Yes tithing, giving 10%, is first taught in the Old testament. Tithing was mentioned before the law was given, when the law was given and Jesus in the New Testament, commended those who were obeying the practice of tithing. Tithing helps to remind us that everything we have actually belongs to God and we are to be good stewards of what He has given us. Deuteronomy 14:23 (LB) “The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” Tithing reminds us to always put God first in our lives. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34. I have found that there are two kinds of people in the world, givers and takers. Givers are always happier people. Tithing helps us to keep our hearts close to God who is a giver. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...”
0 Comments
There are hundreds of different religions and beliefs that all seem to promote that their path is the path to God. Most of these religions do recognize or acknowledge Jesus as a great teacher or prophet. Jesus is a great teacher and prophet, but he is more than that. Jesus is also God who became flesh. The One True God who has revealed Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit came to earth as Jesus the Son of God. Jesus then said this, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There may be many ways for a person to come to know about Jesus but knowing and accepting Jesus is the only way to God the Father who is in Heaven. A great teacher would not proclaim a lie as the truth. If you want to connect with God you will need to come through and by trusting Jesus. I grew up, graduated from high school, own property and pastor a church all right here in Charlotte. I feel that I have a right to express my concerns on this or any issue that is going to affect my community. I spoke and shared my concerns from both a Biblical and secular viewpoint. I shared how it really doesn’t matter how I feel about this issue, but it does matter how God feels. I proceeded to share some Biblical support that warns against the dangers associated with this issue. Then I supported the Biblical warning with alarming statistics from states that have already gone down this road. Every law we have is founded on the basis on what someone deems right or wrong. God’s Word was not sent to enslave us but to protect us and point us toward our Savior. I hope more Biblical informed citizens will let their voice be heard. The origin of yoga mediation is directly linked to Hinduism and Buddhism. According to the Ministry of External Affairs government of India web site, “Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline”. When any person practices a spiritual discipline apart from connecting with the One True God taught in Judeo-Christian teachings, they are opening themselves up to false gods or demoniac presence. Yoga exercise and meditation was established to be a spiritual discipline that has nothing to do with the God of the Bible. This will probably get some folks upset but I have found that this little rhyme has been very helpful. “If in doubt, leave it out”. I would agree with what some of these other Christian leaders have warned about. From what you described it sounds like the pastor was following the example given in James 5:14 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Prayer for the sick is a part of what the Lord has called us to do. The anointing with oil is the liquid you saw the pastor put on his fingers. This is symbolic of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and of placing the person into the hands of God. The prayer and the anointing of oil is to be done in the name of the Lord. It is God who brings the healing not the person praying. The one praying is totally relying on the power of the Lord to bring the healing. Water baptism is one of the things Jesus told his followers in Matthew 28:19, to continue to do for all who would come to believe and accept Him as their Savior. The apostle Paul explained in Romans 6 the symbolism of how water baptism portrays the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Infant baptism is never mentioned in Scripture. Every account of water baptism is that of an adult making a decision to repent and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. We practice dedicating our babies to God, as Joseph and Mary did for Jesus and then performing baptism when a person is able to make their own decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. This same Senator a few years ago filed a lawsuit against God over natural disasters. On another occasion he compared police officers to ISIS. This man has served in office since 1971 and is the longest serving state senator at 81 years old. The people of Nebraska apparently continue to support him by reelecting him into office. Our flag is not just a piece of cloth or a rag any more than a headstone is just a piece of granite. Our flag stands for freedom and represents this great nation and all who have suffered and died protecting us. Because of what the flag represents, we have proper protocol regarding how to fold it, how to raise it and lower it, how to display it. This Senator needs a lesson in showing honor and respect. God created us to live forever but because of sin our body will eventually die. But our soul will continue to live and will spend eternity somewhere. The only real answer we have on this must come from God's Word, the Bible. The Bible does not teach anything about purgatory or soul sleep. For the believer 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. Those who have not accepted Jesus as Savior will not enter heaven. There is no second chance, no redemption, no prayers for the dead to help them make it to heaven. Jesus makes it very clear in John 14 that it is only through belief in Christ that we can come to the Father, who is in heaven. You experienced what the Bible calls in First Corinthians 12, two of the nine spiritual gifts that are mentioned. The first was tongues and the second was the interpretation of tongues. This is explained further in First Corinthians 14. Basically, it is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit bringing a message to the people that were present. The speaking in tongues is a sign to any unbelievers and the interpretation or prophesying is speaking forth the message that God had for the believers that were present. Funerals have changed a lot over the last few decades. Most families use to be connected to a church and their minister would be asked to officiate. Now it seems that I often officiate at a funeral where I have never met the person. The funeral is a time to share memories, say our goodbyes and contemplate the reality of life and death. I will always have a prayer, some scripture and make sure to mention that God is not willing for anyone to perish and miss heaven. That faith in Jesus is the only way for any person to see the kingdom of God. Yes, the funeral is for the family, but it is also a time to realize that there is also eternal life after death. |
Archives
January 2020
|