Denise Miller - Romans 10:14-15

Romans 10:14-15 

Making Christ Known 

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

In this verse, Paul was writing to a church in Rome that he never visited. He wanted to share the love of Christ and that it is for everyone! Do you remember how you first felt after you were baptized and how you just had that wonderful glow about you. It was falling in love. You wanted to share the Good News and speak about your salvation from sin to others. Then life takes over and we tend to forget the love that is eternally given to us and must be given to others who do not know about Christ. As God remains waiting for us he is also waiting for those who do not know Him. Righteousness is a gift from God that needs to be shared!  We must continue to share our lives with people around us and tell them how we went through a trial or challenge leaning on God! This does mean everyone! Who can you tell? First your family, even those in your family that do not believe in God. Then your neighbor and people you meet during your day. Joel 1:3 spoke to the people of Judah to “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.” In Deuteronomy 11:19 “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Then in Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.”

If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with our heart that you believe and are justified. It is with your mouth that you confess your sins and are saved.

How can someone believe that God is real if we do not tell them how God works in our lives today? How can you tell someone your testimony? How did God carry you through a trial and gave you all you needed once you surrendered your will to him? Invite someone to church, to bible study, to your home group or a mission event. Share your faith with everyone! For we are all set to tell the Good News.  Continue to worship, praise, confess your sins and pray to God for wisdom and understanding. Keep memorizing scripture, learn the promises of God, and then share them with other people. Make it a part of your language so you can be strong in speaking the truth of God’s word. Learn how to tell a Bible Story and relate this to today’s struggles and joy!  

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Let us create new habits to be faithful to the one we will be spending eternity with. He is the great I AM!

Denise Miller has been attending Hope Church since January 2016, attends Bible Study, and just completed the Partnership Class at Hope. She lives in Wilton with her family and serves the homeless and poor in Norwalk.

Bill Duncan - Romans 1:16

Making Christ Known
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, . . . . . "  Romans 1:16
 Is it really brothers and sisters, do you and I truly believe these words?  Is the truth of the gospel that powerful that it's message can erase a life time of sin, pain, and doubt?
Can this amazing story of Jesus who walked on this earth delivered the most beautiful words ever uttered on this planet, sacrificed his life to bring us into a right standing with a holy God be true?
 Well friends I believe this with all my mind, heart and soul, that Jesus is all He claims to be, and I am sure you do too.
How does hope Church live this faith out?  We do it through missions and personnel evangelism.  Personal Evangelism!  If you have never given it much thought, then it's time.  We know the truth we have seen it, felt it, experienced the changes Jesus has made in our lives, so share it.  It's that simple, if you've read a good book you talk about it don't you well . . . Let's see if these words truly hold the power to change a persons heart that they claim to be able to do.
 I was working at a home in Darien, a young family had just moved into town and needed my help.  I went to the home and made the repairs, but as I left I noticed she was decorating for Christmas and we began to talk about the holiday and she said to me something I will never forget " I just don't understand why we do all this". Her question shocked me here was a woman in her late 20s from the middle of the country and never heard the story of Jesus and why we celebrated this day.  I was so moved by her question that I put my day on hold and took some time to tell her the story of Christ birth, His life and sacrifice for His lost children and that faith Is the key to life.
When I had finished she looked at me and said that was the most beautiful story she had ever heard, and I told her that's Christmas.  I never did see her again but I pray for her and hope that the truth of the gospel has brought her and her family to salvation.
You can do the same thing share what you already know, look for opportunities to tell people the amazing truth of the gospel that is written on your heart.
"Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lives in you"

David Llanos - Colossians 4:2-6

Making Christ Known

Colossians 4:2-6

2  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  3  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  5  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  6  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Am I ready?  

Am I ready for God's working today?  

Have you ever had that question?  Have you ever doubted yourself and what you are capable of as an ambassador of Christ?  I know that over the course of my life I have had this question many times.  Many times my doubts have won out and I have hesitated or even shied away from reaching out to people that God has put into my life.  As I reflect on why this happens, Colossians proves to provide the perfect solution to our worries and doubts about reaching out to a lost and hurting world.  

Prayer.  

Preparatory Prayer!

We all do it casually and sometimes mindlessly.  We whisper prayers and utterances that are borne from necessity or peril, but how often do we intentionally pray for preparedness?  

Colossians reminds us to be devoted to prayer, to be prepared by prayer for watchfulness and readiness.  When we pray intentionally God can not only work in us but he can open doors, and, help us to speak clearly with His thoughts.  He can help us to walk with discernment, tempering every rough edge of our sin prone flesh, giving us the grace and love that the world so desperately craves and needs to see from us.  

He can give the most timid of us the boldness and the courage to be able to share the good news with even the toughest of skeptics, the hardest of hearts and the most unloveable of people. That is our mission!

Through prayer that is intentional preparation, ask the good Father to give you a heart for the lost, the words to say, the doors to open, and the courage to walk in obedience and love!

David Llanos has been a member of Hope church since 1998 and serves as an Elder and as a co-director of the CARS ministry at Hope.

Nicole Marron - Romans 12:9-13

Romans 12:9-13

Living in Christian Love

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (NIV)

In these short five verses God is showing us through Paul’s teaching that before love is shown in action, it is first a feeling that is pure and sincere. Our motive to love originates in our hearts, without pretense or thought of self.  That is a pretty tall order in this “me-centered” society we live in.  Most of us would rather serve ourselves and our agendas than look outward to what someone else might need at a given moment. But it does start with us, or better yet, it starts with us asking God to help us, because if our motive is anything less than pure, what we bring is not pleasing to the Lord.

What follows in the remaining verses is really a to-do list! I love lists!  Please do not misunderstand me here, our relationship and walk with the Lord is not a list of things we check off and then kick back and relax. Sometimes, however, these small groups of verses can show us the way to some wonderful and practical Christian living. Recently my husband, daughter and I were the recipients of hospitality when a couple in the church invited us over for dinner. We had just returned from dropping our boys at college, feeling road weary, and maybe a little sad too. This was just what our spirits (and stomachs!) needed. The fellowship and meal were such a blessing and we felt loved.  Another “to-do” in these verses is to be faithful in prayer and in 1 Thess. 5:17 it says to “pray continually.” We can sincerely love each other by our faithful, consistent and persistent prayers! Do this on your own or join us Wednesday nights for corporate prayer.

These are just a couple of examples how we can give and receive love. Is there a to-do on this list that you might begin to work on today that would deepen your love for Jesus and show your love for your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ?

Nicole Marron lives in Norwalk, has been at Hope for 9 years and serves on the worship team and as director of the serving and care ministry.

Richard Brzoska - Colossians 3:12-14

Living In Christian Love Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  The old man within us is one of rebellion. As this is true, it will seldom be put to death without a fight. It will strive to remind you of what you are giving up and how much you are sacrificing as you try to live out this new life. It will attempt to draw your attention inward instead of upward. It is when our focus turns to ourselves that loving others becomes nearly impossible. When we are mainly concerned for ourselves, it becomes difficult to empathize, to  put others first, to put on a servant's heart, and to be patient when someone else's actions inconvenience us.             However, when we rightly focus our attention and affections on Christ, all falls into place. It is in such a mindset that we start to see others as Christ sees them. Our hearts break for the lost and we long for their redemption, we want to love, serve, and seek after them because Christ loved, served, and sought after us. We are no longer easily frustrated because portraying Christ through our thoughts, actions, and speech becomes more important to us than our own agendas.             From where does this love flow from? Is it not from God himself? Therefore, instead of looking at these characteristics of such perfect love with hopelessness or as a list to be checked off through personal effort, let us look to the author and perfecter of our faith from whom come all good things. Is your focus more inward or upward? Examine how you treat others, how easily do you get frustrated (yes even in the car or with your family), it may serve as a good barometer as to the wellbeing of your personal relationship with Christ.

Richard Brzoska, Cambridge, MA, 7 years at Hope, Collegiate Ministry at Boston University

Anne Koproski - 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NIV)

Living in Christian Love

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I was at a wedding recently and heard these versus yet again. It’s one of those chapters that is easy for me to think I know what it means and not take the time to see how it applies to me now. I thought of the newlyweds starting out and so totally in “love.” A bit envious, over the next few days I reflected on this. I remember my wedding day- my face hurt from constant smiling I was so happy. Now we’ve been through better and worse, sickness and health, rich and poor; and we’re not done yet. Wanting to recommit, I meditated on this passage and personal vows.

If I have all the spiritual gifts but no love – what’s the point? God is love – is there anything bigger than that? I can pretend to be a certain way, act as if, usually in hopes of becoming that which I am pretending. To actually be that way, from the inside out, I need love as the motivator, AND supernatural help! To have that kind of love, I must receive the love God gives me. It is so much bigger than my early, naïve, notions of love. I need a better measuring stick of how I am to love others. 

The love described in verses 4-7 are the characteristics of the Holy Trinity. The perfect example I want to follow, internalize, experience from God and reflect and give back. It can be a feeling; but it is also an obedient choice, independent of feeling. 

These verses list activities, behaviors. These I can practice whether I “feel” love or not. Love is patient – it endures offenses and does not nurture resentment. It absorbs the negative and persists in doing good. Love is kind; I know what that is and I know when I’m not.  Love doesn’t envy – no envy because we are content in what God made us – no boasting because we are His creation so no credit to take.

Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs – love is forgiveness. Love does not delight in evil – no sanctimonious judgment, no gossip. Rather, love grieves for those in sin and rejoices in another’s success. Love is sacrifice – putting another above our own comfort or safety. 

My takeway is to focus on love behaviors. I am given a list of actions I can take which are love, and I have a perfect example to follow. I know God wants me to persist in learning and expressing that kind of love. “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34). If I pray for it, practice it, he will deliver it. 

What love activity can you focus on today? What can you do/pray for that will take you closer to that activity and make you more loving? Do you need to forgive? Do you need to pray for another? Do you need to hold your tongue? Do you need to perform an act of kindness? Look for an opportunity to express your love today.

Anne Koproski lives in Wilton.  She has been a member of Hope for 20 years.  She is the church business meeting secretary and she is a church counter. 

Mark Linder - Romans 8:18

Trials

Romans 8:18 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  

Earlier in Romans 8 Paul is talking about life through the Spirit and being guided by the Spirit instead of our sinful nature.

This passage, I believe God is telling us to persevere through our trials and stay focused on Him, because the promise of His glory is so much more than we could ever imagine.  James 1:2-3 tells us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”.

I have learned that the “joy” is not necessarily from the trials, but the fact that I know He is there with me while I am going through the trials. The hard part for me was always giving it over to Him, I felt like a child seeking a parents approval by getting through it on my own. It was a humbling experience when I finally realized that I couldn’t do it without Him, but even more humbling knowing that I no longer want to do it alone.

So, how do I do it with him, you ask. Good question.  First and foremost, I have learned to have continuous conversation with God through prayer.  The enemy knows how to attack each and every one of us, because he knows the weaknesses of our flesh.  By reading and listening to God’s word, and continually seeking & speaking to Him, it makes it much easier to recognize when you are being tried.  Recognizing that you are being attacked makes it easier to let Him take control and be at peace.  James 1:12 says “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him.”

So now it is your turn to decide, are you going to go through it alone? How will you let God get you through the trials that you face?

Mark Linder, lives in Norwalk and has been attending Hope Church for 4 years.  He serves on the Men’s Ministry Team and the Board of Trustees.

Dave Rucquoi - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Trials

2 Corinthians 1:3-5, ESV

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too”

.

In the spring of 2003 our family experienced tragedy.  Even then we knew the Lord would not allow His children to experience such pain without purpose.  To us, we were being commissioned to minister in ways we could not have done in the past.  This proved true that November when I was asked (because the scheduled speaker did not show) to speak at a men's breakfast at the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, PA.  Due to the spontaneity, I candidly spoke about the lessons my wife and I were learning.  After breakfast a man came up to me in tears.  That week his family had experienced the same tragedy.  The night before, unable to sleep, he went online to find direction, and learned about that men's breakfast.  He did not attend that church, and had never gone to that breakfast before.  It was clear to all involved that the Lord had placed us there to comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves were comforted by God. 

When Psalm 23 teaches us that the good shepherd provides comfort through the valley of the shadow of death, we must understand that He primarily provides comfort through His people.  The singing group Casting Crowns addresses this in a song, where they sing, "If we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching?  Why aren't his hands healing?  Why aren't His words teaching ... Why is His love not showing them there is a way?" 

The Lord does not delight in pain; but, He does delight in comfort, and drawing people to a relationship with Him.  Could it be that, for every lost person who suffers in this world, God commissions one of His children to experience similar temporal pain to show them the way to Him?

David Rucquoi, Darien, 20 years at Hope, serving as an Elder.

Dan Fox - Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38-39
Trials

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we choose to follow Jesus and commit our lives to Him, it does not mean that we are assured a future free from struggle and difficulty, tragedy and pain. Jesus himself was very clear about this. In John, chapter 16, He says to His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." What the Lord does promise, repeatedly, throughout the Bible, is that He will never leave us or forsake us. As Christians, we do not get a free pass to avoid all suffering. But we can cling to the promise that God is with us, in every circumstance, no matter how difficult, and that nothing can separate us from His love.

In the verses preceding this passage in Romans Chapter 8, Paul asks the question, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" He then gives us a short list of some of the worst, the most terrifying things any person can experience (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword). He concludes by saying that just as Jesus overcame the world, we are "more than conquerors," through Jesus. His victory, over sin and death, is our victory. None of these things can separate us.

In verses 38 and 39 of Romans 8, Paul expands and broadens his list of the things that might pull us away from God and His love. He goes way beyond the trials and challenges of life in a fallen world to the supernatural realm of life and death, angels and demonic forces, and declares that none of these things can do it. And he concludes with the words "... nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  

The only thing left off that list is God Himself, the Creator. We are a part of His creation, and Paul assures us here that even we, ourselves, cannot separate ourselves from His love. The love of God, in Christ, is an everlasting love.

Both of my parents died before I turned twenty-five. My younger brother, tragically, took his own life during a lengthy time of illness and suffering.

I have known grief and sorrow, physical pain and financial hardship. Life has not been easy.

When we go through a difficult and painful season in life we have a choice. We can blame God and turn away from Him, or we can allow the suffering and uncertainty and fear to draw us closer to God. If there is going to be a separation, it will not be God that creates the distance. He will not be the one inclined to pull away.

C.S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains." If you are walking through a hard and painful season, pray that God would speak to you and use the difficulty to draw you closer to Him.

Dan Fox, Wilton, he is the Director of Music at Hope.

Dave Santisi - Ephesians 6:1-4

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV

Family

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

 

This passage reminds me of God’s love for us and the way we should feel about Him in return. Children should know that their parents love them and their rules are generated out of love for them. These are surely rules that should be obeyed, because they are ultimately designed to benefit and not to anger the child, just as God’s laws are intended to benefit all of us that are His children. Fathers (and Mothers) must love their children by offering them structure and discipline that is pleasing to God.

 

Personally this passage means a lot to me. We have Logan (8 years old), Kyle (6), and Kaitlyn (4). I am often trying to find that difficult balance between loving them with kindness and teaching them the ways of the world which are often less than kind. We are blessed to be able to offer them things beyond their needs. However, I do remind my kids that our rules are out of love for them as well. In fact, they should question my love for them if I don’t have rules or teach discipline because then I would not be mindful of their safety or future happiness. It seems to me that my best parenting comes from being in Christ, because the greatest joy comes from self sacrifice. Parenting has blessed me with this realization. This is the lesson of Jesus’s love for all of us. So my goal is to constantly communicate to my kids that what may not seem like so much fun to them, like following rules and abiding in the Lord, will give them structure and lasting peace as they face life’s challenges.

 

Action step: Communicate to your kids that your rules come from your love for them. 

Dave Santisi, Wilton, is a member of Hope and works with the youth and is an usher. 

Carolyn Vinton - Ephesians 4:29-32

Family

Ephesians 4:29-32

“29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

What would it look like if we only spoke in ways that built others up, helped their current need, and benefited anyone in earshot? How would it be if all our words were kind, compassionate, absent of all anger, bitterness, or the hint of criticizing others? The Holy Spirit within us desires to be expressed through our words in this way. We know from the book of Proverbs that the tongue has the power of life or death (18:11), and the Spirit would have us speak life.

Our flesh can tend to speak selfishly, venting a tone of annoyance or criticism. This is especially easy with those whom we are most familiar such as family members or when talking about those whom are not present at the time. But a follower of Christ can practice pausing and listening to the Spirit within, letting Him guide our response. A helpful word of compassion can change a situation and turn a heart. Hearing words of life isn’t just beneficial to the recipient, but encourages anyone who may happen to overhear.

Once words are spoken, they cannot be recalled. We may ask forgiveness for what we say, but the effects of the words may remain. An object lesson often used by classroom teachers involves a large tube of toothpaste and a paper plate. Each student is invited to squeeze some toothpaste onto the plate. Student by student, with varying squeezes, the tube and plate are passed around until all have had a turn, and the tube is nearly empty. Then comes the second direction. The plate will be passed around again. This time, the students’ job is to put the toothpaste back into the tube. The protests begin, “That’s impossible!” Some try to comply, discovering the futility of the task. The analogy is then explained. Our words, what we say to each other, is like that toothpaste. Once it’s out, it’s out to stay.

So, consider what comes out of your mouth. Pray it be helpful and kind, Spirit led words of life.

With whom or in what circumstance do you most need to draw on the Spirit in order to speak in a way that builds up?

Carolyn Vinton, Wilton, 14 years at Hope

Susan Stratton - Proverbs 17:22

Living Joyfully Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" First, let us look at the meaning of the word "cheerful"... It may be defined as optimistic, encouraging, high-spirited, light-hearted, joyous, and glad.  It may also be defined as sparkling, radiant, and bright. I think it is such a lovely word! Yet I sometimes think a cheerful heart is dismissed as an unrealistic state of mind, perhaps even foolish.  As though looking through the world through "rose-colored glasses".  When really, to maintain a cheerful heart - given the various challenges we encounter in this earthly life - is actually quite remarkable, even courageous and profound.  And always enabled as a gift from God Himself... The saying, "laughter is the best medicine" certainly reflects the truth of this proverb... A crushed spirit is one that is weighed down by a dark, heavy cloak of hopelessness.  Our "bones" are the very frame-work of our being, and nothing will destroy it faster than a spirit of hopelessness.  A cheerful heart is the exact opposite of a heart filled with the corrosive, bitter attitudes of such things as cynicism and sarcasm.  Such attitudes not only hurt us - they also hurt those around us... A cheerful heart is a choice we make daily, sometimes even hourly.  It is not denying the reality of the myriad forms of trial, tribulation, and testing of our faith which we will experience during our earthly sojourn, such as anxiety, loss, rejection, frustration, and disappointment... A cheerful heart is the result of a decision to put our problems into the proper perspective - in light of the knowledge that God loves us, takes care of us, walks with us, and never abandons us... A cheerful heart also serves as a "witness" to those around us...a beacon of light into the darkness of the unsaved yet watching world which does not know Him, yet so desperately needs Him... With every new sunrise, we have the choice to focus upon that light...to walk in that light...to reflect that light into a lost world that is stumbling around in darkness, pain, and confusion... That light is His light - for He IS the Light of the world - the Light of our very souls... The truth of Proverbs 22 is enabled by the truth of John 16:33, where again we see the word "cheer" - as spoken by Jesus - shortly before He was to "overcome the world" for us, completely and eternally... "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world"... In this case, the "world" includes all of our various trials and tribulations which test our faith.  As far as trouble is concerned, Jesus did not say IF we have it; He said WHEN we have it.  We live in a sin-corrupted world, and there is simply no getting around it, except to go THROUGH it.  Yet all those trials and tribulations have been already overcome for us - through Jesus.  From God's eternal perspective, it is already a done deal!  He has promised to dry all our tears...He has promised us beauty for ashes...He has promised that in Eternity, all the hurtful things will be things of the past.  Long-gone and forgotten, in the light of His unhindered presence.  Certainly these realities present compelling reasons for a cheerful heart! Challenge For You... Consider the effect upon yourself and those around you, if you choose to maintain a cheerful heart - demonstrating it with your actions, words, and attitudes - the next time you find yourself in a challenging situation...

Susan has attended Hope church since 1996.  She has always enjoyed writing, and in particular, writing about the things of God has become my passion.  She runs a Facebook group entitled "Love Letter To God", which contains my devotional writings.

Lisa Hassing - 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Giving

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.  

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul wrote to the church in Achaia, southern Greece, about the unexpected giving of the believers in Macedonia, northern Greece. The regions of Philippi, Thessalonika and Berea were poor due to the administration and taxation of the Romans, and yet in their joy the churches willingly shared what they had toward the work of God.

Paul is of course saying that the church gave their money, but he calls it God’s grace. When have we ever thought about our money or the things we have as God’s grace? Grace is an unexpected, overwhelming and undeserved gift, and at the heart of the gift is the intention. God gave to us this way. He gave us His “first fruits,” both His precious and perfect son, and He gave us the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:23).  God gave us all He had to give and did not spare anything for our benefit. God’s grace is amazing and He did it willingly not because we deserve it but because He loves us and we desperately needed it.  These churches who gave sacrificially to Paul and his companions for their work had experienced God’s grace and treasured it. It was this very grace that was their joy and they could not help but be grace-givers in response.

They gave their “first fruits” as God gave His. They were not just poor but extremely poor. This would be a perfect excuse to withhold from God for a time, just until things get better and there is some extra lying around. But their poverty and trials were seen through the filter of their abundant joy, and the truth of  God’s work in their lives was far greater than their lack of material possessions. Their decision to give was not an obligation to them but they saw it as an honor to serve God in this way.

We learn about our own faith from this passage. Do we understand the grace that has been given to us; what it cost and what it means? Do we live as grace-givers in response? And we learn about the character of God. The widow who gave her two coins to the temple offering box in Luke 21 gave only a small amount compared to others. Likewise the Macedonian church’s gifts were not huge (they gave according to their means), but like the widow they gave from their heart (beyond their means).  The world will measure a gift by its size but God measures our gifts by the sacrifice they require. He is looking for His grace at work in us.

Lisa Hassing, 18 years at Hope Church and is a women's Bible Study Leader.

Dave Rucquoi - 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Giving

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." 

In writing his second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul is strengthening the church, and his relationship with them, during his absence.  He is also preparing them for his second visit, talking about an offering to support the starving churches in Judea.  In Chapter 8 Paul talks about the churches in Northern Greece (Macedonia), and their generous giving.  In chapter 9 he tells the Corinthians that he boasts just as freely to the Northern region about the Southern region (Achaia, which Corinth is part of), noting specifically that the entire region was largely provoked by the Corinthian's zeal.  Sending Titus ahead, Paul let's the Corinthians know that he's on his way, and that Macedonians are with him, as he passes through Corinth to collect their offering for Judea.  In this, he is giving the Corinthian's a "head's up" that they are coming, so there will be no embarrassing, last minute efforts to raise the funds.  It is in this context that he plays with the farming metaphor, exhorting them to remember that their generosity in sowing the seed of giving will produce a harvest of gratitude from Judea, as well as virtue for Corinth.

This reminds me of a farmer who enthusiastically embraced the Mosaic teachings of leaving produce in his fields for the needy to harvest (Lev. 19:9-ff).  His earnest discipline gave him the reputation as a man of competence, faith and character; and, the benefits went beyond a good reputation.  One day a beautiful young woman came to his fields because of her needs, her character, and his reputation.  Her name was Ruth, and as she became his wife, they became the ancestors of Israel's greatest Kings.

What would the Lord do with each of us if we managed our resources with such intentional generosity?  Let's find out!

David Rucquoi, Darien, 20 years at Hope, serving as an Elder.

Walt Golembeski - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV  

“A Cheerful Giver”

“ ⁶The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

It has been said that in this world there are two types of people, givers and takers. “The takers eat better but the givers sleep better!”  We see three key points in these passages on Christ Centered giving.

1^st our giving is to be bountiful/generous; 2^nd it is out of our willing heart; 3^rd it is cheerful.

As Paul’s first point on the principle of generosity in verse 6, if you give just a little here & there, then that is what you get back. True, in all spiritual things, as well as in our material things. But on the other hand, he says, if you give bountifully, you will reap bountifully. It is obvious that Paul is showing us that the Lord is strongly encouraging a generous spirit.

The second point to our giving, in the beginning of verse 7, is that we should possess a willing heart to give. Giving is always a matter of the heart. It is not the amount that God is concerned about. It is whether you have a generous attitude/heart and are you anxious to meet the needs of your church body, it’s ministries, and others, out of whatever you to have. Know that throughout scripture a minimum of a tenth of first fruits is emphasized, but this is not legalism. Giving without the right heart no matter what you give is not pleasing to God, we do at time worry but our hearts trust God’s True Word. Trust in the heart and being doers of His Word is what shows willingness.

The third point to our giving, in the end of verse 7, is that, it be done, “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Our giving should not only be generous and willing but also with Joy & Cheerfulness! God loves a cheerful giver.

Giving is a matter of trust. When we give, can we trust God to meet our own needs and strengthen our faith? I have learned so many times how we can truly trust the Lord. When I first heard from His Word that we needed to tithe, we were living paycheck to paycheck. Vicki & I agreed, we just needed to trust God. We were nervous but we knew it was the truth and that quiet voice was from the Holy Spirit.  So we started to give and I can’t tell you how much we have learned over the years, how faithful God’s promises are, which continues to flow into all areas of our life. So, we choose to give, generously, willingly and cheerfully, being doers of His Truth (our resources, time, heart & all). We all can reap the beautiful promises & blessings God has for us as we choose to give generously, willingly, and cheerfully. Our blessing are not defined by worldly things, His blessings are way above that, they never parish!  “We can never outgive God!” (2 Corinthians 9:8; Proverbs 11:24-25; Luke 6:38; Luke 13:21; Malachi 3:6-13)

How have you been Trusting God? Reflect on seeking His Love & Will for you in this today?

Walt Golembeski, Westport, CT, 4 years at Hope, serving as an Elder & Men’s Ministry