TEST ME IN THIS
This Lord’s Day we praise the Lord for how faithful God is to His promises. We hear every week from men and women who have accepted the Lord as Savior or have turned their hearts and lives back to the Lord. What a huge praise that we will never take for granted.
I pray that you will attend church today and give your tithe to your church. There are several hindrances that are listed in the Bible that can block answers to your prayers, but let me share one important hindrance this Lord’s Day. Do you tithe? Do you know what tithing means? The meaning of tithe is: the tenth of one's income; to pay a tenth of one's income. I believe the Lord has a special message for you that will change your life forever.
Tithing was taught in the Old Testament, but the practice was continued in the New Testament. In Jesus' ministry, He talked a lot about money. Everything that we have belongs to the Lord, but God has entrusted to us to be stewards of His money. We must decide in our own hearts whether we put God first or money. (Read Luke 16:13)
Throughout the New Testament you see the giving of money is to advance God's kingdom, for the work of the local church, to help those who are in need, and to spread the Gospel throughout the world as you give your offerings to missionaries and other ministries. Our ministry’s goal is to teach you the Word of God, so that you can apply it daily to your own personal life.
When Bob and I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior of our lives, our church taught us about being obedient to the Lord in many different ways. One important decision we made right away was our baptism as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Another principle that we learned was about tithing or giving back to God one-tenth of our income to our local church.
I know that you personally may have never been taught this or you may be thinking at this moment, “I do not have enough money to pay my bills, let alone to give one tenth to God!†Let me share what God's Word says:
“Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,†says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you’' “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me.†Malachi 3:7-9
Let me share just two stories which are an example of my tithing while I was divorced. Our washing machine broke. I was making trips to the coin laundry at night for our three children's clothes. I did not have money to have my washer repaired. One Sunday a church family came to me and handed me $100. The Lord had told them to give it to me. I knew their needs were as great as mine, but they insisted and I accepted with much love. I told them I would pray for the Lord to bless them. My repair bill, and the tithe, came within cents of the $100. I did not understand why the Lord used them to meet my need, but I thanked Him. A couple weeks later that same man found an envelope in the church's parking lot that contained $200. The money was unclaimed for a period of time and our pastor gave the family the money they had found. It was a spiritual lesson for both of our families. Be obedient and you cannot out give God.
“Test me in this,†says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,†says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,†says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12
Do you want blessings from God, instead of consequences? Have you read Wednesday’s devotional, Lord, Help Me which included a prayer for your finances? How did I pay my bills when Bob was gone when I was standing and on a tight budget, you may ask? I tithed. I had learned this principle as a Christian long before Bob and I were divorced. I was asking the Lord for a miracle of marriage restoration. I wanted to be obedient to my Lord God in all things.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Yes, I had to cut my expenses in many areas. I turned off our air conditioner. I cut out buying certain foods. In fact, one of our children, after Bob returned home, asked why we always had to have meat at our meals, as they liked how I cooked the cheaper meals. Yes, I tithed to my church and gave offerings to one or two ministries.
I filed for a divorce and did not forgive my husband due to my lack of knowledge of God's Word. You may not be tithing as you do not know or understand God’s Word completely. We receive email from standers that praise God for His faithfulness to them as they tithe in obedience to their Lord. May I suggest you ask the Lord what He wants you to do regarding your finances. You may want to start at five percent, but start giving something and strive to get to the ten percent. Remember, He knows all the details about your life.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
We believe so strongly in tithing that Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc. has tithed off of our monies received since the birth of our ministry to a variety of ministries every month. We cannot out give God.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.†Luke 6:38
There is not another place in the Bible where the Lord says, “Test me in this.†What a powerful statement and challenge from your Lord. I pray that you will be challenged to consider tithing and see how the Lord will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.†What a promise from your Lord God! I believe that God gives more to His children who give generously to Him, so that they can continue to give to His church and ministries. Please give with an obedient heart and not holding your hand out with a greedy heart. Love and trust the Lord. You will never be able to out give the Lord if you are walking close to Him.
Today worship the Lord with praises to His holy Name. Let us pray for thousands of prodigals, spouses and children to repent and surrender their hearts and lives to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
“…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.†Luke 15:10
Be blessed and believe,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
This Lord’s Day we praise the Lord for how faithful God is to His promises. We hear every week from men and women who have accepted the Lord as Savior or have turned their hearts and lives back to the Lord. What a huge praise that we will never take for granted.
I pray that you will attend church today and give your tithe to your church. There are several hindrances that are listed in the Bible that can block answers to your prayers, but let me share one important hindrance this Lord’s Day. Do you tithe? Do you know what tithing means? The meaning of tithe is: the tenth of one's income; to pay a tenth of one's income. I believe the Lord has a special message for you that will change your life forever.
Tithing was taught in the Old Testament, but the practice was continued in the New Testament. In Jesus' ministry, He talked a lot about money. Everything that we have belongs to the Lord, but God has entrusted to us to be stewards of His money. We must decide in our own hearts whether we put God first or money. (Read Luke 16:13)
Throughout the New Testament you see the giving of money is to advance God's kingdom, for the work of the local church, to help those who are in need, and to spread the Gospel throughout the world as you give your offerings to missionaries and other ministries. Our ministry’s goal is to teach you the Word of God, so that you can apply it daily to your own personal life.
When Bob and I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior of our lives, our church taught us about being obedient to the Lord in many different ways. One important decision we made right away was our baptism as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Another principle that we learned was about tithing or giving back to God one-tenth of our income to our local church.
I know that you personally may have never been taught this or you may be thinking at this moment, “I do not have enough money to pay my bills, let alone to give one tenth to God!†Let me share what God's Word says:
“Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,†says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you’' “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me.†Malachi 3:7-9
Let me share just two stories which are an example of my tithing while I was divorced. Our washing machine broke. I was making trips to the coin laundry at night for our three children's clothes. I did not have money to have my washer repaired. One Sunday a church family came to me and handed me $100. The Lord had told them to give it to me. I knew their needs were as great as mine, but they insisted and I accepted with much love. I told them I would pray for the Lord to bless them. My repair bill, and the tithe, came within cents of the $100. I did not understand why the Lord used them to meet my need, but I thanked Him. A couple weeks later that same man found an envelope in the church's parking lot that contained $200. The money was unclaimed for a period of time and our pastor gave the family the money they had found. It was a spiritual lesson for both of our families. Be obedient and you cannot out give God.
“Test me in this,†says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,†says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,†says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-12
Do you want blessings from God, instead of consequences? Have you read Wednesday’s devotional, Lord, Help Me which included a prayer for your finances? How did I pay my bills when Bob was gone when I was standing and on a tight budget, you may ask? I tithed. I had learned this principle as a Christian long before Bob and I were divorced. I was asking the Lord for a miracle of marriage restoration. I wanted to be obedient to my Lord God in all things.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Yes, I had to cut my expenses in many areas. I turned off our air conditioner. I cut out buying certain foods. In fact, one of our children, after Bob returned home, asked why we always had to have meat at our meals, as they liked how I cooked the cheaper meals. Yes, I tithed to my church and gave offerings to one or two ministries.
I filed for a divorce and did not forgive my husband due to my lack of knowledge of God's Word. You may not be tithing as you do not know or understand God’s Word completely. We receive email from standers that praise God for His faithfulness to them as they tithe in obedience to their Lord. May I suggest you ask the Lord what He wants you to do regarding your finances. You may want to start at five percent, but start giving something and strive to get to the ten percent. Remember, He knows all the details about your life.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
We believe so strongly in tithing that Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc. has tithed off of our monies received since the birth of our ministry to a variety of ministries every month. We cannot out give God.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.†Luke 6:38
There is not another place in the Bible where the Lord says, “Test me in this.†What a powerful statement and challenge from your Lord. I pray that you will be challenged to consider tithing and see how the Lord will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.†What a promise from your Lord God! I believe that God gives more to His children who give generously to Him, so that they can continue to give to His church and ministries. Please give with an obedient heart and not holding your hand out with a greedy heart. Love and trust the Lord. You will never be able to out give the Lord if you are walking close to Him.
Today worship the Lord with praises to His holy Name. Let us pray for thousands of prodigals, spouses and children to repent and surrender their hearts and lives to the Lord. Praise the Lord!
“…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.†Luke 15:10
Be blessed and believe,
Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
