Introduction to the Book of Acts – A History of the Early Church

The Book of Acts

A history of the Early Church

The book of Acts also called The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, the same author of the gospel of Luke. Both documents were adressed to a “most excellent Theophilus” who may have been a high ranking Roman government official. The book of Acts was written sometime between 61 and 64 AD. The book ends with Paul’s house arrest in Rome in 61AD. The book makes no mention of Paul’s death or Nero’s persecution nor of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This places the date of this book at least before 70 AD. Luke was a very accurate and detail oriented historian and would have included these events if they had happened at the time of writing. The book of Acts is a condesned history of the early Apostolic church, it is an eyewitnmess account of the spread fof the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The recurring theme in the book is the empowerment of the early believers from the Holy Spirit and it is this same Holy Spirit that empowers believers yet today. While being a historical narrative it also is theologically profound. We as believers do not have “blind” faith, but a FAITH that rests on the facts of history. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus are historical facts recorded by Luke in the gospel that bears his name. The book of Acts gives believers the reassurance that our faith in Christ is based on and rests on historical facts.

1 Corinthians 15:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

Acts 1:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In my first book[a] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 24:36-53

New Living Translation (NLT)

36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[a] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.

49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

The Ascension

50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 24:47 Or all peoples.

2 Peter 1:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes

It is in the first cahpter of this book that is recorded Jesus ascedning into Heaven, Jesus is the prominent figure of this book. The central theme of the all the sermons, defenses, and the life of the church throughout this book is that of the Resurrected Christ. It is in this book that we meet Saul of Tarsus, and learn of his dramatic conversion experince and how he becomes the Apostle Paul, and of his missionary ecxperinces and influenc over the early church.

Outline of the Book of Acts

1. The apostle’s witness in Jerusalem

2. The Early Church’s Witness to All of Judea and Samaria

3. The Witness to the End of the Earth

The Sanhedrin Questions Jesus Authority

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Mark 11:27-34

New Living Translation (NLT)

This event is also found in Matt 21:23-27 and Luke 20:1-8. The Jewish leaders were bitter and they did all they could to try to trap Jesus but the Lord was a master debater and He turned every question they posed to Him around and they ended up embarassing themselves.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The religious leaders were now plotting a way to kill Jesus. (see vs 18) and the asked Jesus about the nature and source of His authority – referring to the authority to cleanse the temple(see vss 15-17) . Jesus had not yet openly declared that He was the Messiah.

I just love the following exchange!

29“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

The intent of Jesus question to the leaders was to expose their insincereity. ‘The baptism of John, is referring to the AUTHORITY of John’s baptism- was it from Heaven and ordained by God or was it merely from men, that is of human contrivance and void of any spiritual authority and reality? The leaders repsonded with a dishonest answer-

that of Verse 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And how did Jesus respond? He kept His promise, since they did not answer His question he repsonded-

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Thus far we have covered the triumphal entry(Sunday), the cleansing of the temple(Monday) and now the Sanhedrin challenging Jesus authority( Tuesday) There are a few more events that happened on Tuesday, that we will look at next time.

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The Fig Tree

The Fig Tree

Mark 11:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

This is also told in Matt 21:18-22) This is on Monday morning as they were walking from Bethany, where they had spent the night, over the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem About a two mile hike. Passover always happens inMarch or April and fig season is not until May or June. Fig trees normally produce a number of buds in March, leaves in April, and ripe fruit later on. Jesus was looking for the edible buds, the lack of which indicated that the tree would be fruitless later on The tree was alive but it was not going to bear any fruit. Jesus cursing the tree was a powerful parable- a picture of what He found when He turned His attention to the temple, the appearamce of life but no spirtual fruit.

Mark 11:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11:15-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
2. Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.

This was on Monday, Jesus had done the same thing three years earlier, at the beginning of His public ministry. The profits from the market stalls inside the temple area went in part to enrich the family of the High Priest. Jesus burned with righteouss indignation at this perversion of the uses of God’s House.

Mark 11:19-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

19That evening Jesus and the disciples left[a] the city.

20The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[b]”

Footnotes:

1. Mark 11:19 Greek they left; other manuscripts read he left.
2. Mark 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.

   Verse 20 inidcate that this is now Tuesday morning, The fact that the tree was not only cursed but now withered emphasizes the power of true faith. It has been suggested that the fig tree represented Israel, which bore no fruit and would soon face the judgement of God. We come now to vss 22,23: The picture of casting a mountain into the sea is an extreme example of the absolutley impossible and that is the point

point. Having faith in God can accomplish the impossible.

Mark 11:15-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[a] 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[b]

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

Footnotes:

3. Mark 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
4. Mark 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.

Next time we will take a look at the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus cleansing the temple (again!)

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Steps to Wisdom of Finances -who to listen too!!!

One of the things that having wisdom will do for us is to tell us when we need help and when we need to seek good Christian counsel. Many times as Christians we are willing to help others but refuse to ask for help when we need it. That is nothing but pure ego speaking. Everyone has difficulties that they face so each one of us needs some counsel and advice at one time or another, and some of us more often than others! Many times Christians will refuse to seek good counsel when they need it because somehow, they think it reflects on their commitment. That is total nonsense. Lets look at Proverbs 19:20

Proverbs 19:20

The Message (MSG)

20 Take good counsel and accept correction—
that’s the way to live wisely and well.

 

Here we are admonished to seek counsel and accept any corrections the reason why is in the second part of this verse accepting counsel and correction will lead to living wisely and living life to the fullest.

Now the question becomes. When we need advice – whose counsel should we seek?

Well lets look at a few more verses from God‘s Word!

 

 

Proverbs 23:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Ephesians 5:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.

 

 

 

Ephesians 5:31

New Living Translation (NLT)

31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 11:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

We can see from these verses we should seek counsel from parents, wives should seek counsel from their husbands and likewise husbands should seek counsel from their wives and we see from Proverbs 11:14 that a nation will fall without wise leadership, likewise with a family, a church or a business. Notice the phrase “ there is safety in having many advisers” Now the question becomes – how can we discern who is a good counselor or advisor? Once again we find the answer in God’s Word!

Titus 1:6-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife,[a] and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 An elder[b] is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker,[c] violent, or dishonest with money.

 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

We can add to our list of who we should seek counsel from, church leader. And the qualification listed here are the qualities of a good counselor.

1 Peter 5:2-3

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

This describes the role of a good counselor. A good leader will lead by example.

 

2 Peter 1:6-7

New Living Translation (NLT)

6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

And this last verse is what the result will be of a good counselor.

I would suggest these are good guidelines with which to measure any counsel you receive or give.

The Gospel of Personal Finance and Credit

Now we come to number three- reduce or eliminate the use of credit. In many situations it may not be feasible for a family to totally eliminate the use of credit but in each situation it is possible to reduce the use of credit. The family that is in financial bondage HAS to STOP the use of credit if they are ever to find fianancial freedom. Lets look at Proverbs 27:12

Proverbs 27:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

We see from this verse that one who proceeds in the face of future trouble is described as simpleton.

Now we come to the fourth and that is to seek God’s plan for living within the budget. Many times people think that generating extra income will help, such as the wife working- this is usally NOT the case. Most of the time the problem is caused by overspending -not insuffient income. ( The federal government is a good example of this- they do not have a revenue problem but a spending problem on a much larger scale than a family, but the prinicple is the same) Many times more income will actually compound the problem and make it worse. With the increase in income may come an increase in spending and there will be an increase in the use of credit also. ( See how this track? This is the trap the federal government is caught in- and it has gone on from both parties for decades) We need to put God’s plan for our budget into action first! How do we do that?

a. Extra Income- consider this only after correcting buying habits. Working Moms sometimes contribute little income but sacrifice much in family guidance.

b. Before purchasing an item, give God a chance to provide it-

If the purchase is in line with God’s will He may manifest Himself in our finances by providing from a totally unexpected source.

2 Chronicles 16:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

God searches over the whole world to find those who are loyal to Him and He will show just what He can do for those who are.

Psalm 37:7

Good News Translation (GNT)

7 Be patient and wait for the Lord to act;
don’t be worried about those who prosper
or those who succeed in their evil plans.

We see from Psalm 37 the practice of being patient and waiting on the Lord.

 

More on how to handle God’s Money – His Way!

Now we come to the good part and fun part of person finances God‘s way! We need to remember that how we make,save,spend, and invest our income affects the family, the church, the community and even beyond. These prinicples will work no matter if your income is small or large or somewhere inbetwee, because they ar e God’s prinicples. These plans will not make you rich quick, they may not even make you rich, not monetarily anyway. They will in time (remember -have patience in all fianancial endeavors) put your finances on solid biblical ground. The bascis are (we will look at each one in more detail as we go along)

1. Put your plan in writing ! Both short term and long term goals. Short term goal would be a vacation next year a long term goal would be for retirement or for a child’s college education.
2. Commit God’s portion first (more on this a little later)
3. Reduce or eliminate the use of credit
4. Seek God’s plan for living within the budgeta. extra income- only consider this after bad buying habits have been addressed and corrected.

   b. Before buying an item give God a chance to provide the item.

   c. Pray about every purchase- to purchase is too big or too small to pray about!

5. Set your own goals
6. Seek Good Christian Counsel

1.Put your plan in writing ! Both short term and long term goals. Short term goal would be a vacation next year a long term goal would be for retirement or for a child’s college education.

Proverbs 16:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

3 Commit your actions to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.

This verse tells us how to make our plans align with God’s plans.

9 We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.

Still in Proverbs 16, verse 9 tells how to do that!

Our role is to make those plans and to let the Lord guide us. That is why there must be flexibility in the budget. The Lord will determine our steps if we let Him and follow His leading.

2.Commit God’s portion first (more on this a little later)

This is an essential element of any Christian financial plan.

Proverbs 3:9-10

New Living Translation (NLT)

Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.

When God is honored through our wealth and the best that we are able to offer God will honor our efforts and return the blessings back to us.

2 Corinthians 9:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

Through our giving not only is God honored but those in need are helped and both the giver and the receiver are blessed and through that help others may be brought to Christ through our example of love.

God’s yours or mine? Working too much? Uh ohhh!!

Now that I have harped on about providing for the family, we moev to the last two steps – the ninth one being having a balanced commitment! Jesus was all about living a balamced life- any imbalance will cause frustration and eventually lead to problems. Families need fathers not investors, God wants US first not our money! God requires a balance and we have to seek to find that balannce. Lets go to Proverbs 23:4-5

 

Proverbs 23:4-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.

The primary teaching in these verses is there should moderation in work, not to overwork to become rich. There are many passages the discourage laziness in Proverbs, overworking for the purpose of greater wealth is also discouraged. Now lets look at what James 1:11 says about the futlity of ovecommittment.

James 1:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

 

 

And this ties in with the last step here- that of sacrificing desires- God equates a commitment to riches with sin. That does not mean that God wants us to live in poverty but that we are not to be swayed by the lavish sensualism promted by advertisers and the main stream media.

Next time we will get to some pratical finanacial planning Gods way that we have already touched on a little.

 

 

 

More on the steps to financial freedom – God’s Way!

Now we pick up at number 6 in our list, remember the list? Here it is:

1.Transfer ownership to God (Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 8:18

2.Get out of debt

3.Accept God’s direction Matt 6:31

4.Refuse Quick Decisions Pro 21:5

5.Excel in your work 1 Peter 4:11

6.Confession/Restitution Luke 19:8

7.Contentment Eph 5:5

8.Provide for family needs

9.Balanced Commitment Pro 23:4-5 James 1:11

10. Sacrifice desires

These are the ten steps to finanacial freedom. We are now at number 6 which is confession and restitution. Lets take a look at Luke 19:8

Luke 19:8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

WOW! Did Zacchaeus ever get it!! Zacchaeus was a tax collector and it was a common practice for them to take for themselves a high percentage of what they demanded. Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector but a “chief” tax collector. Zacchaeus here not only confessed his sin of stealing but was going to make a very generous restitution! Later on in Judaism it was considered generous to give away up to 20% of one’s belongings, giving away more than that was considered dangerous, this shows that they recognized the fine line between acting on faith and being reckless. The legal restitution for extortion was also 20%. Zacchaeus was going above and beyond at giving away 50% and repaying 4x the amount that he stole. I am sure Zacchaeus found the next thing we are going to discuss by his actions- and that is contentment! Greed and covetousness are a result of DIScontentment. Greed is actually a form of lust. To be victorious over these attitudes we must seek contentment in a moderate life stlye. Lets look at Ephesians 5:5

Ephesians 5:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

 

The greedy person here is likened to an idolater, and is in the same category as the immoral. The warning is that a greedy person will not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and God.

Now we come to number 8 on the list- we have touched on this before and will touch on it again later. Number says to provide for family needs. If the family is going without basic needs a Christian must provide them. This may require a drastic curltailment of life style or fulfillment of wants and desires. Basic needs must be met first! The basic needs are food, clothng , and shelter. I am gong to give some homework here, a few questions then I will not give the answers but I will give where the answers can be found in the Bible. Look up the scripture references at the end and fill in the blanks.

 

Do you feel a family in need should own things like color televisons, computers, or two or three cars?

_________Why?________________________________

Scripture Reference:_____________________________

 

Do you feel they should let their needs be made known?______

Why?____________________________________________

Scripture Reference_______________________________

 

Should a family in debt give a tithe? ___________ Why?____________________________________________________

 

Scripture Reference____________________________________

 

Scripture References:

James 4:3

Matt 5:42

Duet 14:23

We will discuss the last two steps next time!

For a full discussion tune into

 

 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/universallifechurch

 

On Wednesday from 9-10 pm that is Dr. Davids Bible Bootcamp and it is preceded by My Prayer Closet with Bishop Andrew Manley hosting from 8-9 pm.

 

 

 

More of is it MIne, Yours, or is it God’s?

Now we come to accepting God‘s direction, look at Matt 6:31

 

Matthew 6:31

New Living Translation (NLT)

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

We have to believe that God’s wisdom is superior to ours and that he cares about and will meet our every need. Anxiety is needless and pointless worry- which worry will gain nothing but gray hairs! Jesus here addresses and identifies our most basic needs- that of food, water, and clothing. Worry is wrong- concern is something else that is good- with concern comes some type of action. As mentioned before- pray, fast, or just believe and have faith that God will grant a means to provide these things.

Psalm 127:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.

 

This says that God gives rest to those whom He loves. We must have God is all that we do to obtain the promised blessings. If we do not include God in our plans then all that we do or accomplish is useless.

Refuse Quick Decisions:

All “get rich quick” schemes have one thing in common- that of requiring one to make quick decisions based on incomplete information. Lets look at Proverbs 21:5

 

Proverbs 21:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

We see that profit comes from good planning and hard work. And poverty comes from taking hasty short cuts. Make your plan then work your plan. No matter what we endeavor to do is going to take hard work and planning. Wheter it is building a house, building a business, buikding a ministry, a marriage, building a church, no matter what there is no easy way and without proper planning it is doomed to fail and without hard work it is doomed to fail. Even getting a handle on out of control finances takes palnning and hard work. No one ever said this was going to be easy!

Excel in Your Work:

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

 

We are to work as though we are working for God and as if God is working through us. Excellence is the minimum quality standard for a Christians work. Often times Christians feel that they should be second or even purposely fail- that is NOT God’s plan for us!

 

 

Yours, mine, or God’s?

We have been discussing being shackled by financial difficulties and how that can effect the family and the marriage. Now we come to the good part- the release from financial servitude! God‘s financial plan brings freedom and peace- the release from tension and worry caused by overdue bills, a clear conscinece and the sureness that God is in control once again!

For every promise that God makes to us, He has a prerequiste,and that is, that some action must be taken on our part. This action might praying, fasting , or simply believing, one or more of these actions will bring His power into focus in our lives. This action must be an act of our own free will. We must be willing to submit to God’s will and direction, we must keep in mind that God’s will is not always compatible with our desires. What are some of the steps we must take to become financially free in God’s will? Lets look and see!

1. Transfer ownership to God (Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 8:18
2. Get out of debt
3. Accept God’s direction Matt 6:31
4. Refuse Quick Decisions Pro 21:5
5. Excel in your work 1 Peter 4:11
6. Confession/Restitution Luke 19:8
7. Contentment Eph 5:5
8. Provide for family needs
9. Balanced Commitment Pro 23:4-5 James 1:11
10. Sacrifice desires

We will look at these one at a time in detail but for now I want to jump ahead a little or maye it is take a step back for a moment , and talk about finanacial planning. The cornerstone of any financial plan for the family is the budget. This is the key that unlocks the door and is the map that shows you where you are at and what you need to get there. God is an orderly provider and expects the same attitude from us. The first thing to understand when setting up a budget- it is a guide- not a law set in stone- allow some flexibility in the budget. God’s wisdom may be exercised by redirecting our path. We have to have patience and be cautious in any finanacial endeaver. Avoid get rich quick schemes-stick to your plans and make no provison for hasty specualtion. Plans – we should have short range plans and long range plans. We look a bit more into the steps listed in the opening and tackle making short range plans next time and the next time too! The first step to making these plans is to write them down!This is the budget I have been hammering on! Once it is wriiten down it is a visible objective standard the sets a goal to work toward.

Read Proverbs 16:3-9

 

Proverbs 16:3-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

 3 Commit your actions to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.

 4 The LORD has made everything for his own purposes,
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

 5 The LORD detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.

 6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

 7 When people’s lives please the LORD,
even their enemies are at peace with them.

 8 Better to have little, with godliness,
than to be rich and dishonest.

 9 We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.

Lets look at the first step to take to finanacial freedom:

1. Transfer Ownership to God

   There is no substitute or short cut for this step! Lets look at Proverbs 3:19

   Proverbs 3:19 and Proverbs 8:18

New Living Translation (NLT)

 19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens

Proverbs 8:18

King James Version (KJV)

 18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

2. Get Out of Debt!

   First, we need to define debt as I understand it from the Scriptures. A biblical condition of debt exists when ANY of the following is true:

   Money, goods, or services are owed to other people with PAYMENTS PAST DUE.

   The total of unsecured liablilities exceeds total assets.

   Finanacial responsibilties produce ANXIETY. God will give a sense of peace when finances are handled in accordance with His will.

   Evaluate every purchase BEFORE buying (Proverbs 18:15)

   Proverbs 18:15

New King James Version (NKJV)

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Ask these questions before making a purchase:

1. Does it enhance God’s work through you?
2. Is it a necessity?
3. Can you do without it?
4. Is it the best possible buy?
5. Does it add to your family relatinships?
6. Will it depreciate quickly?
7. Will it require costly upkeep?

AsI have stated before, and will again, use a written budget! And that is biblical!

Proverbs 16:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

9 A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

Buy on a cash basis only!

Romans 13:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

Love Your Neighbor

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

And practice saving money on a regular basis- pay yourself first!

Proverbs 21:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

20 There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

Tune on Wednesday’s from 8-10 p.m. For My Prayer Closet with Bishop Andrew Manley hosting and for Dr. David’s Bible Boot Camp with, your,s truly hosting ! You can these programs and more here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/universallifechurch

Bishop Andrew will be leading in prayer and covering specific prayer requests and giving very insightful lessons on the Rosary and how to say the Rosary and he makes the valid point that is not just a “Catholic” thing! I will be talking more about personal finances the biblical way and covering some news from our our persecuted brethern. Also call your local theaters and see if they will be playing Ocotber Baby that premiers on Mar 23. For more info on this go here:

https://www.facebook.com/OctoberBabyMovie