Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
-- 1 Peter 5:8
You may not be aware of this but the counter-culture has designated today as “Weed Day,” a celebration of marijuana and an organized effort to promote its legalization in the United States. Do you ever wonder, "Why is there this pull on humanity to do wrong?” Or maybe you ask, “Why is evil so rampant in the earth?" Or maybe, “What in the world is going on in our Country?!?!” is a daily thought for you. Let me tell you why.
I believe that Jesus Christ is coming soon… that prophecy has been fulfilled, and is being fulfilled before our very eyes. The final chapters of human history are being written. And for this reason, the enemy is putting on a frantic full-court press as the clock runs down in history.
So rather than being subtle or subversive, the devil is boldly and blatantly unleashing havoc on the earth. You and I see it every day in the horrific activities and behaviors of people. The devil is a liar, a thief, and a murderer.
And so today, even people who were once skeptical of Satan’s existence are waking up to the fact that supernatural forces and powers are at work around us. The devil is real and the Scripture affirms this. He uses people and substances to do his work.
Simon Peter said that the devil is "like a roaring lion roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour." But you can learn to recognize your enemy and his wicked purposes.
Be sober-minded and stay alert. Don’t become a spiritual casualty! You have a skillful foe, but you also have a mighty Savior in Christ Jesus.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.”
Exodus 35:21–22
When God delivered Israel from their slavery in Egypt, He did not send them out empty-handed. The Egyptians gave the Israelites large amounts of gold, silver, and other valuables—in recompense for the many years of unpaid labor. All of this bounty was the result of God’s grace. He was the reason for their blessing, and because they recognized that fact, when the time came to give for the building of the Tabernacle, the people brought abundant offerings. In fact, they brought so much that they had to be told to quit giving. “And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing” (Exodus 36:6).
There is a direct connection between our recognition that all we have is a result of God’s grace and our willingness to give to His work. Those who are truly grateful for their salvation and for the many benefits we receive from Him each day will not have to search for motivation to open their wallets, checkbooks, and bank accounts for the cause of God’s kingdom. They will want to give in response to God’s great grace given to them.
Today’s Growth Principle:
A Christian who does not willingly give from what God has provided has a heart problem, not a giving problem.
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