I can't believe we've reached the end of 2011 already! What an amazing journey this has been again this year for me. Tomorrow we start our new plan for 2012!! I'm excited about going in another direction with this blog (in depth studying of the Word with more of a conversational style posting/commenting discussion). A huge thank you to all the participants of 2011, especially our regular posters: Tammi, Miriam, Kathryn, Jody and Pamela. I know some of you will not be joining us this year and we will miss you! Maybe we'll see you back in 2013 or maybe you won't be able to stay away and we'll see you in 2012 after all :)
Anyway, on to today's post.
A few things stood out to me in today's passages. (all emphasis in the following scripture is mine)
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:8b-10
When we rob God of what is His, we are actually also robbing ourselves. We are robbing ourselves of God's blessings. God even says to test Him in this! I love His response - He will throw open heaven's floodgates and pour out blessing upon blessing! Truly we rob ourselves when we do not give to God what is rightfully His - whether that is tithes and offerings, our worship, our love, or our obedience.
But thankfully, the Lord has never-ending patience!
"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have no kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:6
No matter how many times we mess up, He is faithful. He is faithful to forgive us and to restore us to right relationship with Him as long as we return to Him.
But in this struggle against flesh and blood (where we do what we don't want to do, and don't do what we want to do), we have hope. First, we have hope for this present day because we are filled with the power of His Spirit and strengthened by His very Word. But in the future, we can look forward to the day that is coming!
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5
And that promise holds true for everyone who will come and accept the free gift God gave us in His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
Come, Lord Jesus!
Tomorrow's passage: Hebrews 1:1-3
Bible in a Year: Genesis 1-3
3 comments:
What an awesome experience this has been again! Thanks to all who participated ~ and especially to you, Tammy, for coordinating and running the whole thing. All the best in the New Year, Bible-in-a-Year bloggers!
I have been so blessed to participate in this journey for the last two years and look forward to some changes for 2012! Thanks for all the posts and comments... looking forward to some great discussions this year.
You're welcome! I'm so glad you've all been as blessed as I've been :)
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