’s, she would memorize the names and pictures of every Continental coming to rehearsal camp. Some summers that was over 500 young people.  She did it without compensation...just to make newcomers feel welcome.  When they met her on opening day, she greeted them by name.  I’ll bet she still remembers most of them.  Maybe you were one of them that has felt her generosity!

The Apostle Paul said, “God loves a cheerful giver” I Cor. 9:7. 

Attitude is the most important ingredient in giving.

David made sure his giving was from the right motive.  During his forty years as King, his personal wealth grew.  He gave all his personal wealth to build the Temple for the Name of the Lord in Jerusalem.  It was over 4.5 billion in gold and silver.

He spoke about everything he gave as already the Lord’s, as it came from His hand in the first place.  Then he wrote, “I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity.  All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent.”

I Chron. 29:17

Takers are uncomfortable to be around. On the other hand, when you give your time, love, gifts and even treasures, it is a blessing to you, as well as those receiving your generosity.

Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” Matt.10:8

Giving is free… on both sides!

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2nd CHANCES - Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter 4, “Take the Heat.” P. 60

                                 

2^ND CHANCES

David’s career was rich and romantic, and his story is alive and vibrant and exists to this day to teach us how forgiveness works between God and man and between man and other men and women.

It’s hard to say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me,” but it is essential because we are flawed and not perfect. It makes for peace and being forgiven is like a new beginning.

No problem when it comes to Jesus - he forgave all kinds of people during his ministry and the Bible is clear in 1 John 1:9, “…if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

It is also critical that we have forgiveness for those who have hurt us.  Jesus put it this way, “forgive us our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Or as one four-year-old prayed, “and forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.” Because we do make “trashy” mistakes in real life, it is important we develop a repentant and forgiving attitude.  In this way, and in most cases, second chances are possible.  They are always possible with the Lord and should be with us as well.

Jesus’ disciples were worried about it in Matthew 18:21 and Peter asked if he should forgive someone up to seven times, but Jesus replied, “…not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

David understood this very well forgiving others who hurt him deeply and having been forgiven a sin that almost crippled him and cost him his life and kingship.  He said, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is His love for those that fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:11-12

Each of us is living under second chances ● The next time it’s your turn to be the forgiver, don’t forget it ● Give someone another chance.