Living generously

I started this post before Father's Day, so I was thinking about how my parents taught me to be generous with time and money.

2 Corinthians 9:6‭-‬12 TPT

6 Here's my point. A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. 7 Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity! 8 Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. 9 Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in him: Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, his kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten. 10 This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow. 11 You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God. 12 The priestly ministry you are providing through your offering not only supplies what is lacking for God's people, it inspires an outpouring of praises and thanksgiving to God himself.

This morning, I remembered that I had drafted this post and wanted to complete it, and then this verse was in my reading this morning!

Luke 6:38 TPT

Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return.

I am so thankful for what my parents have taught me. I remember a conversation with my dad when I told him that I wanted to give more than a tithe, and he told me that God would bless me for my generous heart.  I am thankful for Jesus's promise that you can't out-give God.  And I am thankful for my dad speaking this truth over me.

Father, you are so generous!  You send rain to the righteous and the unrighteous!  You love to give good gifts to your children!  Jesus, thank you for your example of generosity, even giving your own life.  Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering me and leading me to be generous. Thank you for parents who taught me these principles from childhood. I love you!

Imitating our Father

Luke 4:40‭-‬41,43 TPT

40 At sunset, the people brought all those who were sick to Jesus to be healed. Jesus laid his hands on them one by one, and they were all healed of different ailments and sicknesses. 41 Demons also came out of many of them. The demons knew that Jesus was the Anointed One, so they shouted while coming out, "You are the Messiah, the Son of El Shaddai!" But Jesus rebuked them and commanded them to be silent. ... 43 But Jesus said, "Don't you know there are other places I must go to and offer them the hope found in God's kingdom realm? This is what I have been sent to do."

Ephesians 5:1-2 TPT

1 Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. 2 And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration—a sweet healing fragrance.

Jesus showed us what it looks like to imitate our Father.  

I want to be bold in imitating my Father.

Father, your creativity is amazing! And I love your heart to heal.  Jesus, thank you for showing us how to live like Father.  Holy Spirit, thank you for being with us and giving us your power.  Please help me be more bold in opportunities to show your love and power.  I love you.

Living and parenting free-Spirited

Luke 1:68‭, ‬73‭-‬75‭, ‬78‭-‬79 TPT

68 "Praise be to the exalted Lord God of Israel, for he has seen us through eyes of grace, and he comes as our Hero-God to set us free! ... 73‭-‬75 He has rescued us from the power of our enemies! This fulfills the sacred oath he made with our father Abraham. Now we can boldly worship God with holy lives, living in purity as priests in his presence every day! ... 78 The splendor light of heaven's glorious sunrise is about to break upon us in holy visitation, all because the merciful heart of our God is so very tender. 79 The word from heaven will come to us with dazzling light to shine upon those who live in darkness, near death's dark shadow. And he will illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace."

Galatians 4:7 TPT

Now we're no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God's very own sons and daughters! And because we're his, we can access everything our Father has—for we are heirs of God through Jesus, the Messiah!

I have heard some sermons on how bad Hell will be, and I have heard a few sermons about Heaven, but generally, I think we don't talk enough about the incredible goodness of the Lord.

As John the Baptizer was raised in a Spirit-folled home, so I want to parent from a Spirit-filled framework (not a religious framework).

Father, thank you for your incredible mercy and grace! Jesus, thank you for illuminating our lives and setting us free from slavery to law, sin, and religion.  Holy Spirit, help me live as a free son.  I love you.