Day 39 - GENEROSITY - Victory In Surrender 

Philippians 2:9-11

      And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

    A person reaps what they sow… Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7b, 9 

Daily Consecration Declaration- Read Aloud.   Seedbed’s Wake Up Call

      Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

      Jesus, I belong to you.

      I lift up my heart to you. 

      I set my mind on you. 

      I fix my eyes on you. 

      I offer my body as a living sacrifice.

      Jesus, we belong to you.

      Praying in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

As I was preparing the final week of our 40 Days of Generosity, someone sent me a link to this song.  It definitely fits our theme. 

Jesus Loves the Wrecked Ones -     Chris Stapleton and Jelly Roll

There’s a man on the corner with tears in his eyes

Trying to hide every scar from his old hard life

A woman on the back pew, praying through shame

Thinking heaven forgot to remember her name

A boy fighting demons, nobody can see

A girl locked in chains, trying hard to break free

And every broken soul that the world pushed aside

Still hears mercy whisper, Child come inside

Cause grace ain’t scared of dirty hands

Mercy runs where the wounded stand

Jesus loves the wrecked ones 

The lost and barely hanging on

The hearts too bruised to sing along

The weak, the tired, the barely strong

You can listen to the whole song below.

But this isn’t just about the ones we perceive to be the wrecked ones…

His grace, and this call of generosity, is also for the proud, the wealthy, the immigrant, the people from the other political party and the other side of the tracks. This is a call to prayer, listening, seeking to understand, and laying down our weapons. This is a call to incarnational living - eyes and hearts wide open to sacrificial loving - having the same mind as Christ Jesus. 

It is also the way of hope, the way of joy, the way of eternal celebration and the way of Life as He intended for us. 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:8

READ AND REFLECT on Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In the end, it’s all about Jesus being lifted up as Lord, God being glorified, and people entering His Kingdom. 

Sowing Generously does yield a fruitful crop of blessing and abundance, but not all of it will be revealed to us fully in this life. There is no greater blessing in this life than new birth and spiritual freedom and transformation. And there is no greater honor than courageously and generously extending the grace of Jesus to those who don’t deserve it, haven’t earned it, and often aren’t even looking for it. 

What might happen in the North Central Conference if His abundant grace and generosity saturated our churches and our people wherever we live, work, and play? How many might wonder about our Jesus if we took the first steps toward the least of these and the least expectant ones? 

REREAD AND REFLECT on Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Imagine someone you least expect on their knees bowed before the cross, acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord.  

ASK -
Lord, I lift up _______. I don’t know how you might accomplish it, but I pray for repentance, life transformation, and freedom for this person. And Lord, I pray that you would give me, give us, courageous love and hearts of compassion. Make us generous, O Lord!

YIELD -
I surrender any resistance in my heart. I confess my fears, my hesitations, and my longing for comfort. Lord, pour out your Spirit of conviction. Begin in my heart. Thank you for your mercy!

Lectio 365 daily prayer

Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way. 

Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. 

Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.        Amen.