little black book ...

I have a little black book –
It is filled with names and numbers –

It is a small book –
It is only 4 ½ x 3 ¼ inches

It is a little black book filled with memories –
It is a little black book filled with grand ideas –
It is a little black book filled with grand ideas OF GIVING

It is a little black book which chronicles those who have given –
It is a little black book which records those who are special to me –
It is a little black book which details how and what I will give –
It contains the names of individuals, ministries and countries –
EVERYTHING in the little black book will be fulfilled –

I thought about my little black book this morning -
Reading the Message version of Malachi 3:16-18 which states:

'Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving Him.”’

Those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over -
God saw what they were doing and listened in -
The book of remembrance was opened
The minutes were taken of the meeting -
The names were written down, of those who fear, honor and reverance GOD

OH, TO BE IN GOD'S BOOK!

I believe many of the people in my book are in God’s book –
And what a joy it is to partner with Him,
To be a distributor of His blessings, of His special treatment

BUT, HOW DO WE END UP IN THE BOOK?

Living a life that honors God –
Living a life of unyielding faithfulness –
Honoring God in our giving –
Honoring God with the fruit of our lips –

In Faith’s Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon it says, ‘Always to have an eye to the Lord’s eye, and an ear for the Lord’s voice – this is the right state for the godly man. His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation.’

Psalm 16:8 says, ‘I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.’

WHAT HAVE YOU SET BEFORE YOU?

Have you committed yourself to living a life that honors Him –
Even if it costs you?

Do you possess His nature in giving?
Does He have first place on your priority list?
Does He have first place in your checkbook?

John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world that HE GAVE'
He gave Jesus, He gave His very best
Have you accepted His wonderful and free Gift?

Do you offer to Him your best in every area of life?
Do you take time daily to acknowledge GOD and speak of His goodness?

If you do, there’s a strong likelihood that you’re in the book,
Noted as one to receive special treatment from the LORD –
What a Blessing!