Malachi 3:10- 12

Never Say the “F” Word

As a young and newly licensed minister, I can remember being told jokingly the quickest way to lose all your “Amens” from a listening congregation is to preach on finances. Although the elder minister was telling a joke, I’ve found some truth in that statement over the years. Sometimes, money can seem paradoxical because, on one hand, we need it to survive, but, on the other, Jesus said don’t worry about daily provision (Matthew 6:25). This is not to that mention when you consider the statistic that over half of American families live paycheck to paycheck–BELIEVERS INCLUDED– with no savings or emergency fund, you would think most people, especially Christians, would be willing to listen, but it’s quite the opposite.

However, I’m not here to talk expenses and how much of your budget should go where. You won’t hear any advice on how to build your portfolio with stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. God has equipped many people in and out of the body of Christ to help you in that area. Generally speaking, if you live below your means and make sound investments, you should be on the path to a more prosperous future. But with keeping biblical success in mind, we must understand as believers in the kingdom of God that the first step to better managing our finances is to understand the principle of the tithe.

According to the Bible, to tithe means I bring God the first ten percent of my income that I receive from any legal, godly financial institution, whether it be government assistance, spousal support, investments, or your place of employment. In our case today, we’ll be talking about money, seeing as how it is the primary means of exchange for goods or services in our society. But in any case, like we read in the Bible, wherever there is increase (meaning income or goods gained), we are commanded by God to give him at least the first ten percent (Proverbs 3:9 KJV). We do this by giving to what Malachi 3:10 calls “the storehouse,” which today is our local church. When we give to God’s local church, these finances in turn should go toward helping the finance of spreading the gospel and all of the expenses that entails. When we do this, we are helping enlarge God’s kingdom on earth. So, when we give our tithes to our local church, it is our way of giving to God.

The Big Myth

Perhaps the biggest myth when it comes to tithes and offerings is the understanding that it’s under the Old Covenant; therefore, we no longer have to do it. This could not be further from the truth. First, let’s recognize that tithing was a principle instituted long before the Law of Moses. We can trace it back to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel; perhaps the most recognizable lineage of the Old Testament is Abraham’s, and we read scriptural evidence that he and his grandson Jacob were tithers (Genesis 14:18- 20, 28:20- 22). As we make our way through scripture, God gives this principle of tithing as a law to Moses (Leviticus 27:30 NIV), and, even hundreds of years later when Israel was allowed to return to their land from Babylonian and Persian captivity, God uses Nehemiah, which is the last book of the Old Testament chronologically, to reestablish tithing in Israel (Nehemiah 10:35- 40). The last example I’ll give can be found in the New Testament. In the midst of rebuking the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faith, Jesus admonishes them to tithe (Matthew 23:23 NLT).

When we grasp how the principle of the tithe can be found throughout scripture, it proves to us that it’s a principle we as believers should use to govern our financial and daily lives. There are numerous benefits to tithing, which include God opening the windows or floodgates and pouring out blessing; God rebukes the devourer, which are the things that try to eat up our finances, and, as a result, people will call us blessed (Malachi 3:10- 12). You can take the time to study all of the benefits for yourself. This month, I want to focus on what tithing says. This brings us back to the old proverbial phrase “money talks.” The original meaning says that money is a persuasive tool to get what you want, but that’s not what I mean here. I want you to understand what it says about you when you tithe.

1. Your tithe says you put God first.

I mentioned that tithing is a principle that believers should use to govern not only their financial lives but their daily lives. I meant by that although the tithing I’m writing about in this devotional is financial, we should use this principle to govern our entire lives. God always wants your first and your best. When we give God what’s first and our best, we’re telling him that He’s our priority and that we honor Him above everything and everyone else. This was the difference between Cain and Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:3, 4 NIV). The Bible says Cain brought God “some” of the fruits, while Abel brought God “fat portions from the firstborn of his flock.” Abel brought God the best and the first, while Cain brought God some of the leftovers.  Don’t overlook the phrase “in the course of time,” which leads me to believe Cain brought an offering whenever he got around to it. He didn’t offer God what was first. Read this next sentence carefully: Cain wanted to bring God just an offering, but he did not bring the tithe. God is pleased and enjoys when you bring extra offerings and special, financial love gifts due to your recognition of God’s grace blessing you with all you have, but that’s separate and should always be given in addition to the tithe. A smaller portion, less than ten percent or money to charity or a little money in the offering bucket every now and then cannot replace the tithe. The tithe is what belongs to God, so God is asking you to first give back to Him what’s His in the first place as an act of worship.

2. Your tithe says you recognize that all you have comes from God. Therefore everything belongs to him and you are the manager.

Psalms 24:10 says the earth and everything in it belongs to God. When you bring God the tithe, you recognize that it’s His, and it’s robbery to take and keep what’s not yours (Malachi 3:8). When we comprehend that everything belongs to God, it should humble us and help us understand that nothing we have is ours alone. We often say “I’m giving my money,” but, in fact, everything we have is God’s, and, with some of us, God is still asking to get back what’s rightfully his. Money is temporarily placed in our hands as managers, or what scripture calls stewards, to first advance God’s plan on earth. As managers, if we are faithful with what God has placed in our hands, we are entrusted with more (Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10- 12). This is a dominant principle in the kingdom taught throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth. Stewardship doesn’t mean we constantly expect more, but it challenges us to ask what are we doing with what we’ve already been given.

3. Your tithe says you trust God to provide.

I’ve heard many people say, ”I want to tithe but I can’t afford it.” I jokingly respond, “You can’t afford it because you don’t tithe.“ When we don’t tithe, we open our lives to the curse of the devourer (Malachi 3:9, 11). When we tithe, we’re saying “God, I’d rather have a blessed 90% than a cursed 100% because I didn’t bring You the tithe.” Your tithe says, “God, I trust Your word when it says You will supply all my needs, (Philippians 4:19) and You are the God that provides” (Genesis 22:14).

4. Your tithe says you’re in covenant with God, and He has your heart.

God urged Israel to return to covenant with Him by bringing the tithe into the storehouse once again. God understands how important money is to our survival on earth. He knows if He has our money, He has our heart. Jesus taught this principle in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:21). If you love someone, you should have no problem giving to them. If you’re currently not tithing, it’s time to question whether God truly has your heart.

The Big Challenge

Usually, you’ll see me close each devotional with a challenge to do what you’ve read and studied. Keeping in that tradition, I close with a challenge to tithe– but pay close attention that the challenge does not come from me. Instead, it comes directly from God. In the Bible, we’re told to never put God to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7) except when it comes to the tithe (Malachi 3:10). In this case, God challenges his people to test him. Take ahold of this: God is challenging you to challenge Him. He’s so sure that tithing will be to your benefit that He “double dog dares” you to do it. I understand for some of my readers ,this month’s devotional is a refresher course, but, for others, you’ve never heard and understood the principle of tithing quite this way. If you’re currently not giving at least ten percent of your income, will you accept the challenge?

Reference John 20:1- 18

Perception:

(1) the way you think about or understand someone or something
(2) the process of seeing, hearing, or becoming aware of something through the senses
(3) the state of being or the nature of becoming aware of something through the senses

Perception can be hazardous when you consider the fact that it’s unique to every person and works primarily through our senses. I don’t think I’m alone when I say my natural senses cannot always be trusted. In other words, without your mind, will, and emotions being subject to the Holy Spirit, your perception could lead you to view an opportunity as an obstacle, or a triumph as a tragedy. When it comes to perception, the key question we must ask ourselves when facing life’s circumstances and trials is, do we have the right outlook?

This comes to mind when I think about the month of April and the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Of course, now we rejoice over the death and resurrection of Jesus because we understand he paid the penalty for our sins (Romans 4:25), but this was not always considered good news. When we read John 20 the verses are littered with sadness, doubt, and unbelief from Jesus’ disciples and followers. They had not yet understood that Jesus had to die, and the fact that his body was missing from the tomb was actually great news (John 20:9). I’m not here to beat up on the disciples; after all I’m sure they were experiencing a range of emotions from fear, to doubt, as well as disbelief. Remember, they had seen the most brutal execution in human history, which ultimately lead some to deny they even knew Jesus (Peter), while driving others to suicide (Judas). I’m no therapist but we can almost certainly say some of the disciples had to be suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and severe anxiety.

According to the Bible, Jesus’ crucifixion included:

• Being stripped naked (Matthew 27:28, 35)
• Being forced to carry his cross (John 19:17)
• Hair being pulled from his beard (Isaiah 50:6)
• Being beaten with countless punches to the face (Matthew 26:67), as well as a rod (Matthew 27:30), and flogging (John 19:1)
• Wearing a crown of thorns (John 19:2)
• Being mocked, ridiculed and spat upon (Matthew 27:29, 30)
• Being nailed through his wrists/hands and feet (John 20:25)
• Being left to hang and die slowly (Mark 15:25, 34)
• Being pierced in his side (John 19:34)

After witnessing all of these sufferings that Jesus had to endure, it leads me to believe that in that moment the disciples’ natural senses could not be trusted when attempting to understand what God was doing. Let’s not forget the fact that not too long before this, Peter had cut off a man’s ear thinking he was doing Jesus a favor (John 18:10).

Jesus’ followers had concluded that his arrival in Jerusalem meant a political revolution that would bring back King David’s throne (Acts 1:6) and set Israel free from their Roman oppressors. Jesus wept over Jerusalem when he realized the people did not understand what could truly bring them peace (Luke 19:41, 42). Their perception and outlook on the entire situation was skewed and it had the disciples crying, when in fact they should have been rejoicing.

In the opening verses of John 20, Mary Magdalene appeared early Sunday morning to find Jesus’ body missing from the tomb. Not understanding that Jesus had risen from the dead, she assumed his body had been taken (John 20:2). She runs and tells the disciples of Jesus’ missing body and they run to the tomb to only find strips of linen (John 20:6, 7). Here’s the key that will help us whenever we face trying times in our lives and we just can’t seem to find the immediate answer.

STAY NEAR THE TOMB

The difference between Mary Magdalene, Peter and John (the other disciple), is that while in their confusion the disciples went back home (John 20:10), Mary decided to stay near the tomb (John 20:11), where she ultimately encountered Jesus (John 20:14- 17). In the midst of all the questioning, wondering, and temporary confusion, Mary decided to stay at the tomb, and Jesus met her there. In your questioning and wondering you must also decide: “I won’t go back. I’ll stay near the tomb and wait for an encounter with Jesus”. When I say stay near the tomb, I mean we must rest in the truth that Jesus has risen from dead and has resumed his role as supreme ruler over all of the universe (Matthew 28:18). The empty tomb means Jesus satisfied God’s divine justice, and we are in right standing with God the Father. In other words, because of the empty tomb we can conclude that circumstances and difficult trials don’t come into our lives because God is mad at us, or vengeful and vindictive, but rather because he unconditionally loves us.

We may not have all the answers, but with him on our side we can rest in the truth that he loves us and he’s in complete control. Once Jesus arrived declaring he had risen, he breathed on the disciples (John 20:22), and they received the Holy Spirit, who now would live on the inside of them and lead them to all truth (John 16:13). Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the truth, and to give you God’s perspective. If the answer does not immediately come, trust that God has his will in mind, and when you’re in the will of God there’s no safer place!

In His Image
Genesis 1:26, 27

When we read the Bible’s examples given in James 3 of a bit in the mouth of a horse, a small rudder steering a large ship, and a spark capable of setting an entire forest on fire, these three illustrations seem to have nothing in common. But the metaphor correlates to the tongue: Something seemingly so minute has the power to steer, move, and effect something so large. Why does man possess this power and where did it originate? To answer these questions, we don’t have to look far, but we find our answer in the first chapter of the book of Genesis. The Bible gives an account of creation and describes six days which God used to create the earth. What I don’t want you to miss is throughout the six days of creation, whether it was to make light govern the day and night on day four, or separating waters from waters on day two, when God created the earth, there’s no mention of a heavenly hammer, angelic nails, or even a trip to a Trinitarian hardware store (excuse my corny biblical humor)! The primary tool God used to create the earth was His words. In all six days of creation before anything was formed, you will find the phrase “And God said.” It was only after God spoke that the sun, moon, birds, crawling creatures, sea animals, and man was created.

“And God said” (Genesis 1)

Day 1 (1:3), Day 2 (1:6), Day 3 (1:9), Day 4 (1:14), Day 5 (1:20), Day 6 (1:24, 26)

 
Four Ways Man is Like God

On the sixth and final day of creation before God rested, God saved his best for last: the greatest masterpiece of all (Ephesians 2:10 NLT), you and me. But what makes us so special? Why are we greater than anything in all of creation and placed on a higher platform above the animals? The Bible says God created man, but, just as important, it reads, God created mankind in His own image. It’s imperative we understand the word “image” does not mean an exact duplicate, but it does mean when God created man, we were to reflect (or show forth) some of God’s characteristics and attributes. Like God, we have been given the ability to,

(1) choose (Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15)

(2) reason (Job 13:3 KJV, Isaiah 1:18 KJV, 1 Corinthians 13:11 NASB, AMP)

(3) discern right from wrong (we have a conscience: Romans 2:15)

(4) speak (Exodus 4:11, Ezekiel 33:22 NLT)

 
Creative Power (Why You’re Special)

Again, don’t forget man is made in the image of God. This means that like God, we have the ability to speak, and, like God, in Genesis 1, when we speak we can use creative words to communicate ideas. After God created Adam, giving him a tongue, he permitted Adam to use it and name all of the animals God had made. Since God had given Adam permission to govern the earth (Genesis 1:28 NLT) and dominion over all of the animals (Genesis 1:26 KJV), Adam received a God given authority to name (Genesis 2:19, 20). This is the first of many examples we read in scripture of man speaking something out of his mouth, and whatever man speaks (or in other words names) becomes what he says. No other creature in all of creation has this God-given ability; this is what makes us so special. As I stated in last month’s devotional, Proverbs 18:21 NLT tells us we reap the consequences of what we speak. Proverbs 12:18 NIV warns us not to talk recklessly because our words pierce like a sword. Psalms 141:3 NIV informs us that our mouths are a “door.” In other words, whether trouble or sickness seems to keep coming in, or blessings and favor seem to keep walking out, more times than not it can be traced back to our mouths. Once we understand the creative (naming) power God has granted us, it would behoove us to give more attention to the words we speak.

The Bible informs us that man by himself cannot tame his tongue (James 3:8). Contrary to many popular self-help opinions, we do not possess the will power alone to not speak negatively. Our tongues must be brought under subjection to the Holy Spirit. We must spend time daily in prayer and Bible study, where we are given God’s words to speak.

Prayer
Lord Jesus,

Thank you for loving me enough to inform me of the power of my tongue. I ask for your forgiveness, and I repent of all of the sins of my mouth. I pray like Psalms 141:3 that Holy Spirit would be the guard over my mouth, and I would only speak words of life that build up and not tear down. Help me to go to my brother and sister, my fellow man, those whom I have wounded with my tongue and apologize to them. From this day forward I choose to speak blessings and life and turn in any negative situation into the garden of Eden by the words I speak. I pray that you would convict of any negative words I speak that are contrary to what You’ve said in your word. Help me to spend time daily with You that You may give me new words to say. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Intro

Like millions of Christians I usually spend the latter part of December and the beginning of January striving to hear from God to determine his cause and direction for my life in the upcoming year. The Bible states clearly that if we lack direction in any area of our lives all we have to do is ask and God will grant us his wisdom (James 1:5). However, after asking I will caution you not to overlook the voice of God by only looking for him amongst the wind, the earthquakes, or the fires. We must be willing to listen for the whisper of God’s voice (1 Kings 19:11- 13). More times than not God speaks to us through everyday events and occurrences, and if we’re not careful we can overlook the message he has for us.

Most recently God has been dealing with me in the area of viticulture. For those who don’t know, that’s the study of harvesting  grapes. After a brief study of grapevines, I believe God spoke to me through some of their facts. Here are a few, and let’s allow the Holy Spirit to piece together what this means for us in the days ahead. I believe after careful study and consideration we can learn what God wants to say to us concerning the fruitfulness of our lives in the new year.

7 Facts About Grapes

• Grapes grow in numerous colors, sizes, and flavors.
• New plants are pruned for years before they are allowed to produce a crop.
• The best vineyards require several years of harvesting before yielding grapes of high quality.
• Good vines can produce quality grapes for over one hundred years.
• When compared to their size, vines are very productive and a single season’s harvest can far outweigh the plant.
• The best vine cultivation does not come from seeds but instead from plant cuttings and shoots.
• A vine can be infected with dead branches. If such branches are not removed, they can spread disease and cause a reduction in productivity.
   

What This Means for Us

After prayerful consideration let’s try to understand what this means for us. If grapes grow in numerous colors, sizes, and flavors, this would mean if we want to yield positive and productive fruit from our lives in the coming new year, we shouldn’t expect all of the fruit of our productivity to look the same. God has custom tailored our talents and abilities so the offspring of our productivity, which is our fruit, can be as unique as our fingerprint. Knowing the fact that the best fruit takes years to grow and cultivate, we must understand that productivity in our lives will not come overnight, but in order to yield the highest quality fruit we must accept the fact that it will take time. Remember grapevines can produce branches that yield grapes for over a century. We have to recognize that God wants our fruit to remain.  He desires to bless his people with something bigger than an individual and he wants it to last longer than a single lifetime.

The best grapes are produced when the branches of the vine are allowed to be cut and pruned. Even if the branches are producing large amounts of fruit, they are still pruned so they can produce even more. Similarly, when we don’t allow God to prune and shape our lives it can cause a reduction in our growth and stunt our productivity. God is the divine gardener, using everyday trials to prune our attitudes, thinking, dispositions and behaviors (Deuteronomy 8:2). It’s a humbling experience and of course it does not always feel good, but when it’s all said and done we’ll see the benefit of the trials that God has allowed in our lives (Psalms 119:71).

For those who might be new believers, at this point this you’re probably wondering where is all of this coming from. For others who are little more mature and know their bibles a little better they recognize this as the revelation Jesus gave to his disciples in his final discourse before getting ready to die. Take a moment to read John 15:1- 8 and see how the revelation taken from simple facts about grapes correlates with Jesus’ metaphor of him being the vine, we (as his disciples) are the branches, and God is the gardener.

John 15:1- 8 NLT says,

1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

The Key to a Fruitful Future

After reading the words of Jesus we find that it’s God’s desire for us as believers to bear fruit. But there’s debate over what exactly Jesus means by the agricultural metaphor “fruit.” Some say it’s the harvest of leading new believers to Christ, others say it’s the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). I’d like to think that both are true, but more than that I believe it’s God’s will for us to be productive in every aspect of our lives. When we are productive Christians (bearing fruit) it brings great glory to God (John 15:8). As a Christian, not bearing fruit should be considered abnormal.

Since we know that it’s God’s will for us to bear fruit, next we can conclude God wants us to have a prosperous and productive new year. But Jesus gives us the key necessary for all of our fruit-bearing. Jesus advises us to remain in him. If we remain in him and he in us, we will produce much fruit for apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5). In short, to remain in him means to follow Christ’s example, seek him to discover his will for our lives each day, learn more about him through daily bible study, and obey his commands (John 15:10). A plant that withers and dies is usually one that is neglected. Likewise, if we neglect our relationship with Jesus, it’s only a matter of time before we begin to spiritually wither away, and our lives become devoid of fruit.

The amazing thing about grapevines is the branches can produce foliage for a while once they’ve been cut off, but they bear no fruit. I’m saying that it’s possible to have a severed relationship with Jesus Christ and look productive for a short time, but there will be no lasting fruit. Remember the sign, that if you’re walking in a godly path, then the production of fruit should be lasting (John 15:16 NLT).   Lastly, remember wild vines are not productive. Generally speaking, when we read of vineyards in the bible it is usually associated with permanence. In other words, only steady civilizations could engage in viticulture. This means that our lives must be stable in order to bear fruit. As this year opens take time to stop and listen to God, see where he wants you to be, and stay connected to him. Once you know his will, learn and grow in the knowledge of God, and you’ll begin to see fruitfulness in the days and years ahead. Amen.

It All Started With a Tree

Genesis 1:1 states, God created the heavens and the earth. There are theories as to what happened next but we cannot pinpoint for certain. Some type of catastrophe happened between verses one and two, that caused the earth to be described as formless, dark and empty. Next we read that The Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters and God began to speak man and all of creation into existence. When man (Adam) is first mentioned in scripture, I believe it’s no coincidence that the following verse mentions beautiful trees surrounding him that were pleasing to the eye and good for food (Genesis 2:8, 9). So pay close attention to the correlation between God, man and tree. In the meantime remember the bible names two trees in particular, one being the tree of life, and the other being the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, warning that doing so would lead to his death (Genesis 2:17).

As you know chapter three of Genesis then follows, with Adam’s wife Eve talking to Satan in the form of a snake, who is trying to tempt her to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: the one strictly forbidden by God for her and Adam to eat. After succumbing to Satan’s temptation they decide to eat some of this tree’s fruit. This single act of disobedience changed the course of human history forever. We see the extent of God’s intended blessing for all men through the curse that fell on the lives of Adam and Eve. The ensuing curse that came as a result of their disobedience affected the ground, for now it yielded thorns and thistles. Moreover, man would only eat by the sweat of his brow, childbirth became very painful, and above all else man now found himself destined to die physically, and more importantly spiritually, separated from God. Romans 5:12 NLT says it best, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone for everyone sinned.”

God Had a Plan

Because of Adam and Eve’s decision – sin broke out in the world, and because every man sinned, all of humanity found itself separated from God. At first glance it would seem Satan ruined God’s plan for a perfect paradise but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The bible informs us that God had Jesus prepared to die from the moment of creation of the world (Revelation 13:8). This plan to reconcile God and man’s broken relationship immediately sprang into action, and culminates with Jesus coming in the form of a baby thousands of years later, or what the bible calls the “set time” (Galatians 4:4 NIV). This “set time” is what you and I like to celebrate, otherwise known as Christmas.
The Most Beautiful Tree of All

Until the proper time of Jesus’ coming to earth, God instituted laws through Moses (thus called Law of Moses) for worship and daily living. These laws were meant to point man to a Holy God, but also, through man’s inability to keep all of these laws, it pointed to man’s need for Jesus to pay the ultimate price for sin (Galatians 3:19). When reading through these laws we find in Deuteronomy 21:23 (NLT, ESV, KJV), that if someone is sentenced to die for a capital offense, and they are hung on a tree, they are considered cursed by God. At first glance this can be overlooked, but remember the correlation I mentioned earlier between God, man, and tree. The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shines light on this threefold relationship when he quotes the Deuteronomy passage in Galatians 3:13 (NLT, ESV, KJV). He writes how Christ redeemed man from the curse of sin, by dying on a tree, in order that we might be reconciled with God. In other words, whereas the decision to eat from a tree once separated man from God in the garden, it took Jesus’ death on a tree, symbolizing his assumption of man’s sin, to reconcile sinful man back to God.

This Christmas as I think of Jesus coming to earth, I celebrate the fact that his coming marks the beginning of the ultimate quest to heal a broken relationship. This time of year we celebrate with all of our decorations of garland, candy canes, mistletoes, and other ornaments, but none are more significant than the Christmas tree. When I think of Jesus coming to earth to eventually die on the cross (or tree) of Calvary, although the bible paints a gory, bloody, and dreadful picture, it still represents the most beautiful tree of all. As I ponder the true meaning of Christmas, I celebrate it because it marks the beginning of Jesus’ mission to come to earth to die on that beautiful tree. But before the wood of the cross, Jesus must first go by the wood of the manger. So this Christmas as you think of baby Jesus: remember the power that comes with the fact that he ultimately was born to die and rise again (Acts 5:30 ESV, KJV). May God’s gift of peace be with you and your family through this holiday season, and let’s look ahead to an even more prosperous new year!

Congratulations!

Congratulations, you’ve made it to November 2016! If you’re an American it means you have survived this wild ride of an election cycle. As you know this month voters elected a new President of the United States. In addition, citizens decided on governors, senators, county sheriffs, judges and municipal leaders, to fill numerous political positions. Then on the reverse side of our ballots, there were amendments, initiatives, and propositions that will shape our lives in our individual cities and states. I know by this point you’re probably all burned out with politics, so before you turn away let me quickly mention, I’m not telling you how to vote. I’m sure you’ve heard more than enough political commentary. The question I would like to answer is what the believer’s responsibility is now that these elections are over.

Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, an Independent, or a libertarian, when it comes to the presidential election we would all have to admit it has been an acrimonious, sometimes hostile election process, with more than a fair share of discordance. It’s inevitable with each voting cycle that some voters will be disappointed. There’s a candidate, amendment, or proposition that they really believed in that will not win the popular vote. Disappointment is a part of life, but when all of the elections have concluded God has assigned Christians a tall moral standard whether their candidate or favored law wins or not.

God is in Control

Before we discover those responsibilities we must first remind ourselves that before and after all of our voting, God is ultimately in control. This concept can be tougher for some Americans to take hold of since America is a democratic society and most of scripture deals with absolute monarchies. We can understand God selecting an individual in a monarchal society, but how is God ultimately in control when the people have a vote? We can spend a lifetime debating the fine line between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility but one thing is clear: we are to exercise our responsibility to vote, but ultimately God determines the final result. We learn this principle when Solomon spoke of the practice described in the scriptures of casting lots. We no longer have to do this since we now have the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth (John 16:13). But what God used Solomon to express is the relationship between human responsibility and God’s sovereignty. We may have the human responsibility to roll the dice, but God determines how they land (Proverbs 16:33 NIV, NLT). Throughout scripture we read that God is at the forefront of selecting, appointing, and raising up national and local leaders. No leader is promoted except when it occurs by God’s doing (Psalms 75:6, 7 KJV, Daniel 2:20, 21 NLT, Romans 13:1). Let’s take a look at what the bible says is the responsibility of the believer once the election is over. Remember this is regardless of who’s in office.

1. Pay for them (Romans 13:6 NLT, Matthew 22:21)

We as Christians are responsible to obey manmade laws as long as they do not violate a direct command from God’s word (Daniel 6:6- 10, Acts 4:18- 20). One of the laws of the land is to pay taxes. We can converse one side pays too much while another pays too little, but ultimately one of the key purposes of taxes is to pay the wages of our government workers. This is totally separate from our giving to God through our local church. God ensures that he is able to bless us to give to both. So Jesus instructed us to give to government what’s theirs (taxes), and give to me what’s mine (tithes and offerings).

2. Pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1- 4)

We are instructed to pray for all of our leaders whether Christian or not. Ultimately it’s God’s desire for non-believers to see the love of Jesus through us, and lead them to the truth of the gospel.

3. Submit to their authority. (1 Peter 2:13, 14 NIV)

The single greatest act of submission is humble obedience (Titus 3:1 NLT). Our failure to submit to earthly authority is equivalent to failing to submit to God. Not to mention lack of submission halts all of our attempts at promotion.

4. Speak well of them and bid them success. (Exodus 22:28, Acts 23:5, Daniel 6:21)

The bible has two life-changing laws that cannot be denied. The law of the tongue (Proverbs 13:2a, 18:21), and the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). If you want things to change for the better, the power starts with your mouth. Although seemingly small, the tongue has the power to change the course of individuals and even nations, just by the words we speak (James 3:3- 5). If you want your leaders to change, then begin to speak well of them. This is connected to the law of sowing and reaping because God made it clear he cannot be mocked. You cannot sow negative words about your authorities whether it be family, civil, or national leaders and hope for a prosperous future. Our tongues must speak life, whether we agree with our leaders decisions or not. Paul when facing persecution and even the threat of death still remembered Old Testament scripture, not to speak evil of those who were in authority over him (Acts 23:5). Daniel bid the king success after he made a law to ban prayer and throw Daniel into a lion’s den (Daniel 6:21). There is a responsible and respectful way to critique or exercise our rights to complain, but far too often believers have fallen into the trap of speaking evil of their authorities. This biblical principle of respect for authority is one that God takes very seriously.

Lord Over All

Election night is a time of mourning for some, while others will be celebrating by dancing. Wherever you stand in this polarizing time, rest in the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is seated in heaven above all rule and earthly authority (Ephesians 1:21, 22 NLT). Rest in the fact that in the month of December we’ll celebrate Christ’s coming, and with it comes the blessing that the government will be upon his shoulders; and he’s a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, and his government and peace will never end (Isaiah 9:6, 7).

It’s Time for an Upgrade

A few weeks back I noticed I kept receiving notifications through seemingly every avenue alerting me to the fact I was eligible for an upgrade of my smartphone. For those of you who may not know this is a time when your contract has expired with your current phone provider and if you’d like you’re able to change cellphone companies. Knowing this, in order to retain their customers, wireless carriers like to give their customers special perks with their upgrade, in order to ensure that existing customers remain in-house. The Samsung Galaxy S7 was just days away from debut. With this deal I would receive the phone at a reduced price, a micro SD card for expandable memory, a virtual reality headset, and a $50 gift card. All of this comes with the upgrade. All of this for just $200 was a deal that I could not pass up. Besides, I was tired of my cell phone cutting off in the middle of calls, as well as not being able to enjoy many of the more modern technological benefits that come with the latest smartphones.

When I decided to upgrade I was in awe of the updated version for android. With it came new themes, apps, and security features, as well as sharper picture display and longer battery life. It took all of 2 minutes to clear all of the data off of my old phone and kiss it goodbye. Don’t worry–I don’t work for a service provider so I’m not trying to convince you to buy another gadget, but this does come to mind when I think of the fact we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the month of March, while during the month of April we studied the New Covenant and some of the blessings that come after Christ died and rose from the dead (April 2016: Blessings of the New Covenant). I left you with a teaser that in the month of May we would discuss what I consider to be the greatest blessing of them all; in any case it is certainly my personal favorite. First let’s review our definition of the new covenant.

 

New Covenant: a relationship with God made possible by faith and grace, instead of works of the law that were emphasized in the Old Testament.

 

What’s Better Than Jesus?

The setting for this month’s devotional picks up where Christ rose from the dead and mediated a new covenant between God and man; Christ is drawing to the conclusion of his earthly ministry, and he’s on his way back to heaven to transition to his new role as intercessor (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). But before Jesus left earth he told the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but rather to wait to receive the gift that was promised (Acts 1:4). Jesus was referring to the conversation he had with his disciples in the upper room just before his crucifixion (John 14:15- 17). Sitting around the Passover dinner table Jesus forewarned (yet comforted) his disciples, saying that although he was leaving them physically, he promised that they would not have to endure this world by themselves. If the disciples were anything like me they had to be wondering: what could be better than walking side by side with Jesus himself? What could be better than seeing someone heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, turn a small lunch into food for thousands, calm raging waters, and speak words of peace and comfort? We find our answer in John 14. Pay close attention or you could miss it.

John 14:15- 17 NLT:

“If you love me, obey my commandments. (16)And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (17)He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”

When I think of Christ rising from the dead, the word “upgrade” comes to mind. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes us eligible for an upgrade, and this I consider to be the greatest new covenant blessing of all. Should you choose to download this upgrade into your spirit–it is bug free and millions have already downloaded it, and given high ratings.  At this point someone is probably asking what is it? But for those of you who read the verses carefully and know your word you know where I’m going with this? Just in case you missed it we find our answer in verse 17. Jesus said, ‘right now I am with you but soon (after he rose from the dead) I’ll be in you’.

THE UPGRADE: Who was with us is now in us!

When Christ rose up from the dead we received a new covenant, and with it came an upgrade in relationship. I call this an upgrade, in comparison to the Holy Spirit’s role in the Old Testament. When reading the Old Testament we mostly see the Spirit coming and going. His stay with key bible characters (i.e. Samson, David, Elijah) was mostly temporary to empower them for a specific assignment (Judges 3:10). While the Spirit coming upon a person was not restricted to covenant people, it was a sign of God’s favor (1 Samuel 16:13). But when an individual either accomplished God’s task, disobeyed, or was not pleasing to God, the Spirit would depart (1 Samuel 15:19, 16:14, Psalms 51:11).

A New Relationship

Now that Jesus has risen from the dead and mediated a new covenant relationship between God and man, there is a permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers forever (John 14:16, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). While it is possible to “grieve” or “quench” the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19) we no longer have to live in fear that committing of sin will result in God taking his Spirit from us like it was under the old covenant (Psalms 51:11). The key benefit of the New Covenant is an upgrade in relationship with God, one in which we can never be separated from him (Romans 8:38, 39).

The new covenant is a gift that keeps on giving: with it comes numerous blessings, but this one in particular (the indwelling Holy Spirit) opens the door to grant us even further blessings; in fact, he is the channel through which all of the blessings of the new covenant flow. When speaking of the Holy Spirit Jesus provides rave reviews of his ability and power. Moreover, the rest of the New Testament is filled with benefit after benefit of this new and upgraded relationship. I’ve listed them in order of their unfolding in scripture. Take time to study each one.

Benefits of the Upgrade

1. We as believers receive the ‘new birth’ by the power of the Spirit. (John 3:5–8, Titus 3:5)

Jesus emphasized that spiritual cleansing through regeneration is solely a work of the Spirit, unassisted by any human effort. Only the Spirit can produce the spiritual rebirth required for entrance into God’s kingdom. The Titus passage has brought much debate as to what it means by “renewal.” One argument says it’s the Spirit’s work in us to accomplish our salvation. Another says it speaks to spiritual development–therefore it is a constant, refining process throughout the life of the believer. For the sake of this study, I believe the Holy Spirit accomplishes both.

2. He’s our comforter (KJV), advocate (NIV), helper (ESV, NASB), and counselor (WEB, NIV84). (John 14:16)

The Greek word given for the Holy Spirit in John 14:16 is parakletos. Various biblical translations attribute different names for the Holy Spirit; nonetheless, all of these traits are found in him.

3. He teaches us all things and reminds us of what all Jesus has said, which assists us when the Spirit reveals to us what is to come. (John 14:26, John 16:13)

This shows the Holy Spirit’s revelation work in our lives for the past, present, and future. Pertaining to the past he reminds us of what Jesus has said, in the present he continually teaches us all things, and for the future he reveals to us what is to come.

4. He fills us with peace, hope, and joy. (John 14:27, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Jesus left us his Spirit, which is peace, as an inheritance, yet we must still choose to receive it. The Holy Spirit is the channel by which we can partake of this divine gift. As long as his seed is cultivated in the soil of our hearts, we will receive peace and joy as fruits of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22, 23).

5. He testifies of Christ. (John 15:26)

This is not a one-time work reserved strictly for salvation. The entire bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ. He is revealed throughout every passage and page of scripture. It is The Holy spirit who continues to reveal Jesus to us in new ways.

6. He convicts us of sin and sanctifies us. (John 16:8, Galatians 5:16- 18)

The Holy Spirit brings forth an awareness of guilt, which in turn brings us to repentance. Furthermore this opens the door so that we may become fortunate recipients of God’s grace and mercy. This also helps us as believers to live a Godly life. This upgraded ‘moral compass’ inside of us combats habitual sin in our lives, thus sin no longer has control over us. The bible also promises that if we live by the Spirit, we will not gratify sinful desires because the Spirit of God is in direct contradiction to the sinful nature. This helps us to avoid giving in to sinful temptations.

7. He intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26–27)

The intercession of the Holy Spirit cannot be overlooked. 1 John 5:14-15 reveals to us that the prayer that is according to the will of God is always answered. Because the Spirit only intercedes in accordance to the will of God, it means that the Spirit has a 100% success rate when it comes to him interceding for you and me.

8. He helps us to understand the mind of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9- 14)

Since the bible reveals that no one knows a person’s thoughts except that person’s spirit, the Holy Spirit: which is the Spirit of God, thus reveals to us the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:11). Only through the Holy Spirit can we understand God’s wisdom.

9. He gives us spiritual gifts to help edify Jesus’ church. (1 Corinthians 12:4, 11)

The spiritual gifts are given by God’s spirit, to equip us to minister to both believers and non-believers.

10. He keeps the Antichrist at bay until the proper time. (2 Thessalonians 2:6- 10)

While we read that lawlessness is already at work in secret, it is the Holy Spirit who keeps the Antichrist from fully engaging in his quest for world domination. The Holy Spirit restrains the work of Satan until God determines that it’s time to bring forth the prophecies that are elaborated in the book of Revelation.

Upgrade Eligibility

As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost during the month of May, I wanted to make sure you understood why it is important to grow and cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit and take advantage of all of the benefits he provides to the believer. To find out if you’re eligible for this upgrade: you must first understand—that if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and accepted him as Lord, you have an irreversible indwelling of the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). But unlike the disciples, you may have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit due to salvation (John 20:22), while omitting the baptism of the Holy Spirit they received later in Acts 2:4.  If you want the fullness of the Spirit operating in your life instead of mere casual Christian living, all you need to do is desire the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37- 39), and simply ask (Luke 11:13). But as stated earlier, as a result of willful sin, this relationship can be quenched and the Spirit can be grieved, so it’s important for you to walk in obedience to God and his word. This will allow the Spirit to work without obstruction and maintain complete control of your life; or as the Bible calls it, ‘be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18).

The power of the Holy Spirit within you is greater than Jesus beside you.

In his earthly ministry Jesus could only be one place at a time, but now he lives in the lives of every believer—he is willing to lead and guide all those who yield to him. Sometimes I jokingly refer to the Holy Spirit as Jesus 2.0! We read more than enough evidence of how the baptism of the Spirit can radically change one’s life for the greater. It turned the disciples from cowards locked in a room afraid of the world (John 20:19, 26), to men boldly declaring the gospel leading thousands to Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14, 41). In your prayer time I challenge you to pray in faith, asking God to baptize you with his Spirit; do this and your life will never be the same.