In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley
June 18, 2007 – Giving God His Rightful Share – Malachi 3:7-12 Through the prophet Malachi, God issued a warning to the Israelites about their unacceptable stewardship. They weren’t properly handling the resources God entrusted to them. The Lord said to stop robbing Him of the tithe that was due Him. A tithe was ten percent of their income and was given in crops, animals, or with other resources.
Understanding certain biblical principles enables us to handle our earnings in a way that pleases God:
First, as Psalm 50:10-12 says, the Lord is the owner of all things. He created the heavens and the earth. He made all living creatures, birds that fly in the air, creatures that move in the water, and animals that live on the land. He also created man and woman, who are made in His image. Genesis says everything that has the breath of life belongs to Him.
Second, God appoints His children to be the stewards of what He owns. He gave Adam, Eve, and their descendants the responsibility for taking care of everything He created.
Third, God expects us to be good stewards. In other words, we’re to make use of what He has given and return what is due Him. The Lord shouldn’t be the last to receive. Give to Him first. That’s before paying the bills or spending on personal pleasures.
The Lord will give us material blessings, but He expects us to return to Him a portion of what we’ve received. The tithe was designated as the starting point in giving. Are you returning to God His rightful share?
June 18, 2007
He Knows My Name
By Melissa Taylor
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3b (NIV)
Devotion:
My son Hayden loves football. Sometimes I think it’s his reason for living. He reads, plays, and studies the game. His moods are often affected by how a game turns out, and he looks up to many of the athletes who have played the game well. One such athlete is Derwin Gray. Derwin and his family attended our church for years. He played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers. He is also a great man of God who has devoted his life to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Hayden has great memories of passing the football with Derwin in the hallways of our church. He also had the pleasure of accompanying him in leading the Miami Dolphins’ chapel service before a game. How it brought joy to my heart to hear Hayden talk about meeting professional football players, especially those who loved God. This man, though he probably doesn’t know it, has had a profound impact on my son’s life. Derwin Gray invested in my son.
Hayden collects football cards. Each time I go to Wal-Mart, I pick up a pack, hoping we will get a few new ones and maybe even the prestigious “Peyton Manning” card. Well, it finally happened! After buying many, many packs of cards, Peyton was finally ours! Hayden placed him on the page of honor, the front page of his book. There was still one space left and I asked Hayden who he was saving it for. Derwin Gray, he replied.
A few days later, Hayden’s best friend, Hunter came over with his football cards. Hunter had three Derwin Gray cards, so Hayden asked him for one. Being the smart business man he is, Hunter said, “Sure, if I can have your Peyton Manning card.” Hayden gladly handed it over and was thrilled to receive his hero’s card. I, on the other hand, thought, Do you know how much money I spent to find that thing? What are you thinking?
Later I asked Hayden why he traded that card we worked so hard to get. Hayden’s answer blew me away. “Mom,” he explained, “Derwin knows me. He knows my name.” It meant a lot to Hayden that someone he lookedup to knew his name. Peyton Manning was special, but he did not know his name.
Do you know there is someone incredible who knows your name? He is the Almighty God, Creator of this Universe and Creator of you. He not only knows your name, but the Bible tells us He knows every hair on your head. He also knows every detail of your life. He loves you and wants to spend time with you. God wants to be a part of your life. You don’t even have to make a trade for Him. He’s yours just for the asking. Oddly enough, a Derwin Gray football card could’ve been Hayden’s just for the asking too.
This story got back to Derwin. On the day of Hayden’s First Communion, Derwin came to church with something greater than a football card. It was an 8x10 picture of him when he played for the Panthers. He signed it with a personal message and Bible verse for Hayden. He also handed Hayden five of his football cards to give to friends. Even when Hayden is mad at the outcome of a Panthers game and removes all of the Panther stuff from his room in protest, the Derwin Gray picture remains, because, “Mom, he knows my name.”
Dear Lord, Wow! You know my name! I praise You for Your unfailing and unconditional love in my life. I am grateful that I do not have to do anything to earn Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Who Holds the Key to Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
Building the Christian Family you Never Had by Mary DeMuth
Do You Know Him?
Application Steps:
Take the time to read Jesus’ very own words in John 10:1-16. Celebrate the fact that Jesus knows your name.
Reflections:
Now that you know that Jesus knows your name, who do you say that He is?
Do you recognize God’s voice when He is speaking to you?
Power Verses:
Matthew, 10:30 , “And even the very hairs on your head are numbered.” (NIV)
Luke 9:20 , “’But what about you?’ Jesus asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” (NIV)
Psalm 16:3, “The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!” (NLT)
The desire for unity has haunted me all my life through; I have
never been able to substitute any desire for that, or to accept
any of the different schemes for satisfaction of that men have
desired.
-- F. D. Maurice
June 18, 2007
VERSE:
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not
in man that walketh to direct his steps.
-- Jeremiah 10:23
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Jeremiah+10:23&translation=kjv
THOUGHT:
While we may have goals and a sense of mission about our lives,
our lives are not really ours to plan. Every day must be greeted as
a gift from God. Every goal must ultimately be pursued to his
glory. Every true sense of direction is a gift to us from our
Father's Word or his Spirit.
PRAYER:
Wise and loving Father, lead me by your Holy Spirit. Fill me
with your holy wisdom. Guide me into a more complete understanding
of your will for my life. Please give me the wisdom to live each
day with character and holy grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon
the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12, King James Version
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