Meditations

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12

“For even in the sacrifices which Abel and Cain first offered, God looked not at their gifts, but at their hearts, so that he was acceptable in his gift who was acceptable in his heart. Abel, peaceable and righteous in sacrificing in innocence to God, taught others also, when they bring their gift to the altar, thus to come with the fear of God, with a simple heart, with the law of righteousness, with the peace of concord.”

Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer 24.

After I preached on Sunday, something happened in the heart of a man in the third row.

He’d been waiting for some funds to come through and God had moved in such a way that he received them on Friday and was stirred to give. No kidding. Others planted and watered. Then God worked in his heart.

After my message encouraging people to “give God what you have” he told the pastor he would give a million dollars.

How cool is that! He exhibited, as Cyprian put it, the fear of God, a simply heart guided by the law of righteousness (that is, doing what is right) and the peace of concord (which means peace rooted in his trust in Christ).

Giving is acceptable to God not based on the amount of the gift but the attitude of our hearts.

God looks for willing hearts who are enthusiastic to share. If God has blessed you, set up monthly giving to GTP today. We are praying for monthly givers. God moved two people to do this last week, and we are praying for more. Click here to give.

I praise God for a fruitful trip down under, 10 events in 5 cities and meetings with many people.

Pray with me that these visits will result in the strengthening of workers for service and support to GTP. And pray for safe travel home for Jenni and me. It’s a long trip.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

“Now that is the will of God which Christ both did and taught. Humility in conversation; steadfastness in faith; modesty in words; justice in deeds; mercifulness in works; discipline in morals; to be unable to do a wrong, and to be able to bear a wrong when done; to keep peace with the brethren; to love God with all one’s heart; to love Him in that He is a Father; to fear Him in that He is God; to prefer nothing whatever to Christ, because He did not prefer anything to us; to adhere inseparably to His love; to stand by His cross bravely and faithfully; when there is any contest on behalf of His name and honor, to exhibit in discourse that constancy wherewith we make confession; in torture, that confidence wherewith we do battle; in death, that patience whereby we are crowned — this is to desire to be fellow-heirs with Christ; this is to do the commandment of God; this is to fulfill the will of the Father.”

Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer 15.

Thanks for your prayers. Preaching went great in Adelaide.

As I reflect on prayer during Lent and read through this treatise by Cyprian this excerpt stood out to me: “[Christ] did not prefer anything to us.”

It was the will of the Father that Christ would die for us.

So He did not prefer anything to us. He sacrificed everything. As I ponder this it inspires me to prefer nothing else next to Him. Not my will by yours be done, Lord.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:4-8

“But how great is the Lord’s indulgence! How great His condescension and plenteousness of goodness towards us, seeing that He has wished us to pray in the sight of God in such a way as to call God Father, and to call ourselves sons of God, even as Christ is the Son of God, a name which none of us would dare to venture on in prayer, unless He Himself had allowed us thus to pray! We ought then, beloved brethren, to remember and to know, that when we call God Father, we ought to act as God’s children; so that in the measure in which we find pleasure in considering God as a Father, He might also be able to find pleasure in us. Let us converse as temples of God, that it may be plain that God dwells in us.”

Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer 11.

As we “venture on in prayer” we start to realize our sinfulness with the publican (yesterday’s post) and God’s kindness and generosity (today’s post). He eagerly welcomes us to come to His presence in prayer.

The Lord’s indulgence toward us transforms us in at least three ways: (1) He finds pleasure in us, (2) He considers us family, and (3) He considers our bodies as His dwelling.

I hope you see the implications of this. It means that His “condescension and plenteousness of goodness” toward us have a purpose. He wants us to remain connected and dependent on Him while being conduits of blessing for Him.

Thank the Lord today for His indulgence toward you and reflect on the implications of this for your day and for the rest of your life. And remember me as I preach this weekend in Adelaide, Australia. Thanks.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14

“And let not the worshipper, beloved brethren, be ignorant in what manner the publican prayed with the Pharisee in the temple. Not with eyes lifted up boldly to heaven, nor with hands proudly raised; but beating his breast, and testifying to the sins shut up within, he implored the help of the divine mercy. And while the Pharisee was pleased with himself, this man who thus asked, the rather deserved to be sanctified, since he placed the hope of salvation not in the confidence of his innocence, because there is none who is innocent; but confessing his sinfulness he humbly prayed, and He who pardons the humble heard the petitioner.”

Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer.

In today’s biblical text we find mention of the disciplines of Lent: prayer, fasting, and giving. We also learn that these disciplines must be practiced from a place of humility.

This lesson seems timely as we find ourselves 2.5 weeks into Lent.

Our temptation is to rationalize that we are doing great. We are giving, fasting, and not like the sinners around us. So we reason that we have arrived. We have ticked the boxes.

We cannot let that be us. There’s a different response we can have during Lent.

Let us instead follow the path of the publican. Let us allow these disciplines to remind us of our sin and our daily need for God. Now see how the disciplines emerge.

God, grant us your divine mercy, we fast from pride, and give our lives to you afresh today. Amen.

Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. 1 Samuel 1:13a

“And this Hannah in the first book of Kings, who was a type of the Church, maintains and observes, in that she prayed to God not with clamorous petition, but silently and modestly, within the very recesses of her heart. She spoke with hidden prayer, but with manifest faith. She spoke not with her voice, but with her heart, because she knew that thus God hears; and she effectually obtained what she sought, because she asked it with belief.”

Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer.

It was a fruitful time in Perth. Jenni and I have safely arrived in Adelaide. I am turning my attention to the Lenten discipline of prayer.

Today Cyprian celebrates the example of Hannah and teaches us that she was a type of the church and shows us how to practice hidden prayer with manifest faith and belief.

This reminds me afresh to place my needs in the trustworthy hands of God.

The generous life calls us to put ourselves in a posture of perpetual dependence on God. This is not easy because often God places bigger challenges in our paths.

I felt convicted by the “clamorous petition” comment.

God, help us silently and modestly entrust our desires and difficulties to you and through hidden prayer and manifest faith and belief watch you do the impossible. Amen.

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world, and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that, according to their ability, each would send relief to the brothers and sisters living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:27-30

“When a king demands gold from you, no matter how much he wants—threatening to tie you up and hang you—you give him what he wants. Even if you are poor, he pays no attention to the means that different people have, but he seeks only his own gain. But God is not like this, for he asks only in proportion to our means.”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in On Fasting and Almsgiving.

Today marks the last post from this excellent treatise on fasting and almsgiving. It’s short and sweet.

We learn that earthly kings tend to try to demand an extra more from us without giving attention to our situation or resources. John Chrysostom tells us that our God is not like this.

Instead God only wants us to give in proportion to our means, which follows the pattern of the first disciples.

In today’s Scripture we see that the disciples collectively determined to send aid according to the ability of each one. Notice the collective and individual nature of New Testament giving.

They all reflected the same witness, that is, proportionate giving, though they gave different amounts. And the giving appears as timely. They acted immediately upon hearing of the need.

I was so encouraged yesterday. A good friend signed up to give $100 monthly to GTP. I mention this for two reasons.

Firstly, I am realizing as CEO that I should have encouraged monthly giving from the start. It flows regularly and proportionately from faithful stewards. And we need more of it to deploy staff in humble service.

Secondly, this giving comes at a time of need like the situation in the Acts narrative. In that sense, it’s timely. So, if you have sent support to GTP in the past, can I ask you to set up monthly giving here?

Your proportionate support will provide timely assistance. Thanks.

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6

“Give what you have to the poor and the Master will guard them for you with the greatest security. Do you not see what farmers do? Often, when they lack seed on account of their poverty, they pawn their clothes and receive what they lacked and entrust it to the earth. Even though they have often experienced unseasonable weather and have left their fields without reaping anything, they nonetheless entrust it to the earth in hope. Is the Master therefore not able to do what the earth does?”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in On Fasting and Almsgiving.

Here John Chrysostom connects almsgiving to what farmers do. They entrust seeds to the earth in hope of a harvest. Then he says so powerfully, “Is the Master therefore not able to do what the earth does?”

Can you imagine a farmer holding on to seed in the barn? It makes no sense right. That’s the person with material wealth that holds on to it. They will reap no harvest leaving it in the barn.

And they may, like the rich fool, be relieved of their duties. Don’t let that be you. Entrust your seed to God through giving and see what the Master does with it.

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36

“Why, then, are there poor people? Is God not able to rain down gold upon them? But the poor are with you so that their poverty might serve for you as a propitiation of sins. A great thing is man, but a merciful man is precious indeed. See how great almsgiving is? God identifies the merciful man with himself: Be compassionate, he says, as your heavenly Father is compassionate. We know that when death comes, your money remains here. Why, then, do you not send it there to yourself in advance, so that, on the Day of Judgment, the poor will stand by your side where you will have no lawyer or advocate. Pointing to their clothing and head coverings, the poor will snatch you from the fire. Even the sun rising over ice does not cause it to melt as much as almsgiving, which, when it descends on a multitude of sins, causes them to vanish utterly.”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in On Fasting and Almsgiving.

I am having sweet fellowship with Christian workers in Sydney (pictured above).

Meanwhile, for two years and counting the war has raged in Ukraine. While many have offered support, right now it seems that the only thing raining down on the Ukrainian people is unfriendly fire from Russian troops.

This has left numerous people poor, homeless, and internally displaced.

Jenni and I will head into Ukraine from 18-31 March 2024 as part of Ukraine: Project Structure. Click to read more about our strategic work there. We will help rebuild the structure of churches and ministries with standards while also caring for the needs of hurting souls.

This brings into view a tangible way you can “rain down” help during Lent.

To provide general support to GTP click here to give “where needed most” or to “Ukraine: Project Structure.” Or if you want to help the poor and internally displaced persons, we launched “Ukraine: Project Tiny Houses”.

This effort is led by GTP Country Coordinator Sasha Volyanyk, who has worked with YWAM for years.

You or your church can give $7,500 and build a Tiny House which provides shelter to those who have lost everything and helps connect them to a church and a network of support.

Read about the effort and give generously today. Sasha and other have built 174 Tiny Houses and counting.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

“For whereas usury is a crime practiced by the heathen, with God it is praiseworthy. Will you not give to the poor? Consider who it is that begs of you through the poor man and attend to the dignity of the one who receives. Yes, the poor man receives, but it is God who is the borrower.

Understand to what depths the Master descended to accomplish this, so that he might turn you back from cruelty and hatred: For you saw me hungry, and you did not feed me; thirsty, and you did not give me to drink; a stranger, and you did not welcome me; naked, and you did not clothe me. Will you not therefore give to Christ in his hunger?

Both you and the poor man together partake of his body from the altar table. You both likewise partake of his holy cup. Christ grants you to commune in his great and fearful mysteries, and yet you do not share your small and paltry things with him? Will you not give him thine own?”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in On Fasting and Almsgiving.

As I read through this ancient treatise on fasting and almsgiving, it moves me that the incarnation, God becoming flesh, aimed to turn us back from cruelty and hatred by showing us what giving generously to the undeserving looks like.

May God, this Lent, turn us back. May He change our minds and break our hearts to see that when we share, we will be both be blessed and be turned back from cruelty and hatred that aims to destroy us. Our very lives depend on whether or not we get this.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

“Surely you see the multitudes of poor people in the street, how they remain outdoors even though they are sick or naked? Some are younger, some are older, some of them are leaning on one another for support — how great is their misfortune! Give, therefore, to your fellow servants, so that you might have the Master in your debt, for he gladly becomes your debtor and pays back your investment with interest.”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in On Fasting and Almsgiving.

Tough times fall on everyone, old and young.

Today’s Scripture and words from John Chrysostom alert us to the fact that the LORD sees when we help those in need and will reward those who act generously: He gladly becomes your debtor.

God cares so much that we help others, He stands ready to replenish and reward the faithful.

This Lent, I want to give you that opportunity right now. Because GTP did not hit our year-end funding target, I learned that we have only about 60 days cash on hand.

This is a first for me as President and CEO. We’ve never been this low on cash since GTP started.

Rather than keep the need quiet, I humbly ask for help. Can you join GTP as a monthly giver today. Set it up here. Whether you give $10 or $100, your monthly support will keep the work going.

I am fasting and praying for monthly supporters. Seek the Lord and join us in the work at the level God leads you.

In obedient service to Jesus Christ, GTP multiplies faithful stewards and mobilizes peer accountability groups (like ECFA in USA) to build trust and grow local giving to God’s work.

Looking for partners to help make sure this work continues for months and years to come.