Archive for March, 2022

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Acts 10:1-2

“Let thy outer man and thy inner man fear God wholly, for God observeth thee always, and His eyes are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, and. the walls and roof of thy house cannot screen thee from Him. It is easier to sin in thought than in deed, and to guard against this facility for sin, a man must possess the fear of God which must be swifter than the motion of his thoughts. The fear of God may be called the “guard-house of virtues”, for it giveth alms, it quencheth lust, it purifieth the thoughts, it driveth what is hateful from the mind, and it is a shield against all abominable things. Fear is also a schoolmaster to remind a man of what he hath received.”

Philoxenus of Mabbug (440-523) in the Discourses of Philoxenus of Mabbug, from the sixth and seventh discourse on the fear of God.

To fear God and keep His commandments charts the way to life.

It also inspires us toward generous giving to the poor because it reminds us who we are in light of who God is. Cornelius understood this. He was a man under authority, a soldier who knew his place. He pointed his family to fear God, pray, and care for those in need.

The reality is that many children were not taught from this “schoolmaster” which is the “guard-house of virtues.”

This line of thinking points to why GTP is working in Malawi. We are catalyzing a project with national workers from STUM (Sunday School Teachers United Movement) in partnership with Generous Church called Palmful of Maize, inspired by the Handful of Rice story from Northeast India.

In India the effort was driven by women. In Malawi, we plan to do it with teachers and children.

We will create a contextualized generosity curriculum, map out collection processes consistent with AfCAA standards, and to launch the project nationwide. In the words of John Msowoya of STUM, it is “to grow generosity and spread the joy of giving as a reflection of true Christianity in Malawi.”

Our target audience is children in every Sunday School class in the country to impact communities.

I shot the new header photo on my first trip to Malawi back in December 2021. Back then they were planting maize. I am hoping to see green in the fields and praying for God’s workers across the country to join in the effort. In the end, we pray the work teaches the whole country the fear of God.

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

“But how gracefully has the Divine Wisdom arranged the order of the prayer; so that after things heavenly, that is, after the “Name” of God, the “Will” of God, and the “Kingdom” of God–it should give earthly necessities also room for a petition! For the Lord had withal issued His edict, “Seek ye first the kingdom, and then even these shall be added:” albeit we may rather understand, “Give us this day our daily bread,” spiritually.

For Christ is our Bread; because Christ is Life, and bread is life. “I am,” saith He, “the Bread of Life;”and, a little above, “The Bread is the Word of the living God, who came down from the heavens.” Then we find, too, that His body is reckoned in bread: “This is my body.” And so, in petitioning for “daily bread,” we ask for perpetuity in Christ, and indivisibility from His body.

But, because that word is admissible in a carnal sense too, it cannot be so used without the religious remembrance withal of spiritual discipline; for (the Lord) commands that bread be prayed for, which is the only food necessary for believers; for “all other things the nations seek after.” The like lesson He both inculcates by examples, and repeatedly handles in parables, when He says, “Doth a father take away bread from his children, and hand it to dogs?” and again, “Doth a father give his son a stone when he asks for bread?”

For He thus shows what it is that sons expect from their father. Nay, even that nocturnal knocker knocked for “bread.” Moreover, He justly added, “Give us this day,” seeing He had previously said, “Take no careful thought about the morrow, what ye are to eat.” To which subject He also adapted the parable of the man who pondered on an enlargement of his barns for his forthcoming fruits, and on seasons of prolonged security; but that very night he dies.”

Tertullian of Carthage (155-220) in On Prayer chapter 6.

My focus on prayer this Lent links to maintaining a posture of complete dependence on God to live, give, serve, and love generously. In exploring Tertullian on the prayer, he took me to the heart of the Lord’s prayer: “Give us today our daily bread.”

This reminded me that my perpetuity is rooted in Christ. He beckons me to “take no careful thought about the morrow” but trust Him to sort what I need. It’s harder some days than others. Do you trust Him to sort what you need or do you stockpile for yourself? He Himself says that’s foolish!

Today, I am flying to Frankfurt, Germany, en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Lilongwe, Malawi. I won’t get to Malawi until Saturday. It’s a long journey. I’ll tell you more in the days ahead about the program work. In the meantime, I want to sit in a place of dependence on God for safe travel and good health to position me for generous service.

What about you? Are you in a place of complete dependence on God? How do you know? 

Long ago a bishop from Florida taught me that a person trusts whatever he or she am holds on to. He added a comment that sounded like Tertullian: to expect whatever the object I trust can deliver. If I trust money, it will let me down. When we trust in Christ, He will never let me down.

Father in heaven, give me today my daily bread. Thanks for your faithfulness to care for me. Amen.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. Luke 4:1-2

“He whose heart was habitually found lifted up rather than fattened up, who in forty days and as many nights maintained a fast above the power of human nature, while spiritual faith ministered strength (to his body), both saw with His eyes God’s glory, and heard with His ears God’s voice, and understood with His heart God’s law: while He taught Him even then (by experience) that man liveth not upon bread alone.”

Tertullian of Carthage (155-220) in On Fasting chapter 6.

Jesus is the perfect example of fasting for us. He showed us that people do not live on food alone. We are fed by every word that comes from God.

Fasting for 40 days was the Spirit’s plan for Him.

In Lent we follow His example. Every person must learn by experience to say “no” to that which cannot satisfy. We learn this during Lent. We discover that God sustains us.

This practice also positions us for greater generosity.

My good friend, John Stanley, often reminds me that we need to create “margin” in our lives for living, giving, serving and loving like Jesus.

Do you need margin in your life?

Fast like Jesus for 40 days (Lent). You will see God in high definition, ear Him in surround sound, and learn by experience that He will fed you what you need.

I want to shout out a happy birthday today to my son, Samuel David.

Sammy, I see you are “habitually found lifted up rather than fattened up” like Jesus. Stay the course. You will always be well fed. I love you!

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

“But you also oppose Scripture, seeing it expressly cries “Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you.” But if all things have been conferred on you, and all things allowed you, and “if all things are lawful, yet all things are not expedient,” says the apostle. God brought our race into communion by first imparting what was His own, when He gave His own Word, common to all, and made all things for all.

All things therefore are common, and not for the rich to appropriate an undue share. That expression, therefore, “I possess, and possess in abundance: why then should I not enjoy?” is suitable neither to the man, nor to society. But more worthy of love is that: “I have: why should I not give to those who need?” For such an one–one who fulfils the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”–is perfect. For this is the true luxury–the treasured wealth.

But that which is squandered on foolish lusts is to be reckoned waste, not expenditure. For God has given to us, I know well, the liberty of use, but only so far as necessary; and He has determined that the use should be common. And it is monstrous for one to live in luxury, while many are in want. How much more glorious is it to do good to many, than to live sumptuously! How much wiser to spend money on human being, than on jewels and gold! How much more useful to acquire decorous friends, than lifeless ornaments!

Whom have lands ever benefited so much as conferring favours has? It remains for us, therefore, to do away with this allegation: Who, then, will have the more sumptuous things, if all select the simpler? Men, I would say, if they make use of them impartially and indifferently. But if it be impossible for all to exercise self-restraint, yet, with a view to the use of what is necessary, we must seek after what can be most readily procured, bidding a long farewell to these superfluities.”

Clement of Alexandria in Paedagogus or The Instructor, Book II, Chapter XIII–Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

Today’s Scripture reminds us that Jesus desires that we handle money in radically different ways than the world beckons us to use it. Then Clement urges us to bid a long farewell to luxuries, to value people over possessions, and to exercise self-restraint instead.

Will we?

We need not hoard an undue share of God’s provision. This is what Lent is all about. It’s a time when we can grow in our care for those in need rather than remain callused and captivated by things. We learn to exchange the sumptuous for the simple.

Will we?

I am praying for revival among God’s people everywhere this Lent. Teach us, Lord to bid a long farewell to superfluities and be found good and faithful stewards. Amen.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

“All earthly gifts are given to it only for Christ’s sake, as this whole world is sustained only for the sake of Jesus Christ, his Word, and his message. He is the true Bread of Life. He is not only the Giver but the Gift itself, for whose sake all earthly gifts exist. Only because the message concerning Jesus Christ must still go forth and find believers, and because our task is not yet perfected, does God in His patience continue to sustain us with His good gifts.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community (New York: Harper One, 1954) 67.

Someone asked me recently if I thought we were nearing the great Day of the Lord, the end of all things, and the beginning of the eternal state.

I replied, saying that I don’t know when all that will happen (as only the Father in heaven does) but with confidence I added that we are closer to that day than ever before.

So, while the world seems to be falling apart, Christ is holding it together and has a task for each of us. What is that task?

Use the earth gifts now from the Giver who is the Gift to make him known while we are able. We must “go forth and find believers.”

This Lent and beyond, use the gifts of God to make known the Giver who is the Gift. Perhaps this Lent increase your giving from your current level and see what happens?

You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:37-38

“Give alms with your own hand; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul; your loving appeal will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our Lord’s mode of doing good sets forth his incessant activity! He did not only the good which came close to hand, but he “went about” on his errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the sight of him. How this reproves the creeping, loitering manner, in which many professors serve the Lord. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ went out of his way to do good? “He went about doing good.” He was never deterred by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of his gracious intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than regular methods. Christ’s perseverance, and the unity of his purpose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the subject may be summed up in the words, “He hath left us an example that we should follow in his steps.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon in Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Grand Rapids: CCEL) evening reading for 28 July.

Seek out people in need this Lent and serve them in a way that reflects how Jesus has served you. Do it with the grace you received from Jesus. Have fun.

So they gathered to Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah. 1 Samuel 7:6

“Your humility and interior abasement will supply for all the dispositions that you lack; and the privation of all sensible fruit will be amply compensated for by the courage and abandonment with which you bear yourself in the ways by which God leads you. Your illness and the rule of life it compels you to follow are the best penance you could have. You are afraid of pleasing yourself in this state of suffering by not fasting? Foolish fear! Rather be afraid of being wanting in interior abnegation while following your own ideas. Obey your doctor blindly: God requires this of you, whereas He certainly does not ask you to fast. Offer Him, as often as you are able, your illness, its consequences, and your fears; but only in your heart, quietly; recollecting that you must will all that God wills.”

Jean-Pierre de Caussade in Abandonment to Divine Providence (Grand Rapids: CCEL, 1751) 378.

Notice the picture of emptying that accompanies fasting in the biblical text. In Journey of Empowerment (JOE) at GTP we say that fasting is “setting aside our desires” so it’s more than skipping a meal or two.

It’s, as Jean-Pierre describes it, “interior abasement” to make sure we are not “wanting in interior abnegation.” If that sounds like a lot of big words, let me simplify it.

Generosity flows from transformed hearts. Fasting is a discipline that Jesus invites us to practice to position our hearts for transformation. He does not force it on us but invites us there.

He invites us to let go of what is good to grasp something better that will satisfy. And yet, fear stops us from making this quiet journey. So, today, I beckon you to pour out before the Lord that which you think you need to sustain you and see what happens.

And like gathering at Mizpah, register for the Lent JOE by clicking here.

Though the deadline is passed, we can fit you in. There are 153 people from 36 countries registered so far. Whether or not you register, make the Lenten journey to be sure you are not “wanting in interior abnegation.”

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

“Fasting, like almsgiving and prayer, must always be done not for the admiration of others but for the worship of God alone. Whenever fasting becomes a performance, it ceases to be righteous activity. Private communion with the Father is the true goal of fasting. Reward from God is predicated on the right attitude and motivation.”

Grant Osborne in Matthew (ZECNT; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 237.

Righteous fasting moves us away from people so we return to God.

Too often we can approach this season by moving toward the “admiration of others” rather than toward God.

Lest we have a false start and miss the blessing of the season, be sure to return to the Lord with the right attitude and motivation.

This will prepare us for more generous living, giving, serving, and loving from a transformed heart for life after Lent.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Amen.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-18

“The basic framework of the passage is an introductory exhortation illustrated by three matching contrasts setting out the wrong and the right way to undertake three prominent religious duties, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting… The wording of the three contrasts follows a standard pattern with verbatim agreement in the concluding clauses. The wrong way in each case is a matter of outward show, looking for human approval; the right way is that of secrecy, which only God can see. It’s the only kind of “righteousness” that God, who is strikingly described as “being in secret” will reward.”

R.T. France in Matthew (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007) 232.

The repetition in the language of Jesus drives home a consistent point. Let’s make our journey this Lent about secrecy and not a show. It’s the right way to do it and the reward from God will be great.

How will you practice these disciplines with secrecy this Lent? Don’t answer me. Talk to God about it. Determine how you will engage these practices and take time to examine what God is teaching you daily.

If you talk about it with others, don’t talk so much about what you are doing as what you are learning. What rewards are you reaping? What insights are you gaining? What is changing in you? 

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:33-35

“If all of us could have a better understanding of our role as stewards, and be gladly willing to share with others the assets under our management, many problems we face in the world will disappear, and many poor people will get the help they need!”

Roger Lam in this 9-minute video, “Lost and Found Again.” Check out this video by my Chinese friend, fellow author, and brother.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of the season of Lent.

There are so many problems in this world. Pastors, ministry workers, and even Pope Francis have proclaimed today as a day of fasting and prayer for Ukraine. Join this movement.

Jesus, have mercy on our world and hear our prayer for peace.

If we want to address the needs around us, it requires the grace of God at work in our lives. And we must play our role, as Roger rightly notes, as stewards who share.

Few in the modern world unmask the deceitfulness of wealth and the importance of generous stewardship as effectively as Lam does. His approach employs the power of testimony.

The same was true in the early church times!

When the apostles testified and proclaimed what was true, God worked in powerful ways. We all have room for continued growth in this as God is so generous in providing for us.

So, let’s soak in truth this Lent. If you’d like my free devotional to go through this season, Lent Companion, click here. Lent is a great time to repent and grow through fasting, confession, and giving.

God help us put to work your assets under our management.

And fill me with your Spirit and love to speak on “Moving Beyond Partnering with Missionaries to Participating in Mission” today at Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. for your glory. Amen.