Why you should consider end-of-year charitable giving! End-of-year giving is made easier by saving throughout the year! Putting away a little bit from each pay adds up! How to give: Biblical directionDO IT FOR THE LORD Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED Genesis 13:17 (NIV) Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” DO SO FROM LOVE Luke 11:42 (NIV) “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. BE GENEROUS Deuteronomy 15:8 (NIV) Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. A TITHE OF EVERYTHING (doesn't have to be money-- time!) Leviticus 27:30 (NIV) “ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. GIVE BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN IT 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. SPIRIT OF WILLINGNESS 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. GIVE TO GOD, AND HE'LL USE IT 2 Corinthians 8:5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us What charities I support/ What charities should YOU support?Are you a consumer of a non-profit? Can you further support your home church, ministry so they can continue to reach people like they reached you? Are your friends running fundraisers? Support them AND a new organization! Do you know anyone called to ministry through missions?
Is your local or regional community in need? Other aspects to consider when you're deciding if you want to giveSupport the change you want to see by funding organizations equipped to implement the changes! Help organizations who've impacted you continue to impact others! What causes stir your heart? REMEMBER: YOU DON'T NEED TO SUPPORT THEM ALL. I basically cycle through all the organizations I've given to previously, and consider who I will support this year! Keep a list of organizations that you've previously supported to choose from each year, and research new ones as you sympathize with different causes. YOU DON'T NEED TO GIVE A LOT. Every bit counts! The reason for giving is to bless others because YOU'VE been blessed! I like giving at the end of the year (1.) because everyone's in the Christmas spirit and it feels very holly jolly! (2.) organizations are trying to close any gaps between costs and funds before their budget, fundraising drives, etc. end for the year!
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Why you need a tech-free space Sometimes it's good to shut out the world for a bit.Good... healthy... necessary!
Find your peace. The only way to face the news; social media; people; work; school; responsibilities, is with peace that is determine and carried INTERNALLY, rather than externally! * This is my tech-free corner. See pictures at the end for different ways to define YOUR space! * What NOT to have here--Stressors! These are usually tech, things with push notifications, stuff that nags at your attention. "But I need my phone for--"
What TO have here--Calming! Important things for me?
What do I do once I get there?Infinite possibilities, but I made a finite list to get you thinking...
Let your guard down... 2020's been hard. Allow yourself a break. Rejuvinate. Unplug. Unload. Relax. Be held instead of holding. <3, M Working part-time this summer, I have an hour each day to jam out in my vehicle on my commute. This sets the tone for my shift, and it helps me to wind down afterwards, so it is very important to me what music I fill this time with. Here are some new bops that I have found! Enjoy, M RevolutionaryJosh Wilson, 2020, listen on Youtube Peace Be StillHope Darst, 2020, listen on Youtube The Father's HouseCory Asbury, 2020, listen on Youtube SurvivalNEEDTOBREATHE ft. Drew & Ellie Holcomb, 2020, listen on Youtube Live About ItJamie Grace, 2020, listen on Youtube Keep Me in the MomentJeremy Camp, 2019, listen on Youtube There Was JesusZach Williams & Dolly Parton, 2019, listen on Youtube AMENMicah Tyler, 2019, listen on Youtube Alive & BreathingMatt Maher ft. Elle Limebear, 2019, listen on Youtube Prize Worth Fighting ForJamie Kimmett, 2018, listen on Youtube RescueLauren Daigle, 2018, listen on Youtube I'm Leaning on YouCrowder ft. Riley Clemmons, 2018, listen on Youtube Yes I WillVertical Worship, 2018, listen on Youtube Let it RainCrowder ft. Mandisa, 2018, listen on Youtube MiracleUnspoken, 2016, listen on Youtube
The world has gotten louder. The media has hit its stride. The socials are trending. The fight against racial injustice has been reignited for the umpteenth time. BUT GOD, while everything around you is screaming, is present in the quiet. Take the time to re-center, remember, and realize that whatever ugliness sprouts in this broken world, God is still in control.
The LORD called Moses to the mountain because He was going to pass by. There was a great wind, an earthquake, a fire... but the LORD was not in any of these. Then there was the sound of sheer silence. None of this is new news...
1. Care about and love on others.
Woe to those who live only for today, indifferent to the fate of others (Amos 6:3) Love other people as well as you do yourself (Matthew 22:37) 2. We know the world is broken, but we also know that we can be a light on a sill. Earth is polluted by its own people; therefore, a curse ravages the earth (Isaiah 24:5) You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world (Matthew 5:14) â3. Love your neighbor. Don't carry a grudge but love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18) 4. We are united as human kind. Stand united, singular in vision... your courage and unity will show them what they're up against (Philippians 1:27) Warn against nitpicking which just wears everyone out-- concentrate on doing your best for God (2 Timothy 2:14) 5. Share the love of God The amazing grace of Jesus, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Spirit be with you (2 Corinthians 13:14) 6. Be active-- faith without action is dead Those who trust God's action in them find that God's spirit is in them (Romans 8:5) Walk with me and work with me (Matthew 11:28) If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father (James 1:5) If you see someone naked and hungry and you say to them "Peace! Be warm and filled," but don't provide them the things that they need, what does it profit? Thus also, faith by itself, without works, is dead (James 2:15-17) 7. Weep with the weeping Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) 8. Every human being is made in the image of God God created man in His own image, male and female (Genesis 1:27) 9. The truth will set you free You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:32) 10. Don't pass by on the other side when you see someone in need ... he passed by on the other side... passed by on the other side... but a Samaritan, when he saw him, he felt compassion and came to him (Luke 10:30-37)
Racism has again been violently brought to the spotlight with George Floyd's murder. I've felt convicted to be actively anti-racism and educate myself to be an ally. But... these are just 2020's vocab for GOD's commandment to LOVE MY NEIGHBORS. So, this week I focused on being open to education and amplifying others. Now, I want to keep myself accountable to GOD, not merely to race activists. GOD is the one who I answer to at the end of my days. ~M
Proverbs 3:27-28Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"-- when you already have it with you. Do not allow social distancing to keep you from sharing the love of God! Here is how to be God's hand while social distancing and continue to love on people.
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