Cloud and Fire
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.- Psalm 78:14
God led the children of Israel with a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire in the night. Now the New Testament says that we have a better covenant established on better promises... I believe that the Holy Spirit should be more obvious to us as our guide than the cloud and fire was to the Israelites.
Ownership
The true test of ownership is death. If you can take it with you, then it's yours. The Word tells us that he wants us to be blessed and prosperous, but also says to lay up treasures in heaven.
"We only have in heaven what we deposit in that account while we are on earth. There's no way to transfer funds to heaven once we say good-bye to this earth."
- Wayne Myers
That is so completely true. Our Pastor talks about prosperity with a purpose. When we rightly divide the Word of truth, we see that He wants us to "pay it forward"... or to bless others. It pleases God when he sees us give for two reasons: 1. because we are obedient to His Word 2. because He sees His own nature [a giver] within us.
Some people can't afford to tithe or give. The same people can't truly believe God for their own salvation. Why? Well, if you can't trust him with material or earthly things... how can you trust him to give you a never ending or eternal life? Remember in the Bible where the poor woman gave 2 mites [I think that's the equivalent of a couple pennies]... Some people say "Oh, well Jesus said that her pennies were worth more than the rich mans gold, so I can give a a couple of pennies and that will be just as well". Wrong. She gave her last bit of money. I think that sometimes your gravity of your giving can be measured by how much you have left after you have given.
Our Pastor teaches us that when it's time to take up an offering, either to give in faith or save it because we're gonna need it.
Money is a sore subject when it comes to Christianity. Most people sull up about it. You can talk about anything, but stay away from their pocketbooks. I've been there myself. Just get all bent out of shape about it. Then I remember that I can't outgive God. Also, that he is my source and not only does he own my first tenth... but he owns it all. Recently I was really convicted about how I handle and spend money. I'm not saying that I'm a freespender... but some of the useless things that we buy that adds nothing to our quality of life. You know what I'm talking about. Like paying $40 for a meal... not because it is something you really like... like Inokos [a Japanese restaurant in Athens, Ga]... but because it was just more convenient.
We don't believe that Pastors should be rich. That money and Christianity don't belong in the same sentence. That's a lie from the enemy. What sends missionaries across the world... money. What turns on the lights and pays the bills... money. Most of us spend at least 40 hrs a week working for something that is evil? No. Learn to let go of it in faith. Don't be a prisoner to the $.
Strength for ya days
- "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." -Is 40:29
- "and as thy days, so shall thy strength be" - Deut 33:25
- "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Heb 4:16
He has given us strength to live day to day. He promised that according to our days he will give to us or make available to us strength. When we are weak, or in other words have come to the end of our ability or strength... he shows himself strong. We need to use the strength and ability that he has already given to us, too, because we must be faithful with what He has given to us... but when you long to serve Him, you will certainly be appointed to do things outside of your own knowledge, power, and ability. He is strong and willing! Can I say that again? God is strong and willing! When all hell breaks loose in your life... boom ! He is Jehovah Shalom !... when you must do the impossible...boom ! He is El Shaddai ! .... when you are resisting sickness.... Boom! He is Jehovah Rapha!.... when the rent is due and the baby is crying, your car is broke down and your power disconnected... boom! He is Jehovah Jireh! My God will be my supply in my time of need!
Opportunity and God
"
And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned." - Heb 11:15
Straight out of the Faith Hall of Fame we can see that the greats such as Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Sarah were actually human. They were just like us. Fighting the same GOOD fight of faith.
- "if they had been mindful of where they came out they would have had OPPORTUNITY"
As Christians, we need to be very careful with opportunity. It can be good or bad. Sometimes, we have to make sure that we don't have opportunities so that we don't have to make such hard decisions. For example, when you are in faith for healing, you can't give yourself the opportunity to think and get into unbelief. Stay away from things and situations that might give you the chance to doubt God's Word or even to sin against him. Remember that satan is the god of opportunity. If satan has anything to do with your life, he's gonna try and get you into situations that might make you fail and hurt your relationship with God. Furthermore, don't just assume that good opportunities are from God. The only thing that you can know about situations is what you perceive from previous experiences, what you see, hear, or feel. First, God's Word will be enough to help you make right decisions... especially the part that talks about being led by the Holy Spirit. Since God has foreknowledge, in which the human mind cannot operate, we need to trust in Him and His Word for direction because he knows everything that you don't! You only know what you know. He knows what satan has hidden behind the appearance of good.
- "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Rom 12:2
Set your mind upon God's Word. His Word is a
lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Many times God's Word will conflict with what you have in your mind from what you were told by professionals, doctors, and even what you were taught by scholars and books... but if you keep believing and confessing God's Word... no matter how contradictory it is to your situation, it will eventually.... i said
'in due season'... overtake the other. It must.
God Bless you!
DON'T LET OPPORTUNITY BE YOUR GOD !!!
All ye Nations
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, RejoiceRejoice en el señor siempre: y digo, rejoice otra vezFreuen Sie sich im Lord immer: und wieder sage ich, freue mich主で常に喜ばせなさい: そして再度私は言ったり、喜ぶ주안에 항상 기뻐하십시요: 그리고 다시 나는 말하고, 기뻐한다总高兴在阁下: 并且我说, 再高兴Réjouissez-vous dans le seigneur toujours : et encore je dis, me réjouisRejoice sempre nel signore: ed ancora dico, rejoiceRejoice в лорде всегда: и снова я говорю, Rejoice-Phillipians 4:4
Again I say, Rejoice! Isn't he so good? !!!
Translation
I've added a translator to the left sidebar.
Happy Monday!
"be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" Eph6:10
"he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ" Phill 4:6
"greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4
These are some good scriptures to keep in mind today. As Christians, we need to find our strength in him... looking to His Word and his Spirit that are within us to remind us that what he has promised us must come to pass if we believe.
