Tag: Galatians

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What is The Tithe/Tithing All About?

Did You Know?

The first freewill offering of the tithe (one tenth) was given by Abraham to King Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20). Abraham had just won a huge battle against the King of Elam and other kings (Genesis 14:1-17). Abraham gave Melchizedek (who was also a priest) a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, also made a vow to God to give Him a tenth of all that God gave him (Genesis 28:22).
So tithing was established before the law and was subsequently incorporated into the laws given to the children of Israel in the wilderness after leaving Egypt (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22-29).
Jesus Himself mentioned the tithe when He noted that the Pharisees tithed on even spices that were given to them. He said we were to tithe but also not ignore the weightier matters of the law – justice and mercy and faith (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
That said, to those who say that as born again believers, we are not under law but under grace, they are right. But that neglects (or overlooks) the following truths:
  1. Tithing started before the law.
    • If we are Abraham’s heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:29), we should act like our father Abraham to obtain the blessing he did (Hebrew 6:12; Romans 4:12).
  2. Our responsibilities under grace far exceed those under the law.
    • The law says “you shall not commit adultery”. But Jesus said if we look at a woman lustfully, we have committed adultery in our heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
    • The law also says “you shall not murder”. But Jesus said if we speak harsh words to our brother or are angry at him without cause, we are in danger of the fires of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22).
  3. God is a giver. As God is, so should we be (Matthew 5:48)
    • For God so loved the world that He gave (John 3:16).
    • God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:30).
    • As God is, so are we (or so we should be) – Matthew 5:48.
  4. Tithing is a principle that comes with specific blessings of protection and prosperity. Malachi 3:8-12
  5. Tithing is a demonstration of our trust in God (Jehovah Jireh). Malachi 3:10
  6. Tithing can only be understood by spiritually mature believers not babies in Christ or unbelievers. Hebrews 5:11-14
In summary:
  • We are not under an obligation (of law) to tithe in order to be blessed or avoid a curse (Malachi 3:8-9) because Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13-14). But the bible is also very clear about the importance of giving (2 Corinthians 8 and 9).
  • Your motive for giving and your heart posture towards God is important. We must also seek God’s input on how much and where to give the resources He has so graciously blessed us with (James 1:5; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
I tithe because:
  • I love God
  • I trust God
  • I prioritize God

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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What is the Will of God?

What is the will of God?

In the model prayer (commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer), Jesus taught us to pray for the will of the Father to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
The bible also exhorts not to be foolish with our lives, but to understand the will of the Lord (Ephesians 5:17).
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:17 NKJV
And the Apostle Paul prayed for us that we would know fully (be filled) with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9).
In fact, God has made known to us the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9).
So, what is the will of God for your life?

What does His Word (aka the Bible) say about it?

Here are a few to ponder:

  • Deliverance from evil – Galatians 1:4; Matthew 6:13
  • Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3
  • Transformation – Romans 12:2
  • Do good – 1 Peter 2:15
  • Stand perfect and complete – Colossians 4:12
  • Attitude of thankfulness – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
How do I know God’s will for specific situations?

Through His Spirit (Holy Spirit) Romans 8:26-27

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the  will of God.
Romans 8:27 NKJV

Our Prayer For You

[We pray] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:9‭-‬10 NKJV

Did You Know?

The expression “will of God” or “will of the Lord” appears 18 times in scripture.

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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How Can We Live in Harmony With Other Believers?

Like a piano, we have many different “keys” within the body of Christ (i.e. the church). Unfortunately, just as a piano’s keys can get out of tune and doesn’t produce the melodious sound we expect, so too do we sometimes experience discord within the church.

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: … hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, … and other sins like these.”
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 NLT

Just as it is important that a piano be re-tuned regularly by a professional, we too must be tuned by the Holy Spirit. It is only by doing so that we can stay in perfect harmony with our fellow believers.

How do we do that?

Apostle Paul gives several specific instructions in Galatians 5.

  1. Walk in the Spirit (v16). It is only by walking in the Spirit of God that we will not feed the selfish desires of our human nature. It is our human nature that prevents us from doing the good things we know to do (v17).
  2. Be led by the Spirit (v18). If we are guided and led by the Spirit of God, we do not have to fulfill the law of God through our own human effort (which is impossible anyways).
  3. Live in the Spirit (v25). Our very lifestyle should reflect the Spirit of God. The reality is that in order to walk (effectively) in the Spirit, we have to live in the Spirit. Those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).

What does the church look like when we are in tune with the Spirit of God?

“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NLT

When we live in, walk in, and are led by the Holy Spirit, we nail the passions and desires of our sinful nature to the cross of Jesus Christ and crucify them there (Galatians 5:24). So we won’t “become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another” (Galatians 5:26).

Indeed, Jesus makes the whole body of Christ fit and work together perfectly (like the wonderful sound of a well played symphony). As each of us does our own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:16 NLT)

Think about this for a moment. How can you not murder your fellow believer by speaking ill of them or gossiping about them? (Matthew 5:21-22). How can you not betray your vows to your spouse by not lusting after your co-worker or that random stranger you meet? (Matthew 5:27-28). It’s one thing to try to keep the 10 commandments; it’s another thing to try to keep the perfect law of liberty without the Spirit of God (James 2:8-12; 1:25).

PS: Check out our other blog post on How to Behave Like A Christian.

Did You Know?

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14 NLT).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

Purchase BibleStorm Trivia Products
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What is the greatest expression of God’s love?

What is the greatest expression of God’s love?


The cross!

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 5:6-11

 

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [i.e. atoning sacrifice] for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-11,14

 

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree [cross]’).”

Galatians 3:13-14 [Deuteronomy 21:22-23]

 

“[Jesus] bore our sins in His own body on the tree [cross], that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” 1 Peter 2:24

 

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10

 

God is rich in mercy and loved us so much that He put together a plan to restore us to a right relationship with Him like it was in the garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned. This plan was executed perfectly by God’s only begotten Son, Jesus. Jesus bore all the sins of the entire world in His mangled body on the cross at Calvary. He paid a price we could never pay to redeem us from sin we could never overcome on our own.

 

“He [Jesus] who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

All we have to do now is receive this free gift by faith. To learn how to receive this free gift, check out our Salvation page.

 

Did You Know?
God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son whom he loved – Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). This foreshadowed what God would ultimately do for all mankind with His only begotten Son, Jesus.

#cross #love #salvation #life #sacrifice

 

About BibleStorm:

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

 

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia game products today from our online store.
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What are the consequences of fearful thinking?

Scared to death!

The Free Dictionary defines the expression “scared to death” as “hyperbolically alludes to having been frightened so badly as to have died from it.” Can you really be “scared to death”? While the phrase is a colloquialism, “humans can be scared to death. Being scared to death boils down to our autonomic response to a strong emotion, such as fear.” [Encyclopaedia Brittanica]

In the bible, there was a man named Job. In one day he lost everything he had – his livestock was stolen and burned and worst of all, all 10 of his children were killed in one fell swoop.

Here is the interesting thing about his response when he was informed of his great loss. Job said:

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.
Job 3:25 NKJV

Our thoughts and imaginations are wonderful gifts from God. We can use it to project a better future for ourselves or use it to lock ourselves into a prison of our making.

There is no point in incessantly worrying about (and meditating on) all the possible things that could go wrong during this crises. There is so much that is outside our control and imagining the worst doesn’t help us at all.

Instead, fix your eyes on God and meditate on His Word day and night. In so doing, you replace fear with faith and you make your own way prosperous (Joshua 1:8).

Meditate on God's Word day and night and do all that is written in it. Then you will make your way prosperous and have good success.

 

What are you meditating on?

Remember: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

Trust (in) God. Do not be afraid. Have faith. Encourage yourself.

 

Did You Know?

but of power and of love and of a sound mind (or self control)
(2 Timothy 1:7).
This spirit we have been given is the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. He said we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49). Also, love and self control are 2 of the 9 fruits of a spirit led life (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

However, this gift of the Holy Spirit is only given to the children of God. And you can only become a child of God by accepting His Son, Jesus the Christ. To learn how, check out our salvation page.

#TrustGod #FaithOverFear #BeEncouraged #FaithStrong

 

Check out more of our blog posts on fear including why fear is ungodly.

 

About BibleStorm:

Our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God.

 

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia products today from our online store.
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What are the fruits of giving?

In our blog post, What’s In Your Wallet, we discovered that God is the source and giver of everything we have. Whether seed (i.e. resources) or bread (for food), it all originates from Him (2 Corinthians 9:10). In What’s in your Wallet? Part 2, we discussed why God provides seed and bread for us. In summary, it is so we can have everything we need and be generous and bless others.

So what happens when we respond properly to God’s generosity?

For those that have responded properly to God’s generosity (i.e. by liberally giving as described in v8-9 vs. consuming all the seed for our own lusts/self), God has promised to also:

  • Supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. v10 NIV
  • Supply and multiply the seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. V10 NKJV
  • Provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. v10 NLT

Our proper response also results in God enriching us in everything and every way so that we can always be generous on every occasion (v11).

Our giving produces fruits of praise, prayer and thanksgiving to God from the recipients on our behalf (v11-12). Just as importantly, it supplies the needs of God’s saints so that the work of the Kingdom of God can continue.

This is the same principle Jesus described in Luke 6:38 – “Give, it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom”. Strangely enough, the more we give, the more we have. In fact, King Solomon wrote:

“There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more;
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.”
~Proverbs 11:24

We are to show this generosity first to those in the household of faith i.e. fellow Christians but also to everyone (Galatians 6:10). “Moved by the extravagance of God in our lives, they will respond by praying for whatever we need” (v14 – MSG).

God exhorts us to not be weary in well doing for in due time we will reap/receive our harvest if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9). The truth is God has already promised increase in His Word (2 Corinthians 9:10) so we should rest on His promises and ignore the process trusting that God is faithful and will bring His Word to pass.

“The math of heaven isn’t a calculation of scarcity but of abundance. We can share joyfully because God promises to care for us even as we are generous to others.”
~Our Daily Bread.

 

References

 

#Giving #Money #Finances #MoneyPrinciples #Seed #Bread #FinancialFriday #Giver
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What’s In Your Wallet? (Part 2)

“God supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food (to the eater)”
(2 Corinthians 9:10).

In part 1 of this blog post, we learned that God is the giver. Whether seed or bread, everything we receive originates from Him (James 1:17). We also learned that it was important to ask God how we are to use every income that enters our hands (bank account, wallet, etc) – See Proverbs 3:5-6.

That said, have you ever considered why God provides seed and bread for us? In summary, it is so we can have everything we need and be generous and bless others.

Here are 10 reasons why God provides for us (from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15):

  1. Shows us an example of the generous life we are to live (v8, 10)
    • God didn’t spare His own Son but freely gave Him that we might live through Him (Romans 8:32; John 3:16)
  2. So that we have everything we need (v8)
    • God is Jehovah Jireh (our provider) and wants us to recognize that He is the source of everything (Deuteronomy 8:18; Matthew 6:31-33, Philippians 4:19; James 1:17)
  3. So we have plenty left over to share with others (v8 NLT)
    • Demonstrate compassion and God’s love for others (1 John 3:17)
  4. To increase the fruits (harvest) of righteousness in us (v10)
    • The more we sow, the more we will also reap (Galatians 6:7-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6)
  5. To enrich us (v11)
    • The generous soul will be made rich (Proverbs 11:24-25)
  6. So we can be generous in every occasion (v11)
    • See the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37)
  7. To supply the needs of the saints (i.e. God’s people) (v12)
    • Paul commended the Philippians for sharing in his distress by sending aid to him (Phillippians 4:14-18)
  8. To produce expressions of thanksgiving to God (v12)
    • When we give, it produces praises to God on our behalf (2 Corinthians 1:11)
  9. To glorify and praise God (v13)
    • Seeing our good works causes others to glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)
  10. To produce prayers for us (v14)

Paul closes 2 Corinthians 9 by “thanking God for His indescribable gift” (v15). What is that gift you ask? It is the person of Jesus Christ, who came to earth, died, and was resurrected in order to atone for our sins and restore us to a right relationship with God the Father. It’s important that we receive the free gift that God has already given in his son, Jesus Christ, before we seek anything else from Him. Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Savior.

References

#Money #Finances #MoneyPrinciples #Seed #Bread #FinancialFriday #Steward

About BibleStorm:

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truths found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God.

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia game cards today from our online store.
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Why was Jesus Christ born (Christmas)?

Nativity scene
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1‭, ‬14 NKJV

 

On December 25th, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Did you know that Jesus always existed and has always been with the Father? (1 John 1:1-2). When God said “Let there be”, the Word that went forth was Jesus Himself. “All things were made through [Jesus], and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3) “[This includes] all things … that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)

 

“God showed how much he loved us [mankind] by sending his one and only [begotten] Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” (1 John 4:9) “That whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16‭-‬17)

 

This same Jesus left His deity to come to earth and take on the stature of a man to fulfill God’s desire for reconciliation with man. Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to the point of dying on the cross and taking on the sins of the entire world.

 

Why did Jesus do this?

  1. To redeem [mankind] from the curse of the law (having become a curse for us by being crucified on a cross).
  2. That the blessing of Abraham might come on us [gentiles].
  3. That we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith.

 

Note: Bullet points are from Galatians 3:13-14.

 

So this Christmas season, let’s celebrate the love of our heavenly Father, who did for us something that we couldn’t do ourselves – atone for our sin nature and make us right(eous) through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:3-4).

 

Merry Christmas!

 

PS: As we enjoy the festivities of the season and spend time with friends and family, it’s important that we not forget the reason for the season. God has given us the most important gift of all – the gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Check out our salvation appeal page to learn more about Jesus Christ and how to receive Him as Savior.

 

References

 

#Jesus #Christ #Love #Christmas #Salvation #Nativity #GodsWord #BibleStormTrivia #BibleStorm

About BibleStorm:

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truths found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God.

 

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia game cards today from our online store.