Moved Hearts Moves Our Offerings

[S] Exodus 35:29,35; 40:5,7 -- ²⁹The Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the LORD had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a freewill offering to the LORD.
 ³⁵"He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.
 ⁵and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform.
 ⁷For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

[O] I see the scene here where God's Spirit moving the hearts of men which results in the people responding to the calling of God to bring their treasures to make the tabernacle, God's temple.  The temple does have the physical structure but more so than that, His people is what really establishes the true temple for Him.  These people's outpouring of their treasures is such a wonderful scene to imagine.  In verse 35 I also see how God gifts these people with various skills to carry out their tasks to the max.  Isn't it true that God is the source of our skills?  And when we desire to use them for His purposes, He will fill us with necessary skills?  What's more amazing is that the people kept bringing more and more such that it was more than enough so Moses had to tell them to stop.  When God moves in the midst of the people there's an overflowing of supplies we bring to Him.  One thing to note here is that this is not because a few people offer great amounts but because great amount of people bring what they can afford regardless of the size or amount.

[A] When men initiate God's project, it will go as far as our plans and resources will carry, but when God initiates the task, it will go as far as God's plan and resources will carry.  Which is a better deal?  It's not how well each small group is equipped, but how many willing hearts stirred by God offers their services in this effort that will make the difference.

[P] Dear God, three months into our Small Group ministry's launch and feel a bit draining to keep things going but this passage encourages me to turn to You for moving people's hearts so they would come forth to offer their services.  Let Your Spirit sitr the hearts of people at our church!  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Good Stewards of Grace

[S] 1 Peter 4:10 --
¹⁰As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

[O] The word "each" signifies that God gave everyone special gifts to use to serve one another. It is not some or only those selected few but everyone. So, when our community is dry from abundance of life and life-nurturing relationships, it's most likely because not everyone is exercising their special gift God infused into each of their DNA. In order to serve one another one another, we must have some substance to serve; otherwies, it'll be just running on empty and eventually we will burn out. So recognizing that God had already given the substance to serve others with, I must trust and proceed to be good steward of His amazing grace (because I really don't deserve such a gift from Him) and pass it on to others.

[A] Ever so grateful for God's gift in my life such that I may serve others through His grace. I'm so glad it's not about squeezing every drop of my life to serve others with but through the grace of God which He lavished upon my life through Jesus Christ.

[P] Dear God, may You be glorified through me and my family's lives by serving others. Continue to teach us how to do that better and better. Please wrap Your wonderful grace around my children from now and as long as they live here. In Jesus' name. Amen.