Leftovers

Then King David said…”For I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing."

1 Chronicles 21:24 (NKJV)

Often times I enjoy leftovers. Finding something in the fridge from the night before that hits the spot for a 2nd time. I remember as a kid complaining about leftovers. “Ah Mom, this again.” Now as an adult I enjoy my leftovers and think about the money I am saving by eating the same meal twice.

There is a principle all through Scripture that we are reminded of during offering time that our first and best should always belong to God. Unfortunately, too many of us offer God the leftovers in our life, and I’m not just talking about our finances.

The Bible tells us to love the God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. The Message Bible says it this way… “So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” (Mark 12:30) Here are some questions to help us make sure our walk with God is a priority.

Heart (passion) – Do you love Him more than anything else in this world?

Soul (prayer) – Does God have first place in your life? Do you trust in Him more than anything else?

Mind (intelligence) – What occupies your thinking? Does “heaven fill your thoughts?” (Col. 3:1,2) Do you meditate on things that are good and pure? (Phil. 4:8)

Strength (energy) – Do you do all you do every day as unto the Lord? (1 Cor. 10:31)

Cub Scout Christianity

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Matt 16:24-25 (NIV)

Recently I was talking with a young man that was on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He was telling me about what he had to accomplish this summer to stay on track with his goal. I have to admit, I was impressed, it quite a list of things to do.

I remember being a Cub Scout when I was young. I still remember the motto, “I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God, and my country, to help other people, and obey the law of the pack.” I enjoyed my time as a Cub Scout so much so that I enrolled Luke in the program as soon as he was old enough. The problem…like his dad, Luke only lasted about a year.

See I loved being a part of the group, going to the activities, wearing the shirt, getting the badges. I didn’t like all the work that went into getting to the next level. It was demanding and I wasn’t up to the challenge.

I think there are a lot of Christians that live at a “Cub Scout” level with God. They take the “oath,” wear the uniform, do the basics but never take the step to get to the next level. They call themselves “Christians” but aren’t willing to become “disciples.”

The truth is that all disciples are believers, but not all believers are disciples. The life of a disciple is not an easy one but it is a part of the abundant life Christ wants you to live. …narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt 7:14 (NKJV)

This summer make a commitment to take the next step with God!