on May 31, 2012
Luke 3:10-14 – "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely–be content with your pay."
As we pointed out in the last prayer guide, these “Trees” coming out to John have been producing bad fruit. These crowds produced the fruit of greed and selfish interest. They were thieves, liars and malcontents! John preached that this was the nature of The Serpent, and that their fruit identified them as offspring of their father, the Devil – a brood of vipers, not children of God or Abraham! He preached certain judgment and the wrath of God for these deeds. They were deeply convicted and asked John a very practical and worthy question: “What should we do then?” Here’s John’s summary: Be considerate of others and SHARE with those who have not been blessed as you have; Be FAIR in your financial dealings with others and don’t collect more revenue than is required; Don’t Misuse or Abuse Power by EXTORTION; Don’t bring FALSE CHARGES against people; Be CONTENT With Your Pay!
Now, if you’re not convicted along with John’s crowd yet, let’s take a look at some other scriptures that speak to these principles. Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to SHARE with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Commands us to be rich in good deeds, “and to be GENEROUS and willing to SHARE.” Ephesians 4:28 – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to SHARE with those in need.” Romans 12:13 – “SHARE with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Are you one who SHARES GENEROUSLY with others?
Are you practicing FAIRNESS and JUSTICE in your relationships? Leviticus 19:15 – "Do not pervert JUSTICE; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor FAIRLY.” Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To ACT JUSTLY and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Are you doing what is RIGHT in the eyes of the Lord? 1 Timothy 6:10,11 – “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
Romans 6:13 – “Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Are you TRUTHFUL in your relationships? Leviticus 19:16 – "Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” Ephesians 4:22-25 – Tells us to put on true righteousness and holiness. “Therefore each of you must PUT OFF FALSEHOOD and speak TRUTHFULLY to his neighbor…” Are you CONTENT with your CONtent? 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “But godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Thank God for those who have shared with you. Practice sharing generously with others.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Ben & Jen Martin (Emma, Grace, Benjie, Callie, ?), Barr & Sharon Miesch, Laura Mohr.
Saturday:
- Praise God for His justice and His mercy. Ask Him to help you show these in your relationships!
Sunday:
- Ask God to fill you with His righteousness as you pursue godliness, faith, love, endurance, etc.
Monday:
- Pray for God’s Truth to be established in all your relationships.
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Pray for Godliness with contentment in your life.
Wednesday:
- Bear good fruit that truly demonstrates whose child you are – and whose child you aren’t!
Prayer Challenge: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–PRODUCE such things!