The Names of God

Adon

One of three titles (Adon, Adonai, and Adonim) generally rendered “Lord”. They all denote the various aspects of headship but each one has its own peculiar usage. Adon is the Lord as ruler In the Earth.

Adonai

The Lord in his relation to the earth, and as carrying out His purposes of blessing in the earth.

Adonim

The plural of Adon, carrying with it all that Adon does but in a greater degree, and more especially as owner and proprietor. Adonim is the Lord who rules His own.

Elohim

Occurs 2700 times. Translated “Lord” (KJV) and “Jehovah” (KJV). May mean “greatness and glory” with the idea of creative and governing power, omnipotence and sovereignty. Elohim is God the Creator putting His omnipotence into operation.

Alah

Another possible word for which Elohim could have been derived. It can mean to “declare or swear”, and thus suggests a covenant relationship.

El Bethel

God of Peace, (Gen. 35:7) may alternately be the God who revealed himself in Bethel.

El Elhoe_Israel

El The God of Israel (Gen. 33:19-20) Jacob buys a lot near Shechem and dedicates an altar there to Him.

Elyon

First occurs in Gen. 14:18-20 where Melchizedek blesses Abraham in this name, praising God as “possessor of heaven and earth” He divides the nations “their inheritance”. He is “over all the earth”, a title that appears 36 times.

El Elyon

“Exalted One” or “Most High” in the KJV. Used in Balaam’s prophecy (Nu. 24:16) with El Shaddai in both Moses’ and David’s songs and prayers, and in all other places where his rulership and ownership or absolute preeminence of deity are the focus of worship.

El Olam

“God the everlasting one” or “God of eternity”. The word means everlasting time, “time whose boundaries are hidden from view” applied to God it apparently means, “his sovereignty continues through the ages, unaffected by the passing of time.”

El Roi

“God who sees me” “God of vision” Used by Hagar in the desert as God watched over her and her son (Gen. 16:13)

El Shaddai

“God, the one of the mountains” (referring to his visits to Sinai, or his lofty rulership) or “God Almighty”

First and Last

Isaiah’s term to convey God’s “eternal sovereignty over the whole sweep of time from beginning to end” (Isa. 44:6; 48:12). God’s sovereign lordship is manifest in Jesus Christ the Alpha and the Omega.

Eloa

“Elohim is to be worshiped. Eloah is God in connection with his will rather than his power. The first occurrence associates this name with worship. (Deut. 32:15, 17); hence it is the title used whenever contrast (latent or expressed) is with false gods or idols. Eloah is essentially the “living God” in contrast with idols. GOD in KJV.

Jehovah

God’s proper name, denoting his person (Gen. 2:4) Derived from the Hebrew verb Havah “to be” or “being” a word almost exactly like the verb Chavah “to live or life”. With this name we must think of Jehovah as the being that is absolutely self-existent the one who in himself possesses essential life, permanent existence. Translated as LORD (all caps) in the KJV, and is the most frequently used name for God in the OT being used 6823 times. Jehovah has eleven related titles usually arising from some historic incident, and appearing in this Hebrew scripture order.

Variations of Jehovah
Name Meaning
Jehovah Jireh “jehovah will see or provide”
Jehovah Rophe “jehovah that healeth thee”
Jehovah Nissi “jehovah my banner”
Jehovah Mekaddishkem “jehovah that sanctifies you”
Jehovah Shalom “jehovah send peace”
Jehovah Zebaoth “jehovah of hosts”
Jehovah Tsidkenu “jehovah our righteousness”
Jehovah Shammah “jehovah is there”
Jehovah Elyon “jehovah most high”
Jehovah Rohi “jehovah my shepherd”
The Blood of Jesus
Verse Description
Matt. 26:28 for remission of sins
Mark 14:24 shed for many
Luke 22:20 shed for you
Acts 20:28 purchased the church of God
Rom. 3:25 propitiation through faith in His blood
Rom. 5:9 justified by His blood
1 Cor. 10:16 communion of the blood
Eph. 1:7 redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins
Eph. 2:13 made nigh by the blood
Col. 1:13 redemption, forgiveness through His blood
Heb. 2:14 power of satan destroyed
Heb. 2:15 fear of death destroyed
Heb. 9:12 gained eternal redemption by His blood
Heb. 9:14 purged conscience from dead works
Heb. 10:19 boldness to enter holiest by the blood
Heb. 10:29 His blood is a holy thing
Heb. 13:12 sanctified with His blood
Heb. 13:20 protection through the blood (the Shepherd)
1 Peter 1:18-19 redeemed with precious blood
1 John 1:7 cleansed with the blood
1 Jn 5:8 witness on the earth
Rev. 1:5 washed us from our sin in His blood
Rev. 5:9 redeemed by the blood
Rev. 7:14 made white in the blood
Rev. 12:11 overcame by the blood
Jesus Is My Healer
Verse Description
Ex. 15:16 I am the Lord that healeth thee
Ex. 23:25 I will take sickness away from the midst of thee
Deut. 7:15 the Lord will take away from thee all sickness
2 Kings 20:25 behold I will heal thee
Ps. 23:1 The Lord is ny Shepherd
Ps. 30:3 and thou has healed me
Ps. 91:3 He shall deliver me from….harmful fatal diseases
Ps. 103:2-3 who healeth all thy diseases
Ps. 107:20 He sent His word and healed them
Prov. 4:20-22 my words…are life to those that find them and medicine to their flesh
Prov. 12:18 the tongue of the wise is health
Is. 53:4- Surely He has born our sickness… we are healed
Jer. 17:13 Heal me O Lord and I shall be healed
Mal. 4:2 with healing in His wings
Matt. 8:17 Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses
1 Peter 2:24 by whose (His) striped ye were healed
James 5:15 the prayer of faith shall save (heal) the sick
??? Deliverance From Satan and His Demonic Forces
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Memo From God:

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need to make in your life. These changes need to be completed  in order that I may fulfill my promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life.

1. Quit Worrying

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for  you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. Put It On The List

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can’t help you until you turn it over to me. And although my to-do list this long, I am after all, God. I can take care of anything you put into my hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things that you never even realize.

3. Trust Me

Once you’ve given your burdens to me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on my list. Problem with finances? Put it on my list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For my sake, put it on my list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. Leave It Alone

Don’t wake up one morning and say, “Well, I’m feeling much stronger now, I  think I can handle it from here.” Why do you think you are feeling now? It’s simple. You gave me your burdens and I’m taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don’t you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with me and forget about them. Just let me do my job.

5.Talk To Me

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I’m in control. But there’s one thing I pray you never forget. Please don’t forget to talk to me OFTEN! I love you. I want to hear your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with me. I want To be your dearest friend.

6. Have Faith

I see a lot of things from up here that you can’t see from where you  are. Have faith in me that I know what I’m doing. Trust me, you wouldn’t  want the view from my eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and Meet your needs. You only have to trust me. Although I have a much bigger  task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your  simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. Share

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven’t heard any in such a long time. Share  your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. Be Patient

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands Of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing, for my timing is perfect. Just because created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should  always rush, rush, rush.

9. Be Kind

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for my sake. I created each of  you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please know I love each of your differences.

10. Love Yourself

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created  by me for one reason only – to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don’t ever forget that!

With all my heart I love you,
GOD

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Scripture Promises of Kingdom Identity

  • I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens and empowers me – Phil. 4:13
  • I am accepted – Romans 15:7
  • I am alive with Christ – Galatians 2:20
  • I am a friend of Jesus – John 15:15b
  • I am an ambassador for Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:20
  • I belong to God – John 17:9
  • I can be sure that God can take care of everything I need – Philippians- 4:19
  • I am anxious for nothing – Philippians 4:6
  • God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind – 2 Tim. 1:7
  • I acknowledge my need for God – Matthew 5:3,6
  • I am blessed with spiritual blessing – Ephesians 1:3
  • I am born –again- 1 Peter 1;23
  • I am a child of God – John 1:12
  • I am chosen – Colossians 1:27
  • I am clothed with Christ – Galatians 3:27
  • I am comforted – 2 Corinthians 1:4-5
  • I am empowered to obey – Philippians 2:13
  • I am delighted in – Isaiah 42:1
  • My eyes are fixed on Jesus – Hebrews 12:2
  • I am cherished – Ephesians 5:29
  • I am filled with joy – John 17:13
  • I have died and my life is hidden in God – Colossians 3:3
  • I am filled with the fruit of righteousness – Philippians 1:11
  • I am filled with the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
  • I am free – Romans 8:2
  • I am confident He will never leave me nor forsake me – Hebrews 13:5-6
  • You, O Lord, are a shield about me. You hold my head high – Psalm 3:3
  • I am confident that God hears me – 1 John 5:14
  • I am loved constantly and unconditionally – Isaiah 43:4
  • I am made alive with Christ – Ephesians 2:5
  • God is for me – Romans 8:31
  • I am a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • I am no longer a slave to sin – Romans 6:6
  • I am his handiwork – Ephesians 2:10
  • I am His – Isaiah 43:1
  • I am indwelt by His Spirit – Romans 8:11
  • I am in scribed on the palms of His hands – Isaiah 49:16
  • I have no fear – John 14: 1, 27
  • I have obtained an inheritance – Ephesians 1:11
  • I am laying aside the old self – Ephesians 4:22-24
  • I am living for Him – 2 Corinthians 5:15
  • I am given His magnificent promises – 2 Peter 1:3-4
  • I am a joint heir with Christ – Romans 8:17
  • I am an heir of God – Galatians 3:29
  • I know all things work for good because I love God– Romans 8:28
  • I am kept – 1 Peter 1:5
  • I have no condemnation –Romans 8:1
  • I will run and not be weary – Isaiah 40:31
  • I will run and not faint – Isaiah 40:31
  • I am an overcomer – 1 John 5:4-5
  • I am a partaker of grace – Philippians 1:7
  • I am a partaker of the promise in Christ – Ephesians 3:6
  • I am prayed for – Luke 22:32
  • I have abundant life – John 10:10
  • I am safe – Psalm 4:8
  • My steps are established by the Lord – Psalm 37:23
  • I am standing firm in Christ – 2 Corinthians 1:21
  • You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing – Psalm 30:11
  • I will sing praises to you and not be silent – Psalm 30:11
  • I am victorious – 1 Corinthians 15:57
  • I am the temple of the living God – 1 Corinthians 3:16
  • I am transformed into His image – 2 Corinthians 3:18
  • I am valued – Matthew 6:26
  • I am yielded to God – Romans 6:13
  • The Father Himself loves me – John 16:27
  • The Lord is my rock and my salvation –Psalm 62:1-2
  • I have wisdom – Colossians 2:3
  • I am useful for His glory – Isaiah 43:7
  • I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you – John 14:16
  • My prayers go up before God – Revelations 8:4
  • I have received mercy – 1 Peter 2:10
  • I am reigning in life – Romans 5:17
  • I am His special possession – 1 Peter 1: 18-19
  • God is my provider – Matthew 6:33
  • Jesus is my healer –  1 Peter 2:24
  • He takes us to the high places of blessing in Him – Ephesians 1:3-4
  • I have peace with God – Romans 5:1
  • I am controlled by the love of Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:14
  • I have every good thing – Philemon 6
  • I am the fragrance of His knowledge – 2 Corinthians 2: 14-15
  • I am seated in heavenly places – Ephesians 2:6
  • I trust in the Lord – Psalm 37:3
  • I hear the voice of the Lord – John 10:27
  • I bless the Lord who guides me – Psalm 16:7
  • I am beautiful – Isaiah 61:10
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It’s Time To Get Out Of Debt! Part 2

Realize that you are a covenant person, which sets you apart from others who aren’t.

Today, as always, there is a major difference between God’s covenant people and unbelievers. You must begin to believe it with all your might! The way you see yourself and talk about yourself is the way the devil sees you. You’ve got to begin seeing yourself as God sees you!

Follow These Six Principles for Prosperity

1. It is God’s will for you to have increase. The Bible is filled with principles for godly prosperity.

God gives abundance for a purpose, not merely for laying up treasure for yourself. Jesus tells the parable of the rich man who said, “I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). God said to the foolish rich man, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20-21).

God requires that you pay fair wages: “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth” (James 5:4).

God says to give to those in need, rather than merely giving to buy prestige: “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want” (Proverbs 22:16).

God gives abundance so you can build a heavenly treasury: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

Giving to God’s work causes sufficiency to abound and bountifulness to be enriched: “This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.… And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6,8). Giving also causes bountifulness to be enriched: “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

Giving to God’s work brings increase: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24).

Giving to the needy brings no lack: “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27).

These seven principles help point out the major difference between the world’s prosperity message and the Gospel’s prosperity message. The message of the world is greed: get all you can get! But the message of the Gospel is knowing the will of God and using His abundant overflow to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Greed versus giving—that’s the difference!

2. Live in God’s Economy

There are 2,250 scriptures dealing with money, and the Bible focuses much time on being a good steward over our money. How we handle our finances determines how we handle our life: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Biblical prosperity is the result of truth in your life: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).

The Word of God promises abundance, life, peace, joy, and health—nothing lacking. All it requires is faithfulness. If your faith is abundant, the return will always be abundant.

God’s Word is filled with these promises, and they are ours!

What He requires is obedience. Faith without faithfulness and obedience is worthless: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).

Every spiritual act demands a physical act. When you receive Jesus Christ into your heart, God requires a public confession of faith. When you want to be healed, you must reach out and receive. You must make a point of contact. You must act in faith, whether you desire a spiritual, emotional, physical, or financial miracle!

Likewise, supernatural financial healing requires a natural act. It requires a step of faith. And that step is giving! Be a faithful giver, and you will be amazed at the results.

3. Target your seed as you give.

Then give with expectancy. See yourself coming out of debt. Give toward your future. Let this month’s seed-gift be the beginning of giving that will target your coming out of debt.

4. Hammer Away at Debt

“But I’ve got a wall of debt in front of me,” you may say.

Let your giving be your hammer to begin breaking down that wall. Maybe each hammer strike will only chip away a portion of the wall, but as you keep hammering away, you will soon be surprised at how that wall begins to fall apart.

Keep hammering until that wall of debt shatters completely!

Biblical blessing cannot be left to chance. It comes as the result of obeying God, believing His Word, and stepping out in faith with our giving: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).

Jesus often talked about the power of seed that is planted in faith: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

The apostle Paul often referred to the law of sowing and reaping: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord tells us what to do if we want mountains moved – and that certainly includes a wall of debt. Plant your seed as an act of faith!

5. It is time for your supernatural harvest! Prepare to receive!

This is the time to prepare by sowing seed. Release your seed-gift as an act of faith, and the Lord will surely send you a supernatural harvest.

Now is the time to get out of debt, for your greatest days are ahead!

Moses and the children of Israel were told, “All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 28:2). They believed it, and the gold became as dust and rocks in the land.

6. Release your faith as you sow a sacrificial seed!

If your need is great, your seed should be great. Sow your seed toward the Gospel and target that seed toward a harvest to see a wonderful breakthrough with your finances!

It’s time to break free from the bondage that has been holding you back!

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It’s Time To Get Out Of Debt! Part 1

Divine prosperity is God’s will for you!

It has been that way dating back to the earliest times. God told Abraham, “I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). All we have to do is obey God: “Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do” (Deuteronomy 29:9). We are told, “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity” (Job 36:11).

God gets pleasure from pouring out His abundance on the obedient and faithful. We are told, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.… That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures” (Proverbs 8:17-18, 21). That is why the psalmist wrote, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant” (Psalm 35:27).

Break Free from Debt

Poverty brings about slavery and bondage: “The borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Bondage to debt is crippling. That is why the Word of God adamantly states that it is His will for us to be free from debt! The Bible is filled with warnings against slavery to debt. And that is where so many believers are living today – in debt, in bondage, and out of God’s will.

Obedience and faithfulness bring freedom and prosperity. When God’s Word invades your heart and you are faithful to Him, prosperity is the result. In fact, the only part of the Gospel that works for you is the part you understand and obey: “If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1).

Faithfulness and obedience lead us to a long list of powerful promises – blessings will overtake us, blessings will occur in the city and in the field, blessings will come to our children, crops, and possessions, blessings will fall upon our provisions, and we will be blessed wherever we are (Deuteronomy 28:2-6).

All that will come to pass if we hear and obey His voice!

Expect Supernatural Abundance

Living a life of righteousness and faith puts you in line to prosper supernaturally: “The tabernacle of the upright shall flourish” (Proverbs 14:11). And God promises, “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble” (Proverbs 15:6).

God wants to cover you with His blessings: “God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God” (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

It is time to focus on getting out of debt and breaking free from the shackles of bondage.

It is time to decide to get out of debt and not turn back.

We know we can’t look to the world’s systems. The world doesn’t encourage us to get out of debt. Governments around the world are overwhelmed with debt with seemingly no way out. Institutions and individuals all around the globe are still trying to borrow their way to prosperity – the worst thing to do.

God’s Word tells us, “Thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow” (Deuteronomy 28:12).

We are given this promise: “Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

As you study the Bible, it is interesting to note how many times that when famine strikes, it changes things in the spirit for God’s people – not for the world, but for God’s people. Natural famine, often happening because of both natural and spiritual sin, brings spiritual change.

When famine came in the days of Abraham, it changed everything for him. The same happened for Isaac, Jacob, Israel, David, Solomon, and so many more people. Just because we are going through famine in the natural, it should not be ignored in the spirit. It is time to open your spiritual eyes to see why it is happening.

When Elijah appeared on the scene, the first thing he prophesied was famine. The land was encased in sin because of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. The famine came, and God sent Elijah to prepare for the ministry that would impact the entire region.

There are many parallels today, and as you look with spiritually opened eyes, you can see that though we are going through famine and downturn, there is great abundance ahead for God’s people. His children should be getting ready today for what is coming tomorrow!

As you are obedient to God’s direction in your life, you will experience abundance like you have never seen, for the righteous are always the people who prosper in times of famine.

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Forty Lessons of Life

  1. Life isn’t fair, get used to it… (but it’s still good)
  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
  5. Pay off your credit cards every month. If you can’t, then use a lower rate line of credit until you can pay them off monthly.
  6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  7. Forgive others and yourself.
  8. Yield.
  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheque.
  10. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
  12. Be on time.
  13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
  16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
  17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
  19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
  21. Today is special; you are alive.
  22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
  23. Pay cash and stay out of debt.
  24. Never assume another person’s debt.
  25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
  27. Apologize when you screw-up.
  28. The best is yet to come.
  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  30. Time usually doesn’t heal anything, but God does.
  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  33. Believe in miracles.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
  35. Envy is a waste of time.
  36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
  37. Your children get only one childhood.
  38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
  40. Life is a gift.
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Adequate Reenumeration

There is no other issue in today’s church that causes me more personal disdain than the issue of remuneration of our pastors, priests, bishops, and other paid church staff. In the secular world we think it is a wonderful thing if a person has a well paying job. We think even better of them and/or the situation if they receive a raise in wages.

This is viewed by society as a positive experience and one that every working person should strive for. However, in the “world of church”, the opposite mentally seems to prevail. We think highly of someone who has “received the call” to “go into full time ministry.” That statement is wrong to begin with. All Christians have “the call”, and all Christians are in “full time ministry!” Therefore that statement is misleading, confusing, and tends to make a tier structure out of church members. It puts pastors on pedestals and makes for a “serf culture.” Then, when this person “with the call” becomes a pastor, we then ask him, “how little can you live on?” We financially compensate our pastors and other church staff as little as we can get away with, and justify if by saying that the staff should be grateful as they are “serving the Lord.” Are not all Christians “serving the Lord?” Actually, we are not supposed to be “serving” Him. He didn’t create us to be His servants. We are his children; not servants. Additionally some denominations intentionally want to keep the pastor “poor and humble.”

All of these ideas are not only completely false and wrong, but demonic! Poverty and humility are not even closely related to each other. Poverty is a curse as listed in the Book of Deuteronomy, and humility is a high praise and desired attribute of the Kingdom of God. However, for some very strange reason the modern church seems to be offended if a pastor or other church worker has some personal wealth. (who would they rather see have the wealth; the heathens?)

The bible says that the worker deserves his wages. (1 Tim. 5:18) What wages does he deserve? Ideally, every ministry should be paying at least “the going rate” for staff as compared to the same type of secular position. Secondly, I Timothy 5:17 says that the elders (ie staff) of the church should be paid double the honour or wages if they labour in the Word. So, instead of seeing how little we can pay the pastor, we should be seeing how much more we can pay him! Our pastor should be the most well paid, driving the best car and living in the best house! Why not? I cannot think of a worse job in the world that of a church pastor. Yet we over work and under pay these people then wonder why we don’t have enough pastors and/or why they get burned out. Few things in life can cause more of a drain on a person than debt and poverty. As if the pastor does not have enough to contend with in his occupation, we then thrust poverty on him as well. It makes no sense and is completely unbiblical.

Some denominations place their clergy in a rectory or manse, and then think they are being generous by paying his bills. The fallacy to that is that the pastor is unable to build equity in his own home. The church simply does not look after its own people. A friend of mine was forced to resign from the Anglican Church when the Bishop closed his church. It was a political issue and had no bearing on the church’s “performance” or the priests. My friend at age 65, is now working a menial retail job and will have to continue until age 80, to retire his mortgage.

It seems to me that in Canada we view profit as something to be feared, taxed, and/or something to be taken from others. Our socialist NDP thinking has lead us to these delusions. Indeed, a recent poll stated that if Canadians could vote in U.S. federal elections, three in four would vote Democrat. (ie. socialist) In the U.S., profit is envied, respected and desired. It is interesting to note that American pastors are as a rule paid better and thought of more highly than are Canadian pastors. Creflo Dollar and his wife drive Bentleys and Fred Price drives a Rolls Royce. These cars were given as gifts to them by their parishioners. If a pastor was seen even riding in a car like that in Canada, people would criticize and leave the church! I don’t understand that. Who would they rather like to have the cars and wealth? The heathens??!! We don’t seem to have a problem with Donald Trump having money, but Christians, especially pastors are not allowed to??!! We are the chosen people of God; we should be living and be blest beyond our imaginations, not squandering in poverty and underpaying our staff.

Does it bother you that a pastor is poor? Does it bother you if he is wealthy?

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Things to be Thankful For

I am a child of God!

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:14And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

I am forgiven of all my sins!

“God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all of our sins. Colossians 1:14He is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7

I am a new creation!

“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Holy Spirit is within me!

“Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and is given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I have been delivered from the power of darkness!

“For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:13

I have been redeemed from the curse part of the law!

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. Then He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrong doing.” Galatians 3:13

I am blest!

“All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of this faith. Galatians 3:9How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blest us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

I have been called by God!

“God loves you already, and He has called you to be His very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7…you who have been called by God to be His own holy people. He made you holy be means of Christ Jesus, just as He did all Christians everywhere – who ever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs.” 1 Corinthians 1:2

I am the head and not the tail!

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God and carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always have the upper hand.” Deuteronomy 28:23

I am holy and without blame.

“Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.” Ephesians 1:4

I am part of the elect!

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.” Romans 8:33

I am established to the very end!

“He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” 1 Corinthians 1:8

I am free!

“And Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying My teachings and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” …so if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.” John 8:31-32, 36

I am strong in the Lord!

“A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

I am dead to sin!

“He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.” 1 Peter 2:24

I am more than a conqueror!

“But in all these things you overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

I am joint heirs with Jesus!

“And since we are His children, we will share His treasures – for everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours, too.” Romans 8:17

I am sealed with the Holy Spirit!

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13

I am acceptable to God!

“God along made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and He gave Himself to purchase our freedom. 1” Corinthians 1:30

I am complete in Him!

“And you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.” Colossians 2:10

I am alive in Christ!

“But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.” Ephesians 2:4-5

I am free from condemnation!

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

I am free from the power of sin!

“For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:2

I am firmly rooted, built up, established, and overflowing with gratitude in Him!

“Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.” Col. 2:7

I am part of God’s family!

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:19

I am built upon the foundation of the apostles, and prophets with Jesus as my cornerstone!

“We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.” Ephesians 2:20

The devil cannot touch me!

“We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.” 1 John 5:18

I am the light of the world!

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” Matthew 5:14

I am the salt of the earth!

“You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13

I am as righteous as I’m ever going to be!

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am God’s ambassador!

“We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ Himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God.”” 2 Corinthians 5:20

I am healed by Jesus’ stripes!

“He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by His wounds!” 1 Peter 2:24

I am begin changed into His image!

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

I have the mind of Christ!

“How could they? For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give Him counsel? But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

I have free access to God!

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16

I have overcome the world!

“For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5

I have everlasting life!

“I assure you those you listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24

I have the peace of God which passes all understanding!

“Don’t worry about anything instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all that He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I have power in the Holy Spirit!

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.2 Timothy 1:7

I can do all things!

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philippians 4:13

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”1 John 4:4

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Tithing

Tithing is a word that is used in our churches today that refers to returning money to God. The word, “tithe” means ten percent.

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.”  (Lev. 27:30,32)

“And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”  (Gen. 28:22)

“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year after year.”  (Deut. 14:22)

Three purposes of Tithing:

  1. It is a test of obedience to see if we will obey. God wants to know where our hearts are.
  2. God may not need your money, but the church does.
  3. Tithing is not a method of getting money from you; it is a method of getting money to you.

We are stewards of His possessions while on earth. We can keep ninety percent and we are to return to Him ten percent of our gross income via our church. This is not optional. Why does God ask us for money? There is a practical answer to that. God wants to use us to pay the bills, and to build up the Kingdom of God. That’s the purpose of money (see Deut. 8:18).

Many people are not consistent in their tithing. They tithe for a while, then, because they don’t see an immediate harvest, they start to withhold their tithes and become ensnared by the enemy. The devil doesn’t want you to tithe and if you decide to tithe only when you have enough left over, the devil will make sure you never have any money left over. When you withhold your tithe, you are robbing God.

I have seen people come to crusades/church and get excited about the Word. They immediately begin to plant good seeds. When they don’t see their harvest right away, they get discouraged and lazy. Before you know it, they are sowing among thorns again. Their zeal and diligence are gone and they can’t seem to understand why they are not reaping a harvest. You can’t let your field grow up in thorns and expect a harvest.

  1. Tithing is a commandment from God. You have no choice.
  2. The ninety percent left will supernaturally go further.
  3. If you don’t tithe, you will not be supernaturally blest, as you will be in possession of stolen property.
  4. Tithing is an act of worship (we are not “giving” our tithes; we are returning God’s property to Him.)
  5. Tithing does not bless a person per se, but it opens the door to blessing which comes from making offerings.

What have you been taught about tithing in your church?

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A Biblical Priority

Our money is the one thing in life that is all consuming. The amount of money we have and how we spend it determines where our treasure (i.e. heart) is and how much of an effect we will have in the Kingdom of God. I like what Benny Hinn says, “the gospel is free; it just takes money to preach it.” Jesus spoke more about money and/or stewardship that any other subject. Therefore our financial health and state of finances is a biblical priority.

When one considers that we Christians are to be “the head and not the tail”  (Deut. 28:24) you would think that we would have the upper hand over the world in the understanding and accumulating of wealth. Such is not the case! In fact my experience as a teacher of biblical economics, is that it is the Christians that are so gravely lacking in not only the subject of God’s finances, but also on the subject of world finances. Christians succumb to the same financial woes of the secular world.

The bible says, “My people perish for their lack of knowledge.”  (Hosea 4:6) Christians are perishing for their lack of understanding of finances and for their lack of proper biblically based financial planning. This is sin. “To whom much is given much is required.” (Luke 12:48) Much has been given to anyone living in Canada. Compared to the whole world, we are in the top eight percent of the world’s population in terms of wealth. Unfortunately, we think of ourselves as being poor if we do not have a colour T.V., microwave oven, and a cell phone. Compared to he rest of the world, we are very rich! That then, indicates that we have been given much, and therefore much is required of us. What is that, that is required? Good stewardship of what we have and a biblical approach and priority with respect to our finances. I see too much lack of knowledge, but worse yet, complacency among Christians to not have the knowledge about finances and to not make it a biblical priority in their lives.

The sad reality of life is that “it takes money to preach the gospel.” If the money is not there, than the gospel is not being preached. Consequently, people are going to hell, not because they are “bad,” but because they have not heard the gospel and made Jesus the Lord of their life. A gospel that was not preached to them, because we didn’t have enough money to get it preached to them! (no pressure here!!….) This is not to suggest that we should be putting ourselves on a “guilt trip,” but rather it does mean that we are to “get wisdom and get understanding”  (Prov. 4:7) with respect to our finances. We need to be blest in order to be a blessing. We can’t get the fullness of our own blessing if we do not understand biblical economics and worldly economics. If we don’t have that fullness of blessings, then we are not blessing others as well as we should be or could be. Consequently, people go to hell because we don’t have wisdom!

It behooves all Christians to get the wisdom and understanding they need to build wealth to further the Kingdom of God. I remember a number of years go when my brother was attending a church, he was asked to teach a course on secular finances and personal investing. He was qualified for this, and said he would. People in his church were complaining about their financial situation and said they wanted some “wisdom.” After weeks of preparing a course my brother was ready to teach. The course was then cancelled, because of a lack of enrollment. Typical. It reminds me of the Israelites complaining about being out in the desert and wanting to go back to bondage in Egypt.

Not only are God’s chosen people perishing, but the heathen are perishing too because there is not enough money to preach the gospel around the world and transform it. Financial stewardship needs to be a priority with all Christians.

Have you given any thought of where and how you can give?

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