Our Thoughts on Tithe

"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1

Everything (more than just 10%) belongs to the Lord! On earth, we are simply His stewards. He entrusts us to manage all He owns in the ways that will glorify and honor Him. We need to use our time, talents, and treasures wisely and according to His will.

We need to give all of ourselves to the Lord. Many give 10% and consider that the rest of their resources can be spent at their discretion. Let’s realize that God owns all of us, including our resources. Let’s spend them as He leads us by His Word and His Spirit. The New Testament portrays the concept of freewill sharing and equity among believers. "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

We, as the body of Christ, are called to reach out to a lost and dying world. We need to deny ourselves, carry our crosses, and follow Jesus. We need to live lives of "New Testament" simplicity, and not in luxury and self indulgence. We believe there is a significant mismanagement of God’s money among His Church (the body of Christ) in affluent countries. The Church should not be spending billions of dollars on church buildings, church salaries, and unnecessary/extravagant personal items/hobbies/property. (Certainly, the worker deserves his wages, but his work must be in accordance with the Father’s will. The Church is not a business.) These resources should be spent on reaching the millions of people who have never heard of the Gospel even once, and on providing them with the Word of God in their own language. Sadly, we are spending the majority of our resources on the areas of the world where Christ has already been preached. "More than 95 percent of the total church budget in the United States is spent at home to maintain programs rather than to reach out in mission. Of the five percent that goes overseas to mission, less than half of one percent is used to reach the lost." (K.P. Yohannan, The Road to Reality, p. 118) It is unjust to share the Gospel of Jesus repeatedly to people who have already heard when there are those who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus even once. These resources need to be quickly redistributed so that the majority of the Church’s resources are sent to the unreached people groups of the world.

We need to give to native missionaries who are reaching the unreached, to organizations that are actively sharing the Gospel in unreached areas (i.e., CRU's Jesus film ministries), and to organizations that are actively translating the Bible into unreached languages (i.e., Wycliffe).

We should also generously give food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies where possible to the neediest from among mankind. We need to give to those who could not otherwise receive the basic needs of life from anyone else. Many of us are so comfortable and wealthy compared to these needy ones. If we live simply and pool our resources together, by God’s grace there will be enough for everyone throughout the world who is in need (remember the five loaves and two fish). We need to join together in praying and giving to those in need across the world as God directs.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33, 34

Striving to be good stewards,
Eric and Urailak

~ To find other Spiritual Sundays participants, please visit here.

Review: An Army of Ordinary People

An Army of Ordinary People: Stories of real-life men and women simply being the Church.
Author: Felicity Dale
List Price:14.99
ISBN:978-1-4143-2279-7
Trim Size:5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Binding:Softcover

Book Summary:
An Army of Ordinary People contains the key to explosive, transformational, 21st century evangelism. Renowned church planter Felicity Dale shares stories of how God has always used—and is still using—ordinary believers to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. Some of these stories are dramatic—people being led to the Lord by the friends who counseled them through drug addictions and criminal pasts. Some are everyday—a dad spending his Sunday teaching Bible lessons to his kids, or a couple inviting their neighbors over to dinner and a spiritual discussion. But in each of them, there is a light bulb moment, when someone just like you thinks I can do that! And as a result, the gospel is spreading . . . and lives are being changed.

Author Bio:

Felicity Dale was trained as a physician at Barts Hospital in London, where she and her husband, Tony, pioneered simple church concepts while in medical school and later in the East End of London. Now living in the United States, Felicity and Tony are actively engaged in training church planters. They founded House2House magazine and have authored several books, including their latest from Tyndale, The Rabbit and the Elephant, and others such as Simply Church and the Getting Started manual on planting house churches. Felicity and Tony speak regularly at conferences throughout the world and reside in Austin, Texas.

My Thoughts and Review:
I agree with the author's definition/understanding of "church" based on the Bible. The Church is the Body of Christ, Christ's followers, not the buildings...not the denominations...not the programs. In this book, the author shares true stories of believers living out their faith and serving God where they are. They bloom where they're planted. It's so encouraging and exciting to read the accounts of ordinary people being used by our awesome God to do extraordinary things for His glory and for His kingdom. We, too, can do the same by sharing Christ's love and compassion and the Gospel with those around us in our families, neighborhoods, campuses, workplaces, communities, and nations. The book talks about "simple churches" (aka organic churches, house churches, or home churches). A simple church is a missional, relational, and reproducible church where Christ is the Head and Christ's followers take the Great Commission seriously. The concepts and practicality of simple churches totally make sense and adhere to Biblical principles. The last chapter includes recommended books, videos, websites, and blogs for those who would like to learn more about or get involved with simple churches. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to be in the Lord's army and makes an eternal impact in this world. Read this book, obey God's leading, and go make disciples!
 
You can read the first chapter here.
To learn more about simple churches and/or to find one in your area, visit http://www.site.house2house.com/.
Check out an online community for those exploring simple expressions of church to connect at http://www.simplechurch.com/ .
Connect with Felicity Dale on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/felicitydale
Connect with Felicity Dale on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/felicity.dale 

~ I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

Asleep In The Light

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Asleep In The Light (words, music, and performed by Keith Green)

Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down?
Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown?
How can you be so numb not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.

"Oh, bless me, Lord, bless me, Lord," you know it's all I ever hear.
No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear.
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs.
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in.

Oh, can't you see it's such sin.
'Cause He brings people to your door and you turn them away
as you smile and say, "God bless you, be at peace,"
and all heaven just weeps...
'Cause Jesus came to your door.
You've left Him out on the streets.

Open up open up and give yourself away.
You see the need, you hear the cries, so how can you delay?
God's calling, you're the one, but like Jonah you run.
He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in.

Oh, can't you see it's such sin.
The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can't fight,
'Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead when you've been so well-fed?
Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can't even get out of bed.
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed.

How can you be so numb not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done.


‎"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, SINS." (James 4:17)
"Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 1:6)

If you missed the Keith Green 28.28.28 event on Wednesday, you can still view it here.

Book Review: Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Book: Dug Down Deep

Author: Joshua Harris

Summary:
What will you build your life on?

With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth. This book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation—it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God.

For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars—it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."

Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as:

What is God like and how does he speak to me?What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?

With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

Author Bio:
Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg , Maryland , which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children.

My Review:
This is the first book by Joshua Harris that I have read.  I enjoyed the book , appreciated his honesty and humility, and loved his drawing.  He shares about his experiences along his faith journey...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  He comes to the conclusion that what we know about God is truly essential in our Christian walk.  The author tries to help readers understand and realize the importance and practicality of theology, doctrine, and orthodoxy.  He proceeds to dig into various Christian doctrines such as the doctrine of God (theology proper), the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrine of the person and work of Christ, the doctrine of atonement and propitiation, the doctrine of salvation, the doctine of sanctification, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of the church.  In the last chapter, he reminds us to boldly (not arrogantly or pridefully) stand up for God's truth and at the same time, to remain humble, gentle, and gracious.  This is a down-to-earth book that digs deep into what we believe and why we believe it.   


~This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

IDOP 2009

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Please join me and other brothers and sisters in Christ in praying for the persecuted Christians and their persecutors. If you would like to watch videos about the persecuted church and the Voice of the Martyrs's involvement, please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VoiceOfTheMartyrsUSA.

1 Corinthians 12:26 "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (In reference to the Body of Christ, the Church)

We often take our freedom for granted here in America. Are we using our freedom to tell others about Jesus? We live a life of luxury here compared to many people in other countries. Are we sharing with those in need? Live your faith and your love out loud! Pray for courage and boldness, willingness and opportunity, grace and gentleness ...then go tell of God's love to all the world. In addition, please remember (not just today) to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for our Savior, who are beaten for "loving Jesus", who risk all to serve the King of kings, who give up everything to follow the Prince of Peace, who sacrifice so that others can hear the Good News.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12

Many Christians who share the Gospel and desire to live a Godly life experience some kind of persecution or trial in every country. However, the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) focuses their help on the Christians who are not allowed by government policy to obtain or distribute Bibles and other Christian literature, and those who are arrested, attacked,...whose freedom and/or possessions were taken away due to their faith in Jesus Christ. Here is the list of countries where Christians are continually being persecuted:-

- Afghanistan                               - Nepal
- Algeria                                      - Nigeria
- Azerbaijan                                - North Korea
- Bangladesh                               - Oman
- Bhutan                                      - Pakistan
- Brunei                                       - Qatar
- China                                        - Saudi Arabia
- Comoros                                  - Somalia
- Cuba                                        - Sri Lanka
- Cyprus                                     - Sudan
- Egypt                                       - Syria
- India                                        - Tajikistan
- Indonesia                                 - Tibet
- Iran                                          - Tunisia
- Iraq                                          - Turkey
- Kuwait                                     - Turkmenistan
- Laos                                        - United Arab Emirates
- Libya                                       - Uzbekistan
- Malaysia                                  - Vietnam
- Maldives                                  - Yemen
- Mauritania                                - Morocco
- Myanmar

“As our staff meets with persecuted Christians around the world, their first request is that we pray for them,” says Todd Nettleton, Director of Media Development for The Voice of the Martyrs - USA. “IDOP is a day when the collective Body of Christ joins together to answer their request.”

“Our persecuted family is not asking us to pray that the persecution will stop,” says Nettleton. “They’re asking us to pray they will remain faithful to Christ in spite of the persecution and pressure they face.” (quotes taken from here)

You can visit here and sign up for weekly prayer updates that inform you prayer needs for the persecuted.  VOM also has a wonderful website for kids and a free educational publication called, "Kids of Courage". Some books that are related to the persecuted church and the martyrs include Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (you can visit here to request a free copy for yourself and for your friends), Jesus Freaks (Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus: The Ultimate Jesus Freaks), and Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World by John Foxe.

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts.