Podcasts about god yet

Part 4 of "Inside Track." Luke 5:27-32 This sermon covers the third part of our purpose statement: Love People Who Don't Know God Yet.

How would you like to be so excited about your experience in the secret place with God each day it's all you can do to keep from saying: Am I there yet?....

Be blessed by this powerful Christian sermon that will help you introspect your stand before GOD. You can buy my new bestselling book, UNVEIL YOUR PURPOSE (a #1 Newly Released Bestseller on Amazon) here: India: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.in/UNVEIL-YOUR-PURPOSE-John-Giftah/dp/B08K2CJKP2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=john+giftah&qid=1611990618&sr=8-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Global Amazon.com: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Unveil-Your-Purpose-Complete-Created-ebook/dp/B08L7XX9PJ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=john+giftah%27&qid=1611990705&sr=8-2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can stay in touch with me through these platforms: YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/johngiftah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/johngiftah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjohngiftah/ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.johngiftah.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're blessed by this sermon, don't forget to share it with someone, and please do rate/ review the podcast so that it will help us reach more people with the message of hope. For supporting the ministry financially:  PayPal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠paypal.me/johngiftah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Link to The Inspiration Hub Podcast: Apple Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-inspiration-hub/id1596599540⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Link to Weekly Tamil Christian Messages Podcast (John Giftah) : Apple Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/tamil-christian-messages-john-giftah/id1596445581⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the "Fuel for the Soul with John Giftah" podcast (Among the Top Christian Podcasts in India Ranking #1 / #2 on multiple podcast platforms and among the Top Podcasts in the world (2021)) :   Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fuel-for-the-soul-with-john-giftah-inspirational/id1588234296⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #JohnGiftah #JohnGiftahPodcast #Christian #Christianity #BibleStudy #Faith #Hope #InspirationalSermon #ChristianMotivation #ChristianInspiration #Motivation #Motivational #Inspirational #Bible #BibleStudy --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-giftah/message

‘Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead:  whom makest thou thyself?‘Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:‘Yet ye have not known him; but I know him:  and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you:  but I know him, and keep his saying.‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day:  and he saw it, and was glad.‘Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?‘Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.'—John 8:53–58 ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.'—John 1:1

We must have a proper view of God and this psalm gives us the correct view. God knows us better than we know ourselves.

Today, we are talking about prayer and Scripture, which are often some of the first spiritual practices that come to mind when we think about ways to connect with God… Yet, engaging with prayer and Scripture are often some of the most challenging rhythms for us to maintain.  In this week's episode, my new friend, Rachael Wade is here to give us ideas and inspiration from her own journey about how to experience God's presence through prayer and Scripture.  The Pantone color that I chose for this week is Lime Punch. It is fabulous and bright, because prayer and talking with God throughout our days can vibrancy to the most mundane days. Prayer and Scripture change the way we see ourselves, others, and our circumstances, helping us see light where the world sees darkness. So, that is why I chose one of the brightest colors in the Pantone guide book for next week! ------- Rachael is a wife, mom of two, seminary student, writer, and teacher who is passionate about encouraging & equipping men & women with the word of God. She believes in the power of the "in process" everyday story. For this reason, she created Olive Us a ministry where women recount to remember the goodness & faithfulness of God. Rachael faithfully serves at Epic Church in San Francisco, where she leads small groups and is on the teaching team. When Rachael isn't leading, teaching, and writing on her "Seeds of Encouragement" blog, she's hanging out in her comfy pajamas at home with her family, enjoying a nice charcuterie board, laughing at something because what is life without laughter, or riding/running with her Peloton people.  *Rachael's 'Olive Us' interviews drop on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and all Major Podcast platforms on the 1st of every month. * --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/carly-bartlett/support

A History LessonReader: Jon WatsonDate: 16th September 2022Passage: Daniel 11:45-------------------You can find many ways to explain what history is and if it has a great lesson to teach us. Winston Churchill wrote: "To test the present you must appeal to history." One of the Christian historians wrote: "What history does is to uncover man's universal sin." (H. Butterfield). You can certainly see that plainly when you read the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.In its later chapters the Book of Daniel tells of kings and queens, generals and war-lords, each of them appearing for a time seeming to be all-powerful until an even more powerful leader appeared and toppled them. One of the most ruthless and ungodly of these leaders appears in the second part of Daniel 11. It seemed he could do anything he liked. But look at the words at the top of this page. That happened in 164 BC. Today he is forgotten.In the middle of all that is described in Daniel God was working out his purposes. In the overthrow of all these ancient rulers and especially the king of whom we read in Daniel chapter 11, we have a picture of what is yet to happen when Satan the great anti-Christ and all who follow him will be overthrown under the terrible judgement of God - "Yet he shall come to his end with none to help him." Only God is the all-powerful one whose kingdom has no end. Then all will see that history is truly his story and the end will be glorious.

Are you laboring with discontentment? Seeking to improve your possessions, status, or situation in and of itself is not a bad thing. But when the aspiration for any of these becomes restless and causes you to take your eyes off of Jesus and focus on the world's standards, then discontentment will follow. Join Jodi and her friend, Wendy Munn, as they have an honest conversation about learning what it takes to overcome discontent.   *Sometimes pennies in your path appear when you least expect them to.  P.S. Question: Question: Are you laboring with discontentment? Why? Growing Deeper- One Simple Action Step: Are there areas you may need to lament (losses, hurts, betrayals, injustices, etc.) in your journey of “learning” to be content? Scripture Plunge: Philippians 4:1-23, Acts 16:9-10, Verses for Prayers for Contentment Psalm 23, Psalm 130:5 (the whole psalm), Psalm 91, Psalm 57, Psalm 37:3-4, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 4:25-27, Proverbs 19:23, Isaiah 26:3-4, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Matthew 6:33-34, John 14:27, Joshua 1:9, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Colossians1:24, John 4:13-15 Download the Contentment in Challenging Times Work Sheet Do you need prayer? Contact Jodi by clicking here. Or email Jodi at email@JodiAiken.com. *To watch this episode, visit my YouTube Channel, “Pennies in Your Path.” If you are listening from my Website, you can also listen on most any podcast app at “Pennies in Your Path.” Click here to see a few of the options. Would you like to begin receiving updates from Jodi in your inbox? Click here to subscribe Also, let us connect! Follow me at these places below and say hi! Jodi's Website FaceBook Page Instagram Twitter  

In this episode, Associate Pastor T.J. Tyus talks about walking in obedience with God, following his word despite others opinions, and focusing on the principles Jesus used to defy the trials of life. Observe how Jesus conducted himself from the second chapter of John. “I won't let my problems distract me from God's promises!” 4:36 - “Outward obedience provides inward growth.” Obeying God's word prospers your mind, soul an ability to make great decisions. 8:20 - John 2:1-12 18:15 - Don't take God out of the equation! There's a distinct difference between Godly and good solutions. Godly solutions sustains your life greatly versus good decisions potentially having a temporary effect. 25:15 - “Walk in expectancy with God. His word does not return void!” Put on the armor of God and believe great things are headed your way! Takeaways ⁃ What has been depleted from your life that you need to depend on God to replenish? ⁃ Be able to do what God tells you with looking for confirmation from people around you. Do what Jesus says: 1. Although it may not be the place you expect it to happen. 2. Although you're experiencing problems that need solutions. We have the source to overcome anything we face with great belief and faith. 3. Although you may not be encouraged to do so. God has the ability to perform miracles when you believe. 4. Although you may not have a relationship with him yet. God can intercede at any point in your life. 5. Although you haven't experienced a miracle from God YET. There's a chance that he's done a miracle for you already that hasn't been noticed. 6. Although you may not understand the process he's taking you through. To learn more and to support A Place of Change Ministry please visit us @www.apocministry.org.

Bible Study & Devotional (Day 128)

Tyler and Andy wrap up their discussion of Habakkuk by examining the prophet's prayer of praise concerning God's awesome power and his faith in the face of calamity

Welcome to the Real Refreshment podcast! Join us as we dive into motherhood at the foot of the throne with your host Rachael Carman! If you are tired, overwhelmed, and feeling alone, this is the place for you. A place for real moms, with real stories, seeking real refreshment found only in the living God. You can visit Rachaelcarman.com to join her online community of moms who are taking the dare to be in the word themselves as a top priority in the journey of motherhood.

About this episode: In this episode, Chynna shares how giving thanks to God no matter what can easily change your mood no matter the season.  Join Chynna in the Luxxe Life: IG: https://www.instagram.com/chynnalamani/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/theluxxelifepod/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNVprszHwPl8jbpXKLUtsDA

living-california.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/david-baker41/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/david-baker41/support

God has a big project at hand on earth but to accomplish the project, He needs Man's permission to invade the earth, despite the fact that he is God almighty, most powerful, yet he cannot enforce his will on earth except he finds a man. Will you be that Man he needs?

Psalm 78 tells of abundant provision from the hand of God: “Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat,” (vv23-25). God's provision is as much a matter of faith as it is a matter of fact. I have never unwillingly missed a meal. It would be safe to say that God commanded “the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens” and “rained down manna” for me to eat each and every day of my entire life. He has literally sent my loved ones and me “all the food they could eat” just like the Bible promised. So why do I still worry about God's provision?

Israel was scattered because she forgot God—Yet the nations that plunder her will be destroyed. The post Isaiah 17 appeared first on Sacred Text Daily.

Please, subscribe, in your preferred app, to partake in freshly released anointed prayers and receive Spiritual insight. Believing that God is still moving by his power. Acknowledging that God is waiting on our faith to measure up to our request so that he can approve the manifestation. Acknowledging that the ones of us that are strong must bear the infirmity of the week in prayer. #beverly #davidRay #erica #denise #joseph #siana #liz #calvan #anona #trevva #trimeka --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ravenia/message

Find the accompanying PowerPoint here. "We Have Trespassed Against Our God... Yet Now There Is Hope", by Mike Webb. 7/11/2021 Sunday PM Sermon.

Israel was scattered because she forgot God—Yet the nations that plunder her will be destroyed. The post Isaiah 17 appeared first on Sacred Text Daily.

Join us for our Morning Service as Bishop Alfred Jackson brings us this encouraging message: "Hold On! There Are Plans of God Yet To Be Fulfilled." If you would like to donate to the ministry, please visit: https://www.topraise.org/give

Our God is powerful enough to be my strength and my weakest moments yet human enough to grow tired and relate to me when I do --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/justin-bridges9/support

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19) The Saviour of the world, crucified? What an irony! The disciples must be so puzzled and wondered, how does this work? Not too long before Jesus' Crucifixion, the disciples must have remembered His words, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He who said has overcome the world, now laid in a tomb. The Cross is seen by the world as a symbol of defeat, curses, death, shame and weakness. Paul said it is “the power of God” to those who believe. The people who live under the bondages of sin and darkness are living in defeat, curses of sins, death, threat of death (fear) and shame - powerless. The wisdom of God is to send His only begotten Son, Jesus to die on the Cross as man. Thus, taking upon Himself all that the world knows of what the Cross represents, not for Himself, but for the people of the world. Those who believe in Jesus no longer need to live in defeat, under the curses of sin, death and its threat (fear) and powerlessness, because Jesus has taken them from us. The way of God overcoming the world is in the eyes of the world, foolishness. The power of the Cross is when we recognize we can bring our sin, which is the root cause of defeat, death, fear, shame and weaknesses, to be crucified along with Jesus. In exchange, we receive from Jesus victory, life eternal, abundant life and power to overcome. For the power of the Cross to overcome is in the wisdom and love of God: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-30) Let us approach the Cross with humility, thanksgiving and great expectation. Let us surrender our sins, along with defeat, fear, shame and weaknesses to Jesus, who has overcome sin and the world, conquered death and defeated Satan. In exchange, let us receive the blessing of “more than conquerors” into our lives, so that we might truly experience the goodness of Good Friday! Prayer Focus Surrender to Jesus today all your past regrets, defeat, failure, shame, fear and weaknesses. Pray that the overcoming power of the Cross will manifest in each and every part of your life, so that you would experience the victory of the Cross in those areas.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://titusededjo.home.blog/2020/07/21/jesus-christ-is-the-incarnate-of-god-yet-he-is-god/

Jesus asked us to be humble. That means to not pretend to know everything God knows. From that silence and pondering true wisdom can be had.

"Feet-First" is a term younger people may not be familiar with. Typically, if someone has been injured or died in a tragedy or as the result of a crime, they are carried out of the building feet-first. Feet-First also means nothing will dissuade you from accomplishing the ministry God has entrusted to you. Have you ever been or ever experienced a moment in life when God asked you to do something impossible? Join me today for a challenging podcast. Download my new book, Foundations.

This prayer reveals that God reigns over everything. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 103 Psalm 103 (Listen) Bless the Lord, O My Soul Of David. 103   Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and all that is within me,    bless his holy name!2   Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and forget not all his benefits,3   who forgives all your iniquity,    who heals all your diseases,4   who redeems your life from the pit,    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,5   who satisfies you with good    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6   The LORD works righteousness    and justice for all who are oppressed.7   He made known his ways to Moses,    his acts to the people of Israel.8   The LORD is merciful and gracious,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9   He will not always chide,    nor will he keep his anger forever.10   He does not deal with us according to our sins,    nor repay us according to our iniquities.11   For as high as the heavens are above the earth,    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;12   as far as the east is from the west,    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.13   As a father shows compassion to his children,    so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14   For he knows our frame;1    he remembers that we are dust. 15   As for man, his days are like grass;    he flourishes like a flower of the field;16   for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,    and its place knows it no more.17   But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,    and his righteousness to children’s children,18   to those who keep his covenant    and remember to do his commandments.19   The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,    and his kingdom rules over all. 20   Bless the LORD, O you his angels,    you mighty ones who do his word,    obeying the voice of his word!21   Bless the LORD, all his hosts,    his ministers, who do his will!22   Bless the LORD, all his works,    in all places of his dominion.  Bless the LORD, O my soul! Footnotes [1] 103:14 Or knows how we are formed (ESV) Pentateuch and History: 2 Kings 12 2 Kings 12 (Listen) 12 In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash1 began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places. Jehoash Repairs the Temple 4 Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of the LORD, the money for which each man is assessed—the money from the assessment of persons—and the money that a man’s heart prompts him to bring into the house of the LORD, 5 let the priests take, each from his donor, and let them repair the house wherever any need of repairs is discovered.” 6 But by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, the priests had made no repairs on the house. 7 Therefore King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said to them, “Why are you not repairing the house? Now therefore take no more money from your donors, but hand it over for the repair of the house.” 8 So the priests agreed that they should take no more money from the people, and that they should not repair the house. 9 Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar on the right side as one entered the house of the LORD. And the priests who guarded the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD. 10 And whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king’s secretary and the high priest came up and they bagged and counted the money that was found in the house of the LORD. 11 Then they would give the money that was weighed out into the hands of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of the LORD. And they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the LORD, 12 and to the masons and the stonecutters, as well as to buy timber and quarried stone for making repairs on the house of the LORD, and for any outlay for the repairs of the house. 13 But there were not made for the house of the LORD basins of silver, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, or any vessels of gold, or of silver, from the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, 14 for that was given to the workmen who were repairing the house of the LORD with it. 15 And they did not ask for an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly. 16 The money from the guilt offerings and the money from the sin offerings was not brought into the house of the LORD; it belonged to the priests. 17 At that time Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. But when Hazael set his face to go up against Jerusalem, 18 Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred gifts that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah his fathers, the kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred gifts, and all the gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent these to Hazael king of Syria. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem. The Death of Joash 19 Now the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 20 His servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. 21 It was Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, who struck him down, so that he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his place. Footnotes [1] 12:1 Jehoash is an alternate spelling of Joash (son of Ahaziah) as in 11:2; also verses 2, 4, 6, 7, 18 (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Malachi 3:1–12 Malachi 3:1–12 (Listen) 3 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.1 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. Robbing God 6 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer2 for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Footnotes [1] 3:3 Or and they will belong to the Lord, bringers of an offering in righteousness [2] 3:11 Probably a name for some crop-destroying pest or pests (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: John 6:22–71 John 6:22–71 (Listen) I Am the Bread of Life 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread1 the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus2 said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. The Words of Eternal Life 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him. Footnotes [1] 6:58 Greek lacks the bread [2] 6:59 Greek He (ESV)

Malachi 3:6–18 ESV 6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. 13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’ ” 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Psalm 89:34 ESV 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. James 1:17 ESV 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. The Message: God doesn’t change , and man doesn’t either . The Challenge: God doesn’t change (He’s all in for you ). Has Jesus Changed you? (Or are you withholding something from Him?) James 1:5–8 ESV 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Mark 10:21–22 ESV 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Psalm 73:1–3 ESV 1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:16–17 ESV 16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Romans 8:29… He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness]James 3:14-22, 25-26 The best way to identify a citizen of Heaven is by their good deeds. True citizens of Heaven are marked by generosity. Generosity Misconception #1: Tithing to your local church is generous.When you tithe, you are “not robbing” from God, and “not robbing” does not equate to generosity. Malachi 3:8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.Generosity Misconception #2: You have to be wealthy to be generous. Mark 12:41-44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”The value of the gift is determined by what it costs the giver.If you are waiting for more to be generous, you’ll forever be waiting to be generous.Generosity Misconception #3: Stewardship is greater than generosity.John 12:1-8 John 12:4-8 The world doesn’t understand Kingdom generosity, so don’t be surprised when your generosity upsets them. Generosity Misconception #4: Money is the currency of generosity. Every citizen of Heaven has something of value to give.Colossians 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.How do we KILL Greed? Don’t water it. Don’t feed it. Behavior: Greed Be Shoppin’Root: Idolatry & GluttonyBehavior: Greed Be Hoardin’Root: FearPhilippians 2:4-7 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.Behavior: Greed Be Ignorin’Luke 10:30-32 A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.Root: PrideRomans 11:36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.Colossians 3:10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. If you have a problem with generosity, you have a problem understanding who you are in Christ.

Malachi 1–4 Malachi 1–4 (Listen) 1 The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.1 The Lord’s Love for Israel 2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!” The Priests’ Polluted Offerings 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be2 great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. The Lord Rebukes the Priests 2 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring,3 and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.4 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction5 was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people6 should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.” Judah Profaned the Covenant 10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant7 of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts! 13 And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?8 And what was the one God9 seeking?10 Godly offspring. So guard yourselves11 in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,12 says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers13 his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” The Messenger of the Lord 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” 3 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.14 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. Robbing God 6 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer15 for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. 13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” The Book of Remembrance 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 16 The Great Day of the Lord 4 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules17 that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”18 Footnotes [1] 1:1 Malachi means my messenger [2] 1:11 Or is (three times in verse 11; also verse 14) [3] 2:3 Hebrew seed [4] 2:3 Or to it [5] 2:6 Or law; also verses 7, 8, 9 [6] 2:7 Hebrew they [7] 2:12 Hebrew any who wakes and answers [8] 2:15 Hebrew in it [9] 2:15 Hebrew the one [10] 2:15 Or And not one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. And what was that one seeking? [11] 2:15 Or So take care; also verse 16 [12] 2:16 Hebrew who hates and divorces [13] 2:16 Probable meaning (compare Septuagint and Deuteronomy 24:1–4); or “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce, and him who covers [14] 3:3 Or and they will belong to the Lord, bringers of an offering in righteousness [15] 3:11 Probably a name for some crop-destroying pest or pests [16] 3:18 Ch 4:1–6 is ch 3:19–24 in Hebrew [17] 4:4 Or and just decrees [18] 4:6 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction (ESV)

Malachi 1–4 Malachi 1–4 (Listen) 1 The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.1 The Lord’s Love for Israel 2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!” The Priests’ Polluted Offerings 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. 9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be2 great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. The Lord Rebukes the Priests 2 “And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring,3 and spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you shall be taken away with it.4 4 So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. 6 True instruction5 was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people6 should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.” Judah Profaned the Covenant 10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? 11 Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant7 of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts! 13 And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?8 And what was the one God9 seeking?10 Godly offspring. So guard yourselves11 in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,12 says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers13 his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” The Messenger of the Lord 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” 3 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.14 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. Robbing God 6 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer15 for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. 13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” The Book of Remembrance 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 16 The Great Day of the Lord 4 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. 4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules17 that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”18 Footnotes [1] 1:1 Malachi means my messenger [2] 1:11 Or is (three times in verse 11; also verse 14) [3] 2:3 Hebrew seed [4] 2:3 Or to it [5] 2:6 Or law; also verses 7, 8, 9 [6] 2:7 Hebrew they [7] 2:12 Hebrew any who wakes and answers [8] 2:15 Hebrew in it [9] 2:15 Hebrew the one [10] 2:15 Or And not one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. And what was that one seeking? [11] 2:15 Or So take care; also verse 16 [12] 2:16 Hebrew who hates and divorces [13] 2:16 Probable meaning (compare Septuagint and Deuteronomy 24:1–4); or “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce, and him who covers [14] 3:3 Or and they will belong to the Lord, bringers of an offering in righteousness [15] 3:11 Probably a name for some crop-destroying pest or pests [16] 3:18 Ch 4:1–6 is ch 3:19–24 in Hebrew [17] 4:4 Or and just decrees [18] 4:6 The Hebrew term rendered decree of utter destruction refers to things devoted (or set apart) to the Lord (or by the Lord) for destruction (ESV)

Proverbs In 365 Devotions For a full transcript go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19 That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? ......... Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. We are blind; he is the eye opener. We are deaf to his words; he gives us ears to hear. We have no understanding or awareness until God let’s us know Jesus is the greatest treasure in the Universe. We are dead spiritually like Lazarus was physically until God says come forth. We are without form and void, and darkness is over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God hovers over our heart. And God says let there be light and we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. 2nd Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The good news is how Jesus is the promised one from Genesis 3 after mankind fell into sin. He would come and do what mankind did not do and that is obey Gods commandments and keep his word perfectly as a man. He gives his righteousness to all who believe God concerning Jesus, looking to him as the promised one for their unrighteousness. Jesus came and lived a perfect life and died the wicked sinners death we deserve. He was paid the wages of our sin. Then, on the third day he defeated the hold sin had in death through the law (the wages of sin is death… the soul that sinners it shall die); and God gives us that same power over the hold sin has in life to have victory over temptation as we walk with him. God will raise us as Jesus was raised no longer subject to the entropy connected with sin to be with him forever. So back to the text… again; the first reason Solomon wrote about the truths he says is “to make you know what is right and true”. He wants our eyes and ears and heart to be awakened to Gods truths. Thats what happens when we see Jesus as good news. 2nd Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2ndly Solomon says he writes these things “that you may give a true answer to those who sent you”. So yes this goes perfectly with the Gospel through all of scripture. #1 see, #2 share. We usually do this automatically even when we are passionate about things of this world. Football and all sports... other hobbies... our favorite food, music.... we see, we hear, we taste and if we like... then we share. Pray

How is it possible that human beings are said to be made in the image of God when "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23)? Today, Sinclair Ferguson reveals that the answer to this question touches on the whole message of the Bible. Submit a biblical or theological question of your own by calling 1-800-607-9386 or by emailing an audio recording of your question to askligoniervm@ligonier.org. You can also receive real-time answers through our online chat service at https://ask.Ligonier.org/. Read the transcript: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast-episodes/how-can-we-be-made-in-the-image-of-god-yet-still-be-sinful-in-nature/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast/donate/

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD Twelve years after the rebuilding of the walls and gates of the city at Jerusalem had been accomplished the prophet Malachi wrote the last prophetic book of the Old Testament. God’s people now had all they needed to present themselves to the world as a people of God who would be a testimony to the fact that an all loving, all powerful, just and good God was alive in the Heavens. They had rebuilt the altar of sacrifice, laid the cornerstone and true foundation and rebuilt the temple, then re-established the Word of God through Ezra and the priests, then rebuilt the walls and gates of the city, and everything looked so good. There had been such a lot of ‘rise up and build’ on the outside - but unfortunately there had been very little ‘rise up and build’ on the inside that God wanted from them. Prophets like Haggai and Zechariah’s had been speaking a message of the coming of the Messiah and the completion of the temple (516 b.c). And now a mere twelve years after the completion of all the gates and walls and temple there came the final prophesy of Malachi, who was also prophesying that The Messiah would come to this completed temple. Here is the key verse; Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord (Messiah) whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple, the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. You would have thought that now was the time for something wonderful to happen, but nothing wonderful happened – everything stopped, came to a standstill. There Then there was time of silence for four hundred years – a prophetic pause! The next prophet to speak was John the Baptist. What does a time of silence of four hundred years speak of? What does a prophetic pause like this mean?It speaks of preparing the way of The Lord even in a time of scarceness and insufficiency with a full hope and expectation for something wonderful to happen. I believe we are in a global prophetic pause in this current global catastrophe. But the pause is full of the purpose of God, and a moving forward  in the purpose of God, with the promise of worldwide Holy Spirit activity. So, There was a silence of four hundred years after the final word from Malachi, no prophets and no revelation of God’s word or priestly instruction in the ways of God. Then something wonderful happened – John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.There was also a silence of four hundred years from the time God’s people became slaves in Egypt and then became free, and during that time there were no prophets and no revelation of God’s word or priestly instruction in the ways of God. Then something wonderful happened. God set Israel free to be led on a journey to the Promised Land. A four hundred years experience is a time of preparation, the time of expectation for something wonderful to come, while at the same time knowing that things should and could be a lot better now. A four hundred years experience in the Old Testament does not have to be a literal four hundred years in the New Testament (Kairos prophetic time). It simply indicates a time of preparation, a time of expectation, and of waiting for God to presence himself among us.  Paul told us that what Israel went through in the forty years in the wilderness was a prophetic pause for them to be ready to go into the promised Land. He spoke of Israel in their forty year wilderness experience as an example for us of learning how to trust God individually and corporately so as to enter into the fulness of the promise of God in Christ. For us that obviously doesn’t mean forty years – it means the challenges of faith and trust in God that can be jammed into whatever time frame God has to get our attention, to get our response.1Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. This preparation time of waiting and expectation for us becomes the time of understanding how we can be part of the preparing of the way of The Lord, for the powerful presence of God to come, in His time. There are also things we need to attend to that we may need to change, or at least get done with more faith and understanding and revelation from The Holy Spirit. who is our anointed teacher (1John 2:27). The next prophet to speak after Malachi four hundred years later was John the Baptist, spoken of in Malachi as Elijah, a messenger to prepare the way for the other Messenger who was Jesus the messenger of the New Covenant. Can we presume this ? Jesus said it! Matt. 11:13 “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.   The Holy Spirit as our anointed teacher instructs us in the way we should go and challenges when we need course correction through neglect or distraction and inspires us when we need motivation to reach a higher spiritual vision – they needed prophets, we have the Holy Spirit. And at that time the anointed prophet Malachi begins to set a higher goal for God’s people by addressing the priests, who were not honouring God and had become corrupt. Worship had become routine and unfaithfulness in marriage was widespread. Their vision had to be lifted higher. Social justice was being ignored and tithing was neglected. “Will man rob God?” the Lord asks (3:8), and he promised to “open the windows of heaven” (v. 10) if they honoured Him in this way. Malachi assures his people that God knows those who fear him and those who do not. now let us look at seven things that Malachi said God’s people would need to attend to for that time of preparation to be fruitful. Malachi was actually seeking to set their vision higher for their sakes, not just to admonish them in their insufficiency. God sets our vision high because it the most efficient way to inspire us to embrace a life full of meaning and purpose. The most positive emotion we can experience physiologically is that of pushing toward the highest most worthwhile goals (emote = Pootho’ Grk = push forward). God created us with a neurological hormonal pathway from a certain part of our brain, the Hypothalamus that stimulates and motivates us into a sense of purpose and meaning when we aspire to higher goals. A substance called dopamine is released and energizes our entire motivational attitude when we set our heart on achieving what is worthwhile and meaningful to us (in fact the artificial administration of this substance makes a person feel that whatever they are doing seems amazingly meaningful – thus the popularity of illegal recreational drug taking. But God always has something for us to aspire to that is full of his reality and purpose for our lives.  Seven pathways of preparing the way 1. Preparing the way as a priest in the role and example of worship and instruction and faithfulness because a priest was a ‘go-between’ from God to His people. Angels could bless people and mediate the Old Testament Law but they are not authorized to preach the Gospel ( and many strange religions have claimed angelic revelation- the warning of this is in Galatians).Malachi 2:1 Listen, you priests—The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the Lord. But you priests have left God’s pathsWe are ALL his priests and able to give Words of life as God’s messengers of hope in a bleak and disheartened world. (1Peter 2:9 …you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood). So who gets us back on the path, the Holy Spirit, who makes the truth of God’s word alive to us so that we can make it live in other people. 2. Preparing the way as bridge-builders of trust in God’s Covenant.Malachi 2;10 Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?We can see all of humanity as belonging to God the Father, and we can be bridge-builders of trust in a world where many people are polarized because of tribalism and identity politics. Holy Spirit can give us wisdom when we become engaged in conversation with people who are being overwhelmed with all the negative talk they are hearing these days, and the abusive criticism they see people attacking one another with constantly on TV or radio. Mark 4:24 Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; We have the choice of what to have multiplied within us. 3. Preparing the way through loving relationshipsMalachi 2:14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her.God honours faithfulness in marriage and wants to see healing in our land because of the wounding caused by unfaithfulness. He wants to see faithfulness in all of our relationships and because we are His beloved as His bride we have a special work of the Holy Spirit releasing a loving faithful response back to Him from our hearts -what an aspiration! 4. Preparing the way through showing justice and mercyMalachi 3;5 I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans…says the Lord.True leadership is demonstrating integrity and honesty and mercy in the workplace. When we work as unto The Lord he resources us and rewards the work of our hands (Colossians 3:23)God’s people can be blessed in the workplace in their faithfulness and their faith and be seen as givers and not takers of all God given blessings. We are here to be blessed and to bless. 5. Preparing the way by embracing trials of faithMalachi 3:1-3 I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver…Malachi is talking to the priests again here (that’s us!) and we can only pass on to others what we have actually received from the Lord and then we have the authority  declare the purposes of God – and you will do that by living out the purposes of God.’ That comes by embracing the trials of faith that purify our hearts, knowing that they transform us into his likeness, which is the gold that speaks of the nature of God. (1Peter 1:7).  6. Preparing the way by honouring God financially and materiallyMalachi 3:8-12 Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven. “Then all nations will call you blessed,New Testament tithing is a willing response of grace filled gratitude for God’s provision. It is not a legalistic way of earning God’s blessing or negotiating a deal with God.  We do not tithe to an Old Testament levitical priesthood. We tithe out of grace to Jesus our Melchidisek priest. In all my years of ministry I’ve never believed in putting people under the law in this truth because no human pressure or manipulation  should touch this this act of faith. I have been blessed to witness the response of many hearts of such and grace, and seen the blessing of God upon that.Hebrews 7:8 Here mortal men (Levites) receive tithes, but there (Heaven) He (Jesus) receives them, and that is our witness that we believe that he lives.(I have expanded on this special priesthood of Jesus in Commandment eight in my podcast on the Ten Commandments – click the link at   uncreated.podbean.com  )  7. Preparing the way through family harmony and honour. This is the final Word for us to hear and respond to in our time of silence, our time of hope and expectation to see the blessing of God upon this world. Malachi 4:1 The Lord says, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse. (So let there come a blessing and not a curse upon our land) In these times in which we live this is not only a word spoken by Malachi in the very last verse of the very last book of the Old Testament about Elijah/John the Baptist – it is the Word being spoken to us in these days.Jesus has made us one with Himself and with His Father. That was his great work to make us a part of his family. We have the power of The Holy Spirit drawing us into his family bond of love with them and with one another. These times of challenge are the times to expect to see the blessing of the healing power of Jesus for families in spirit, soul and body. Pray for reconciliation to happen in families to bless our land of hope and faith and love. There may be ones who feel they have reached out and done all they can, and what more can be done? Remember – We keep our hearts aligned with God’s and It is God who turns the hearts of people. God wants to bring this final blessing upon the earth in these days.                                               Malachi’s message is in the context of preparing the way for the Father’s heart of blessing to be received by his childrenAnd now Malachi writes. The opening statement from God through Malachi (Ch 1:2) is in the context of a loving Father whose inheritance is not being appreciated. He uses the illustration of Jacob and Esau, where Jacob regarded the inheritance and Esau did not. Then a few verses later (CH1:6) God says ‘A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! 10 How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord.’The theme of the honour due to a father is not only spoken of in the first few verses of the book, the aggrieved fatherhood theme is also emphasised in the centre of the book where God speaks as the Father/Creator of all of humanity. Malachi 2;10 Are we not all created by the same God? Are we not all children of the same Father? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors?The theme of the honour due to a father is also the theme of the last verse of the book (Ch4:6) I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.In the last few verses of this book Malachi speaks of judgment and of blessing to come, and so it commands the attention of everyone who reads it.   As in the previous accounts of this reset and rebuild of God’s people after a strange time of standstill and disorientation, there are parallels to the Church in this strange time in which we live, in a time of standstill and disorientation. The Church today appears to have all it could need in the form of resources such as churches and worship and leaders and helpers and programs and marketing, but is God calling for something more? What we want and need is the presence of God in our midst, rather than just the presence of all the sincere and wonderful human ability and performance and Bible knowledge in our midst. From the first few verses of this book Malachi’s purpose was to assure his people that God still loved them and was keeping his Covenant with them (Ch.1:2-5 - "I have loved you," says God. But you say, "In what way have you loved us?). Malachi tells us throughout the book that God calls for respect and honor, and faithfulness and love. But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the Lord.  

Does the Bible call us to tithe or is tithing a cash grab for churches?Show NotesVerses used to justify modern day tithingMalachi 8-108 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” “How do we rob you?” you ask.“ By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. 9 You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. 10 Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.Matthew 23:2323 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.Origin of tithingLevitical TitheThe Festival TitheWelfare TitheLevitical TitheLevitesAaron became the first Levitical Priest and his role along with his relatives were to maintain service the Temple.They were also responsible for receiving the consecrated items dedicated to God, from the people of Israel.Everything that was not consumed by fire at the altar the priests were able to keep.All of this laid out in Numbers 18:8-20.Numbers 18:21-24 - God tells Aaron that he will not have an inheritance in the land of Israel and in return for the work of the Levites will receive a tenth of everything from Israel.Numbers 18:2020 The Lord told Aaron, “You will not have an inheritance in their land; there will be no portion among them for you. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.Numbers 18:21Look, I have given the Levites every tenth in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the tent of meetingNumbers 18:2424 For I have given them the tenth that the Israelites present to the Lord as a contribution for their inheritance. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”Festival TitheThere was a general tithe that was taken up annually that was classified as holy to the Lord. This was taken up as an agricultural. Each year the Israelites would make their way to the designated sanctuary and fellowship together; eating a certain portion of their tithe.This is an agriculture titheLeviticus 27:30-3430 “Every tenth of the land’s produce, grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man decides to redeem any part of this tenth, he must add a fifth to its value. 32 Every tenth animal from the herd or flock, which passes under the shepherd’s rod, will be holy to the Lord. 33 He is not to inspect whether it is good or bad, and he is not to make a substitution for it. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute will be holy; they cannot be redeemed.” 34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.Deuteronomy 14:22-23 (Festival)Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields. 23 You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of the Lord your God at the place where he chooses to have his name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the Lord your God.Deuteronomy 14:24-2724 But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where the Lord your God chooses to put his name is too far away from you and since the Lord your God has blessed you, 25 then exchange it for silver, take the silver in your hand, and go to the place the Lord your God chooses. 26 You may spend the silver on anything you want: cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your family. 27 Do not neglect the Levite within your city gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.Welfare TitheThis tithe was taken up every three years and was based on all of their produce.Main purpose was to act as a welfare tithe; taken up and divided amongst the towns. It helped those who were poor but it also covered the Levites and the priests who served the children of Israel.Deuteronomy 28-2928 “At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and store it within your city gates. 29 Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.Jesus and tithingMatthew 23:2323 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.Jesus isn't commanding tithing; He is merely calling out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and even more, He is mentioning produce. Not money.Jesus redeemsThose in Jesus aren't under curses; that's the whole point of being in Jesus.Jesus redeems us from the curse of the lawGalatians 3:1313 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.Sacrificial Giving2 Cor 9 calls to not give under compulsion (offering vs tithing) // Paul who was bragging on the Corinthians generosity; asking the church to prepare the gift they had promised.2 Corinthians 9:1-8Now concerning the ministry to the saints, it is unnecessary for me to write to you. 2 For I know your eagerness, and I boast about you to the Macedonians, “Achaia has been ready since last year,” and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you in this matter would not prove empty, and so that you would be ready just as I said. 4 Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to mention you, would be put to shame in that situation. 5 Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance the generous gift you promised, so that it will be ready as a gift and not as an extortion.6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.Email truth@upnorthkingdom.com | Follow on Twitter | Subscribe on YouTube | Follow on Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here is the link to make a donation to Caruthersville First Assembly of God: https://www.caruthersvillefirst.com/give Address: 1103 Grand Ave, Caruthersville, MO Phone: 573-922-5080 E-mail: caruthersvillefirst@gmail.com Copyright License 11288908 + Streaming License 20244706 Sermon video available: https://youtu.be/v3ZSQo18nBY "Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." - John 8:47-59 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/caruthersvillefirst/support

"Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." — John 8:47-59 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/caruthersvillefirst/support

     The central idea of the text is that God calls His people, Israel, to obedience concerning the giving of tithes and offerings, and promises blessing for compliance. Israel had, like many times throughout their history, turned aside from following God and not obeying His commands (Mal 3:7a). However, if they would return to Him in obedience, He would return to them with blessing (Mal 3:7b). His people asked, “How shall we return?” (Mal 3:7c). God then charges them with thievery, saying, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” (Mal 3:8a). To which His people replied, “How have we robbed You?” (Mal 3:8b). God said their theft came from withholding their “tithes and offerings” (Mal 3:8c). The tithes and offerings referred to the tenth of the produce of the land and herds that were given by the nation to support the priests in their service at the temple (Lev 27:30-32; Num 18:8, 11, 19, 21-24). "The so-called tithe (“a tenth”) added up to far more than a simple 10% annually, because there was a second tithe annually, and a third tithe in the third and fifth years…In the Old Testament economy all the giving covered the sanctuary offerings for God, the taxes for the nation, and charitable gifts all rolled together."[1]      Because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant, God declared, “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” (Mal 3:9).  However, God offered to turn their situation around if they would return to Him and “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house to eat” (Mal 3:10a). The storehouse (הָאוֹצָר בֵּית - bet ha otsar) referred a large room where “they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests” (Neh 13:5). God calls on His people to test Him concerning His promises (Mal 3:10b), and if they will be obedient concerning the tithes and offerings, He declares, He will “open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Mal 3:10b). Here God promises to send rain for their crops to grow, and in this way, He will honor His covenant promises (Deut 28:12). In addition, God states, “I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” (Mal 3:11). The devourer likely referred to locusts that were eating their crops. Not only would Israel enjoy the material blessings of God, but the surrounding nations would see it, and “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land” (Mal 3:12). Malachi 3:8-10 has nothing to do with the Church. To be clear, Israel and the Church are both God’s people, but Israel was under “the Law” of Moses (John 1:17), whereas the Church is under the “Law of Christ” (1 Cor 9:31; Gal 6:2). Israel was required to tithe from the produce of their land (Deut 14:22-23; 28-29; Num 18:21), but there is no tithe required from Christians, only a joyful attitude when giving, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).   [1] Allen P. Ross, Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 156.

Psalm 25:4-5 NLT 'Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.'  Listening to God sounds both logical and self-explanatory. As God’s followers, why wouldn’t we listen to God? Yet, the very art of listening raises so many questions. How might I hear God’s voice? Does it equate to my feelings? Isn’t there a danger I just make everything up and deceive myself? These are all good questions. The fact that we ask them is a good sign. We acknowledge we are disposed to confusing our own preferences with God’s leading. However, there’s no other way to move forward. We always run the risk of getting things wrong. Like the first disciples, we can only learn from our mistakes. God is often presented as a father. Any parent knows that children will make mistakes. Sometimes these are honest errors of judgement, while at other times they’re wilful decisions taken for apparent advantage. The parental issue is never really about the decision already taken, but in the learning that follows. As a parent, I don’t immediately assume my child is so wilful that they’re rejecting me. I see them taking a short cut to their desired outcome. I have great patience, despite my initial annoyance, in sitting down and talking this through with them. This is true of our relationship with God. We have a conscience that is sensitised to God’s Spirit. It seeks to act as a compass within us which instinctively points towards God’s preference. Finding God’s path always demands a measure of risk. It is good for me to reflect that choosing God today will never mean that I will be found on God’s way tomorrow. As my understanding of myself and of God matures, I continually have to make decisions that impact on the very day-to-day lifestyle decisions I adopt and all the actions I take. QUESTION: How much do you want to walk in God’s way? Your answer will determine the degree to which you sit down and wrestle with God over both the direction of your life and the decisions you take daily. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I commit this day to walk in your ways.

Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes 3v6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

Are you concerned about your immune system and staying healthy in rebuilding your immune system to ward off the infections diseases and viruses that have been around since mankind was created by God? Yet, mankind survives and the old saying that "Life is about the Survival of the Fittest." And, that means body, mind, soul, and spirit because what we do to our bodies and ingest into our bodies will make us weak or strong. Today, DR. NICK DELGADO, author of dozens of books on health and nutrition and wellness, Biochemistry Researcher, Endocrinologist as well as Public Speaker for Tony Robbins Mastery Health Expert Coach

"I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the Lord Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:6-12 https://my.bible.com/bible/111/MAL.3.6-12

Isn’t it true that our culture is so saturated with fear that we’ve forgotten about the fear of God? Yet, no other fear is positive and uplifting. No other fear helps us live the best life possible. No other fear yields such high dividends. In... The post Fear of God: Part 2 appeared first on Ed Young.

Isn't it true that our culture is so saturated with fear that we've forgotten about the fear of God? Yet, no other fear is positive and uplifting. No other fear helps us live the best life possible. No other fear yields such high dividends. In this message, Pastor Ed Young unpacks the benefits of understanding this most healthy fear, such as wisdom, security, prolonged life, and blessing at a time when we need it most!

We are blessed to be a blessing. Malachai 3:6-10 (NIV) “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ in tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me (test 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. Tithing regularly, regularly tests your faith and God’s faithfulness.

The Jesus Saves Ministry 1007 W. Arlington Blvd Greenville, N. C. 27834  Email: gojesusnow@aol.com www.tjsm.org  studio   :252.916.0104  phone: 252.214.0799 Apostle Lonnie Stocks, pastor   John 10:10-11 (KJV) 10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Pastor Jim challenges the church in this message to examine God's word in Malachi chapter 3. Verse 8 says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings." Jim looks at how Christian giving should compare to that of the Israelites in order to avoid being guilty of robbing God.

Nathanael's first interaction with-Jesus was intense.-Jesus saw deeply into-Nathanael's heart -- even though-they'd never met.-Surely this was the Son of God--Yet this first experience would-prove insignificant in light of greater things to-come- -... You will see the heavens opened and-the angels of God ascending and descending on-the Son of Man.--This Son of Man is the head of a whole new-humanity... and Nathanael would be among the-first born into His kingdom.

  Acts 20:27  (NKJV) 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.   Sometimes we think that the sermon on money is a “someone else” sermon.   In our church, there is no “Someone Else.”    And the next door your possessions and your money and hanging on the doorknob is a “Do Not Disturb” sign. The meaning of the word Tithe - 10%   Tithe vs. Offering   The Tithe is God’s   Haggai 2:8  (NLT) The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.   In the book of Job chapter 41 verse 11 God says this:   Job 41:11  (NKJV) 11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.   12 tribes 11 received land   Point number 1 in your notes this morning: God created the path for funding the ministry of His church.     Numbers 18:1 (NLT) 18 Then the Lord said to Aaron: “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary.   Numbers 18:2-4  (NLT) 2 “Bring your relatives of the tribe of Levi to assist you and your sons as you perform the sacred duties . . . 3 But as the Levites go about all their assigned duties at the Tabernacle . . . 4 The Levites must join you in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle.     Numbers 18:20-21  (NLT) 20 And the Lord said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. 21 As for the tribe of Levi, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel. Look why God put the tithe in place: Numbers 18:31  (NLT) 31  for it is your compensation for serving in the Tabernacle.   Point number 2 in your notes this morning: God has written a prescription for our finance.   First Fruits: First of the harvest First of our paycheck 10% = 8 hours   Leviticus 23:10  (NLT) 10 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring to the temple a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.    Is the Tithe only an Old Testament idea?   Point number 3 in your notes this morning: The New Testament followers of Jesus knew how to tithe, and how much.    Jesus praised the Pharisees about their tithing   Matthew 23:23  (NLT) 23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.   We wouldn’t reach our hand in the offering bag to take money out, but that is what God says we are doing:   Malachi 3:8-12  (NLT) 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.   There is a command, and then God gives a blessing for obedience.    If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.     Point number 4 in your notes this morning: Can we trust God to help us live on the remaining 90%?     When you look at the New Testament 1/6 of all the words that Jesus spoke are about finance. When we read the parables of Jesus 1/3 of his parables dealt with money.     In our church, there is no “Someone Else.”  

WHAT IS THE WAY OF THE BRIGHT? A sacred commitment we make together, to order our lives in a way that allows us to encounter God and shine in our culture. Matthew 19:16-22 “16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.” “20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. “GENEROSITY” MANIFESTO “I believe God is a generous provider, therefore I will give back to Him faithfully and share generously so His heart can shine through my giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:11 “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 “7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” Malachi 3:7-12 “7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.' “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you? “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. “11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.”

  Life is good for the one who is generous and charitable, conducting affairs with honesty and truth. Psalms 112:5 TPT   Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6   “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ Malachi 3:6-7 NIV   “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’  Malachi 3:8 NIV “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:8-9 NIV   Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12 NIV   3 UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT TITHING TITHING IS A TEST   Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 NIV   2. TITHING IS BIBLICAL   Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20 NIV   this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me. Genesis 28:22   One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. Leviticus 27:30   And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. Deuteronomy 26:1-2 NKJV   then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me. Deuteronomy 26:13-14 NKJV   Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us… Deuteronomy 26:15 NKJV   “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Mathew 23:23 3. TITHING IS A BLESSING Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 31:4 NKJV 2 Chronicles 31:5-7 NKJV And Azariah the chief priest, from the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed His people; and what is left is this great abundance. 2 Chronicles 31:8-10 NKJV If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:25-26  

Taking Ground: Don’t Take It Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (NIV) 1. We are making preparations to start a 6th People’s Church location in 2020. 2. We are looking to purchase property or a building near the area where we’re starting our 6th location. 3. We are aggressively looking to buy land or a building for our Indianapolis campus. 4. Keep meeting needs through our local, national and global missions 5. Visit BUILDTHEDREAM.TV to see all projects Joshua 6:16-19 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” (NIV) 1. To live in the promised land you cannot take the devoted things Joshua 7:11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. (NIV) Joshua 7:20–21  Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” (NIV) Genesis 3:3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ (NIV) Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (NIV) Malachi 3:8–9 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. (NIV) 3 Things You Must Know About the Tithe 1. Tithing is giving 10 percent of our income to the local church where we worship Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV) 2. The tithe belongs to the Lord Leviticus 27:30  “ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (NIV) 3. We give the tithe first Proverbs 3:9–10 Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. (The Message) Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV) Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. (NIV) 5 Life Changing Truths About Giving Offerings 1. You’re not giving your money away, you’re sowing it into your future 2 Corinthians 9:6  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (NIV) 2. You decide the amount of your harvest by the amount of seed you sow 2 Corinthians 9:6  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (NIV) 3. God meets your needs by sowing seeds 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV) 4. Giving is a cheerful decision 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (NIV) 5. God meets the needs of others when you sow seed 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (NIV) 2. The results of taking the devoted things You negatively impact your life and the lives of others Joshua 6:18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. (NIV) Genesis 3:23 So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. (NLT) Malachi 3:9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. (NIV) 3. Surrendering the devoted things to God brings blessings into our lives Malachi 3:10–11 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. (NIV) VIDEO TESTIMONY: DONNA Vision 2019/2020 commitment card on screen

MALACHI 3:8-12Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! You arecursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may befood in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pourdown for you an overflowing blessing. I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and yourvine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight,says the Lord of hosts.Support the show (https://onrealm.org/suncreekumc/SignIn?ReturnUrl=%2Fsuncreekumc%2FGive%2FKERLVPEKEP)

FIRST FRUITS                                                                                        The Principle of the First Proverbs 3:9-10   Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.    NIV Exodus 13:1-2    Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 "Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me."     New Living    THE FIRST MUST BE SACRIFICED OR REDEEMED. Exodus 13:12-13   You are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.     NIV Malachi 3:8-12   "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.  "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.      NIV THE FIRSTFRUITS MUST BE OFFERED. Exodus 23:19    Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.      NIV Genesis 4:2-5 When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.     New Living  THE TITHE MUST BE FIRST. Leviticus 27:30    'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.      NIV Exodus 13:14-15     "And in the future, your children will ask you, 'What does all this mean?' Then you will tell them, 'With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery. 15 Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the Lord killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the Lord—except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.'   New Living 

Malachi 3:6-15 Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

Pastor Luke, Joel Kobosh and Paul Sanders discuss God’s challenge to Israel, “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me (Malachi 3:6-12)?” along with personal examples of how we can learn to give regularly and generously to our church. Some Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:10-20

The next battle we are going to look at is the battlefield of money, and this battle affects us all. Old and young, single and married, rich and poor, we all face the battle for money. Now I know some of you will be cringing, and if it’s your first time here you are probably thinking, “Yep, just as I thought, the church wants my money.”   I actually have never spoken about money since becoming a pastor here, but let me start by assuring you that I don’t want your money, and God doesn’t need it!   Psalms 50:10 (ESV Strong's) For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.   I’m not trying to get your money today. I want to examine the spiritual battle we all face, and while some might get offended or threatened, I really want to set you free from the domination money has over you and your family. I want you to be a victor over money, not a victim of money and greed!   THE BATTLE OF OPPOSING  SPIRITS   Ephesians 6:12 (ESV Strong's) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.   Nowhere is the battle more deceptively covered up than in the area of money. Money is why we get up and go to work. It’s why we visit Centrelink. It’s why we go into debt to buy things that we don’t even know we don’t need. Money controls us, like it or not, and we think it’s normal!   Let’s play a word association game. In Matthew 6 Jesus explains spiritual matters using two contrast opposites… There are two kingdoms: earth or heaven; two realms: darkness or light; two masters: God or Satan.   So He contrasts opposites in Matthew 6:19-24, storing up treasures on earth and in heaven, light and darkness. Now if you were in the audience listening to Jesus, when He comes to talk about 2 Masters He says “You cannot serve both God and____________”  You would expect him to say “God and Satan.” But Jesus surprises everyone when He says,   Matthew 6:24 (ESV Strong's) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.   That word money in the Greek is MAMMON, and it means riches personified as a god.   Jesus is personifying money as a rival god. Jesus is making it unmistakably clear that mammon is not some impersonal medium of exchange. Money is a neutral medium, that can be used for good or for evil, but the spirit behind money is not neutral, it’s evil, a god opposed to the God we love and serve. That’s why money is a power that seeks to dominate us. Money is godlike.  It is a substitute God. And, if we aren’t careful, it will rule and ruin our lives. In fact, it’s mostly winning this battle, even in the lives of Christians.   SHOW ME THE MONEY!   An oft misquoted verse says money is the root of all evil. It’s not… money is neutral, but,   1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.   The love of money, the spirit behind the desire for money which is called mammon, that is the root of all kinds of evil.   Craig Blomberg, ''It is arguable that materialism is the single biggest competitor with authentic Christianity for the hearts and souls of millions including many in the church.''   Many people, even many in churches, are obsessed with money. They think about it, dream of what they could do with it, do things they don’t enjoy to get it and grasp it tight as much as possible. Some of these people are rich, but many poor people obsess about money they haven’t got more than most rich people obsess about money they have got!   Again, I’m not after your money today, I want you to be victorious in the battle for money, the battle we all fight, this god of mammon who desires to be worshipped.   SHOULD I SELL EVERYTHING AND BECOME A MONK?   Luke tells of an encounter between Jesus and a rich, young man. This man asks how to obtain eternal life, and says he has kept all of the rules and laws his whole life.   Luke 18:22-24 (ESV Strong's) When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!   Jesus saw the real issue for this young man. It wasn’t that he had money, it was that money had him, and the spirit of mammon held his heart rather that God.   We don’t have to sell everything, take a vow of poverty and become monks! We simply need to see this battle for what it is, a spiritual battle, and we must overcome the god of mammon. Let’s familiarise ourselves with some of the fronts on which the battle for money is fought…   1.      GREED AND SPENDING   The most obvious front is greed and spending money on what we want, and of course advertising is built on this spirit. If you’re a rev head, you’ll think nothing of spending money on car parts. If you sew, you’ll make sure you get good material. For me, I’m a tech guy, so I generally have pretty good computers, software, recording software and tech stuff.   None of this is wrong in essence, until the lust for things takes a hold of your heart. And the world loves to stimulate your obsessions. Today, if you click on a link for anything, the internet places a cookie on your device and suddenly you gets multitudes of ads for that item (almost like magic!). Jesus said,   Luke 12:15 (ESV Strong's) “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”   I like nice things too, but I need to make sure I buy them only when God wants me to, and that my love for possessions don’t become obsessions, that mammon uses to control my life and finances.   2.      DEBT   Debt is one of the greatest fronts in the battle of money that we face. We go into debt to get what we want sooner instead of waiting to buy them outright, and of course retailers play on this greed constantly (24 months interest free!).   Proverbs 22:7 (ESV Strong's) The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.   If you borrow money from anyone, you become their slave, it’s that simple. But is all debt bad? Here are 2 simple tests of debt in your life…   Is the debt for an appreciating asset?   Going into debt for something that will go up in value is what experts call “good debt.” A house, investment or a business is an example. However, going into debt for something that depreciates is foolishness, because the asset goes down in value and you enslaved yourself to a loss. Cars, motorbikes, computers, furniture, holidays… these are consumer debts, and this is what is killing Australians right now.   According to the ABS, Australian’s personal debt is now the 4th highest in the world, at 212%. This means if an average Australian earns $80,000 a years, they spend $169,600 a year. The enemy is winning this battle in our nation!     Can you sustain it? Going into debt for even good, important things will control you if you struggle to sustain it.   So even when purchasing a good, appreciating asset, we need not condemn ourselves to crippling repayments, or we will not have quality of life and we become slaves to the debt. Buy a house within your means and leave room to serve God with your money.   3.      TAXES   This week I had to pay a huge tax bill, and it’s has cleaned me out. But listen, if you live in this country, play by the rules. Tax minimisation is smart. Tax avoidance is illegal, and if you fail to honour God with your taxes, how can you expect Him to bless you with finances?   Romans 13:6-7 (ESV Strong's) because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.   If you live in this country, if you enjoy our roads, facilities and if you care for those who need social security, honour God and our nation by giving to Caesar what is Caesars. Pay tax!   4.      SAVINGS   This part of the front is in sad shape! The vast majority of people live to their means and save nothing. I recognise for pensioners and many of us, saving is dfficult. But if you are to be set free from poverty and attain wealth, you must start to save.   Proverbs 21:20 (ESV Strong's) Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.   Don’t devour every cent you get, because that is an endless cycle you can never escape from. Even if it’s $10-20 a week, start small, be consistent and start saving. With the wonders of electronic banking, Fiona and I save a portion off the top every week… and don’t miss it!   When in debt, time is your enemy, but when saving, time is on your side. If you save $20 a week, in a year you will have over $1000. It all adds up.   Proverbs 13:11 (ESV Strong's) Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.   5.      TITHING   Oh no, we knew he’d get to this one! When I say tithe, you feel uncomfortable, and you get angry because you think I’m trying to take your hard earned money for the church. I understand this reaction, but let me show you a different perspective…   God is not trying to take 10% of your money. From my perspective, God is letting me keep 90% of the money He brings into my life! I’m an Optometrist, but I recognise that my income comes from the Lord! I can work hard and do my best, but God brings people into my practice, and God brings money in with them. I get to keep 90%!   To me, Tithing is not a burden, it’s giving God what is rightfully His anyway. I know that not everyone here gives a tithe to this church. If we had 50 or 60 families here who tithed on a poverty line income we would receive almost $5000 a week. We don’t. That’s ok, I’m not accusing anyone, and I’m not tracking it. But my experience and God’s challenge is to test Him in this, and He will open amazing financial blessing over your life. Frankly, if you’re not tithing, you are missing out on blessing, and hurting yourself financially… God challenges you like this…   Malachi 3:8-10 (ESV Strong's) Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.   In my life I have proven again and again  that financial blessing starts with giving God what is His anyway. But it doesn’t stop there.   6.      SOWING   Tithing, honouring the Lord with what is His anyway, is the baseline, prepares the soil and opens the door for blessing. I tithe to the church, but I believe what I give beyond our tithe is the seed sown that can yield an  abundant crop. A generous spirit opens the door to financial wealth…   Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV Strong's) One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.   THE POVERTY MENTALITY   Most Australians, many Christians included, are infected with a poverty mentality. This mentality keeps you financially where you are.  The signs of a poverty mentality according to secular sources include no ambition to improve or change, blaming the government or markets for your situation, being jealous of those with money, making decisions based on fear and loss, and focusing on what you don’t have rather than on what you do have.   Again, the source of this mentality in mammon, the love of money even if you don’t have it, which controls and makes you worship it as a god!  But it sets up a mental stronghold that closes you down to any change. You’ll say, “I can’t do this, I can’t be generous, I can’t tithe, I can barely make it as it is.”   Proverbs 13:18 (ESV Strong's) Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.   So if you are thinking this way, please put your preconceived thoughts aside and listen as I share some ideas that can and will change your financial situation and future. Here’s our warfare strategies to win the battle for money…   1.      STOP BLAMING GOD, THE CHURCH OR OTHERS   If you are not happy with your financial situation, stop blaming the government or others who have more than you. Chances are they have taken risks you haven’t, worked harder or managed their money better than you.     Someone once asked me the difference between a musician and a mutual fund. It’s this. The mutual fund eventually matures and makes money! The first step in maturity is taking responsibility and not blaming others. Some here might even blame God…   Proverbs 19:3 (ESV Strong's) When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.   Proverbs 19:3 (MSG) People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?   I’m about to lay out for you God’s strategy to win the battle for money. I challenge you to do it, because my experience is that God will never let you down, but don’t you dare be disobedient to God and then blame Him for the result!   2.      LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS   So many live beyond their means, spending more than they earn. This is foolishness, and ultimately doomed. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it, or buy it second hand and cheap. When Fiona and I married, we lived in a rented house with second hand furniture. We never went out to dinner. We saved, and we got ahead, because we lived within our means. Be content, not lusting for more.   Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV Strong's) I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.   You don’t need that new car, new sofa, new computer, new phone. You won’t die if you don’t get it. If you can afford it, by all means get it, but if not, be content. A designer coffee a day might only cost $5, but that’s $35 a week, and $1820 a year.   3.      WORK HARD   Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Success in life, and in finances, most often involves work.   Proverbs 12:11 (ESV Strong's) Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.   You might be classified unfit to work, but think of this from a spiritual point of view… why not work for the Lord if you can’t get paid employment. Help out, care for others, meet with them, bless them, take your eyes off yourself and love others. You may not be paid, but God sees it and He will provide incredibly if you work hard for Him.   4.      GIVE FIRST FRUITS   Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV Strong's) Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.   If you want to honour God, do it first, before anything. How many know if you pay your bills, buy your supplies, food, a few cups of coffee, something for the kids, etc… If you do this then think about God with whatever is left over, you will not give God what is His.   The Hebrews gave God the first fruits because it is His anyway. The first amount went to God, and guess what… He increased their wealth! I choose to give my tithe first, before anything else comes out, because it’s God’s anyway in my mind.   I’m thinking of giving a first fruits offering to the Lord at the start of the new financial year. I know many people give a week’s wages at He start if the financial year, the first fruits of your income. If you decide to honour God, you have His promise of blessing. So my experience and my advice is, honour God first, and He opens all you need…   Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   5.      HAVE A GENEROUS SPIRIT   2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV Strong's) whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.   If you believe you can’t afford to give God what is rightfully His, then I’m sad for you, because you will never be free from the god of mammon. If you are stingy and feel you can’t change, I’m sad for you, for you will never be free. A generous spirit is one God loves, and He honours and blesses generous people.   I am among the least paid pastors in the ACC. I work a secular job 4 days a week, and while a church this size should have 2 full time pastors, it has one part time pastor.   But if you go out to dinner with me, I am always the first to try and pay. If I see a need, I want to be the biggest giver to that need. Our church needs money to move, and I personally will commit to giving as much as possible to Ignite, to the tune of thousands of dollars. Why? Because in my experience, you can’t out give God.   A generous spirit breaks the power of the enemy in this battle. I want to have an open mind, and open hand, and an open bank account. Some of you have little money, so you give time, or meals or prayer. That’s still giving, if you’re cheerful, God loves it, and honours it.   If you are struggling financially, I want to challenge you to commit to doing finances God’s way, with a generous spirit and a faith that He will provide for you.   Luke 6:38 (ESV Strong's) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”   If you face financial struggles right now, pray with me and say, “All that I am, all that I have it Yours, Lord!”  

(Exodus 20:15 ESV) "You shall not steal." (Malachi 3:8 ESV) "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions."

Bountiful Season 5, Episode 16 for Monday, May 20, 2019 The title for this episode comes from Malachi 3:8 – “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.” The book of Malachi is focused on waking up God’s people up because […]

Chapter 12: Resilience; Part 1: Building a Rhythm. If our relationships with our loved ones always include things we really love to do, then how much more our relationship with God? Yet how often do we focus on the areas of prayer we think we need to improve in? And do we end up thinking that the stuff we really enjoy doing probably doesn't count as much? This is a tiny summary of my teaching on prayer and personality, with a challenge to work out what kind of prayer we most love ... and then to go and do more of it.

God wants to bless youJeremiah 32:41 I will enjoy blessing them. With all my heart and soul I willfaithfully plant them in this land.Isaiah 56:3 My blessings are for gentiles too when they accept the Lord. Don’t letthem think that I will make them second class citizens. They can be as much mineas anyone.The blessings of God are conditional.Every promise has a premise.Deuteronomy 28:2-8 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lordyour God: You will be blessed in your towns and in the country. You will beblessed with many children and productive fields. You will be blessed with fertileherds and flocks. You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and withkneading bowls filled with bread You will be blessed wherever you go, both incoming and in going. The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you...And the Lord will bless everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain.Psalms 31:19 Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings forthose who honor you.God is after your heart.Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”Your heart follows your moneyMatthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one andlove the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Youcannot serve both God and Money.Money = Mammon.Money has a spirit attached to itMoney submitted to God and His purposed has the spirit of God attached toit.Money NOT submitted to God has the spirit of Mammon on it.God blesses tithersMalachi 3:6 I am the Lord, and I do not change.Malachi 3:7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from Myordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Saysthe Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’Says the Lord of hosts. 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But yousay, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You arecursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.10 Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may befood in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will notthrow open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that therewill not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring yourcrops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says theLord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be adelightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.Malachi 3:8-9 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘Inwhat way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with acurse, For you have robbed Me,God Owns EverythingPsalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all wholive in it;God is a giverLuke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to giveyou the kingdom.John 10:10 My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.God wants to be firstProverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your possessions,And with the first fruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled withplenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Big Idea: Although we are not seduced by the Canaanite gods, Molech, Chemosh and Baal, we are in grave danger of being fooled by the subtle lies of the Babylonian god, Mammon, who whispers to us, “more money will make me more happy.”   Scripture: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and (Mammon) wealth.   Matthew 6:24 NASB   The Definition of Tithe in the Old Testament is simply the first one-tenth of all of our income. The first instance of tithing is found in Genesis 14:18-20, with Abraham giving a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek, the mysterious King of Salem. ... In giving the tithe, Abraham simply acknowledged that everything he had, belonged to God. Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.  Deuteronomy 10:14 NASB ... for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains.  1 Corinthians 10:26 NASB   Our study of Joshua provides a telling illustration of the Principle of the tithe. The first city that God gave to the children of Israel, after 40 years in the Wilderness, was Jericho. It was a walled city just inside the border of the land which God had promised to Abraham and his family. The plan of attack that God gave to Joshua was as follows. Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valour. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus, shall you do for six days.  Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”   Joshua 6:1-5 ESV   There were several very important lessons to be learned from the Battle of Jericho; one of them was about our income. Normally, in ancient wars, the “booty” was to go to the warriors and their families as their pay, but in this first of ten battles, the “booty”, which was their tithe, was to be set apart wholly for God. All the valuables were “Devoted to destruction”. The Hebrew Word was “Cherem”- something banned; devoted to destruction. If they were to take it for themselves, it would bring ultimate destruction.   Taking the tithe from God sets us up for ultimate loss But you, keep yourselves from the things (Cherem) devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them, you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.  But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” Joshua 6:18-19 ESV   Sadly, a soldier named Achan,“Trouble”, didn’t  believe God meant what he said, and after their attack on Jericho, he secretly stole some clothes, gold and silver, worth about four years’ income. No one knew what he had done, but he had taken what belonged to God. The “trouble”, that followed, caused Achan and his family their lives. Israel was sorely defeated in their second battle with Ai and lost and 37 men. Joshua was deeply grieved, and didn’t understand what had happened, but God explained to him that Achan had stolen from the tithe, which belonged solely to God. God revealed who the thief was, and under pressure, Achan confessed.   And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did:  when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50  shekels, then I coveted them (that was the seduction of Mammon) and I took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”  Joshua 7:20-21 ESV   The blessings follow the tithe After it was paid back, Ai was defeated, and the “booty” was given to the soldiers. The lesson was self-evident. As Malachi later explained, when we take what rightfully belongs to God, we move out of his protection and promise of blessing; but when we return to God what is his, then we are protected from our enemies, and are promised by God both, to be blessed beyond what we give, and also to be a blessing to those around us.    From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’  Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 3:7-11 ESV

Malachi 3-4 3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.[a] 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. 6 For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?” Do Not Rob God 8 Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. 11 I will rebuke the locust[b] for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will count you happy, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. 13 You have spoken harsh words against me, says the Lord. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?” 14 You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the Lord of hosts? 15 Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape.” The Reward of the Faithful 16 Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name. 17 They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. 18 Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. The Great Day of the Lord 4 [c] See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 4 Remember the teaching of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.[d]

Faith Over Fear: Divine Protection 1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (NIV) James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (NIV) 5 Ways Tithing Protects Your Life   1. Protects your heart from drifting from God Malachi 3:6-8 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. (NIV) Matthew 6:21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (NLT) 2. Protects you from the consequences of disobedience Malachi 3:9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. (NIV) Malachi 3:11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. (NIV) James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV) 3. Protects you from trusting in yourself Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (NIV) 4. Protects you from blocking God’s blessings Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (NIV) 5. Protects your influence Malachi 3:12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. (NIV)

Have You Met God Yet | Genesis 28:10-22 | Rob Wheeler | 11-18-2018 | by Osterville Baptist Church

I have been running a series on mastering various aspects of your life, and we’ve talked about mastering your past, your time and your mind. All of these are important aspects to bringing control of your life, but today’s message is one that can often completely dominate our lives, but we never speak about.. mastering your money.   Understand I’m not trying to make you give money to the church, and (disclosure) I’m not trying to give financial advice. I just want to talk about the fact that money masters many of us rather than us mastering money, and discover what God says about how we can control money.   WHO’S SERVING WHO?   In the 1960s a United States Senate committee predicted the work week would be down to just 14 hours by 2000, with at least seven weeks off a year. That clearly has not happened, because what they failed to factor in is the incredible greed people have to get more and more! So rather than relax, we choose to do more Work to get more money to have more stuff we have less time to enjoy!   Mark 10:17-22 (ESV Strong's) And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.   This young man thought he had great wealth, but in fact his great wealth had him! Do you possess your money, or does it possess you? And by the way, don’t think you even need money to have it possess you! Some poor people are more obsessed with money that’s those who have it!   Let me point out that money in itself is not evil, it is neutral. It’s not wrong to have money. It’s not evil to be wealthy, neither is it necessarily a sign of God’s blessing. Since time began, people have believed that being wealthy is a sign of the blessing of God, and sometimes it is, but I know very wealthy people who have lives, marriages and children who are falling apart.   Money doesn’t buy happiness, you can just be miserable in comfort. I’d rather be happy.   The San Francisco Federal Reserve reports that, all else being equal, suicide risks are higher in wealthier neighbourhoods, a demonstration of the folly of trying to “keep up with the Joneses.”   AFLUENZA   Let me introduce you to a contagious disease that affects all of us. We are all infected with afluenza, the disease that makes us insatiably crave more and more.   How many of you here have a new generation iPhone, android or tablet? How many have a car less than 5 years old? How many of us have rooms in our house we haven’t been in for months! That new TV, that new computer, ouch, whether we can afford it or not, we’ve got to have it and we’ve got to have it now. Saving for things is so old, delayed gratification is so last century, right?   1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV Strong's) (Paul says this…) godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.   Money is not the root of all evil, the love of it is! And our society teaches us to love that stuff from the very beginning of life. People love it so much they will do anything to get more of it! They sell their time, they sell their bodies, they even sell their souls for money, but we spend it faster than we make it!   Even in the first century, Paul was concerned about afluenza, and he didn’t even own a credit card! Today it’s all, “Buy now, pay later,” and instead of waiting and saving, we want it all now, many times putting in credit things we don’t need but we do desire, even when we know we will not be able to pay them off!   Australia has more than 16 million credit cards accruing a debt nationally of over $33 billion. Combined with personal loan debt, Australians now owe $109 billion, that’s more than $4300 for every man, woman and child in the country.  More than 10% of us are expecting to live with that debt our whole lives and never escape it! Many of us have been caught in the debt trap!   Christians say that the things of this world don’t satisfy, that only knowing and serving God can satisfy, but do we live like it? Paul said the rich fall into a snare, and the wannabe rich do also, but he also suggests that godliness with contentment is great gain. Let’s get specific, he is saying that we should be content with a roof over our heads, food on the table and cloths on our backs.   THE CONTENT OF DISCONTENT   Discontent is an all pervasive thing in 21st century life. Marketers realise that the basis to advertising and hence our economy starts by inflaming discontent. No advertisement I’ve ever seen says, “Hey, you’ve got the best car, don’t buy ours!” “Hey, your phone is still current, don’t bother checking out the new iPhone.”   We are so intent on our discontent.  No one is contented these days, we all want more and more.   Hebrews 13:5 (ESV Strong's) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Listen, we grow content when we see God as our sole Provider, and we grow discontent when we focus on gratifying our desires rather than looking only to our genuine needs. (Not unlike the 2 year old who says, “But I NEED chocolate!”)  Paul wrote…   Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV Strong's) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.   We often want to quote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” but did you know that that verse is about being content with your life and serving God? Paul is saying, “I can do both poverty and wealth through Christ who strengthens me!”  If we truly value our relationship with Christ over our fleshly desires, we can learn to be content regardless of what we do and don’t have. Paul faced many trials, and was blessed in many ways, and his joy and contentment did not depend on what he had, or had not.  That’s the secret…   Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV Strong's) Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.   True wealth is not about having more, it’s about desiring less!   TIPS TO MASTERING YOUR MONEY   Master your money, or it will master you! Jesus told us in Matthew 6 that we cannot serve two masters, we cannot properly serve both God and money. One of them has to be our master, and the other by default becomes the slave. We go to jobs we don’t really like, doing things we don’t really enjoy to buy things we don’t really want… I ask you, are you the slave or the master of the dollar?   Matthew 6:24 (ESV Strong's) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.   Our society demands that we serve money, but Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. Jesus didn’t say it would be difficult to serve both; He said it would be impossible. We cannot serve both, so therefore, we must choose.   So what are some tips to help in mastering your money?   1.     RECOGNISE WHO OWNS WHAT   The crazy thing is that your money isn’t really yours at all!   Psalms 24:1 (ESV Strong's) The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,   God owns it all. What does that mean in practical terms? First, it means that God has the right to take or use whatever He wants, whenever He wants. We are simply managers of the resources He entrusts to us.   Secondly, if we recognise God’s position as the ultimate owner, then every spending decision we make becomes a spiritual decision. Instead of asking whether or not we can afford to buy something, our questions should rather, “Does God want me to use His resources in this way?”   Job was a rich man, but he recognised that whatever happens to him, God is the ultimate owner.?   Job 1:21 (ESV Strong's) And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”   2.     SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN   This is debt reduction 101, but most Aussies don’t get this… you need to spend less than you earn. Simple mathematics.  Stop buying things and putting them on credit! Pay for it or don’t get it.   No matter how much money people have, there will always be unlimited ways to spend it. Spending less than we earn is the number one key to achieving financial freedom and security-regardless of what happens in the overall economy. Simple, easy to apply and it makes sense.   Proverbs 21:20 (ESV Strong's) Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.   Spending more than you earn devours your financial life. Be wise and spend less   3.     AVOID DEBT   The average family devotes 25 percent of its spendable income-the amount left after taxes-to paying off outstanding debts, much of it as interest! Not only does going into debt presume upon the future, but it pre-commits our resources, limits our financial flexibility, and dictates what we can (and cannot) afford to do down the road.   Proverbs 22:7 (ESV Strong's) The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.   Going into debt makes you a slave to the banks and credit companies. Now some debt is what we call good debt, because you into debt to finance something that will eventually make you money. Your home, for example, is usually considered good debt. Investment or business debt can be good, as long as the investment is sound (talk to a financial advisor).  We got a loan to buy this church, and have paid over $70,000 off the property. But anything that doesn’t earn income is not smart debt. Borrowing for cars, holidays, consumer goods or fun toys makes you a slave to someone else!   4.     HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY   Proverbs 17:18 (ESV Strong's) One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.   Credit cards are very convenient. I now have them on my phone, so I don’t even need to carry cards.   Buying consumer debt on a credit card is foolish. If you cannot control your spending, credit cards are an explosive trap that will ruin your life, with interest up to 4 times higher than house loans. You need to be able to pay it off, and do so fast.  Some of us here need to have some plastic surgery… cut up those cards. Pay off that debt, and never use the things again!   5.     PLAN YOUR FINANCES   Setting financial goals makes a lot of sense. Most of us don’t set such goals, we just stumble along from crisis to crisis, overcommitting ourselves and then becoming slaves to debt.   Proverbs 21:5 (ESV Strong's) The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.   Think twice or three times before you commit once. Do you really need that debt now? Is it good? How do you put the pieces of your financial future to fit together.   Money experts also suggest that we make one goal building liquidity. What is liquidity? It’s cash, or assets that can be readily and quickly converted to cash.  I meet so many older people who are asset rich and cashflow poor.  They live like paupers but stay in a too big house they own worth a million dollars.   A cardinal sin in finances is to max yourself out, committing so much to ongoing debt or payments that you cannot live a reasonable life. If your mortgage payments are so high you cannot afford to buy the new curtains for the lounge, they’re just too high! If anything goes wrong, you’re exposed to great loss. We must live within our means, either spending less or earning more or both.   6.     BALANCE THE BOOKS   I’m a businessman, and I can tell you the two basic solutions to your financial woes… either spend less, earn more or both! Whether it’s working and extra few hours, taking in a border, mowing lawns or selling eggs or honey, earning a little more can make a big difference.   If you are overspending, it is a fools paradise and cannot last forever, unless you’re a government! You will slide into debt and like more than 2 million Australians, never find a way back out. Money has a nasty habit or luring us in, and we usually spend up to our means. We start with little in the way of finances, and we live simply and keep it tight. When we start to earn more, we spend more also, buying more. If however our income reduces, we most often fail to reduce spending with it…   Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV Strong's) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.   In the 1870s, then richest man in the world John D Rockefeller was asked, "How much money is enough money?" He replied, "Just a little bit more." Nothing has changed!   STEPS TO MASTERING YOUR MONEY… THE WAY AHEAD   If you are struggling with your finances, bad debt or spending, if you feel like your money is mastering you, here are some ways you can start to master your money and move ahead?   1.     DECIDE TO MAKE A CHANGE   I have a cousin who is financially very badly off. They live in a rented house too small for their family, never have any money to spare and life is a real struggle. He loves coffee, and when they stayed with us, I have a very nice coffee machine which makes excellent coffee.   Yet every day, every single day, he travels to the store and buys a designer coffee. That’s his priority, but to my mind it’s a place they could save some money, up to $40 a week.   The first step to mastering your money comes when you decide to make little changes.   Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV Strong's) “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?   Do the same thing and you get the same results. Decide now you want to live as master of your money, not the servant, under the control of money and banks, and commit to making changes.   2.     LISTEN TO THE RIGHT ADVICE   Some are like this picture… Whether you see a financial advisor, one of several christian groups offering debt reduction ideas, or a trusted friend or mentor, seek advice from people who know what they are talking about…   Proverbs 12:15 (ESV Strong's) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.   Seek advice from people who are trustworthy, not your mates at the pub!   3.     MOVE AHEAD SLOW AND STEADY   Aesop said, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Most money problems are not solved instantly, but there is a long road and you need to be committed to to see results. Make slow and steady progress, make changes and stick to them and be prepared for a long haul as you wrestle control back from your money and give it to God.   Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV) For who has despised the day of small things?   Chances are your money problems won’t be solved by winning the lottery or robbing a back. Start small, be consistent and purpose in your heart to see it through.   4.     BE GENEROUS   When money controls you and you’re tight for money, the tendency is to be tight with your generosity too. I think this is a trap, because the more you focus on what you don’t have, the more it starts to master your thoughts, and your life.   I am not a proponent of the prosperity gospel. I don’t believe that if you give to God you can demand financial riches or “name it and claim it”. I don’t believe in giving to get, and I guarantee you, neither does God. But, when I put Him first, when I have a generous spirit, all I can tell you is that God just seems to bring resources and blessings into my life, financial and other, at the right time.   Proverbs 11:24 (ESV Strong's) One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.   Even in our worst possible financial moments, Fiona and I have made it our practice to be generous. So if I meet you at a coffee shop, I will always be the first one to try and pay, because I want to bless everyone and be generous, and I trust the Lord that He will take care of us. And He does!   Let me for a moment talk about tithing. I am frequently asked questions about tithing, because nothing upsets people like a money hungry church. Once again, I err of the side of being generous.   I won’t tell you what you should do, but this is my standard…  Personally, I don’t just tithe. I give 10% of my income to this church, but for me that is the baseline. Then I start to give, and give and give, generously. Why? Am I trying to get something from God? No, I’m trusting Him!   If you want to master your money, stop trying to use it to manipulate God! He says this…   Malachi 3:8-10 (ESV Strong's) Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.   I’m not after your money, but I also don’t want you to rob God, and miss His blessing and provision in your life. He asks you to test Him with your generous heart, and if you do, He promises to provide above and beyond. I am living testimony of this, so if you want to master your money, try trusting instead of tithing.   Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV Strong's) Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.   5.     DECIDE TO SEEK GOD FIRST   Jesus says that where our treasure is, our heart is also in Matthew 6:21. He even says not to worry about our provision, our clothes and food, because God has it all under control. Then He says this…   Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV Strong's) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   I work for money, you work for money, but in the end, money comes and goes. Becoming pastor of this church has allowed me to prove this point in my life. I have stepped back from consultancy jobs, cut out business groups, scaled back my own practice and Fiona has given up her job. We have given these up to seek first His Kingdom in this church, and to be honest we haven’t felt any financial loss.   Even though officially I am earning less money, it doesn’t feel like it. Why? Because God loves me and appreciates that I seek Him first, rather than grasping for more and more money.   I am serving Jesus and trusting Him to take care of me and my family money needs, and true to His promises, He does. This is the secret of mastering your money… seek first His Kingdom, and leave the rest up to Him. Be generous, be wise with money, get out of debt and learn to delay your gratification, but in the end if you live for Christ, that’s the main thing you care about, right?   If you are tight for money, facing financial difficulties or being mastered by your money, or your lack of money, stand up and let’s give this to Jesus now!   And godliness with contentment is great gain.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of the Jews to Babylon -among which many Edomites also were carried-, some of the remnant of Edom stood on the temple mount and drank a toast to the destruction of Israel. As we saw last week, this is a serious thing. For to attack a Christian is to attack God-----Yet this seemingly insignificant act was and is emblematic of every pagan before God- who arrogantly exalt themselves above God-

What Is Generosity? Malachi 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. (KNJV) How Can I Be Generous? Generous People Plan A. Isaiah 32:8 …generous people plan […]

What Is The Tithe? Malachi 3:8-11 Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in […]

The Lie:Tithing qualifies you for God’s blessing. If you don’t tithe, you’ll be cursed. How do we know this is a lie? 1 John 4:16 & 18 says, “God is Love. Love NEVER brings fear,for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. TPT Where did this lie come from? Malachi 3:8-10: 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes 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. NKJV Just because there is a verse in the Bible doesn’t mean it applies to you. In this verse, God was speaking to the Children of Israel who were under the law. Remember, Romans 3:19 says, “Whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law .” And Romans 6:14 says, “you are not under the law, but under grace.” But if you choose to live by this law, Galatians 3:10 says that you must keep the entire law to be blessed by God, not just the law of tithing. You must obey every command perfectly! And if you are going to depend on the law of tithing to qualify you for God’s blessing, you need to make sure you follow all the instructions concerning the law of tithing. These instructions can be found in: Leviticus 27:30-34; Numbers 18:21-28; Deuteronomy 12:6-17; 14:22-28; 26:1-13; 2 Chronicles 31:5-12; Nehemiah 10:37-38 & 12:44; 13:5-12I remember the day I realized that I was believing a lie Religion taught me. I heard so many messages from Malachi 3:8-10 that told me that I could earn God’s blessing by tithing, but if I didn’t tithe I would be under God’s curse. Oh the bondage of pride that brought into my heart when I kept that law & oh the bondage of fear if I didn’t! I believed this lie for far too many years!The Truth that set me free: y eyes were opened through this passage of Scripture: Galatians 3:10-14, 18: 10 “All who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment.” AMP

Message Notes: How can I see manage my finances this year?  1. Have emergency fund (Prov.21:20)  2. Live within your means (1Tim.6:6)  3. Use wisdom in investing (Ecc.11:1-6)  4. Avoid borrowing (Prov.22:7)  5. Work hard (2Th.3:10-12)  6. Work smart (Mt.25:14-30)  7. Don’t cut corners (Rev.9:21) But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. Daniel 5:22-23 Babylon is 50 miles of Bagdad. It was build in Genesis 10. Walls 300 feet tall and 4 chairs can ride on them. 60 miles around the city. It can last for 20 years. Enemy was at the gate, but Belshazzar was partying. He took holy articles dedicated to God but conquered by his dad and used them to drink from. He did that because he praised the god of gold. An arm appeared saying that his days are numbered and he is found very light in God’s eyes and his kingdom is going to be taken from him.  When it comes to finances ask these questions of yourself:  Are you living with end in mind?  How rich will you be heaven’s scales?  Who will take what you’re working so hard for?  Are you using for your pleasures what is supposed to be dedicated to God?  Is money your god?   Pig asked a cow “I give as much as you do, but they like you more”. Cow replied, “Maybe it’s because I give while I am still alive.” “Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness.” Augustine Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, Malachi 3:7-10  Why tithing?  Tithing is about returning to God.  Tithing is about trusting in God.  Tithing is about bringing not giving. Tithing goes to your church.  Tithing encouraged by Jesus.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Matthew 23:23 Jesus’ ministry was empowered by the Holy Spirit but supposed by people. For example, Mary borrowed her womb, wise men gave expensive gifts, Peter borrowed a boat, little boy gave his lunch, one man borrowed his donkey, Mary gave 1 year’s wages on perfume, one man borrowed his house for passover, another borrowed his tomb. “A man there was, and they called him mad; the more he gave, the more the had.” John Bunyan  How do I give?  Tithe.  Give according to your income lest the Lord reduces your income according to your giving Give to my pastor.  Support other ministries Sow where you wanna grow. Sow where you wanna grow Bless those in need  Give sacrifice Pastor Vlad released a new book "BREAK FREE", available on iBooks, Amazon, Kindle, Audible and everywhere books are sold. For more information: http://www.hungrygen.com/breakfreebook Stay connected with Pastor Vlad Instagram http://www.instagram.com/vladhungrygen Facebook http://www.facebook.com/vladhungrygen Twitter http://www.twitter.com/vladhungrygen Subscribe to his blog: http://www.hungrygen.com/blog Invite Pastor Vlad to speak http://www.hungrygen.com/invite

Put your money where your mouth is! Malachi 3:6-12 (NIV) Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes 6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. God says to his people: - Come back to me (v6-7) - Stop robbing me (8-9) - Put your money where your mouth is! - And I will bless you (v10-12)

Psalms 16 Watch Video Listen to MP3 Download Handout Download Manuscript → Click to view the Sermon Outline   Philippians 4:10-12 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for 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; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Opening Salvos 1. How do we know that Psalm 16 is speaking about Jesus? Acts 2:22-27 - Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Acts 2:29-31 - Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. Acts 13:32-35 - And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ 2. What is the setting of this Psalm? 3 stages where Jesus satisfies above all others “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper I. Contented and Confident in Christ While You’re Alive A. Because of a secure relationship – vv. 1-2 Psalm 16:1 - …I take refuge in You. Psalm 16:2 - I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. Psalm 31:20 - You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 61:4 - Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Matthew 11:28-29 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. John 10:27-29 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Luke 5:16 - But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. 1 Peter 2:23 - …and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously… Luke 23:46 - And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Colossians 1:28 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. B. Because of a delightful family – vv 3-4 1. Positively Psalm 16:3 - As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 2. Negatively Psalm 16:4 - The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied… C. Because of our incredible stewardship Psalm 16:5-6 - The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be.  Grieve the losses.  Then wash your face.  Trust God.  And embrace the life you have – John Piper. D. Because of supernatural counsel Psalm 16:7-8 - I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Malachi 3:8-10 - Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows. II. Contented and Confident in Christ When Facing Death Psalm 16:9-10 - Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. III. Contented and Confident in Christ when Contemplating Eternity Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Hebrews 12:2 - …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Outlined Manuscript - If you asked the people closest to you to select the 3-5 words that best describe and define you, what would they say?... - you might want to actually try the experiment with a few folks in the next couple of days…perhaps your spouse if you’re married, some close friends, your parents or children, your boss, co-workers, neighbors, college roommate… - and in some cases say at the outset – I really want you honest answer and I won’t make you pay a price for answering… - but what kind of words would they come up with that best describe and define you?... - now here’s the next question – how long would it be before the words contented and confident made the list?...would they be among the first 3-5?... - or would some of have to say…how about 8-10?... - how about 15-20…right after moody and snarky…could I get a little contented and confident?... - then what about this…how important are those commodities?....whether a person is 8 years old, or 18, or 28, or 48, or 88…how important is it to learn to be contented and confident?... - and I realize someone might say – well wait a minute – it’s not something you learn, it’s something you receive…if you’re lucky…contented people achieve that condition because things went well for them…is that right?... - because you may remember when the apostle Paul was writing a thank you letter to a church he dearly loved and he was thanking them for their financial support of him as one of their missionaries…what church was that?...the church at Phillippi…but what did he say… - Philippians 4:10–12 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for 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; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. - so would it be fair to say that the people of whom their friends or family or co-workers of whoever would say they are contented and confident…it is less a matter of their external circumstances and more a matter of the heart (the inner person) they bring to those circumstances?... - and can we also all take hope that even if others wouldn’t write those words on our list of chief characteristics now…that it is something that we could still learn and develop now and in the coming days?...absolutely… - one more question…what does living In Christ Alone have to do with any of this?... - with all of that in mind, please open your Bible to Psalm 16 this morning…page 392 of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you… - I hope you love the book of Psalms…I’ve been especially enjoying them this year because of the way my Read through the Bible plan is structured…I try to read through the Bible each year as many of you do… - in the past, the plans I used were divided into readings from the OT and the NT…what that meant was, when you got to the book of Psalms, you were reading through it pretty quickly… - the one I have this year is divided in three parts…so you read something from Psalms and Proverbs each day, and then something from the rest of the OT and something from the NT…what I like about this plan is that you’re going through Psalms and Proverbs more slowly…and I’ve really enjoyed that… - now let’s locate this in our overall emphasis this year…why are we talking this year about Living in Christ Alone?... because this is the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation…btw – a number of people have thanked me for encouraging you to read at least one book on this topic this year…I’m glad for that…and what we’re learning is that the Reformation especially emphasized 5 important theological truths -- that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scriptures alone, to the glory of God alone…[by the way – next Sunday we’re going to take our second pit stop of the year and look at one of the key historical figures of that period of time…] - we started this year by working verse by verse through the book of Colossians – which is all about the Preeminence of Christ which we found to be a powerful and immensely practical book of the Bible… - now we’re launching a brand new study on Seeing Christ in the Psalms - that’s surprising to some people because many Psalms were written by King David, the second king of the nation of Israel who lived and wrote around 1000 BC…yet a number of the Psalms were messianic in nation…in other words while they speak about an experience of a human king – usually David – they point toward the ultimate King the Lord Jesus Christ… - and especially as we look back at them through what we now know from the NT – it just takes our breath away to see the way the Word of God fits together…not simply because we like seeing the jigsaw puzzle pieces come together – but because we love seeing the full and beautiful picture of Jesus Christ come alive before our eyes… - Opening Salvos - now, before we read this Psalm, let’s try to clear away 2 questions: 1. How do we know that Psalm 16 is speaking about Jesus? - that’s a pretty easy one to answer…because the NT clearly tells us so… - here are two key places where Psalm 16 is quoted. - the first is Peter’s great sermon on the day of Pentecost…the day the church was born…part of that sermon reads like this… - Acts 2:22–27 - Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence….Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. - he goes on to explain -- Acts 2:29–31 - Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. - that is a fascinating passage…because Peter says – David couldn’t have been talking about himself – the grave-robbers have been to his tomb many times…David was speaking prophetically about the coming Messiah – and those words were powerfully and perfectly fulfilled when God the Father raised His Son from the dead…1000 years after He said He would… - Paul made the same point in Acts 13 - Acts 13:32–35 - And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ - so this Psalm we have before us…for sure we want to treat it with the awe and respect it deserves… 2. What is the setting of this Psalm? - It is very interesting to read the commentators on that point…which reminds me of what we learned in Bible College and seminary – that commentators are just common-taters… - because they are all over the map on that question…at what point in David’s life was this Psalm written… - and some believe that –because it speaks about contentment and confidence -- it had to be early in David’s reign before he faced some of the challenges to his kingship later on… - and you just want to scream back – that’s exactly the opposite of what the Psalm is arguing…it’s not that you can possess these character qualities if everything is going your way… - it’s that you can learn to cultivate the kind of relationship with God – just like our King Jesus did – that results in contentment and confidence no matter what… - and the words “no matter what” give all of this a significance that makes this study very exciting - read Psalm 16… - so we’re talking this am about Being Contented and Confident in Christ - with the time we have remaining, let’s walk through this Psalm looking for 3 stages where Jesus satisfies above all others. - another way of thinking about this is pastor John Piper’s well-known quote – God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.  - this passage explains why that’s true – and for how long it’s true… I. Contented and Confident in Christ While You’re Alive - that’s the point of the first 8 verses…think about all the reasons we have here and now to be satisfied in Christ…first of all… A. Because of a secure relationship – vv. 1-2 - do you see how that’s described in the first 2 verses?... - Psalm 16:1 - …I take refuge in You. - Psalm 16:2 - I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” - isn’t it amazing that we can have that kind of secure, and intimate relationship with the very God of the universe?...and there are some other powerful verses in the Psalms about what this is like… - Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. - Psalm 31:20 - You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. - Psalm 61:4 - Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. - Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. - isn’t that exactly what Jesus invited us to do?... Matthew 11:28–29 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - and of course Jesus was able to make this invitation because He anticipated His death, burial, and resurrection which would pay for the sins of all who would repent and believe – and therefore for those place their faith and trust in Him – we can then enjoy this kind of secure relationship where we find our refuge in Him… - that’s why Paul could argue in Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 that we believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of promise… - or Jesus could say…John 10:27–29 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. - here’s the point –point to a person who’s contented – and it’s highly likely that individual has learned the ability to regularly take their refuge in God…you’ll find them early in the morning or late in the evening or at some regular time/place with their Bible on their lap and their list of prayer requests in their hand – quietly….quietly…taking refuge in their God…and they would say that’s one of their greatest delights… - God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him… - now, please keep in mind that this is a Messianic Psalm…so could we find evidence of Jesus living this way?... - everywhere, huh?... - Luke 5:16 -    But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. - 1 Peter 2:23 - and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; - Luke 23:46 - And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. - now that leads to a pretty obvious question, doesn’t it?...and please keep in mind that Paul said we learn the art of contentment… - so friend – have you acknowledged your sin and placed your faith and trust in Christ as Savior and Lord…and secondly, are you learning to be satisfied in God because of the security of that relationship?...are you taking refuge in Him?... - you know – that really defines much of our efforts across our ministry platforms… - Colossians 1:28 - We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. - so we want to be a church family of people who are finding our satisfaction in Christ… - we don’t need drug abuse, we don’t need alcohol abuse, we don’t need illicit sex, we don’t need endless material goods, we don’t need the world’s affirmation and applause and on and on – why?...because we’re finding our refuge in Him… - it also relaxes our expectations of others around us… - our refuge isn’t in having a perfect spouse, or perfect kids, or a perfect job, or a perfect lawn… - when you’re secure in your relationship with the Lord, you’re not so demanding of other people…which leads us to the point of verses 3-4 B. Because of a delightful family – vv 3-4 - and here we see both the positive and negative side of the point: 1. Positively - Psalm 16:3 - As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. - this is the privilege and pleasure of living life in community with others… - so we can surround ourselves with brothers and sisters who are also seeking to find their satisfaction in Christ… - and their encouragement and their example (and their confrontation if necessary) is such a helpful aspect of finding contentment… - Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 - Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. - one of the best ways to be a contented person…is to surround yourself with contented people…and think about it from the other perspective… 2. Negatively - Psalm 16:4 - The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;  - one of the reasons we want to find our joy and satisfaction in Christ and encourage others to do the same is because of the profound sadness and destruction that comes from seeking contentment in any other source… - ask anyone is drug abuse ever took them to a good place… - or explosive anger…or surrounding yourself with fools…or filling your life with endless noise and busyness and material things… - this is a promise and a warning from the God of heaven – the sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied… - think about how this plays itself out… - why have we had a community based biblical counseling center for 40 years?... - because we want to have gospel-focused resources available for persons and families in our town who are struggling in some way… - and we’re glad for the opportunity to point others to a personal relationship with God through faith in our crucified/resurrected Savior and a place in our church family where we can link arms and continue to grow together… - why are we glad that God blessed us over a decade ago with our Vision of Hope ministry for young ladies who might be helped by residential care?...because we love it when others are learning to take their refuge in God…and living life in community with other growing followers of Christ…it’s the power of Christ-centered relationship… - then layer on what is happening with our new men’s ministry…and so many of the other ministries around here…it’s people who are trying to grow in contentment inviting others to join us in the journey… - and by God’s grace it’s working in big ways and small… - someone was telling me this week about a conversation he had with  neighbor who said he wasn’t a religious person at this point in his life but he made the off-handed and unsolicited comment – “but I know a lot of people from Faith – they’re good people”…if that means – people who are contented and confident and finding their satisfaction in their relationship with God and others…we’ll take that, huh?... - last Sunday we shattered our attendance record…last Easter we had 2477 persons join us – last week we had 2740 persons at our 2 campuses… - and while we’re not interested in numbers as an end in themselves – we’re certainly interested in people – in souls – individuals who all will spend eternity somewhere… - we can also be contented and confident…. C. Because of our incredible stewardship. - Psalm 16:5–6 - The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. - the language here is reminiscent of the allocation of the promised land to the twelve tribes of Israel… - and if you review that period of history – not every tribe was equally pleased with what they received…but in comparison to what every one of us truly deserves from the hand of a holy God…we can all say that the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places…we have been given much… - Paul picks this same theme up in the NT when he says… - 1 Timothy 6:6–10 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - As we walk through these verses – are you allowing the Scripture to do its work in you?...how would you rank yourself in the area of contentment and confidence in Christ?... Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have. - sure we all have trials…we all have disappointments…I really like what Piper said about that...Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be.  Grieve the losses.  Then wash your face.  Trust God.  And embrace the life you have – John Piper.Occasionally weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have. - David goes on and talks about how we can do this… D. Because of supernatural counsel. - Psalm 16:7–8 - I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - please think about the logical progression we’re seeing…how do you get to verses 7-8 where you’re reviewing God’s truth while you’re lying on your bed at night?... - it’s the culmination of finding your refuge in Him…and surrounding yourself with others heading in a similar direction, and learning to be thankful for all that God has given you…and then immersing yourself in His Word…you’re allowing the Lord to counsel you…and the result is a person who is contented and confident… - I don’t say much about this topic around here because I don’t have to…but there are implications to what we’re studying this morning to way we give financially… - you would agree with this, wouldn’t you?... - discontentment leads to greed, and envy, and hoarding our resources… - whereas what we’re studying this morning leads to generosity… - here’s an interesting stat…our attendance is up modestly year over year and when we look at what is happening right now in evangelical churches across the country right now – we praise God for the numerical growth… - but our giving this year…is up 11%...with me or anyone else saying practically nothing about it… - so yes, the love of money is the root of all evil – it’s a terrible god… - but when you’re finding your contentment in Christ, money can be a powerful tool… - because we understand that all these ministry platforms to others take money – God has built that into His world… - but we don’t want to just talk about inviting as many people as possible to enjoy what’s promised in Psalm 16 – we want to sacrifice financially to make that available to as many people around the world as possible… - and we don’t talk about this passage very often – but I personally believe we’re seeing it fulfilled right before our eyes…Malachi 3:8–10 - Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows. - the latter half of that passage is a promise… - and I believe the evidence suggests that there are a lot (not a few) people who are learning to live a Psalm 16 kind of life…or perhaps better stated – allowing our Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ who first lived these principles on earth now live them in and through us… - but as a result – this is church is receiving an overflowing amount of blessing from the windows of heaven…   - so there are plenty of reasons to have contentment and confidence in this life…but Psalm 16 doesn’t stop there…it’s also possible to be… II. Contented and Confident in Christ When Facing Death - friend, if verses 9-10 don’t light your fire – your wood is wet… - Psalm 16:9–10 - Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. - and it’s an open question of exactly what David meant by all of this although it’s fascinating that Peter says in Acts 2 that David was a prophet… - but we know at least this – David knew his soul would not be separated from God at death… - Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - but as we saw at the beginning – in two seminal places in the NT – Acts 2 and Acts 13 – both Paul and Peter explained that this was talking about the resurrection of Jesus Christ – 1000 years before it occurred… - that’s why ultimately we can be… III. Contented and Confident in Christ when Contemplating Eternity - Psalm 16:11 - You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. - and the beauty of all of this is – our Messiah – the One whose life is prophesied in this passage lived this way… - He knew He could find His refuge in the Father… - He knew death would not hold Him… - and he knew He would return to the Father’s right hand… - and so – we agree with the writer of Hebrews…who calls on us to… - Hebrews 12:2 - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - [Conclusion – Marilyn Baldwin’s memorial service]

       “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions” (Malachi 3:8).        Tithes belong to God, and generally are returned to the church in which you are... The post Podcast 123: Giving Through Contributions appeared first on Building Faith Families.

Welcome to Hunters Glen! As we gather for worship this morning, I look forward to continuing our series on the Beatitudes. Did you know that everyone has a deep hunger that can only be filled by God? Yet, many people live an entire lifetime restlessly...

Welcome to Hunters Glen! As we gather for worship this morning, I look forward to continuing our series on the Beatitudes. Did you know that everyone has a deep hunger that can only be filled by God? Yet, many people live an entire lifetime restlessly...

Continue to explore the Eighth Commandment, “You shall not steal.” Consider the issue of theft and the church. Is the tithe civil, ceremonial, or moral law? Giving to the church includes the tithe or 10% plus offerings. Explore the hermeneutical question, Does the New Testament need to explicitly carry forward the tithe? Malachi 3: 8-10 states, "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows." Is the tithe qualified as civil, ceremonial, or moral law? Using the language of ten percent can take multiple forms. Is the tithe carried forward into the New Testament? We read in Luke 11:42, "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." If we hate justice, and fail to love God, our tithe is utterly worthless. As a general principle, if we live in the excess that we live, and ten percent is too much, then there probably is a heart issue that needs to be examined. Explore our modern issue. Given the extravagance of our modern incomes and lifestyles, is there any justification for any citizen of a developed country giving less than 10%? Critique this: The tithe should always be given to the local church, and para-church ministries should get the overflow or offerings or should not exist. The principle is the church we attend ought to be sufficiently representative of the whole church, and in giving our tithe, all of the work of the church is being done. Para-church organizations operate parallel to the church. Today "justice" means someone got more than us. Consider the issue of theft and the poor. Care for the poor is clearly one of the most significant Scriptural commands. Consider excess and wealth. Is wealth differential wrong necessarily? Consider over-consumption, environmentalism and future generations. What is "wealthy"? Consider the issues of interest and usury, communism, and government vs. church or individual programs. Social justice no longer seems to be as concerned with everyone having enough but is more concerned with making sure there are equal levels. There is nothing wrong with disparity between incomes. There is something wrong with poverty.

THIS TITHE IS ALIVE! - In God We Trust, Part 2 09.18.16 Mat Cotner Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. In God We Trust Explained: AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WE ARE INVITED INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IN HIS FAMILY BUSINESS. “IT’S ALIVE!” The Shocking Truth That Awakens Dead Tithing: 1. The Word Tithe In Hebrew Means: A Tenth Or 10% Leviticus 27:30 & 32 NIV A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD... Every tithe of the herd and flock, every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod, will be holy to the Lord. 2. It Belongs To The Lord Malachi 3:6-10(a) NIV “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house...” 3. It Comes First Leviticus 27:26 NIV No one, however, may dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since the firstborn already belongs to the LORD – See Also Ex 13:12-15 Ex 22:29-30, Ex 23:19, Num 3:13, Num 8:16 4. It Is Holy To The Lord Leviticus 27:28 NIV But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the LORD — whether a human being or animal or family land — may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. Old Testament vs. New Testament: Why So Much Controversy? Old Testament = You HAVE TO or you will be punished! Vs. New Testament = You GET TO and you will be rewarded! 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. What happens when we give God what is His setting it apart as first and holy? Malachi 3:10(b) NIV ...Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. The Umbrella of God: Where are you in regards to your giving?

A lack of God’s BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE… 6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:6-9 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 may be caused by my failure to be a BLESSING TO OTHERS. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12 7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

A lack of God’s BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE… 6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:6-9 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 may be caused by my failure to be a BLESSING TO OTHERS. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12 7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

We will be discussing a very controversial subject on the program today speaking in tongues and this subject need to be brought up so people can see what the word of God actually says and how to respond to it. Please go to cjlester.weebly.com

HO HO HO! Merry Christmas! I want to talk to you about a best selling book. In fact it is the best selling book of all time. It is such a best seller, they don’t even list it on the best seller lists. I thought with it being Christmas time, it would be a good time for me to provide some of my thoughts on this book. Yes, you likely have already guessed I’m speaking of the Bible. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season Why am I talking about this book on my podcast? A podcast about cars and debt? These are fair questions. I believe the answer is because I believe the Bible is a rule book for how to live one’s life with the least suffering and pain. I didn’t always believe this was true, but the older I get and the more I see of the world, the more I believe this is true. If you truly want to find wisdom read a Proverb a day for 31 days. Since there are 31 Proverbs, reading one a day for a month is a great move. Read two on the last day of a 30 day month. I think you will see the benefit quickly. I know I did. If one follows the principles of this book, the Bible, does it mean there will be no pain or suffering in your life? No, we live in a broken world and there will always be pain and suffering here. The question is can following the principles in the book, minimize the self inflicted pain and suffering? Yes, I believe it can! The 10 commandments First Commmandment "You shall have no other gods before me. Second Commmandment "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Third Commmandment "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Fourth Commmandment "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. Fifth Commmandment "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Sixth Commmandment "You shall not murder. Seventh Commmandment "You shall not commit adultery. Eighth Commmandment "You shall not steal. Ninth Commmandment "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Tenth Commmandment "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor?s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." The truth about sin in Matthew 5: 21-48 (New International Version): Murder 21“ You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,a and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Adultery 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’e 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Divorce 31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’f 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Oaths 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.g Eye for Eye 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’h 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 4 1If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Jesus set the bar so high only he could achieve it meaning the rest of us, yes all of us - even the most perfect person you know, are imperfect and need Him. The Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:34-40 (New International Version): 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’c 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Tithing Malachi 3:8–10 (New International Version): 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I hope this episode will help you with the self inflicted wounds we all tend to inflict on our on lives. Merry Christmas!  

This is the third sermon in our series, "Church Instructions." Colossians 4:2-6. In this sermon, we will will learn some instructions Paul gave the Colossians concerning how to relate to people who don't know God yet.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. but ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

APOSTLE TALK  -  Future News Now!WWW.REALMIRACLES.COMwith Prince Handley THE PLAN OF VICTORY You can listen to this message NOW.Click on the LibSyn pod circle (top left). Give it 20 seconds to load.Listen NOW or download for later. For INSTANT REPLAY, go to: www.blubrry.com/prophecy/ After you listen to this message, you can scroll down for all messagespreviously in the Archives (with Show Notes). RSS PODCAST 24/7 release of Prince Handley blogs, teachings, and podcasts >>> STREAM <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </span></span> THE PLAN OF VICTORY INTRO/ MUSICThe simple things are usually the powerful things. And so it is in the plan of God which He gives you for victory. Be willing and obey is the admonition of the prophet Isaiah:"If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it." (Isaiah 1:19-20)The beautiful purpose of this . . . and the LOVE of God . . . is shown in the previous verse:"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be as wool." (Verse 18)Israel's unbelief (except for Caleb and Joshua) that they could take the Promised Land resulted in 40 years of wilderness wandering. Have you been wandering long?Do you have great Spirit given goals that have been in you heart and prayers for years but have not come to fruition yet? Is it because you have failed to GO into the Promised Land . . . to make that transition in FAITH? Have you been waiting for everything to fall into place before you leave your comfort zone?Like the monkey holding on to the banana in the jar, who couldn't get his hand out to enjoy the banana, are you "holding on" to your ministry . . . your business . . . your toys . . . not releasing them . . . so that you can make a NEW transition into greater service and works for the glory of God, and for your blessing as well? MUSICRULE #1: UNBELIEF WILL KEEP YOU FROM YOUR TRANSITION!When the children of Israel were about to attack Jericho, Joshua, with the direction of the LORD, commanded the people, "You shall NOT shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of our mouth, until the day I say unto you, 'Shout!' Then you shall shout." (Joshua 6:10) They were commanded to keep silence for seven days. RULE #2: AT THE ONSET OF GREAT WORKS FOR GOD, DON'T TALK MUCH . . . AND … ABOVE ALL, DO NOT SPEAK WORDS OF FEAR AND UNBELIEF!The spoils of Jericho were like the first fruits of harvest. It was the first city they conquered in the Promised Land: their first stage of the victory promised. And God commanded them NOT to keep the spoils of the city for themselves. "And you, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest you make yourselves accursed, when you take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: the shall come into the treasury of the LORD." (Joshua 6:18-19)The Hebrew root for the word "accursed" is "cherem" and it ALSO means the "devoted thing" or a "dedicated thing" depending upon the context. In other words, what is devoted or dedicated to God is accursed to man. If you keep back or steal God's property, then YOU become accursed. (Hebrew "charam"). MUSICGod's people were promised success, but only if they walked in obedience!RULE #3: WHAT IS DEVOTED TO GOD IS ACCURSED TO MAN!A man named Achan did not obey and he took of the accursed things which were devoted to God, so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel. By the way, the Hebrew word ‛Akan is from an unused root meaning “to trouble,” or “troublesome.” The LORD told Joshua that the man had stolen and deceived and put it among his own stuff. The LORD said, "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you." (Joshua 7:13)Then the man, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had (including what he stolen that belonged to God) were burned with fire after the people of Israel stoned them with stones according to the command of the LORD.This reminds us of Ananias and Sapphira who sold an estate, and kept back part of the proceeds, pretending to give ALL of it to the treasury of the church. They lied to the Holy Spirit and both of them died within three hours of each other. (Acts 5:1-11) MUSICRULE #4: NEVER LIE TO THE THE HOLY SPIRIT (RUACH HA CHODESH)!These two examples above also remind us of God's promise in the book of Malachi."Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In titles and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation." (Malachi 3:8-9) Notice again, the beautiful purpose of this . . . and the LOVE of God . . . is shown in the following verses 10-11::"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be food in My house, and PROVE ME now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.""And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field ..." says the LORD of hosts. NOTICE: God says you can PROVE Him . . . you can find out FOR SURE . . . God is Who He says He is: the great “I AM” . . . by paying Him tithes and giving Him offerings!RULE #5: IF YOU ARE WILLING & OBEDIENT - YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GOD'S PLAN OF VICTORY! The whole rest of your life you will be blessed as you follow what I have taught you from God's Holy Word today. Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend,Prince Handley MUSIC Podcast time: 10 minutes, 55 seconds Subscribe to The Apostles Advanced Teaching (this newsletter) by email: apostlehandley@gmail.com  (type "SUBSCRIBE" in the Subject line). For foreign language versions of The Apostles Daily Message, go to: www.apostlehandley.wordpress.com Prince Handley Ministry Portal: www.princehandley.com SKYPE: prince.handley Follow Prince Handley on Twitter Subscribe to The Healing and Miracle Podcast here:  SUBSCRIBE   Subscribe to Apostle Talk Podcast here: SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to The Voice of Israel Podcast here: SUBSCRIBE FREE online New Testament Bible Studies, email to: worldservicesinc@gmail.com For FREE literature to distribute (tell us what language you need), write to:      WORLD SERVICES      P.O. 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