The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 8:1,
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches."
God gave grace to the Macedonian churches. This grace in turn was expressed by their response to the needs of others. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity."
It was not as if the folks the Macedonian church helped actually "deserved" what they received, or had earned it in any way, the Macedonians simply gave to help others, expressing the grace God had given them, manifesting a love, care and concern.
I read in 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." This exhortation of Peter is based on the understanding that God has given all who have embraced him in faith his grace. Wonderful gifts, that compel us to serve one another in ways as God intends, serve to bind us together in a loving fellowship.
I find it fascinating that our God has chosen to bless us through the brothers and sisters he brings into our lives. This wonderful disposition of God toward us, to bless us and provide for us, says so much about the heart of the God we worship and adore. And he expresses his heart through those he has gifted around us.
God gave grace to the Macedonian churches. This grace in turn was expressed by their response to the needs of others. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity."
It was not as if the folks the Macedonian church helped actually "deserved" what they received, or had earned it in any way, the Macedonians simply gave to help others, expressing the grace God had given them, manifesting a love, care and concern.
I read in 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." This exhortation of Peter is based on the understanding that God has given all who have embraced him in faith his grace. Wonderful gifts, that compel us to serve one another in ways as God intends, serve to bind us together in a loving fellowship.
I find it fascinating that our God has chosen to bless us through the brothers and sisters he brings into our lives. This wonderful disposition of God toward us, to bless us and provide for us, says so much about the heart of the God we worship and adore. And he expresses his heart through those he has gifted around us.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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