I know we aren't supposed to test God. You know like, if You just get me out of this mess, I'll never do this again, or, okay God, if You really are who You say you are, then do this...
Alright, then I got confused. Malachi 3:10 says, Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and TEST Me (infasis mine) now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and poor out for you a blessing until it overflows. Here is my take on it. I was at a point in my life of desperation. I really felt like I didn't have enough money to make my bills, let alone give 10% of it to the church I attended. I felt so desperate, I tried it. Not only did all my bills get met, I was able to get into a work place where I built a considerable clientele and I was making more money than I ever had.
Here I go asking for forgiveness again. I quit doing it. I am now married and money isn't tight. We are blessed in so many ways, however, this past Sunday I came across this verse and I got a sinking feeling in my chest. I no longer want to test God. I just want to bless Him. I want Him to be able to bless others through the church I now attend. I can't say I tested Him before as much as I was desperate and willing to try anything. Now I feel that tithing is more a part of who I want to be in Christ.
Please understand, I am not trying to condemn or preach at anyone. This is my experience. This is my conviction. However, I know that when I was in God's financial plan, finances were not a problem. He is the creator of all things, including money, why would I ever think that I could do a better ob of controlling it than the one who gave it?
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Independance Day
Happy 4th of July! I just want to take a little time to say how thankful I am to live in the USA. Even with all the political junk on the forefront, we are a blessed nation. There are so many people who have fought to uphold that freedom over the years. If you get to spend time with any of them today, make sure you say thank you.
From a biblical point of view, what is freedom? Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners...Romans 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
The use of the word freedom, drawn from the Greek/Hebrew translation, isn't just freedom from the mosaic law, but from the dominion of sinful appetites and passions, also from a state of calamity and death. It stood for being a citizen, and in those days, only a free man, meaning someone without debt, could be one. So not only are we free from sin and death, but we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Are you getting that? Only free men can be citizens and Jesus paid for our citizenship. A debt I could never pay, ever, has been paid and I am going to eternity with my Jesus. Not only that, I get to tell others about it. I get to be a christian, which is to be Christ like. What did Christ do? He served. He got dirty. There is a song that makes me think of this. If you get a chance, listen to Trevor Morgan's "Jesus Rides the Subway". Hallelujah!
Comparatively, we live in a nation where our freedoms were fought for by others and we get to reep the benifits. Jesus, fought for our freedom, and we get to live in the benifits. Thank You Jesus. Do you want to make this your Independence Day ? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now that is freedom.
From a biblical point of view, what is freedom? Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners...Romans 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
The use of the word freedom, drawn from the Greek/Hebrew translation, isn't just freedom from the mosaic law, but from the dominion of sinful appetites and passions, also from a state of calamity and death. It stood for being a citizen, and in those days, only a free man, meaning someone without debt, could be one. So not only are we free from sin and death, but we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Are you getting that? Only free men can be citizens and Jesus paid for our citizenship. A debt I could never pay, ever, has been paid and I am going to eternity with my Jesus. Not only that, I get to tell others about it. I get to be a christian, which is to be Christ like. What did Christ do? He served. He got dirty. There is a song that makes me think of this. If you get a chance, listen to Trevor Morgan's "Jesus Rides the Subway". Hallelujah!
Comparatively, we live in a nation where our freedoms were fought for by others and we get to reep the benifits. Jesus, fought for our freedom, and we get to live in the benifits. Thank You Jesus. Do you want to make this your Independence Day ? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now that is freedom.
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