Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Ladies, thank you for your responses. They have touched my heart.

I wrote a post for my blog a while back on this topic and would like to share it here....hope you don't mind:


Training our thoughts to defeat fear, worry & anxiety

Human beings in general worry, are anxious and harbour fear. We worry about everything: Am I a good mother? What if I lose my job? What if I never get married? What if I fail?

What do these thoughts and feelings accomplish? Nothing good. These feelings consume and distract us from God. They can paralyze us so that we cannot function or serve.

What are we to do with this anxiety?

1 Peter 5:7> Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

A definition for cast is to throw away something; we are to throw our fear, worry and anxiety onto Jesus' shoulders.

How do we do that?

Philippians 4:6-8> Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

• pray
• give thanks
• think on the Truth of God's Word
• think on what is right (no room for what ifs, if onlys or should haves)

It is so easy to feel so utterly alone when struggling with these emotions. We may feel abandoned by God. But we are to walk by faith not by feelings. God's Word clearly states that He will support us, care for us, comfort us, never leave or forsake us. He is there 24/7, whenever we need Him.

Replace your fear, anxiety and worry with trust and faith. Entrust yourself to the One who created you.


Trust Him






Cling to Him






Rely on Him






A practical way to keep ourselves "in check" is to have an accountability partner. Do you have a fellow Christian in your life that you can call when you are feeling down? Someone you trust that will give you solid biblical advice and that will pray with and for you? If not, I would encourage you to find someone that you can have that kind of relationship with. An accountability partner can be an integral part of your Christian walk. A spouse, friend, relative, pastor....anyone that is strong in their faith, a good listener, trusting and able to commit to you would be an asset.


Key Verse:


Matthew 6:34> Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

~~~~~I used to worry about everything but with much prayer and with the Lord's help I have overcome that - PRAISE THE LORD! Of course I still struggle here and there but I can shake it off much quicker now (almost instantly). Lean on Him and He won't let you down.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

The main area I struggle with worry with is my daughter Dayna... she is the one in college - and she has strayed from God and expierencing being away from her parents and having freedom for the first time. She admits that she drinks on the weekends - she is 18. For the most part she does what is right... but the drinking is a road I don't want to see her go down because her father and his whole family are alcholics... then my mom and her sister were as well... so it is on both sides of the family. She doesn't want to go to church or pray anymore because she doesn't want to seem hypocritical. So I cling to the promise and the truth that the Word that was planted in her growing up will not return void... and that verse in Proverbs that says... "Train up a child in the way they should go... and when they are older they will not depart from it." I am confident that she will return to God when this season in her life is over. But how long will that be and what kinds of bottoms will she have to hit to get back?? Also... will she marry a man while she is away from God?? That is what happened to me and I've regreted that for many years. I want her to have a good life and a happy marriage with a man who will treat her right.

It's out of my hands now... so worrying won't help a bit.

Gina: As a mom I can totally understand your anxiety concerning your daughter. I will pray for her. I think the hardest thing about being a parent is allowing our children to make mistakes. It kills us to see them head into the wrong direction. My heart aches at the thought. Just wanted to let you know that I will pray for her and you.

Lord, I praise You for Your holiness. How awesome Your love, how awesome Your mercy and grace. Thank You for watching out for us, guiding us and loving us so much. Today I lift Dayna up to You. She has strayed from You Lord, draw her back to You. Open her ears so she will hear Your word in her heart. The seed that was planted by her mother Gina, allow that seed to sprout and grow life within her. I pray that she would run back to You and cling to You never to depart again. Keep her safe Lord. In Your Holy Name. Amen

 

[Smileyill]

Ladies, thank you for your responses. They have touched my heart.

A practical way to keep ourselves "in check" is to have an accountability partner. Do you have a fellow Christian in your life that you can call when you are feeling down? Someone you trust that will give you solid biblical advice and that will pray with and for you? If not, I would encourage you to find someone that you can have that kind of relationship with. An accountability partner can be an integral part of your Christian walk. A spouse, friend, relative, pastor....anyone that is strong in their faith, a good listener, trusting and able to commit to you would be an asset.

Very key, (it's huge & also very difficult for men) I'll give you reps for this tomorrow. I given them all out today.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Very key, (it's huge & also very difficult for men) I'll give you reps for this tomorrow. I given them all out today.

Sorry Smileyill....I shouldn't have said Ladies....I will from now on say "posters!"..... I was just commenting on how all the responses to today's topic spoke to me...

 

[ImHisServant]

Gina: As a mom I can totally understand your anxiety concerning your daughter. I will pray for her. I think the hardest thing about being a parent is allowing our children to make mistakes. It kills us to see them head into the wrong direction. My heart aches at the thought. Just wanted to let you know that I will pray for her and you.

Lord, I praise You for Your holiness. How awesome Your love, how awesome Your mercy and grace. Thank You for watching out for us, guiding us and loving us so much. Today I lift Dayna up to You. She has strayed from You Lord, draw her back to You. Open her ears so she will hear Your word in her heart. The seed that was planted by her mother Gina, allow that seed to sprout and grow life within her. I pray that she would run back to You and cling to You never to depart again. Keep her safe Lord. In Your Holy Name. Amen

I can't tell you in words just what this prayer meant to me... thank you so much for posting it... not only because I can see and agree in prayer... but also because others who are reading it can agree as well!!

The post before this one is an Excellent post!! It really hit the spot right on for today's topic!! Thank you so much for sharing that blog entry here.

 

[Gidgx]

I worry to much, I really need to change that.

 

[ImHisServant]

Thursday 1/4/07
Tithing
​

By request through PM today's topic is tithing... this is the best I could find... if anyone finds a better devo feel free to post it.

[SIZE=+2]Q:[/SIZE]I noticed in the current WELS devotional "Meditations" (August-November 2004), there is a prayer in the back titled "Christian Stewardship." In this prayer it states: "Lord, help each of us to see the blessing of tithing and the wonderful things that can be accomplished when we do this. Amen." Is there a certain blessing for giving 10% that one doesn't receive if they only give 9%? [SIZE=+2]A:[/SIZE]Tithing (10%) was God’s command only for Old Testament believers. In many ways God treated them as little children with detailed directions on how to live to his glory. Our Lord treats his New Testament church like adults. We are no longer bound by a command to return a tenth of income. We are free to go beyond that!

That last sentence was worded for effect. In twenty years of public ministry, almost whenever I’ve heard “tithing” questions, the unspoken assumption seemed to be how much less we can do than Israel. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear, “We’re free to go beyond 10%, aren’t we?”

Don’t misunderstand, this isn’t some cold transaction in which we hunt for the “right” numbers to crunch. God isn’t a company president worrying about the bottom line impact on his stock options.

What God wants most isn’t our gifts but us. When Israel grudgingly brought required offerings--as if they were doing God a favor--the Lord warned them: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. . . . If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50). God isn’t some street corner beggar pleading, “Brother, can you spare a dime?”

What God delights in are hearts wooed and won by his unfathomable mercy in his Son. Our gifts then become loving tokens from bride (the church) to bridegroom (Christ).

But while the gift and “amount” aren’t the key, that doesn’t render your question meaningless. No, nothing magical happens at 10% that doesn’t if we “only” give 9%. But returning to God a generous proportion is important for at least three reasons:

1. It gives a tangible opportunity to trust his promise to provide our daily bread. Although we are never to tempt God, God himself begs us to “test [him] in this and see if [he] will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10). Our motivation isn’t some crass hope for a $100 return for every $10 given. But God is encouraging us to trust that we won’t lack because we returned to him a generous portion from his gifts to us.

2. Generous giving also spites our sinful nature. We give away a significant portion of what our flesh clings to as life itself. The saddest result of synodical and congregational budget shortfalls isn’t that God’s work won’t get done--he will always find faithful hearts and ample resources to accomplish his will (with us or without us!). The saddest result is that if we don’t have the courage to warn ourselves and our fellow members, then misplaced priorities soon choke our faith.

3. Finally, returning a generous percentage to our Lord is a powerful public witness about what truly matters. We take our culture’s favorite god and give it away to the true God.

May I urge you to take a step of faith? First, step up humbly to the cross of Christ this Lenten season. Measure there, if you can, the width, height, length, and depth of Christ’s love. Then step up boldly to your budget. Consider devoting 1% more of income to expressing love for love received. Do that every year until an Old Testament “must” is left in the dust! Such opportunity is freely ours as New Testament believers!​

 

[Smileyill]

Thursday 1/4/07
Tithing
​

By request through PM today's topic is tithing... this is the best I could find... if anyone finds a better devo feel free to post it.

[SIZE=+2]Q:[/SIZE]I noticed in the current WELS devotional "Meditations" (August-November 2004), there is a prayer in the back titled "Christian Stewardship." In this prayer it states: "Lord, help each of us to see the blessing of tithing and the wonderful things that can be accomplished when we do this. Amen." Is there a certain blessing for giving 10% that one doesn't receive if they only give 9%? [SIZE=+2]A:[/SIZE]Tithing (10%) was God’s command only for Old Testament believers. In many ways God treated them as little children with detailed directions on how to live to his glory. Our Lord treats his New Testament church like adults. We are no longer bound by a command to return a tenth of income. We are free to go beyond that!

That last sentence was worded for effect. In twenty years of public ministry, almost whenever I’ve heard “tithing” questions, the unspoken assumption seemed to be how much less we can do than Israel. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear, “We’re free to go beyond 10%, aren’t we?”

Don’t misunderstand, this isn’t some cold transaction in which we hunt for the “right” numbers to crunch. God isn’t a company president worrying about the bottom line impact on his stock options.

What God wants most isn’t our gifts but us. When Israel grudgingly brought required offerings--as if they were doing God a favor--the Lord warned them: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. . . . If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50). God isn’t some street corner beggar pleading, “Brother, can you spare a dime?”

What God delights in are hearts wooed and won by his unfathomable mercy in his Son. Our gifts then become loving tokens from bride (the church) to bridegroom (Christ).

But while the gift and “amount” aren’t the key, that doesn’t render your question meaningless. No, nothing magical happens at 10% that doesn’t if we “only” give 9%. But returning to God a generous proportion is important for at least three reasons:

1. It gives a tangible opportunity to trust his promise to provide our daily bread. Although we are never to tempt God, God himself begs us to “test [him] in this and see if [he] will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessings that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10). Our motivation isn’t some crass hope for a $100 return for every $10 given. But God is encouraging us to trust that we won’t lack because we returned to him a generous portion from his gifts to us.

2. Generous giving also spites our sinful nature. We give away a significant portion of what our flesh clings to as life itself. The saddest result of synodical and congregational budget shortfalls isn’t that God’s work won’t get done--he will always find faithful hearts and ample resources to accomplish his will (with us or without us!). The saddest result is that if we don’t have the courage to warn ourselves and our fellow members, then misplaced priorities soon choke our faith.

3. Finally, returning a generous percentage to our Lord is a powerful public witness about what truly matters. We take our culture’s favorite god and give it away to the true God.

May I urge you to take a step of faith? First, step up humbly to the cross of Christ this Lenten season. Measure there, if you can, the width, height, length, and depth of Christ’s love. Then step up boldly to your budget. Consider devoting 1% more of income to expressing love for love received. Do that every year until an Old Testament “must” is left in the dust! Such opportunity is freely ours as New Testament believers!​

This is wonderful explanation of an often poorly understood principal.

Currently, I live off student loans and I don't give much - except when I see a serious need. I just don't believe wise stewardship includes borrowing to tithe.

Hopefully, this will end when I pass the BAR in July.

 

[Tangi]

Hello all, Happy Nu year!

 

[ImHisServant]

I must admit... my flesh did not want to post this topic... and although I fought that and still posted it... I mearly searched for a devo on it. While I agree with the devo and believe it works... I have to admit that I have always struggled in this area. I have no problem cheerfully giving to the poor, and when I know I can comfortably pay my bills I do give on Sunday mornings... but when things are tight... I've never been able to give and just trust. My justification has always been that God would want me to pay off my debts first... but to be honest... I've never had total peace in that thinking. Although it seems logical to me - there is still a hint of guilt over not tithing consistantly.

One thing I do know through my prayer time with God in my listening stage... He is far more concerned about me staying in His Word and talking to Him consistantly then He is about my tithing. Our personal relationship comes before anything else... if I do that... everything else just falls into place.

 

[Smileyill]

I must admit... my flesh did not want to post this topic... and although I fought that and still posted it... I mearly searched for a devo on it. While I agree with the devo and believe it works... I have to admit that I have always struggled in this area. I have no problem cheerfully giving to the poor, and when I know I can comfortably pay my bills I do give on Sunday mornings... but when things are tight... I've never been able to give and just trust. My justification has always been that God would want me to pay off my debts first... but to be honest... I've never had total peace in that thinking. Although it seems logical to me - there is still a hint of guilt over not tithing consistantly.

One thing I do know through my prayer time with God in my listening stage... He is far more concerned about me staying in His Word and talking to Him consistantly then He is about my tithing. Our personal relationship comes before anything else... if I do that... everything else just falls into place.

I don't know that you're wrong in giving only when you see a need; but of course, it does require funds to maintain buildings and pastors.

Perhaps, why I'm a big fan of home churches.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Tithing is an area my husband maintains. Being a SAHM he is the sole provider for our household, he decides how much we tithe and when. I would like to give more and give it more regularly but I have to trust that my husband is giving according to how he is led.

 

[cristianna]

Tithing is an area of monumental debate, so originally I was not going to post anything. But now I feel compelled to do so (not sure why though).

Every time I think of tithing I think of the story of the lady who gave her last penny and the others in their wealth who boasted of their donated amounts. Sadly I've seen this firsthand at churches. And have been on the receiving end of it.

When our youngest daughter was a routine patient at John's Hopkins our insurance did not cover the expenses. After six months of this I had to swallow my pride and call the pastor to explain why we would give when we could, yet it certainly was not going to be at the level we originally proclaimed.

I was very active in our church and during one very large meeting a member on the finance team announced our inability to fulfill our tithing commitment we vowed on paper. I was horrified, mortified, ashamed and could not feel any smaller or less of a person. I once again swallowed my pride long enough to explain her visits were costing us thousands of dollars per visit because each department and doctor had their own bill we had to pay. Obviously that experience has engraved an image in my mind of how people can be which is why when the topic comes up I rarely offer any input.

Some weeks I fall into the "norm" (if there is one), some alot more, and others I'm running around the house scarfing up whatever money I can find just to be sure I have something to put in our envelope.

I am not sure where I stand on borrowing from tithing in order to do charitable things, or even if there is a "magical" percentage we should hold one another accountable to. Nor am I 100% certain which side of the fence I'm on when it comes to times when money is at an all time low-- I've been faced with all situations and have done a variety of things as a result.

ImHisServant you may be interested in this. Traditionally (I guess that's the appropriate word) we aim for one charitable thing to do a month. The girls work for the money and they alternate each month where the money goes. My only input is it must be charitable, prefer it to be local (local Social Services, Food Bank, Homeless Shelter, etc) but we definitely do national and worldwide too, and if possible benefits a child. My children came up with a great idea... take their old or unused clothing to the consignment shop and use that money to help do bigger and better things. Although they are 10 and 8 I do not have the luxury of hand me downs. They both wear the same size, and don't even think for a moment the word share or borrow is an option either!

Back on track... they continue to make a fortune off of their clothing. And it was a huge debate because we really sat down trying to decide was it better to consign or just donate and come up with another means of earning money so at times I wasn't always tapping into the tithing budget. We finally agreed and contracted with the shop whatever didn't sell in 30 days was automatically donated because their policy was a longer time frame-- 90 days I think.

For now that is my only solution for not always tapping into the tithing, but it still doesn't account for when money is low like over the summer when our electric bills jumped to just a little over $400 per month. Some weeks I was lucky to have $5 or $10 to give. The only comfort I have is I know in my heart I gave what I could and had available. Anything more than that would have created financial hardships.

I often wonder if there truly, truly is a definitive right or wrong answer. I think some may believe there is, while many call their opinion "interpretation". And I wonder if that is because all of us are on a different page in our spiritual path.

What I do know is I believe we are to give something, but I don't think we are to cause horrendous strain or personal debt while doing so. But I could be wrong.

Sometime ago I came across a post on CF. I cannot recall the posters exact wording, but more or less they put it like this: If God was standing under a tree on church grounds and a poor person walked up and asked me to help them but all I had was my tithing money, do you think God would be happy for me to say no because I'm required to tithe what I have with me. I'm not implying their view was correct or not, but I enjoyed their perspective on it.
</IMG>

 

[It's Mee]

I do think that we do all struggle when it comes to talk about tithing.

We know that as Christians we are encouraged to give willingly out of love since God loves a cheerful giver (Cor.9:7) Was not the 2 cents given by the widow a bigger contribution than the fortunes of the rich donors!

Therefore, whether we are giving 10% or not, does not matter as long as we are not giving under compulsion.
If we really stick to give exactly 10%, then giving beyond 10% is not right.

So how much we have to give is between us and God.

 

[Surrender2Win]

That's another one of my New year resolutions, is that we are going to tithe every week, even if it's only a small amount.

I always feel bad when we don't tithe. And even though I stay at home and hubs works, I'm the one who pays the bills. So I feel like it's all on me.

In the past 2 months the money is gone before it even comes, so tithing isn't an option, unless we write a rubber check.

I can tell you this...when we were tithing every week, no matter how close to nothing we got, everything always worked out and got taken care of. We had money for gas and food in the fridge. When I decided to put the money into something else we "needed" (that was the exact same amount we used to tithe with) and skimed on the tithing...we started struggling big time.

Another lesson learned...so, we'll tithe something every week and in time, build up.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Cristianna wrote: (Sorry the quoting didn't work)
When our youngest daughter was a routine patient at John's Hopkins our insurance did not cover the expenses. After six months of this I had to swallow my pride and call the pastor to explain why we would give when we could, yet it certainly was not going to be at the level we originally proclaimed.

I was very active in our church and during one very large meeting a member on the finance team announced our inability to fulfill our tithing commitment we vowed on paper. I was horrified, mortified, ashamed and could not feel any smaller or less of a person. I once again swallowed my pride long enough to explain her visits were costing us thousands of dollars per visit because each department and doctor had their own bill we had to pay. Obviously that experience has engraved an image in my mind of how people can be which is why when the topic comes up I rarely offer any input.

I never knew some churches make you commit to a certain amount of titheing on paper. That is shocking to me. At my church it is annoymous and there is only 1 person who knows how much everyone gives - and it's not the pastor. That way no one judges anyone else on what they give.

~The devo Gina posted mentioned the heart attitude, I so agree......our hearts have to be in the right place...we shouldn't give while grumbling. (I forgot to mention this on my orginal post so I'll just add it here)

 

[cristianna]

Cristianna wrote: (Sorry the quoting didn't work)
When our youngest daughter was a routine patient at John's Hopkins our insurance did not cover the expenses. After six months of this I had to swallow my pride and call the pastor to explain why we would give when we could, yet it certainly was not going to be at the level we originally proclaimed.

I was very active in our church and during one very large meeting a member on the finance team announced our inability to fulfill our tithing commitment we vowed on paper. I was horrified, mortified, ashamed and could not feel any smaller or less of a person. I once again swallowed my pride long enough to explain her visits were costing us thousands of dollars per visit because each department and doctor had their own bill we had to pay. Obviously that experience has engraved an image in my mind of how people can be which is why when the topic comes up I rarely offer any input.

I never knew some churches make you commit to a certain amount of titheing on paper. That is shocking to me. At my church it is annoymous and there is only 1 person who knows how much everyone gives - and it's not the pastor. That way no one judges anyone else on what they give.

~The devo Gina posted mentioned the heart attitude, I so agree......our hearts have to be in the right place...we shouldn't give while grumbling. (I forgot to mention this on my orginal post so I'll just add it here)

At the end of every year they send out a letter listing the percent you committed yourself to that year and ask what your plans are for the upcoming year- it really is tactful and eloquently written, not a "pay up sucker" kind of thing.

There are boxes with increased percentage, one to remain the same and several to lower. It was and is done to base each committees budget, pastors payroll, mortgage, etc.

I did always find it odd, but understood the background of it. And there is a large number of members on the finance team who review all of it. Which causes one to feel scrutinized and ever more under the microscope when it's announced at a meeting like that. The sad part is I'm sure had the team spoken to the pastor beforehand he would've explained I had already discussed it with him and to dismiss it.

Our biggest problem was many people had stopped giving a quarter through the year. In September we didn't even have 1/2 of what was pledged to be tithed- we had about 1000 active members And that really did have a negative impact on many of our committees including mission and outreach. Not saying it's right or wrong, but I understood their desires.

Personally I do think it is best to have just a small few know the actual numbers and to literally treat is as classified top secret information not to be discussed outside of the finance team's meetings or beyond the pastor and that member. Maybe I'm more sensitive due to what we went through, but I would never wish or hope anyone ever experiences a situation even remotely similar to that one.


Might I add you're looking lovely today Christina! =)

 

[burn97]

When it comes to tithing I belive that it between you and God. Sometimes we think of giving as an obligation... if we give 10%, then we're 'good christians' we've done our duty, and that is where it ends. I believe that it isn't what you give, or how much you give, but rather the condition of your heart. If someone gives 25% of their income and yet as soon as they go out the door, they continue to do their own will and not God's, then it is given in vain, for it is given so that man can see. While, those that do not give at all, continue in God's will, doing all that is pleasing to Him, it's better than tithing.
I say this because some people make it seem that if you do not give, then you are not doing the will of God. It's a constant reminder. I remember at the church that I use to go to... the sunday school students gave support to missionaries. Because they were not giving enough, the pastor felt it was better that the first sunday of the month, the kids stay with their parents through his sermon, so that the parents could give more to their children for this missionary cause. I totally thought this was wrong. The sunday school was a place that was fun learning. By having them sit with the parents during the sermon, the only thing it accomplished was bored kids, constantly fiddling, whinning, and distracting everyone. Every week the first topic was on how much more we needed to give. It was really uncomfortable, since people were giving as much as they could. Another example was giving tithing as we took communion. We walked to the front where there was the bucket to put your money, and then take your communion. Maybe its just me, but it was a total guilt trip. They made it feel as that if you didn't give, you weren't a true christian, you weren't a member of the body.
God knows what we give. Whether it be money or time, your heart, your prayers, your love. While money helps the pastors and the church maintaince, and I truely understand that, it isn't the only way to tithe.

 

[ImHisServant]

I totally agree that it is the heart that most concerns God. If the church guilts us into it... and we do it even though we didn't want to, or just for show, or then worry... it's the same as not giving in your heart.

Also... when churchs do things like listed in the previous post... and talk about it too often or put too much pressure off... it drives new people away and souls could be lost.

 

[burn97]

I totally agree! The church that I meantioned, we stopped going to eventually.. for many different reasons, but one was the constant talk of money, how much people tithe, how much they need, how much.. how much ... how much. I know that money is a definate concern, personally and professionally, but to tithe is to give of oneself, financially, mentally, spiritually.