Dear Friends,
Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned “saint”, we all want to give back something to God for what He has done for us, is doing, continues to do, and will do until we meet Him in heaven one day. This is quite normal and good, but being the humans that we are, we can complicate our gifts to God and or our worship. You may be wondering what are the types of things God wants us to give to Him with a heart of true worship, and does worship go beyond singing to God in a song service. Is there more to this than meets the average eye? The answer is yes!
First, God asks us to give Him10% of our first fruits, which is our tithe. Before you get hung up on that, I want to speak to you about first fruits. What does that mean? Well, it means we give God our best offering from our income and gifts. We give to the poor and needy (alms), and we do not give hand-me-downs when we CAN give new things. In short, whenever you are giving to God, give cheerfully and give your best. Verse 21 says we can be called on the carpet for giving with the wrong heart, motives, and purpose. I don't want to be called on the carpet, but it has happened to me.
Second, sometimes we give God things He doesn’t need or want us to give. I have been in this position before, giving myself and my time away so often that there was little time left for God, my family, let alone myself. I got caught up in giving, almost like an obsession, and I missed the point of why I was giving and to whom. I lost sight of the focus: God. I need to reprioritize my life and how I was spending my time AND money, and had ask God what He wanted me to give, how often, and how much. Even when we are church and give praise during song service. He wants our best praise, not tired, half-hearted, and half-connected praise. In all things, He wants our best of whatever He asks!
God wants us to live the praise lifestyle, giving Him praise and honoring Him. This is the message in this Psalm. We worship God with our money, time, heart, and lips.
Reflect today and ask yourself if you need to adjust some of your thinking and giving (v 22-23). Is God calling you to the carpet?
Psalm 50 -The Message (MSG)
God!—speaks out, shouts, "Earth!"
welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
From the dazzle of Zion,
God blazes into view.
Our God makes his entrance,
he's not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.
4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
he's taking his people to court:
"Round up my saints who swore
on the Bible their loyalty to me."
6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
that here God is judge.
7-15 "Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak;
Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats' blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you're in trouble—
I'll help you, and you'll honor me."
16-21 Next, God calls up the wicked:
"What are you up to, quoting my laws, welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
From the dazzle of Zion,
God blazes into view.
Our God makes his entrance,
he's not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.
4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
he's taking his people to court:
"Round up my saints who swore
on the Bible their loyalty to me."
6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
that here God is judge.
7-15 "Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak;
Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats' blood?
Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
And call for help when you're in trouble—
I'll help you, and you'll honor me."
16-21 Next, God calls up the wicked:
talking like we are good friends?
You never answer the door when I call;
you treat my words like garbage.
If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;
adulterers are your friends of choice.
Your mouth drools filth;
lying is a serious art form with you.
You stab your own brother in the back,
rip off your little sister.
I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;
you thought I went along with your game.
I'm calling you on the carpet, now,
laying your wickedness out in plain sight.
22-23 "Time's up for playing fast and
loose with me.
I'm ready to pass sentence,
and there's no help in sight!
It's the praising life that honors me.
As soon as you set your foot on the Way,
I'll show you my salvation."
Please take the time to reflect and comment:
When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!
No comments:
Post a Comment