"...your ENTHUSIASM has stirred most of them into ACTION" 2 Corin. 8:2

"Show enthusiasm in ALL that you do" -Dove Promises

Enthusiasm:
-a belief in spiritual revelations of the Holy Spirit
-a STRONG EXCITEMENT of feeling

"Enthusiasm is taken from two root words: 'en' and 'theos', meaning 'GOD WITHIN'. If we have God living on the inside of us, we ought to be ENTHUSIASTIC! -John Maxwell
(see www.crossfitfaith.com)

I just couldn't leave out the context of my point here. Below you will read verses from chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians. Paul offers examples of generous giving from the Corinthians because He gave ALL to us. The response seen because of their ENTHUSIASM to give stirred up the Macedonians to do the same. I have included verses that stuck out most to me, followed by a "personal explanation" of what the Lord taught me while reading His Word.

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing JOY and their extreme POVERTY welled up in RICH GENEROSITY. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond there own ability...And they did not do as we expected, but they gave THEMSELVES first TO THE LORD and then to us in keeping with GOD'S WILL...But just as you EXCEL in EVERYTHING- in FAITH, in SPEECH, in KNOWLEDGE, in complete EARNESTNESS, and in your LOVE for us- see that you also EXCEL in this grace of GIVING. I am not commanding you, but I want to TEST THE SINCERITY of your LOVE by COMPARING it with the EARNESTNESS of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was RICH, yet for YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, so that you through HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH."
2 Corinthians 8: 2-3, 5, 7-9

Personal Explanation:
In in our 'greatest trials', we should give generously, out of the JOY we have in Christ! First, we give ourselves-because of our commitment to Christ, we offer ourselves to others, regardless of what we may or may NOT receive in return. How generous was the Lord? He was so generous that He gave ALL HE HAD for OUR SAKES! Through HIS POVERTY, we might become ETERNALLY RICH in Him. Here on earth, we are urged to give a little money or offering, clothing, food, etc. HE GAVE HIMSELF. He was rich, but HE BECAME POOR. And it was all for our sakes, that we through HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH.
*IT SHOULD BE OUR GREATEST JOY TO GIVE ALL THAT WE ARE AND HAVE TO HIM!!!!!!

"Now finish the work, so that your EAGER WILLINGNESS to do it may be matched by your COMPLETION of it, according to YOUR MEANS. For if the WILLINGNESS is there, the GIFT is ACCEPTABLE according to what one HAS, not according to what he DOES NOT HAVE. Our desire is NOT that you may be 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. Then there will be EQUALITY, as it is written: 'He who GATHERED MUCH did not have TOO MUCH, and he who GATHERED LITTLE did not have TOO LITTLE.'"
2 Corinthians 8: 11-15

Personal Explanation:
Paul is speaking to the Corinthians, who has initially thought of donating to the poor before the Macedonians actually did. Paul is telling the Corinthians to be consistent and to finish what they originally began to give for this would prove their sincerity. Disregard what delayed them and complete their donation according to their ability which they had. It doesn't matter HOW MUCH you offer. God accepts our gifts, however small they may be, out of our desires of the heart! Whenever a need exists, equality of Christians and desires of the heart should offer an outflow of giving to meet that need for others.
*GOD INTENDS EACH MAN TO HAVE A SHARE OF THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE, SOME MORE AND SOME LESS. THOSE WHO HAVE MORE SHOULD SHARE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE LESS, NOT SO THE RICH WILL SELFISHLY ENJOY IT, BUT SO THE POOR WILL ALSO SHARE IN IT!

"For Titus not only WELCOMED our appeal, but he is coming to you with MUCH ENTHUSIASM and on his OWN INITIATIVE...For we are taking pains to do what is RIGHT, not only in the eyes of the LORD but also in the eyes of MEN...and your ENTHUSIASM has stirred most of them INTO ACTION"
2 Corinthians 8: 17, 21; 9: 2

Personal Explanation:
Titus went willingly to Corinth to tell of the donation that the Corinthians made. He wanted to serve, and he wanted to do it all for the glory of God! Paul wanted Titus to be honest in his desire to give not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men. Because of the willingness of the Corinthians, the Macedonians were in turn 'stirred up' to give.
*CHRISTIANS SHOULD GIVE GENEROUSLY, EAGERLY, WILLINGLY, AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE DESIRE TO GIVE BECAUSE CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US!

I challenge you to reflect on what you have 'given' up for others out of a pure heart in Christ's love. Whether it be money, your time, a kind word, "things", or simply a little enthusiasm... did you give WILLINGLY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY? SelfLESSly? GENEROUSLY?
Pray for a heart that is so fully satisfied with God that you are able to give eagerly, willingly, and ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

word search.

"every WORD of God is flawless." Proverbs 30:5


This is how the Lord speaks to me. Not through sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or books, but through words. Individual, all by themselves, pointed out, bold print/italicized/underlined words.
I believe that we remain in relationship with Christ by hearing from Him. and until we discover our own personal way of "hearing" from the Lord, our relationship remains rocky.

I find it humorous that the Lord chooses to SHOW me things in order to HEAR from Him. Different senses? vision vs. hearing. I believe He just knows my love for music...and the fact that I always have noise playing in my life. Whether a song's stuck in my head, humming a tune, Pandora-my love, or my Ipod on shuffle.... noise surrounds me. constantly. Because of this He shows me words. It's interesting the words He chooses to share with me. Each day, who knows what He will reveal. This leaves a game of hide and seek for me. The beauty of my daily "word search" with God is that I am forced to keep my eyes wide open.....no matter where I am. When I spot a word that I can't take my eyes off of, I know something's up; like He's holding up a poster-board with that word boldly written across it.

I never leave home without these three things: 1) my Bible, 2) a notebook, or two or three, and 3) a pen, or twelve at that. He usually reveals my first word-of-the-day in my intimate time spent with Him every morning. After the first spotting of my word (or words depending on His will and intent for the day), the game has begun. It honestly is exciting, kind of like a scavenger hunt! He challenges me daily stating, "I Spy how many (insert word here) can you find today, Reagan?" I like to translate this from Him to mean, "Will you walk hand in hand with me today? all day? Will your eyes remain open for opportunities to see me at work in your life, in the lives of those around you, and in times where I can use YOU to glorify my name?" If this doesn't challenge me, than I'm just not looking hard enough. Yes, there are day where I only see my word once or twice. But it's days like those that I believe I picked out the wrong word from the beginning. Not what he willed me to see, but what I was seeking out of my own desire. Such a bad mistake and missed opportunity to see God at work and laugh out loud (or cry) in awe of His marvelous work. These are the days I struggle; the days I battle with the enemy. These are the days I've learned to regret before they have even occurred.

"You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey yours WORDS" Psalm 119:57

All of this being said, I hope to share with you often the WORDS that the Lord reveals to me. And more importantly, the teaching, instruction, and scripture that He offers me in response to His choice of words for that day. In following blog entries, I plan to share with you everywhere I saw my word-both on earth and in scripture, what He taught me about this word, and how I plan on applying this word to my life to glorify Him and further His name. I hope that you will join me.

In brief review of my past week, the words that He revealed are as listed:
-Prosperity
-Excellence
-Season
-Waiting
-Surrender
-Contentment
-Fasting

You can see that the Lord pulls from His word bank at random. There is no rhyme or reason as to which one He will choose that day. In response to this exciting game that the Lord offer's me each day, I cannot wait to see what's next!

"If you remain in me and MY WORDS remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." John 15:7

live by faith and not by sight

A few months ago, I wrote a blog on "walking by faith". I wanted to follow up and include this video on that topic. This is teenage who had no choice but to walk by faith. Watch and be encouraged. If only we all could experience just one day in Alyssa's shoes, I think that we would learn to appreciate the little things in life that are seemingly so important to us.

"I have so much joy and so much anticipation because I know that the first face I'm ever going to see is Jesus, and that means the world to me" -Alyssa


http://deidox.com/films/alyssa/

God requires belief and trust in moments of human weakness, but faith is what makes us strong.

Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see." (NIV)