CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 790

“A Good Measure”

Luke 6:38 (ESV) …give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

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I like my oatmeal cooked to a thick and chewy consistency.  Although I measure out the water with chemistry lab precision, I achieve my desired result by pressing down the 1/2 cup of oats to overflowing and running over. As I did this the other morning the Lord spoke to my heart about how He also gives to us a good measure and that we in turn are to use this good measure in dealing with others.

With what measure do you perform your work or service to others?  Is your heart attitude tuned to WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) as you measure out your service only in proportion to your perceived gain or benefit?  Remember: with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Col 3:23

How do you measure your tithe and offerings?  Can you trust God to meet all your needs with the 90% or do you rob Him of what He has declared to be holy and devoted to His purpose?

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions … Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house … put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. – Mal 3:8

With what measure do you provide care for others in your family, parents, or neighbors?  How often have we seen children of the elderly make decisions for their parents’ care with an eye on preserving their inheritance rather than on what is best for their parents.  Do you only measure out of your abundance or are you willing to sacrifice spending on your pleasures in order to meet the needs of your children, spouse, or others that the Lord makes you aware of?

…“Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance… – Luke 21:3

With what measure do you love? Can you love even those who do not love you first?

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you … – Matt 5:44

We are selfish beings and apart from the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit we cannot live up to the standard of measures that God’s Word sets out for us.  The good news is that God gave the Spirit without measure to Jesus and we, as Christians, have been filled in Him.

John the Baptist spoke concerning Jesus: For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. – John 3:34 and Paul wrote concerning our relationship with Jesus: For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him… – Col 2:9

May you experience the fullness of Christ in your heart.  May you live and move and have your being in Him as He empowers you to give a good measure in your work, service, and money.  May you bring the light of His presence and His love without measure to all whose lives you touch.