What is the Tithe, you might ask, is it just me writing a check to my church for 10% of what I make each week? No, it is much more and much more meaningful when you understand it with your heart!
With it being the Christmas Season, I was reminded of when I was a little girl and wanted to give my Momma a Christmas gift, from me, that she could unwrap. Being only a child, of course, I had no money to go buy her something so I would go to my room and search to find something I thought she would like. After going through my baby dolls and stuff animals, I would always end up going through my little box of "valuables", which consisted of my little necklaces and Avon perfumes my Momma had given me. I would take one of the little perfumes and wrap it up, the one with the most left in it, and put it under the tree with her name on it. I was always so excited when it came time to open presents and she would find mine to her. Of course after the first year of me doing this, she always knew what she would be unwrapping. She always acted so excited over my gift anyway and it made me feel so big inside!
One Sunday morning during our teaching on the Tithe & Offerings out of Malachi 3:6-12 the word "return" jumped out at me! God was telling His people to return to Him, and they asked..."In what way shall we return?" The next verse talks about man robbing from God in tithes & offerings and they needed to return to Him that which was already His. He showed me that the tithe is just like what I did each Christmas for my Momma, I was only returning to her what she had already given to me. He said...."The tithe is My gift to you, that you return to Me, just like you did as a child." That thought brought tears to my eyes, the tithe is God's gift to us so we have something to "return" to Him!!
I hope this blessed you and if you are having a hard time tithing, that you will see it in a new light. To me it is even more precious now that I know it is His gift to me and I GET to return it to Him!
Until next time...God bless & keep you!!
Your Sister in Christ - Kathy
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Holiness - Who are you pleasing, God or yourself?
1 Peter 1:15 - "But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living."
Those are powerful words, did you noticed Peter didn't give us an option? He didn't say "if you want to" or "if it's convenient" or "if it's the popular "Word" being preached in your day." Some modern day preachers will tell you "It's okay to live like the world, God will still love you and bless you." That is a true statement to some extent, but like I've always said, "Hell is full of people God loves." God loving you will not keep you out of hell someday or keep you from living a "hell on earth" lifestyle. You make the choice where you will spend eternity and how you will live on this earth.
Romans 12:1 (Amp.) - "I appeal to you therefore brethren and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship."
Holy means to be "set apart", if you are going to be "set apart" then there are somethings you cannot be "a part of." You have to learn what the Bible says is "pleasing to God", not what pleases your flesh! Paul is begging them in this passage of scripture, I believe, because he had seen the hypocrisy of the Pharisee's. Jesus called them, in Matt. 23:27, "whitewashed sepulchres, full of dead men's bones." We can't claim to be one thing and live another. We are followers of Jesus or we're not, it's just that plain and simple, and He said, "if you love Me, you will keep my commandments."
To live holy is a decision you make, then, you live out that decision by the choices you make everyday. Did you notice, Paul said a "decisive dedication" of your bodies? Not just on Sunday and live like the world the rest of the week. No, it's a line in the sand that we have to draw and stick to it. Will you miss it along the way? Sure you will, but if your heart is truly to serve God, you will repent, receive His cleansing and move on! God is a merciful and gracious God, but He is also just. He cannot reward bad behavior, just like we don't expect a earthly judge to let a criminal go free. The Good News is, Jesus has already stood before God for you and taken your punishment, knowing that, why would you want to live in such a way that doesn't honor and appreciate the sacrifice He has made for us?
If you are a born again child of God you have the power, on the inside of you, to live holy. His name is "The Holy Spirit", not the "Unholy Spirit", yield to Him and ask Him to help you live a holy life and He will. If you are not born again, repent of your sin of not believing or trusting your life to Jesus and you will be forgiven and this same "Holy Spirit" will take up residence in your new, reborn spirit and you too will have the power to live holy. Jesus has already done everything needed for us to live a holy life, we just have to make the choice, it will be the best decision you will ever make. What will you have to give up? Heartache, headaches, and a bunch of drama...lol...God's way of living brings peace and joy to your life, it's the best way to live!
Until next time, may the Lord keep you and guard you, and may His face shine upon you and give you peace!
Those are powerful words, did you noticed Peter didn't give us an option? He didn't say "if you want to" or "if it's convenient" or "if it's the popular "Word" being preached in your day." Some modern day preachers will tell you "It's okay to live like the world, God will still love you and bless you." That is a true statement to some extent, but like I've always said, "Hell is full of people God loves." God loving you will not keep you out of hell someday or keep you from living a "hell on earth" lifestyle. You make the choice where you will spend eternity and how you will live on this earth.
Romans 12:1 (Amp.) - "I appeal to you therefore brethren and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship."
Holy means to be "set apart", if you are going to be "set apart" then there are somethings you cannot be "a part of." You have to learn what the Bible says is "pleasing to God", not what pleases your flesh! Paul is begging them in this passage of scripture, I believe, because he had seen the hypocrisy of the Pharisee's. Jesus called them, in Matt. 23:27, "whitewashed sepulchres, full of dead men's bones." We can't claim to be one thing and live another. We are followers of Jesus or we're not, it's just that plain and simple, and He said, "if you love Me, you will keep my commandments."
To live holy is a decision you make, then, you live out that decision by the choices you make everyday. Did you notice, Paul said a "decisive dedication" of your bodies? Not just on Sunday and live like the world the rest of the week. No, it's a line in the sand that we have to draw and stick to it. Will you miss it along the way? Sure you will, but if your heart is truly to serve God, you will repent, receive His cleansing and move on! God is a merciful and gracious God, but He is also just. He cannot reward bad behavior, just like we don't expect a earthly judge to let a criminal go free. The Good News is, Jesus has already stood before God for you and taken your punishment, knowing that, why would you want to live in such a way that doesn't honor and appreciate the sacrifice He has made for us?
If you are a born again child of God you have the power, on the inside of you, to live holy. His name is "The Holy Spirit", not the "Unholy Spirit", yield to Him and ask Him to help you live a holy life and He will. If you are not born again, repent of your sin of not believing or trusting your life to Jesus and you will be forgiven and this same "Holy Spirit" will take up residence in your new, reborn spirit and you too will have the power to live holy. Jesus has already done everything needed for us to live a holy life, we just have to make the choice, it will be the best decision you will ever make. What will you have to give up? Heartache, headaches, and a bunch of drama...lol...God's way of living brings peace and joy to your life, it's the best way to live!
Until next time, may the Lord keep you and guard you, and may His face shine upon you and give you peace!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Prayer - Connecting with God Daily
Gen. 26:18 says that Isaac dug "again" the wells of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up with earth (dirt). Unfortunately, we have that same problem today, spiritually! Many of the "wells" that our forefathers in the faith have dug, have been filled with dirt by, wrong teaching and loose living preachers, who don't want to teach or live the "whole" counsel of God.
As the next generation of preachers, teachers and believers, we must dig again these wells, so these Bible Truth's won't be lost. Each generation has a responsibility to pass down the truth's we've been taught.
The 1st Well, God spoke to me about, was: Prayer - Connecting with God daily. Ps.5:3 says..."In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart.] There are many kinds of prayer, prayers of request, petition, dedication and so on, but this kind, I believe is the most important! We need to daily connect with our Father, He is our source for everything we need. He is the one we should be getting our information from, not the world. He has already planned a "good life" for you but you won't find it until you learn how to connect with Him, and hear with your heart what that plan is.
Many of our Spiritual Fathers knew how to commune with God like that. I love one of the stories my Grandpa told me about when he was a young pastor and in prayer with God one day. God told him to get in his car drive across the state to minister for a pastor friend of his. He did what he heard God tell him to do, when he reached the church of his friend it was already dark out, he had been driving all day, but he saw a light on in the church. He went in and there was the pastor, at the altar praying. He turned and looked and said..."Brother Williams, I was just praying for God to send you to us, to preach to my congregation!" We can all learn to hear God that accurately, if we will develop a personal, intimate time with Him each day.
Two of my favorite men of the Bible are Noah & Enoch. Most have heard of Noah but not everyone has heard of Enoch. Gen.5:24 says..."And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him.] (Amp.translation.) Also, in Gen. 6:9 it says about Noah..."Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God." Wow, Enoch got his own personal rapture!! How cool is that?!?! I can't promise you that but what a great testimony to have! Both of these men walked in "habitual fellowship" with God. Enoch was translated and Noah got specific instructions on how to save his family, and anyone else who would heed his words, from the devastation of the flood.
Many preachers today, don't teach you need a intimate relationship with God, but without it, it could mean the difference between life and death! I encourage you today to start, if you haven't already, having time when you fellowship with God. Not asking Him for anything or telling Him your problems, just speaking to Him like you would your spouse or closest friend. He loves you, and longs for those times with you. One of the best ways is through communion. Yes, you can take communion at home, you don't have to be in church or have a pastor present. It's the most intimate, I believe, you can get with God. Jesus said..."this is my body (speaking of the bread), and this is my blood (speaking of the cup of juice)." He is giving us Himself!! You become one together, just think how much easier it is to hear from Him then!!
I hope this has helped you, the next "Wells" will be: Right Living/Holiness...Oh boy, you may say! Believe me it's worth any sacrifice you make in the natural, we'll talk about that next time. Until then, God Bless and Keep you, and cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace!!
As the next generation of preachers, teachers and believers, we must dig again these wells, so these Bible Truth's won't be lost. Each generation has a responsibility to pass down the truth's we've been taught.
The 1st Well, God spoke to me about, was: Prayer - Connecting with God daily. Ps.5:3 says..."In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart.] There are many kinds of prayer, prayers of request, petition, dedication and so on, but this kind, I believe is the most important! We need to daily connect with our Father, He is our source for everything we need. He is the one we should be getting our information from, not the world. He has already planned a "good life" for you but you won't find it until you learn how to connect with Him, and hear with your heart what that plan is.
Many of our Spiritual Fathers knew how to commune with God like that. I love one of the stories my Grandpa told me about when he was a young pastor and in prayer with God one day. God told him to get in his car drive across the state to minister for a pastor friend of his. He did what he heard God tell him to do, when he reached the church of his friend it was already dark out, he had been driving all day, but he saw a light on in the church. He went in and there was the pastor, at the altar praying. He turned and looked and said..."Brother Williams, I was just praying for God to send you to us, to preach to my congregation!" We can all learn to hear God that accurately, if we will develop a personal, intimate time with Him each day.
Two of my favorite men of the Bible are Noah & Enoch. Most have heard of Noah but not everyone has heard of Enoch. Gen.5:24 says..."And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him.] (Amp.translation.) Also, in Gen. 6:9 it says about Noah..."Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God." Wow, Enoch got his own personal rapture!! How cool is that?!?! I can't promise you that but what a great testimony to have! Both of these men walked in "habitual fellowship" with God. Enoch was translated and Noah got specific instructions on how to save his family, and anyone else who would heed his words, from the devastation of the flood.
Many preachers today, don't teach you need a intimate relationship with God, but without it, it could mean the difference between life and death! I encourage you today to start, if you haven't already, having time when you fellowship with God. Not asking Him for anything or telling Him your problems, just speaking to Him like you would your spouse or closest friend. He loves you, and longs for those times with you. One of the best ways is through communion. Yes, you can take communion at home, you don't have to be in church or have a pastor present. It's the most intimate, I believe, you can get with God. Jesus said..."this is my body (speaking of the bread), and this is my blood (speaking of the cup of juice)." He is giving us Himself!! You become one together, just think how much easier it is to hear from Him then!!
I hope this has helped you, the next "Wells" will be: Right Living/Holiness...Oh boy, you may say! Believe me it's worth any sacrifice you make in the natural, we'll talk about that next time. Until then, God Bless and Keep you, and cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace!!
Monday, April 2, 2012
"Goals" - Are You Going After Them or Ignoring Them?
Well it's already April and Spring has certainly "Sprung." Actually it's feeling more like Summer than Spring here in TX. I love this time of year, sitting outside more than inside, green grass instead of brown, trees full of leaves instead of bare. A time of new beginnings, birds building their nest, soon there will be baby chicks and bunnies in the feed stores, (maybe one day I can bring some home...hint,hint) wildflowers in abundance, new life everywhere you look.
It's also a good time to check on those goals you set at the first of the year, remember those? Or have you been ignoring them, knowing that you haven't been keeping up with them faithfully up to this point. Remember the meaning of the word "Goals": it means - The finish line of a race, the end point or target, the purpose toward which an endeavor is directed. It doesn't mean, you've already hit the target or finished the race. You may be lagging a little at the start but that doesn't mean you can't pick up the pace and still achieve it!
I just wanted to encourage you today, to not give up on your goals. There will always be resistance that comes with any goal you set. If it was something you were already good at doing you probably wouldn't have to set it as a goal. It's usually something you've always wanted but for some reason haven't been able to reach it in the past. So don't get down on yourself, pick it back up at this time of new beginnings and pick up the pace. It's not too late, ask the Holy Spirit to be your Helper, that is one of the reasons He is here! You can still see your goals achieved this year. Let this time of year motivate you to give yourself a "fresh start" too!
Thanks for listening,
May the Lord Bless and Keep You!
It's also a good time to check on those goals you set at the first of the year, remember those? Or have you been ignoring them, knowing that you haven't been keeping up with them faithfully up to this point. Remember the meaning of the word "Goals": it means - The finish line of a race, the end point or target, the purpose toward which an endeavor is directed. It doesn't mean, you've already hit the target or finished the race. You may be lagging a little at the start but that doesn't mean you can't pick up the pace and still achieve it!
I just wanted to encourage you today, to not give up on your goals. There will always be resistance that comes with any goal you set. If it was something you were already good at doing you probably wouldn't have to set it as a goal. It's usually something you've always wanted but for some reason haven't been able to reach it in the past. So don't get down on yourself, pick it back up at this time of new beginnings and pick up the pace. It's not too late, ask the Holy Spirit to be your Helper, that is one of the reasons He is here! You can still see your goals achieved this year. Let this time of year motivate you to give yourself a "fresh start" too!
Thanks for listening,
May the Lord Bless and Keep You!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"Guard Yourself" - 1/10/12
Prov. 14:1 ~ "The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands."
Prov. 12:4 ~ "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."
WOW....what a contrast in these two verses, wives!! We can "build" our house or "pull" it down, we can be a "crown" to our husband or "rottenness" in his bones!! I've never known a woman to purposely do either of these things.
These scriptures brought to mind what I heard Pastor Barclay discuss in his "I Predict" 2012. The quote is as follows..."Women will be under a very severe demonic attack, and many will go ballistic. This will cause families to fail, marriages to dissolve, and our churches to be weakened."
This of course is not referring to "all" women but we can't just assume these demons won't try to mess with us! The first thing I heard, in my spirit, when he spoke that was "Guard yourself!" Women "do" more in the church, give more money, buy more christian books and over all support our churches more than most men. That makes sense why the devil would want to attack women. According to these scriptures though, we have the choice, we CAN guard ourselves by staying in The Word and keeping ourselves walking in love. I know that sounds a little impossible...lol...but it's not! I don't mean that you won't ever be tempted to just "go off" in the flesh when something goes wrong in your home or you feel you were done wrong or not appreciated, but in that moment we can yield to the feeling or to the Spirit of God within us. We can "build" in that moment or "pull" down, we can be that "crown" to our husband or "rottenness"....yuck, who wants to be that?? Not me!!
So in conclusion, make 2012 a year to "build" and not "pull down", be that "crown" not "rottenness." Stay close to Jesus and in the Word, walk in love, and repel the attacks of the devil. Submit to your husband as the one God has placed as head (authority) in your household, stay under that "covering" where it is safe! Then you can see your family flourish, your marriage built up, and your church strengthened and the devil's attack will fail where you are concerned!!
May the Lord keep you in all your ways,
Kathy
Prov. 12:4 ~ "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."
WOW....what a contrast in these two verses, wives!! We can "build" our house or "pull" it down, we can be a "crown" to our husband or "rottenness" in his bones!! I've never known a woman to purposely do either of these things.
These scriptures brought to mind what I heard Pastor Barclay discuss in his "I Predict" 2012. The quote is as follows..."Women will be under a very severe demonic attack, and many will go ballistic. This will cause families to fail, marriages to dissolve, and our churches to be weakened."
This of course is not referring to "all" women but we can't just assume these demons won't try to mess with us! The first thing I heard, in my spirit, when he spoke that was "Guard yourself!" Women "do" more in the church, give more money, buy more christian books and over all support our churches more than most men. That makes sense why the devil would want to attack women. According to these scriptures though, we have the choice, we CAN guard ourselves by staying in The Word and keeping ourselves walking in love. I know that sounds a little impossible...lol...but it's not! I don't mean that you won't ever be tempted to just "go off" in the flesh when something goes wrong in your home or you feel you were done wrong or not appreciated, but in that moment we can yield to the feeling or to the Spirit of God within us. We can "build" in that moment or "pull" down, we can be that "crown" to our husband or "rottenness"....yuck, who wants to be that?? Not me!!
So in conclusion, make 2012 a year to "build" and not "pull down", be that "crown" not "rottenness." Stay close to Jesus and in the Word, walk in love, and repel the attacks of the devil. Submit to your husband as the one God has placed as head (authority) in your household, stay under that "covering" where it is safe! Then you can see your family flourish, your marriage built up, and your church strengthened and the devil's attack will fail where you are concerned!!
May the Lord keep you in all your ways,
Kathy
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