Today’s passage mentions “predestination” a couple of times, I am not a theologian but I have participated in a few conversations on the subject. I am not advocating or condemning the belief and understanding of it. What I will do is tell you that I believe I was created by God, given a purpose and that I am loved by God. The world, the universe and all its wonders were created by God for His purposes and glory. There’s absolutely nothing on my part to be worthy of love, I know there are times that I think to myself, “of course I’m lovable!” That is mostly pride or over confidence and the truth all wrapped up together. I am completely ok with the belief in predestination and I am also completely ok with the belief in free will. Maybe this analogy will help or quite possibly I could lose you in translation! I have been interested in Chinese Dynasty films for a few years and the Dynasties were rulers usually from the same family, one might say their heirs were “predestined” to someday rule. Usually rulers had many wife’s to ensure a son would be born to eventually rule and carry on the family name and traditions. But…just because the father is a wise and fair ruler does that mean his heirs will be too? Each person is faced with choices, “free will” just because a parent is wise and fair there are no guarantees that their children will do the same. If the heir follows in the footsteps of their fathers/ancestors is it because of free will or predestined (hereditary). Pride has a way of showing up when people think and take credit for things that were really beyond their comprehension. If the heir does something completely different, the blame game starts because bad choices were made? I am not trying to confuse anyone or seem like I am afraid to commit, the truth is salvation, faith and knowing, not just believing that God is real is personal and public all at the same time. Whether or not I was “predestined” “chosen” by God, I know that I had a moment of decision and wanted to publicly announce my “come to Jesus” moment. I strive to be the best person I can be, I study and read my Bible, read books about the Bible and I watch movies about faith and the Bible; plus I do a lot of other stuff too that I’m not so proud of…I procrastinate, I say bad things, I speed while driving sometimes, I miss church a lot, I over eat a lot…you get the picture, I’m not perfect. God is not looking for perfect, he’s looking for honesty, courage, and love to mention a few. What I know for absolute truth is…I am a sinner, I cannot save myself, grace is given not deserved, mercy is applied and given instead of punishment. I will never be or do enough to be worthy of salvation so I’m thankful that God created me and loves me and I strive to live into the purposes He created me for. My Father is the King of Kings and I am His heir, my destiny and destination is Heaven.

Romans 8:26-39 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 44:20-26 “If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.”

~Blessings and Peace~
References:
Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis
The C.S.Lewis Encyclopedia by Colin Duriez

C.S.Lewis wrote an essay entitled: Present Concerns “The Three Kinds of People” a summary of these are as following.
1. There are those people who live for their own sake and pleasure. We would call those non-religious or irreligious people. Regardless of what you call them, or how you describe them, they are people who live any way they want. They simply don’t care for God or religion or spiritual things. In many cases, spiritual things aren’t even on their radar. There are more of these people around than you might think. Philosopher Charles Taylor has noted that this is the first time in human history when one can live one’s entire life without any sense of the transcendent.
2. There are those people who live with a sense that there is a greater claim on their lives—God’s claim. We’ll call these religious people. But more often than not, they surrender to that claim like a man surrenders to paying taxes. They do it because they have to, but then, who wants to pay taxes?! Consequently their faith is as sterile as tax day. It’s there, but they hope that having done their due diligence, and paid what they owe to God, there will be enough of life left over for them to have some fun.
3. There are those people who don’t feel that the will of God limits their will, but it is their will. Unlike the non-religious and religious persons, they don’t live for themselves but for God; for Christ. They do what they do for Gods sake, for His beauty’s sake, for His glory’s sake. For them to live is Christ, as stated by Paul in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Luke 21:1-19 “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.”

A prayer of an inflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord. Psalm 102:1-11 “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.”

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis
Dave Miles http://cornerstonenorthshore.org/three-kinds-of-people/

Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven…”

Forgiveness is more than simply asking for it, the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are clear in that to receive forgiveness, we must forgive others who have wronged us whether and most assuredly when they don’t deserve it. Isn’t that precisely what we do to God? There is absolutely nothing worthy in our attempts to seek forgiveness we are sinful by nature and from inception. It is God’s grace and mercy that bestows forgiveness upon and to us. We can not expect or should even ask for forgiveness if in our hearts and minds we are holding onto grudges and insults and wrongdoings of others, we must live into and through our beliefs that forgiveness is for everyone, regardless of its intent and circumstances. “…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthians 8:6. Amen!

1 John 1:5-10 “This is the message we have heard from  and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

Psalm 19:7-14 “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis
The Weight of Glory “On Forgiveness” by C.S.Lewis

As most of you know, I’m a huge C.S.Lewis fan and I found the coolest YouTube videos listed under C.S.LewisDoodle.. I hope you find insights or nuggets of knowledge from watching them. I have posted ” The Grand Miracle” parts 1 and 2 in today’s posts as they were referenced in the devotional I read. The visual aids provided an added benefit to understanding Christianity and the role of Jesus. Thank you for your continued support in reading my blog posts and I hope that your season of Lent brings you closer to what you seek. I am finding more and more clarity of life and purpose as I listen for God’s voice and He’s teaching me about authenticity not just from devotion and study time but through the people I get to share this life with. Sometimes I don’t see things or understand them fully until I recognize others displaying them, such as humility, selflessness, patience, courtesy, respect…it’s seeing “WWJD” live action! I know for myself, I over complicate life…A LOT! It really is simple, be like Jesus. God bless you today and always…

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Psalm 19:1-6 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.”

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis
The C.S.Lewis Encyclopedia by Colin Duriez
YouTube Channel: CSLewisDoodle

My dearest friends and family and possible newcomers I want to tell you that as I am typing this I am also asking God to blessing you, yes each and every person reading this I am asking God to meet your needs whatever they may be at this very moment. I believe in the all-powerful, all-knowing and all loving God who created each of us and died to give us everlasting life in Heaven. The words I’m sharing may not completely line up with the scripture passages for today but God has placed some things upon my heart to share. I am abundantly blessed with wonderful friends, coworkers, mentors and family. I just want to say that each of you add value to my life simply by knowing you and learning from you. I’m a smarter and wiser person due to the character of these individuals I get the opportunity to work with every week, (coworkers, supervisors and managers) they have all taught me patience; cause, concern and control of situations and life in general, I’ve learned compromise is not the same as giving in and giving up, it’s teamwork, I’ve learned collaboration, respect and mutual admiration for one another. I am a better person because of these individuals and they have strengthen and shaped my daily walk with Christ sometimes through direct conversation but other times simply by the standards in which they live their lives. I rarely see these individuals outside of our work environment but my love and admiration for them carries over into my social life, my family life and most importantly my Christian life. I absolutely trust and believe that these individuals are in my life for a purpose, a Godly purpose. I am blessed beyond measure and I hope they know just how honored I am to have them in my life. I don’t want to start naming individuals because I would definitely forget some but I truly try to show or tell each of them that they are important to me. To my two oldest friends from College, I love you women like sisters, we have all shared very important events with one another through the years and although we do not see one another often, you are always in my heart. To old friends that have strayed away, our friendships served a purpose for a season and my life is forever changed because of you. To the individuals who have encouraged me to pursue my dreams of writing and art, thank you! I am passionate about tell my story and God’s stories and how they are combined, by the grace of God and His never-ending mercies. I cannot forget my family, you have always supported me in all my endeavors, you were always my biggest fans. I’m talking aunts, uncles, cousins, first and second cousins, grandparents and even great-grandparents. What a joy to have known my parents, parents and theirs as well. I’m thankful for the richness of growing up in rural/country America and for being a child of the ’60’s and 70’s…yep, I’m a “Baby Boomer!” That was a time of true freedom and carefree spirits, a different time and place from what youth today experience, thank you Jesus for the parents you blessed me with also for my brother, niece and nephew, and their extended families. So, grab hold of the blessings coming your way, trust in God’s Will and believe. You are loved, you are important and you absolutely matter. I like this saying, “I’m not where I want to be but thank God I’m not where I used to be!” Each day is a new day, fresh start…love deeply, laugh often and forgive more. 💞
1 Corinthians 1:20-25 “Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

Psalm 74:12-17 “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” ~C.S.Lewis
~Blessings and Peace~

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” ~C.S.Lewis.

C.S.Lewis once stated that he had nothing to offer his readers in regards to solving the intellectual problem raised by suffering…he was quoted saying, “when pain is to be born, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”

Sin, humanity’s dirty secret. Not so much but our attitudes toward “sin” often is our defining of others more so than ourselves. Pride gets the best and worst of us from time to time. We for one reason or another find it easier to see the sin in others lives before we see it in our own, why is that? Pride, and the lack of ownership I believe are two contributing factors. The fact is long before we take our first breaths outside of our mothers womb, we are sinners. No one is immune from sin, we all start life out as sinners…fact. Another fact, Jesus took our place on Calvary. Jesus paid the ransom for all of our sins, salvation is free to all who will surrender to Him, ask for forgiveness of sins and open our hearts, minds and souls to Him. Inside of “redefining” sin, lets acknowledge our sin and talk to God more, as we seek His will knowing we were born sinners and by the grace of God we are redeemed! Hallelujah!

Ephesians 1:1-10 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

Psalm 2:1-12 “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

References:
Preparing for Easter C.S.Lewis
The C.S.Lewis Encyclopedia by Colin Duriez
~Blessings and Peace~

Ephesians 2:1-10 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Psalm 50:1-6 “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.”

~Blessing and Peace~

John 1:1-14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
Psalm 34:1-14 “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

~Blessings and Peace~

1 Peter 3:18-22 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

Psalm 33:13-22 “From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

~Blessings and Peace~

Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.
– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

In a recent blog written by the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics on stewardship they asked the question, “What does stewardship look like in our lives today?” Unfortunately many Christians today only associate the idea of stewardship with sermons they have heard about church budgets and building programs. But for those individuals at the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, the idea of biblical stewardship is about something much more expansive. They believe it is where the concepts of faith, work and economics intersect. Through an essay by Bill Peel, entitled Leadership Is Stewardship, His essay built a framework to begin to unpack this biblical idea of stewardship. Peel suggests that there are four important principles about biblical stewardship we must understand:

1. The principle of ownership.
The psalmist begins the 24th psalm with, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” In the beginning of Genesis, God creates everything and puts Adam in the Garden to work it and to take care of it. It is clear that man was created to work and that work is the stewardship of all of the creation that God has given him. This is the fundamental principle of biblical stewardship. God owns everything, we are simply managers or administrators acting on his behalf. Therefore, stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the administration of everything God has placed under our control, which is all-encompassing. Stewardship is the commitment of one’s self and possessions to God’s service, recognizing that we do not have the right of control over our property or ourselves.  Echoing Deuteronomy 8:17, we might say: “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But Deuteronomy 8:18 counsels us to think otherwise: Remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

2. The principle of responsibility. 
In explaining responsibility, Peel writes, “Although God gives us “all things richly to enjoy,” nothing is ours. Nothing really belongs to us. God owns everything; we’re responsible for how we treat it and what we do with it.” While we complain about our rights here on earth, the Bible constantly asks, What about your responsibilities? Owners have rights; stewards have responsibilities. We are called as God’s stewards to manage that which belongs to God. While God has graciously entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything He owns as His stewards, we are responsible to manage his holdings well and according to his desires and purposes.

3. The principle of accountability.
A steward is one who manages the possessions of another. We are all stewards of the resources, abilities and opportunities that God has entrusted to our care, and one day each one of us will be called to give an account for how we have managed what the Master has given us. This is the maxim taught by the Parable of the Talents. God has entrusted authority over the creation to us and we are not allowed to rule over it as we see fit. We are called to exercise our dominion under the watchful eye of the Creator managing His creation in accord with the principles He has established. Like the servants in the Parable of the Talents, we will be called to give an account of how we have administered everything we have been given, including our time, money, abilities, information, wisdom, relationships, and authority. We will all give account to the rightful owner as to how well we managed the things He has entrusted to us.

4. The principle of reward. 
In Colossians 3:23-24 Paul writes: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  The Bible shows us in the parables of the Kingdom that faithful stewards who do the master’s will with the master’s resources can expect to be rewarded incompletely in this life, but fully in the next. We all should long to hear the master say what He exclaims in Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” As Christians in the 21st century, we need to embrace this larger biblical view of stewardship, which goes beyond church budgets or building projects, though important; it connects everything we do with what God is doing in the world. We need to be faithful stewards of all God has given us within the opportunities presented through His providence to glorify Him, serve the common good and further His Kingdom. Amen.

~Blessings and Peace~