Archives by: Gary Hoag

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:34-35

“The point that Jesus makes in Luke 6 is not that disciples should never give with the expectation of reward; the point is that disciples should not lend to others expecting repayment from those to whom they lend, for in refusing to participate in this kind of reciprocal exchange, they will receive a reward in another exchange economy, not from other humans but from God.”

David J. Downs in “Giving for a Return in the Prosperity Gospel and the New Testament” Lausanne Movement post dated 3 Oct 2015.

Yesterday my attention turned to Lausanne Movement research so I lingered there.

Today’s meditation comes from another one of their posts. Advocates of the prosperity gospel are often attacked for seeking a return. In this article Downs rightly notes that it’s right to seek a return, but where the wrong turn is made is seeking material reward.

From our Scripture we learn that when we do good and give to the undeserving, we get a “great” reward, which is to be labeled as children of the Most High. So in our generosity, let’s seek our return not from people or in this life but from God. He blesses now in unexpected ways and in eternity it will be unfathomable.

Join me in supporting AfCAA to promote good stewardship in Africa.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“The message of prosperity resonates with traditional African religious ideas because of the belief in mystical causality. Prayer vigils and healing camps are viewed as the Christian equivalent of traditional shrines. Prayers, like offerings, become ritual actions that are supposed to make things happen. When prosperity is lacking, the explanation given is failure to pay a tithe to the church, or it may be linked to demonic forces, curses, and witchcraft perpetrated by envious family members…

God’s purpose in difficult situations is not always to take us out of them but to take us through them. In the words of the psalmist, ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me’ (Psalm 23:4); and ‘My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever’ (Psalm 73:26). The Apostle Paul himself had a “thorn in the flesh” that was not taken away. He lived with it not by “naming and claiming,” but by grace.”

J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu in “Did Jesus Wear Designer Robes?” Lausanne Movement post dated 1 Nov 2009.

Yesterday was special.

At GTP, we helped host the 5-year celebration of AfCAA, the peer accountability group like ECFA in USA, which serves pan-Africa. Last time I traveled to Africa I spoke on the difference between prosperity gospel and biblical generosity.

So, imagine my surprise when after the online event I opened my email box and saw this article from the Lausanne Movement.

It helped me understand why Africans are drawn to promises of blessing and then helped me get perspective on God’s purpose in challenging times (like the ones in which we find ourselves). We learn by experience that God’s grace is enough to navigate any situation.

Then it sunk in that Africans aren’t the only ones drawn to such ideas. We all are. We want God’s blessing but often forget the purpose of all He graciously supplies.

That’s where I am thankful that AfCAA is making a difference. They are building stewards and helping ministries follow standards. They grasp both the gift of God’s blessing and our purpose to serve as conduits of abundant generosity.

At GTP, we believe so much in what they are doing, we gave them a $5,000 USD match grant to build capacity. Join me in making a gift to celebrate five years.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

“No doubt pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument; it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.

If the first and lowest operation of pain shatters the illusion that all is well, the second shatters the illusion that what we have, whether good or bad in itself, is our own and enough for us. Everyone has noticed how hard it is to turn our thoughts to God when everything is going well with us. We “have all we want” is a terrible saying when “all” does not include God. We find God an interruption.

As St. Augustine says somewhere “God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full — there’s nowhere for Him to put it.” Or as a friend of mine said “we regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.”

Now God, who has made us, knows what we are and that our happiness lies in Him. Yet we will not seek it in Him as long as He leaves us any other resort where it can even plausibly be looked for. While what we call “our own life” remains agreeable we will not surrender it to Him. What then can God do in our interests but make “our own life” less agreeable to us, and take away the plausible sources of false happiness?”

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in The Problem of Pain (Quebec City: Samizdat University Press, 2016) 59-60.

Today’s Scripture aims to give us perspective amid suffering. The professor adds to our knowledge. Only when we have the right perspective can we be generous in the times in which we find ourselves.

Those who pursue false happiness need the megaphone of pain to get their attention. God is at worst an “interruption” or at best to them “a parachute” when He wants to be the object of their happiness.

When happiness lies in Him, we surrender to His ways. When we have false happiness, we get frustrated when things are less “agreeable” to us. I am learning to examine my heart in frustrated moments.

What is the bigger plan God is unfolding? What may He be trying to teach me? When things do not go how I plan, can I remain agile to follow God’s leading? How might I choose generosity in crisis?

When we attune to God we actually realize the “worth” of the present sufferings. God is not to be questioned but rather to be thanked for helping us to find our happiness only in Him.

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Consider what is the aim of Providence in all the tender care it has manifested for you. Why does it protect you so assiduously, and suffer no evil to befall you? Is it not that you should employ your bodies for God, and cheerfully apply yourselves to that service He has called you to? Doubtless this is the end and goal of these mercies; or else to what purpose are they afforded you? Your bodies are a part of Christ’s purchase, as well as your souls (1 Cor. 6. 19). They are committed to the charge and tutelage of angels (Heb. 1. 14), who have performed many services for them. They are dedicated by yourselves to the Lord, and that upon the highest account (Rom. 12. 1). They have already been the subjects of many mercies in this world (Ps. 35. 10), and shall partake of singular glory and happiness in the world to come (Phil. 3. 21). And shall they not then be employed, yea, cheerfully worn out, in His service? How reasonable it is they should be so! Why are they so tenderly preserved by God, if they must not be used for God?”

John Flavel (c. 1627-1691) in The Mystery of Providence (Monergism Books) 84.

Like many of you, I have friends who are suffering, some related to Covid and others linked to other illnesses and challenges. On the days when our health is not right, we realize how faithful is God’s care for us, day in and day out.

In exploring Providence this morning and remembering what God has done for us, this idea that God purchased us for a purpose got my attention. That He deploys angels to minister to us moves me deeply. But why is this the case?

He wants us to honor Him with our bodies. He wants us to serve Him with every ounce of strength that we have. Our purpose as we age is not to increase our comfort but to be “cheerfully worn out” in His service.

What trajectory are you on? Would people say that your focus as you age is to work less, to pursue possessions and pleasures? Or would they say you are seeking not to be served but to serve?

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

“We must begin to correct the admittedly false picture of Providence which we have hitherto been using. That picture, you will remember, was false because it represented God and nature as inhabiting common time. But it is probable that nature is not really in time and almost certain that God is not.

Time is probably (like perspective) the mode of our perception. There is therefore in reality no question of God’s at one point in time (the moment of creation) adapting the material history of the universe in advance to free acts which you or I are to perform at a later point in time.

To Him all the physical events and all the human acts are present in an eternal now. The liberation of finite wills and the creation of the whole material history of the universe (related to the acts of those wills in all the necessary complexity) is to Him a single operation. In this sense, God did not create the universe long ago but creates it at this minute—at every minute.”

C. S. Lewis in Miracles in The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics (New York: Harper One, 2002) 458-459.

In exploring the idea of Providence, I had to sit at the feet of the professor to get help. C.S. Lewis offers us the perspective we need. As I ponder what I read in his classic work, Miracles, I got what I needed, and what the whole world needs. Hang with me I will explain the connection to generosity.

When we look to the mountains, what do we see?

We see our Creator functioning outside of time and space in the “eternal now” always working for the good of all that He has made. This reminds us that He will never be early or late to come to our aid. He is always hearing, always caring, always working for our good.

The false picture we must jettison is that God is limited by time and space. If we retain it, it will limit generosity as we will not count on His care. Remember John 11:21 on this note: “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

She thought Jesus and His capacity to do miracles was limited to time and space. He demonstrated otherwise and worked the miracle, the answer to her prayer, in a manner that would bring glory to God outside of time in the eternal now.

When I walk through the mountains and see the flowers, He whispers that He cares for these, so I can trust Him to care for me. When we trust in God’s providence, we find the peace the world needs. We also discover that we are here to reflect His generosity in the eternal now.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

“With God, the more one seems to lose the more one gains. The more He strikes off of what is natural, the more He gives of what is supernatural. He is loved at first for His gifts, but when these are no longer perceptible He is at last loved for Himself. It is by the apparent withdrawal of these sensible gifts that He prepares the way for that great gift which is the most precious and the most extensive of all, since it embraces all others. Souls which have once for all submitted themselves to the divine action, ought to interpret everything favorably. Yes, everything! even the loss of the most excellent directors, and the want of confidence they cannot help feeling in those who offer themselves for that post.”

Jean-Pierrede Caussade (1675-1751) in Abandonment to Divine Providence (Grand Rapids, MI: CCEL) 92.

I shot the new header photo at Herman Creek on Saturday. It was so beautiful there. But to get to this spot required some steep unfavorable hiking.

Seeing how our Lord Jesus Christ cares for creation made me celebrate the gift of the outdoors and drew my heart to celebrate the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

This got me thinking about divine providence, which is why I read from Piper’s new book yesterday and Caussade’s classic today. I added links so you can read these books if you like.

Ponder this thought: “With God, the more one seems to lose the more one gains.” So true!

Related to generosity, this means there is never a sacrifice too great, for the One who bountifully gives us all things offers us Himself. And He cares for us in this life and for eternity.

The words “with God” touch me deeply as a friend who was a radiant reflection of the love of God, Brenda Jones, went home to be with the Lord yesterday. She is with God.

Caussade reminds us that even with the loss of special people we can “interpret everything favorably” because of the providence of God. What a blessed hope!

All who are in Christ and pass away experience beauty in glory greater than this photo. The outdoors are a reflection of the work of the Creator but nothing beats the glory of His presence.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

“Every good gift in this world and the next (including innumerable wonders to enjoy in nature) was purchased by Christ for us at the cost of his life. Therefore, every sight, every sound, every fragrance, every texture, every taste in this world that is not sin is meant to intensify our admiration and love for Jesus (as Creator, Sustainer, Upholder, and Redeemer) and move us to “boast . . . in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). The theater of wonders that we call the natural world is through Christ and for Christ.”

John Piper in “the Loss and Recovery of a Theatre of Wonders” in Providence (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020) 231.

God’s providence in nature makes it a “theatre of wonders” as Piper puts it. It is a gift not to be worshipped but to cause us “intensify our admiration and love for Jesus Christ.”

Sammy collected me at 7:30am yesterday morning. We visited the drive-thru at McDonalds to get a pair of breakfast sandwiches for each of us. Then we ventured an hour up I-70 to the Herman Gulch Trail.

The parking lot was nearly full. The trail starts at 10,400 feet. Our aim was not to hike to the lake, but to get to about 11,200 feet where the trail parallels Herman Creek and start fly fishing for Greenback Cutthroats.

The trek was challenging for me. It seemed like it went straight up for the first 45 minutes. Of course, Sammy scurried up it like a bighorn sheep. And though there were many hikers, we saw no other anglers.

Over a mile or so of water, we landed 46 of these absolutely beautiful fish, which are only accessible a few months of the year. It was technical fishing for the Colorado state fish. Our Creator had fun designing them!

They are diminutive, which means admittedly small, but living at the treeline means their season without ice and snow is short. But Jesus sustains them. We witnessed it. He fed them with hatches of mayflies and caddis.

Of course when we offered them mayfly and caddis patterns they struck our flies. After snapping some photos of these protected fish, we celebrated the gift of time together in the “theatre of wonders.”

We say that catching a trout like this is God’s gift to us. Releasing it is our gift to the next angler. But that moment we enjoy it’s beauty and colors was made possible by Christ so we are filled with gratitude.

Get outside and enjoy the beauty of Creation. May “every sight, every sound, every fragrance, every texture, every taste” point your attention to our generous Savior and Sustainer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow’s header photo will celebrate the awesome scenery cared for by the Providence of God.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9

“The West values itself for its ability to produce things. Priests, nuns, and lay people tend to evaluate themselves interiorly by what they produce. Priests especially do not realize that their presence is enough. I often tell priests who work in parishes that one of the best things they can ‘do’ is simply walk around their neighborhoods and be present to their people. If they don’t do something, they feel that they are wasting their lives away.”

Northumbrian Community in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 808. Today is the last post from this precious book.

Our Scripture reminds us that God cares about our relationship with Him and illustrates how we can impact others by our presence. This flies in the face of Western and worldly thinking which values people for what they produce.

But how does this relate to generosity?

Much of giving, especially major gifts, is linked to outcomes or production. We need to jettison this thinking. It puts unnecessary pressure on God’s workers. Instead, let’s encourage faithful activities including being present with people.

Why does it matter?

How we live out our faith and dispense our generosity is as important as what we believe and support. If we are always busy and/or focused on production, we may miss the bigger story unfolding around us. Or cause others to miss it. Often I am guilty of this.

Perhaps you are too?

I’m taking a break today. I’m going fly fishing with my son, Sammy, today. I look forward to the gift of time together. Sure, I hope we catch a lot of Greenback Cutthroat trout but time together in each others’ presence will be priceless.

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 1:3

This is Brigid who loved the poor,
and gave away all she could spare
and would have given everything
if everything was hers to share.

She gave her love to God as well,
in her community at Kildare,
all souls were welcome to feast
on simple food, ale, and love of Him
who gave unstintingly for us
His love, His heart, His dying blood.
Her utmost love was love returned.

And this is the way that Brigid lived,
the prayer that Patrick made,
the circle Ninian drew,
the life that Martin taught,
the house that love built,
the heart that John heard,
the way that God made.

Poem on the way of Brigid in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 785-786. Soon I will be through this precious book. I pray the posts have been a blessing to you.

Let us give thanks for the privilege of serving a God who gives to us unstintingly. While I could image the meaning of this word, I looked it up.

Unstintingly means “not restricting or holding back: giving or being given freely or generously.” God gives unstintingly to us. This positions us to go and do likewise.

Think of people in your life who have inspired you by their sacrificial living, their generous giving, their timely support, or for helping you grasp the Christian life.

Pause and notice the last stanza of the poem. Each person contributed to the faith of the community in Ireland. These have contributed to you. What contribution will you make?

As I ponder, I wonder if someone would say this about me: “the meditations that Gary posted.” Candidly, I never dreamed I’d do this daily for 12 years and counting. It’s calling from God not a plan on my part.

Today I honor my sister, Heather, on her birthday. As it was said of Brigid, I would say of her “the utmost love that Heather returned” because her loving sacrifices have been many. Happy Birthday, Heather.

But I press you once more. We serve a God who gives unstintingly, and we need each other to play our part so the faith that was once for all handed down to us spreads to others. What contribution will you make?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

“I give to you, my children, these final words: ‘Be at peace with one another, bound together by mutual and unfeigned love. If you do this, according to the example of the ancient fathers, God, who gives strength to the righteous, will bless you: and I, abiding with Him, shall intercede for you. Not only will God provide all things needed for this preesent life, but He shall prepare for you the blessings of eternity.”

St Columba’s last reported words of blessing in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 767.

Columba was about to see the Lord. Notice the repeating theme in his last words of blessing. “I give to you…God who gives…not only will God provide…He shall prepare…”

Columba gives them a blessing because God gives blessing, God provides, and God prepares. And Columba adds that because he himself will be “abiding” with God, he will continue to intercede for us.

I love this picture. As death is all around us. Those who die in Christ are more alive than ever, and they are interceding for us in the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on to run the race marked out for us.

And we must remember that we can be generous in living, giving, serving, and loving because God has been generous and continues to be generous to us.

In light of this, let us richly spread peace, “mutual and unfeigned love,” and blessing today!