We live in a world full of takers. We honor those who have the most money, fame, power or prestige. God’s kingdom is just the opposite. God rewards givers. Givers receive from God when they give with all their heart.
00:00 Take a Step and God Will Meet You With What You Need
4:07 Give and it Shall Be Given to You, Pressed Down, Shaken Together and Running Over
6:66 Activation: Apply this Spiritual Principle to Your Life
I share a story about being badly hurt by the betrayal of a friend and how he couldn’t forgive that friend until he “gave” an act of forgiveness to the friend.
Luke 6:37-38 says:
37Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
“Give” it says in Luke 6:38. I needed to give something. So, I called my friend. I called and acted as if the betrayal had never happened. We talked about everyday things – just small talk.
As I talked with my friend, the forgiveness I was still struggling to find, suddenly dropped into my heart. I remembered all the years of our friendship and all the memories we have together, and I remembered why I love this guy. And then it was easy to forgive.
Forgiveness is a form of love. It's not an emotion. It’s a decision followed by an action. Act first, and the emotion will follow. We step out in faith, and God gives us what we need, to do what is right. I gave my friend a second chance and God restored our friendship and gave me peace, forgiveness, and fresh love for my friend.
Before I took a step, I was unable to forgive, even though I was trying. After I acted, taking just one step toward forgiveness, God flooded my heart with forgiveness.
“Give,” Jesus said, “and it will be given to you. Pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing.”
There is a powerful spiritual principle at work in Luke 6:38. We give to God and he gives more to us. Much more. I took one small step toward forgiveness, a phone call reaching out to my friend. God ran to me and filled my heart with memories of a long friendship and filled my heart with the forgiveness I had been trying to get on my own. It was an amazing experience.
Give and it Shall Be Given to You, Pressed Down, Shaken Together and Running Over
This principle is proven true in many contexts in scripture.
In finances, in relationship with God and in relationship with others.
I share several stories of God’s supernatural provision during the 12 years we lived in Hong Kong.
2 Corinthians 9:6 says:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Activation: Apply this Spiritual Principle to Your Life
This spiritual principle works in human relationships as well as our relationship with God.
Christian salesman and coach, Zig Ziglar, expressed this well when he said:
If you go looking for a friend, you'll find that friends are very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere.
-Zig Ziglar
Want love? Give love.
Want kindness? Be kind.
Want to be heard? Listen.
Want to be forgiven? Forgive others and forgive yourself.
Want to not be judged? Don’t judge others.
This works in All relationships.
Want to hear God? Listen.
Psalm 46:10 (NLT), John 10:27 (NLT)
Want to be closer to Jesus?
James 4:8 (TPT)
Come near to God and he will come near to you
Can you see it? You step out toward God and He comes running to you.
See Luke 11:20
Want to lead?
Serve. In God's kingdom, leaders are servants.
See Luke 22:6
Want help?
Help someone.
Want people to care about you?
Care about someone.
Want faith?
Faith requires an action. Take a risk.
John 21:5-6 (NIV)
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Foundation
God has given you everything you need for life and godliness by your knowledge of Him and coming to know Him. Step closer to Him and He will fill your deepest desires and needs.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Give time, effort, thought, energy and heart to Jesus and you will be overwhelmed by His response. I promise! Millions have experienced this and you will too.
Give and God will give to you, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing.