After attending church last night, I conducted the chapel services at Morning Star Assisted Living facility. I appreciate the help of Don Massey, who is going to be helping me cover one Sunday each month. I realized that in February we will be out of town for two Sundays, for my niece’s wedding, so I will need to make sure my Sundays are covered. This is actually something that I have been enjoying. I tell my pastor friends, “I am a church planter.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38,39 HCSB

The Book of Acts is about the spread of the gospel after the ascension of Jesus. The title of the book could be stated, “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.” In chapter one, Jesus tells the disciples, “…you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) That verse serves as an outline for the book.

The Holy Spirit descends on those in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, and supernaturally empowers them to glorify God and then declare the message of Christ to all those gathered. As events takes place we see the gospel preached beginning in Jerusalem. Then persecution scatters believers who spread out to other regions and declared the gospel wherever they went. Included by name are believers like, Stephen and Philip.  We see direct references to the work of the Holy Spirit through their lives in powerful speaking, miracles and casting out demons.

The work of the Holy Spirit continues to our day. Peter declared, “the promise is for…as many as the Lord our God will call.” The Holy  Spirit is the witness to our hearts that we are the, “children of God.” The Holy Spirit, reminds us of the Lord’s presence and work in our lives. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans…” (John 14:16-18 NIV)

The Holy Spirit gives power to declare the gospel, even in the face of opposition. “Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed…by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene…by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.” (Acts 4:8-10 HCSB)

After the apostles are released they again find themselves in a time of corporate prayer. We read, “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.” (Acts 4:31 HCSB)

The first internal crisis in the church is the deception of Ananias and Sapphira. Their sin is viewed as an attempt to “lie to the Holy Spirit.” Scripture records Peter’s words,  “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field?” (Acts 5:3 HCSB) The work of the church is a spiritual work, the requires the help of the Holy Spirit.

We see that the work of the Holy Spirit was seen as important for all aspects of ministry. When men were chosen to serve the needs of widows, the apostles gave these instructions, “Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.” (Acts 6:3 HCSB)

When Ananias of Damascus went to pray for Saul of Tarsus, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17 HCSB) We then see the record of gentile believers at Cornelius’ house receiving the Holy Spirit as it came to those on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 10). We see the Holy Spirit empowering the Ephesian elders. (Acts 19).

The work of the Holy Spirit continues to today, to convict of sin, to confirm relationship with Christ and to empower for the work of the gospel. That is good news in a world that recognizes power and ability from all kinds of sources. When the Holy Spirit “acts” you can count on an “adventure.” The Holy Spirit is still working through Christ followers today.

My day seemed to be filled with good and bad. It was a day of nice weather, before a coming storm, so that was good. However, I found myself in front of my computer all day working on a project, and didn’t get outside, so that was bad. But, I was able to put in a full day of work without being overly fatigued, so that was good.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.…” Acts 6:8 HCSB  “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.” Acts 8:5,6 HCSB

As the church is growing and the apostle’s load and responsibility is increasing, we see they have the church choose seven men, full of faith and the Holy Spirit to handle the daily administration of the needs of widows and orphans and those in need.

But right after the list of those chosen we seen one of the men chosen, Stephen, going around and performing signs and wonders and refuting with great wisdom those who opposed the gospel. Perhaps they didn’t have a written job description and he was confused about being chosen to serve as an “administrator” and not an apostle or evangelist.

Stephen powerful and confrontational preaching causes trouble and he becomes the first martyr. When he is killed a persecution lead by Saul of Tarsus breaks out against the church. We then read of another of the “seven”, Philip. Philip in like fashion proclaims Christ as Messiah and is used in signs and wonders and casting out demons.

There is no indication that the apostles were threatened because the Holy Spirit was using these others men. They didn’t demand they return to the “food line” and take care of business. These men were full of the Holy Spirit to do whatever the Lord called them to do.

They were ordinary people, doing extraordinary deeds through the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. But after all, that is what the apostles were. They were fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots, and a mix of other backgrounds that we aren’t told. But they were called by Jesus, they followed Him and the fishermen, became “fishers of men.”

When Peter and the apostles proclaimed Christ to the religious leaders we find this commentary,  “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 HCSB) Did they just recognize them as being just “with” Jesus or did their authority and power remind them “of” Jesus. I believe it was the later. When we are with Jesus and He is working in us, it makes all the difference. The common become uncommon, the ordinary, extra-ordinary and the ignoble, noble.

Paul would point out to the Corinthians, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.“ (1 Cor. 1:26 NIV)

Paul goes on and explains, “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. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor. 1:27-29 NIV)

The Lord delights in surprising individuals and the world, by those He chooses and uses. No one is unqualified, no one is over qualified. Spiritual work is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. We can all be among those “ordinary people” the Lord uses to change the world.

We had our warmest day of the month today. Just before a predicted change in the weather. I had some meeting scheduled for today. My main one was connect with my Larimer Energy Action Project team members to work on our strategic plan for the this year. The coming months will have some challenging proposals and local elections along with all that is happening on the national scene. Later this afternoon, I went to have my tires rotated and come home with new tires. I guess I’m ready for snow!

BIBLE VERSE TODAY… “They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas.” Acts 16:6-8 HCSB

We read in the Book of Acts the expansion of the gospel. The believers when scattered from Jerusalem, went everywhere and preached the gospel. It seemed every place, every town, was open and available to hear the message of the gospel.

So it is interesting that as Paul and Timothy strike out to take the gospel deeper into the Roman empire that they find difficulty in the place they are to be. They seem for a time to be nomads, playing a game of “blindfold” trying to find the place the Lord had for them. They are prevented from preaching the gospel in Asia, they go into Bithynia and are not allow to preach there; they bypass Mysia and come to Troas. At this point they know more about closed doors than open doors.

We don’t know how or by what means they were prevented from preaching in the other towns, but in Troas they receive direction from a vision. “During the night a vision appeared to Paul: A Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” (Acts 16:9 HCSB)

Finally, some direction. So, they board a ship to cross the Agean Sea and finally come to Philippi through the port city of Neapolis. There they preach the gospel. But just as some people are turning to Christ, they find themselves in prison. At midnight Paul and Silas are praying and singing when an earthquake opens the prison doors. As the guard prepares to kill himself in fear of his superiors for letting the prisoners escape, Paul stops him; shares the gospel and the entire house of the guard come to faith in Christ.

We find an interesting account of not just the preaching of the gospel;  and another deliverance from prison; but a record of God’s directing the steps of his servants. It was undoubtedly frustrating and discouraging to Paul and his companions to be “shut out” and prevented from “their” plans. It would seem wherever they went would be fine with the Lord. But for some reason it didn’t work out.

They soon found the direction they needed through a vision. Then when it seems they are experiencing a response, they find themselves in prison after casting a demon from a slave girl and enraging her owners. It would seem that was time for discouragement. Yet, we find them in the middle of the night praying and singing….in prison! Then God shows up and deliverance from captivity comes for Paul and Silas and deliverance from sin for the prison guard and his family.

In our lives, we need to be flexible and open to the Lord’s direction in our work for the Lord. When Paul was in the midst of the “closed” doors, he didn’t know how the story would end. When he was in prison, he had no guarantee that he would be delivered. What we see is a steadfast and persistent focus on doing the Lord’s work and entrusting their lives to Him. They didn’t give up, or become bitter, or give up. We don’t know how long this journey from Derbe and Lystra to Philippi took. Travel in those days was by foot and ship, so it wasn’t just a few days or weeks.

It is always good to read the miracles of deliverance and the end result of “the story.” We often fail to understand the process it takes to get there. We, like Paul, may find where to go, by finding where not to go. Also, in our lives, when the going gets difficult and frustrations arise, we need to continue on, until the miracle comes our way.

Today I reconnected with some minister friends at a monthly lunch. It was good to see many that I had not seen for a few months. This afternoon, I met with my fitness trainer and had a good workout session. We enjoyed a “spring-like” January day, so I took the dog for a walk. It looks like we are facing a change in weather and significant storm coming our way next week.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.” Acts 14:1,2 HCSB

How often today we hear in our world today, “live and let live” or “whatever you believe is up to you.” That certainly wasn’t the case in the first century and the reality in many ways it’s not the way it is in our world today.

As we read the Book of Acts, we see the gospel, lead by the apostles, begins to spread and people place their faith in Christ. The apostles are persecuted for preaching the gospel by the religious leaders and even thrown into prison, threatened and beaten. However, they persisted in their obedience to the Lord. We see Saul of Tarsus leads an attack against those who chose to follow Christ and even had some of them thrown into prison.

As the gospel is preached in Iconium, Luke records that a “great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” In this situation the attack is not against the apostles, or even those who have accepted the message, but an new strategy is employed. The Jews, who were forbidden to have association with gentiles, “stir up and poison” the minds of the gentles against the apostles. In their hatred for the apostles and resistance to the gospel message the Jews do what they would never have done. The one exception we see, is when the Jewish leaders stirred up the people and used the Romans to crucify Jesus.

This tactic may have arisen out of the Jewish leaders fear of losing power and control. They also responded in anger to the preaching that Jesus had risen from dead. Their strategy was to undermine the apostles work directly and indirectly, even to the point of association with gentiles. After all, why would it matter to Jews what gentiles believed?

When I reflect on this, I think about experiences in the church and in politics. It is surprising at times the tactics and the steps people will take to create controversy and opposition. In politics you are fee to hold an opinion or position, unless, for example, you are baker of a small shop among hundreds in the city of Denver, and you refuse to make a cake for a gay wedding ceremony.  At times politicians have had “death threats” because of a position on an issue or piece of legislation.

Even in the church, I am continually baffled, when someone leaves a church and then feels the obligation to make  phone calls in a campaign to have a negative influence on others. It seems either a carnal show of power and or a way to seek justification of their actions through influencing others.

Once again we see that human nature trumps culture and times. What did the apostles do in the face of opposition? “They stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them.” (Acts 14:4 HCSB) They did not try to quell  opposition through changing their message or stopping their preaching. They just kept on being faithful to the Lord.

Jesus had warned them, that they would suffer persecution. He told them that if the world hated them to remember the it hated Him. (John 15:18) The apostles accepted the response as that which was anticipated and continued their work. As a result we see the Lord confirmed His presence through miracles that took place. The opposition didn’t stop either and they eventually had to flee the city. So, they went to another town and preached there!

Our beliefs, attitudes and actions must be gauged by that which is pleasing to Christ and in obedience to His Word. We should not be surprised when the message of Christ is rejected in our day, just as it was in the apostles’ day. What we do see, is people believed, miracles took place and the church grew. The Church continues to grow to this day and that is something that hasn’t changed with culture and times as well.

Today wasn’t as busy as yesterday, which was good. I received some initial feedback from the publisher of my book project and it is ready to go through the formal editing process. I enjoyed connecting for lunch with Pastor Steve Harris. It has been a long time since we have connected. After a little afternoon nap, I made it to the fitness center for a workout.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.“ Acts 2:46-47 HCSB

When the Church was established on the Day of Pentecost, a new community was formed. They not only experienced a shared faith, but a shared life. Their sense of community was reflected in an attitude and practice of meeting needs even to the point of personal sacrifice. We then see they committed themselves to fellowship in large and small groups. They recognized the presence of the Lord in their midst and it resulted in joy and favor with God and others.

The life of the church is referenced several times in the first few chapters of Acts. Usually, scriptural repetition is for emphasis. How they lived and conducted their lives together is instructive for us today, even in the midst of a different culture and time.

We find this reference in Acts 4, after the arrest of Peter and John:

“Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own… And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.” (Acts 4:32-35)

Much of these verses is a repeat to underscore the unity and concern the church had for each other. If there is a factor that impacts the effectiveness of a church, it is unity. A lack of unity, can negate the most effective church leadership; with unity, leaders looks “successful” whoever the person may be. I recall years ago, visiting a friend who was the pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in the country. As we visited, he didn’t point to programs or his preaching, but to the unity that characterized the church.

The next occurrence is found in Acts 5. This is after the apostles were place in prison again:

“Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:42 HCSB)

After the unity of the church was threatened with the deception of Ananias and Sapphira; the apostles are once again place in prison, miraculously released, tried before the Sanhedrin, flogged and then finally released. The verse above shows their continued commitment to each other and the gospel.

One of the consistent themes that arises from these passages is a commitment to community and proclamation. Both of them were of importance. They didn’t shrink in fear and huddle as a “christian society.” They didn’t focus so much on proclaiming the gospel that they neglected relationship and meeting needs. This is an important balance for any church today.

The commitments and principles that were established in Acts 2 are reflected in Acts 4 and 5. One the Day of Pentecost the “Church” was born. In their infancy they devoted themselves to the basics; and those basics are still important for the life of the church today.

Today was busy day for me. I attended my regular Tuesday morning prayer time and then conducted two Bible studies at Morning Star Assisted Living facility and then had a Rotary lunch. By the time my afternoon fitness center appointment came, I was surprised I was feeling as good as I did.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.”                    Acts 6:2-4 HCSB

You can never anticipate all the challenges of a new venture and a new work the Lord is doing. But the Lord does promise to give us wisdom and insight to address the issues that confront us as we do His work.

After the Day of Pentecost the church experiences rapid growth. They are a church connected, serving together and meeting each others needs. Part of this was the feeding of widows and those in need. Soon the disciples found themselves burdened down with the day to day tasks of this administration and it was wearing them down and diverting them from their main responsibility.

In the midst of this contentions and strife arose. As a result the twelves disciples spoke to the people and instructed them to select seven men to handle this responsibility and they would give themselves to prayer and the preaching of the Word.

This practical duty required spiritual qualifications. The men were to have a good reputation, be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. This resulted in what is often referred to as a “division of labor” or a classic form of “partnership.” It is an arrangement where individuals work in their sphere of expertise and the synergy created allows for a greater effectiveness and sustains growth that would not otherwise be possible.

An important aspect of leadership is to understand your skills and limitations and then bringing others with complementary skills to the task to address various areas of need. The result for the first century church was greater peace, effectiveness and the growth of God’s Word.

We see a similar event taking place when Moses was leading the Children of Israel in the wilderness. Jethro, Moses, father-in-law visits him and notices all the people standing for hours waiting to speak to Moses and have him render judgment in cases of conflict and to help them understand God’s will. Jethro gives Moses some advice…

“…You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to Him.  Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating bribes. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They should judge the people at all times.”  (Exodus 18:19-22 HCSB)

Sometimes it takes an “outsider” to see what is not working and the dangers. Jethro tells Moses, “What you are doing it not good.” His concern was for Moses being worn out and the people not being adequately served.

Both of these accounts have some similar features. They both involved the need for a “strategy” to deal with the challenge of leadership and the people involved. In Exodus, Jethro pointed out the problem to Moses, in Acts the disciples became aware of the burden themselves.

In both of these situations we see the need for others to come to a place of leadership, responsibility and service. Jesus Himself, did not “go it alone.” One of the first things He did was to begin calling men to follow Him. He then sent them out to preach and heal.

Then we see that fact that the steps taken were needed for the good of the leader, the people and the task that was before them. Moses was leading the people to the promise land. The disciples were fulfilling the great commission. What we find is, if changes don’t take place, growth and effectiveness is hindered. Those required changes can be hard for leader and people, but it is what is necessary and it is part of God’s wisdom and plan.

Finally, both of these situations reveal to us that God is concerned about the practical aspects of His work and our lives. There is no dichotomy between the spiritual and “practical.” God’s wisdom is available to solve practical issues as well as give spiritual insight and discernment. We need to continually realize that the Lord is able to guide and bless all aspects of our life.

On Saturday evening, we attended a birthday celebration for our friend Annette Brauchler. George and Annette were a part of our church in Lakewood and I married them about seventeen years ago. They have continued to be good friends. They had the party at the  Fox Hollow Club house in the room where my reception was for my last election in 2012. George threw a great party for is wife.

This morning at my Monday meeting we had another candidate for the US Senate. Darryl Glenn is  retired Air Force Lt.. Colonel and an El Paso County Commissioner. After a workout at the fitness center, I had a doctor’s appointment. We had an insurance change, but I am reconnecting with the doctor who admitted me to the hospital when I was first diagnosed with West Nile Virus.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” Acts 3:19 HCSB

Peter is the disciple that is “fun” to talk about. He seems brash and one who speaks before he thinks. He makes promises that he can’t keep and makes statements that he doesn’t really understand. However, on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fills the upper room and empowers the apostles to spread the gospel, it is Peter who becomes the spokesman. This happens on the Day of Pentecost and a little later when the man is healed at the Gate Beautiful.

In both of these events Peter ties what has happened back to the life of Jesus. On the Day of Pentecost he said, “This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.” (Acts 2:22,23 HCSB)

When he addressed the crowd when the lame man was healed he said,  “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong…” (Acts 3:14-16 HCSB)

Peter also ties events back to the prophets and the Old Testament. Speaking to a Jewish audience he quotes from Joel and then the Psalms on the Day of Pentecost. He then quotes from Moses in response to the healing of the lame man to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament declared.

Peter then challenges his listeners to forget and be forgiven for their deeds done in ignorance. I like the idea that he communicates to them, that they can change. This is from one who denied Jesus and was restored. This is one who knew what it was to be proven wrong, yet provided grace and mercy. He extends the same to others through faith in Christ.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:36 HCSB)  “I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did.  But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets—that His Messiah would suffer—He has fulfilled in this way.” (Acts 3:17,18 HCSB)

Peter calls his listeners to faith and a changed life.  “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…. And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” (Acts 2:38,40 HCSB)

I like the call that says, “there is a better life for you, than the one you are experiencing.” If the world of Peter’s day was corrupt how much more is our world today. The answer is not found in the  ideas and philosophy of people, it is found in the person of Jesus Christ. That was Peter’s message 2,000 years ago and it is still true today.

The message was the same to the crowd on Solomon’s porch. “Repent…so your sins will be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19 HCSB)

What happens when people respond? They receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit and “times of refreshing” come into their life. Peter lets them know that life as they have experienced it is about to change. We are not forgiven to be the same, we are forgiven to be new. Paul declared it when he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB)

What Peter declared in the first century is good for the 22 century. Jesus is the fulfillment of all the was promised. You may not have understood that, but you can put aside past actions and attitudes and receive by faith forgiveness and life in Christ. The result is a new life through God’s Holy Spirit and a spiritual refreshing in a drought-filled world.

This morning, I conducted two chapel services at Morning Star Assisted Living. After attending the late service at Timberline Church we came home to watch the Broncos in the AFC Conference Championship game. With the struggles the offense had, the defense had the right to feel like they were, “hitting the ball and dragging Charlie.” After Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips struggles was a head coach, I am pleased to see him make his mark as one of the most successful defensive coordinators in the NFL.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “Take up an offering among you for the Lord. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring this as the Lord’s offering: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair….” Exodus 35:5,6 HCSB  “Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work for the sanctuary came one by one from the work they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than is needed for the construction of the work the Lord commanded to be done.” Exodus 36:4,5 HCSB

As a pastor, I have heard and said many statements regarding giving. This especially applies to a “building project.” One of the those statements goes something like this, “The Lord has already provided all the money we need….it just is still in your pockets.”

The Lord gave instructions about the Tabernacle, its furnishings and the garments for the priests. The problem was those materials were not available, but what was needed was in possession of the people. When they left Egypt the Hebrews went to the Egyptians and asked for clothes, precious stones and anything they wanted to give. Scripture says, “they plundered the Egyptians.” As a result what the Lord had told Moses came true, they “carried the wealth of Egypt” with them as they left the country.

The Hebrew slaves were now enriched because of what the Lord had done and fulfilled in their midst. The Lord instructed Moses to ask for a “freewill” offering from the people. We find the detailed list of what they were to bring. The people responded generously and consistently to the point the craftsman said they had more than enough and to command the people to stop giving. (That’s the dream of every pastor!)

In these actions we see the people giving freely, of what they had received from the Lord. Generosity begins with that foundational understanding. When David gave and collected money, items and precious stones for the Temple, this is how he worshiped,  “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your own hand…” (1 Chron. 29:14 HCSB)

Our human perspective and diligent work and an expectation of good pay, makes it challenging to view what we have as coming from the Lord. There are words of an old hymn that I have never heard sung, but it declares,

O God who gives us life and breath,

who shapes us in the womb,

who guards our lives from birth to death,

then leads us from the tomb:

deliver us from fears that kill

the life we have from you;

help us to know your Spirit still

is making all things new.

When we recognize the Lord as our source of life and breathe and the one who secures our future we can trust Him and obey Him. That then frees us up to respond in obedience to what He puts in our hearts to do. When He speaks and we obey, we can be confident of His care and continued provision. Paul said, “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.” (2 cor. 9:10 NLT)

Jesus told His disciples, “…Freely you have received; freely give.“ (Matt. 10:8 NIV) The Children of Israel with all of their flaws, were able to recognize and respond with that understanding. When we do the same, God is honored and His work in our communities and the world is expanded.