Monday, August 15, 2011

A Study of Romans 8:6

So, today the Spirit led to to study Romans 8 and Revelations 8. As I was reading through these passages again, I saw Romans 8:6 needed further study. This is what I found.

for the mind of the flesh is death, and the mind of the Spirit -- life and peace;
(Romans 8:6, YLT)

φρονημα noun - nominative singular neuter
phronema fron'-ay-mah: (mental) inclination or purpose -- (be, be carnally, be spiritually) mind(-ed).

Can you see it? Is our purpose in whatever we do to feed ourselves or to be faithful to our loving God. Are we self-serving (fleshly-minded) or God-serving (Spiritually-minded). IT struck me how this Word had not done its perfect work in my life. There are so many places in which I am experiencing death, because my appetite is foremost. I have not even considered God or His will!

Oh, I was blind but now I see.

Leia Mais…

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Lessons on Tithing

The Tithe
The portion that you return to your Savior and High Priest.

I might have written about this sooner if I had remembered. I was discussing with my aunt a dream that God had given me. Although I do not remember the dream completely, I remember the lesson. I had just told my cousin who mentioned that she was struggling financially that she needed to tithe.

I had only just heard it from one of my mentors, and I decided to pass the good advice along. I was shocked to learn that only 20% of Christians actually tithe 10% of their income or more. My parents make it a habit to do so, and they definitely have more than enough.

I had been heeding the counsel of some as I received allowances and tax-free money from the government that I did not "need" to tithe. My aunt even told me, of some money I had recently received, that I did not need to correct my balance with God, just go forward in the future. I was convicted to make it right. But, what of this story that we are in the age of Grace?

Well my friends, I say that you can continue to suffer hardship in your ignorance or you can trust God to do what He says. Even more, in the next verse He speaks of rebuking "the devourer," meaning there is a being appointed to destroy all these good things we are accumulating with the Lord's tithe.

Malachi 3:10
Bring in all the tithe unto the treasure-house, And there is food in My house; When ye have tried Me, now, with this, Said Jehovah of Hosts, Do not I open to you the windows of heaven? Yea, I have emptied on you a blessing till there is no space. (YLT)


I always write from what the Holy Spirit teaches me and my personal experience. It has been two months that I have been careful to watch where my money is going and to give to the Lord what is His to bless the poor and needy. And I see my income increasing, just as God said.

Now, I remember what the Holy Spirit revealed that made me tremble. Jesus, the High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek gave the Jewish people the high priest model to reveal Himself to us. And now we have removed ourselves from it. But, this is one of the ways of God. We bring the tithe, and He blesses it, blesses us, and from it His family and work is sustained. So, when you are tempted to hold on to the tithe picture Jesus hungry, thirsty, and homeless and you ignoring Him.

Leia Mais…