Are You Giving your All... or Are You Giving at All?

This is a great topic to start off with, seeing as my last post was March 2018. I could give excuses and reasons why I have not been on here, and there have been many times where I started to come on to post, and I didn't... Am I giving my all, or am I giving at all? On this blog, clearly not... in life, I would hope I am giving a lot, but yes again, clearly not all... which isn't enough. God has challenged me to share and encourage others in the truth of His Word, so I will be more frequent in these postings (I hope)!

I have also been challenged these past couple weeks listening to sermons and messages that God was speaking to me and through me. I am a teacher through and through... but this also means I am a learner too! As of March 2018, I have enrolled in a Bible College and I am working towards an Associates Degree, and then a Bachelor of Theology. I have started putting the #lifelonglearner on posts I have made. I enjoy the Word and learning more about the truths found within it. I have been a "Christian" or Christ-follower for 4 decades... that is so crazy (in a good way) to me! But each time I read, or hear, or teach a Bible truth or account, God reveals Himself to me in a whole new way! I know for NEW BELIEVERS hearing the truth of God and the miracles found in His Word and the reality of salvation and Holy Spirit, etc is exciting, scary and motivating all in one. The fire and zeal of a New Believer are unbelievable and seemingly unquenchable. We as believers (especially those 20+. 30+, 40+ or even 50+ years) can become complacent or comfortable. We have gifts inside of us that are still unopened, or maybe the wrapping was taken off, but they are still unused. Some we may have opened at one time, and maybe even tested them out, or used them once or twice, but we have gifts inside of us that haven't been used to their fullest capacity. 

This week we were challenged by a Pastor who is the Youth Director of the PAOC (now I was a part of the PAOC for many years, and I came to experience the real God and Holy Spirit in a PAOC church and PAOC ministry events). Pastor Wayne Giroux spoke to the PAOC (& other denomination) Jr Youth, Sr Youth, Pastors, Leaders and Parents (& friends) at a Youth Rally. He spoke on "WHAT IF", and used the Bible account of the "Feeding of the 5000+". Now as I said above, I have been in the church and heard Bible accounts, and even taught Bible accounts many many times. Each time is somewhat similar but differs according to the speaker, the theme, the lesson, the audience/congregation/group being spoken to. The Feeding of the 5000 is an account of one of the miracles of Jesus, where Jesus doesn't just call down the answer from Heaven, but He uses His disciples. He has them do the "dirty work" and search and seek out what is needed, and then He blesses it, and God does the miracle through them and their obedience and their faith. When hearing the story for the first time, you could be like 'ya right, I am so sure that only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish could feed that many people. Ya sure, like everyone got a teeny piece of bread and fish'... but the Bible says "They all ate as much as they wanted..." (Mark 6:42 NLT) and another translation says "So they all ate and were filled." (NKJV). (and there were 12 baskets of leftovers for each of the disciples). So most people think this was a miracle about food. In Sunday School or Junior church, you get crackers and goldfish... or something along those lines and the teacher tells the story (as I have done so many times) and shares the truth of the miracle of being broken and given out. In some translations, it just says the disciples brought back 5 loaves and 2 fish. In other translations, it says that a little boy gave his lunch. So then you sometimes teach or hear about being prepared. That boy's Mama was a part of the miracle that day as well, as she sent her boy with lunch to help him through the day, and he gave his lunch and was blessed by the miracle as well through his obedience. BUT... in all my years of reading, hearing or teaching this Bible account, I have never heard the revelation of 'what about the others'. Pastor Wayne shared with us the reality that others were there WITH food... but they didn't give it to the disciples when they went around asking for it. After the miracle was performed (for lack of a better word), how many people looked into their satchels and saw the loaf or the fish or whatever food they had hiding in there and realized what just happened. How many of them thought, "What if"... "What if I gave all I had?" 

God is asking the same from us. What are we holding back from God? We all have unopened or unused gifts...  Pastor Wayne challenged the youth (and us as Leaders), WHAT IF... we stopped holding back from God? WHAT IF... we stopped worrying about what could go wrong and focused on what God could do right? Inside you may be the answer to cancer, or something not as huge, but if you keep it inside instead of giving it to the world, what good is it? What good is God's Word of truth if you don't open it or read it?

I am reminded of a song from my youth, "What if I Give All" by Ray Boltz... (don't mind the 1980 style video, read and listen to the lyrics). The video is about giving monetary items... but it is the same meaning. The account of the feeding of the 5000 is in the song too.  (This song opens in a new window, so you can listen and then return to read the rest.) 

While I was searching YOUTUBE for that song, I found another song that I have never heard before from Casting Crowns called "What If I Give Everything"... WOW! The words are amazing... may you be blessed as you listen to these 2 songs! Maybe you can sing along with the lyrics of this second song... "Why am I still standing here. Why am I still holding back from You? I hear You call me out into deeper waters, but I settle on the shallow end. Why am I still standing here?"

I am even singing these words with you, as I have unopened/unused/gently used talents and gifts inside as well (but I am ENDEAVOURING to use more this year). I am hopefully not in the shallow end, but definitely not as deep as I could go. Remove the fear, remove the doubt, stop listening to the lies of the enemy, stop listening to the dead giants around you, listen to the voice of the Father, and step into the deeper waters with Him. Just like the promise He made to Joshua, He makes the same one to YOU (to us)... "No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you." (Joshua 1:5 NLT)

Are YOU Giving Your ALL... or are YOU even giving AT ALL? Look in your pockets or your 'satchel'... what is there that you can GIVE? Make sure you are giving something... but most importantly make sure you have a relationship with this God that I am talking about. Make sure you experience Him for yourself. WHERE ARE YOU STANDING? You cannot get saved from just my salvation story. YOU have to know Him, feel Him, see Him, hear Him & experience Him for yourself. Are YOU swimming with me in SOMEWHAT DEEP water? Are YOU drowning? Are YOU standing in the shallow end... or are you just standing on the sand... or have you even made it to the "beach"? Take this time to STAND with God, wherever you are in your walk! He will help you go deeper. He will challenge you and take you to new heights and depths in Him. So as God also told Joshua, BE OF GOOD COURAGE! 

#BeBlessed2BeABlessing

"Your Own Worst Critic?"

DAY #22 - "A Woman of Faith" Devotional
Verse: "A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God." 1 Timothy 6:6 MSG

NIV - "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
KJV - "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
NLT - "Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth."

The definition of 'devout' according to dictionary.com is;
–adjective, -er, -est.


1. devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious: a devout Catholic.
2. expressing devotion or piety: devout prayer.
3. earnest or sincere; hearty: He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.
—Synonyms
1. worshipful; holy, saintly. See religious. 3. intense, serious, fervent, ardent.

We are to live our lives devoted to God, as worshipful, faithful, loyal Christians. We have all the wealth in the world that we need living for God. We need to live with godliness, and with contentment knowing that He is our provider, and the lifter of our heads. ("Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and He answers me from His holy mountain." Psalm 3:2-4 NIV) Godliness is not a means to financial gain, but God can, will and does provide exactly what we need. We do not need to 'hoard' anything! We live in the faith knowing


Usually in life, we are our own worst enemy, or our own worst critic. When we look at ourselves in the mirror, when we compare ourselves to other's, when we look at the things that we do (ie; things we make with our hands, a job we have done, etc.) We need to understand ourselves more, and who God has created us to be. We are not meant to all be 2nd rate Angelina Jolie's or Mother Teresa's. You are created to be 1st rate ___________. (insert your name in the space)


There are so many self-help books, websites, programs, conferences & workshops out there, and yet the only one we need is the Bible itself. "The Bible affirms the importance of self-acceptance by teaching Christians to love others as they love themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). God accepts us just as we are. And, if He accepts us-- faults and all -- then who are we to believe otherwise?" ('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 22. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202) The Bible is indeed the answer to all our problems. God has created you to be unique and with the gifts, talents and characteristics you need. We shouldn't be striving to do or be like someone else. We can look to other's for mentoring, etc, who've been there, or who are in a place where your giftings might take you... but we shouldn't strive to be 'them'. We should be striving to 'be like Jesus'.


We need to maintain a healthy self-image, as the devil is deceiving and scheming to attack us in any way he can. The devil can use our thoughts and imagings as we speak them into the air... he is the prince and power and ruler of the darkness of this world.  "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV) When we speak out about our failures (or what seems to us to be failures), the devil and his schemers are listening and will run with those to use them against us. For if we see ourselves, or our giftings as insignificant (or as failures not to try again) that allows him to keep us from doing God's work that God has planned for us to do. God wants to use our failures and mistakes as learning experiences for ourselves, and so that we may possibly also help others who may be in the same mindset or problems as well. (IE: If you self-inflict wounds (or have in the past) to remove pain, and God has healed you of it - the scars still remain, yet the healing has gone much deeper to your heart. We can't always see what God does on the inside, yet the changes are there. And now, you can be a living example and mentor to other young girls in that predicament. Sometimes you can catch them, before they begin. God has a plan for you!)
{Editor Note: If you, or someone you know is suffering with this, check out this site, 'To Write Love on Her Arms' -- http://www.twloha.com/index.php)


We also need to remember that 'God has to change your heart, before He can change your shirt' -- those words are found in a song by Casting Crowns - 'What This World Needs'. (Here is the video with lyrics added.)


This world does need a Saviour, and that Saviour is JESUS! He is God the Father's Son, He is not just a prophet and He is God! He is the Word! He is the WAY, the TRUTH & the LIFE! (See John 1:1 and John 14:6)


I'm going to post the lyrics here as well, because as I am writing this devo' and listening to the song, they are so super true. What this world needs... is not us, but JESUS!

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind

Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free


Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs
That's what this world needs

What we need to remember is that God does look at the inside, and it is much more important than our outer appearance. We can have implants, lifts, tucks, etc on the outside to try and improve on God's creation (why? who knows, because everything God made is 'good')... but we cannot fake what is going on inside of us, the change that we allow God to do. "But God told Samuel, 'Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.' " 1 Samuel 16:7

Keep your heart diligent, devout and pure! Be Yourself! Again, 'A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.' -- Read the chapter of 1 Timothy 6 in the MESSAGE translation... WOW! (right-click the link, and open in a new tab or window) -- Put your name in, in place of the name 'Timothy', and let God reveal Himself to you in a new way as you try to "...Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to..." (1 Timothy 6:11-12 MSG).

...and stop being your own WORST critic, and be the BEST you that you can be! Be the M.E. that God has called you to be. (M.E. = Your 'Maximum Effectiveness'!)

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!