Day 18 - God gives, we receive
Scripture focus: "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; do what's best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes." Matthew 6:7-13 (The Message)
We have a wild and crazy fellowship at NorthStar Community, including an active web community. One of our friends in the UK has joined our family from afar. His story is so cool and messy, that I've asked him to share it with us, and he's kindly agreed. It's what I call a really, really good testimony. It's messy and non-linear and offends our sensibilities. It causes us to rethink our prejudices and redefine what it means to be a full out committed follower of Jesus. Let me introduce you...
"You may recall that I emailed you to tell you that I diligently listen in to your broadcasts here in the UK and am unable to go to Church due to my 'agoraphobia' and other issues including having a drinking problem."
Hmmm. What would we say about that? Do you suggest I write our friend back and urge him to read and apply Galatians 5:1? Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand!
Do you recommend that we set him straight, demand that he perform better, call him a prodigal son and imply that he better get his act together?
Or, in light of what we've been studying, would this be a message more fit for godly consumption: Welcome home. We have the same kind of uneven, messy story as you. You belong. It would be a killer commute from the UK to Richmond, Virginia. Thank God for the internet!! Let's keep up the conversation, let me know what you're learning on the other side of the pond. We're praying for you, pray for us!
Underneath those words is an implied message: God gives good gifts to the righteous and the unrighteous. He sends rain and sun (he told us this in the gospel of Matthew, and his audience were a bunch of farmers, so they get that the rain is good and so is the sun) to the naughty and nice. God loves to give and give and give to us. Not because of what we do, but in light of who he is. Our stories may be messy, but God's good intentions toward us are unwavering. And we believe his prevailing purposes will prevail. So keep chewing, digesting, feeding on his word.
Recommended reading: Acts 7-9
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