20-20 Blog

Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 1; Isaiah 2; Isaiah 3; Titus 3 (The Message)

Scripture Focus:

Isaiah 1:17
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.
Titus 3: 14 Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives.

Observation:

God cares about the needy. I see that over and over in the Bible. In Titus Paul says the goal of working is so that all necessities be met, especially among the needy.

Application:

I don’t always know how to implement this—does the panhandler on the street corner who is physically capable of working yet holds a sign as others hold jobs deserve to be helped? I can’t really answer questions like this, but I can have an attitude of help, and I can certainly help good causes, like My Father’s House.

Prayer:

God, give me your heart for people. You’ve always loved the down and out. Help me to love them, too, in a tangible way.

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Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 112:5, 9 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.
He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honor.

Observation:

This morning’s message at church was on helping the poor, and how that is God’s heart. Over and over in Scripture, including these verses, we see that it is the mark of true righteousness and greatness to be gracious to those less fortunate, to be generous when it is within our means to do so.

Application:

We are so blessed here in America. Compared to much of the world, I live like a queen with food to eat, a comfortable home, and enough money to do more than just survive.

As we’ve learned more about helping the poor, especially through micro loans, Charlie and I have made the decision to participate in programs that help the poor, not just through handouts that quickly are gone, but through giving them an opportunity to better themselves.

Prayer:

Father God, you are gracious, full of compassion, and righteous, and you want us to be like you. We want to partner with you to help the poor and needy, both physically and spiritually.

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Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 11, 12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6

Scripture Focus:

2 Chronicles 24:4 Now it happened after this that Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the LORD.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Observation:

Joash set his heart on a worthy goal: repairing the house of the Lord. That required money, and because he had set his heart to do the task, he came up with a great idea of how to get the money to do it.

There is a principle here. Whatever we set our hearts to do, we can usually accomplish, but more important than getting something done is making sure that what we do is in line with God’s vision for us and benefits those involved.

Paul instructs Timothy to command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God. Therein lies the balance. If we can set our hearts to do the thing that God wants us to do, and do it with humility and trust in God, we can accomplish great things that are a blessing to ourselves and others.

Application:

I’ve had a sense of direction from God recently. Will I set my heart to pursue this worthy goal, and will I do it in such a way that all are blessed and God’s kingdom is advanced? May it be so!

Prayer:

Father God, keep my heart steady, trusting in you to bring about the goals and dreams you place in my heart, and may I be passionate about my goal without being self serving, so the outcome can be a blessing to many.

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Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 95:11, 14 For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.

Observation:

Everything belongs to God. All things come from God. When we give to God, we’re only giving him what he first gave to us.

Application:

It’s easy to fall into the delusion that I own things. When I own something, I carefully protect it and often want to horde it. When I’m aware that God owns it, I feel a lot more generous and open handed. More like a steward, which is what God tells us we are in Matthew 18.

Prayer:

Abba Father, Everything I have is yours. What a freeing thought! Help me to be a steward of what you own, for your honor and glory!

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Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 6–7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9

Scripture Focus:

2 Corinthians 9:7–8
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Observation:

We are not required to give a certain amount. God leaves it up to what we decide in our heart. He just asks that we don’t give grudgingly or because we feel we have to. The cool thing is that God is able to supply our needs and at the same time give us enough abundance so we can give.

Application:

When God moves my heart to give, I should ask him to supply the amount. I forget that he’s as willing as I am to give me an abundance so I can pass it on to the needy.

Prayer:

Father God, I can think of something right now that my heart has been moved to give. Would you please supply the money so I can pass it along? Thanks!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Ruth 3–4; Psalm 64–65; 2 Corinthians 6

Scripture Focus:

2 Corinthians 6:10 . . . as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Observation:

Things can never make you rich. We can amass as much monetary wealth and as many things as we can, but true riches are not ours until they are not the focus of our life. Paul had given up everything, yet he thought himself rich and rejoiced to pass along those kinds of riches to others.

And what would those riches be? Salvation from our sins through Jesus would be first on the list, and then a changed character because of the transforming work of God in our lives. Paul mentions a few: patience in tribulations, purity, knowledge, longsuffering, kindness, sincerity of love, the ability to endure dishonor and hardship and the ability to rejoice, even in sorrow.

Application:

Wow. That’s quite a list. I’d like to be rich in those things. I don’t want to worry about stuff when there are true riches for the asking.

Prayer:

Father God, Your economy is so different from the world’s! May I seek and be satisfied with the riches that last for eternity!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Judges 9–10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16

Scripture Focus:

Psalm 49: 16 –17 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich . . . for when he dies he shall carry nothing away.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

Observation:

I’ve heard the saying all my life: “You can’t take it with you.” How true, yet more often than not we focus on accumulating stuff.

In contrast 1 Corinthians 16:14 says “Let all that you do be done with love.” Now there’s something that will last! When I do something with love it has a lasting effect in the lives of the people that are affected AND it is counted for eternity as something that will last. Talk about real riches!

Application:

Focus less on the “get ahead” strategy and look for ways to give away love, which has far greater rewards for myself and others in the long run.

Prayer:

Father God, you have said you will provide for my needs. I don’t have to worry and fret about stuff, so show me instead how I can spread your love today!

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Today’s Bible Reading: Joshua 21–22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10

Scripture Focus:

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Observation:

It would appear that cockiness is a bad thing most of the time, and certainly here where Paul has just delineated the sins of the children of Israel under Moses. They lusted after evil things, they became idolaters, they committed sexual sin, they tempted God, and they complained.

Ouch. Why did Paul have to remember that part about complaining?

Application:

Looks like I always have something to work on. It may not be idolatry, but it’s a good bet a complaining response will rear its ugly head.

Prayer:

Father God, You have a way of humbling us when we get too cocky. Give me the sense to cut out the cockiness so I can get my nose out of the air long enough to keep on the right path.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Numbers 28–29; Mark 8

Scripture Focus:

Numbers 29: 39 These you shall present to the Lord at your appointed feasts (besides your vowed offerings and your freewill offerings) as your burnt offerings and your grain offerings, as your drink offerings and your peace offerings.

Observation:

I was fascinated by Numbers 28 and 29 because it drove home to me the point that giving (through sacrificial offerings) was commanded by God to be a normal part of daily life. Special holidays were occasions to ramp up the giving of offerings. Giving was to be a way of life. The offerings were gifts to God, even though they also supported the tribe of Levi so they could minister as priests.

But in Numbers 29:39 there are two extra offerings thrown in and placed in parenthesis by the translators: vowed offerings and freewill offerings. I would guess that vowed offerings were “If God does such and such for me then I’ll give such and such an offering. Freewill offerings seem pretty self explanatory. Such offerings were given freely out of a love for the God or to meet a special need.

Application:

God’s people are to be givers. God blesses us. We bless others. And that pleases God, who promises to bless the giver. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I’ve been learning more about the joy of giving this past year. It truly is a joy!

Prayer:

Father God, you have blessed me so abundantly! May I be willing to share those blessings with others as you direct me.

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Today’s Bible Reading: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture Focus:

Numbers 7:2 Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering.

Observation:

The top leader over each tribe of Israel, gave an offering to God for the Tabernacle. Evidently Moses made known what the need was: they needed carts to carry all the pieces of the tabernacle when they traveled, they needed oxen to pull the carts, and they needed bowls and platters.

Evidently the leaders got together and figured out how to pull this off because two leaders shared in the cost of a cart so they would have 6 carts altogether, and they all gave exactly the same thing, which wouldn’t have been the case if they each decided what to give independently.

Application:

I already knew from reading Matthew 20:26 that leaders are servants of those they lead. In those verses Jesus says, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” But here in Numbers 7 I see another principle of leadership. Leaders are givers. When God raises a person up to prominence and gives him material wealth, he then has the privilege of giving to God’s work.

Wouldn’t it be great if leaders in the church would get together and say, “Here’s a need, how can we share the cost and further the Kingdom?

Prayer:

Abba Father, I want to be among those who lead by example: by serving, and by giving. In fact, if you provide the means, I would love to be a high capacity giver.

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