The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, May 25

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Generosity

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto Youby Mike Flathers; All Over the Worldby Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.

Read: Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:31-34; Isaiah 40:28-29; Psalm 50:10

Think: What is a poverty mentality? In Pastor Ben's message on The Truth About Faith and Money one of the hurdles to grace-motivated giving was overcoming a "poverty mentality".

I've heard this term but wanted to know more about what it meant. The definitions I discovered indicate it as being focused on what we don't have instead of what we do have. It can be an attitude held by people all along the financial spectrum - those with little means as well as in people who 'have it all'. "I just need more" seems to be the underlying mentality.

In the context of our weekend message, this is manifest in our lives as "Once I get a raise, then I can tithe", or "Boy I'd love to help with that ministry BUT..." The Bible suggests a remedy in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"

A poverty mentality leads us to an underlying anxiety about not having enough to be able to give. The Bible says push past that thought and pray with a heart full of thankfulness for what we do have. Here are two key things to be grateful for no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in today:

When our attitude is solidly guided by a heart that sees and appreciates the blessings of the Father we can experience the promise of Philippians 4:7 - "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Do: Next time you feel anxious about giving, pray the words from Philippians 4:6-7. God is working in us all to break down any barriers that stand in the way of us becoming generous givers. Thank Him for that work in your life.

Pray: Father, You have been so generous to me, I am truly thankful. I know that all I have is Yours and I ask that You would teach me to trust You. Help me to become more and more like You each and every day. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, May 24

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Generosity

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Holding Onto You by Mike Flathers; All Over the World by Matt Redman; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves Us by David Crowder.

Read: Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:27-31; Matthew 6:8-13; Psalm 61:3-5; Acts 2:44-47

Think:  What is it that we really need? The Bible teaches God will provide our every need --- but what is that truly referring to? Whatever it is, it has to apply to the richest Christians and the poorest Christians in the world. So it can't be iPods and flat screen TVs. Pastor Ben taught us this weekend that one of the "hot topics" in growing and becoming everything God wants us to be is a good and healthy relationship with money.

A foundation for that is knowing God will provide what we need! We don't have to be anxious at all, we can simply know that it's His promise (see Luke 12:27-31). Our faith in God gives us the benefit of His daily provision just as Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:8-13). The Bible gives specifics including food, drink and clothing. But I absolutely trust God provides for other human needs, in fact I know this to be true from experience.

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who founded the theories behind humanistic psychology. In themselves they say we can become everything we are meant to be on our own -  which certainly isn't the Biblical perspective but I think we can borrow safely the hierarchy of five human needs he describes.

As young Christians our physiological needs (bottom of the hierarchy) are what we often focus on and what bring us to God in desperation. Once we experience God's provision He builds in us a sense of safety and shelter in Him (Psalm 61:3-5). That sense of safety draws us into community with the other believers (Acts 2:44-47) and being accepted and loved in that environment gives us self esteem (we see ourselves through God's eyes). All these building blocks lay the foundation for God actualization (rather than self), serving Him and His people using the wonderful gifts He has laid up in us. 

God knows our every need - and He wants to be our Source, our Sustainer, our Provider... because He loves us. We can find our true fulfillment in Him - Jesus promised He was the Bread of Life and the Living Water that will leave us to never thirst again.

Do: Assess your progress in the hierarchy of human needs. Do you believe God can provide for you? Do you feel safe in God? Do you feel that you belong in the body of Christ and are accepted and loved? Do you know the great things God says about you and how awesome you are in Him? If you have all these other needs met, are you serving the Lord out of this rich foundation?

Pray:  Lord, thank you that you promise to meet my needs; physical, emotional and aspirational. Help me where I am today to grow and take my next right step as I seek to become that mighty tool in Your hand helping to reveal Your kingdom here on earth. Amen.    

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Friday, April 30

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: More than a Fan

Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Comeby Hillsong; God is with Us by Michael Olson; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves by David Crowder.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Thursday, April 29

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: More than a Fan

Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Come by Hillong; God is with Us by Michael Olson; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves by David Crowder.

Read: James 4:14; I Samuel 28:7; Matthew 6:25-34

Think: When I think of some of my most basic fears, fear of the unknown is right up there. A great example of fearing the unknown is found in James 4:14, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone." I don't know what tomorrow holds. However, God has a plan for my life today. I need to quit worrying about tomorrow so I don't miss out on living today.

When I talk about fearing the unknown, it can encompass a wide variety of topics: "When am I going to get married...What is my next job...What about our kids...When am I going to get that new house...Or an eviction notice...Or unemployment...Or win the lotto...Or heath issues, maybe even death..." Truth is no one knows the future but God. My hope and trust need to rest in God who holds my future.

But how does a non-believer understand the peace in having Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? How can they embrace not knowing what tomorrow holds? Where do they go when they die? Some look to the stars, some look to tarot card readers or some call the psychic hotline similar to what Saul did in Samuel 28:7. That is why it is so important that we as believers share the Good News with them. Only Jesus can answer their questions and satisfy the longing in their soul.

The Bible is pretty clear that we don't know what is in store for us tomorrow or when Jesus will return. I love Pastor Ben's reference to the Tim McGraw song Sunday, "Live like you were dying." That is how I want to live my life, like tomorrow wasn't coming and my last interaction with people may be today.

Do: Ask God to help resolve fear of the unknown because the only one who knows what is going to happen tomorrow is God. I need to follow His plan for my life. Every time to we try to learn more about tomorrow or that future event, something always has a way of changing at the last minute. Do you think that is by chance?

Pray: Dear heavenly father, I pray today that you grant me the knowledge and wisdom to live life to its fullest, giving all of my stress and anxiety to you because I can't change tomorrow, only you can and you know what's best for me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Wednesday, April 28

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: More than a Fan

Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Come by Hillong; God is with Us by Michael Olson; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves by David Crowder.

 The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Tuesday, April 27

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: More than a Fan

Weekend Music links on iTunes: The Time Has Come by Hillong; God is with Us by Michael Olson; Glory to God Forever by Fee; How He Loves by David Crowder.

 The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org

Daily Devotional: Monday, March 15

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: The Holy Spirit

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Not to Us by Chris Tomlin; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Love Came Down by Ben Cantelon; Til I See You by Hillsong.

Read: John 14:15-28

Think: At the core of every stressor or worry, there lies one of two fears: the fear of being left alone, or the fear of being out of control. Jesus addresses the first of these fears as He is talking to the disciples in John 14. He is breaking it down to them that he is leaving- that he is not going to be there for much longer. He realized that this news would strike the chord of that most basic fear of being left alone, and He didn't want them to get stuck in the fear.

We all know what it feels like to feel lonely. We are told of people in the bible who shared these lonely times: Elijah prayed to God, "I am the only one left!" (1 Kings 19:14). A psalmist wrote, "I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on a roof," (Ps 102:7). And even Jesus cried out while on the cross, "Father, father, why have you abandoned me?" (Mark 15:34). These feelings are painful, yet common.

Jesus reminded his disciples that even though he would be gone in physical form, that He would send a "Helper". The Holy Spirit is described in various bible translations as the "Advocate", the "Counselor", "Friend," and the "Spirit of Truth." One of the biggest ways the enemy trips us up is tempting us to believe that we "have to do it on our own", or "it's up to us", or "there's no one out there for us." But the Spirit of Truth stays with us offering to be our Helper. Now sometimes, we don't think we need the help, but our mistakes have a way of reminding us of the truth.

The truth is, that we not only need the Helper, but that He is always there with us and we are never alone. The Holy Spirit is a constant Friend. Turning to Him, day by day, and moment by moment is all that is required to accept the help.

Do: Name at least one thing that you will be asking the Holy Spirit for help today.

Pray: God, remind me that I am never alone and that I don't have to feel the stress or pressure of having to do things on my own. Help me to depend on the Helper each day. When I hear you speaking to me, help me to have the strength to do what you say.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org