God wants you to live in blessing and wholeness all the days of your life. But in order to experience His promises, we have to keep believing and trusting in Him. That’s what today’s verse is saying: if we will stay in faith, if we will keep believing, keep hoping, and keep doing the right thing, God promises there will be a reward. One translation says, “don’t get discouraged. Payday is coming!” So what are you believing God for today? A better job? Healing? Stronger relationships? Freedom from addiction?
When things aren’t going your way, When you’re tempted to get down just say to yourself, “this may be hard. It may be taking a long time, but I know God is a faithful God. I’m going to keep believing, because my payday is coming.”
Today, as you trust Him and stand in faith, as you boldly declare His promises, you are positioning yourself to receive His blessings. No matter what your circumstances look like, remember, payday is on its way! Hallelujah! Stand firm and experience the blessing and reward He’s promised you all the days of your life!
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Hebrews 10:35, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your good and faithful promises. Father, I choose to trust and believe that my reward is coming, my payday is on its way. God, give me a heart that is fixed on You and fill me with Your peace, as I patiently wait on You, in Christ’ name! Amen.
I’m always being told I look like my dad. When people look at you, do they see your family resemblance? Perhaps you have characteristics of your father or mother; maybe you have their eyes, or mouth, or mannerisms. We Christians should also have the characteristics of Christ. We should display His likeness. We should have His eyes, His mouth and His mannerisms too. We should study Him and imitate Him with the same awe that little children have when they imitate their earthly fathers.
Remember, the Bible tells us that God is love. We are never more like God than when we are walking in love—when we are being patient and kind; when we are extending grace and mercy and forgiving others, the way Christ has forgiven us.
Today, when you imitate God, when you do things His way, you get His results! And God’s ways always lead to life, freedom and blessing. The more you imitate your heavenly Father by walking in love, the more you will see Him moving in your life. He’ll open doors for you that no man can close, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!
“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children imitate their father. And walk in love…”(Ephesians 5:1–2, AMP)
Let’s Pray
Yahshua, I invite Your love and life to flow through me in a practical way. Allow me to become just like You in every way. Father, show me how I can be a blessing to others as I follow Your ways. Let my life please You, so that I can be an example of Your awesome character, in Christ’ name! Amen.
It’s been a hard school year with the pandemic around. Finally, the school year has ended and the kids and teachers alike shouted “I’m free.” Freedom is something we all crave. Many people have been told that God wants to set them free, but yet they still walk around feeling defeated and carrying unnecessary burdens. But you don’t have to live that way when you embrace the freedom that Jesus paid for you at calvary. You are set free from the bondage of sin, fear, lack, sickness, worry and cares. Hallelujah!
Today, school may be over but in six weeks the cycle starts again. God wants to set you eternally free! Take a minute and think about it. How would you feel if you never had to worry about money, sickness, or fear about anything? God has a plan for you to be “free indeed” in every area of your life. He wants to direct your steps on the path of life, and give you His pleasures forevermore. Accept God’s peaceful, emotional and spiritual freedom, and follow His path, and live the burden free life He has for you!
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your plan to set me free eternally, emotionally and spiritually. Father, I release every burden, fear and care to You today, because I know You care for me. God, please help me to understand Your goodness, and empower me to walk completely in Your freedom, no matter what’s happening around me, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Monday was classed as freedom day in the UK. A day when we stop being in bondage to Covid-19. Night clubs opened, no more compulsory mask-wearing and no social distancing. But are we really free? Is Covid-19 our biggest worry or concern? We cannot get a vaccine for depression or disappointment. So I ask the question again – are we really free? Are there deeper issues than coronavirus that keep us in bondage? These issues need a divine vaccine given by Jehovah Jirah in order to give us total freedom.
We’ve all been burnt by life. Everyone has experienced hurt and disappointment. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key to being free is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes of a burnt life in order to receive the beauty of Christ. You can’t have both because the old has to decrease before the new can increase.
Today, you can be doubled jabbed, no need to wear a mask, and go where you want and still not be free, because you haven’t trusted God with your past ashes of hurt? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward into God’s beautiful freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes of disappointment and hurt. Today, the past is over, but your future remains. Let God vaccinate you with the double jab of joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your past life today and always!
“…he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness…(Isaiah 61:3, TLB)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for Your promise of true freedom – not only from Covid-19 but from life’s disappointments and hurts. Father, sweep away the ashes, mourning and heaviness of my past and give me something beautiful and joyful to look forward to. God, I give them up to You and receive Your divine jabs of healing and restoration in my life today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
When you look around at the state of our world, church and community, it’s easy to become bitter. Bitterness is an extremely destructive force. It seeps into the depths of your heart when you choose not to forgive someone. When you hold on to unforgiveness, it closes the door to God’s power working in your life.
Scripture tells us that if we choose not to forgive others, God cannot answer our prayers. Be grateful to God that He has empowered us to forgive and release bitterness! You may have been through unfair situations in your life, but it’s not over until God says it’s over. You can make the choice to get rid of bitterness so you can live in freedom!
Today, we serve a God of justice. God sees every wrong that’s ever been done to you. He sees every unfair situation. If you will stay in faith, He’ll bring justice into your life, including the power to forgive. Let your attitude be, “things may have been unfair, I may have been done wrong, but I WILL NOT get bitter, because my blessings are on the way, and I need my prayers answered.”
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I refuse and rebuke bitterness in my life. Father, I refuse to allow my past to keep me stuck. I choose to forgive all those who have hurt me. God, I pray blessings on those that may have done me wrong, and pray they would come to know Your truth. Thank You for setting my heart free today, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
Happy 2021. 2020 has been full of hurt and disappointment for many. We’ve all been burnt by life, some have lost loved ones, relationships and jobs. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes in order to receive the beauty. You can’t have both, because the old has to go before the new can reach fulfilment.
As I look back over last year, I’m thankful to God for hundreds of new subscribers to the Ray of Hope devotion. I’m thanking God for lockdown virtual revivals in London, Wolverhampton, Harlow Essex, Kenya, Toronto Canada, Trinidad and many others, where hundreds gave their hearts to God despite the pandemic. I’m thankful for the Ray of Hope radio show each Sunday, and the listenership has grown tremendously. Ray of Hope ministries and God Interest want to thank you for your prayers, donations and continued support, and to ask you to continue to bless our ministry throughout 2021. We would love you to encourage your friends and family to also subscribe for their daily blessing.
Today, let’s move forward, not focusing on yesterday’s blessings, but reaching forward with hope and purpose, as we tackle the projects and challenges this year will bring. Are you willing to trust God with your future? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward in freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes. The year 2020 is over, but your future remains. Let God give you joy instead of mourning, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your life in 2021.
…he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3, TLB)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, thank You for promising to sweep away the ashes of my past and give me something beautiful in their place. Father, thanks for blessing Ray of Hope ministries, God Interest and it’s subscribers, to reach so many for the kingdom in 2020. Almighty God, I choose to give You my 2021 for more ministry endeavours as you give me clear vision. I receive Your healing and restoration in my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
As we enter the final day of this year, I urge you to let go of your past. All of those mistakes worries, stresses and fears. In the same way that faith opens the door for God to work in our lives, fear opens the door for the enemy to work in our lives. So leave it behind!
Scripture says that fear brings torment. Fear has no mercy. If you act on fear instead of acting on faith, it will keep you depressed, miserable and lonely. So many people today are missing out on God’s joy, peace and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They feed fear by what they watch on TV, or read in the news or on the internet. Don’t let that be you! How do you get faith? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. I urge you in 2021 fill your heart and mind with God’s Word, and the stronger your faith will be so you can stand against the powers of darkness. Choose faith instead of fear this new year by choosing to spend time in God’s Word.
Today, on December 31st 2020, remember, the power that is in you through the Holy Spirit, is greater than the power of fear. When thoughts come that say, “you’re not able,” choose faith by saying, “I can do all things through Christ!” Choose faith, overcome fear and live in the freedom God has in store for you! Lets crossover by faith into 2021! Hallelujah!
“This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NLT)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, on the final day of 2020, I receive Your Word which is life, health and strength to me. I choose to close the door on fear by guarding what I say, listen to and dwell on. God, fill me with Your love and faith, as I meditate on Your Word and crossover into a new year, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
When that guy cat-calls you just to get a reaction, what do you do? You ignore him and keep walking.
When that bully pushes all of your buttons just to make you mad, what do you do? you tune them out and move on.
When somebody tries to convince you of something you know 100% isn’t true, you don’t even give it a second thought before you dismiss the argument.
So why don’t we use this tactic against the father of all lies, a.k.a the enemy that is out to destroy your life? Just don’t engage. As soon as you do, he wins. He is cunning, crafty, and manipulative, and he’s only after your heart. He wants to crush it and mutate it and trample it underfoot until there’s nothing left for God to use.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” John 10:10a
I know this isn’t easy. Trust me, I’m a thinker. Overthinking is my second nature, if not my first nature. I have to think through everything, especially when faced with a conflict. If somebody challenges my opinion, my first reaction is to analyze the entire argument…
What are they saying?
Do I agree or disagree? Why?
What do I think?
How does that compare to what they think?
What is true?
What evidence affirms/denies my argument?
Is there any way there is truth in both arguments?
Why do they think what they think?
Why do I think what I think?
And it goes on …
and on …
and on.
I think you get the idea. By the way, all of that overthinking happens in about 2 seconds. It’s an intense self-interrogation until I think my way into a solution that makes sense to me, so I can feel at peace with what I believe and move on.
Sometimes this is a really useful skill, but the enemy knows exactly how to use it for my deepest undoing. The problem with using the “overthinking tactic” against Satan is that he doesn’t care about logic. His goal is not to convince me that his argument makes more sense. In fact, he doesn’t even care about what he says. He doesn’t even believe the lies himself.
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.”
James 2:19
Satan knows God. He knows scripture. He knows what the truth is, and his goal is to keep you as far away from it as possible. He knows the power that God’s word can have in your life and that terrifies him. He will say whatever it takes to get you to question God and doubt His goodness, and the moment you try to reason with him, you’ve fallen into his trap.
I say all of this because I fall into the trap far too often. The devil uses people near and dear to me to convince me of his lies because he knows it works with almost 100% accuracy. Because their opinion matters so much to me, I will over-analyze their every word and body language to my own demise. Something they say – or don’t say – pricks one of my insecurities (unbeknownst to that person), and the trap has been set. Suddenly, I’m hit with an avalanche of thoughts like these:
“They just don’t care enough about you to ask about your day.”
“You’re stupid for thinking ______ would happen.”
“You’re too dramatic, emotional, etc.”
“It’s your fault that you can’t handle this feeling.”
The first step is to recognize the lie. Now, to do this, you have to know the Truth. No, that’s not a typo. I meant Truth with a capital “T” because you have to know God’s Word, and His word is Truth. Once you start to bury His word in your heart, and begin to recognize his voice, you can more easily discern truth from lies.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
But it doesn’t stop there! That’s where I made my mistake. I thought, “If I recognize the lie, it will become invalid and it won’t sting anymore.”
False.
Satan is more crafty than that, and he was already one step ahead of me. See, he recognized how I use my interrogation process to reconcile a contradicting thought, so he used it against me. He used it to blur the lines between lie and Truth. So he takes me down this rabbit hole to confuse me and muddle the words of God until I feel so lost, confused, and heartbroken that I can’t even remember what lie got the whole thing started to begin with. He knows how I look for the middle ground to make sense of things, but there is no middle ground between what the devil says and what God says.
So no, it CANNOT end with recognizing the lie. You have to take the next step and make the choice not to engage with the lie. Now, if you’re a thinker like me, this will be hard. Like really, really hard. But you have to choose to look the other way. Change your posture to look toward your loving, protective, jealous, Heavenly Father. Tell the enemy you don’t have time for his games. Don’t try to argue with him and tell him why his lie is a lie and why God’s Truth wins, because he already knows it, and he doesn’t care. He’ll just twist everything around until you find yourself lost in a muddy mess of nothing that makes any sense whatsoever.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
To sum it up…
Study Truth, that is, the Word of God.
Recognize the lie, which is not the Word of God.
Don’t Engage. Choose to meditate on and dwell in the Word of God.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:8
This is not something that my genius, overthinking brain came up with one day. This is something that the Holy Spirit whispered to me, and by God’s grace alone, I heard it. I was on the brink of yet another panic attack and fearful of going back down that dark road. I was on the brink of forming another unsuccessful argument for why the lie was a lie and trying to figure out a way to outsmart the devil this time, and the Holy Spirit simply said, “don’t engage with the lie.” Of course I tried to overthink and analyze again, but He didn’t relent. He just kept telling me, “Don’t engage with the lie. It’s not worth it. Just keep looking at Me. Lean on the love of your Father instead of your own knowledge for once.” Hey, that sounds familiar, right?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
So go ahead. Give the enemy the cold shoulder. Hit him with the silent treatment. Then you will taste freedom. Remember the second half of John 10:10…
“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10b
Go live in the abundant life Christ bought for you. The enemy’s lies are not worth your time, precious child of God.
Be contented now! It’s easy to get so focused on our dreams, our goals and what we want, that it consumes us. We can get to the point where we are not going to be happy until it happens. But I’ve found that if we have to have something in order to be happy, our lives are out of balance. When our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, when we lose our peace and are not enjoying life, that’s a sure sign that we’re holding on too tightly.
What’s the solution? You’ve got to release it. Freedom comes when you say, “God, I’m turning it all over to You. You know my desires, and You know what’s best for me. I’m choosing to trust You and Your timing.”
Today, learn to be content in whatever circumstances you find yourself, this will take away the power from the enemy. It takes away his ability to frustrate us. Not only that, but by our actions, we show our faith in God. Choose to trust in His timing; choose to live in peace and joy now, and know that your “now” shapes you for the good things God has in store for your future.
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11, NIV)
Let’s Pray Yahweh, today I will trust You with my now. Father, I release to You my frustrations over the dreams and desires that’s in my heart and mind, knowing that You know what’s best for me. God I will trust in Your timing, because You are always reliable and faithful, in Christ’s Name! Amen.
We live in a world where not everyone is free. Freedom is based on race, gender or money. The good news is God’s freedom is not partial. The Word says, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” and God’s freedom is free for everyone! It doesn’t matter what your nationality, heritage or gender is, or what your family name is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him!
Today, God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honour Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians, that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you, and is offering you His freedom.
Today, don’t let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessings in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honouring Him and doing what is right, and you will be free in mind, body and Spirit, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life! Hallelujah!
“…God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34—35, NIV)
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, thank You for loving and accepting me and setting me free. Father, my desire is to do what pleases You, and honour You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that isn’t pleasing to You, and help me eradicate it today. God, I want to live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life. In Christ’s Name! Amen.
With death, domestic violence, sibling rivalry and race issues etc on the increase during this lockdown, there will be more and more bitterness, and long term unforgiveness and resentment in our society. Bitterness is an extremely destructive force. It can seep into the depths of your heart if you choose not to forgive someone.
Scripture tells us that if we choose not to forgive others, it will even hinder our prayers. Thank God that He has empowered us with the power to forgive and release bitterness! It all begins with a choice. You may have been through unfair situations, but it’s not over until God says it’s over. God always has the final say. He is a God of justice, even today during these hard times. He sees every wrong that’s ever been done to you, and every unfair situation, and He will make it right. Trust Him!
Today, If you will stay in faith and choose to forgive, God will make your wrongs right. He’ll bring justice into your life. Your attitude should be, “it may have been unfair. They may have done me wrong, but I refuse to get bitter. I know my time is coming.” Choose forgiveness, honour God and walk in complete freedom in every area of your life!
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
(Ephesians 4:31, NIV)
Pray With Me Yahweh, today I refuse bitterness. I refuse to allow the past or present to keep me stuck. Father, take away my negative feelings towards others. Please help me right now to forgive those who have hurt me. God, I pray blessings on them, that they would come to know Your truth and their lives will be changed. In faith I thank You for setting my heart free, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
A nine-strong committee look pretty similar: eight white men and white woman. This is the body that guides Britain’s economy and that is suppose to represent the diverse community the UK now represents.
Their monthly votes on interest rates ultimately determine how far our money goes.
Yet they don’t look anything like the people whose lives they have so much influence over, why is that? Its because the Bank of England has a Diversity Problem
The UK population is made up of different ethnicities. 87% of people are White, and 13% belong to a Black, Asian, Mixed or Other ethnic group and Women make up half of the UK population. Astoundingly 0% of the Monetary Policy Committee belong to a Black, Asian, Mixed or other ethnic groups and women make up one ninth of the committee. Shocking!
Mark Carney current governor is in fact, the 120th in a continuous line of white men to have headed the Bank.
It’s plain obvious the Bank has a diversity problem. But this is not a isolated issue as many other organisations in Britain have this very same problem.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said last month that the Bank was some way off its diversity targets for next year “with little evidence the gap is closing quickly enough”.
Joanna Place the Bank’s chief operating officer also said: “In terms of diversity and inclusion, we have done a lot more than just gender and ethnicity.
“We have a number of staff networks. We have inclusive events. We have a wellbeing policy. We have done a cognitive diversity survey. We have started to look at social mobility,” she added.
Unfair
The Bank’s search for a new governor kicked off earlier this week and many are hoping that this could herald the start of a new era with a black governor at the helm for the first time in its history. However, Wendy Carlin, a professor of economics at University College London, says the problem is not with the Bank of England, but the economics profession itself.
Minorities quit Bank of England as it fails on diversity
More troubling were the committee findings into the proportion of BAME employees at the organisation, with an increase of just 3 per cent between 2015 (15 per cent) and 2018 (18 per cent), and no increase between 2017 and 2018.
Just 5 per cent of employees working at senior management level came from a BAME background in 2018. This is not a coincidence.
Ethnic minority employees are leaving the Bank of England in disproportionate numbers and feel less comfortable with the organisation’s culture, according to internal research.
The Bank’s non-executive directors admitted that the “BAME [black, Asian and minority ethnic] resignation rate was above that for the Bank as a whole” and said that it was actively addressing the problem, according to minutes of a recent meeting. But that’s not enough.
Statistics already show that BAME workers in UK are third more likely to be underemployed — report and probibly less likely to study economics, let alone get a job in the sector. TUC says study highlights a waste of black, Asian and minority ethnic talent and urges more effort to tackle discrimination at work
“We know this is part of a much bigger story. BAME workers are more likely to be unemployed, paid less, and aren’t getting enough of the top jobs. Employers and the government cannot afford to ignore these problems. They must now take real action to tackle underemployment and pay discrimination.”
The former business secretary Sajid Javid had called on businesses to do more to support the careers of black and minority ethnic (BME) workers and commissioned Ruby McGregor-Smith, the chief executive of the facilities management company Mitie, to undertake an independent review of BAME progression at work. The review is due to report by the end of this year.
Dr Heffernan says the profession itself should try to make sure it is attracting the widest possible pool of applicants.
“How you word a job will define someone’s right to apply. If you’re not getting the right kind of applicants then describe the job differently and see what happens.”
Christian’s can help
If the Church put more effort into actively encouraging its members to work in professions that would benefit greatly from a strong moral compass, and then support them in those roles, just think what benefit to our country there might be.
Facts about the The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is made up of nine members — the Governor, the three Deputy Governors for Monetary Policy, Financial Stability and Markets and Banking, our Chief Economist and four external members appointed directly by the Chancellor.
External members are appointed to make sure that the MPC benefits from thinking and expertise from outside of the Bank of England. A representative from HM Treasury also sits with the MPC at its meetings. The Treasury representative can discuss policy issues, but is not allowed to vote. They are there to make sure that the MPC is fully briefed on fiscal policy developments and other aspects of the Government’s economic policies, and that the Chancellor is kept fully informed about monetary policy.
Each member of the MPC has expertise in the field of economics and monetary policy. Members do not represent individual groups or areas — they are independent.
MPC members serve fixed terms, after which they may be either replaced or reappointed.
The PAC has called on the bank to provide a report setting out the additional steps it will take to ensure it meets its diversity targets by June 2019.
Godinterest’s Manifesto of Ethics
To promote freedom of religion — Violations of religious freedom are increasing globally in scale, depth and blatancy. Carried out by both government and non-state actors, they range from the mundane to the extreme (e.g. genocide).
To promote freedom of expression and internet freedom — Freedom of expression is an essential part of a properly functioning democracy and a free society. People should be free to express themselves both online and offline. But in many parts of the world freedom of expression is under threat.
To be a inclusive social network — We aim to share multiple voices and perspectives. We prohibit and will remove Offensive material that has been reported to contain (e.g., Pornographic material, hate speech, encouraging violence against others, etc)
To respect one’s right to remain anonymous — Our users place their trust in us to keep them safe, and, in some cases, anonymous. We view safeguarding that trust and protecting our users’ private information as vital to what we do.
Some of the web’s most influential voices now belong to bloggers as young as 13.
“Kids often start writing blogs just for the hell of it,” says Sadie Stein, a contributing editor at the US online feminist fashion mag, Jezebel. “Sometimes it’s because they are feeling isolated in small conservative towns and want to connect with other kids; sometimes it’s because they have areas of specialised interest they want to share.”
We think it’s about time to make this official: 2018 is the year of the young‘uns.
We’ve invited children and young people to write for us on a regular basis. Their blogs can be about anything– popular culture, rights in their life, or the issues they care about in the world. We hope their work will mean more young people visit our website, so that they can learn more about the things that matter to them.
Godinterest is built with WordPress a software designed for everyone, emphasizing accessibility, performance, security, and ease of use. The basic WordPress software is simple and predictable so you can easily get started. It also offers powerful features for growth and success.
When people speak about tithing it is divisive. Some are for and some are against and usually, they’re both screaming at each other!
Most people would say it’s a con, a hoax, a joke etc. They say it’s no longer relevant and yet that wasn’t the case for me. When I was started tithing my life was in shambles. In desperation, I went to God for an answer. Sometime later the answer came back “start tithing.”
I’d like to say that I immediately took action, that I whipped out my checkbook and wrote my first check immediately.That I repented for my inactions. Nope.
I ignored the “answer” for some time. But after a while, I did start tithing. I did it as an experiment. I started tithing on unemployment checks and after some time I was tithing on a six-figure income.
The Benefits of Tithing
Now keep in mind I’m not going to tell you that if you tithe these things are going to happen:
Your debts are going to be paid.
Your mortgage is going to be forgiven.
Your car is going to transform into a brand new BMW.
The boss won’t be able to sleep until he gives you a raise.
The CEO of the company you’re working for will see your name and face in a dream, seek you out, and promote you to a position you have don’t the skills or experience for.
When the Bible speaks about the tithe it uses the Hebrew word “maaser”(pronounced mah-as-ayr‘). It’s used 32 times in the Old Testament. (Note: English is read left to right, Hebrew is read right to left.) The Hebrew language is a language of root words. Prefixes and suffixes are added to build on the meaning of the root word. So in this word, the first letter mem (מ) conveys this meaning:
Changing a verb into the noun of that word:
For example: adding mem “to preach” (verb) turns it into “preacher” (noun).
Now taking away mem (מ) from “maaser” we’re left with “aser” which means rich.
So another way of interpreting this is:
The “rich” is in the tithe.
or with “maaser”:
“The one tithing becomes rich.”
Whoa! Crazy, isn’t it?
2. State of the Plate
Let’ss look at some other other numbers: According to the landmark State of the Plate research – a multi-year research that documented the giving habits of thousands of givers – Tithers were more financially stable than their counterparts:
According to the author:
“People that follow biblical principles of giving also are much more likely to be wiser and more careful in their spending”¦It is important in preaching and teaching on finances and generosity to help people realize that generosity leads to greater financial freedom and stability, while not giving frequently leads to greater indebtedness and financial bondage.”
Could it be possible that King Solomon – one of the wealthiest men who lived had a point when he said, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV) or “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NKJV)?
3. Chantel Ray
But there are even greater case studies about tithing. Before Chantel Ray. was a multi-million dollar real estate entrepreneur, she was a youth pastor making $9/hr. She was also using credit cards to survive. After several years of this she was $10,000 in debt and her cards were maxed out. One day she heard about tithing. Like many of us she said, “Yeah right! I can’t do this right now. Maybe when I start making some money.” But after months of fighting things continued to get worse and she took the leap of faith. Her first tithe check was $30. The next day she received a refund check of $300. She continued to tithe and a close family member felt led to pay off her debt. She continued to tithe and within a few months, she got a better paying job. She continued to tithe, in fact, she increased the amount. She began a new career in real estate, was the best salesperson, and eventually started her own firm.
4. John D. Rockefeller
But let’s look at another case study: John D. Rockefeller! Before John D. Rockefeller became the richest American ever. Before his wealth was 1.5% to 2% of the U.S’s GDP (his personal wealth $1.4 billion; the US GDP $92 billion). Before his philanthropy equated to hundreds of millions of dollars (billion adjusted for inflation) he learned how to give at an early age. His giving began with his first job as a clerk at age 16, when he gave 6% of his earnings to charity. By the time he was twenty, his giving exceeded 10% percent of his income. Much of it going to church-related activities. Rockefeller, a devout Christian, was always under the belief his success was divinely inspired. He said, quite emphatically:
“God gave me my money.”
Why did God single him out for stupendous wealth? He believed it was because he was a good steward. In his seventies he said:
“It has seemed as if I was favored and got increase because the Lord knew I was going to turn it around and give it back.”
Conclusion
I do know this: no matter what I say the debate will always continue. There are always going to be people for tithing and people against tithing. I can live with that. But tithing helped change my life and I hope that one day you can “experiment” with it and see what happens to you. What have your experiences been with tithing?
Millions of Chinese identify themselves with Christianity a reality that President Xi’s administration is fighting hard against. The number has increased gradually and this is seen as a threat to the government which is officially atheist and its power is being put to test.
Under the presidency of Xi Jinping, the government launched a number of initiatives to control and at times limit Christian followers. Chinese Communist Party (C.C.P.) is up in arms to control and fight Christianity. The government constraints and controls religious freedom. Why is the government determined to rob people of their free will to worship?
We are blessed that we have the freedom of worship to our Lord anywhere, anytime and anyhow with no one monitoring of our doings unlike In China where Christians have been pushed to worship underground. China ranked 10th as a country where it is most hard and risky to practice Christianity according to Open Doors, a U.S. based Christian non-profit that traces the persecution of Christians worldwide.
The Lie
Psalms 103:2-3 says, Praise be to the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
The Chinese government has been persuading Christians to pull down the pictures of our Lord Jesus Christ and replace them with the photographs of president Xi Jinping.They have also gone ahead to tell them about how Jesus won’t drag them out of hardships or cure their ailments which we all know it’s a lie from the devil!
Our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we have asked for or imagined.
The Christianity crackdown
Over the past 4 decades, there has been a tremendous increase in Christian believers and this has not gone down so well with the government. The Chinese Communist Party is on guard lest Christians invade the country and that’s why they have opted to restrict and put a barrier to free worship. With the crackdown this is what they’ve opted to do against the Christians;
1. The Communist party was very daring in visiting Christians households in Jiangxi Province, removing by force dozens of Christian symbols and images of Jesus from their living rooms and substituting them with the communist president.
2. Bible online sellers like Amazon has been banned so as to suppress Christianity.
3.The government has destroyed churches under president Xi Jinping.The blowing up of the Christian megachurch with dynamite shows how the government has no respect for religious freedom or human rights.
4. Churches across the Zhejiang province were forced to remove their crosses and the government set new limitations that believers must have government approval.
5. Detention of believers, hindering entry to places of worship and interfering with gatherings has forced many Christians to go underground.
6. The Chinese government has actively and openly been popularizing Buddhism and Taoism, as well folk religions while restricting the spread of Christianity.
7. Preachers have also been coerced to show their loyalty to the communist party and have taken to applauding president Xi Jinping and combining party propaganda into their teachings.
8.The new law that took effect on February 2, 2018, says will charge penalties on organizers or unofficial religious happenings and stop them from basic duties like receiving handouts, providing spiritual information online, or teaching children.
9. The Chinese government has lifted up the presidential term limits-you guessed it right on what this means for the church. Lifting up the term limit is a way of allowing the Communist party to suppress the spread of Christianity.
This has forced many Christians to go underground and some members are reluctant to confess their faith. Forcing the removal of crosses from the churches where the preachers could not agree to it, they opted to go underground for the fear of further punishment.
Acts 1:8 says, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
“By 2030, China will almost certainly have more Christians than any other country and the Communist party is very alarmed.” Says Fenggang Yang.
With this power given unto us, we can change anything and even make things happen. Let us unite as Christians and pray for our brothers and sisters in China and every corner of the world where Christians are being attacked for practicing their faith.
As Christians, we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to empower and give us power and authority. In countries where we have the freedom of worship, let’s spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ even to the unchurched.Share the word of God to everyone who cares to listen and save their souls from death.
The Bible talks a great deal about God’s love. And when Scriptures talk about God’s love, it’s mostly in superlatives. John 3:16 says God so loved that He sent His one and only Son to ensure man’s full redemption from the doom of hell. What no amount of human sacrifices can achieve, Christ secured for us once for all on the cross. By placing our full trust in Christ’s finished work, we all enter into this love relationship. Forever redeemed, forever experiencing the love of God. This is the best thing that can ever happen to a lost sinner.
God’s love is unlimiting.
Human love can be suffocating at times. It can be demanding or restricting. At times, we love someone so much, we begin to fear and worry. Overprotection sets in, we don’t want them getting hurt. Jealousy and insecurity may surface; we don’t want to lose them.
God’s love is unlimiting. It is in fact liberating. Those who don’t understand think Christianity is boring and rigid. They have the idea that in this “religion”, people don’t get to be and do a lot of things.But the Bible shows us differently. In true Christianity is freedom. There is liberty. We become free and enabled to do right. We don’t need to be sinful all the time, we don’t have to do succumb to wrong pleasures each time temptation comes. Once, we had great tendencies for evil and wrongness. Now, as children of God we are empowered by the Holy Spirit for right and fruitful living.
God’s love is unlimiting. It unleashes the strength and grace of God in our lives. We find endurance to press on towards fulfilling our goals. We find wisdom in making right directions and pursuits. We learn to put our efforts into what is worthwhile and we get to experience satisfying joy, not just in achieving but in the journey itself.
God says His plans for us are for our welfare and not for evil, to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) In love, He works all things for our good. (Romans 8:28) Sometimes, the present doesn’t seem to be turning out well but while the end remains hidden from sight, we can trust God’s love in the process.
God’s love is relentless.
While some debate the idea that we can call God’s love as reckless, there’s no doubt that His love is relentless. We understand the reckless love doesn’t consider the risks. It is not cautious. It is not deterred by danger or loss. Reckless love jumps right in no matter what. Indeed, God’s love may be somewhat like that. But on a whole, reckless love is a far term to describe God’s love. Reckless bears a primary usage and meaning of “heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous.”
God’s love is nothing like that. In eternity past, He has counted the cost. He has foreseen the danger and the consequence. He has deliberately and committedly set His love toward us. In Luke 22:39-46, we gain insight into how painful and agonizing it was for the triune God to face separation for the first time. The sin of the world was to be laid upon Christ and the Father had to look away as the full weight of our sin was placed upon Him. That was far from a reckless kind of love.
Relentless love is unceasingly intense. It is persistent and continuing. It is unstoppable.It does not allow itself to be hindered. It is defiant in a sense that it will cross boundaries to provide what is beneficial for its object of love. It is unsparing in a sense that it will give whatever is necessary for the benefit of its object of love. Relentless love is thoughtful love. It is deliberate. It counts the cost and takes intelligent account of what is necessary to achieve the highest good for the object of its love.
God’s love is relentless.It is non-stop. “One Thing” by Jesus Culture articulates it quite well. The message says, “Your love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me.” The rest of the song lyrics say:
