Monthly Archives: December 2011
1/2 Full or 1/2 Empty
A challenge in the world we live in today is to have a positive attitude. While the opportunities to be disappointed, fearful, disillusioned, sorrowful, etc. abound, it’s our responsibility to recognize the reality of what Yahweh has for us and not get caught up in the world’s “what if’s.” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Throughout our walk we have experienced great highs and low lows. It’s in those “low” times that we sometimes have to check each other. We notice that during those times we tend to become more critical and slightly negative. We count on each other to recognize the signs and initiate an intervention. You may not even realize that it is happening. One thing leads to another and before you know it, your conversations are not ones of faith, but have a more negative tone. We have learned to recognize the signs and right then make the choice to rehearse all our incredible blessings from Yahweh – it does not take long – we end up so thankful and full of faith.
If we allow ourselves, we can be burdened with the cares of this life. We are not talking about keeping our heads “buried.” We need to recognize that someone living in a pit needs someone on the outside to throw a rope and pull them out – not someone in the pit with them consoling and providing no solutions. The world is looking for hope and peace. Only by seeing faith working in us and the serenity of His Holy Spirit upon us will the world begin to ask the question – “what is so different about you?”
Honoring Holy Spirit is so crucial. Romans 8:27 “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.” We also sometimes quiet our mind by taking deep breaths – as if to inhale the breath of the Father – then with a slow and deliberate exhale – release all the junk that has built up inside. When you find your mind swarming with renegade thoughts – take each one captive and cast it down. (Paraphrased from 2 Corinthians 10:5)
True – there are a great many sad and tragic incidents happening everyday. On the flip side – if we can be cognizant – all of Yahweh’s resources are working on our behalf – positioning us for His purpose to redeem this earth. We are determined to be a light and source of strength to those in need. Yahweh is a great and awesome God. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Make the Kingdom your bank and Yahweh your banker
Something Apostle Ball spoke about recently truly peaked our interest. He was rehearsing something he had heard about our national debt. Could our national debt and problems in this country be tied to our disregard of Yahweh? Could the amount of our debt be equal to the tithe that has been robbed from Him?
For those who believe we no longer need to tithe because we are not under the law, go outside and try to jump off a building – see if you are not under the law – the law of gravity that Yahweh established. Genesis 8:22 “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” There has always been a universal law – some people liken it to karma or “what goes around, comes around.” Seedtime and harvest has always been – you just have to think about what seeds you have planted in the ground – so to speak.
A message Apostle Ball ministered on years ago was “Make the Kingdom your bank and Yahweh your banker.” We embraced this word and can testify today of His faithfulness. Apostle Ball shared incredible words of wisdom. He talked of not being stingy with your giving. There are some people who tithe 10% to the penny. He shared about rounding up – it helps you sow a little more and maybe catch some of that income you might miss. Just to reiterate – we are talking about a tithe on your gross income – not on the net. Yahweh comes before the government of the United States. He also shared about investing in people – not just things. We have learned that the return that Yahweh gives to you – i.e. favor at work, blessing the work of your hands, etc. – cannot be matched by any ROI (return on investment) in the business world. You can read the previous blogs on finance to rehearse what we believe has set us on a path to abundant blessing.
Reading the book of Malachi can give you a clear picture of how important the “first and the best” is to Yahweh. Once again, our responsibility is to give – it’s Yahweh’s responsibility to hold the ministry accountable for what they do with it. It really all comes down to stewardship. When we understand that we are stewards over what Yahweh gives us, the tithe becomes a priority.
Start out small –like Apostle Ball said – give the 10% (stay there until it becomes easy), then increase just 1% as an offering (until it becomes easy), then increase another percent. It becomes so effortless and natural. We have to testify of His faithfulness. In a time when most people have had major losses in their portfolios, because we have invested not only in our portfolio, but also in people – we have prospered in every way. Not a single investment we have has lost money – praise Yahweh! Make the Kingdom your bank and Yahweh your banker.
How will this affect me?
Some wisdom that Apostle Ball shared with us early on is to look at the decisions that we have to make and ask ourselves “where will this put me 5 or 10 years down the road; how does this fit into what I believe is the word of the Lord to me?” We still use this approach today. It has saved us on many occasions from making a spontaneous decision that could have sent us down the wrong path. While we always consider that sometimes what Yahweh calls us to do requires faith, we recognize and understand that He is not foolish. Sometimes our decisions may not make sense in the natural, but with wisdom and help from Holy Spirit, we can hopefully eliminate those “I wish I wouldn’t have” moments.
The funny thing about decisions is one can lead to another. You may think that the one decision you are making right now is so small and insignificant, but it could cascade and affect so many people. Sometimes we think we are an “island unto ourselves” – yet we touch people around us everyday by the decisions we make. Friends, family, acquaintances, and many we do not even know are watching us – whether we recognize it or not.
There is such a balance in the Kingdom. While we walk by faith – it doesn’t mean that we throw common sense out the window. Our experience over the years is that Holy Spirit has helped us to see past flowery presentations, grand illusions and slick people looking to rob the very purpose of Yahweh from us. If it seems too good to be true – it probably is. Holy Spirit helps us to be wise and sharp. The Kingdom is all about seedtime and harvest. Honestly, we would not want it any other way. What Yahweh is looking for is a good and honest heart. He does not show partiality – what He has done for one person, He will do for another.
A great testimony is that Holy Spirit has helped us to make great decisions along the way. We set ourselves to get out of debt and made decisions based on that word. We set out to redeem all of those things that were lost, stolen, or given away – made decisions to shut every door of the enemy – so he would no longer have a claim on our inheritance. We are faithful today and also looking to the future. Yahweh make Your Name great in the earth in and through us all!
Don’t get stuck on a sniff
There was one thing that our previous Jack Russell loved to do more than anything else – that was to go for a walk. Jack would bring socks to inspire us to get up off the couch and get with his agenda of being outdoors walking. He had little patience for socialization along the walk and would tug the leash if stationary too long. Our greatest joy (and his) was to allow him to be “off leash.” We had worked with him so extensively that when a vehicle would come by – all we had to say was “car” and he would come and sit by us until the vehicle had passed. We have to say that it was so enjoyable to take him to his favorite park and allow him to explore and enjoy the trails as we walked and exercised ourselves. Jack had an occasional nemesis. Every now and then there would be an alluring smell that would just overwhelm him and cause him to either lag behind or get to far ahead. The distraction would override his ability to obey our commands and keep pace. He would get “stuck on a sniff.” We would have to stop our progression and in some form or fashion get his attention.
A great attribute of Holy Spirit is His ability to reinforce Kingdom principles through these everyday situations in our lives. Just like Jack – we believe that Yahweh enjoys us walking with Him. Being able to hear His voice keeps us on pace and free from danger. Our greatest adversary has to be the alluring “smells” along the way. We don’t need to get “stuck on a sniff.” Abraham is a great example – you can become stuck – even on a word from Yahweh. Abraham would have sacrificed his son Isaac if he had not been in the place to hear the current and ongoing word from the Father and find the ram in the thicket (Genesis 22:13). Whether the sniff is peer pressure, goals, lust of the eye, pride, or being weary in well-doing we need to be vigilant and alert for any course corrections from our Heavenly Father.
It really brought us great joy to see Jack do what he was created to do and know that we just wanted him to be obedient to us to keep him safe. How much more does Yahweh rejoice over us, as we are diligent to hear His voice, keep pace, and fulfill His purpose on this earth? Your Kingdom come Yahweh, Your will be done in and through us.
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