"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded..." Luke 12:48
We are filthy rich! If you are living in America and you make more than $30,000 per year, you are in the top 5% of the world's wealthiest people. As Americans, we spend 10 billion dollars on video games every year. On average, American households have 1.2 cars per driver and spend $9.00 a day on gas. Americans spend more money on pornography in one year than is produced by the entire economy of Somalia in three. We are filthy rich! Yet every year Americans spend more money on dog food than they collectively give to the church. Giving is possible for everyone, but how many of us make it a priority?
Luke 12:48 tells us that we carry a huge responsibility. By virtue of the fact that we live in America, it can be safely concluded that we have been outrageously blessed with opportunity and resource. To put it in perspective, there is enough resource in America that if every person gave 10% of one month's paycheck to Compassion International, we would produce enough resource to feed, clothe, educate and provide medicine for 290 million children for an entire year.
Take a look at your financial picture. Evaluate what you are doing with what you have. Are you honoring God with your money?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Bless Back...
"Test me in this...and see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it..." Malachi 3:10
Nothing seems more heart wrenching than watching video clips of children in impoverished countries suffering. These children were born in a country where the economy is underdeveloped and they have no say and no power to do anything about it, yet it seems like they endure the greatest portion of abuse. Why? Did God intend His world to be like this?
Absolutely not! In Genesis 1 God did not create poverty and sickness. Starvation was not His plan yet people are starving! What is God's solution? Where is the relief coming from? 2 Corinthians 9:11 says that God will make you rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. God's provision is our supply. We have been blessed so that we can bless back. God does not want His children starving while there is so much resource available. God wants His people fully funded to do His will. He wants to pour out blessings that we will not have room enough to hold. God wants the resources of His children to be unlocked through generosity so that the church can march forward as the premier relief agency.
When you give to the local church, you are giving to the only organization that was created by God to do His work. When you give to RockPointe Church, you are giving to a church that is committed to making a profound impact in our city, our nation and our world. God has blessed us so that we can bless back!
Nothing seems more heart wrenching than watching video clips of children in impoverished countries suffering. These children were born in a country where the economy is underdeveloped and they have no say and no power to do anything about it, yet it seems like they endure the greatest portion of abuse. Why? Did God intend His world to be like this?
Absolutely not! In Genesis 1 God did not create poverty and sickness. Starvation was not His plan yet people are starving! What is God's solution? Where is the relief coming from? 2 Corinthians 9:11 says that God will make you rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. God's provision is our supply. We have been blessed so that we can bless back. God does not want His children starving while there is so much resource available. God wants His people fully funded to do His will. He wants to pour out blessings that we will not have room enough to hold. God wants the resources of His children to be unlocked through generosity so that the church can march forward as the premier relief agency.
When you give to the local church, you are giving to the only organization that was created by God to do His work. When you give to RockPointe Church, you are giving to a church that is committed to making a profound impact in our city, our nation and our world. God has blessed us so that we can bless back!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Keep Walking...
"All I know is, I was blind, but now I see..." - John 9:25
John 9 describes Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Jesus spits in the dirt to make mud, and then rubs the mud on the blind guy's eyes. Then, Jesus tells him that if he goes to a pool of water in Siloam and washes his face, he will see! What Jesus failed to tell the blind man was that as he would have to walk down the road with mud all over his face, all the people he would pass would have no idea what he was doing! In order to achieve the vision that Jesus promised, the man had had to walk blindly and endure the questions and insults from the people who thought they saw what was really going on!
The difficult thing about following the vision that God gives you is that most of the time people don't get it! They look at your decision to start that new business, give up that life style, or give that much money to a church and they wonder whether you've gone crazy. The hard part is that you might feel like you've gone crazy too; you might feel blind!
We believe that in this season of your life you will be called to a vision that is beyond your field of vision. When it comes, don't give up! Keep walking to Siloam. When the miracle has occurred in your marriage, when you've kicked that addiction, when - because of your faithfulness - you've seen tremendous blessings poured out in your business you will have your proof. You'll understand the full meaning of this man's words, "I was blind, but now I see."
Prayer:
Lord, give me the strength to push forward though the resistance I'm feeling. I trust you and I believe that the end result will be proof enough of your work in my life.
John 9 describes Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Jesus spits in the dirt to make mud, and then rubs the mud on the blind guy's eyes. Then, Jesus tells him that if he goes to a pool of water in Siloam and washes his face, he will see! What Jesus failed to tell the blind man was that as he would have to walk down the road with mud all over his face, all the people he would pass would have no idea what he was doing! In order to achieve the vision that Jesus promised, the man had had to walk blindly and endure the questions and insults from the people who thought they saw what was really going on!
The difficult thing about following the vision that God gives you is that most of the time people don't get it! They look at your decision to start that new business, give up that life style, or give that much money to a church and they wonder whether you've gone crazy. The hard part is that you might feel like you've gone crazy too; you might feel blind!
We believe that in this season of your life you will be called to a vision that is beyond your field of vision. When it comes, don't give up! Keep walking to Siloam. When the miracle has occurred in your marriage, when you've kicked that addiction, when - because of your faithfulness - you've seen tremendous blessings poured out in your business you will have your proof. You'll understand the full meaning of this man's words, "I was blind, but now I see."
Prayer:
Lord, give me the strength to push forward though the resistance I'm feeling. I trust you and I believe that the end result will be proof enough of your work in my life.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Too Small...
"...for I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11In high school, David Eckstein was a great baseball player, but because he was only 5' 7" and 165 lbs, the college recruiters concluded that he was too small. As a result, David was a walk-on at the University of Florida as a freshman. Two of the starting players on David's team got hurt, which left the coaching staff with no other option but to play David Eckstein. Though they thought he was too small to do well in college, he proved to be one of the teams greatest assets, and he went on to become an All-American during both his junior and senior years.
You would think that after such a successful college career that David would have been drafted immediately by the scouts, but they all said that he was too small to swing the wooden bats used in the pros. He did go to the pros, but he wasn't drafted until the 19th round by the Boston Red Sox. They thought they could get him up to speed by changing his swing, but as a result he got injured, so they released him from the team. Rather than giving up, David Eckstein fought back and was signed by the Angels where he had to earn his spot on the team at spring training. He led the Angels to the World Series, but because of pressure from the critics who thought he was just too small the Angels released him. He was eventually picked up by the Cardinals, where he became an all star during his second season with them. In 2006 "Little David Eckstein" led them to the World Series where he was named the MVP. In spite of the critics who said he was too small, David Eckstein stayed focused on his vision to become a great baseball player.
What has God called you to do, even though the critics are telling you that you're too small? Maybe you are your own worst critic and you have limited yourself because of past experiences or insecurities. God says He knows the plans that he has for you. All you can do is fight hard at spring training and believe that even though you might be too small, He is not!
Prayer:
God I am guilty of thinking too small. I want you to get the credit in my life for the breakthroughs that I experience. Help me to aim high and prayer big prayers.
You would think that after such a successful college career that David would have been drafted immediately by the scouts, but they all said that he was too small to swing the wooden bats used in the pros. He did go to the pros, but he wasn't drafted until the 19th round by the Boston Red Sox. They thought they could get him up to speed by changing his swing, but as a result he got injured, so they released him from the team. Rather than giving up, David Eckstein fought back and was signed by the Angels where he had to earn his spot on the team at spring training. He led the Angels to the World Series, but because of pressure from the critics who thought he was just too small the Angels released him. He was eventually picked up by the Cardinals, where he became an all star during his second season with them. In 2006 "Little David Eckstein" led them to the World Series where he was named the MVP. In spite of the critics who said he was too small, David Eckstein stayed focused on his vision to become a great baseball player.
What has God called you to do, even though the critics are telling you that you're too small? Maybe you are your own worst critic and you have limited yourself because of past experiences or insecurities. God says He knows the plans that he has for you. All you can do is fight hard at spring training and believe that even though you might be too small, He is not!
Prayer:
God I am guilty of thinking too small. I want you to get the credit in my life for the breakthroughs that I experience. Help me to aim high and prayer big prayers.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Pain into Progress...
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives..." Genesis 50:20Joseph experienced an incredible amount of pain throughout his life. He was the youngest boy in a large family and was favored by his father, which made his older brothers very jealous. As a result, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. While serving as a slave, he was accused of sexual misconduct (though he was innocent) and thrown into prison by his owner. In prison, he provided wisdom and counsel to the cupbearer of the king. The wisdom he provided caused the cupbearer to be set free. Rather than keeping his promise to free Joseph when he was restored to power, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph and left him in prison. Eventually, God's favor was demonstrated in Joseph's life and he was restored to dignity and influence, but the path to get there was very painful.
Knowing that Genesis 50:20 was spoken to the very brothers that initiated Joseph's twenty years of pain and suffering, we realize the power behind Joseph's words, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...". Have you made the transition in your life to see God in this light? Do you still hold a grudge against the person who hurt you? Are you still blaming the credit card company for your debt? Are you still sitting in the prison cell cursing the cupbearer? Or, are you ready to allow God to turn your pain into progress?
Prayer:
God, I know that some people may do things that are intended to harm me, but you can turn my pain into progress. You can restore the years that I have wasted. Your purpose will be fulfilled in my life.
Knowing that Genesis 50:20 was spoken to the very brothers that initiated Joseph's twenty years of pain and suffering, we realize the power behind Joseph's words, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...". Have you made the transition in your life to see God in this light? Do you still hold a grudge against the person who hurt you? Are you still blaming the credit card company for your debt? Are you still sitting in the prison cell cursing the cupbearer? Or, are you ready to allow God to turn your pain into progress?
Prayer:
God, I know that some people may do things that are intended to harm me, but you can turn my pain into progress. You can restore the years that I have wasted. Your purpose will be fulfilled in my life.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Position Determines Perception...
"What is impossible with men is possible with God..." Luke 18:27
In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a very wealthy ruler who was not able to accept Jesus at his word because his wealth clouded his vision (Luke 18:23). We all approach situations with our own unique perspectives. Men and women, adults and children, the poor or the wealthy will perceive the same situation through different lenses...sometimes we can let our position determine our perception.
Have you ever been to a restaurant and been seated in the worst possible seat? Maybe it was cold outside and you were seated by the door. The food may have been delicious but all you could remember was how freezing you were. In the end, your perception of that restaurant was ruined because of your position in it.
Sometimes we have control over our position and our choice is to change our position by obeying what we hear God telling us to do. Sometimes it may seem impossible to change our position. Jesus says to us the same thing that he said to those who were listening in Luke 18 "...What is impossible with men is possible with God..." God may not move you from the position you're in because you might be exactly where he needs you to be. However, He will always help you change your perception so that you can see clearly to do His will.
Prayer:
God change my perception so that I can see things the way you see them.
In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a very wealthy ruler who was not able to accept Jesus at his word because his wealth clouded his vision (Luke 18:23). We all approach situations with our own unique perspectives. Men and women, adults and children, the poor or the wealthy will perceive the same situation through different lenses...sometimes we can let our position determine our perception.
Have you ever been to a restaurant and been seated in the worst possible seat? Maybe it was cold outside and you were seated by the door. The food may have been delicious but all you could remember was how freezing you were. In the end, your perception of that restaurant was ruined because of your position in it.
Sometimes we have control over our position and our choice is to change our position by obeying what we hear God telling us to do. Sometimes it may seem impossible to change our position. Jesus says to us the same thing that he said to those who were listening in Luke 18 "...What is impossible with men is possible with God..." God may not move you from the position you're in because you might be exactly where he needs you to be. However, He will always help you change your perception so that you can see clearly to do His will.
Prayer:
God change my perception so that I can see things the way you see them.
Monday, May 23, 2011
God's Vision...
"Where there is no vision, people cast off restraint..." Proverbs 29:18
What keeps you awake at night? What causes you to push harder or to stand and fight? Has God gripped you with a vision for your life?
Proverbs 29:18 clearly describes what happens when there is no vision. Have you ever been frustrated in school because your teacher didn't have control of the class? Or did you have a boss that kept changing her mind about what she wanted you to accomplish that day? When we are placed in situations where we don't know the vision, we usually respond by developing our own vision and plowing ahead, or we don't do anything.
On the other hand, you may have played on a sports team in high school where the goal was very clearly defined: Win the Game! On that sports team, you probably felt an incredible sense of unity, didn't you? Similarly, there is no guess work for the captain in the army, he has a vision to follow, and he carries it out without hesitation.
God has intended for you to live with His vision at the center. When you feel trapped on all sides by tough circumstances, remember that God has given you a handle to grasp. Are you living your life according to God's vision? (Romans 8:31b; Romans 8:37; 1 Peter 1:13; Isaiah 42:16; Proverbs 28:25)
Prayer:
God, give me your vision. I want to walk on a straight path toward your goal for my life.
What keeps you awake at night? What causes you to push harder or to stand and fight? Has God gripped you with a vision for your life?
Proverbs 29:18 clearly describes what happens when there is no vision. Have you ever been frustrated in school because your teacher didn't have control of the class? Or did you have a boss that kept changing her mind about what she wanted you to accomplish that day? When we are placed in situations where we don't know the vision, we usually respond by developing our own vision and plowing ahead, or we don't do anything.
On the other hand, you may have played on a sports team in high school where the goal was very clearly defined: Win the Game! On that sports team, you probably felt an incredible sense of unity, didn't you? Similarly, there is no guess work for the captain in the army, he has a vision to follow, and he carries it out without hesitation.
God has intended for you to live with His vision at the center. When you feel trapped on all sides by tough circumstances, remember that God has given you a handle to grasp. Are you living your life according to God's vision? (Romans 8:31b; Romans 8:37; 1 Peter 1:13; Isaiah 42:16; Proverbs 28:25)
Prayer:
God, give me your vision. I want to walk on a straight path toward your goal for my life.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
How to use this prayer guide...
- Read one entry each day.
- While you're reading highlight or underline parts that jump off the page.
- When you have finished reading the entry, pray a focused prayer specifically about the things that you highlighted or underlined that day.
- Sample prayers have been included for the first week, but after the first week you're on your own.
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