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The Principles of Giving. God loves a cheerful giver. There is an important distinction between giving and tithing.
Tithing is not giving and giving is not tithing. Tithing was a tax imposed on Israel to support the priestly structure among the twelve tribes.
In the Old Testament, we learn of three tithes that were established. Numbers 18:21 tells us of a National Tax that was used to care for the Levites.
Deuteronomy 14:22 identifies a Feast Tax which was used to help feed everyone. Finally, a Priest and Poor Tax is given in Deuteronomy 14:28 which occured
every three years. These tithes were for the nation of Israel in their obedience to the law. Today we need to know God’s principles of giving. There are three
general principles that can be obtained from 2 Corinthians 8. 1) Verses 1-2 remind us that whatever we have, it comes from God. 2) Verses 3-12
shows that God looks upon the heart and knows the purpose behind your giving. God loves a cheerful giver which is a voluntary giver. 3) The third
principle in giving is from verses 13 where we are instructed to be careful to whom you give your money. You duty is to give to reliable and
responsible recipients who administer the gifts appropriately. One such
organization is the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability   Click here to listen to the lesson from 06-02-2002 on
the principles of giving.
God Supplies Your Needs. The lesson on 06-09-2002 comes to the end of Philippians and
provides a review of the high points discussed throughout the letter. In Phil 4:19 (KJV) “But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” First, we
find confidence in He who hath begun a good work in us will perform it... and supply all your
needs along the way for His purposes. We often equate needs to wants. However, the needs
we have a members of the Body of Christ, consists of the items that are needed to accomplish
His purpose and not ours. Our good works won’t go very far at all which is what Adam found
out, or perhaps Moses. When God begins to do a good work in you, your faith obedience
begins to build confidence in God. Faith that comes from this confidence is the coin of this
realm. Next, we leaned from Philippians that there are two enemies in strife and vain glory.
However, even though these enemies are quick to present themselves, we learned of the
quickest way to defeat them by putting on the Mind of Christ. Finally, Philippians expounds on how our true citizenship is in
the heavenlies seated with Christ and if we have our perspective correct on our day to day walk, we will rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Click here to listen to the lesson on 06-09-2002.
Living a Power Filled Life. The lesson on 06-16-2002 celebrates Father’s Day in America.
For this message, the scripture reading covered Luke 15:11-13. Living a power filled life from a
Christian perspective recognizes that true power is not worldly. Worldly success is vain and
never satisfies. Consider the man who has six million dollars to the man that has six children.
The millionare wants more yet the man with six kids is satisfied! But seriously, riches, strength,
and glory are things we should not pursue. Jeremiah 9:23,24 (KJV) tells us “Thus saith the
LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” We need to focus
on getting to know God who is our Heavenly Father so as children of God, we put our faith in a relationship that lasts for
eternity. Father’s Day sets aside one day to honor our earthly father’s to let them know how they have blessed our lives.
How much more then should we set each and every day aside to honor our Heavenly Father, who has blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Let’s take the attitude of Joshua who said in Joshua 24:15b (KJV) “but as for me
and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Click here to listen to the lesson on 06-16-2002. You
may also want to hear more lessons on Father’s Day from our Holidays section.
Unfeigned Faith. Paul when writing was writing to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:5-7 (KJV) he says “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy
grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I
put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of
my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” It is very apparent that Paul appreciates the genuine faith he sees in Timothy.
With that faith, he then encourages him to not be fearful, but reminds him of the love and power
of God. It’s this God who will bring a sound mind to those who trust in him. Today, there are
many christian based programs that are lacking the proper encouragement that provides the
very thing someone is after... a sound mind. These programs serve a good cause, but as with
anything, if you don’t put your faith in Christ, you end up short every time. Support without
proper doctrine based on the word of God is empty. So much of christian service is caught up in practical living and
programs designed to help overcome earthly problems. It’s easy to get caught up in earthly matters when we need to be
reminded that we’re to set our affections on the things above. Let’s not become as Paul describes later in 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;”  The lesson on 06-23-2002 begins a series of studies
in Timothy. Click here to listen now.
 “Under God”, Under Attack
. This week America will celebrate the 226th anniversary of its independence from England. Most of the celebrations wil involve sporting events like baseball
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The
Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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where it’s required that the crowd honor America by singing the National Anthem as the Flag of the United States is raised in all its glory. Another
uniquely American tradition that involves the flag has been the Pledge of Allegience. The history behind the Pledge involves the addition in 1954 of
the words “under God” describing America’s belief in God. Today, the words “under God” are under
attack by Athiests who are suing to have any reference of God removed from the pledge, our
currency, in our courts, and any other place remotely associated with government. This movement to
declare national independence from God is about as wrong as you can get. Paul reminds us in 1 Tim 2:1-5 (KJV) that “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made
for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” As America celebrates on the 4th of July their independence day, it would behove everyone to declare their dependence
on God each and every day. We need to be like Joshua who declared “as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” Listen here to the lesson on 06-30-2002.  Be sure and download the handout as well. You may also check our Holidays section for lessons involvoing America’s July 4th celebration.
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Audio Lessons for this Month
