STIX 'N STONES

God Doesn't Like "Leftovers"

The other day I was reading about Cain and Abel in the 4th chapter of Genesis.  These 2 guys were the first brother's mentioned in the Bible.  Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer.  The Bible says:
 

"In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." 

Since Cain's offering was rejected by God, he grew jealous of his brother and ended up killing him (also the first murder recorded in Scripture).  I've heard many people question the reason as to why Cain's offering wasn't accepted by God.  A poor attitude is probably the most common reason I've heard, and while he certainly seemed to have a bad attitude, that doesn't seem to be the primary reason for rejection of his sacrifice.

The Bible says that Cain brought SOME of the fruits (crops) from his garden, and Abel brought FAT PORTIONS FROM THE FIRSTBORN of his animals to God.  This is the difference.  Cain gave God LEFTOVERS, and Abel gave God THE BEST OF HIS FIRSTBORN.  When you read through Scripture the principle of the "tithe" is represented in many places.  A "tithe" is God's instruction for us to bring the FIRST 10% of our resources/earnings to Him, not the LEFTOVER 10%.  The idea is to give to God FIRST, then we can spend what's left, not the other way around.

A "tithe" is not really a "tithe" if we are giving God our LEFTOVER PORTIONS.  Full obedience to this principle means that we give God our FIRST PORTIONS.  This applies not just in our finances, but also with our entire lives (time, resources, service, etc.).  It's clear from the beginnings of Scripture that God doesn't want our LEFTOVERS, He wants our BEST.  This is what I want to give Him!  As I pray and fast this week, I'm asking the question:  "Am I giving God the BEST in every area of my life, or are there places where I've been offering Him LEFTOVERS?" 

Day 6 Fasting Blog Post - NEW BEGINNING

 

CHALLENGE

Well, today is officially the last day of our week of prayer and fasting.  Congratulations, way to go!  I'm sure that most of you reading this did something more than you normally do to pursue God this week.  Don't let this week simply "end" by going back to your normal routine in life.  I encourage you to use this as a launching point for God to do greater things in you from this point on.  This is not the end, but rather the beginning of something new.  Let today be the start of a NEW BEGINNING in your relationship with Jesus!          

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 6

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Spend some time thanking God (in faith) that He has heard all of your prayers this week
• Ask God to continue the good work that He started in your life during the week of prayer and fasting
• Ask God to give you an even greater desire for Him in the coming weeks
• End your prayer time by listening to one of your favorite worship songs

Day 5 Fasting Blog Post - SATISFIED

CHALLENGE

I love Psalm 63.  David is expressing his desire for God as he is in the Desert of Judah.  While he's probably very thirsty, he wants God even more than he wants water. "My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you." Then he goes on to say, "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods."  As much as we have a desire for food, entertainment, or whatever it is that we're fasting - we need to remember that true and lasting SATISFACTION comes only through the person of Jesus Christ.  Knowing Jesus brings a SATISFACTION that nothing else can produce.  Here's a good question to ask: "Where are you finding your main source of SATISFACTION in your life?"         

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 5

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to forgive you for the specific things that have kept you from finding your full satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
• Read Psalm 63 out loud as a prayer to God.
• Declare the following:  "I realize that true and lasting satisfaction comes only through knowing Jesus Christ.  God, help me to turn to you when I'm tempted to turn in other directions.  Give me the same passion for you that David expressed in Psalm 63."
• Ask God to make you more like Jesus in everything that you do.

Day 4 Fasting Blog Post - FEEDING FRENZY?

 

CHALLENGE

Every time I fast, I'm reminded how much effort I regularly put into "feeding" my physical body.  Think of all the things we normally "feed" our bodies. . .food, TV, video games, music, movies, etc..  Now think of how much effort we typically put into "feeding" our spirits.  What do you normally "feed" more, you're physical body or your spirit?  My desire is not only to "feed" my spirit during this week of prayer and fasting, but also to live a lifestyle where I "feed" my spirit more on a daily basis.  What about you?   

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 4

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Spend some time praying for the items on your prayer list as well as other requests that you wrote down at the beginning of the week.
• Take some time to reflect and think about what God is doing in your life this particular week.
• Declare the following (from Ephesians 4):  "I choose to throw off my old way of living and allow the Holy Spirit to give me new thoughts and attitudes.  I am a brand new person who is created to be like God.  I belong to Him and He loves me unconditionally."

Day 3 Fasting Blog Post - FOCUS

CHALLENGE:

What is God doing in your life so far during this week of prayer and fasting?  I would like to hear from you!  God is personally challenging me in surprising ways. 

Sometimes the 2nd or 3rd day of a fast can be the most difficult.  We seem to crave the thing(s) that we're fasting (food, entertainment, etc.) more than ever.  However, if we FOCUS on what we can't have (the items we're giving up) it defeats the purpose of fasting.  Here's a good principle to remember: Whatever I FOCUS on is what I will end up pursuing.  Did you know that it's possible to "pursue" food even if you don't end up eating it (or whatever it is that you're fasting)?  That's why it's so important to guard the things we talk about and what we think about.  Whatever we talk about and think about is what we will desire the most.  Again, this has to do with our FOCUS.  Is our FOCUS on what we're giving up this week or is it on God?  We must let our conversations center around Christ.  In the private moments of our minds we must also concentrate on Jesus.  When you're tempted to FOCUS on something that will take your eyes off of Jesus this week, quote the Scripture that we're memorizing (see below).  God promised that the devil (and temptation) will leave as you humble yourself and make a decision to resist the distractions that come your way.       

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 3

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Pray the following: "God, I thank you that I can come boldly and confidently into your presence.  You promised to come close to me as I take steps towards you.  Come close to me today."
• Listen to some worship music and invite God's presence into your life by spending some time in worship.
• Get on your knees and pray the following (from Ephesians 3:14-19): "I worship you as the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  Give me spiritual strength through the Holy Spirit.  I pray that Christ would be more and more at home in my heart as I trust you.  Give me the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is.  Let me experience the fullness of the love of Christ.  Fill me with the life and power that comes only from you."
• Declare the following (from Ephesians 3:20): "God, through your mighty power at work in my life you are able to accomplish much more than I would ever dare to ask or hope.  There is absolutely nothing that you can't do.  You are an awesome God!"
• Identify some things that seem "impossible" in your life?  Pray and believe that God will provide miracles and answers to those situations.  God loves it when we ask for BIG things that only He can accomplish! 

Day 2 Fasting Blog Post - SEE CLEARLY

CHALLENGE:

This is something great to be reminded of during a fast. . .we're not giving up food (or other items) in exchange for answers to prayer from God.  Prayer and fasting doesn't add anything to the power of God.  We're not fasting for God, but rather we're fasting for ourselves.  One of the primary reasons we fast is to SEE GOD MORE CLEARLY.  When we see God more clearly, it strengthens our faith.  When our faith is strengthened, it helps to release miracles and answers to prayer. 

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 2

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Declare the following: "I have victory over sin.  Sin does not control me any longer because I belong to Jesus.  I am seated with Christ in heavenly places.  Because of this, I can live in the authority and power of Jesus!"
• Declare the following: "I am created by Jesus.  I am His masterpiece.  He made me to do good works for His kingdom.  I have access to miracle working power through Jesus who lives in me.  Release that power in me today in Jesus Name!"
• Spend some time praying for miracles that you want to see happen
• Declare the following: "Thank you God that I can have an intimate and close relationship with you because of the blood of Jesus.  I have access to God, through the Holy Spirit, because of what Jesus did on the cross."
• Take some time to hear what God is saying to you today.  Write it down and capture those thoughts. 
• Declare the following:  "My body and life is a dwelling place for God.  I commit my life to you in a fresh way today.  Fill me with the Holy Spirit and your presence."

Day 1 Fasting Blog Post - ADVANCED DECISIONS

Today is the beginning of our week long fast (Sunday afternoon through Friday, Jan. 18th).  I'm excited about what God is going to do.  Every day of the fast I'm going to be posting a: Challenge, Bible Reading, a Scripture to memorize for the week and Prayer Points.  It's primarily targeted towards students, but anyone can participate.  I encourage you to!  Be sure to check back each day for something new.  Here's the first one. . .

CHALLENGE:

It's important to make advanced decisions about what you're going to fast and how you're going to fast each day.  Don't wait to make decisions based on how you feel.  Lay out your plan now at the beginning of the week.  Make sure you set aside more time to pray than normal or you're just doing a glorified diet.  Also, it's a good idea to write down your thoughts, prayers and the things that God speaks to you during the week.  Expect for God to move in your life in a powerful way.  I'd like to hear who's participating so your blog comments are encouraged and welcomed! 

BIBLE READING:

Click Here to read Ephesians Chapter 1

SCRIPTURE TO MEMORIZE:

James 4:7-8a:  So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

PRAYER POINTS:

• Ask God to reveal any sin/area of disobedience in your life as we start off this week
• Confess the sins that God reveals and believe that you are forgiven through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7)
• Create a list of the things that you will be praying and believing God for this week
• Spend some time telling God how much you love Him and that you desire a closer relationship with Him
• Say this prayer from Ephesians 1:17-23 out loud.  (It's revised and personalized for you):  Give me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I might grow in my knowledge of God.  I pray that my heart will be flooded with light so that I can understand the incredible greatness of God's power for me.  This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also in the world to come.  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.