GIVING AND TRUE HAPPINESS

There is so much truth to the well known saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive".

Before moving on to University in 1996, I had spent the previous 20 years as a volunteer - Scripture teaching, reading with children, teacher aiding and of course my children's ministry activities.

I could say, in those days it was easier to survive on one income. But no, we had our struggles. But it didn't seem to matter as much. My husband too, was always helping someone neighbours or someone at church. Then of course we had our foster children. Nothing brought more happiness to our home than children.

I hate that I now have to work for money. Oh, don't get me wrong - when my boss gave me $200 in cash the other day, I sighed with relief. "Ah, great, now we can get those few things we need."

God tells us that money is just a tool, a tool we can use to give of ourselves to others. I'd like to say my first thought was to give the money to our church. Sorry, it was gone before I thought of that. That's a discipline I still need to work on.

I know that being prosperous is not evil. In fact the few wealthy people I know have worked really hard for what they have. They are also good savers. Most of all, though, they give generously to the Lord's work. They are happy people, not because of their money, but because they have a `rich' relationship with the Lord.

"God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

Recently I have discovered that it is not wrong to have limits on giving. Some of us give beyond our emotional resources until we burn out. Saying `no' does not always mean you are selfish. Selfishness is not giving at all. We need to enjoy our giving. Sometimes, though, God may ask us to give beyond our comfort zone, or to someone who may not seem deserving.

In these times, I think you will find the most happiness. Maybe not at the time, but later. For it is in times that we are giving as God gives - unconditionally. Often my gifts or `acts of kindness' have melted the hearts of an ungrateful person.

"Love your enemies and be good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be great. You will truly be acting as children of God, for He is kind to the unthankful and wicked." Matthew 5:44

Here is a little song I wrote years ago as a Sunday School teacher. I always like to think they would say `thank you'.

TEN MEN.

Ten men went to see Jesus

Ten men got down on their knees.

Ten men were healed by Jesus

Then they went away to tell their friends.

One man went back to Jesus

One man got down on His knees.

One man said `Thank you Jesus

For healing me from my leprosy'.

Jesus wants us to the be thankful

Jesus wants us to know He cares.

Jesus wants us to know that He loves us

And He'll be with us to the very end.

Ruth Cheater

Have a happy `giving day', and don't forget to say `THANKYOU', for those gifts given to you.

Prayer - Lifestyle or Discipline.

"Let us have confidence then and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.

When telling everyone my news about my Cancer this past few weeks, I realized that there was only one person in my family (except my son and his wife) that said they'd pray. I realized it is time I started doing some `heavy' praying for my family. I keep thinking about my Mum and her `gift of praying' and now I have discovered my young niece who really has a gift in this area.

I say my prayer life is more a `lifestyle faith' , but maybe this is just an excuse for not being committed to prayer. Those who know me well know how hard it is for me to `keep still and focused'. My Dad and sisters too were a great prayers, but I seem to have let the side down. Time I did something about it.

Where do I start - the Bible of course. My young niece reminded me to look at how Jesus prayed.

1. JESUS MADE IT A HABIT TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH HIS FATHER - Jesus would always find time to go off and pray.

"Then accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went AS USUAL to the Mount of Olives." (Luke 22:39)

My friend Bob Gass reminds us that prayer is a conversation with God. It is a RELATIONSHIP. "Spending time alone with Him is the secret of knowing Him. I can be anywhere, but it needs to be somewhere, and it needs to be a set time."1 It is one of those necessary disciplines. It may mean changing your schedule or rearranging your priorities, but you need to MAKE IT A HABIT to PRAY.

2. JESUS PRAYED ACCORDING TO HIS FATHER'S WILL.

"He walked away and knelt down and prayed: "Father if you are willing, please take this cup away from me. Yet not my will be done, but yours". Luke 22:41&42

God wants us to understand that if you don't need it yet, he may not supply it. The hardest thing I have found in my spiritual walk is to have patience and simply trust God - waiting for His will to be done.

Paul writes: "Don't worry about anything. Instead PRAY about everything. If you do this you will experience God's peace." Philippians 4:6&7

As humans we find this difficult to do, because we seem to have to sort things out ourselves. We need to know all the answers. We want things our way. When I am in pain, I remember this verse, as I know Jesus didn't particularly like it either, but he was willing to let God's will be done. And with that will came our salvation.

2. JESUS WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT PRAYER.

"He prayed more fervently and He was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood." Luke 22:44

There are times, like Jesus, we need to just look up and cry out to God.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Lots of things happen when you seek God with all your heart. Often there are miracles, but even if you miss them, you will grow spiritually as your relationship with God blossoms.

4. JESUS PRAYED THE WORD.

"No the Scriptures say, `People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

This is only one time in the Gospels where Jesus used the Scriptures - in this case to defeat Satan. The prophecies of His Father were the basis of his ministry, prayers and of course the salvation of the world.

I usually begin my prayer time with the reading from the Psalms. Not only do I love them, but the words are often written in a prayer like form, that make it easier to focus your thoughts on God. I was brought up memorising scripture, but I didn't find this as easy task. So I have a book I put together with thematic verses - if I can't remember, I look up my book. Usually, I know where the verse came from in the Bible, even if not remembering the exact words, so I try to always have my Bible close by.

5. JESUS PRAYED CONFIDENTLY.

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who believe in me through their message. I pray that they will be one just as you and I are one - as you are in me Father, and I am in you. May they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." John 17:20721

What confidence we can have as we pray, when we know that Jesus prayed confidently for us. God has wonderful things in store for us, but only if we believe in Him.

"You have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full."

(John 16:24)

6. JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY.

The greatest reminder of how Jesus prayed and how we should pray are in the Lord's Prayer - the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

In it we find words of adoration and praise, words of confident petition as we seek His will, the promise of forgiveness, and help as we try to forgive others. Finally we are given the courage to fight the devils attacks.

Take this prayer with you every day and make it a discipline as well as a lifestyle, as you seek to PRAY AS JESUS PRAYED.

"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name

Your Kingdom come, your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.

AMEN.

1. "Praying and Getting Results" (2001) Bob Gass Ministries.

Challenge and Comfort

The hardest book in the Bible for me to read is the book of Job. But there are three verses that bring challenge me and bring me comfort.

"But He knows where I am going and when He tests me I will come out as pure as gold." (23:10)

"For I have stayed on God's paths. I have followed His ways and not turned aside." (23:11)

"I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food." (23:12 (NLT)

I'm not through the "tests" yet, but I am getting there. I will continue with God's help to stay on His path and to follow His ways. I am not sure I will be a fill time teacher again. I don't know where my writing will take me, if anywhere, but I will continue to do as my old mate Hezekiah did:

"He sought His God wholeheartedly." 2 Kings 18:5-

One of my favourite stories is that of Mary Jones, which is why it is on the first page of my book: "In the Palm of His Hands."

The Bible has always been an important part of my life, both as a mother, a wife and especially as a teacher. Whenever I teach about the Bible, I am always reminded of the story of Mary Jones. Mary was a young girl from Wales, who worked as a child to raise money for her first Bible. She walked to a Church, many miles from her hometown, because there were no Bibles in her language. On meeting with the Pastor of this Church, Mary discovered there were no Bibles left. So, the Pastor gave him his Bible and she walked home to share its wonders with her parents.

Yesterday in Children's Church we talked about courage, and how through prayer and reading the Bible we can gain courage to help us when we are afraid. Specifically facing up to the bully at school, telling the truth when everyone else is lying, making the right choices when faced with peer pressure. I'm not saying has always been easy to do. It has been a challenge. But I can honestly say it has been easier, because I made the choice to `stay on God's path and not turn aside. It was easier because I made the decision to `never depart from His commands and have treasured His word in my heart'.

I challenge you to do the same, and no, it won't always be easy - there will be CHALLENGES, but I can also say with confidence, that God's Word will bring you COMFORT.

THE BIBLE

As a child I sat and wondered, feeling alone and scared,
I needed someone to be my friend, someone who really cared.
So I asked my Mum about it, I asked her where I could look,
She said, `Try reading the Bible",
I thought, "Now that's a strange book

But I started from the beginning
And read right through to the end.
I learnt that I had a BROTHER,
And He was my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.

I never let Him leave me, I always knew He was there,
At home, at school, at work and play
My FRIEND was everywhere.


As I grew older I needed more, someone to guide me along.
There were paths and paths, which one do I take,
I didn't want to go wrong.
This time I asked my minister, he always had lots to say,
He said, "Try reading the Bible".
He said that would show me the way.

So I started from the beginning
And read right through to the end.
I learnt that I had a SHEPHERD
And He was my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.

I never let Him leave me, I always knew he was there,
At Church, at home, when studying at school,
My SHEPHERD was everywhere.


Now I've come to a mountain, how do I get across,
I need someone to take my hand, to keep me from getting lost.
This time I'll ask my father, `cause I know he really cares,
He'll probably say `read the Bible',
`Cause I know He knows what's there.

So I'll start from the beginning
And I'll read right through to the end.
I'm sure that I'll find my FATHER,
For He is my SAVIOUR AND FRIEND.

I'll never let Him leave me,
I'll always know He's there.
At work, at home, and when I'm alone,
My FATHER is everywhere.

RUTH CHEATER

LIFESTYLE FAITH

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about my relationship with God. I don't get up at 5o'clock to pray like I used to see my step-mother doing. I read my Bible and pray in the morning, petitioning for my day; but sometimes I forget to thank him at night.

But you see, my faith is a `lifestyle faith'. I talk to God when I get in the car. I thank Him for being at work with me. I put my music on and sing his praises as I do my housework.

There were some people in the Bible that you would call perfect believers either: like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Rahab and David - liars, drunkards, laughers, deceivers, big headed and adulterers. These people simply believed that God existed and they trusted Him most of the time, rather than themselves.

No don't get my wrong, I am not advocating any lieing, drunkardness, pride and adultery, nor am I saying that trusting God is easy, especially in times of trial. I've said it before, `trusting God doesn't necessarily make life rosy, beautiful, neat, lovely, financially secure and comfortable'. But perfect trust changes us and it pleases God. It doesn't always take away the worry, but it does help you to relax a little and to say, `Lord, this is your battle'.

One of the best testimonies I have ever given was at the end of a really bad week. It wasn't exactly what my pastor had expected, and he kept giving me that look and tapping his watch. Yet, afterward, a young mother came up to me. She had an autistic boy and a young daughter. Her husband was away at the mines. She simply said, `Thankyou, I didn't know I was allowed to feel that way, but now I know I don't have to be angry at God as well.'

How had I been feeling? Depressed and angry at the world, but why wasn't I angry with the Lord. Because after 39 years as his daughter, I had learnt that a relationship with God was built on a lifestyle faith, based on His sovereignty.

This is my LIFESTYLE FAITH:

* HIS PRESENCE IS ALWAYS BE WITH ME.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me."

Psalm 16:8

* HE GIVES ME THE ABILITIES TO DO WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO.

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." 1 Peter 5:10

* HE GIVES ME GUIDANCE AND SHEPHERDS ME THROUGH LIFE.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all I need. He lets me rest in green meadows. He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths."

Psalm 23:1-3

* HE HELPS ME GROW AND GET PAST MY `ISSUES'.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

James 1:2&3

*HE GIVES ME COUNSEL WHEN I NEED WISDOM.

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you." James 1:5

* HE LEADS ME THROUGHOUT MY LIFE - ONE DAY AT A TIME.

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you." Psalm 143:8

* HE HELPS ME BE MORE LOVING, HOPEFUL, CONFIDENT AND COURAGEOUS.

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you. Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that He has promised." Hebrews 10:35&36

* HE PROVIDES FOR MY NEEDS AND HELPS ME NOT TO BE SO ANXIOUS AND WORRIED.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

* HE COMFORTS ME IN PAIN AND LOSS.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

Psalm 34:18

I will probably never be asked to speak at the `Hillsong Women's Convention', and I have to tell you my Pastor never asked me to speak again. Still, I know that my sovereign God is worthy of my perfect trust, and he is worthy of yours too!!