Written by Gail Rodgers
“They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” (2 Corinthians 8:5)
Do you ever look at the needs around you and wonder where to give yourself first? In this chapter of 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is talking to the believers about grace and generosity. In verse seven Paul says, “see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
This verse is particularly challenging because this past season has been quite busy in our home. There was a whole host of needs that needed to be met and I wasn’t sure how it would all work out. The needs involved people that we loved dearly, yet as I read the words “excel in this grace of giving,” I sighed. When I get tired I often don’t feel like I am excelling much in this grace of giving.
However, in this moment my eyes then fell again on verse five. Here it reads, “They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to others.” I was shocked at how incredibly simple this truth was! First I give myself to the Lord. I dip into the well of all He is and draw up all that I need for this moment and this day. Then I go and give out of that to others. When I get the order wrong that is why I get so tired. My job is first to please the Lord and not run around meeting everyone else’s needs while not being connected to Him.
His presence has all I need. I will embrace His presence in this moment. I will engage in His presence by drawing on His resources and I will enjoy His presence as He enables me to excel in this grace of giving far beyond my own limited resources.
Lord God,
You are so good! You give us all we need as we need it. You simply call us into Your presence to receive. Forgive me when I rush past You and try to do it all in my own strength. Remind me always to first give myself to You as I dip into Your deep well. Then I can go and give generously out of all that I have received. What joy You give! Thank you Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Questions: Do you notice when you are tired? Do you try to give out to others when your own well is empty?
Gail Rodgers
Gail Rodgers enjoys writing and applying the truths of the Bible to
everyday living. She and her husband live in Alberta, Canada and enjoy working together, traveling and spending time with their grown family.
Please visit Gail Rodgers' website at www.gailrodgers.ca
everyday living. She and her husband live in Alberta, Canada and enjoy working together, traveling and spending time with their grown family.
Please visit Gail Rodgers' website at www.gailrodgers.ca
In His Presence
by Gail Rodgers
In His Presence
When our feet hit the floor in the morning and the day rushes in, it can be easy to forget that the very presence of God is with us!The presence of the Lord is with each believer in Jesus. His presence is also IN each believer by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we embrace His presence it will change our day.
As I’ve pondered just what it looks like, on a busy morning, to embrace the presence of the Lord in me and with me, the familiar words of Psalm 23 took on a fresh depth. God is so practical. His presence with us is so real and so powerful in us.
As we embrace His presence we will begin to engage in His presence and enjoy our walk with Him in a fresh way.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
In His presence I am supplied with all I need for today.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
In His presence I am supplied with all I need for today.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
In His presence I am quieted from the turmoil in and around me.
He leads me beside quiet waters,
In His presence I am quieted from the turmoil in and around me.
He restores my soul.
In His presence I am built up, forgiven, refreshed.
In His presence I am built up, forgiven, refreshed.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
In His presence I am guided along the right paths for me, paths that will honor His name.
In His presence I am guided along the right paths for me, paths that will honor His name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
In His presence I can be fearless in trusting Him even with destruction and death are all around me.
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
In His presence I can be fearless in trusting Him even with destruction and death are all around me.
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.
In His presence I am comforted because I know He is equipped to watch over for me.
In His presence I am comforted because I know He is equipped to watch over for me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
In His presence I am nourished and protected even when I’m in unfriendly territory.
In His presence I am nourished and protected even when I’m in unfriendly territory.
You anoint my head with oil;
In His presence He anoints me with healing and with love.
In His presence He anoints me with healing and with love.
My cup overflows.
In His presence I am filled to overflowing regardless of outer circumstances.
In His presence I am filled to overflowing regardless of outer circumstances.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
I am pursued by His mercy and His goodness every day.
His presence calls me.
I am pursued by His mercy and His goodness every day.
His presence calls me.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In His presence I am secure for today and forever.
In His presence I am secure for today and forever.
What treasures await you today in His presence!
Lord God,
Before my feet hit the floor in the morning please wake me up a few minutes early to ponder Your presence with me and in me. Please help me to embrace Your presence for the day. Please help me to engage in Your presence and lean into all You have for me as I go. Help me to enjoy Your presence as I go through my day. Remind me of Your wonderful Psalm of complete care and may I rest in You. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Before my feet hit the floor in the morning please wake me up a few minutes early to ponder Your presence with me and in me. Please help me to embrace Your presence for the day. Please help me to engage in Your presence and lean into all You have for me as I go. Help me to enjoy Your presence as I go through my day. Remind me of Your wonderful Psalm of complete care and may I rest in You. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.
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