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| Dare to expect? |
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I got up this afternoon as I work nights on Monday night and Tuesday night. I read out loud some scriptures that a new friend at church gave me. I was feeling "out of sorts", mostly because of "out of control" finances. Or should I say lack of finances. I've been tithing for the last couple of months and as I've gone along things have gotten tighter.
I owe about $3,000 on plastic, have a $330 monthly house payment, as well as regular utilities. I've cut up my credit cards, but for some reason I've felt compelled to increase my offerings.
I watch TBN a lot but havent been compelled to send any offerings in that direction. but have been following the spirit which has encouraged me to put offerings in other directions.
3:8 Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 3:9 Ye are cursed with the curse; for ye rob me, even this whole nation. 3:10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough `to receive it'. 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts. 3:12 And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts. 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee? 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts? 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape. 3:16 Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.
It seems everytime I struggled to make ends meet I've been moved to plant seed. Usually at my home church. Occasionally to a couple of national ministries.
I was always aware of the "robbing God" part of this scripture. But the testing God part scares the living daylights out of me. So as I was reading some scripture out loud when I got up I was moved to go to my home church.
I was sure I was going to find myself sitting in an empty parking lot, but I thought If it was God I had better go. So I did. I walked up to this one couple and said I don't know why I'm here but something told me to come.
There were some people in there and my homechurch has a prayer room that's open most of the time. And a heeling room where this one couple took me to pray for my tattered finances.
It turns out I've really been struggling with fear and indecision lately. So I guess I should do more obeying, and less questioning. but I reckon more will be revealed.
I know I'm being called to be considerably less involved in NA with there whatever God you wanna serve philosophy. So I can be more intrenched in the Word. This is scary after 18 years of being told and telling other addicts, that people that quit going to meetings, end up relapsing. But I've been clean from dope for 18 years maybe it's time I identify myself less as an addict and more as a Christian.
Maybe at some point I need to admit that Christ Heals and give credit where credit is due. I might also mention that a few years ago (around fall of 2003) I had a massive stroke which almost killed me. I always kicked against going to Church preferring to think of the God of My own understanding A.K.A. Idolatry (see comandment #2). But the folks from Calvary Temple were there almost every day.
Jesus has sure been patient with this kid. so far. Dare I expect? Is it time for the stronghold of pesimism to be cast down?
((to be continued)) |
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| To add a comment to "Dare to expect?" |
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| August 15, 2007 |
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Dave, I think you can dare to expect God to be faithful - because that is the way He is!
He will take care of you. He loves you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so you never have to worry about Him maybe changing His mind about loving you. He will meet your every need (maybe not your every WANT, but He will meet your every need. And maybe not the WAY you want, but He will meet your every need).
EXPECTING God to move is about the only thing that keeps me going - life is just too interesting to give up or quit.
I took my kids to King's Dominion today (local amusement park). Like they say, "Sit back, relax, and enjoy your ride!"
Thanks for your encouraging posts! |
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| August 15, 2007 |
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| After 20 years serving dope, and 18 years in NA I thought nothing would suprise me but I'm thinking that may not be so. One of the hardest things to do is be still and know he's God. but thanx for the encouragement. |
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| August 15, 2007 |
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Hey Dave,
Malachi 3:8-16 ASV was written to God's chosen people before the Cross and we are not into the tithing system that God set up for the Priests who did not inherit land. Many in the Church want to put laws on us and make us feel condemned if we do not give, but it is not the Spirit of God toward the born again.
This increase in debt we see all across the board. We've known several people who have paid a tithe with credit card money, only to find themselves now in a hole that is deeper than they ever were before... with no sign of redemption. Just stop giving monies, until your finances are turned around!
And when guilt comes at you, turn to God and say, "Lord, I will give of everything I have, as you lead me, but I will not believe I am under condemnation from You. I stand against any spirit that tries to bring condemnation on me. Thank you Jesus, Amen." This is my take on it. You are free, don't let someone put a burden on you. R... |
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