"The Lord instructs us to be content when our basic needs are met. "If we have food and clothing, we will be content" (I Timothy 6:8, NIV). It is important to understand the difference between a need and a want. Needs are the basic necessities of life - food, clothing, and shelter. Wants are anything in excess of needs. God may allow us to have our wants, but He has not promised to provide all of them."*
*Excerpt taken from Crown Biblical Financial Study Life Group Manual, page 21.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Prosperity from Job
"He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity."
Elihu is speaking about the goodness of God as he speaks to his friend, Job. We also are to hear the proclamation being made here and adhere to "instruction" from the Lord and "obey and serve Him."
This is the good life - a life without sin.
Job 36:10-11
Elihu is speaking about the goodness of God as he speaks to his friend, Job. We also are to hear the proclamation being made here and adhere to "instruction" from the Lord and "obey and serve Him."
This is the good life - a life without sin.
Job 36:10-11
Monday, March 29, 2010
Use of Worldly Wealth
Our use of material possessions and our being blessed by God is for the benefit of others. Like money, our possessions are an indicator or test of our relationship to the Lord. We must learn to handle money and possessions carefully and wisely so that we are not in a place where we desire them over the love of the Lord and our relationship with Him. With rulership remember we own nothing - it all belongs to God! It is stewardship God is rendering to us and in our stewardship we are to be responsible for God's stuff! Free your heart from possessing money and things and seeking security in these things. These are imposters' not true riches! As you are blessed and highly favored of the Lord your God, take what material wealth and the riches He bestows upon you and use them for the kingdom and not for personal gain. There are eternal rewards when your resources are used to bring glory to God.
Luke 16:13; Psalm 122:9
Luke 16:13; Psalm 122:9
Sunday, March 28, 2010
True Riches
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (the use of worldly wealth), who will commit to your trust the true riches?
- Luke 16:11
- Luke 16:11
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Heirs to the Throne
That's you and me! We are heirs to the Throne of God thanks to Jesus! As heirs we have to learn to live such, as heirs. We live without sin any more. We live with blessing and the favor of God! Hallelujah!
Practically speaking we are still responsible for our choice of living. Most of us have chosen without knowing it to live in mediocrity or maybe even poverty along with the rest of this world. We haven't yet grasp the thought or have the knowledge of where we are placed (in the kingdom) and where our responsibilities lie with the Lord. He does His part; are we doing ours?
I'm not necessarily speaking of financial means only when I talk about mediocrity or poverty. Where are the true riches anyway? They are not found in money. They are not found in having things or owning an abundance of things. They are found in Christ Jesus for it is He who is the True Riches. In other words, you can have very little in the eyes of this world in material blessings but yet be truly rich. On-the-other-hand you can have tons of money and material possessions and not have the true riches at all. Which will it be for you? One thing I know is that with the True Riches you also have the abundance of life!
Romans 6:6-7, 11, 14; Romans 8:13; Proverbs 12:2; Psalm 128; John 3; Luke 18:18-22; Luke 16:11; John 10:10
Practically speaking we are still responsible for our choice of living. Most of us have chosen without knowing it to live in mediocrity or maybe even poverty along with the rest of this world. We haven't yet grasp the thought or have the knowledge of where we are placed (in the kingdom) and where our responsibilities lie with the Lord. He does His part; are we doing ours?
I'm not necessarily speaking of financial means only when I talk about mediocrity or poverty. Where are the true riches anyway? They are not found in money. They are not found in having things or owning an abundance of things. They are found in Christ Jesus for it is He who is the True Riches. In other words, you can have very little in the eyes of this world in material blessings but yet be truly rich. On-the-other-hand you can have tons of money and material possessions and not have the true riches at all. Which will it be for you? One thing I know is that with the True Riches you also have the abundance of life!
Romans 6:6-7, 11, 14; Romans 8:13; Proverbs 12:2; Psalm 128; John 3; Luke 18:18-22; Luke 16:11; John 10:10
Friday, March 26, 2010
Sons and Daughters
From Kingdom Principles Study Guide by Myles Munroe, page 56:
"Jesus came that we might 'receive the full rights of sons.' This is legal language. They refer to legal rights and entitlements based on relationship of birth. We are sons and daughters of God. Sonship is our right by creation. Christ did not die to improve us; He died to regain and confirm us. The price He paid was not to make us worthy but to prove our worth. He did not come to enlist an army of servants. He came to restore the King's sons and daughters to their rightful position- rulership as heirs of His Kingdom."
Each day begin to think and live what Myles shares with us above. His book is revelation! The above has opened up our eyes and ears to see and hear that we are God's children, sons and daughters of God. This alone gives us value and worth but then to think that God the Creator of the Universe would send someone, not just anyone, but His own Son - who died for the cause - that we would be saved "to regain and confirm" the world for Christ! This is unthinkable at first until we receive His love and put our trust in Him. Still so above our thinking! God in Christ died for each one of us. We are restored to the Father as His sons and daughters and we have rulership! We are learning to live as heirs to the Throne!
"Jesus came that we might 'receive the full rights of sons.' This is legal language. They refer to legal rights and entitlements based on relationship of birth. We are sons and daughters of God. Sonship is our right by creation. Christ did not die to improve us; He died to regain and confirm us. The price He paid was not to make us worthy but to prove our worth. He did not come to enlist an army of servants. He came to restore the King's sons and daughters to their rightful position- rulership as heirs of His Kingdom."
Each day begin to think and live what Myles shares with us above. His book is revelation! The above has opened up our eyes and ears to see and hear that we are God's children, sons and daughters of God. This alone gives us value and worth but then to think that God the Creator of the Universe would send someone, not just anyone, but His own Son - who died for the cause - that we would be saved "to regain and confirm" the world for Christ! This is unthinkable at first until we receive His love and put our trust in Him. Still so above our thinking! God in Christ died for each one of us. We are restored to the Father as His sons and daughters and we have rulership! We are learning to live as heirs to the Throne!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
That Nasty Ol' Sin
Sin is sin - in the Christian and the sinner - as Christians we are to choose not to sin. How are you doing? Can you see why the world sees no difference in the church and them now? Our lives are supposed to change and we are supposed to be different from the world, but are we? Are you? It's time to let go of those nasty ol' sinful habits and live for God!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Romans 6
"So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land!"
"That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up and of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country."
"Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life - no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. "
"That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time - remember, you've been raised from the dead! - into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny and longer. You're living in the freedom of God."
Romans 6:1-14 from The Message
"That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up and of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country."
"Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life - no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did. "
"That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time - remember, you've been raised from the dead! - into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny and longer. You're living in the freedom of God."
Romans 6:1-14 from The Message
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We have Moved!
Yes, it's true! We have moved! As a Christian we move out of this world! We move into God's family and His kingdom! Praise the Lord! We are in a new Country and Jesus is Lord! We no longer have to be what the world says we are. Oh yes, sometimes we remain stuck in what the world says we are such as "sinners saved by grace" and that may be a true statement as far as the fact that we were sinners in this earth... once... but no more! We are all born into this world as sinners, yes, but God! And, that may be true because we don't discipline ourselves in the things/ways of God when we know we should - so sin comes along and we fall for it. But God! God has a plan for us! Because God sent His Son Jesus and we accept Jesus as our Savior we aren't living as sinners any more! We choose not to sin! He is Lord and He reigns in us because we choose to allow Him the reigns! Amen!
Let Him reign in you BIG time so that your light shines bright in this ugly world!
John 3:16; Romans 6:11; Matthew 5:16
Let Him reign in you BIG time so that your light shines bright in this ugly world!
John 3:16; Romans 6:11; Matthew 5:16
Monday, March 22, 2010
Defining Realm
According to Webster a realm is "a community or territory over which a sovereign rules; a kingdom." It also says it is "a field, sphere or province; the realm of service."
Look at Psalm 37:36 - "Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found." Who? The wicked!
We are no longer of this world; we are King's kids! We live like kids in the King's kingdom! Sin no longer reigns in us - we are alive to God!
Romans 6:11
Look at Psalm 37:36 - "Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found." Who? The wicked!
We are no longer of this world; we are King's kids! We live like kids in the King's kingdom! Sin no longer reigns in us - we are alive to God!
Romans 6:11
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Living in God's Kingdom
It's another realm or sphere. You're not up in the clouds on cloud 9 but it's something like that! You are planted here on earth but the Bible tells us in I Peter 2:11 that we are "like foreigners and strangers in this world." One translation even says we are pilgrims! Yes, we are breaking new territory for the Lord! It's because our home is Heaven and we are just here on earth temporarily. With work to do while here! We have kingdom work to do so we must live in the kingdom realm and not this worldly realm. When you become a Christian you are a new creature in Christ. See II Corinthians 5:17. It also says the old things - our old way of living and those things that keep us in the world - have passed away! Yes, and it says that all things are new - we have a new way of living because we are in a new kingdom! We are now living in God's country and not this world! That means we are new to thinking like God and talking like God and walking and living the way God would! Remember the saying WWJD? "What would Jesus do?" Well, He is our example of how to live on earth and live in the kingdom! If He did, guess what? We can too! He's our big brother and He will show us - the Holy Spirit He left with us will be our guide to understanding and our power of strength as we do it! Hip-hip-hooray and Hallelujah!!!
Think of it this way if it will help - you are living in another country but right in America. How do you do that? You would live like the French or Italians only you would be - for me, in Payson, Arizsona - I would have a French-style home and decorate it country French and maybe even wear clothing that's frilly and feminine like I picture the French women wearing and I would probably enjoy sipping a cup of tea or espresso sitting at a quaint outdoor cafe. So for the Christian, we live out what God says in His Word, the Bible, while we live in the world that has gone another way than the Bible. The world is a selfish place where people are thinking of themselves instead of others and using people as things instead of loving them. We walk in love because the Bible says God is love and that we are to love others as we love ourselves. Can you see it now? It isn't that hard to grasp - the hard part is putting it into practice and living it out - but we have the Holy Spirit and He shows us how by taking us through a process of maturing in the Word. This is holiness and we are called to "be holy for He is holy."
We are privileged! We are blessed! We live in a kingdom as king with the Lord Jesus the King of kings!
Ephesians 2:10; I Corinthians 7:1, 10; Romans 7; Philippians 2:13; I Thessalonians 4:7; Galatians 5:16; I John 4:4-11 and 2:15-17; I Peter 1:13-16 and 2:9
Think of it this way if it will help - you are living in another country but right in America. How do you do that? You would live like the French or Italians only you would be - for me, in Payson, Arizsona - I would have a French-style home and decorate it country French and maybe even wear clothing that's frilly and feminine like I picture the French women wearing and I would probably enjoy sipping a cup of tea or espresso sitting at a quaint outdoor cafe. So for the Christian, we live out what God says in His Word, the Bible, while we live in the world that has gone another way than the Bible. The world is a selfish place where people are thinking of themselves instead of others and using people as things instead of loving them. We walk in love because the Bible says God is love and that we are to love others as we love ourselves. Can you see it now? It isn't that hard to grasp - the hard part is putting it into practice and living it out - but we have the Holy Spirit and He shows us how by taking us through a process of maturing in the Word. This is holiness and we are called to "be holy for He is holy."
We are privileged! We are blessed! We live in a kingdom as king with the Lord Jesus the King of kings!
Ephesians 2:10; I Corinthians 7:1, 10; Romans 7; Philippians 2:13; I Thessalonians 4:7; Galatians 5:16; I John 4:4-11 and 2:15-17; I Peter 1:13-16 and 2:9
Saturday, March 20, 2010
His Truth Does March On
His truth does march on - it marches on in you and me! We must live above the circumstances in life and not let them dictate to us how our life will be; rather we choose to live above and not below - we are the head and not the tail! While here on earth we do not let the devil keep us bound up in his world; rather we go beyond his lies and deceitfulness and call on the Lord our God and His Word over our circumstances! Learn to live in God's Heavenly Kingdom even while you are on earth. We can! We are privileged as God's children! We are blessed abundantly! We have authority!
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall be any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
We must learn how to think, talk, walk, and live in God's Kingdom.
"The thief (the devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (the Lord Jesus Christ) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
- John 10:10
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall be any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
We must learn how to think, talk, walk, and live in God's Kingdom.
"The thief (the devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (the Lord Jesus Christ) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
- John 10:10
Friday, March 19, 2010
BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
Words by Julia W. Howe, 1861. Music to John Brown's Body.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
Words by Julia W. Howe, 1861. Music to John Brown's Body.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Illegal Pretender
Satan received control of the earth through Adam and Eve. He is an illegal pretender to the throne of the earth! Let's not be like Adam and Eve and believe his lies! This is what Myles Munroe has to say about it:
"Adam and Eve did not lose a religion because they had never had a religion; they had a kingdom. Religion is an invention of man, born of his efforts to find God and restore the kingdom on his own. But only God can restore the kingdom man lost... When Jesus brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, He brought also the promise of restoring to humankind the dominion over the earth that Adam and Eve had lost in Eden. He brought back our rulership." *
Next time you think of, see or go to the Cross of Jesus Christ, know that it is about Kingdom restoration of His power and authority over the earth through us - you and me - Christians! "It is about regaining rulership, not religion." (Myles Munroe) Thank the Lord for your salvation and thank Him for the power to victory over this earth, as we remain here to do His work!
Believe God. Walk in His truth and glorify the Lord.
Genesis 3:15, Galatians 4:4-5, Exodus 19:5-6, I Peter 5:9
* Myles Munroe, author, Kingdom Principles Study Guide; Understanding the Kingdom, pg. 52, 54
"Adam and Eve did not lose a religion because they had never had a religion; they had a kingdom. Religion is an invention of man, born of his efforts to find God and restore the kingdom on his own. But only God can restore the kingdom man lost... When Jesus brought the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, He brought also the promise of restoring to humankind the dominion over the earth that Adam and Eve had lost in Eden. He brought back our rulership." *
Next time you think of, see or go to the Cross of Jesus Christ, know that it is about Kingdom restoration of His power and authority over the earth through us - you and me - Christians! "It is about regaining rulership, not religion." (Myles Munroe) Thank the Lord for your salvation and thank Him for the power to victory over this earth, as we remain here to do His work!
Believe God. Walk in His truth and glorify the Lord.
Genesis 3:15, Galatians 4:4-5, Exodus 19:5-6, I Peter 5:9
* Myles Munroe, author, Kingdom Principles Study Guide; Understanding the Kingdom, pg. 52, 54
Monday, March 15, 2010
Salvation Rules
With your salvation comes the takeover of rulership! Yes! Having received Christ you now have the authority over the devil on this earth! It's true. The Bible says so! Adam and Eve had it all - the LORD walked with them in the garden. But, they blew it. They disobeyed God when they listened to the serpent in the garden instead of the LORD their God. So after being tossed out of the garden they had to fend for themselves on earth by toiling and laboring being under the rulership of satan himself. But God - He had a plan. He sent Christ for us that we might receive Him as our King. Yes, Lord Jesus. He defeated satan at the cross bearing all our sin and bringing restoration with the forgiveness of sin. By accepting Him and receiving Him into our lives we are restored to the rulership He had over satan! Who rules this world? Satan. How? We gave the authority to Him after God had given it to us. Read Genesis 1, 2, 3. Now read in the New Testament the Gospels about Jesus Christ and you will see that our salvation not only restores us to God; our salvation restores rulership over this earth to us! Hallelujah!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Give Another Shout
I am dead to sin and alive to God! Hallelujah! I have the Holy Spirit of God living BIG in me and He is conforming me to His character! My inner man is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Romans 6:11; I Corinthians 6:18-19; I Thessalonians 4:7-8; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 3:16
Romans 6:11; I Corinthians 6:18-19; I Thessalonians 4:7-8; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 3:16
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rise Up Each Morning with Joy
saying...
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" - Psalm 118:24
Shout it out loud if you have to do so, but say it and mean and begin each day with the joy of the Lord.
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" - Psalm 118:24
Shout it out loud if you have to do so, but say it and mean and begin each day with the joy of the Lord.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Choose Whom You Serve
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:17
To fear - worship and adore - the LORD, we serve Him in sincerity and in truth having no other gods before Him.
As Hezekiah was told by the prophet, "Set your house in order." Do it today and live!
Isaiah 38:1-5
To fear - worship and adore - the LORD, we serve Him in sincerity and in truth having no other gods before Him.
As Hezekiah was told by the prophet, "Set your house in order." Do it today and live!
Isaiah 38:1-5
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
How are you being led?
Are circumstances dictating to you what to do and where to go? Are your circumstances what are leading you in life? Don't let them dictate to you, you are to set your course and then stick to it! We get so distracted in our day-to-day living that without even knowing it we let circumstances and situations dictate to us. However, if you have established priorities in your life this may not happen to you. Choose today to follow God's plans and instructions for your purpose in life and stay on course. Keep focused. Keep alert. Watch and pray and don't ever loose heart. He is faithful to complete in you that which He has promised.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
Monday, March 8, 2010
It's All About Money
If life is all about money, our making a big deal out of it isn't so bad then, is it? What is the big deal about money? Are you striving after money? Longing to have more of it? Not using what you do have properly? Hoarding? Being greedy with it? Climbing the latter of success and letting everything else in your life go? Another side of money... are you stashing it away for a rainy day? Saving it just in case? Being a tight wad? Is it your security blanket? All these questions could have a yes answer but shouldn't. With a yes answer you are putting your trust in money and things and not trusting true riches that are necessary for living in abundance in this world. The Lord had His plan for you from the very beginning of your life and He is seeing you through life test after test and much of it has to do with your money.
Put your money aside. Could you live without it? Could you trust Jesus and allow Him to be your Lord? Provider? Healer? Leader? Protector? Everything you may ever need?
Put your money in the offering plate. Plant your money in people. Take your money and give it away. Be a generous giver. He is your success. He is your security blanket. He is the answer to what it's all about, not your money. He is the true riches you are seeking and longing for in life.
Life is a continuous test with your money. How are you with money?
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity... I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB)
Put your money aside. Could you live without it? Could you trust Jesus and allow Him to be your Lord? Provider? Healer? Leader? Protector? Everything you may ever need?
Put your money in the offering plate. Plant your money in people. Take your money and give it away. Be a generous giver. He is your success. He is your security blanket. He is the answer to what it's all about, not your money. He is the true riches you are seeking and longing for in life.
Life is a continuous test with your money. How are you with money?
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity... I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Tithe
"Bring all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." - Malachi 3:10
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Money Test
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.'"
"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (worldly wealth: money, possessions), who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
It's a test. Our use of our money and possessions; who are we or what are we using them for? It is a valid test of one's relationship to God; are they for God's glory or our own? God tests us to see just how "fit" (responsible) we are to receive the true riches of Heaven by our use of material possessions here on Earth. We are to live responsibly to bring glory to God.
We must handle money carefully and use it wisely; otherwise we will desire it over our devotion to the Lord. It's best to remember it all belongs to Him and to do right by it.
Matthew 19:23, Luke 16:1-13, Luke 18:18-22, Matthew 6:19-21
"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (worldly wealth: money, possessions), who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
It's a test. Our use of our money and possessions; who are we or what are we using them for? It is a valid test of one's relationship to God; are they for God's glory or our own? God tests us to see just how "fit" (responsible) we are to receive the true riches of Heaven by our use of material possessions here on Earth. We are to live responsibly to bring glory to God.
We must handle money carefully and use it wisely; otherwise we will desire it over our devotion to the Lord. It's best to remember it all belongs to Him and to do right by it.
Matthew 19:23, Luke 16:1-13, Luke 18:18-22, Matthew 6:19-21
Friday, March 5, 2010
How Much Shall I Give?
The Lord knows what you do with your money. Just as He was watching one day in the temple, He watches today. He knows those who use their money for Him out of pride or a haughty spirit or those who give in a humble way out of their love for Him. He was watching the treasury one day in the temple and after many had given out of so much that they had, He saw a husbandless woman give all that she had. It was only two mites so why would that excite Him? Because of her heart. She had a love that none of the others had for Him. She gave it all. She bowed in surrender of a great Love given to her.
"So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury, for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.'"
It is hard for a rich man to get to Heaven. Or haven't you heard? So how rich are you? The important thing to Jesus is not the amount of the money you give but the commitment and sacrifice it represents in your life for Him.
Mark 12:41-44
"So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury, for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.'"
It is hard for a rich man to get to Heaven. Or haven't you heard? So how rich are you? The important thing to Jesus is not the amount of the money you give but the commitment and sacrifice it represents in your life for Him.
Mark 12:41-44
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Seed Money
It all belongs to God - everything! It's all His creation. His designs. We are His. Our family belongs to Him. Our possessions are on loan to us. Our money? It's all His. How do we keep it? The money? All these things? By recognizing it's all His. Using it all for His glory. By giving it to Him. He only asks for part of it. But by giving Him the part He asks for we keep the rest and it is protected by Him. Now that's a "hallelujah and an amen!"
Plant your money seed in Him. Take the first that He asks for, the tithe, which is 10%, and plant it in the church you attend. The rest is protected by the Lord and you will see it grow - yes, grow - after He has what He's asked for He takes the rest and blesses you! You will see it go farther than you ever thought possible. Now what do you do with the rest of it?
I know you have bills to pay and I know you have needs. But for every bit of money, no matter how great or small, that you plant in the kingdom of God as seed it will grow and multiply back to you 100, 60 or 30 times more! That's growth. That's increase! That's an offering over and above the tithe and God honors all your giving to please Him. He honors those things, which bring Him glory. He blesses those things - seeds - planted in His Name!
Trust God with your money since it's His money in the first place and see how your bills get paid, your needs get met and His kingdom gets blessed!
"Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength."
- I Chronicles 29:11-12 TLB
Malachi 3:10-11, Philippians 4:19, Mark 4:20, Proverbs 10:22
Plant your money seed in Him. Take the first that He asks for, the tithe, which is 10%, and plant it in the church you attend. The rest is protected by the Lord and you will see it grow - yes, grow - after He has what He's asked for He takes the rest and blesses you! You will see it go farther than you ever thought possible. Now what do you do with the rest of it?
I know you have bills to pay and I know you have needs. But for every bit of money, no matter how great or small, that you plant in the kingdom of God as seed it will grow and multiply back to you 100, 60 or 30 times more! That's growth. That's increase! That's an offering over and above the tithe and God honors all your giving to please Him. He honors those things, which bring Him glory. He blesses those things - seeds - planted in His Name!
Trust God with your money since it's His money in the first place and see how your bills get paid, your needs get met and His kingdom gets blessed!
"Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is at Your discretion that men are made great and given strength."
- I Chronicles 29:11-12 TLB
Malachi 3:10-11, Philippians 4:19, Mark 4:20, Proverbs 10:22
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Seed Prayer
"Father, in the Name of Jesus and by Your Word, I sow this seed.
I plant it and invest it into Your kingdom.
I declare Your Word over this seed,
and I speak life to it - Seed, you grow and you multiply a thousand times.
I bind the devil from stealing you.
Doubt and unbelief will not choke you out.
You take root and produce.
I believe for a hundredfold return.
I receive my harvest now!
Now, ministering angels, you go on my behalf and bring in my harvest.
Father, I thank You for it.
Be glorified.
Lord, I thank and I praise You!
Your Word is true, and Your Word is alive.
It is the life of my seed.
My harvest is coming, and I put the sickle to it.
I am a blessing to Your kingdom.
I am a blessing to nations and all people around me.
I am a sower! I am a blesser!
You have increased me and my household to be a blessing.
Glory to You!"
I plant it and invest it into Your kingdom.
I declare Your Word over this seed,
and I speak life to it - Seed, you grow and you multiply a thousand times.
I bind the devil from stealing you.
Doubt and unbelief will not choke you out.
You take root and produce.
I believe for a hundredfold return.
I receive my harvest now!
Now, ministering angels, you go on my behalf and bring in my harvest.
Father, I thank You for it.
Be glorified.
Lord, I thank and I praise You!
Your Word is true, and Your Word is alive.
It is the life of my seed.
My harvest is coming, and I put the sickle to it.
I am a blessing to Your kingdom.
I am a blessing to nations and all people around me.
I am a sower! I am a blesser!
You have increased me and my household to be a blessing.
Glory to You!"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Seeds Sown in Others
Don't like your neighbor's garden? No matter what it is you don't like about it you can do something about it. What are you doing about it now? Moaning and groaning? Grumbling and complaining? Make a change in what you are doing and especially saying about that neighbor. Start sowing seeds of love! Go ahead, plant kind words and gentleness on a daily basis. Be a giver of encouragement and support. Do it for the benefit of your neighbor and see what God can do. It may not happen over night but then how long have you been planting bad seed and letting the weeds grow? So it takes some time. One day you will see a beautiful garden next door or down the street... at the office or in church... maybe right in your own backyard! Choose to plant life in all the gardens around you today and forever and reap the reward of friendships.
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 5:43-48
Monday, March 1, 2010
Seeds Sown in Us
What is a seed? There are many varieties or kinds of seeds. We know that when you plant a seed it is suppose to grow. Some do. Some don't. Some grow half the way and then are no more. Some grow but don't look so good. Some grow and blossom and sprout some more! Those are the kinds of seeds we want to plant in our garden so that our garden is productive and beautiful.
It doesn't always happen because of a variety of different kinds of problems. Weather, water and weeds are the biggest challenges for our garden. Too much sun or too little can be another problem.
Seed in the Bible at Mark 4 is the Word of God. This seed is to be planted in us. When it is planted in us it is suppose to grow. We are supposed to grow. We can help it along or we can hinder it just like the plant that needs water and sunlight. Or we can let the weeds grow and the weather beat us down. Life is fair. God has given us the right to choose. What we sow we shall reap.
Galatians 6:7-9
It doesn't always happen because of a variety of different kinds of problems. Weather, water and weeds are the biggest challenges for our garden. Too much sun or too little can be another problem.
Seed in the Bible at Mark 4 is the Word of God. This seed is to be planted in us. When it is planted in us it is suppose to grow. We are supposed to grow. We can help it along or we can hinder it just like the plant that needs water and sunlight. Or we can let the weeds grow and the weather beat us down. Life is fair. God has given us the right to choose. What we sow we shall reap.
Galatians 6:7-9
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