Orange Moon Cafe "Of Thine Own"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe...

 

  "Of Thine Own" 

 

    What do you give to One who owns everything?  "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).  King David of Israel answers.

 

       "Of Thine own have we given Thee" (I Chronicles 29:14).

 

    In the technical sense, we cannot give anything to "the Possessor of Heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:19).  In heart, however, we give to our Heavenly Father by receiving His gifts, and then implementing His purposes for them by the leadership and enabling of the Holy Spirit.  The next breath of air we breathe, given by God, descends upon us by His by His gracious beneficence (Acts 17:25).  Our use of that breath in a manner that honors Him, as enabled by Him, is perceived by God as a gift we impart to Him.  We give, but we do so as stewards of His provision.  "Of Thine own have we given Thee."

 

    This truth bestows a reality - a reality of love - to the believer's relationship and fellowship with our Lord.  We are not merely programmed automatons who act under the ruthless rule of a dominating overlord, but rather the sons and daughters of a Father whose reign fills and fulfills our hearts with grace and its accompanying peace. Moreover, our response elicits real joy in the heart of God that would not exist without our applied devotion.

 

    "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people" (Psalm 149:4).

 

   In the light of such mutual devotion, we live our lives in growing awareness of God's provision and our continual need to receive.  However, we also realize that our reception and proper application of His gifts serves as a way to bless the One who so blesses us.  What do you give to the One who has everything?  Technically, nothing.  Everything already belongs to Him, including ourselves.  In heart, however, our Father has birthed a relationship with His trusting children in Christ whereby we can genuinely love Him in ways that genuinely please Him.  We give by receiving, and then by returning His gifts as graced by our personal and particular application whereby the Lord Jesus is glorified, the Father's heart is blessed, and the Holy Spirit moves within us in the realization and rejoicing of loving fellowship with God… "Of Thine own have we given Thee."

 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."

(Revelation 3:20)

 

Memory Verse

   "Of Thine own have we given Thee."

 (I Chronicles 29:14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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