Jesus always tells the truth

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed

One?”

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Mark 14

Would Jesus be considered a good person or teacher if he was a liar? The religious leaders asked him a specific question.  Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?  He said yes. “I am”.  It is recorded in the Greek, but it hearkens to the Hebrew word Yahweh which is the name that God gave to Moses.  This name was so holy to the Jewish people that they did not even pronounce it aloud.  Perhaps this is the term that Jesus said when they asked him.   This would exclaim the instant anger at his perceived blasphemy.  He claimed to be God.

So do you believe that Jesus was telling the truth?  Of course!  You know that Jesus is God.  But do you realize that everything that Jesus declared is also true.  He always told the truth.  This is important because we don’t get to pick and choose what is true.  It’s all true.  He said he would never leave us nor forsake us.  That is true.  He said the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth.  He said that God our Father knows all our need and we are more important than the sparrow.  He if we follow him, HE will make us fishers of men.  He said he is going to prepare a place for us in heaven.

We can trust ALL of the words and promises of Jesus concerning our lives.

Peter's plight - the hour has come

⁴¹ Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?

Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Mark 14

I'm sad.  Since Jan.1 2016 I have written everyday in this blog, that is until yesterday.  I had an opportunity to finish this in the middle of the day. Then life happened and i was busy.  The next time I was aware it was after midnight.  I knew that I could not go back and insert the blog.  That day was gone.  I personally experienced something similar to Peter's loss.  Now to start writing again without loosing momentum.  Here is a poem of Peter's plight.

The hour has come!

Twice awakened and three times we slept

Strangest of dreams in the night

Passover meal together we kept

Exhaustion and fatigue is our plight

Why are we so tired we wonder

Why is it the Master we fail

He goes and prays over yonder

Yes our sleep feels so swell

Wake up the time is here

Your chance to prepare is spent

Not even a moment to shed a tear

Already the course is bent

Can’t go back in time

Can’t change what was done

This mountain we can’t climb

All is lost save the son

Grace, grace, God’s grace        

Help me redeem what was lost

You’ve freedom to set my pace

Help me to count the cost

Jesus changed his mind about going to the cross, until...

 ³⁵ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ “Abba,^[f] Father,”he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

³⁷ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.“Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14

Was Jesus tempted to not go through with the plan to die on the cross?  If so, how did he overcome the temptation? These two passages are definitely connected.

Before we look at Peter and the impact of his sleeping when he should have been praying, let’s take a moment to look at Jesus prayer.  First, he postured himself appropriate to the situation.  The passage says that he fell to the ground.  Most likely he was bowing down and facing the dirt.  This position shows a humility and honor to the one that you are addressing.  It allows for one to pour forth the heart with little distractions.  When was the last time that you prayed while on the ground?  Pride keeps standing tall, brokenness bows low.

Second, Jesus expressed his request with intimacy.  God the Father was not some Deity way far away in the heavens.  Jesus prayed with affection, Abba.  We would say Daddy or papa.  Jesus addressed God as one who cared for him.  This was not a new thing, but he was accustomed to talking with God this way.  In a crisis, it is good to already be on intimate speaking terms with God.

Lastly Jesus asked for a change in God’s plan while respecting his sovereign authority.  It may seem like weakness to not fight back.  But Jesus knew that all of the ill treatment that he was about to receive was ordained by God.  So, when the extreme trial came, Jesus had prepared his heart and his emotions in the garden on the ground.

Peter, however, slept through his training time.  In just a few hours he would deny that he knew Jesus and would have failed the test.  Can sacrificial prayer really help us to stand firm where we may have been weak in the past?  Most American Christians are weak in regards to prayer.  Our prayers are short and only offered in convenience.  Then we wonder why we fail so often in our struggle with sin and addictions.

Lord teach us to pray. 

Jesus predicts Peter's denial....Not end of story

²⁷ “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’^[d]

²⁸ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

³⁰ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice^[e] you yourself will disown me three times.” Mark 14

I know that Jesus knows everything.  He knows when we rise and when we fall.  He knows when we sin and when we obey.  He knows our fears and our boldness in him.  He knows our weaknesses and our strengths.  He knows our thoughts, both pure and impure.  He also knows our past, present and future.  He has made provision for all of these.

When I read this passage it seems that Jesus almost wanted them to fail.  He flat out tells them, they will not have what it takes when the trial comes. “All will fall away”, he said.  For someone who speaks life, this doesn’t sound like what he should be saying over his disciples.  Instead, I would have liked him to say.  “Guys, get ready.  You are about to have an opportunity to deny me, but I have prayed that you will stand strong”.  But that is not what he said.  He even predicted Peter’s denial with accuracy.

You see I kept looking for hope and I was not finding it.  Until today!  Jesus does not dwell on our failures.  Peter did.  He was convinced that he would never fail by denying Christ. But he did.   Jesus instead gave hope.  “After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  He planted the seed of hope.  He will rise again.  They would remember this statement later to be encouraged.  Also, he would see them all again in Galilee.  Their failure was not the end of their relationship with Jesus.

Jesus knew  they would fall away, but he knew they would regroup.  He could have told them that he was so disappointed that he would choose others who would not fail him.  But he didn’t.  He accepted them after leaving him all alone. And he wanted to be with them again…in Galilee

Jesus knows everything about us.  But there is hope!  His plan for our lives encapsulates our failures.  He is alive and has more for us to do.  Stop focusing on our weakness, sin, or stupid decisions.  Ask for forgiveness and look to a risen Savior.

Strong in the Lord

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11Put on the full armor of

God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  Ephesians 6 ESV.

Where you looking for a fight or just upset that one came your way?  When your path is smooth you easily forget that you have an adversary that is relentless in his pursuit to neutralize you.  He wants to make you weak and ineffective in my calling for you.  He wants people to lose sight of Me in your life and instead focus on you.

I need for you to first learn the lesson of being strong.  This strength does not come from your physical abilities, your intellectual dominance, your emotional stableness, your ability to accomplish things, or your strong control over people and your money.  Neither is my strength revealed in weakness that is attributed to your laziness.  Yes my power is shown in your weakness that comes from the distress, persecutions and insults that come from following My Son, but not from inactivity.

The armor and ability to stand firm follows learning how to be strong in me and in my might power.  Your strength in ME is found as you focus on MY strength.  As you remember that I hold you in the palm of my hand, you also remember that nothing can take you from that place of security.  I AM THAT STRONG.  What can any person do or is there any event that comes your way, that I am not stronger still?  My  strength is evident in more than just a momentary difficulty that you are experiencing.  Following my ways takes you beyond the immediate crisis, to look at how I am going to deliver you.  I always have a path that is stronger than you present plight.

Through ME you can run through a troop or jump over a wall.  My power that raised my Son from the grave resides within you through My Spirit.  You can walk through the waters and make it to the other side for I will help you.  Do not prop up your overwhelming circumstance by the words you speak like ”never, it’s over, you can’t, or it’s impossible.”  With my strength nothing is impossible. 

It is not hard for I would have not commanded it to be so.  Be strong in Me and in my power to carry you through.

Whispers from your Father, God

Will you take and eat?

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke

it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

²³ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

²⁴ “This is my blood of the^[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. ²⁵ “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14

He “gave it”, but they had to “take it”.  This was true for the bread and the drink from the cup.  Engaging in the activity makes you a participant rather than a spectator.  The disciples were participants in the last supper that Jesus had on earth before his death and resurrection.  This supper did not make Judas a changed man and it did not keep Peter from denying Jesus a few hours later.  So what makes this sacrament special?

Two things are important about the Lord’s supper when you have an opportunity to participate.  First, Christ is present in a special way.  Spiritually we are “reconnecting” with the body of Christ.  This means firstly that we are connected to the head which is Christ.  He is letting us know that we belong to him, that we are “his body”.   We are not just familiar with him,  we are a part of him.  And when his is present He is always himself.  He is still able to impart life, healing, purpose, and peace during HIS supper.

Second, we are reminded that we are a part of the whole body of Christ.  We are not his whole body in ourselves.  Rather, the Holy Spirit has fitted us into a specific role in the body of Christ.  We have a specific function to perform for the rest of the body to work well.  We are also the recipients of the rest of the body of Christ.   We need other Christians in our lives to live the Christ life. When we take the bread it reminds us to be humble and receive from others where we are needy. 

There is the physical act of taking the bread and the cup.  But there is the unseen faith experience of taking the bread and the cup.  We encounter Jesus and our sins are forgiven.  This is by faith.  Trust that Jesus will make himself real to you the next time you observe the Lord’s Supper.  Take Eat and Drink.

Making preparations

¹⁴ Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my

guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” Mark 14

Two disciples were given the task of preparing for the last supper.  An unnamed friend of Jesus owned a house with a large upper room in which Passover was to be observed.  On this night Jesus and his disciples were to use the room.

The disciples were to make preparations for one of the most intimate events before Jesus died.  Jesus understood the need for proper preparation.  He life may look carefree and random while walking along the countryside.  Yet preparation is important part of fulfilling God’s plan.

Even before Jesus began his public ministry, God provided John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.  His job was to make a clear path for Jesus ministry.  He told people to change the way they were thinking living, because God was about to step on the scene.  Jesus picked up preaching exactly where John left off.

Jesus sent the 70 preaching ahead of him.  They were preparing the way for his message.  They returned rejoicing that God had given them great favor for ministry.  Jesus then followed in their footsteps on his way to the cross in Jerusalem.

He told them that he would not leave them as orphans.  He had prepared another just like him to come to them…the Holy Spirit.  He will never leave them.  The Spirit will be a comforter and guide for them.  They were told to wait to receive that which was prepared for them.

Finally Jesus told them that he was leaving and going to the Father.  While he is in heaven, he is preparing a place for them.  He is building an eternal home in which they will be living their eternal life.  Jesus asked them to prepare his last supper before his death on earth.  Now he is preparing a feast for all the children of God.

SO…when you are preparing a meal for your family…you are living like Jesus.

Take heart when preparations may seem tedious and even monotonous, you will be glad that your prepared well.   

Why this Waste?

³ While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? Mark 14

“Why this waste?”  I was travelling back from working with Samaritan’s Purse for Hurricane Sandy relief in New Jersey.  Jesse Williams and I were on Interstate 85 heading back to Tuscaloosa.  We talked about Christian authors who had made a major impact on our lives.  We both liked many of the same ones including Watchman Nee.  Then he asked me if I had ever heard of the short story that Watchman wrote called “Why this Waste”.  I found the article on google and read it aloud. 

Watchman recalls travelling home later in his years of ministry.  He had acquired no wealth or possessions.  The wear and tear of itinerant ministry had aged him quickly.  He looked old and wore out.  He stopped in a local restaurant for soup.  Then a well to do gentleman also walked in and ordered some food.  He looked at Watchman Nee with pity and disgust.  Then a light of understanding come over the gentleman, he knew this beggar.  They had attended University together.

The man addressed Watchman.  “What happened to you?  You had such promise.  You were one of the brightest in our class.  Look at you now!   Such a Waste!"  Watchman then share about the alabastar jar.

You can purchase the book for the rest of the story.  His main point is that Jesus desires for us to hold nothing back in giving all to Jesus.  Fully wasted on Him.

When you feel as if you wasted your life on Jesus…Know He is worth the trade.

Days will be shortened

 20 In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days. Mark 13

We have no idea how much we will feel helpless and out of control when the end is coming.  
We are thankful that God will shorten the number of days of calamity.  Many will be so angry at God for the pain that will be suffered.  Yet God is a righteous judge.  He has told us everything before it happens so that we can trust that He is always in control of the final outcome for our lives.

The gospel must first be preached to all nations

⁹ “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to

the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.^[b] 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. Mark 13.

In America at the present time we have a subtle persecution.  It is moving to a more open and antagonistic persecution.  All because we are followers of Jesus Christ.  The world hated him and will hate us also, because we follow him.

Part of the reason for persecution is the opportunity to be a witness of the life and impact of Jesus.  He changes lives.  Even when the threat of death, Christians remain faithful without fighting back.  This makes NO worldly sense, yet the love of Christ compels us to choose to follow Christ.

Then Jesus says that gospel must be preached to all nations.  According to the Joshua project at the present there are 40 percent of all people groups that have never heard the gospel.  This group represents 3 billion people a little less than half of the 7.2 billion people in the world.  To study more https://joshuaproject.net/global_statistics

This does not include children in the reached group that also have never heard.  We have a big task at hand to tell the world that Jesus loves them and he is the savior that they need.  We are too entangled with the affairs of the world.  We have missed the main thing of lifting the name of Jesus higher so that all men could know him as Lord and Savior.

EACH one REACH ONE is possible.  Let’s just ask the lord to help those who are working so hard to reach the unreached.  Send money to ministries like Wycliffe or partner with Bible ministries who distribute in all parts of the world.  IF we ask God, He will be faithful to show us how we can participate in reaching the world for Christ.  The great commission is possible because Jesus asked us to do it.  Let’s Go into all the world.  

So easily deceived, watch out!

³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” ⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.Mark 13

This whole chapter deals with the end of time as we will know it.  The disciples have asked Jesus what should they expect.  Throughout the dialogue he repeats two themes…watch out and being deceived.  In fact, the last emphatic word is “WATCH”.  Jesus said this as plainly as he could…watch out.

Why are we not watchful?  Why do we have a problem with remaining diligent?  The scripture is clear, wake up o sleeper!  Take heed he who thinks he stands, lest he fall.  Starting with Adam and Eve we have a strong tendency to be easily deceived.  All we like sheep have gone astray.  We don’t recognize the danger on the path that we choose so often.

The answer lies with the presence of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.  Jesus said ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11

Jesus was teaching that we will never, never, never be deceived by our Heavenly Father.  The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth.  The Holy Spirit convicts us of truth and righteousness.  Without following the lead of the Holy Spirit we ALL can be easily deceived.

The second element is just a important as the Holy Spirit…dependency.  Self-sufficiency and pride are the quickest way for us to get bogged down in deceptive mess.  We must keep the attitude of a sheep and trust always that our shepherd loves us and leads us in the way that we should go. 

We must do more than just watch for signs.  We keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  He is a good shepherd and watches over his sheep.  He leads us in and out of green pastures.  Jesus can be trusted….Do we hear what he is saying?

Cry out, A Whisper from Your Father, God

18The LORD is close to all who call on him,

yes, to all who call on him in truth.

19He grants the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

Psalms 145:18-19 NLT

Take a breath!  I am closer to you than the air you breathe.  I have promised to never leave you nor forsake you.  But I long to hear your voice.  Not to just hear you talking, but calling out to Me.  As a mother is attentive to the cry of her child, she can distinguish that voice in the middle of a large crowd.  I too, hear my children in the middle of chaos and clutter.

At times I withhold my answer to your need, for I am waiting for you to ask.  You can hide your intentions and reason for doing things from other people, but I know what you were really thinking and feeling.  When you talk with me, I know the hidden pride, fear, insecurities, and pain that has brought you to the place of your distress. 

Crying out to me is important.  A cry of desperation comes from deep within your spirit.  It resonates your dependency and humility.  You express your helplessness an inadequacy to bring about an answer.  You are not in control of what is happening.  But do not fear, I hear your cry and I am able to rescue in a moment.  For My plans are always good and effective in your life.

I wait.  I am patient.  I am listening for you to call, yes even to cry out to me.  Then my peace that surpasses your understanding will envelope you.  I am ready to move on your behalf, please cry out to Me.

Whispers from your Father, God.

is somebody watching your giving

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the

crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.   ⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”  Mark 12

Jesus is a teacher, preacher, healer, and savior. He leads his disciples, performs miracles, walks on water, and eats with sinners.  In this story, Jesus is sitting down “watching” people.  The Word became flesh is sitting down watching people.

Specifically Jesus is watching people give their offering at the temple.  How does that make you feel?  You see in reality he is watching our giving every Sunday or any other day of the week.  What’s going on in your mind when you give your offering?  Would you change anything in the way you give if you felt like Jesus was sitting next to you?  He is watching.

Don’t think that you will impress Jesus with the amount of your giving.  The rich people giving large amounts did not make Jesus think more highly of them.  The widow only gave two copper coins. It is not possible to everything that you have every week.  So how do you determine how much to give in offering?

1.      It is just a good practice to give at least 10 percent of your income on a regular basis to your local church.  It provides help for all aspects of your church ministry…buildings, staff and ministry.  This giving is a constant reminder that God owns all that you have and you are just being a good steward of His money.

2.     Offerings are monies given above the tithe.  This would include special offerings for missionaries, guest speakers, and special church projects.   You may also give toward other ministries believe in, such as Compassion, Samaritan’s Purse or Christian Radio.

3.    Finally practice the open hand mentality.  All that you have is God’s and at times He gives opportunities to bless others in need.  Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. Prov. 19:17.  There will be opportunity to give to people in need.  It could be a coworker, neighbor, or a random person in the grocery store.  At this point Jesus said it is more blessed to give than receive. 

Jesus is watching your giving.  He also knows your need.  Take some time to talk with him about both your need and your giving.  He cares about your needs and is ready to let you know what He saw while watching you.

Listen

Proverbs 20:12
The ear that hears, the eye that sees- the LORD made them both.

Soft wind in the trees
Crickets in the grass

Hum of busy bees

which sound will last

baby is crying

cats softly purring

weary man sighing

tea pot whirring

two people talking

what are they saying

more than just walking

think they are praying

who really listens

who has the time

i've got something to say

but it doesn't rhyme

Two ears on my head

One tongue in my mouth

So much being said

my mind goes south

Listen he is talking

It is important you say

Focus with my eyes

I'll be different today

What does 50% devotion to God look like?

“Which commandment is the most important of all?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’³¹ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12

Where is that switch?  You know, it’s the one that you are looking for to make everything work.  It is important to love God and love your neighbors, but knowing it is important and living it out are entirely two different things.  If only you could flip a switch to make it happen, then life would be in order.

Why does it seem so difficult to devote ourselves totally to the Lord our God?  What causes the hesitation?  What causes a blockage that keeps us from extravagant worship?

We love that which we invest in time.  To invest means that we use our emotional, mental and physical energy directed toward one thing.  Our use of our time always reflects our true value for something.  When Pam and I were first dating, it seemed like I was thinking about her all day.  I would think of things to write, ways to show her that I was thinking about her, read her notes to me again, and anticipate the phone call later that night…this was before cell phones.  More than once the smile on my face let people know that I had just talked with her on the phone.   It was obvious that I was “all in” in the relationship.  To love God means that I find time to engage in that relationship through talking with him, reading his Word, worshiping Him in song, spirit and truth, loving the people that he loves.

The natural flow is to love what God loves.  He loves the world so much that he gave his one and only Son.  When Jesus looked on the crowd of people he had compassion for them.  We need to ask God to stir up within us a deep love for all people.  Ask the Lord to help you see them as he sees them.  We express our love for God when we love one another.

Father, help us to love you with everything that is within us.  Help us to be fanatics for you.  And then help is to be real in the way that we love other people.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Know the Scriptures and the power of God

²⁴ Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 12

I had a friend that said “there are no right answers to wrong questions”!  The Sadducees were asking Jesus how will marriage work in heaven.  They doctrinally did not even believe that there is a resurrection.  Yet they were trying to trick Jesus with their question about marriage.

How is it that Jesus could tell men who had studied the scriptures their whole life that they did not know the Scriptures?  These men were well versed in all aspects of the laws of God.  They could quote whole sections of the passages.  Yet, Jesus said they did not know the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Blindness to understanding the scriptures is not related to memorization of scriptures or even extended time in studying the passages.  It occurs when there is not relationship with the author of the text.  God inspired all of the Bible.  He then reveals (uncovers) His words to his children.

Render to Caesar

 Bring me a denarius^[d] and let me look at it.” ¹⁶ And they brought one. And he said to them,“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” ¹⁷ Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12

Paper money or CD’s, Can I have some please?

Dollars, Yen, Euro’s- Who has the best currency?

Gold, silver, oil- Who really owns it all

Stocks, Bonds, Loans- Some rise, some fall

Does God care about my debt

We owe too much, he sobbed

Oh The gambler’s spouse wept

Is God someone to be robbed

Separate accounts of this and that

Money says in God we trust

New shoes, shirts and hat

Things we buy reveal our lust.

Render to Caesar his things

God requires we steward his stuff

Bring our bank accounts to heaven

It will reveal quite enough

Some don’t like paying the tax

Neither the tithe do some want to give

There will be a day to face the facts

God’s way was the best to live.

Father, help us to honor you with our resources whether it is big or small.  You have promised to watch over the sparrow and you will watch over us also.  In Jesus name, Amen.