A WILLING HEART
Today’s Reading: Exodus 36
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Tabernacle of Moses surrounded by Timna Cliffs. This full-sized replica is situated at Timna National Park in Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 36:6-7
So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done–indeed too much.
What a wonderful problem! Every Pastor, every ministry leader should have such a problem. How do we get to this place, the place at which one must say, “enough”? What might cause such abundance? To answer that question, we need only to look again at the story we’ve read over the last few days. Yesterday we learned that those who brought offerings did so because they had willing hearts (Exodus 35:2,5,21,29). Because they were grateful for all the Lord had done on their behalf, they showed their gratitude by giving lavishly. We, too, need not wring our hands in despair that we do not have enough. What the Lord wants are willing hearts. A willing heart will make all the difference.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray once again for a willing heart. Money is not my master. You, Lord, are my Master. My possessions are not the master. I rejoice in the fact that I can give to Your Tabernacle, Your Church, Your Ministry and to those who need my help. You said, Lord Jesus, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of one of these, you’ve done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40). Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Throughout the years, it has been a blessing for Norma-Jean and me to qualify as “willing-heart” givers. We pay our tithes, 10% of gross income, and we give offerings over and above the tithe. I’m not bragging, just reporting. I hope to be a good example. Norma-Jean keeps our books, so she knows what the tithe is. I love to write the cheque for our offerings. I was asked by a Ukrainian Army Colonel to help convince their military brass that they should have Chaplains or Padres in their Army. My first speech in the Ukraine to their senior officers was to propose a toast to Cornelius who, as a Roman officer, gave alms (offerings) to the needs of the Jewish people. These alms came up before God as a memorial and God sent an angel and Peter to this Roman soldier (see Acts 10). God saved Cornelius and his family, and God established a chaplaincy in the Ukranian Army after 70 years of official atheism.
Yours for the joy of paying God’s tithe and giving our offerings,
David
David, I had been tithing and giving over and above to various ministries, including Huntley Street.
I have been home from hospital since March 17th, and have not had one visit from my pastor in all that time, I had one phone call when I was half a asleep and not able to speak. I have been a member for more than 25 years!
I was at Church once, but it was too difficult to get in, and worse to leave because of my inability to walk well.
I continued tithing, through a friend, but recently I have been using my tithe to support other ministeries.
I go for more surgery on September 30th, I am having my right hip replaced and then, when it has healed, I will have the ” spacer” removed and another hip replacement put in the left side. This will be the forth operation on the left, I have had three in this last year.
Question, am I wrong to give my tithe elsewhere? A workman is worthy of his hire. So to support those that minister to me, I feel is where my tithe should go. I have concidered cancelling my membership, and not made up my mind yet.
I am in need of Pastoral care, but feel it should be offered to me. Am I wrong?
Fellow bloggers, please help me and pray for me, I need it, thanks for listening. May God bless you all.
Dear Jesus I lift Mary up to You and ask first for physical and emotional healing in her. I pray Lord that you hold Mary in the Palm of Your hand at this time, heal her heart in the area of alonness as well. Your word says that You are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. You Lord are her all in all. Your word say You will never leave her or forsake her, and that you give wisdom to those who ask. I pray that you guide her re her finances, and give her Peace of mind and heart in her decision.
I pray also that she is able to release those in the church where she is member and forgive them for their tardiness and insensitivity for her need.
Thank you Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen!!!
Lord God, I come in agreement with Irene’s prayer for Mary. Lord, You know Mary’s heart and how to fill all her needs. Come into her life in a way she has never known before Lord. Open the doors that need to be opened for her to receive uplifting nurturing and ministering Pastoral counsel and care. Give her the answers she needs for tithing, Lord. Provide her with the strength and support she needs from a church community and congregation. Guide the specialists who will perform surgery on her hips and bring her body into a state of healed wellness without complications. Allow Mary to know she is a valuable daughter of Christ and fellow saint who is loved and valued. We ask for Your loving protection over her and give You all the thanks and praise that she is still with us. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen and amen.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Phil 4:13 KJV
Mary something is very wrong! You have been a member for a long time; have you talked with the Pastors in your church, what is their schedule? Someone else must have an experience or two! This upsets me very much! I would certainly speak up, find other members, or find the Church council and talk with them and express your situation!
This is really unbelievable!
Mary God knows your every move! He knows your heart! He knows the whole situation! Lord please send the right person to minister to Mary, she is dealing with tremendous health issues, You are with her Lord but we all need people to talk with and to pray for us; we need someone that we trust to be able to confide in and talk about our fears, our dreams, our desires of our hearts; maybe we need to talk with a Pastor concering our family! Lord I come to You and ask that You Lord would minister to Mary in every way that she needs to be ministered to right now; perhaps send some very special angels to minister to her, comfort her, give her a hug; bring her a cup of coffee; Lord I ask that You send someone to love this woman with a great Christian love and a great Christian understanding…….
Lord You know Mary’s every need…….TY Lord for listening to our prayers…..In Jesus Name we Pray AMEN
Dear Mary, It is so sad that you feel abandoned by your church after 25 years. There must be some reason why they seem to have forgotten you. Why not pick up the phone and .ask for a visit, then you can find out what went wrong with the communication. You need your heart healed from this, and they will be eager to put it right. l was just at a prayer meeting when someone suggested we pray for a member who was in hospital, and the pastor was very surprised that no one had told him. …….Give him a chance dear sister.
Give where your spirit leads,will be praying for you.My heart goes out to you.Where are the spirit filled members?
Your words and heart-felt guidance in giving with a “willing” heart is right on. And your example to us certainly is one to follow. Thank you David and Norma-Jean, for being our spiritual guides!!!
Mary I am sorry for your disappointment in your church. In the meantime go to
http://www.youtube.com and in search type Don Moen worship songs. These songs will uplift you.
Continue to trust in the Lord, He will never forsake you.
On Sundays go to http://www.thechapel.com they broadcast services at 9 & 11am.
They also have archive sermons you can watch at anytime.
May the Lord continue to Bless and keep you.
am unable to connect from today’s posting of Genesis chapter 36 or other chapters in today’s lesson via bible gateway can only do so by directly using Internet to bible gateway site thought would let you know
I had the same problem today
Amen, David! God bless you and keep you. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Blessings dearest saints in the Lord.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:33 KJV
Big Daddy Weave – The Lion And The Lamb (Official Audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTUX8_ETIjc
May God Bless and heal you, Mary!.. wonderful answers from every blogger..especially Christine! Thank you David and Norma Jean for your example!
Am in agreement with my fellow bloggers in prayer for you Mary. Believe some very good advice has been offered already. Pray you will get some reconciliation and peace about the whole situation. Maybe just to get in touch with a member or two can help you to work through the situation. I know the Lord has the answer for you in prayer. God bless you sister. I still remember the lovely poem you wrote for me. Again thanks.
Thank you Pastor David for being a good example of a willing heart giving to the Lord’s work. Trust you are doing well.
Forgive me Lord but Mary’s blog has really upset me!
Money should not even be the issue…..I don’t understand Christian leaders sometimes……..why are they leaders……..I’ve met some Christian leaders that I really don;t understand why they are leaders in the church…..
help me Lord to forgive and I ask that You Lord will minister to Mary in ways that are above and beyond her expectations…..TY Lord for all the blessings of this day…….