Believe and Receive

It is no coincidence that things of today are mimicking things of old. We are using metal reusable containers and have taken a step back from disposable. There is a push to renovate old homes as opposed to building new ones. We are being encouraged to have more children as was the case in the 40s and 50s. And ways to go about things in life are recycled as new when they really come from days of old. This is where I find myself this morning.

Napoleon Hill wrote a book that was published in 1937, “Think and Grow Rich”. The idea behind the book is that before you take any action, you should think things through fully and believe them to come true and ultimately they will. This may seem like a novel concept from 1937 that can and should be brought into the now as we continue to evolve in this world. But 1937 is not the old becoming new again. This is something that comes from much further back than 1937.

“²⁴Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24 (ESV)

You see, Jesus gave us this when He walked on this earth. We are to believe in something and it will be made true. We are to trust in the LORD fully, knowing that He will provide for us, and He will do so.

Here is where things get muddy for us as humans. We ask for things and expect them to be provided for just as we ask them. We ask for transportation and miss that God provided a bus route near our home as opposed to providing a car. We ask for a meal for the family and yet we threw out that food bank advertisement that came in the mail. We expect God to provide for us just as we want Him to provide. He does not work that way, at least most of the time.

I have been struggling with a few things and have asked God to provide for my struggles. My idea of God providing is to have the other involved be convicted to the point of change. Well, in His ultimate wisdom, that may or may not be the case. God has provided me with more guidance to help me to change to help remedy the struggle. Now the other may still change as well, but that is not for me to pine over. I have to let God do the work that He is going to do. I have to believe that He will guide me through this and I know that it starts with His work in me.

The idea of receiving when we believe it is not a new concept in life. Napoleon Hill published the idea in 1937. But, it was even before then, Jesus gave it to us about 2000 years before that. We will be rich with what God provides when we believe He can and will. What we receive may not be in the exact manner or timing we were looking for, but He will provide. Our role in the process is to believe and know that we will receive.

What are you looking for in life? Are you out there expecting to work for it and get it? What if you believed you were going to receive and know that the LORD will provide?

Give without Receiving

How is it that we are to go about in this world? Well, we are to give to the betterment of others and for the glory of God. We are to go out into the day and think solely in how can I make the life of others better and bring glory to the LORD in the process.

“⁸Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. ⁹Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, ¹⁰no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.” – Matthew 10:8-10 (ESV)

In the above verses Jesus is giving instruction to the 12 apostles as He has sent them out to deliver the gospel just as they had received it, for free. He points out to them that they are not to expect or require anything for the journey. The 12 are to go and focus on giving the word of God to the people just as it was given to them.

You see, the apostles received without paying anything. Yes, Jesus came to them and asked them to give up their lives and follow Him, so you might think that they paid with their lives. But here’s the thing, they did not have to go with Jesus and what did they really get in this world. The received ridicule, hardship, hunger, thirst, and a whole host of other calamities in their choice. They may have been better off staying with where they were, at least in this world. What they received was not of this world. Remember that we/they are just passing through this world on way to heaven. We receive our reward there and maybe not in this world.

Jesus did not give to the apostles because they paid a sum to gain access. He gave to the apostles out of love and sacrifice. We are to do the same. We are to give to others without expectation of anything in return. We are to give freely and see the joy on the faces of others and know that we have done a thing that the LORD is proud. We are to provide for the needs of the people and not be concerned with our own reward, for we have already received it in our salvation.

I know what you are thinking, as I think it myself, and am really struggling with it. What keeps us from being taken advantage of by others realizing that we just keep giving without asking for anything in return? Well, Jesus addresses that as well in the below verses.

“¹¹And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ¹²As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” – Matthew 10:11-14 (ESV)

We are to leave it behind and not think of it any longer as we move on to the next. If there is no appreciation or receipt, then it is not in our interest to keep giving and waste our time and energy. It is a challenging thing to give and then end up leaving, but we are not here to pour good into perpetual bad. Once we realize that continuing to give does not change the outcome, then we move on. This saying rings true in this situation, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result”. We have to move on to the next when we realize there is no change.

Now, I want to be cautious here and say that walking away from those who do not do things your way is the order of business. With those we love and who are part of us personally there is deeper understanding and tolerance. I give freely to my family without expectation of receiving in return. I don’t expect them to pay me for being dad or husband. I will not leave them for not giving back, but I will let them know when I am hurt. I will let them know when my tank is empty. I will let them know when I will not be able to give because I feel taken advantage. I will let them know that I have wants and needs as well and they do go beyond just seeing them joyful.

I have to give without receiving to get my reward. What I receive may not be in this world as my forever home is not here, but that should not stop me from giving to and for the betterment of others and the glory of God. I have been tasked with giving by God. I received the gospel and grace and mercy without paying for it and I should be giving the gospel and grace and mercy without seeking payment.

What is your view of giving without receiving? Are you reluctant to do things for others without getting paid, whether monetarily or socially? What if you were to give as Jesus gave and instructed the apostles, without receiving, but just to give?

Reward Received

When is it that we receive reward for our work? I am sure that you would agree that receiving reward is shortly after the work. Whether that is in payment or benefit or even in award, as man we take action to see return of some kind. We are quite proud of the work we do, in fact, we like to call attention to ourselves as we work to ensure that everyone can recognize us for it. And we should be. Although who is the work for, us or for those who are in need.

When it comes to helping out with the needs of others, we should be a bit more quiet. I am not saying that we should hide our work and ensure that we are always in the shadows. That really does not work either, as we will miss opportunities to do good in the interest of anonymity. We should feel good about doing work and bringing some assistance to others. Yet we have to be careful of our motives in the process of giving to the needy.

“¹Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” – Matthew 6:1-2 (ESV)

Here we see that Jesus is warning against the open display of and attention bringing to our work in the helping of others. He shows us that those who actively make it a point to draw attention to themselves are receiving their reward at that time. People seeing them doing the work is the reward. They have made it a point for everyone to know the work they have done and in so doing have been rewarded. They may receive some acknowledgment or award in the public square in the moment. They have received their reward.

“³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV)

Now look to what Jesus says about how we should do our work for the needy. We should just do the work and not make a spectacle. We should be those who just do the work. When volunteering at the food bank, just go and do. When the neighbor needs some assistance with the yard work, just bring your mower and trimmer and help out. When someone is struggling with replacing the battery in their vehicle, offer up your tools for them to use and bring your hands to assist. There is no need to call things out on social media. There is no reason to call the papers. We don’t point out the work done in the company of others. We are to just do the work to help those in need.

I look at my giving and see that I just do the work without fanfare. Our church is a plant and we currently meet on Sundays in a school. This means that we have to set up and tear down the space each Sunday. We have been doing so for six years and in that time, I have been a part of the group that tears down for all six years. In fact, beyond our pastor, I believe that I may be the only one who has given to the church this way for the entire time. I don’t ask for anything or draw attention to myself at all, I just do the work that I am asked to take on as part of my duty. I know that God sees the work I am doing and He will reward me in due time.

Jesus points that out our reward in verse four above. God will reward us for the work, as He has seen us. We may not get a public announcement. We may not receive a plaque from the community. Others may not even see us, but God does. He knows how we are bringing relief to others. He knows the work we take on. He knows our value and He will reward that in due time. Our reward is from the LORD and not from man. Our reward is received in the work performed and from the LORD.

Again, as a man I have this innate desire to be recognized for what I have done. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with that, otherwise why do the work. The thing is, who am I seeking recognition from. I have to remember that I am only passing through this world on my way to heaven when the LORD calls me home. I am to look to Him for my reward and not be concerned with the recognition from man. My reward is received from the LORD.

Where are you receiving your reward? Are you seeking recognition in the now for the work you do from the public space? What if you were to just do the work the LORD has for you knowing that your reward is received from Him?

He is Worthy and Receives Worship

Ever wonder why we worship God. Well, it is because He is worthy of it.

“¹¹Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.”

— Revelation 4:11 (ESV)

In the above verse we see that the elders surrounding the LORD worshiped Him. These elders surrounded the Throne of God as seen by John. They were there specifically to worship Him. They revered the LORD and took every opportunity to lift Him up.

When you look at the rest of chapter four in Revelation, we see the glory of the throne of God. We see Him at the center in the brightest of color and splendor. We see Him surrounded by these elders and creatures. All that surround Him were there to worship Him. All knew the grandeur of the LORD and all that He had done and all that He would do.

Look to the above verse and see it all. The LORD created all things. Look back to Genesis and read it all. And then look to the life and death and resurrection of Jesus and all that means for you and me. Look to the great commission and that He teaches us all we need and He sent one to be with us and guide us, the Holy Spirit. The LORD is definitely worthy of our worship.

And then there is our actions. We give glory to the LORD. We do all things for His glory. We ask for things to bring glory to Him. We receive salvation given by Jesus who died for our sins. We praise Him as He is on the throne of glory. The LORD receives our worship and He smiles at every utterance to Him in glory.

I am not worthy of the grace the LORD gives. I am not worthy to receive mercy. I am not worthy of any praise. I am not worthy of any worship as is no man. But God is. But Jesus is. But the Holy Spirit is. The LORD is worthy and receives our worship.

Who are you giving your worship? Are you worshiping man here in this world as they are the authority? What about the LORD and all that He did and does to be worthy of and to receive our worship?

Ask Rightly to Receive

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

Jesus said the above and I know that it gets misquoted a lot. Or at least misunderstood and applied in our lives. When reading the above, it can be presumed that if you want something, you need only ask. And when it is not given, we wonder in frustration and tend to attempt things on our own to get that which we want.

“³You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” – James 4:3 (ESV)

And here we have James addressing one of the reasons that we do not receive what we ask. We are asking wrongly or for the wrong reasons. We are not asking as someone needing provision, we are asking for blessings, or fleeting things. We are not asking for things to be used in bringing glory to God or to get by in this world. We are asking for things that will bring glory to ourselves.

To receive that which we ask for, we should be asking for those things of provision and to bring glory to God. Asking for riches may not be right, but asking for means to provide for others may be right. Asking for arm candy as a date is likely wrong, but asking for a husband or wife who loves me is more in line with what God has in store for us. Asking for a huge house in a nice neighborhood is not the same ask asking for a place to call home for your family. It is the context of the ask where we will receive, not in the what we ask.

God will ensure that we have what we “need”. And, He will provide blessings for us as well. I know that Lori and I have all that we need to make it today, a home, transportation, clothing, food, and all those things. And God has blessed us with things that are much more than we need, our 3000 square foot home, our 2024 Ford Bronco, new clothing, and occasionally a steak for dinner.

We will receive that which we ask for when we ask rightly from the LORD. He will provide for our needs and once we have those, He will give blessings on top, at His discretion. Regardless of those needs or blessings, God gives to us when we ask and are using those things to ultimately bring glory to Him.

What is your view of asking and receiving? Do you get frustrated when you don’t get what you ask? What if you were to ask rightly, in concert with the LORD and bringing glory to Him as opposed to your own personal wants?

Receive From The One Who Knows

Jesus is divine. He is not like me. Yet, as our LORD, He knows what we go through daily. He understands our struggles and how we can and do give in to our temptations. Jesus walked as we walk in this world. He was here walking this world and subject to all, if not more struggles than I, and yet, He did not give into those temptations, and even suffered more than I as He was killed.

“¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

Ever notice in the world those who speak for us in the world have rarely gone through that which we go through daily. Oh, sure, they may have had some challenging times, but their challenges pale in comparison to trying to figure out how to just survive. Heads of State, heads of companies, heads of a lot of things, have not walked in our shoes, yet we look to them for guidance in how to make things work. With Jesus, we find comfort in knowing that He did. He walked this world. He never had a true dwelling to make His way back to for comfort. He wandered deliberately giving to others. He lived in tents outside the city. He relied on friends and acquaintances for food and shelter. He found comfort in the company of friends. He was like me.

As Jesus was like me He was also not like me. He died for me. He took my sin and the consequences of that sin to the point of death. He received no such grace or mercy. He was flogged. He was cursed. He was beaten. He was humiliated. All in front of the people in public view of everyone. And no one came to His defense. No one eased His pain. No one provided for His discomfort. But He offers it to us. He gives what He Himself did not receive. Jesus knows what was missing and is sure to provide that to us.

“¹⁶Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

I choose to follow and be led and receive from the one who knows. Not the one who talks a good game. Not the one in the position of authority who does not know the struggles I find every day. I choose the one who walked in my shoes. More importantly, I choose the one who walked as I do and yet did not find Himself giving in to the ways and sin that would come at Him. I choose the one who worked through the challenges (and more) than I. I choose the one who did not sin and received no grace or mercy and yet offers and give it to me. I choose to receive from the One who knows.

Who are you getting your guidance? Are you relying on those who are in positions of authority, yet did not struggle as you do? What if you relied on the one who walked as you do and received not as you and yet did not give in as you do, and has grace and mercy for you as one who knows your need?

Receive Through Obedience

This morning I am in Colossians continuing my study on the word “receive”. The passage is titled, “Rules for Christian Households”. The big takeaway for me is obedience this morning. As with a lot of my studies, I am led to passages time and time again and this one is no different. The focus in the past was on the work done and the reward received. This morning I see the obedience to receive and not the work itself.

“¹⁸Wives, submit…”, “¹⁹Husbands, love…”, “²⁰Children, obey…”, “²¹Fathers, do not…”, “²²Slaves, obey…”, and “¹Masters, treat…”. – Colossians 3:18-22, & 4:1

All of these are the rules that we are to obey in our households. They will keep us moving in the right direction with our families and most importantly in our Family of God.

“²³Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

And there we have it. Obedience to the rules will result in receipt of the inheritance. See the one we are obeying is “the Lord Christ”. We are serving Him in our work. We are in His house and we are to follow and live according to the rules of the house. Those rules are spelled out in the passage as noted above: “Wives, submit…”, “Husbands, love…”, “Children, obey…”, Fathers, do not…”, Slaves, obey…”, and “Masters, treat…”. Everyone in the house is addressed. We are all accountable to the rules set forth in the household. We are all to obey the head of the house, our Father God.

I remember speaking to our boys and answering their questions as to why they have to do certain things with, “because I am the head of the house and I said so”. I am sure that all of us have used a similar statement in the past and we do so for the good of the children and others in the household. I have to remember that I am part of the house of the LORD and am accountable to what He answers me with, even when that answer is, “because I am the head of the house and I said so”. We will receive our reward through our obedience to the head of our forever household, our Father God.

What is your view on obedience in the house? Do you see yourself with only the earthly household? What if you realize the forever household you are in with God as the head and master and delivered your obedience to Him?

Receive Through Faith

You know we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through our works or even purchase access with our monetary gifts, right? Yet, we continue to try. It is interesting to watch people doing things and spouting them publicly to somehow gain some righteousness in the eyes of the world. And, I guess they do, but that is not going to get them anywhere beyond this world. They are slaves to the law of man and will only receive the volatile and fleeting rewards of man.

“¹²But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’” – Galatians 3:12 (ESV)

We were not meant to receive the gift of God through the law. Oh, yes, when looking at the Old Testament and adhering to the Old Covenant, there was the component of following the law to gain righteousness. The Old Covenant is gone and we now live in the New Covenant where Jesus earned our salvation and freedom from sin thanks to His sacrifice on the cross for us. It is His sacrifice that we place our faith and in doing so, we gain the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us forward.

“¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— ¹⁴so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV)

We do not receive the Holy Spirit through our works according to man and the law. We receive the Holy Spirit through our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who suffered to remove the suffering from us.

“¹¹Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” – Galatians 3:11 (ESV)

It is not our adherence to the law, or our good works in this world that allow us to receive the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit. It is through our faith in Jesus that He paid the price for me and I only need to realize, acknowledge, and accept. It is through faith that I receive and not through any other means.

What is your view of gaining righteousness? Are you out there doing good to somehow receive greatness to come? What if you were to realize that Jesus satisfied the law for you by dying on the cross and you receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Him and His actions for you?

Give and You Will Receive

I get frustrated with giving all the time and not receiving, well as I have been seeing it. This morning I was reminded that we don’t give to receive, but our giving is the receiving. It know, it sounds a bit as though I am speaking in circles a bit, and that is why I forget about all that I have received.

You see, we give, not to receive, but to see that others are receiving that which is good and they are in need of, even if they did not realize that it was a need. I don’t give to others to get something from them, I give to them to remove the need from their plate so that they can focus their attention on other things. I provide for them so they do not have to provide for themselves. Here is an example. Lori makes sourdough bread and over the past few weeks started using nitrile gloves so the dough does not stick to her hands. I noticed she was out of them and went to get a pack for her. This example is not a grand gesture, but one that demonstrates giving without looking for receipt.

The thing is that I did receive something far greater and more important than any physical item. I got to witness Lori using the gloves to do what she does. I received satisfaction that I met a need for her. Isn’t that a better receipt than the monetary or physical items.

“³³I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. ³⁵In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:33-35 (ESV)

Paul, who was from the educated and ruling class, did not have physical possessions as he was in the throws of his ministry. He provided for the needs of others and did not worry with accumulating things, as he only focused on his “needs”. Paul received the gift of spending time with others and providing for their needs as opposed to his own.

“²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:23-26 (ESV)

Paul explains his joy is found in remaining in this life to give to others for their joy in the faith and that they might have “ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus”. All the while being content with what he had even being in prison for his actions.

Too often we look to “what’s in it for me” and shy away from thing that do not bring us gifts. This is not the direction of a follower of Christ. We should be looking as to “what can I do for you” knowing that we have what we “need” and will receive joy by ensuring that others are provided for in their needs. I have to remember that I am giving, not to receive, but that I am/will receive just by giving and seeing others needs fulfilled.

Why do you give? Do you give with the expectation that at some point you will receive? What if you were to realize that you are receiving just by giving to fulfill the needs of others?

Receive, Yes, When, Unknown

We live in a time when we want and a lot of times are able to get things at a moment’s notice. The past weekend, our daughter in law to be stayed with us and wanted pizza to which she order and had delivered. Now, I did not turn the pizza away and did enjoy a couple of slices, it is just that Lori and I will typically order and then go pick up, or Lori just makes the pizza here at the house (Yes, I am spoiled). It is not about when or how fast or uninterrupted things come about, it should be about the quality of that which we are receiving.

“⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Jesus made it clear to the apostles that they would receive the Holy Spirit and would carry on the work He had begun. He had told them the same thing in the upper room before His death and resurrection (which did happen as we know). And just like us here in today, the apostles where anxious about receiving things in the moment. Jesus addresses the receiving of the power of the Holy Spirit as you can see in above in verse eight. Also look below at how He prefaced verse eight after their asking about the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.

“⁷He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.’” – Acts 1:7 (ESV)

Jesus points out that yes, all will be restored and the power of the Holy Spirit will come, just that we are not to know when. We are to prepare constantly for that which will come. We are not to wait on things, just do the work and know that God is working His plan for all and for us in His time. We are to be patient, have faith, and know that we will receive.

Pizza is one thing that we can rush to receive and will be pretty good regardless. But, when we wait that thing is so much more. Homemade pizza that takes some time is so much better after the wait. Receiving the LORD now would be great, but so much better as we wait for Him to provide in His time and not our own.

What is your expectation of the LORD? Are you looking for Him to provide now without thought to the quality of what He will provide? What if you waited on the quality of the LORD, knowing that when He does, we receive the best of Him and not just something good?