Sometimes we feel as if the responsibility of giving rest solely on the shoulders of others.   “How can I give to others when there is so much that I need, or at least think I need?”   Giving is an attitude of the heart.   Giving is a place where we experience the opposite of what is normally expected.   When we “give” we assume that it means it will cost us, we will walk away with less.   Usually that is true.   But it is in the attitude and act of giving that we receive many rich blessings.
 
What a joy it has been to watch a good friend of mine as he “joyfully gives” away the blessings God has gifted him with.   It is a joy to hear he and his wife talk about how money is meaningless to them, and without the opportunity to bless others as they have themselves been blessed, it would all be for nothing.
 
In one of my small member churches, the attitude of giving was one of generosity if “our needs” are served first.   I again want to emphasize, there was no outreach, no evangelism and certainly no sacrifice for the welfare of others going on… it was all about them.   That being said they still were a congregation of loving wonderful people, but they had become so entrenched in their own traditions and expectations of what church was that they missed the opportunity to serve Christ.   They felt as if their church was a “victim” of decline, but they as a congregation had nothing to do with it!
 
Mark 12
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.   43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
 
She gave to God out of her very need.   The others that day were giving out of their abundance, greed, selfishness, desires and agendas.   What about God?  How does that honor God who has given up everything for us?   Jesus went on to explain to the disciples that it was not the amount that was given that was so important, but the attitude of the persons heart.   Her offering that day to God demonstrated her obedience, faithfulness, trust and love for the God that meant everything to her.  
 
That brings up an interesting question: “Does God mean everything to you?”
 
In that small member church, the offering became confused with self-preservation.   They were willing to give to themselves and tell themselves that they were honoring God, but they were not willing to invest in what God was doing outside of what they felt “forced” to do through the apportionments paid to the denomination.   They enjoyed church their way, but not necessarily God’s way.  
 
What did the Book of Revelation say: “I wish you were either hot or cold?”
​

From 2010 to 2014 I served three small United Methodist Churches in Central Michigan.   During that time, applying the principle “It’s not about me” became the dividing line between spiritual maturity and immaturity.   Many in the parish I was serving had been going to church and participating in church activities most of their lives.    They were acting like Christians, looking the part, doing all the appropriate stuff but still considerably immature.
 
One of the congregations I served was very small, only 14 people on a good Sunday.   This congregation was comprised of mostly older retired individuals and consequently volunteerism was almost non-existent.   But they always “bellied-up” when the heat bill was due or the apportionments for the church conference were past due, but usually with self-interest at heart.   There was essentially no outreach whatsoever at the church or concern for the opportunities to serve others in the local community.   The church building, while beautiful was slowly deteriorating and approaching an unsafe status, however the coffee fellowship was always an integral part of their Sunday morning ritual of gathering in the sanctuary and then communing in the basement for coffee and snacks.    The overall attitude of this church was one of complacency and self-preservation.  
 
This congregation was small and financially struggling but they didn’t want to lose the church building and fellowship that they had enjoyed for years.   It really didn’t make any difference if they weren’t promoting Jesus to the community or inviting others to know Christ, what was important was their own comfort and traditions.
 
I once had a pastor tell me that his small church was dying.   He said there were usually around 13-15 people there on Sunday, but the day would come when they could no longer afford to keep the doors open.   What a shame!   What was very tragic was that this pastor was very comfortable with the slow death of this church.   “If all I do is minister to these few while they slowly die, that’s OK.”   It didn’t make any difference that the church wasn’t growing.   It didn’t make any difference if new people were coming to faith, what was important was that they had their traditions in place, they were comfortable and that it remained all about what they wanted.   Not offering Jesus to others.   My heart sank and I told him, “What a shame!?”
 
Somehow, I don’t think that God is honored when a congregation focuses on keeping the doors open and not the mission Jesus charged us with.   In Matthew Jesus spells it out.
 
Matthew 28
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jesus doesn’t tell us to keep the fires burning and He doesn’t say to keep the coffee pot on.   Instead, Jesus instructs us to “lose” ourselves in obedient service to Him.   “GO” He says and tell someone about God’s plan of salvation.   Unfortunately for many congregations you can’t do that when you use your resources, keeping yourself comfortable with self-serving traditions in place.   Jesus said GO!   To ignore the call of Christ upon your own life, or the life of the church, is to sin against God and to dishonor Christ’ command.   After all, the Great Commission isn’t the Great Suggestion, it’s a command of action!   He doesn’t say “let’s have blueberry muffins next week,” He says to feed someone in need, shelter the homeless, clothe the needy, comfort the sick, write to an inmate and visit the destitute, and tell others about Me, all to be done in His name.
 
Jesus basically said to give of ourselves NOT to accumulate for ourselves.  
 
NOTE TO SELF: “How about Panera muffins next week?”

Ever feel the burdens of life simply pressing down on you, and, you simply cannot understand “why?”   Have you ever experienced the struggles of life only to pass through them without any victorious parade of accomplishment?   Sometimes I am crushed in my spirit, and I don’t comprehend the reasons, I just hurt, and hurt.
 
This seems to be the path that Jesus said we would have to experience in order to follow Him.   It makes me want to “give up” and just get through, but I know that if I let my heart feel that way, I am dishonoring God and undermining our relationship.  
 
I’m pretty sure that the Disciples felt this way at times also.   I can almost hear their conversation about what they were “giving up” in order to follow Him, and they assuredly talked about the “cost” of following Him.   Was it worth it?   Does it make any sense?   Isn't there a much better way?  
 
I've come to understand that the Christian journey for any of us in this world will be filled with challenge, pain, difficulty, half-hearted commitments and an overwhelming sense of dullness in the soul.   But it doesn't have to be that way!   Jesus told us …
 
Revelation 2:8–11 "Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life"

 
I don’t think Jesus would mention this unless pain, suffering and depression were not expected, if not guaranteed.   It’s going to be tough … so …
 
NOTE TO SELF: Focus on Jesus, not the waves …
​

We live in a world today that is overrun with selfishness, anxiety, entitlement and a sense of extreme division.   If the world was a hospital, we would see ourselves struggling to receive treatment, struggling to stay alive.   If it were a prison, we would be sitting on death row feeling unjustly accused.   I know it’s not a pretty picture, but the world that we live in today is filled with violence, selfishness, meaningless opinion and deceit.   Truthfully, everyone seems to have their own version of the answer to our problems, but no one can agree on what “should happen next.”   A few weeks ago, I heard a prominent individual say that the answer to our worldly problems is that we have yet to move from “protest” to “policy.”   Really?
  
For thousands of years governments have tried to rule nations, peoples, tribes and such, some fairly, others being oppressive.    They have all failed.   They failed as their policies were not followed, and their leadership crumbled beneath them.   If you doubt this, I encourage you to do your own research, these are historical fact friends.   So, does that mean that we are never going to get out of this mess?   No, it does not.   What it does mean is that instead of protest and policy, we need Jesus more than we ever have, because only God Himself can rule over the human heart, and do it fairly, perfectly and with a measure of grace and love.
  
In the Garden of Eden, God had established the perfect life and environment for all to live a wonderful and fulfilled life.   It was “good” as God Himself said.   Think about this, in the Garden, Adam and Eve didn’t have any racial issues, or political affiliations to deal with, no, they were devoted to God, and followed Him in perfect peace until the day that they chose not to.   While there are many factors surrounding the fall of humankind, it was the “choice” to elevate themselves above God, even for a moment when that fateful decision was made, that caused so much grief for centuries.   As much as we refuse to admit, we are not totally capable of perfectly governing ourselves without the guidance of God and adherence to His will.   Let’s face it, there are literally thousands of laws on the books in the United States trying to accomplish the same basic principles outlined in the Ten Commandments.  
 
Today, many believe that if we simply put our time, energy, attention, resources and political game plan into action that we will end up with a just and affluent life for all.   And that sounds great, and it is so needed!   However, not everybody is “on-board!”   People differ in their ideas of what is “just” and “right.”   They cannot see eye to eye on the issues that we face, and many are simply unwilling to listen to anyone but themselves.   In short, the world is a mess because we are a mess!
 
Now you’re ready to fight, to blast me because of my comments, to attack with your way of seeing things!   Friends, again I go back to the story of humankind and human nature.   We are, and have always been “at odds!”   So, now what?
 
The problem cannot be rectified by rules, regulations, finances or human leadership.   The problem is the human heart.   Let me give you a brief and simple example.   I can take away an individual’s gun, but I can’t make them not want to kill another person.   The problems we are facing stem from our interpretation of what we think is right, what we think will happen tomorrow, what we think is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable.
 
Let’s get real.   If the human heart (as a culture) really cared about the problem of homelessness, we would wipe it out in a heartbeat.   If we really cared about lives, then we would not be aborting children.   If we really cared about racism, we would look at our own attitudes first!   If global warming was really important, we would make the changes necessary without the government even being involved.   If loving our neighbor as ourself was really engrained in our hearts, we would be actively involved with those in need around us.   Food Banks would not be necessary as neighbors would make sure others were fed.   In short, we need God to lead us, but that would require our trust in Him and submission to His ways.   Hmmm, doesn't sound so palatable, does it?
 
NOTE TO SELF: Turn to God, not humankind to resolve our problems.
​

How do I really know if I’m living out a Christian life that is not selfish, self-centered and basically “not about me?”   How do I ensure that I’m not being self-deceived or just plain ignorant?   This is an issue that Jesus addressed many times.
 
When He spoke, He constantly used metaphors that in the culture of that day, they could understand.   This was an agrarian society that He was in, and the people understood the difference between “good fruit” and “bad fruit.”
 
Jesus talked about how what was inside of a man or woman would be manifested in the activities of their lives.    What was inside the heart of a person would become the fuel for what came out of their mouths.   He also said that what was really important and engrained into their hearts, would be found in their daily activities and choices.   In other words, what was treasured most would be protected and cared for, and what was though little of would eventually fall by the wayside.  
 
Jesus said that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be found.”   In Joe’s translation Jesus, was saying “get over yourself … consider the needs and welfare of others long before your own … after all, Jesus did!   And if you really care about Jesus and others, it will be seen in the way you organize your life and the priorities that you choose!”
 
NOTE TO SELF: Make sure you always reflect a Godly attitude, and that it resides in your heart, for real Joe, no playing around!
​

Matthew 26:39 
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said; “not what I will but what you will.”  Jesus completely turned his life over to the father, human and divine – ultimately, he was saying that it was not about him, rather the plan of God for human redemption.   Jesus knew that He would experience agonies beyond human reason.   He knew that at any moment He could call and end to the horrific suffering and torment, but He also knew that the will of the Father was that He endured all that was before Him for the sake of the remission of sins guilt.   Again, it was not about Him, but us.
 
As part of what Jesus would suffer was a plethora of physical agonies.   He would be beat without mercy to a state that would render Him hardly recognizable.   He would have to endure an enormous beating with some accounts referring to it lasting all through the night.   His eyes would be bruised and mutilated, the bones in His face crushed and all of this totally undeserved.   Then there was the flogging.   Church history tells us that most criminals never experienced the full 40 lashes of a flogging.   Why?   Because of the extreme blood loss.   The Romans wanted the subjects of this extreme execution to live long enough to experience the severity of the cross.   The Romans wanted them to be a visual wailing witness to the community.   “This is what happens to you when you mess with the Romans!”   But Jesus endured it all.   These were the moments on earth when Jesus proved that He was God in the flesh.   Nowhere in church history is there a record of a man enduring all that Jesus endured and living to carry His own cross much less spending six hours on it.   Jesus simply would not release His Spirit until the job was done!
 
Then there was the agony of that which is perfect: being made sin and punished for the entire human race.   How could anyone ever endure such a thing?   They couldn’t, that was another declaration of Jesus’ divinity!   Only God could bear the weight of such sin, and only God’s Son could endure all that He did for the sole reason of “love.”   When I survey, what Jesus has done for me, I just want to honor Him for all of time!   One day I pray that I receive that opportunity in His presence in Paradise.
 
It only makes sense, if the wages of sin are death, and I would have to spend eternity in Hell experiencing death without end, how could anyone ever pay for the sins of the world?   They couldn’t!   Enter Jesus!   In a divine act of love and obedience, one that will never be repeated, Jesus said “it’s not about me… it’s about those that love the Father and trust in Me, those I love.  But so that all will have the opportunity to be saved, I will die for them all, even those who will never accept Me or my sacrifice on their behalf.   And I do this in love.
 
Have you ever come up with a question that you couldn’t answer and simply filed it in the back of your mind for when you could ask God directly?   I’ve got one: “Jesus, what was the most horrible part of Your sacrifice for the sins of the world?”   I believe that He will say, “the separation from God the Father.”
 
Jesus had never been separated from God the Father in all of time and beyond.   Jesus had never been away from God in the Triune form.   Jesus was God, is God and was always God, but now He was willing to give that up.   Can you even begin to imagine the horrors of what would await Him?   The Creator becoming “created,” the perfect becoming sin, the all-knowing becoming a student of others.   To step down from being God has to be the most unfathomable event in all of history.   Again, a declaration of who Jesus is … God.
 
NOTE TO SELF: Take a moment, and reflect with awe on the sacrifice of God.   yes, for me and for you!

Many times, we simply get it wrong!   We love God because of what He gives to us as opposed to who He is.   When we love Him for His provisions, that’s called a “contractual relationship.”   Its like “I’ll follow you as long as you keep providing.”   Or, as long as I keep getting my rewards.   This reminds me of when I was in High School and we studied Pavlov’s Dog.   When the bell rings I salivate.   When I follow God, I start to expect the blessings, the provision, the rewards and the benefit of following Him.   Hmmmm…
 
But is that a real and true relationship, especially a “saving” relationship?   I don’t think so.   It seems that a real Godly relationship must be based on “who He is” rather than my expectations of Him.   After all, God is God.   Do we relate to Him that way, or in another more self-serving way?
 
What do you think …?
​

Johns’ health took a turn for the worse when he reached his late 60s.   No longer was he the “rough-tough mountain man” that he once portrayed.   He was now weak, fragile and struggling to just breathe.   The rough life he lived, which was filled with hard work as well as hard partying caused him to slow down to a crawl.   He was only a shell of his former self.   Now it was his time, his time to face the end-of-life scenario that we all will face.
 
In his life questions started to erupt: Do I trust in Jesus?   Do I trust what God is allowing to take place in my life?   Am I OK with whatever the outcome might be, or am I demanding that God heal me and save me?   Is it about me or Him?
 
Regardless of the outcomes of life, they are always easier to accept when we truly understand that “It’s not about me.”   My life was created for the purposes of a holy and perfect God.   The plans for me are good yet many times painful.   If I truly accept what God has offered me, even when I do not understand, I can live each day, moment by moment in the assurance of a life filled with blessings and joys beyond my human comprehension.   Amen!
 
NOTE TO SELF: Get very real!
​

God uses the life-threatening battles we face for good for those that love Him.   Romans 8:28 tells us that quite clearly.  
 
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
 
The key here is “love!”   Do we really love God or do we approach Him as a tool to be used, a genie in a bottle who will grant our every wish?   One aspect of life-threatening illnesses is that they give us the “wake-up call” that we so desperately need.   They remind us that our life is really not about us, it is about us being created in the image of a holy and perfect God and being given the opportunity to choose to love and trust Him or not.   Love is a choice, or it can be an obstacle, but regardless we chose it.   You would think that while struggling for every single breath in a hospital bed one would choose to seek God and to trust in Him completely.   There’s something about being in critical physical need and calling out to God that reaches into the depth of our very souls.   You see, loving God is not dependent on what He gives us, no, its about what we choose to do and trust in.
 

Matthew 16:25
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
 
God is telling us that life itself rest in Him, there is no other way.   If we chose to hold onto our lives without Him at the center, then we will fail.   We will die in a state of absolute turmoil, suffering and hopelessness.   But when we trust in God, and make Him our “life” we are rescued by Him through the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf.   “Win-win” as my kids would say!
 
If I approach God, cry out to Him, tell Him I love Him and ask for a miracle, I have to do that with a heart that is repentant, sorrowful, loving, trusting and submissive.   If I cry out to God and tell Him what I think He wants to hear so that He will give me what I want, then it’s nothing more than manipulation.   Sure, I can cry out to Jesus but if my heart says “I will trust You if You do what I’m asking” then it’s simply me deceiving myself.   To love God, and to trust in Him, is to do so even when I don’t receive the expected results.   In fact, He might not answer me at all!
 
NOTE TO SELF: Get real with yourself!
​

He was the life of the party!   Always displaying a positive yet sarcastic demeanor.   I had known William personally for many years.   He was a bit older than me and was in physically great shape.   Who would have ever thought?   Over the years we would see each other periodically at family gatherings and holidays.   He was always the same, cracking jokes and living life to the fullest.   Throughout his life there had been many hardships though, many poor decisions made and many disappointments that shook him to his core.
 
One such disappointment was the death of his wife.   She was only in her 50s when she died, and she was Williams “life-mate” and confidant.   They enjoyed spending time with each other and truly were partners in all that life held for them.   One day out of nowhere a diagnosis of cancer blind-sided them.   I hate that word!   It seems we are always praying about cancer in some way shape or form.   Every week the prayer request comes up in our worship service and undoubtedly one is always about cancer.
 
However, she was a fighter, a hard worker, one that had faced many difficulties in her life.   This was just another one, one that she would do her best to beat!   Unfortunately, the battle that was waged was long and drawn out and in vain.   She passed away later that year and left a gaping hole in Williams’s heart.
 
For most of us those moments preceding death are ones of hope and desperation that we never want to face.   Even though the battle ended in death, we still have the hope and promises of a loving God that for those that love and trust in Him, the future is still bright and wonderous!
 
NOTE TO SELF: This life is not the end, but the beginning.   Are you prepared?
​