24/2/18 – Exodus 35, Exodus 36 Mark 7:31-37, Mark 8:1-13 Psalm 25:16-22

Today’s Contributions are from Alan Coyle:

Exodus 35 and 36

“Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart . . .” v5

When Paul was encouraging the Corinthian Christians to give, towards hardship relief, he wrote this:
2 Corinthians 9:7 ”Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

The people of Israel responded well.
21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart.

There should be no such thing as a ‘miserable Christian’ in any sense of the word. Part of the fruit of the Spirit is, ‘love, joy, peace’.

Some gave of their possessions, and others gave of their craft and skills. Whatever we have it can be offered to the Lord for his service. When we do so, it will be for the benefit of all.

Mark 7:31-37, Mark 8:1-13

Mark 8:4 “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people.
How many loaves do you have? Or, what have you got in your hand? Whatever it is, put it into the hands of Jesus, let him direct you and be amazed at the result. He can do miracles but he doesn’t work in a vacuum. We need to put something into his hand and he will work with it.

Psalm 25:16-22

20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Isaiah 61:7

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonour they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.

Isaiah 45:17
17 But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation;
you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity.

Hebrews 12:2
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

In Jesus our shame is removed because he took it upon himself. Whatever the shame of our past life, once we belong to Christ we are ‘a new creation’. No other program or system can do for us what Jesus does.