Tithing is not being generous. Just the idea of measuring up to the law implies that a person would not be giving that much if they didn’t feel compelled by some rule. Some tithing happens with the hope that it is trading a small thing for a bigger thing. If I give Jesus a tenth, He will owe me a return on my investment. What sort of position or condition […]
Category Archives: Kingdom
Mercy to the Wounded
Everybody is broken in some way, in some place. Some people’s wounds have been healed. Some wounds have been the point of contact through which they met Jesus. Some are ongoing reasons for dependency on Him. Some people’s wounds will be your opportunity to lead them to Jesus. Some will be your opportunity to serve Him while serving them. Don’t let wounds become places infected with offence or fear or […]
Our Journeys are Too Great
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was told by an angel, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too great for you.” He was told then by the Spirit of Yahweh to stand on the mountain in His presence. When Yahweh passed by the cave Elijah was hiding in, it was after a wind, an earthquake and a fire had passed by. Yahweh was present in the form of […]
Hastening the Day
“Who then is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. I assure you: He will put him in charge of all his possessions.”(Matthew 24:45-47 HCSB ©®) Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a […]
Savior and King
Lord Jesus, You are our Savior! Show us how to share the good news of Your Salvation in words that You use to open the hearts and minds of the lost to surrender to You as a Savior. You are also our King, Lord Jesus. Show us how to share the good news of Your Kingdom in power that reveals your authority and greatness in ways that open the minds […]
Discerning Prophetic Instruction
So the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is doing nothing that deserves death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(Acts 26:30-32 HCSB ©®) I have become convinced that prophetic ministry is usually presented with three parts: the […]
Gifted Leadership
If a congregation of believers is being led by people who are using their spiritual gifts, the expectation of success in ministry should be multiplied. If a congregation is being led by one person, with a random spiritual gift – maybe pastor, maybe evangelist, maybe teacher – it should be expected that the person will either be fired or will quit because of the stress and failure that are related […]
Changed Minds – Changed Lives
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to take off His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.(Matthew 3:11 HCSB ©®) John baptized for changed minds (metanoeo = repentance).Jesus baptizes for changed lives (new birth; purpose; authority). Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the […]
Talk and Power
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, “Who will go up to heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down or, “Who will go down into the […]
Learning the Ropes
On a clipper ship, the various ropes did various things, based on the various things the wind might be doing at the time. “Learning the ropes” was the process of learning how things worked so a sailor could know how to work. A caterpillar is not trained regarding its life and work as a butterfly. Some of the work of flame and river and desert in your life is preparing […]