Archives by: Gary Hoag

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 6-7

“Ye have done well in receiving Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God, who have followed me for the sake of God, and who give thanks to the Lord in your behalf, because ye have in every way refreshed them. None of these things shall be lost to you. May my spirit be for you, and my bonds, which ye have not despised or been ashamed of; nor shall Jesus Christ, our perfect hope, be ashamed of you.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) To the Smyrnaeans (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

The early church grew through the service and sharing of ordinary people like you and me. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he expresses gratitude for the way Philemon had “refreshed” the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Similarly, Ignatius of Antioch affirms how the church in Smyrna had received and refreshed Philo and Rheus Agathopus as servants of Christ our God “in every way” which implies material and spiritual replenishment.

What might it look like for your generosity to refresh others in material and spiritual ways? What if you increase your giving in 2023? Or how about making it a point to write letters to encourage people?

These kinds of activities refresh people and help them grow. Conversely the worldly mindset seeks to consume our time, energy, and resources with things that don’t necessarily deepen our understanding of everything we share in Christ.

Don’t waste your 2023. Live it like Ignatius did when making His way to Rome. He wrote letters expressing gratitude and encouraged hearers to persevere in the faith. Likewise, Paul made the most of his time on house arrest waiting to meet Caesar.

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:30-31

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

“For this has been your custom from the beginning, to do good to all the brethren in various ways, and to send resources to many churches which are in every city, thus refreshing the poverty of the needy, and granting subsidies to the brethren who are in the mines. Through the resources which ye have sent from the beginning, ye Romans, keep up the custom of the Romans handed down by the fathers, which your blessed Bishop Soter has not only preserved, but added to, sending a splendid gift to the saints, and exhorting with blessed words those brethren who go up to Rome, as an affectionate father his children.”

Dionysius of Corinth in Fragments from a letter to the Roman Church (c. 165-175).

Let’s learn from the “custom” of the early church in Rome in the second century today. Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth is writing Soter, Bishop of Rome. He’s alerting the Romans that they remain faithful to follow the generous example of the Romans with hearts full of gratitude.

The custom of the Roman Church was to “do good to all the brethren in various ways.” Let’s parse this. Support flowed between churches. Those in poverty received refreshment. And those forced to work in mines for their faith got support to help them survive. It’s beautiful.

What touches me so deeply today is that about 100 years earlier, the Apostle Paul wrote today’s Scripture urging the church in Corinth to be caring and sharing with the aim of equality. This meant they wanted to be sure that everyone had enough to survive.

It seems the growth of the church then, at least in part, can be linked to their obedient and grateful practice of caring and sharing with each other, the poor, and the persecuted ones. Do you and does your church follow this custom of doing good to all the brethren in various ways?

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

“Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because “alms delivers from death.” Be all of you subject one to another? having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.”

Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155) in his Letter to the Philippians 10:1-3 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

We are one week into the new year. Gratitude inspires our generous living, and yet, a leading barrier comes into view in this early church writing by Polycarp, who was discipled by John, one of the twelve disciples.

Procrastination is the barrier. Whwn we put off to tomorrow the good works God wants us to do today, we don’t just fail to show generosity, we actually blaspheme the name of the Lord. So, we must sober up about this, he writes.

But why would he quote the early church expression that “alms deliver from death.” I think it’s because He wants his readers in Philippi to know that their generosity impacts others, but it also shapes their eternal destiny.

Their giving shows the veracity of their faith. It reveals that they have not given up but are pressing on in following the example of the Lord. What do your deeds reveal about your faith in Jesus Christ?

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:6-9a

“While fasting and sitting on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all His dealings with me, I see the Shepherd sitting down beside me, and saying, “Why have you come hither early in the morning?” “Because, sir,” I answered, “I have a station.” “What is a station?” he asked. “I am fasting, sir,” I replied. “What is this fasting,” he continued, “which you are observing?” “As I have been accustomed, sir,” I reply, “so I fast.” “You do not know,” he says, “how to fast unto the Lord: this useless fasting which you observe to Him is of no value.” “Why, sir,” I answered, “do you say this?” “I say to you,” he continued, “that the fasting which you think you observe is not a fasting. But I will teach you what is a full and acceptable fasting to the Lord. Listen,” he continued: “God does not desire such an empty fasting? For fasting to God in this way you will do nothing for a righteous life; but offer to God a fasting of the following kind: Do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart: keep His commandments, walking in His precepts, and let no evil desire arise in your heart; and believe in God. If you do these things, and fear Him, and abstain from every evil thing, you will live unto God; and if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, and one acceptable before God.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. 100-160) in Shepherd of Hermas, Fifth Similitude, 5:1.

Don’t start 2023 with useless activity. Combine traits of a righteous life with fasting and giving thanks. Set aside your desires and with a grateful heart, pursue that which God desires.

This is not only acceptable before God. It’s the way for life. He will show up for you and hear your prayers. Do your part and He will do His. What might you need to fast from moving forward?

At GTP we have a training we replicate called Stations of Generosity. With the word ‘stations’ think seven stops along a train line. Consider that word picture as Shepherd of Hermas uses the same term.

On the road or ‘train line’ of life, setting aside our desires in fasting and giving thanks come into view as only the first two stops on the way. Those position us to make a difference.

From there, following the Prophet Isaiah echoed by the Shepherd of Hermas, we must serve others and share generously. As we do, we exhibit the righteousness God desires. At what station are you?

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

“We ought to give great thanks to the Lord that He has given us knowledge of the past, and wisdom for the present, and that we are not without understanding for the future.”

Barnabas, born Joseph of Cyprus, in the Epistle of Barnabas 5:3 (Loeb Classical Library: Kirsopp Lake, 1912)

In the early church writing that bears his name, Barnabas drips with gratitude to God. He gives thanks for knowledge in the past, wisdom in the present, and understanding for the future.

Ponder that. No wonder it led him to be an encouraging and generous character in the unfolding story of the early church! When you have knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, you have all you need.

Thanks be to God who lavishes knowledge, wisdom, and understanding on all those who seek and trust in Him. This positions us to encourage and serve others generously.

As the new year gets going, pause to give “great thanks to the Lord” for all He has taught you in the past, how He aids you in the present, and for giving you peace as you look to the future.

And consider for what purpose has He done this? Has he taught you things to lift the spirits of others? Has resourced you to play a key role in modern day Christian mission?

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Let us, therefore, be of those who give thanks, of those who have served God, and not of the ungodly who are judged…And let not even that trouble your mind, that we see the unjust prosperous and the servants of God in misery.

Let us have faith, my brethren and sisters. We are making trial of the living God, and contending in the present life that we may be crowned in the life to come. For none of the just receiveth a speedy reward, but waiteth for it.

For if God gave speedily the reward of the righteous, we should forthwith practice gain and not godliness; for we should seem to be righteous, not on account of what is pious, but on account of what is profitable. And on this account hath the Divine judgment overtaken a spirit that is not righteous, and hath burdened it with chains.

Now to the only God, the invisible, the father of truth, who hath sent unto us the Saviour and leader of immortality, through whom he hath made known unto us the truth and the heavenly life, to him be the glory, world without end. Amen.”

Clement of Rome (c. 90-100) in 2 Clement 18:1; 20:1-5 (Charles H. Hoole translation, 1885).

The biblical idea of “the love of money” relates to the desire for gain and the belief that money solves problems. This thinking prevails today in most of the world.

According to this mindset, everyone needs to get money to survive. This causes people to live ungodly and unjust lives in service to mammon rather than God.

Those are strong words but such living is “ungodly” as it is the opposite of God’s way and “unjust” because it causes us to hoard fearfully rather than share generously.

Clement, the bishop of Rome near the end of the first century, urged the church in Rome to live with gratitude toward God and in service toward others.

He urged them to focus on godliness and piety rather than gain or profit. He told them that God will reward the righteous but they likely will have to wait for it to come.

In short, Clement echoes the author of Hebrews calling hearers to be content with what they have and to contend in the present anticipating a crown in the life to come.

So to live with gratitude helps us grow in the area of contentment. Our living shows the world that we have everything we need in God who will never abandon us. Hallelujah!

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14

“Let every one of you, brethren, give thanks to God in his own order, living in all good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of the ministry prescribed to him.”

Clement of Rome (c. 90) in 1 Clement 41:1 (Roberts-Donaldson translation).

For the coming weeks we will explore gratitude in the Apostolic Fathers and early Christian writings. Today the bishop of the church in Rome teaches us how gratitude shapes our service.

Clement and Paul were contemporaries. Paul teaches us in today’s Scripture, which he wrote to Titus, that God’s people need to learn to do what is good. Productive and generous service is part of our Christian growth.

Clement proclaims a similar message to the church in Rome. When we give thanks to God, this gratitude propels us to plays our part in the body of Christ “with becoming gravity” or with appropriate commitment.

This is doing good with gravitas. So, in plain terms, in gratitude to God for all He has done for us, let us serve God and others in 2023 with seriousness, by doing good and playing our part on the body of Christ with intentionality.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

“Give thanks this way:

We thank you, holy Father, for your holy name which you enshrined in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality that you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To
you be the glory forever.

You, Master Almighty, have created all things for your name’s sake. You gave food and drink to all people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Jesus, your servant. Before all things we thank you because you are mighty. To you be the glory forever.

Remember, Lord, your church. Deliver it from all evil and make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For Yours is the power and the glory forever.

Let grace come, and let this world pass away!”

The Didache, or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 10:1-6, translated by Anthony H. Jones (Brewster: Paraclete Press, 2009).

Luke writes in today’s Scripture that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.” He continues that their actions flowed from “glad and sincere hearts.”

So how did they cultivate gratitude in their hearts? It’s a good question. Thankfully we have ancient evidence that offers us a clue. It can help us cultivate gratitude in our hearts as well.

We start the year by reading an excerpt from The Didache, or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. Many modern scholars call it the early church discipleship manual.

As we start the year exploring the idea of “gratitude” we find that each time they gathered, when they broke bread in communion, they read these words. And notice what surfaces in the heart of this section: gratitude.

“You gave food and drink to all people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to you; but to us you freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Jesus, your servant. Before all things we thank you…” 

Cultivating thankful hearts starts with acknowledging that God gave to us that we might return thanks to Him. He has given material and spiritual blessings freely, so before all things we thank Him and ask for His grace to come.

This runs contrary to worldly thinking which says something like this: “I got what I possess from my hard work. I earned it. It’s mine. And so I am entitled to do with it as I please.” Let’s chose a different path to start 2023.

With the early church we pray. “Remember, Lord, your church. Deliver it from all evil and make it perfect in your love, and gather it from the four winds sanctified for your kingdom which you have prepared for it.”

As we start the year with hearts filled with gratitude, may we unleash rich generosity in the four corners of the earth. And may it draw many into the church. It’s happening right now in Malawi through Palmful of Maize.

Father in Heaven, thanks for giving us so many material and spiritual blessings. By Your Holy Spirit, teach us to enjoy and share them with grateful hearts. Make it so by Your grace in 2023 we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

“If I am able to look at the world with the eyes of God’s love and discover that God’s vision is not that of a stereotypical landowner or patriarch but rather that of an all-giving and forgiving father who does not measure out his love to his children according to how well they behave, then I quickly see that my only true response can be deep gratitude.”

Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996) in The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming (New York: Image Books, 1994) 105.

The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming is another book from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics.

Every follower of Christ would do well to read this book. We find ourselves as the prodigal every time we seek unconditional love. And we learn to peel away the conditions we place on others.

This post brings into view my word for 2023: gratitude. Too often, we have stereotypes of God that cause us to expect things we think we deserve. If we got what we deserved we’d all be toast.

Our only posture toward the all-giving and forgiving Father can be gratitude and generosity comes into view as the best response.

I plan to explore this word, gratitude, and related ideas in the biblical text and throughout church history this year. Buckle up for an amazing adventure.

Today, the Apostle Paul places gratitude in the deepest and most central part of our being, our heart. He wants us to be centered on the idea of gratitude. With gratitude there, good things will flow.

I am grateful for people all over the world who gave to GTP at year-end. It will take a few days for the totals to get sorted, but hear my gratitude to God for all those who took the step of faith to give.

Father in heaven, cause all grace abound to everyone reading this post. Fill our hearts with gratitude in 2023 and by your Spirit make us overflow with generosity. Do this in your mercy I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

“These souls turn back at such a time if there is none who understands them; they abandon the road or lose courage; or, at the least, they are hindered from going farther by the great trouble which they take in advancing along the road of meditation and reasoning. Thus they fatigue and overwork their nature, imagining that they are failing through negligence or sin. But this trouble that they are taking is quite useless, for God is now leading them by another road, which is that of contemplation, and is very different from the first; for the one is of meditation and reasoning, and the other belongs neither to imagination nor yet to reasoning.

It is well for those who find themselves in this condition to take comfort, to persevere in patience and to be in no wise afflicted. Let them trust in God, Who abandons not those that seek Him with a simple and right heart, and will not fail to give them what is needful for the road, until He bring them into the clear and pure light of love. This last He will give them by means of that other dark night, that of the spirit, if they merit His bringing them thereto.

The way in which they are to conduct themselves in this night of sense is to devote themselves not at all to reasoning and meditation, since this is not the time for it, but to allow the soul to remain in peace and quietness, although it may seem clear to them that they are doing nothing and are wasting their time, and although it may appear to them that it is because of their weakness that they have no desire in that state to think of anything. The truth is that they will be doing quite sufficient if they have patience and persevere in prayer…”

John of the Cross (1542-1591) in Dark Night of the Soul, translated and edited by E. Allison Peers (New York: Image Books, 1959) 10.2.

Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross is another book from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics.

This classic book reminds readers that dark times provide margin for contemplation. Such times are sometimes painful but simultaneously necessary for our growth. This book really ministered to me yesterday!

When I woke, the year-end need for GTP was still about $86,179. Then I read and meditated on Chapter 10 of this book entitled, “Of the way in which these souls are to conduct themselves in this dark night.”

I was contemplating. How should I conduct myself with two days to go? Perhaps you can relate? For a project or goal, you did everything you could to help achieve a goal, and it seemed like it was not enough.

The temptation is to lose heart, to get discouraged, or to overwork. I have done each of these things in the past. But I resolved yesterday to pray, trust God, wait for Him and abide in His love. It changed me.

God graciously reminded me that He will provide “what is needful for the road” because He knows the road ahead for me. Download the ebook. Take time to contemplate and rest in His love.

And, would you wait on the Lord with me, persevere with me, pray with me for God to release “what is needful for the road” to respond to needs in these countries?

Ukraine, Poland, Czeckia, Slovakia, Romania, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Brazil, Malawi, Argentina, Philippines, Bolivia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Zambia, and India.

Click here to make a year-end gift to GTP. The remaining need is $65,414 with one day to go. Thanks for trusting God with me to provide “what is needful for the road.”

Together we are empowering national workers to build trust and grow local giving, so they don’t need support from outsiders. Your support helps turn dependency into discipleship.