TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2014.
BATTLE
DEFINITION:
A fight; hostile encounter; an engagement between opposing forces; a struggle; a conflict.
SCRIPTURE:
For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. Psalm 18:39.
For the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. I Samuel 17:47.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our “word” today is BATTLE. Probably the first thing crosses your mind is a battle among countries or cultures. Maybe it is a battle among politicians. Our concern today is the battles that are happening in our homes. Every day there are battles that are happening probably in over half of our homes around the world. In light of this it is a serious issue that must be discussed. These are not battles with guns or weapons but battles with words, attitudes and actions.
In most cases these are verbal battles and there are no winners because words are hurtful and can do irreparable damage to family relationships. Words between spouses and between parents and children often concern commitments, standards and choices. When the home has become a battleground over these issues and the family is falling apart it may look like and feel like an impossible situation to solve. Many people are ready to give up in despair and do.
The children that are involved in battles in homes sometimes are forced to take sides in a conflict and this is a no win situation for the children or the parent.
When your home has become a battleground and your family is in constant verbal warfare, it is time to put the situation into God’s hands and let the battle be the Lord’s. There is no situation that is so hopeless or so impossible that the Lord cannot give you victory over. The key is that you must be willing to turn to Him in faith and submit to His will and His direction.
We have said it so many times and we repeat it now. The first and foremost responsibility that a family has beginning with the spouses on their wedding day is to make a commitment to God. Without a commitment to God families will sooner or later become dysfunctional and they will fall apart.
In the verse above from Psalms we read that David made a commitment to God and as a result God armed him with strength for the battle he was set to face. The same can be true for us if we have our faith and trust in God as David had. This includes battles in a family or a major conflict at work. Our Lord will guide us through every battle we face if we put our trust in Him.
In I Samuel 17, we read about one of the most famous battles that have ever happened. It was the battle between David and Goliath. David fully understood what this battle was all about. The chief issue was that the Philistines were challenging the Lord by confronting the Lord’s people.
We all know the story but what we can learn about this battle today is that David prayed to God, asked for His protection and then he proceeded with confidence knowing that God would give him victory.
David knew before the battle began that the Philistines would be defeated because his confidence was with the Lord. He knew that he could stand before Goliath and the Philistines and say, “The Lord will give you into our hands.”
We can have the same confidence that David had but we must be prepared. In our lives Satan initiates battles to destroy a family’s relationship with God. To confront these battles we prepare by reading the Bible daily and communicating to God daily through prayer. The result will be that each day we will grow spiritually and God will give us His strength and godly wisdom to give us victory in our battles that will bring honor and glory to Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for today is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
Prepare my heart and the hearts of each member of my family so that we can face every battle with the confidence that You are with us and with Your help we can see victory.
September 21, 2014
Armor: September 18, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2014.
ARMOR
DEFINITION:
Any covering worn for protection against offensive weapons; anything that protects.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Every believer can be assured that we are in a spiritual war with Satan and all the demons of his army. The goal of Satan is to defeat Christ’s church. In our own power we cannot withstand the attacks of Satan. There is no doubt that we need armor to protect us. The scriptures give us a clear picture of the armor that God has provided for us. We face a very real enemy in life who seeks to deceive and distract us from becoming who God wants us to be. So it is very important that we remain alert, at all times, watching for the deception that Satan will put in our way.
We need to prepare for spiritual warfare by taking time every day to communicate with God and by making sure that we put on the various armor pieces that God has provided for us. The apostle Paul has outlined for us what God has available for us in Ephesians 6:13-18.
We are to put on the “helmet of salvation” to protect our mind and imagination from Satan’s weapons of doubt and discouragement that he uses to destroy our assurance of salvation. We need to focus our thoughts on the love and power of our Lord that is ours because of our Lord’s victory over sin and His death on the cross.
We need to claim the righteousness of Christ by wearing the “breastplate’ that will protect our heart and our emotions. The “belt of truth” should be wrapped around the core of our being to protect us from deception and so we will not be governed by feelings.
By putting on the “sandals of peace” God will guide our steps and see that our feet are planted firmly in the good news of God’s redemption and His love and saving grace for all the world. These “sandals” will also empower us to stand firm against any and all attacks that will come our way by Satan.
We need to put on the “sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God. There is no greater weapon to combat and defeat Satan. We must keep God’s Word ready and available at all times by reading it and planting it in our hearts. This will allow us to always be ready to deflect and cut down Satan’s lies against the truth of God and allow us to claim victory over all his evil ways.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
Help me to never be so preoccupied with the anxieties in my life that I lose my focus that I need to be placing on the joy of knowing You. Help me to daily “dress” for battle knowing that You will enable me to be fully victorious over every temptation and evil desire that Satan tries to use to draw me away from You.
ARMOR
DEFINITION:
Any covering worn for protection against offensive weapons; anything that protects.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Every believer can be assured that we are in a spiritual war with Satan and all the demons of his army. The goal of Satan is to defeat Christ’s church. In our own power we cannot withstand the attacks of Satan. There is no doubt that we need armor to protect us. The scriptures give us a clear picture of the armor that God has provided for us. We face a very real enemy in life who seeks to deceive and distract us from becoming who God wants us to be. So it is very important that we remain alert, at all times, watching for the deception that Satan will put in our way.
We need to prepare for spiritual warfare by taking time every day to communicate with God and by making sure that we put on the various armor pieces that God has provided for us. The apostle Paul has outlined for us what God has available for us in Ephesians 6:13-18.
We are to put on the “helmet of salvation” to protect our mind and imagination from Satan’s weapons of doubt and discouragement that he uses to destroy our assurance of salvation. We need to focus our thoughts on the love and power of our Lord that is ours because of our Lord’s victory over sin and His death on the cross.
We need to claim the righteousness of Christ by wearing the “breastplate’ that will protect our heart and our emotions. The “belt of truth” should be wrapped around the core of our being to protect us from deception and so we will not be governed by feelings.
By putting on the “sandals of peace” God will guide our steps and see that our feet are planted firmly in the good news of God’s redemption and His love and saving grace for all the world. These “sandals” will also empower us to stand firm against any and all attacks that will come our way by Satan.
We need to put on the “sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God. There is no greater weapon to combat and defeat Satan. We must keep God’s Word ready and available at all times by reading it and planting it in our hearts. This will allow us to always be ready to deflect and cut down Satan’s lies against the truth of God and allow us to claim victory over all his evil ways.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
Help me to never be so preoccupied with the anxieties in my life that I lose my focus that I need to be placing on the joy of knowing You. Help me to daily “dress” for battle knowing that You will enable me to be fully victorious over every temptation and evil desire that Satan tries to use to draw me away from You.
Guidance: September 17, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2014.
GUIDANCE
DEFINITION:
The process of giving direction; advice or counseling.
SCRIPTURE:
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait on all the day. Psalm 25:4-5.
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. Psalm 25:12.
He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you are facing the need to make a decision, big or small, it is important to wait on God for His guidance, direction and timing. Most people, believers and non-believers instead rely totally on their own feelings to make decisions and forget what God can do for them. We want to share with you three things you can do while preparing to wait on God.
First, you need to examine your heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs in your life. If something comes to your mind that the Holy Spirit brings to you it is important that you take care of that sin immediately.
You accomplish this by confessing, repenting and doing whatever is necessary to correct the situation. At times we often put this aside because the impending decision we need to make is our main concern. We cannot expect God to work in our lives as long as we allow sin to control our life. In order to receive God’s full blessing, we must first deal with any sin our life.
Second, when we seek direction from God we need to learn how to listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to give us the guidance we are praying for. We find it very difficult to wait on the Lord because we want quick answers and a quick fix. Our timing, however, is not the Lord’s timing.
Another reason why we find it hard to wait is that we want the Lord to do it “our way.” We cannot allow ourselves to be tempted by our feelings and our own logic if we want guidance from God. God knows what is best for us and He will give us the guidance we ask for which we can be sure is best for us because it will be in accordance with His perfect will for us.
Third, the answer to our request for guidance sometimes requires our involvement. For example, if you are out of work and trusting God to provide a job for you, God expects you to actively look for a job. Some people just sit back and pray several times a day reminding God of their need. Waiting on God is not an excuse for inaction on your part or to be just lazy.
How can you be sure that you are making the right decision? What do we need to do to hear the voice of God responding to our need for guidance?
We need to clear the pathway. We already mentioned above the need to get rid of the sin in our life but we also must be willing to make our desires secondary to His.
We need to exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength when you feel time is so important in making your decision. But if you rush ahead of God, you may not only miss His will but miss a special blessing that He has for you.
You need to search the scriptures. Many people just take time to pray but how can God communicate to you if you do not read His Word? The Word of God has an answer for every need and the Holy Spirit will always point us to the right direction if we wait on Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
When I face a critical need in my life and need to make a decision help me to wait on You. Help me to be patient, search the scriptures and not rush to a quick answer that is not according to what You want for my life.
GUIDANCE
DEFINITION:
The process of giving direction; advice or counseling.
SCRIPTURE:
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait on all the day. Psalm 25:4-5.
Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. Psalm 25:12.
He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you are facing the need to make a decision, big or small, it is important to wait on God for His guidance, direction and timing. Most people, believers and non-believers instead rely totally on their own feelings to make decisions and forget what God can do for them. We want to share with you three things you can do while preparing to wait on God.
First, you need to examine your heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs in your life. If something comes to your mind that the Holy Spirit brings to you it is important that you take care of that sin immediately.
You accomplish this by confessing, repenting and doing whatever is necessary to correct the situation. At times we often put this aside because the impending decision we need to make is our main concern. We cannot expect God to work in our lives as long as we allow sin to control our life. In order to receive God’s full blessing, we must first deal with any sin our life.
Second, when we seek direction from God we need to learn how to listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to give us the guidance we are praying for. We find it very difficult to wait on the Lord because we want quick answers and a quick fix. Our timing, however, is not the Lord’s timing.
Another reason why we find it hard to wait is that we want the Lord to do it “our way.” We cannot allow ourselves to be tempted by our feelings and our own logic if we want guidance from God. God knows what is best for us and He will give us the guidance we ask for which we can be sure is best for us because it will be in accordance with His perfect will for us.
Third, the answer to our request for guidance sometimes requires our involvement. For example, if you are out of work and trusting God to provide a job for you, God expects you to actively look for a job. Some people just sit back and pray several times a day reminding God of their need. Waiting on God is not an excuse for inaction on your part or to be just lazy.
How can you be sure that you are making the right decision? What do we need to do to hear the voice of God responding to our need for guidance?
We need to clear the pathway. We already mentioned above the need to get rid of the sin in our life but we also must be willing to make our desires secondary to His.
We need to exercise patience. Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength when you feel time is so important in making your decision. But if you rush ahead of God, you may not only miss His will but miss a special blessing that He has for you.
You need to search the scriptures. Many people just take time to pray but how can God communicate to you if you do not read His Word? The Word of God has an answer for every need and the Holy Spirit will always point us to the right direction if we wait on Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
When I face a critical need in my life and need to make a decision help me to wait on You. Help me to be patient, search the scriptures and not rush to a quick answer that is not according to what You want for my life.
Parenting: September 16, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2014.
PARENTING
DEFINITION:
The rearing of children by parents; to bring up, raise, care for, train, educate, develop, nurture and cherish a child.
SCRIPTURE:
Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. Proverbs 19:18 (NLT)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There are so many dysfunctional families today that we need to look at what God says about the responsibilities of parents. In Jeremiah 32: 18 we read that God will repay the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children. This unfortunately makes the children the victims of the sins of their fathers.
Jeremiah in these verses (17-19) speaks about generational cycles of sin. Unless someone in the family line makes a deliberate choice to change, sin and dysfunctional behavior will be passed from parent to child for many generations. This is just a confirmation of the principle of sowing and reaping.
But the opposite also is true. When parents pass down to their children standards and conduct that honors God and His Ten Commandments their children and children in future generations will be blessed of God if they stay true to what they were taught and learned.
Parents cannot expect to have good children if they are not good parents. Children must be taught right from wrong both by instruction and by example. Parents must be good role models because actions speak louder than words.
We are seeing today the sad consequence of generations of parents failing to live according to God’s will which is reflected in the high percentage of marriages that end in divorce. Typically, it is the father who moves out of the house. When the father is not in the home it leaves a void of leadership in the lives of the children. It is the role of the father to be the spiritual leader of his family and to shape their perception of God. Depending on the type of role model a father is he can either draw his children to the Lord or drive them away.
Sometimes the easiest way to understand what we are saying is to look at negative examples to make that point. Here are five very typical examples for you to consider. (Taken from Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” magazine)
• The angry, unpredictable father instills fear in his children and teaches them by his actions that God is a tyrant who lashes out unexpectedly.
• A critical, demanding dad makes his kids feel inadequate. They see God as a strict task master who is never pleased.
• The uninvolved or absent father sends the message that his children are unimportant, and both he and God are too busy for them.
• A macho dad’s tough, uncaring nature leads his children to feel unloved and they in turn conclude that the Lord doesn’t love them either.
• A fault-finding or abusive father conveys that his children are worthless and God is full of condemnation
The story is told of a little boy riding alone on a train on a hot day when the travelers were extremely uncomfortable; and the scenery was not too interesting as they passed through the desert of Arizona. A lady sitting beside the boy asked him if was tired of the long and hot ride.
The little boy smiled and said that he was a little tired but I do not mind it much. You see I love my father very much and he is going to meet me when I arrive in Los Angeles.
Sometimes we get a little tired as parents from the heavy responsibility of raising children. But isn’t it wonderful that just as this young boy was so excited about seeing his father at the end of his trip, we can feel exhilarated to know that all of the frustrations that we go through as parents someday will be all behind us as we meet our heavenly Father at the end of our road here on earth.
A man with a Christ-like character provides children with a healthy emotional connection, not only to their earthly father but also to their heavenly Father.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
As a parent help me to be a Godly role model for my children so that by example my children are drawn to You. As I read Your Word open up the truth so I can demonstrate the love and compassion of God not only to my children but to others I associate with each day.
PARENTING
DEFINITION:
The rearing of children by parents; to bring up, raise, care for, train, educate, develop, nurture and cherish a child.
SCRIPTURE:
Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. Proverbs 19:18 (NLT)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Galatians 6:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There are so many dysfunctional families today that we need to look at what God says about the responsibilities of parents. In Jeremiah 32: 18 we read that God will repay the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children. This unfortunately makes the children the victims of the sins of their fathers.
Jeremiah in these verses (17-19) speaks about generational cycles of sin. Unless someone in the family line makes a deliberate choice to change, sin and dysfunctional behavior will be passed from parent to child for many generations. This is just a confirmation of the principle of sowing and reaping.
But the opposite also is true. When parents pass down to their children standards and conduct that honors God and His Ten Commandments their children and children in future generations will be blessed of God if they stay true to what they were taught and learned.
Parents cannot expect to have good children if they are not good parents. Children must be taught right from wrong both by instruction and by example. Parents must be good role models because actions speak louder than words.
We are seeing today the sad consequence of generations of parents failing to live according to God’s will which is reflected in the high percentage of marriages that end in divorce. Typically, it is the father who moves out of the house. When the father is not in the home it leaves a void of leadership in the lives of the children. It is the role of the father to be the spiritual leader of his family and to shape their perception of God. Depending on the type of role model a father is he can either draw his children to the Lord or drive them away.
Sometimes the easiest way to understand what we are saying is to look at negative examples to make that point. Here are five very typical examples for you to consider. (Taken from Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” magazine)
• The angry, unpredictable father instills fear in his children and teaches them by his actions that God is a tyrant who lashes out unexpectedly.
• A critical, demanding dad makes his kids feel inadequate. They see God as a strict task master who is never pleased.
• The uninvolved or absent father sends the message that his children are unimportant, and both he and God are too busy for them.
• A macho dad’s tough, uncaring nature leads his children to feel unloved and they in turn conclude that the Lord doesn’t love them either.
• A fault-finding or abusive father conveys that his children are worthless and God is full of condemnation
The story is told of a little boy riding alone on a train on a hot day when the travelers were extremely uncomfortable; and the scenery was not too interesting as they passed through the desert of Arizona. A lady sitting beside the boy asked him if was tired of the long and hot ride.
The little boy smiled and said that he was a little tired but I do not mind it much. You see I love my father very much and he is going to meet me when I arrive in Los Angeles.
Sometimes we get a little tired as parents from the heavy responsibility of raising children. But isn’t it wonderful that just as this young boy was so excited about seeing his father at the end of his trip, we can feel exhilarated to know that all of the frustrations that we go through as parents someday will be all behind us as we meet our heavenly Father at the end of our road here on earth.
A man with a Christ-like character provides children with a healthy emotional connection, not only to their earthly father but also to their heavenly Father.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
As a parent help me to be a Godly role model for my children so that by example my children are drawn to You. As I read Your Word open up the truth so I can demonstrate the love and compassion of God not only to my children but to others I associate with each day.
Finances: September 15, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2014.
FINANCES
DEFINITION:
Management of monetary affairs.
SCRIPTURE:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me on this, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will be not room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Tell me what you think about money, and I will tell you what you think about God, for these two are closely related. A man’s heart is closer to his wallet than anywhere else. It is a staggering fact that for the last five years people have spent, here in America, ten times as much for luxuries and non-essential items than they have for all charitable and religious purposes.
The Bible warns us against greed and selfishness; it does encourage frugality and thrift. Jesus said to His disciples after he fed the multitude to gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
John Wesley had a threefold philosophy about money and the use of our finances. He said, make all you can; keep all you can; and then give back to the Lord all you can. Most of us get all we can, spend all we can, borrow all we can and then give meagerly to God.
As we look back to the years before we were married and then these 57 years of marriage, what we were taught about tithing and what we experienced as a result of faithful tithing has been one of the great blessings of our lives. Over the years we have had numerous conversations with our children and most recently with our grand-children about finances. The conversations have basically begun with the question: “How did you make it on the amount of money you received?”
From our perspective, even though we had critical times of concern as to how we were going to make it financially, we always did. And we firmly believe that this happened continually in our lives because we always tithed a minimum of 10% to the Lords work.
We all know that the world is full of disorder and uncertainty, but as believers, we have the wonderful assurance that God is in absolute control of every situation. He created the heavens and the earth. He had a purpose and a plan, which He carried out with precision and order. Knowing this we can be certain that God has a plan for each one of us as believers and every aspect of our lives is not only under His scrutiny but also under His care.
One of those areas is our finances. If we follow God’s plan, He promises to manage our money. Now, that is quite a blessing and most believers do not take God up on His plan. Who do you think would be better at knowing how to handle our money, you or God?
His plan is simple. He promises that if we give Him the first part of all that we receive, a tithe (10%), He will provide for all of our needs. All we can tell you is that this is what we have done consistently without missing a day and God has kept His promise and met our every need. It has truly been amazing to see how God has taken us through many valleys and over many mountains.
When you see the promise that God has made us and the blessing that He promises us plus the unfailing faithfulness of the Promise giver, what keeps you from obeying His command? The reason we have heard the most is unbelief. People say what if God does not come through? Others say what if I give it away and then do not have enough to pay my bills?
God’s response to this is, “Try Me.” God challenges us to put Him to the test. Everything we have comes from God. God’s test is that we give Him back at least 10 percent, a tithe, to advance His Kingdom and to put our trust in Him to provide for our needs. God is faithful and He will bless us. God’s promise is not always material, but we will receive them, if not here and now, we will receive them in eternity.
The Lord is after your trust and what better way to test God and build your trust in Him is than through your finances.
We have been blessed to have had several visits to Israel. We have been to the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. These two bodies of water serve as an excellent example of two vivid financial plans. The Jordan is surrounded by trees and greenery but then around the Dead Sea nothing lives. When the water flows into the Dead Sea it stays there because there is no outlet. Soon the salts accumulate and poison the water.
The Dead Sea can be likened to the world’s financial system which is to accumulate and preserve all your wealth. This results in self-centered stagnation. Hoarding makes lives spiritually unfruitful and hinders the good works God wants to do.
The Lord’s financial plan is like the Jordan, a river that moves continually. As God’s provisions pass into our lives, we pass at least 10% back to Him and to His Church ministries and God continues to give. God supplies enough to live and enough to give.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
Help me to take the step of obedience today and to trust You to supply all my needs if I follow Your promise of giving the first fruits of what I earn to Your work.
FINANCES
DEFINITION:
Management of monetary affairs.
SCRIPTURE:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me on this, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will be not room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Tell me what you think about money, and I will tell you what you think about God, for these two are closely related. A man’s heart is closer to his wallet than anywhere else. It is a staggering fact that for the last five years people have spent, here in America, ten times as much for luxuries and non-essential items than they have for all charitable and religious purposes.
The Bible warns us against greed and selfishness; it does encourage frugality and thrift. Jesus said to His disciples after he fed the multitude to gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
John Wesley had a threefold philosophy about money and the use of our finances. He said, make all you can; keep all you can; and then give back to the Lord all you can. Most of us get all we can, spend all we can, borrow all we can and then give meagerly to God.
As we look back to the years before we were married and then these 57 years of marriage, what we were taught about tithing and what we experienced as a result of faithful tithing has been one of the great blessings of our lives. Over the years we have had numerous conversations with our children and most recently with our grand-children about finances. The conversations have basically begun with the question: “How did you make it on the amount of money you received?”
From our perspective, even though we had critical times of concern as to how we were going to make it financially, we always did. And we firmly believe that this happened continually in our lives because we always tithed a minimum of 10% to the Lords work.
We all know that the world is full of disorder and uncertainty, but as believers, we have the wonderful assurance that God is in absolute control of every situation. He created the heavens and the earth. He had a purpose and a plan, which He carried out with precision and order. Knowing this we can be certain that God has a plan for each one of us as believers and every aspect of our lives is not only under His scrutiny but also under His care.
One of those areas is our finances. If we follow God’s plan, He promises to manage our money. Now, that is quite a blessing and most believers do not take God up on His plan. Who do you think would be better at knowing how to handle our money, you or God?
His plan is simple. He promises that if we give Him the first part of all that we receive, a tithe (10%), He will provide for all of our needs. All we can tell you is that this is what we have done consistently without missing a day and God has kept His promise and met our every need. It has truly been amazing to see how God has taken us through many valleys and over many mountains.
When you see the promise that God has made us and the blessing that He promises us plus the unfailing faithfulness of the Promise giver, what keeps you from obeying His command? The reason we have heard the most is unbelief. People say what if God does not come through? Others say what if I give it away and then do not have enough to pay my bills?
God’s response to this is, “Try Me.” God challenges us to put Him to the test. Everything we have comes from God. God’s test is that we give Him back at least 10 percent, a tithe, to advance His Kingdom and to put our trust in Him to provide for our needs. God is faithful and He will bless us. God’s promise is not always material, but we will receive them, if not here and now, we will receive them in eternity.
The Lord is after your trust and what better way to test God and build your trust in Him is than through your finances.
We have been blessed to have had several visits to Israel. We have been to the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. These two bodies of water serve as an excellent example of two vivid financial plans. The Jordan is surrounded by trees and greenery but then around the Dead Sea nothing lives. When the water flows into the Dead Sea it stays there because there is no outlet. Soon the salts accumulate and poison the water.
The Dead Sea can be likened to the world’s financial system which is to accumulate and preserve all your wealth. This results in self-centered stagnation. Hoarding makes lives spiritually unfruitful and hinders the good works God wants to do.
The Lord’s financial plan is like the Jordan, a river that moves continually. As God’s provisions pass into our lives, we pass at least 10% back to Him and to His Church ministries and God continues to give. God supplies enough to live and enough to give.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 22:6.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
PRAYER:
Help me to take the step of obedience today and to trust You to supply all my needs if I follow Your promise of giving the first fruits of what I earn to Your work.
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