Better to give...

This week, I was challenged to ask God what he wanted me to read during my morning time in the Bible. Today, - He brought me to Acts 20. I had no idea why... didn't seem like the time where Paul is traveling talking to different cities and elders about Jesus would really apply. I read it anyway.

The first verse that stuck out was Acts 20:24 (NLT) "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." I know that I really struggle with this personally. It's unconformable for me to share my faith. In part, because I suck at being a Christian... Well, by my definition and by that of many around me - here in the Bible Belt. I don't always act the way I should. I sin a lot.

The good news about that last statement - God is much bigger than my sins. I'm also learning how he is much bigger than the things I think I am in control over. Like our roof leaking and our ceiling falling in one of the rooms in our house this week... yep I have no control over any of it. He also came just for that... my sins. So really what I need to do is just get over it and do what he tells me to do.

The next verse that stuck out was Acts 20:27 (NLT) "for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know." I know I have been "shrinking", but I want to be more like Paul. I want to be brave in talking about God and sharing all "that wants you to know." I don't know everything. Great news - I don't have to know it all. I can let His word speak through me and for me.

Acts 20:29-30 (NLT) "I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following." Man! Oh Man! The first thing that popped into my head was the media. Our media right now is in some hot water because for several years they have been accused of false reporting. Last week, some of them even got kicked out of a country they were reporting in. Whether or not they are reporting false news or not... I don't have the authority to speak to it. I do know that all media and advertisement work to gain a following and I think it is safe to say that not all of them are ethical in how they work to accomplish that task.

The second thought I had about this verse was the fact that so many people and companies are talking about what is going on in an effort to gain a following. This is true about some churches. Most churches, people, and companies - I believe - are doing this with their best intentions at heart. Some though may not and we need to be cautious of these messages. In a world where it has become so difficult to trust anything you see or hear - we as believers, need to take these messages and align them with the Word. If they don't match up - it's a pretty big bet that it's not true. Some will be really cunning and I'll admit, hard not to get sucked in.

Over the past couple of weeks, on a matter completely unrelated - I have had to work not to get sucked in... This just causes me anxiety. My solution... Anytime, I feel the spiral of my thoughts start to happen - I go to the Word. I read where ever it falls open and do so until the conversation in my head stops. This may take several hours or even days. I don't care how long it takes - Matthew 11:28 (NLT) "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me , all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'"

Then finally the last verse and the one that really hit me the hardest today - Acts 20:35 (NLT) "And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Our world right now has seen so much of this mentality of "I need..." - I am reminded that we are supposed to be helping those around us. The Hubs and I believe this and talk about it often. We try to always help people when we can and now is no different. I urge all of us to check our hearts - especially us believers - make sure they are giving hearts - ready to serve. Whether it be take a little of the toilet paper you have and give to your neighbor. Drop off eggs to someone in need that hasn't been able to find them locally.

Do something to remind people that we are in this together. This will not only help them with their physically needs but it also restores a little bit of hope.

If anyone is in need of something right now - please reach out to us. We will figure out a way to help!

Jess

Ps - I haven't done much proof work to this post because I felt the timeliness was more important. Please forgive the errors.