Immanuel Lutheran Blog

Can you imagine if we all biblically tithed

Tithing is a touchy subject to most people.  But it doesn't have to be, once we begin to understand and trust in God's Word for our possessions. 

That is where we start, that they are not our possessions, but everything belongs to the Lord.  The Lord is the one who owns everything, He is the one who owns all things, and He gives them to us as a blessing and to manage for the expansion of His Kingdom.

We are to be responsible with out time, talents and treasures.  Biblically, we are to save our time, talents and treasures (as our first fruits of giving), we are to give of our time, talents and treasures (biblically 10%), and we are to not over extend our time, talents and treasures (stay out of debt, in all areas to do the most we can for Him).

Tithing, in view of God's possessions and provision frees us to give cheerfully.  It also reminds us that when we tithe, we are in line with the trust of the Lord! 

In these times, giving to God and trusting in Him is vital to our daily life.

Can you imagine if we all prayed

Can you imagine if we all prayed?  What would we pray for?  Well the Scriptures are pretty clear what we are to pray for?  We are to pray for those who don't yet know the Lord, we are to pray for the well being of those who are in authority of us (whether they are Republican or Democrat), we are to pray for those who are oppressed and poor and finally we are to pray for the needs of our neighbors and enemies.

Can you imagine the spiritual renewal in our own lives if we each spent ten-minutes per day in prayer?  Can you imagine if we were praying for these things about the impact that would be taken in our lives.  When I think of people of prayer I think of someone like Nehemiah who saw the needs of his people and immediately fell to his knees in prayer. 

Start praying today, have a conversation with God, pray for the needs of others, and know that our great God hears and answers our prayers in His time and ways, for our good and His glory.  Know that He comes to those who come near to Him, and know that He calls on you and me to be humble people of prayer.

What a world we would live in if we all prayed.  Can you imagine?  I can't wait to see what it would look like.

God Bless your prayer time!

Can you imagine if our community were all reading their Bibles

Can you imagine if our entire worshiping community here at Immanuel or at your church were all reading their Bibles together.  Imagine if we all would be in the actual Word of God on a daily basis.  This would mean that all of us would be meditating and focusing on Jesus the Christ on a daily basis. (John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.")

I can't really imagine the spiritual impact this would have on our community here at Immanuel, but I do believe this...we would have no congregational problems, we would find ways to continue to minister to our community, and the life of worship would be indescribable.

On the weekend of February 2nd and 3rd, we here at Immanuel are embarking on this noble task for the next six months, we will together as a congregation read the New Testament.  We are using Faith comes by hearing as our base for being in the Word of God, and I encourage you to also join us in this endeavor no matter where you are.  The reading schedule will be on-line and please be in God's Word for we know it has power and purpose in our lives. Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Gob Bless Your life in His Word!

Epiphany

Ephiphany is upon us and throughout our world churches will celebrate Epiphany!  The first recording of Ephiphany is in the century of 300ad.  Ephiphany has been celebrated for a number of events in the life of Jesus.  His baptism (marking the beginning of His ministry), the wedding a Cana (marking the first miracle of His ministry), and the appearing and worship by the wise-men (marking His coming publicly into the world). 

Whatever the reason that Epiphany is celebrated in our churches one thing is common.  Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the world, the King of kings, the Priest of priests, and the Sacrifice of all sacrifices, has come into the world and deserves our worship.

God Bless your Epiphany, and your worship of the one true Lord this year.