How Is Your Attitude

Mental Attitude

The significance of true giving is a mental attitude rather

than the amount donated. True giving is based on grace 

orientation. It is "giving of yourself"! When you give in

grace, you still have grace!

" The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance

shall be for ever."

Psalm 37:18

Lord, help me to apply myself as best I can with the awareness

that You stand ready to help.

In Christ name I pray

Do You Have Doctrine Capacity

HAPPINESS

Is built only upon Bible doctrine (Jer. 15:16; John 13:17; 1 John 1:4), 

for doctrine from the Word of God gives you the capacity for happiness

(John 17:13,17). Apart from Bible doctrine, the materialistic things and

people which make you happy today will bore you or make you miserable

tomorrow (Heb. 13:5,6). Unless you have doctrinal capacity, even your

right man or right woman cannot bring you the maximum happiness God

intended you to have in that relationship.

"The angel of the Lord encampeth  round about them that fear Him,

and delivereth them."

Psalm 34:7

Dear God, give me courage to face the problems that confront me

today, thank You for Your sustaining strength.

In Christ name I pray

Find The Time To Give

Tithing

3 and 4

The fact that titing has nothing to do with giving can be seen

from the Hebrew of Malachi 3:8--10. Tithes were brought into the

 treasury (literally)-- not the "storehouse", and Not the church!

Tithing was taxation; giving was over and above tithing!

(4) The Time and Norm for Giving. In 1Corinthians 16:2, we

find the time for giving to be the first day of the week at 

assembly worship. The norm:  "As God has prospered!"

"At the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."

Isaiah 30:19

O God, help us to remember that we can depend on Your Word.

What You have spoken will come to pass.

In Christ name I pray

In The Old Testament---Taxation

3 Tithing

The word "tithe" means "ten percent". Old Testament tithing was a form of

 taxation and was imposed upon Jewish believers and unbelievers alike. This

amounted to a percentage of what one owned or received for his labors. There

were several tithes. One was an income tax for the maintenance of the Levites

(Num. 18,21,24). There was also a tax for the national feasts and sacrifices,

mentioned in Deuteronomy 14,22 through 24. Thirdly, there was a tax every

year used for the poor of the land (Deut. 14,28,29). Three Taxes or

Three Tithes!

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ

shall give thee light."

Ephesians 5:14

Dear Lord, help me today not to be careless about my relationship with You.

In Christ name I pray

Not Grudgingly But With Cheer

2 The New Testament Principle of Giving

This principle is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7. The believer today 

gives  "as he purposeth in his heart-----not grudgingly, or of necessity:

for God loveth a cheerful giver." 

"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup

of cold water---he shall in no wise lose his reward."

Matthew 10:42

Dear God, today I want to share the gifts of Your love and happiness

with one who has less chance that I of finding them.

In Christ name I pray

There Is A Tithing And A Grace Giving

Four Basic Principles Of Giving

(1) The Old Testament Principle of Giving. Some people think 

that the basis for giving in the Old Testament was tithing. It was

not!  Giving then was grace giving,  just as it is in  the New 

Testament. The principle for giving in the Old Testament is found

in Proverbs 11:24,25:

There is that scattereth [give liberally], and yet increaseth [materially]

and there is that withholdeth more [money] than is meet [fitting], but

it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat [rich]: and he 

that watereth shall be watered also himself.

The Old Testament believers were commanded to bring tithes and 

offering (Deut. 12:6): tithing was taxation; offering were grace giving.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19

O Lord, help me to understand the reasons for Your chastening.

In Christ name I pray

Are You Growing

Church Age

Last in our review, and especially pertinent to our subject, is the

universal priesthood of the believer. In the Church Age, every

believer is a royal priest (1 Pet. 2:5,9) whose objective is to grow to 

maturity (Eph. 3:17-21; 4: 11-16; Heb. 6:17-20). As one of the

sacrifices or priestly functions of the royal priesthood (Heb.13),

giving is a privilege of believers only; unbelievers are excluded

because they are under condemnation from  God. While worship

is primarily the function of learning doctrine as taught by the pastor

teacher--it also includes praying, singing, observing the Lord's

Table, and giving among its authorized expressions.

" The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust

in Him shall be desolate."

Psalm 34:22

My Lord and my God! I claim You as the Source and Object of my life.

In Christ name I pray.

For Us Grace All The Way

Sixth Church Age

The Church Age believer does not live under the Mosaic Law,

but under the New Covenant, which abrogates and supersedes

the Law (Rom. 8: 2--4). We have a clearly defined grace way

of life which demands a supernatural means of execution: the

filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5: 18) plus maximum Bible 

doctrine resident in the soul (2 Tim. 3: 16,17).

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of God."

Revelation 3:12

Our Father, help us to hold fast to or faith in You. Give us strength and

courage not to give up under pressure.

In Christ name I pray

Are You In Full--Time Service

Fourth Church Age

For the first time in history, the believer's instructions do not come

through dreams, visions, angelic teaching, or direct revelation, but

through the complete canon of Scripture. Everything God wants

us to know is in writing (1 Cor. 2:16).

 Fifth, every believer is in 

full - time Christian service. We are all God's personal representatives

or ambassadors, whatever our occupation in life may be (2 Con. 5:20).

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you."

Matthew 7:7

O God help me to respond to, not censor, the individuals I meet.
In Christ name I pray

He Indwells

Third Church Age

Whereas  in the Age of the Jews Jesus Christ  indwelled the 

Tabernacle and later the Temple, in the present dispensation our

Lord indwells the body of every believer (John 14:20; Gal. 2:20).

This is a second sign of our royalty and is the basis for fellowship

with Christ.

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Dear Lord, as You give all on a day-to-day basis, help me to accept

it in just that way.

In Christ name I pray

Royalty

Second In The Church Age

The Holy Spirit indwells the body of every believer as the sign of royalty 

(Rom. 8:9) and as the principle of victory over the old sin nature (Gal.5:17).

Certain Old Testament believers were temporarily empowered by the Holy 

Spirit for specific purposes. But the Spirit who guides the believer and glorifies

Jesus Christ (John 14:26; 16:13, 14), never permanently resided in any believer

prior to Pentecost because Christ's glorification at the right hand of the Father

had not yet occurred (John7:39).

"I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me shall find Me."

Proverbs 8:17

God, help us to read and obey Your Word, asking guidance of the

Holy Spirit for our lives.

A Permanent Relationship

Characteristics of The Church Age

First, at salvation the baptism of the Holy Spirit identifies us

with Christ and enters us into union with Him. This positional

 sanctification is in two categories: (1) Retroactive positional

truth identification with Christ in His spiritual death, physical

death and burial connotes rejection of and separation from the

power and authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of 

human life. (2) Current positional truth (identification with Christ

in His resurrection, ascension and session) indicates our royalty

and permanent relationship with the Lord as members of the body

of Christ (Rom.6:3--11; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col.2:12).

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men 

liberally." James 1:5

Thank You , Lord, for not rationing Your wisdom when I seek it.

You always give more than I ask.

In Christ name I pray

A Very Fine Line

Billions and billions of years ago God knew that, because of the

angelic conflict, the function of giving would be attacked both 

with in the local church and in the secular world. Many people 

give because they think that God is a "genie" who will give them

what they want because they "ante in" a certain amount in the 

collection plate. Many people give to assuage a guilt complex.

They  have become financially successful, perhaps by some

 unethical business practices. Giving some portion of this money 

to charity and the underprivileged eases the conscience! There is often 

a very fine line between true Biblical giving and giving with false 

motivation.

"If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it."

John 14:14

Lord, thank You for the availability of Your Spirit to sustain Your  children.

In Christ name I pray

Capacity Of Our Soul

Giving--

Gimmick Or Grace

Book By

 R.B. Thieme,Jr.

Giving is an important function of the spiritual life. You may have

given little consideration to this subject, but it is much more than 

simply giving money. Giving is related to so many other Biblical 

doctrines that two chapters in Second Corinthians are necessary to

adequately cover its relationship to the spiritual life. Giving, as a 

specialized function of the royal priesthood of the believer, depends

basically on the utilization of the "grace apparatus for perception"

and on the erection of the "edification complex " in the soul. Giving

includes your attitude, your viewpoint, the condition of your soul,

the giving of yourself and of your capacity to give as well as of your

possessions.

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer;

and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

Isaiah 65:24

Before I even prayed, Father, You answered. Thank You!

In Christ name I pray

Confirmed And Controlled By God

Before You Start Your Bible  Study

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, be sure that you have named

all your known sins privately to God through the use of 1 John 1:9

so that you will be in fellowship, under the control of the indwelling

Holy Spirit, and ready to learn doctrine in the Word of God.

If you are an unbeliever, the issue is not naming your sins. The issue

is faith in Christ: "He that believeth on the Son  hath everlasting life:

and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of

God abideth on him" (John3:36).

R.B. Thieme,Jr.

"I will establish My covenant with you:.. neither shall there any more be 

a flood to destroy the earth."

Genesis 9:11

Dear Lord, help me to build on a firm foundation, learning to 

diligently seek Thy direction in all I do.

No Other Name

The Divine Laws

Since man has an old sin nature with its lust patterns, war will continue. 

The sin nature is not only the source of war, but also of crime. Therefore,

God has designed a way in which the human race can survive both war and

crime -- the divine laws of establishment.  God has designed two basic 

remedies for the old sin nature. The first is spiritual --regeneration:

"Ye must be born again" (John 3:3); and after you are born again, the 

Holy Spirit must control the life (Gal. 5:16).

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name

under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Act 4:12).

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.. (Acts 16:31).

This is the end of our study of Freedom Through Military Victory

By Author R.B.Thieme Jr.

"Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet 

from fear of evil."

Proverbs 1:33

Dear Lord, as we rely on you for our security, may we live so we can

help some others find the security they need.

In Christ name I pray

Sin Nature

Training is absolutely necessary for effective military activity.

when nations lose wars, they lose their freedom.

 

"From what source come conflicts and quarreling among you?

Is not the source from your lust (activity of your sin nature) that

war in your souls? You lust, and have not: you murder and are 

jealous, but cannot acquire: you quarrel and fight, yet you have not.

(corrected translation of Jas. 4:1-2).

 

 "When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me."

Micah 7:8

Thank You , dear Lord, for Your precious light. Keep my vision clear,

that I may only travel on Your lighted pathway.

What Are We Lacking

Universal Military Training is an Important Function of National Life.

The battlefield ultimately decides freedom, any nation that desires to

preserve its freedom should train every generation of young men.

Training

is beneficial, not only in the military, but in civilian life as well. 

Military Leadership is an index of national character. The confidence

of the average foot soldier resides in the proper use of his weapons and

other vital characteristics of leadership include common sense and good 

judgment; loyalty, endurance and the recognition of authority.

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, 

O Lord, endureth for ever."

Psalm 138:8

Thank you, Father, for the joy and peace You have given me.

In Christ name I pray

Self-discipline is The Key to Freedom

National Freedom and Integrity Depends on the Superior Army

Napoleon demonstrated this all the way from 1795 to 1805, from

the time of his Italian campaign to that great campaign to Austerlitz.

All of those earlier campaigns demonstrated the principle that the best

army obtains freedom for that country. After Austerlitz, Napoleon had

completely liberated France, while the defeated states were completely

enslaved. He had the best army at that point.

 

God uses the Military to demonstrate the degeneracy of a Nation. The 

failure of the military on the battlefield indicates lack of self-discipline,

lack of respect for authority. This is illustrated by Zedekiah in  

2 Chronicles 36:11-21. He had no respect for the authority of Jeremiah ,

or Nebuchadnezzar. 

"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:2

 

Dear Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit and for the strength He 

gives. Teach me how to fix my thoughts on You and Your love

and power.

In Christ name I pray

Freedom or Slavery

Armies Both Defend And Destroy Freedom

To wage war does not mean one battle; it means to fight many battles

and to be successful. An army under inspiration could win one battle;an

army under good leadership could win several; but to win dozens of

battles, to keep maneuvering , to keep fighting over a period of time

and to keep winning requires the utmost from the men in any military

organization. In war there is always an army defending freedom, and 

there is an army seeking to destroy freedom. Whichever army wins will

determine the difference between freedom and slavery for that nation. 

"Delight thy self also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Psalm 37:4

Father, Author and Giver of life, to believe in You is to accept life with

all its potential and hope and happiness.

In Christ name I pray

Wipe Out

Jesus Christ Is Lord of Hosts (Armies)

In both the struggle for and perpetuation of Jewish freedom after

the Exodus, Jesus Christ Himself was called the "Lord of hosts,"

which means that He was the Lord of the armies of Israel (2 Kgs. 19:

31-34). In the Book of Joshua, He is called the "Captain of the Lord's

host." This means that Jesus Christ was the Commander-in -Chief,

while Joshua was the Chief of Staff (Josh.5:13-6:2). Every command

to annihilate the enemy that Joshua received came from the Lord Jesus

Christ; and this command always meant to kill--wipe them out!

 

 "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

O God of all comfort, bring quietness and calm to hearts

worried about what the day may bring.

In Christ name I pray

 

 

No Peace Untill

Warfare Will Continue Until the Millennium

Warfare is part of man's history. The existence of the old sin nature

on the inside of man and Satan on the outside provide the ingredients

for warfare. Even the Rapture of the Church will not terminate wars.

In fact, the greatest conflict of the ages will occur in the Tribulation

(Rev. 6-19). Only at the Second Advent of Christ will warfare cease,

because Satan and all fallen angels will be cast off the earth. In spite

of  man's efforts for peace, there will be no peace until the Millennial

reign of Christ (Matt 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9). Warfare is a bona

fide part of history (Num. 21:14; Eccl. 3:8), and under certain 

circumstances, very necessary for the maintenance of national 

sovereignty and freedom.

"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high, because he hath known My name."

Psalm 91:14

Lord, help me always to look to you in any difficult situation,

knowing that whatever my need, You will in some way supply it.

In Christ name I pray