Certainty
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Has
the stressed economic situation hindered your giving toward the work of
the Lord? We, like many others, we have had to tighten our belts and have
been forced to endure personal budget cuts. This has caused us to examine
our personal spending habits and write out a strict household budget to
live by. In so doing, we've actually increased our giving. We are doing
without some of the extra things we would like, so we can focus on what's
really important and increase the sowing of our financial seed.
I know this tactic may seem strange to some, but I am a firm believer of "when in need, sow more seed." I am convinced that this economic down turn is satanically inspired to ultimately shut down churches and ministries as well as instill fear in the hearts of believers in the hope that they will stop funding Kingdom business which has been bringing about a harvest of salvation. However, we are not falling for that lie. Keiko and I have decided that we're not going to participate in this recession. Sound strange? It shouldn't, because we as believers have the right to operate in His economy. We're children of the Most High God, raised up and seated together with Christ Jesus, we've been made the righteousness of God in Christ, we're heirs together with Him and we're the head and not the tail, above ONLY and not beneath AND we tithe and have claim to all of the benefits therein - no sir, we've decided to opt out of this recession, thank you very much!!! There is a wonderful covenant promise of hope I would like to bring to your attention that is found in Genesis 8:22: "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." Wow! Did you see that? Day and night are certainties, so is cold and heat as well as winter and summer - AND this promise is in effect for as long as the Earth remains. So, because the Earth is still here, we know it pertains to us now. Day and night, cold and heat, winter and summer ALWAYS come about - definitely, surely, certainly! And God included into this mix of certainties the rich covenant blessing of Seedtime and Harvest. What the Lord is saying here is that seed, which is planted or sown, will ALWAYS bring about a harvest - it's a sure covenant promise guaranteed by the Lord Himself. Let me tell you, it doesn't get any better than that - certainty in a world of uncertainty. Let's take a look also at 2 Corinthians 9:10-12: "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God." Not only is Seedtime and Harvest guaranteed by the Lord, BUT He said He will even provide the seed! How awesome is that! Years ago I came to the realization that we do not work for a living, as many are led to believe, we instead, work for a giving. Our earned income is financial seed that He is providing for us to be able to take advantage of and cooperate with this law of Seedtime and Harvest. This seed that is intended to bring a harvest is above and beyond your tithe. Remember, your tithe BELONGS to the Lord, it's not yours - it is His, and He intrusts it to you so that you can enact the law of faith and obedience and render it back to Him. In so doing, there are many wonderful promises connected with the giving of your tithe by faith (Mal 3:8-12). Don't think for a minute that I am just another preacher writing this to coerce or manipulate you to sow into our ministry - not at all. Your tithe belongs at your church and your offerings (seed) go to where He is leading you to give. We trust God not man for the funding of this ministry. I am only trying to get you to see past the lies of the enemy which are designed to stop your giving which will cut off your financial blessing and bring you into increased frustration and despair. The law of Seedtime and Harvest will always work and is there for you as an avenue of added prosperity, yes EVEN in times like these when it makes absolutely no sense to give. One shining example that we have of this law of Seedtime and Harvest always producing is in Genesis 26. Verse one starts off by saying: "There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham." Does that sound familiar? That's exactly what's going on in our world today - THERE IS A FAMINE IN THE LAND. But, as we continue in the story we discover Isaac operating in this very same covenant law of Seedtime and Harvest, not allowing the mentality of the FAMINE to enter into his thinking and poison, stop and restrict the flow of the provision or fruitfulness of the covenant through this law to manifest. Look at verse 12 through 14: "Then Isaac SOWED in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. 13 The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him." While his neighbors, the Philistines, were hoarding and consuming their seed, trying to stretch it as far as they could and hold out as long as possible, during this severe famine, Isaac was doing the unthinkable - sowing or planting his seed. I'm sure his neighbors and friends thought he had lost his mind as this act, in the natural, was extremely foolish! BUT, this covenant law produced, definitely, surely, certainly - and he reaped a hundred fold IN THE SAME YEAR!!! During the time of famine that everyone else was suffering from. When things get tough, I don't shrink back - I've learned to press in to Him more. I shut off mundane, unimportant things in life, and press in to the Word more, His presence more, I worship more, I listen to Him more and I GIVE MORE! Yes, we increase our giving. This has always proved to be a sure road to victory for me and my family. Know that I am ONLY sharing this with you to bring encouragement during these turbulent times, so you'll be able to see past the lies of the enemy which will only perpetuate a condition of lack IF they are believed, received and acted upon. Remember, the thief comes ONLY to steal and to kill and to destroy John 10:10a. The devil knows his time is short and he is targeting the church worldwide in hopes of cutting off funding for the gospel. Do not allow fear to paralyze your Kingdom giving. Especially the tithe!!! You don't want to enact the curse into your already tight situation. You need the enactment of the covenant blessing more now than ever. I would rather cut off going out to eat, cable TV and other lifestyle frills, than to cut off the flow of covenant life and blessing. It's
nice to know that in uncertain times such as these, there are certainties
we can still count on. Know that as you continue to sow into the Kingdom,
it won't be long before divine breakthrough takes place. And just like
the Philistines, your neighbors and friends will be scratching their heads
and wondering how you came out on top, which usually opens the door for
an opportune time to share the love of Christ. Remember, ALWAYS be led
by the Spirit of God in your giving. Follow His leading. Become a seed
sower and you will always have more than enough. Be blessed
Dan
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