Pastor's notes---Feb 22, 2015

                          
                                   Your life is your garden 


"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Gen 2:17)

                    When you read the accounts of Gen, you find an interesting analogy-YOUR LIFE IS YOUR GARDEN! Life is full of decisions that we must make and the results can affect your family,life,etc. Some decisions are hard to make. Sometimes, our emotions can get in the way.
       The question to ask ourselves is this-Why would God not allow Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why would God, not, allow Adam to eat something good? We know that God was protecting Adam from evil! He had all the knowledge he needed and it was all good. He and Eve did not have to know evil!
          One thing to consider-This tree wasn't evil in itself. God was showing a principle thing-Tithing! He said to Adam, you can eat of all the trees, but this one belongs to me. God's intention was for Adam to sow the seeds that were inside the fruit of the tree, so that he can abound in provision. The same concept was with Joshua. After Joshua and the Jews crossed the Red sea, God put them to the test. In their first battle, God wanted the silver and the gold for himself. They were not to touch it, but you know what happened with Achan? Achan took of the forbidden items and paid a high price-He and his family were stoned!!
               God's intention was to bless his people. He wanted the first fruits from battle, that is why this was so serious before the eyes of God. It is amazing how people downplay giving especially when it comes to the tithe. The tithe is a lot more important than you think. It cost Adam to lose the presence of God and his paradise. It affected God's people in battle when Achan disobeyed God and took of the silver and gold. 
               When you disobey God in the tithes and offerings, it could affect your family and even cost loss of lives as in the case of Achan.  It can affect your generations for years to come. That is why Satan works overtime to deceive the people of God and cause them to lose their blessing. Concerning  the tree of good and evil, let's talk about the forbidden tree being good. There are reasonings in our mind on what is good. In fact, people who are not believers, do some good and help others in need. 
                For example, let's look at Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a good organization and has done some good works but their patients are trained to say---I am an alcoholic. They credit a higher being and go on from there. Yes, there has been some wonderful results but that is not enough. Jesus can break the chains of alcoholism and make you lose your craving for it forever.  When God delivers you, you are a new creation. 
                Doing good works is good but if it is being done from a carnal mindset and not centered in Jesus, it is in vain. That is "eating" from the tree of good and evil. My righteousness or yours is not enough to gain heaven. God's word says that our righteousness is as filthy rags. (Isa 64:6) We need a righteousness above ours. Through Salvation in Christ and his finished work at Calvary, he gives us his righteousness in Christ Jesus-Praise God! 
                                Finally, lets talk about the tree of life! Did you know as a believer that you have access to the tree of life? You may ask-Where? In your tongue! (Prov 15:4) If you are bound and defeated, you can speak life to your situation! If you are in financial lack and are a tither/giver, you can speak life to your finances! If you are sick and in pain, you can speak healing to your body! Take advantage of your privileges in Christ. Start eating of the tree of life. Remember, your life is your garden!

Dear Lord, Thank you for speaking to me. I receive your word for today.Help me to be sensitive to your word and give as you direct me. Help me to die to human reasoning and not eat of the tree of good and evil. Today, I will eat of the tree of life. I declare the mind of Christ in my life. I say that he has become wisdom for me. I walk in victory because my tongue is a tree of life. In Jesus name--Amen! 

Scripture reading-Joshua 7

A look at Biblical finances!

Money!, a photo by yomanimus on Flickr.

Special thanks for yomanimus for allowing his photo to be on my website!


MANY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS SUFFERING FROM FINANCIAL LACK !

As a minister, I have seen many Christians go thru financial lack. Lack of finances has strained relationships. They have broken up marriages. Many have winded up with health problems because of the lack of finances. I am burdened for these precious saints, and I wish that I could write a check to cover all of these needs, but I can't. I can, nonetheless, provide some thought on how to deal with testings in this area.

JESUS SUFFERED FROM FINANCIAL LACK!

Our Lord Jesus, believe it or not, suffered from financial lack. He was asked if he paid taxes. (Matt 17:24) The good thing about Jesus is that he knew where to get the money to pay his taxes. He told Peter to pull up the first fish, and there, he would find the money to, not only, pay his taxes but Peter's. (Matt 17:25-27)
Yes, there are times when the word says that men will give to our bosom if we give to the Lord. I agree with that and have seen it happen in my own life, but sometimes, we have to go get it. The word says the principal thing is Wisdom.(Prov 4:7) Wisdom is the first thing we should seek God for in prayer. Sometimes, our circumstances can, so, overwhelm us. When this happens, we need to take a deep breath and be calm. The next step is to start to seek the Lord for wisdom.

WHY THE TITHE?

Many Christians fail to see the importance of tithing. The Tithe is a commandment of the Lord. Many a Christian justify themselves and make excuses. They overlook this very important commandment. In Malachi, chapter 3, we see how God demands this act of obedience from his people.
I will take this a little further! Upon reading Malachi 3, you will find God saying that his people have robbed him in TITHES AND OFFERINGS! Not only is the tithe important, but the offering too. When you read the accounts in the Old Testament, God told his people not to come to him empty-handed! Let's establish one thing-Tithing is mandatory, but the amount of the offering is left up to the Believer. (II Cor 9:7)
Why give? So, that there may be money available to supply the needs of the church. Not only is the church responsible to support their Pastor and leadership, but to help others in need. Reading the book of Acts, we saw how the church had its needs supplied because the people gave liberally. Tradition says that the church was poor, but God's word says the opposite.
I know of a Pastor of a big church, who not only, helps his flock financially but has helped employ people of his own church creating businesses. The true church is supposed to be the answer, not the problem. Too many bad apples has misappropriated the churches funds and have given Christianity a bad name. Thank God that we still have honest and upright ministers that try to help others and make a difference.

STOP BLAMING GOD!

This may come as a shock to you, but stop blaming GOD!! He is not to blame for your problems. Who's to blame? First, ourselves. Sometimes, we confuse our feelings for God and wind up making the wrong decisions in life. For example, we see an ad promising a quick pathway to wealth. Then, we see how that company pressure us by saying that this is a limited time offer. We pray about it and charge the card without really hearing from God. Months have passed by. What happened to that promise of wealth? You have been duped and out of money!
The word of God says that all of God's promises are Yea and Amen. (II Cor. 1:20) God has given us precious, and wonderful promises to get us through the testings of life. Bear in mind Malachi 3, when he says that he will open the windows of heaven! They are ours, but we have to learn how to possess them. Are you possessing God's promises? God willing, we will do some more studying on this important subject.