Thursday, December 14, 2023

Rearrange your whole life

 I heard a story recently about a person that was having an argument about tithing and giving to God.  The person had the usual objections like: “It’s an old testament practice” and “God doesn’t need my money” even “If I gave God ten percent, I would not have enough left to pay my bills.”  Finally, this person said a statement that really exposed the heart of the issue.  They said “If I gave God ten percent of my income, I would have to totally rearrange my life around Him.”  Bingo!  That is exactly right.  Many Christians are facing so many struggles today all the while telling God what they are doing right and asking why aren’t things going better.  They say things like “I go to church, I read my bible and I pray.”  But the real issue is a matter of the heart.  Who are you living your life for and what is the center and main focus of all your days.  Is it God and His plan or you and doing things your way.

In today’s reading, there was a man who had rearranged his life around his occupations of making shrines for people to worship.  He had totally rearranged his whole existence around his god.  Not Dianna, but money.  When his income was threatened by the message of salvation, he gathered together others whose livelihood was gained from the region’s idol worship.  Things got really out of hand and there was rioting and rebellion all because one person’s cash flow was down.

I am not writing to you today to talk about tithing or giving.  I’m not ever here to talk about the fear of losing what you have.  What I am saying is that when you rearrange your life to put your heavenly Father and His plan right in the middle.  When you make His purpose your purpose for every breath you take.  When you get rid of every ulterior motive of pride and personal gain, only then will you find joy, contentment and true satisfaction in this life.

Today I want to encourage you to put God first in your life.  Not because you secretly think that it will make everything perfect, because it won’t and not because you hope that He will open up the best positions for you.  Chances are that won’t happen either.  When you put God in first place, that will put you in the place of a servant.  Making your heavenly Father your top priority makes you the servant of all people.  You love and give honor to all others and consider your own needs last.  You will trust God to meet every need as you help the people around you.  Start today by giving God the very first place in your day.  Get up earlier than you have to so you can start out your day spending time with God and His word.  Let Him know that He is the number One priority by giving Him the first of everything in your life. Offer up your life as a living sacrifice to accomplish His plans for the day not yours. Totally rearrange your life to be on His agenda.  Only then will you see the missing pieces fall into place and only then will you start passing the tests that you have been retaking for most of your adult life.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 19:21-41

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 

22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 

25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 

26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 

27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 

29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 

30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 

31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 

32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 

34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 

36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 

37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 

38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 

39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 

40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 

41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.