Legacy 2019, Week One

Published: Dec. 2, 2019, 2:52 a.m.

The Spirit of the Lord\xa0God\xa0is upon me, because the\xa0Lord\xa0has\xa0anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and\xa0the opening of the prison to those who are bound;2\xa0to proclaim the year of the\xa0Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3\xa0to grant to those who mourn in Zion\u2014\xa0to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the\xa0Lord,\xa0that he may be glorified. 4\xa0They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Isaiah 61:1-4 (ESV)

  1. Think Bigger

Do not be deceived:\xa0God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV)

You reap what you sow\u2026 Later than you sow\u2026 More than you sow.

8\xa0Whoever sows to please their flesh,\xa0from the flesh will reap destruction;\xa0whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.\xa09\xa0Let us not become weary in doing good,\xa0for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10\xa0Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good\xa0to all people, especially to those who belong to the family\xa0of believers. Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV)

  1. Think Longer

Command those who are rich this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,\xa0which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,\xa0who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18\xa0Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,\xa0and to be generous and willing to share.\xa019\xa0In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves\xa0as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of\xa0the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)

  1. Live with an open hand

8\xa0\u201cWill a mere mortal rob\xa0God? Yet you rob me. \u201cBut you ask, \u2018How are we robbing you?\u2019 \u201cIn tithes\xa0and offerings.\xa09\xa0You are under a curse\u2014your whole nation\u2014because you are robbing me.\xa010\xa0Bring the whole tithe\xa0into the storehouse,\xa0that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,\u201d says the\xa0Lord\xa0Almighty, \u201cand see if I will not throw open the floodgates\xa0of heaven and pour out\xa0so much blessing\xa0that there will not be room enough to store it.\xa011\xa0I will prevent pests from devouring\xa0your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,\u201d says the\xa0Lord Almighty.\xa012\xa0\u201cThen all the nations will call you blessed,\xa0for yours will be a delightful land,\u201d\xa0says the\xa0Lord\xa0Almighty. Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

  1. Decide where you will sow

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,\xa0not reluctantly or under compulsion,\xa0for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)