Tithing

Tithing, Giving and the Scriptures [Part 8]

Posted on by Dianne

The Tri-Annual Tithe and Declaration of Fulfillment of the Law (Deuteronomy 26:12-15)

12″When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, 13then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. 14I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me. 15Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land which You have given us, just as You swore to our fathers, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”‘”‘

Every third year was instituted as “the year of tithing.” After they have fulfilled their responsibilities toward the Levites and the needy, the Israelites are also instructed to pledge before the Lord that they have fulfilled the requirements of His commandments, followed by their petition for blessing and the fulfillment of His promise. We clearly see the Lord’s emphasis on both hospitality and charity. Notice also that in both this case and the previous, the needy were to “eat within your gates and be filled.” This was not meant to be a petty portion, but to fully satisfy those that came for help.

"Practical Christianity", spiritual

Spiritual Warfare

Posted on by Dianne

There is no true “spiritual” warfare, that is, between spiritual beings or in the spiritual realm. By definition, that which is spirit is one with God, and in Him is no controversy, disagreement, or disorder. Therefore, the only kind of “spiritual” warfare going on now is actually between the spiritual and another realm, either the natural, the supernatural or both. Even these battles are completely under God’s control.

Leadership

[Leadership] Setting an Example or Settling for an Appearance

Posted on by Dianne

As a leader, we recognize that we are on assignment representing our King. So there are standards of character that are to be presented on His behalf, with the goal of drawing others to Him as well as avoiding being a hindrance to any work He is doing through us. There is at times the concern that we are merely “acting” as a leader — pretending to be patient when we don’t really feel patient, faking courage when we are scared, posing as wise when we don’t have the foggiest notion if what we are saying will work…

You’re NOT faking it! As long as you are depending on God, through your spirit, to provide the strength, character and wisdom, you are “acting” exactly according to your true nature. This is the distinction between relying on the reality of your spirit identity and trying to meet some standard to fulfill perceptions through your strength of soul. Before we were re-inspirited, it was impossible to meet the requirements of leadership character. Now that we have been re-inspirited, all requirements have been met, and we now embody every leadership character, regardless of appearance. So we are merely learning to act according to the truth about who we are.

Over time, the Lord will indeed provide opportunities to observe these qualities in yourself and others. In Him, there are no boundaries, and He withholds nothing from His beloved.

Other Authors

THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE by Ray Prinzing

Posted on by Dianne

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day”, (Eph. 6:13). Time and space prevent us from examining all of the armour, but we would mention “the helmet of salvation”. Here the word salvation could equally be translated as DELIVERANCE. When the helmet, which is placed on our head, is covering our entire mind with THOUGHTS OF DELIVERANCE, then we cannot think thoughts of defeat. Would to God that whatever the situation is, the helmet that protects our thinking, and forbids us to think anything else, would be thoughts of victory, of His salvation.

We make the point clear, we do not teach, as some, that there is no evil power or devil. There are those instances of demon possession, and the demons must be cast out. But our point is our own personal relationships of where we LIVE IN HIM. We do not have to worship or give allegiance to any other force as in control of our trial or situation. We are to worship God as in control of all things that pertain to our life and walk in Him. As we keep our eyes on Him, our whole body shall be filled with light. Don’t worry about the things that are filling the atmosphere with the dust of confusion and turmoil. With His helmet of salvation upon our heads we can “mind the things of the Spirit”, and have a realm of victory even in the midst of our enemies. Though we watch the circumstance deteriorate, becoming steadily worse until our flesh would tremble in fear, we can gain dominion over it, rising to live above it all, when we wear the helmet of salvation, and allow only the truth of our God’s deliverance to control our mind.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength.” (Hab. 3:17-19). He gives me thoughts of deliverance!

General, Hedz Up

[Hedz Up] Lighten Up!

Posted on by Dianne

Yes, this is a time to focus on change, but balance comes from realizing “change” is something we will always have with us. God also intends for us to enjoy this life, to rest and recreate, to re-energize and re-focus. So include enjoyment in your schedule on a regular basis, even if it’s merely to appreciate the life you’ve been given. You will be strengthened and flexed willingly, so God may not have to force you to relax :).

General, Tithing

Tithing, Giving and the Scriptures [Part 7]

Posted on by Dianne

The Tithe for the Priesthood & the Poor (Deuteronomy 14:22-29)

22″You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the Lord your God has blessed you, 25then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses. 26And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.

28″At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. 29And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

Here additional circumstances regarding the tithe are clarified; for those who lived a long distance from the center of the nation, so that the animals would not be up to traveling the distance, or the grain spoil en route, the Israelites could convert their tithe (grain and animals) to their value in currency (gold and silver), take the money “to the place which the LORD chooses,” and purchase there whatever is necessary to be able to celebrate the feast. Admonishment to include the Levites is repeated.

A third tithe is specified; every three years, the tithe of the year’s produce (not animals) was to be put into a community storehouse. This was to be a resource for the local Levites, and those who were in need (the stranger, orphaned and widowed). The one bringing the tithe did not partake of this tithe, neither was it dedicated to the Lord. THIS TITHE WAS SET ASIDE TO REPLENISH THE SUPPLY FOR THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE NEEDY OF THE LAND.

"Practical Christianity", spiritual

Spiritual Environment

Posted on by Dianne

The environment inhabited by God is what we can refer to as the “spiritual environment.” This is where He dwells, and because we are in Him, this is truly where we already dwell (in spiritual places). Because we have not had our spiritual senses tuned, we often don’t realize the reality of where we already are, and so often misunderstand what our Father is doing and saying. We feel out of place here on earth, but instead of understanding that the reality we yearn for is available for us now (in spirit), we focus on the supernatural realm, which we can partially understand, investing in a future heaven-state. In this way we put off till “someday” what God is doing in us and through us today!

"Knowing God"

Knowing God?

Posted on by Dianne



“Knowing God” Podcast from June 26

Take a moment and share any challenges you’re having in knowing God, recognizing His Presence or learning to know Him. Or any breakthroughs you’ve experienced lately, say in the past month. I’ll comment publicly or privately, if desired or requested. Or if you’d just like to put it out there that’s fine too :).

Reminder: Please use plain English and avoid religious jargon.

Leadership

[Leadership] “Lone Rangers” Welcome

Posted on by Dianne

Leadership is a solitary endeavor.

Though there are likely successful leadership ‘teams’ out there, within that team there is still one leader, a driving force, one who sets the agenda, provides the vision, maintains the motivation, etc. This is the leader.

Instead of running from being singled-out, as we depend on God to free us from ourselves, we will also need to embrace His leadership characteristics that are being formed in us. We must be willing to be singled out, accepting both praise and arrows, embracing our authority and responsibility.

Don’t be distracted by those who warn against being the ‘Lone Ranger.’ If I recall correctly, the Lone Ranger was very effective at what he did.

We are destined to rule and reign here on this earth — each of us, individually. This will only be a corporate ruling and reigning as more and more learn to rule and reign individually.

Ask the Lord if there is an area in your life in which you have avoided making changes because it would have put you ‘out-of-step’ with others. If so, ask Him what you need to accomplish this change, then ask Him to provide what you need.

Report back with any results, questions or challenges…