Tithe

Tithe

By Pastor Dwight

Our giving is a way of consecrating (setting aside for divine purpose) not only the part we bring but our whole life. Throughout the Old Testament we see that God commands us to dedicate ourselves and all we have to be holy. He sanctifies and blesses that which we offer to him as we present our whole selves “on the altar of God” (as Christ offered his whole self on the cross). The Biblical words are:

 Tithes- as the writer of Hebrews in the New Testament explains Abraham first offered a tenth 400 years before the law so tithes are not about Old Testament law so much as acknowledging God as our source and committing ourselves to do his will.

Firstfruits- Paul in the New Testament said to habitually give the first part of that which God provided for us. Freewill or love offerings for special needs of people or in the work of the church in the community or in care of it’s building dedicates us all to be holy-doing the will of God. God even commanded them to dedicate all firstborn animals and their own sons to the Lord by paying a tax to redeem them, or else to actually bring them as the sacrifice (as God gave his only Son to consecrate and make us holy).

Ex 34:20 The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed. Deut 12:6 and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

1 Cor 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Nehemiah 10:35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; With Proverbs 3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

Ex 35:29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.

Confession

Confession

By Dwight Cunkle

The power of confession is in speaking God’s Word

Faith in Christ comes by listening to his word

Twice in Luke we read that Mary pondered, even treasured the words of the angel and prophets (Luke 2:19, 51) about her and the Holy Seed of the Word being incarnated (made flesh in her). She was also yielded and obedient to the Word from God, “Be it unto me according to your word.” The    angel assured her that “No word comes from God without the power of fulfillment within it.”

Jesus healed a woman then said to her, “Your faith has healed you.” From where did she get faith to be healed?

To another Jesus said, “Be unto to you according to your faith.” 

Yes (in case you are wondering) we can be like Mary, thinking (meditating) with our mind and heart what God’s specific word (rhema) means to us? The Word is not too high or too hard for you but is near you-even in your mouth… Faith comes by hearing the Word… Romans 10:6-8, 17 (see also verse 10-confess and believe and you will be saved).

We all can make time to prayerfully think over and over a short passage or phrase of Scripture. This pondering and treasuring leads us into what is called contemplation of God – a knowing and seeing and experiencing Him that results in our own being transformed into His image (2 Cor 3:17-18).

Meditating and confessing God’s word will naturally humble us even as Mary and those who sought healing humbled themselves and confessed their weakness and need. God will fill you and defend you. God will draw you into union with Him. You will know His love for you deeper and His grace will love others through you.

Is the cost of daily sitting at his feet and listening to his word and confessing our faults and sins worth it? Is He not the Pearl and Kingdom? Did He not think us worthy?