God’s Word is a treasure chest, full of priceless gems. Benny Hinn Ministries | Friday, April 29, 2016 By Benny Hinn
Under the Old Covenant, the tabernacle served as God’s dwelling place, a holy habitation prepared for Him by Moses and the children of Israel. During this landmark teaching, Pastor Benny Hinn shares anointed insights into the symbolism of the tabernacle, carefully outlining how the entire message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is revealed in the materials and specific detail, including:
•The significance of the historical and spiritual treasures of the design and function of the wilderness sanctuary
•The meaning and importance of the outer court, the inner court and the Holy of Holies
•The sweeping panorama of the majesty, reality and the process of entering into the presence of the Lord
•The principles that can help you experience a deeper and more dynamic walk with God
The wealth that lies within is unveiled as you study and apply the truths found in the Word of God. Get ready for a powerful ground-breaking as Pastor Benny takes you deeply into the symbolism and significance of the Tabernacle.
Delivered in a small group Bible study setting, this rich and detailed material will unveil historical and spiritual treasures about the Tabernacle’s revelation of Jesus in its design and function. By using the example of the wilderness sanctuary, you will see a sweeping panorama into both the majesty and reality of entering into the presence of the Lord.
"God’s Word is a treasure chest filled with priceless gems! The wealth that lies within the plans for the tabernacle reveals our Lord Jesus Christ and how we can move into the Holy of Holies with Him!”
Developing Patience Crosswalk | Thursday, April 28, 2016 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
James 1:1-4
When people confide to me that they are praying for patience, I often ask what else they're doing to acquire a calm and gentle heart. Patience isn't so much something believers receive as it is an attribute that they develop over time and through experience.
Think of patience as a muscle that you have to use in order to see it build. To that end, believers should recognize difficulty as an opportunity to flex their patience. The human instinct is to cry out to God in bewilderment when tribulation comes knocking. We blame. We resist. We complain. What we don't do is say, "Thank You, Father--it's time to grow in patience!" People aren't trained to think that way, but according to the Bible, that is exactly how Christians are to respond.
James tells us to consider trials a joy (1:2). But we often fail at this, don't we? Humanly speaking, praising the Lord for tribulation is unnatural. However, doing so begins to make sense to believers when they cling to God's promise that good comes from hardship (Rom. 8:28). We are not waiting on the Lord in vain. We can praise Him for the solution He will bring, the lives He will change, or the spiritual fruit He will develop in us.
Accepting hardship as a means of growth is a radical concept in this world. Even more extreme is the believer who praises the Lord for the storm. But God's followers have cause to rejoice. Tribulation increases our patience so that we can stand firm on His promises and await His good timing.
Calmness During Trials Daily Manna | Wednesday, April 26, 2016 (Posted on 26-04-2016) Deeper Christian Life Ministry
JOB 7:1-11
Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Medical doctors say those who are likely to survive crucial surgical section are people with strong faith that the operation will be successful and that they would live. Job had suffered cruel affliction from the enemy. He lost all his earthly possessions, including his children.
His body was afflicted with putrefying sores. In the midst of all these, his friends vexed his soul with discouraging words. His own wife, in the midst of broken heartedness, urged him to curse God. But Job determined to take his case to the Almighty. He complained to God in the anguish of his spirit and in the bitterness of his soul. The passage reminds us that those who live righteously in Christ must suffer persecution. These light afflictions as Paul termed them, are bound to come.
Yet, our attitude in such circumstances matters a lot. It is not virtuous for believers to charge at God during trials. It is true that afflictions are hard to bear; it is also true that the body is not accustomed to pain and limitless inconveniences. Those who know the source of their problems as Job did, must however realise that their problems have an expiry date. Whatever you may be going through as a test of faith, the wise counsel is to wait upon the Lord. When complaints are made, they must be only to God Who knows the end from the beginning.
In the heat of affliction and when it seems the pressure of persecution is weighing heavily on us, we must remember that all elements of the earth obey His word. Remember, God's eyes are upon those who trust Him and the rod of the wicked will never rest upon the lot of the righteous.
Thought for the day: It's always darkest before dawn.
Bible Reading in one Year: JOSHUA 5 - 7
Prayer: "Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul" (Job 7:11).
Steps to Forgiveness Global Christian Center | Tuesday, April 26, 2016 By Melisa Turner
Forgiveness means to stop being angry at someone or about something. We have spoken before about the need to forgive (here and here). Today I want to help you with how to do this difficult task.
Learning how to forgive is a skill we will use over and over again. Our earthly life is full of hurts, offenses and disappointments, so we need practical ways to overcome.
Take 3 Steps to Forgiveness
1) We must decide we are going to forgive
Choosing to forgive is different than simply knowing that we should forgive. Deciding to forgive an offense is not saying that the offense is a good thing. It only says that we no longer wish to be angry or bitter about it. Some say that what angers you controls you. Choosing to forgive breaks us free from the power that offenses have over our thoughts and emotions.
“Father God, today I choose to forgive because I wish to walk in freedom. Help me to turn over my anger and hurt to you and choose to treat others with the mercy you have shown me.”
2) We must choose to keep forgiving every day
Forgiveness is not a one-time event. Over and over again we will be reminded of our hurts and over and over again we must still choose forgiveness. When we remember our hurts and offenses we must take control of those thoughts so that they will not take control of our mind.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV).
“Father God, today I choose to think thoughts of forgiveness. I refuse to keep the argument or anger alive in my mind. Please help my thoughts to be obedient to you.”
3) We must be patient with the process of living in forgiveness
God makes available to us new strength every day because we often have used up yesterday’s amount. We must remember to offer forgiveness each day to those who hurt us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22 ESV).
“Father God, help me to remember how much mercy I need from you each day. Please give to me the mercy I need to be forgiving to others each day as well.”
Forgive Because You’re Forgiven Pastor Rick's Daily Hope | Monday, April 25, 2016 By Rick Warren
“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT, second edition)
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The Bible says there are three reasons you have to let go of your past and the people who’ve hurt you, and the reasons have nothing to do with whether that person deserves it or not.
1.You have to forgive those who’ve hurt you because God has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13 says, “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (NLT, second edition). If you want to be a forgiving person, you need to first accept the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. The Bible said that God came to Earth in human form in Jesus in order to forgive everything that’s ever been done wrong. He paid for it so we don’t have to. That’s Good News.
2.You have to forgive those who’ve hurt you because resentment controls you. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge” (CEV). Resentment makes you miserable, and it keeps you stuck in the past. And when you’re stuck in the past, you are controlled by the past. Every time you resent something, it controls you. Some of you are allowing people who hurt you five, 10, or even 20 years ago to hurt you to this day. That’s stupid. Don’t let it happen. They can’t hurt you any more. Your past is past. You’ve got to let it go.
3.You have to forgive those who’ve hurt you because you’re going to need more forgiveness in the future. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (NIV). Forgiveness is a two way street. You cannot receive what you are unwilling to give.
Someone once told John Wesley, “I could never forgive that person!” Wesley replied, “Then I hope you never sin.”
You don’t want to burn the bridge that you’ve got to walk across to get into Heaven.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
•In what situation do you need to offer forgiveness so that you can move on from your past?
•What is a sin that you believe you could never forgive?
•How do you think God feels about that sin?
The Spirit Delivers Our Daily Bread | Friday, April 22, 2016 By Marvin Williams
Read: Romans 8:19-27 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 14–15; Luke 17:1-19
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
Until recently, many towns in rural Ireland didn’t use house numbers or postal codes. So if there were three Patrick Murphys in town, the newest resident with that name would not get his mail until it was first delivered to the other two Patrick Murphys who had lived there longer. “My neighbors would get it first,” said Patrick Murphy (the newest resident). “They’d have a good read, and they’d go, ‘No, it’s probably not us.’ ” To end all this mail-delivery confusion, the Irish government recently instituted its first postal-code system which will ensure the proper delivery of the mail.
Sometimes when we pray we feel like we need help delivering to God what is on our heart. We may not know the right words to say or how to express our deep longings. The apostle Paul says in Romans 8 that the Holy Spirit helps us and intercedes for us by taking our unspeakable “groanings” and presenting them to the Father. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (v. 26). The Spirit always prays according to God’s will, and the Father knows the mind of the Spirit.
God hears us when we pray and He knows our deepest needs.
Be encouraged that God hears us when we pray and He knows our deepest needs.
Thank You, Father, for giving me Your Spirit to help me when I pray. Thank You for hearing my prayers and for loving me.
When you can’t put your prayers into words, God hears your heart.
INSIGHT: Teaching on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit is scattered throughout the New Testament, but much of it comes from two places: Romans 8 and Jesus’s Upper Room Discourse in John 14–16. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is a Helper like Himself (14:16) who will never leave us. This Helper is the Spirit of truth and has a special relationship with the follower of Christ (v. 17). In John 16 Jesus returns to the subject of the Spirit saying that He will convict the world of our need for Christ (vv. 8–11), guide us into all truth (v. 13), and glorify Jesus (v. 14).Bill Crowder
Attitude Is Everything CBN | Thursday, April 21, 2016 By Wally Odum
Some of us find it hard to say “thank you.” In Vermont a farmer was sitting on the porch with his wife. He was beginning to realize how much she meant to him. It was about time—for they’d lived together forty-two years, and she had been such a help. She had shared the joys and the hardships of their marriage. She had worked hard and loved him unconditionally. One day as they sat together, he said, “Wife, you’ve been such a wonderful woman that there are times I can hardly keep from telling you.”
One of our problems is that we are blessed in so many ways that we can begin to take them for granted. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that if the stars came out only once a year, everybody would stay up all night to look at them. He observed that we have seen the stars so often that we don’t bother to look at them anymore. It’s easy for us to be like that. We can become so accustomed to our blessings that we can lose our sense of gratitude.
For those of us who think thanksgiving is optional, this gospel story shows how very important it is to take time to give thanks:
“As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God, I’m healed!’ He fell face down on the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well’ ” (Luke 17:11-19, NLT).
Luke taught us, with this story, that we can be thankful for Jesus’ compassion. These men were outcasts. Their society treated them as if they were already dead. They “stood at a distance” because the law prohibited them from coming in close contact with people. The entire population was afraid of being infected by them.
These ten leprous men didn’t know a lot of theology. But they did know that Jesus is a Savior. The angel was specific about Jesus’ name when He was born:
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
The very name “Jesus” means Yahweh saves.
They also knew that Jesus is in charge. They call Him “Master,” which means “One who stands over.” They sensed His authority. They were laying hold of the One who could save them because they believed He is in charge and has unconditional love for those who are struggling with leprosy. Their confidence in Jesus was justified. “And as they went, their leprosy disappeared.”
The story doesn’t end, however, with the healing of the ten lepers. Luke continued his description of the miracle by pointing out that only one of the ten came back to Jesus to say “Thank You.” Coming back is not popular. The majority (ninety percent of the lepers) kept going.
When we are thankful for the many blessings we have received we become candidates for the greatest blessing anyone can obtain. Forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation are God’s gifts to those who are willing to fall at Jesus feet and say, “Thank You.” We have been blessed. A right attitude about what we have already received can produce unimaginable benefits in the future. Let’s come back to Jesus’ feet this day and say “Thank You.” It will be worth the time it takes.
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.
Jesus, Our True Passover Lamb Joseph Prince Ministries | Wednesday, April 20, 2016 By Joseph Prince
Exodus 12:3
…every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.
Jews worldwide celebrate the Passover feast. The feast, which has been kept for generations, commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 12:14) The night before the Israelites left Egypt, the destroyer went through the land killing the firstborn of man and beast. Only those households with the blood of the Passover lamb on their doorposts were spared.
God had told the Israelites, “Take a lamb, a lamb for a household.” It was a lamb for each family. This tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our true Passover Lamb, is for whole families to be saved!
So your children are blessed once you receive Jesus. Your unsaved spouse and grandparents are blessed too, because Jesus is now the Lamb for your whole household. Your unsaved loved ones will enjoy the blessings of the saved. The Bible says that the sanctified will sanctify the unsanctified. (1 Corinthians 7:14) Yes, they will still need to personally receive Jesus as their Savior, but God has marked them for salvation because you are saved!
Now, each household took a lamb which God said had to be without blemish. Why? Because the lamb typified Jesus, the true Lamb of God, who is without sin. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
The lamb was then killed, and its blood put on the two doorposts and lintel of the house (Exodus 12:7), such that it speaks of the cross. Today, the destroyer has to pass over every family that believes in the finished work of Jesus at the cross and puts its faith in His blood, because there has already been a death. The blood proves it—the innocent Lamb for the guilty family!
Jesus also celebrated the Passover the night before He was crucified. But He was instituting the greater Passover. This time, it was not deliverance from Pharaoh and Egypt, but from Satan and his kingdom of darkness! It was not deliverance from slavery in Egypt, but from a life of bondage to sin to a life of liberty as free men in Christ!
Beloved, Jesus, the Lamb of God, sacrificed Himself to set you free. And when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
Thought For The Day
The destroyer has to pass over every family that believes in the finished work of Jesus at the cross and puts its faith in His blood.
Punishment For The Ungodly Our Daily Bread | Monday, April 18, 2016 By Marvin Williams
AMOS 1:9-15
From our text, God pronounced judgment upon nations who manifested hatred and fought against Israel. Amos prophesied God's punishment that would befall Tyre for breaking its brotherly covenant of mutual respect and honour that it had with Israel. Tyre, during the time of David and Solomon, had good relationship with Israel. In spite of their long record of friendship, Tyre delivered the Hebrew slaves to their bitterest enemies, the Edomites.
God frowned at it and decided to punish Tyre. Amos equally prophesied against Edomites, the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, for their perpetual hatred towards Israel. For the Ammonites, the descendants of Lot, God also said He would also punish them for their cruelty toward the Israelites. From the accounts of our text, it is evident that sin has its rewards, negative consequences. Yet, people live a care-free life, undermining God. Husband and wife forget their marital vow, employing divorce instead of embracing peace to settle their differences.
They forget that God "hateth putting away" (Malachi 2:16). In business, partners defraud each other without regards to their business covenant. Even in the church, so-called brethren manifest hatred, malice and unforgiving spirit, and cruelty against each other, ignoring Jesus' admonition to "Love your enemies. . . do good to them that hate you. . . " (Matthew 5:44). The punishment meted on Tyre, Edom and Ammon shows that God's judgment is awaiting every sinner. The only way of escape is repentance from sin.
Thought for the day: Punishment is fitting justice for the impenitent.
Bible Reading in one Year: ACTS 24 - 25
Prayer: "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever" (Amos 1:11).
Surprising Victory Our Daily Journey | Thursday, April 14, 2016 By Jeff Olson
Read: Ephesians 1:15-23: Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come (Ephesians 1:21).
At the climax of the film Superman II, it looked as if villain General Zod had beaten the world’s superhero. Zod had coerced Superman into a crystal chamber that was designed to expose him to sunrays from their home planet Krypton—rays that would neutralize his superpowers. But Superman secretly reconfigured the chamber so that the power-draining sunrays were released on General Zod and his Kryptonian cronies instead!
When Jesus’ story came to its God-ordained climax, it looked as if the powerful Roman government and Jewish religious hierarchy had scored a decisive victory. The One who had healed the sick, calmed stormy seas, and even raised the dead back to life was unmistakably dead and buried (Mark 15:37,42-47).
But as time passed, by counsel of the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus began to recognize that His unjust and brutal crucifixion was not a crushing defeat. It was a surprising victory for God’s kingdom over the world’s powers. As one of Jesus’ earliest followers wrote, “[It was God’s] mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Through the power of sacrificial love, Jesus neutralized the corrupt “rulers and authorities” and established God’s worldwide reign. God was truly in charge, and the world was set to undergo a change just as radical as the events surrounding Jesus’ death itself.
We who claim Jesus as our Savior have access to the same power that turned the horrors of the cross into a stunning victory (Ephesians 1:21-22). This same force that raised Jesus from the dead 3 days later is the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells and enables us to live for God’s kingdom today (Romans 8:2,11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:1-15
More: Read Colossians 2:15 and consider what it says about Jesus’ victory for us.
Next: What did you do or say recently that proclaimed the reality of God’s kingdom in the world around you? How has the power of the Holy Spirit been made evident in your life?
God Wants Your Household Saved Joseph Prince Ministries | Wednesday, April 13, 2016 By Joseph Prince
When God got you saved, He didn’t just have you in mind. He had your whole family in mind. That is why His Word says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Now, this does not mean that once you believe in Jesus, your family members are automatically saved. What it means is that you have opened a big door for God to move into your family’s life and to touch every member of your family!
So don’t worry about your unsaved parents or grandparents. God knows how to reach out to them. A relative of mine spoke only Cantonese, and could not go to church because she was very old and her legs were weak. But Jesus appeared to her in a vision and spoke to her in perfect Cantonese! She had never encountered Jesus, but knew that it was Him and understood what He said to her. After that, those who visited and spoke with her were amazed by her knowledge of Jesus.
Even up to the very last moment, God will reach out to your unsaved family members. This happened to my late maternal grandfather who used to make fun of me being a Christian. On his deathbed, he was gasping for air and in great discomfort. He couldn’t die peacefully. My mother, who was with him, told him, “Dad, just say, ‘God, forgive me.’ Call on Jesus.” My grandfather remained hardened and in great pain. But at the very last moment, he cried out, “Jesus, forgive me!”
You see, my grandfather had no time to pray the sinner’s prayer. But God says that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. (Acts 2:21) Jesus will find every excuse to save a person. My mother saw the peace of God come upon my grandfather’s face after he had called out to Jesus, and he passed away peacefully.
My friend, God’s desire is for your entire household to be saved. Right now, your family may be giving you a hard time, but because you are a Christian, a big door has been opened for your Daddy God in heaven to touch them
The King's Garden Truth For Life | Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Nehemiah 3:15
Mention of the king's garden by Nehemiah brings to mind the paradise that the King of kings prepared for Adam. Sin has utterly ruined that delightful dwelling and has driven out the children of men to till the ground, which yields thorns and thistles to them. My soul, remember the Fall, for it was your fall. Weep much because the Lord of love was so shamefully ill treated by the head of the human race, of which you are a member, as undeserving as any. Behold how dragons and demons dwell on this fair earth, which was once a garden of delights.
Look now at another King's garden, which the King waters with His bloody sweat—Gethsemane, whose bitter herbs are far sweeter to renewed souls than the luscious fruits of Eden. In Gethsemane the mischief of the serpent in the first garden was undone: There the curse was lifted from earth and borne by the woman's promised seed. My soul, learn to ponder Christ's agony and passion; visit the garden of the olive-press, and view your great Redeemer rescuing you from your lost condition. This is the garden of gardens; indeed, here the soul may see the guilt of sin and the power of love, two sights that surpass all others.
Is there no other King's garden? Yes, my heart, or should be. How do the flowers flourish? Do any choice fruits appear? Does the King walk there and rest in the arbor of my spirit? Let me ensure that the plants are trimmed and watered, and the mischievous foxes hunted out. Come, Lord, and let the heavenly wind blow at Your coming, that the spices of Your garden may cast their fragrance everywhere. I must not forget the King's garden of the church. O Lord, send prosperity to it. Rebuild her walls, nourish her plants, ripen her fruits, and from the huge wilderness reclaim the wasteland and make of it a King's garden.
Family Bible reading plan - • Proverbs 30 • 1 Timothy 1
The Battle Is The Lord's Heavens Inspirations | Monday, April 11, 2016 By M.S.Lowndes
And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's ... You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." ~ 2 Chronicles 20: 15 & 17 (NKJV)
This scripture here is a promise we can hold on to when going through difficult circumstances that seem out of our control and overwhelming. There are some battles that we simply can't fight - and shouldn't fight in our own strength. Sometimes God tells us to take our positions, stand still and see His deliverance. Sometimes we need to take our hands off, stand back and let God fight for us.
We needn't fear what comes against us, but to stand firm in our faith. God knows the whole situation. Though we feel overwhelmed when we look at our circumstances, the Lord sees the whole picture and sees the way out for us. We need to let God have control and fight the battle we're facing. He has promised that He is with us and that He will bring us through.
If you are facing a battle today that seems overwhelming, give it over to God and let Him fight for you. He will work it all out, and make a way where it seems there is no way.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. ~ Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)
TITHING World Bible Society | Friday, April 08, 2016
DEFINITION: To give or pay a tenth of goods or income for the support of the church.
SCRIPTURE:
You shall tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. Deuteronomy 14:22.
Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will over flow with new wine. Proverbs 3: 9-10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the important principles that God has given us is to tithe back to our Lord 10% of what He has blessed us with. Tithing is of great significance in the life of those who are believers. The purpose of tithing is to demonstrate that we put God first in our lives and to signify that we are serving and honoring the Lord.
Giving God the first part of our earnings shows what we value most. It is a temptation for many believers to take care of everything else first, all of the bills they owe, and then give the Lord something if there is money left over. If the Lord is not a priority, we cannot expect Him to bless us. Look again at the verse above from Proverbs and see how “your barns can be filled with plenty.”
The Israelites were instructed by God through Moses to give God the first and best portions of their harvest and the best of their flocks to the Lord. It served as a reminder to them that everything they had belonged to God.
Over the years the Israelites forgot what God had told them and they were neglecting giving God their tithe. In Malachi 3:6, we are told that God used Malachi the prophet to rebuke the people for their sins. Malachi asked the Jews this question: “Will a man rob God?” This shocked the Israelites and they asked, “How do we rob God?” God answered them through His prophet Malachi, “In tithes and offerings?”
If you are not tithing have you thought about the fact that you are robbing God? God gave a challenge to the Israelites through Malachi when He said in Malachi 3:10. “Test Me in this. Bring all your tithe into the storehouse and see if I will not pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.
If a tenth seems a lot to you just remember two things. First, all we have belongs to God and secondly, we cannot out give God. We have found that the more we give the more God blesses us. We challenge you to tithe if you do not practice it now. There were times that we struggled whether we should put off tithing because we knew we did not have enough to pay all of our bills. Even though it was difficult we always tithed and when unexpected financial needs came God provided far and beyond our need.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Timothy 3:17.
So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
PRAYER:
Keep me faithful in tithing to You from all that You have blessed me with. Thank You for providing for our family, without exception, in such a marvelous way when we tithed faithfully to You.
Talents and minas Christian Resources | Thursday, April 07, 2016 By Restoration Publications
The parables of Jesus concerning the kingdom of sonship, help us to understand how we receive the reward of our immortal body as a son of God in the new heavens and earth. We recall that Jesus likened His life to talents and minas that were given to the slaves in His house. Jesus, the Master of the house, expected to receive an increase from the labours of His slaves as they traded with His possessions in the broader kingdom.
When a person comes into Christ through baptism, they are made slaves in His house and receive talents and a mina. Talents are given in varying volumes according to each person’s ability. We can liken talents to the varying capacities of individual members of Christ to express His sonship. In contrast, one mina was given to each slave. The mina represents the authority of each person’s name.
As slaves trade with their talents and minas by doing the works that Christ gives them as members of His body, the life of Christ’s own sonship is being multiplied. While everyone who comes into Christ receives a talent and mina, we recognise that not everyone will exercise themselves to multiply Christ’s sonship. These ones choose to work or live by a different principle. This is the principle of ‘another law’ in their flesh. From the basis of this law, some people will busy themselves with many activities that reveal their own sonship, while others may withdraw from participation in the life of the body of Christ. This would be like saying, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body’.
In both parables, the master of the house came and settled accounts with his slaves. This event was referring to the day when we all must appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Our eternal reward will be commensurate with the multiplication of Christ’s sonship in this age.
Further Study: Mat 25:14-30
Daily Proverb: Proverbs 7
References:
1Co 12:11, 15
(11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
(15) If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
Luk 19:13
"And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Do business with this until I come back.'"
1 Co 3:5
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.
Rom 12:3
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Eph 1:5-6
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
From Mire To Choir Back To The Bible | Wednesday, April 06, 2016 By Warren Wiersbe
In Prayer, Praise and Promises
Read Psalm 40:1-3
When we wait for the Lord and wait on Him, we aren't being idle. In this psalm David cries out to the Lord and asks for help. "He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps" (v. 2). Waiting on the Lord is worthwhile because of what He is going to do for us. It is not idleness, nor is it carelessness. And it certainly isn't complacency. Instead, waiting is that divine activity of expecting God to work. And He never disappoints us.
Figuratively, David had been down in a horrible pit. He was sinking in the mire. But he waited on the Lord. And God not only pulled him out of the pit, but He put him on a rock and established his footing. He said, "David, I'm going to take you out of the mire and put you in the choir." "He has put a new song in my mouth--praise to our God" (v. 3).
Are you waiting on the Lord? Are you praying about something and asking, "O God, when are You going to do this? When are You going to work?" Remember, one of these days your praying will turn to singing. Your sinking will turn to standing. Your fear will turn to security as He puts you on the rock. Just wait on the Lord. He's patient with you. Why not be patient with Him and let Him work in His time?
Waiting for the Lord's help sometimes forces you to your limits. But take comfort in knowing that while you wait on Him, God is working out His purposes in your life. Are you in a difficult situation, waiting for God to do something? Leave your burden with the Lord and trust Him to act. He never disappoints you when you wait on Him.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Reality of the Gospel albertmohler.com | Tuesday, April 05, 2016 (Posted - 4.04.2016) By Albert Mohler
The pattern of the Christian year is an exercise of the Church’s discipline. The annual celebrations of Christmas and Resurrection Day force the Church to ponder again the truths of Christ’s incarnation and resurrection.
Christians understand that every Lord’s Day is Resurrection Day, but this Sunday is the festival which draws all Christians face to face with the empty tomb and the truth of the resurrected Lord.
Resurrection Sunday is the central event in the church year–the climax of worship, expectation, and celebration. This celebration is also an acid test of the Church’s faithfulness and conviction.
The secular world has done its best to make a mess of Christmas, but it has largely ignored our celebration of the Resurrection. Where commercialism intrudes, it comes in the forms of eggs and chicks and rabbits–none of which claim any connection with the Resurrection. The fact is, the secular world will attempt to domesticate, commercialize, and tame the babe in the manger–but it will run at breakneck speed from the cross and the empty tomb.
That cross stands as condemnation on all human attempts at self-righteousness, and the fallen world will do all within its power to hide the cross from sight. The empty tomb is the seal and confirmation of the cross, and the world will shield its eyes.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead separates Christianity from all mere religion–whatever its form. Christianity without the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is merely one religion among many. “And if Christ is not risen,” said the Apostle Paul, “then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain” [1 Corinthians 15:14]. Furthermore, “You are still in your sins!” [v. 17b]. Paul could not have chosen stronger language. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” [v. 19].
Yet, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been under persistent attacks since the Apostolic age. Why? Because it is the central confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the incarnate Son of God, and the ultimate sign of Christ’s completed work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. Those who oppose Christ, whether first century religious leaders or twentieth century secularists, recognize the Resurrection as the vindication of Christ against His enemies.
Those who would attack the Church and reject its gospel must direct their arrows at the most crucial truth claim of the New Testament and the disciples: That Jesus Christ, having suffered death on a cross, though sinless, having borne the sins of those He came to save, having been buried in a sealed and guarded grave, was raised by the power of God on the third day.
As Paul well understood, Christianity stands or falls with the empty grave. If Christ is not raised, we are to be pitied, for our faith is in vain. Those who would preach a resurrectionless Christianity have exchanged the truth of the gospel for a lie. But, asserted Paul, Christ is risen from the dead. Our faith is not in vain, but is in the risen Lord. He willingly faced death on a cross and defeated death from the grave. The Resurrection is the ultimate sign of God’s vindication of His Son.
As John A. Broadus preached over a century ago: “It was the signed manual of the Deity, it was the seal of the Sovereign of the Universe affixed to His claim, it declared Him to be all that He had ever professed to be, and so it establishes the truth of all His teachings and the truth of the whole Christian society. The great fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead is the central fact of the evidence of Christianity.”
Believers have no reason to be defensive concerning the Resurrection. To the contrary, any denial of the Resurrection is a denial of the Savior. The biblical evidence is overwhelming.
As the disciples preached in the earliest Christian sermons, “This Jesus God has raised up, of whom we are all witnesses . . . . Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” [Acts 2:32,36].
The Resurrection was not a dawning awareness of Christ’s continuing presence among the disciples, it was the literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. The Church is founded upon the resurrected Lord, who appeared among His disciples and was seen by hundreds of others.
The Church does not have mere permission to celebrate the Resurrection, it has a mandate to proclaim the truth that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrected Lord gave the Church a sacred commission to take the gospel throughout the world. As Paul made clear, the resurrection of Christ also comes as a comfort to the believer, for His defeat of death is a foretaste and promise of our own resurrection by His power. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” [1 Corinthians 15:53].
So, as the Church gathers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we should look backward in thankfulness to that empty tomb and forward to the fulfillment of Christ’s promises in us. For Resurrection Day is not merely a celebration–it is truly preparation as well. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the promise of our resurrection from the dead, and of Christ’s total victory over sin and death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very center of the Christian gospel. The empty tomb is full of power.
Wisdom and Grace Our Daily Bread | Monday, April 04, 2016 By Bill Crowder
Read: James 1:1-8 | Bible in a Year: Ruth 1–4; Luke 8:1-25
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. James 1:5
On April 4, 1968, American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated, leaving millions angry and disillusioned. In Indianapolis, a largely African-American crowd had gathered to hear Robert F. Kennedy speak. Many had not yet heard of Dr. King’s death, so Kennedy had to share the tragic news. He appealed for calm by acknowledging not only their pain but his own abiding grief over the murder of his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy then quoted a variation of an ancient poem by Aeschylus (526–456 bc): Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
In life’s darkest times, we find what we need in Him.
“Wisdom through the awful grace of God” is a remarkable statement. It means that God’s grace fills us with awe and gives us the opportunity to grow in wisdom during life’s most difficult moments.
James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). James says that this wisdom is grown in the soil of hardship (vv. 2-4), for there we not only learn from the wisdom of God, we rest in the grace of God.
Father, in the face of life’s sometimes awful circumstances, may we find Your grace to be a source of awe and wonder. Instruct us in our trials, and carry us in Your arms when we are overwhelmed.
Has the Lord led you through a crisis? Tell us about His faithfulness
INSIGHT:
The epistle of James was written to a very specific audience—the twelve tribes scattered among the nations (1:1). This scattering refers to the results of the persecution of the early church in first-century Jerusalem. Following the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7) and the execution of James the brother of John (12:1–2), the church became exposed to widespread attack, forcing Jewish followers of Christ to evacuate their homeland in search of safety while taking the message of Jesus with them. This persecution, intended to wipe out the church, instead caused the message of the gospel to spread throughout the world. Bill Crowder
Quick to Forgive Joyce Meyer Ministries | Friday, April 01, 2016 By Joyce Meyer
And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted…forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
The Bible teaches us to forgive “readily and freely.” That is God’s standard for us, no matter how we feel about it. We are to be quick to forgive.
According to 1 Peter 5:5, we can clothe ourselves with the character of Jesus Christ, meaning that we can choose to be long-suffering, patient, not easily offended, slow to anger, quick to forgive, and filled with mercy. My definition of “mercy” is to look beyond what is done to me that hurts and discover the reason why it was done. Many times people do things even they don’t understand themselves, but there is always a reason why people behave as they do. Perhaps they are hurting and in their own pain they don’t even realize they are hurting someone else.
God forgives! We are to be merciful and forgiving, just as God in Christ forgives us our wrongdoing. He not only sees what we do that is wrong, but He understands why we did it, and is merciful and long-suffering. The choice to forgive others is ours. God will not force anyone to do it. Even if you don’t understand it, believe that God’s way is the best. It works. He can take what Satan meant to destroy you and turn it for your good.
We are to forgive in order to keep Satan from getting the advantage over us.
