Often the difference between Tithes and First Fruits are misunderstood. Actually the whole issue of giving is misunderstood.
Whenever “first fruits” are mentioned in the Bible it is not meaning 10% of your earnings, but rather it is another matter altogether. Actually most believers will be stunned to know that it’s not about money at all!
Dr. Russ Kelly details in a short answer the difference in the Yahoo Tithing Study Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tithing-Study/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tithing-Study/message/3726
Tithes Were Not the Same as First-fruits
“The first-fruit was a very small amount of the first crop harvest and the first-born was the first offspring of animals. The first-fruit was small enough to fit into a hand-held basket (Deut. 26:1-4, 10; Lev. 23:17; Num. 18:13-17; 2 Chron 31:5a). First-fruit and first-born offerings went directly to the Temple and were required to be totally consumed by ministering priests only inside the Temple (Neh. 10:35-37a; Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 18:4).”
Come on in to join us and learn the truth about tithing from God’s word.
There are perils at the pinnacle in ministry. It appears that Rick Warren finds himself now between a rock and a hard place when it comes to holding to teaching God’s word, and has become ensnared by his own words. I feel for him, but he has fallen into the trap of seeking the approval of men it appears.
Rick Warren is walking in compromise with the world and in so doing is in enmity with God. (James 4:4) Please visit http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280 for more info. Let’s call it like it is, hypocritical. Not much discussion from me, just read it for yourself.
California mega-church pastor and author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren says he apologized to his homosexual friends for making comments in support of California’s Proposition 8, and now claims he “never once even gave an endorsement” of the marriage amendment.
Monday night on CNN’s Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren apologized for his support of Prop. 8, California’s voter-approved marriage protection amendment, saying he has “never been and never will be” an “anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist.”
“During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never — never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop. 8 was going,” Warren told the CNN audience on Monday. “The week before the — the vote, somebody in my church said, ‘Pastor Rick, what — what do you think about this?’ And I sent a note to my own members that said, I actually believe that marriage is — really should be defined, that that definition should be — say between a man and a woman.”
More… http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=481280
This reminds me of those early days of my walk in Christ during the “Jesus Movement” of the ’70s. What refreshing of the soul and joy of the Lord. What simplicity and purity of the Holy Spirit we experienced.
Singing praise in worship of the Lord; Psalm 23; anointed.
This is one of the more moving mesages I’ve seen in a long time. Jim Bakker, who gained notoriety by spending 5 years on prison after his ministy fell, knows first hand of the chastening of God. He has been corrected and delivers a correction himself to those who are teaching and are being taught “another gospel”.
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” ~ Hebrews 12:6
Jim’s message begins after a pretty long intro but it’s worth it. Whatever you thought about Jim Bakker, put it aside. He has a lot to say that is worthwhile here.
Repent.
I had no idea that Dr. James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel was undergoing treatment for cancer when I posted criticism of his being thankful for our new president, given that the president has opened funding for abortions in foreign countries. If I had read his website fully and learned about his condition before posting, I would have certainly understood why he would be merciful looking for the best in the president. Dr. MacDonald exhibits great mercy.
Dr. MacDonald did not deserve my lack of due diligence in learning more of his ministry.
Had I learned more about Dr. MacDonald, taking time to read about him, and from him, I would not have been so harsh. I would not have agreed with him on that single post, but would have been more thoughtful towards him. Now, I face these very appropriate words taking them to heart… ”Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” - Proverbs 29:20
Dr. MacDonald, my apologies for allowing myself to be incited, jumping into commenting without taking the proper time to reason, fully deliberating how to give a good and godly response. I regret being unknowingly insensitive to you in this time of trial also, and I’m thankful for your gracious subsequent post.
Additionally I’m thankful for your insight into discernment, especially fleshly discernment. This exhibited great understanding and compassion, in the spirit of grace you so readily deliver. As one who fits this category, the challenge is and will be to keep discernment disciplined, pure and peaceable, disallowing harshness as much as it is the desire of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your insight and exhortation, it was a good word you gave.
With that, I pray that you will be healed completely and thoroughly head to toe, to continue your ministry in the grace of our Lord.
This is a true look at the state of the church today. Very interesting.
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=42227
Obama,
Yes, he may be a Biblcal figure, but I’m afraid he might be one that we don’t dare follow.
Isn’t this odd that they in the news and entertainment are talking about him being a biblical figure without him doing a single thing?
Not one single work yet they speak as though he’s the messiah. In Jesus’ day it was His works coupled with His words, endorsed by fulfilled prophesy, which qualified Him to be called Messiah.
“But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” – John 5:36
“Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?” – John 10:32
This man Obama however, is given praise before he has accomplished even a single work. He hasn’t done a thing noteworthy to make him even a good leader or good president, much less a man of Biblical proportions. Yet, he’s hailed a man of Biblical proportions. What nonsense. What delusion.
To his credit, he does appear to be a most loving father and husband. Perhaps many these days consider that a miracle of Biblical proportions!
But for all who read this, don’t make the mistake of making more of a man than he is. Particularly in these last days. This generation is bound to be the most deceived of all generations that has ridden the planet since the fall of man.
Hold on to your hat Pilgrim.
Oh man this looks like fun! Just finished chatting with a fellow brother, a youth pastor with Cypress Point Community Church…. now this is how you do it! http://www.cpcconline.com/paintball/index.cfm
Man that is awesome! Check the video out on the left, good music.
Bob Mitchell just posted this on his blog, Shofar Ministries. War over Israeli land, especially Jerusalem, prophesied in Ezekiel 38, is now a possibility.
OBAMA FAVOURS ISRAELI RETREAT TO 1949 BORDERS
Report: Obama Favors 1949
by Maayana Miskin
United States President-Elect Barack Obama will support the Saudi Initiative for peace between Israel and Arab nations, the British Sunday Times reported Sunday.
Obama told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, “The Israelis would be crazy not to accept this initiative,” according to the Times. The initiative calls on Israel to withdraw completely to its 1949 borders in exchange for normalized relations with Arab League countries.
It includes a full retreat from the eastern half of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, and from the strategic Golan Heights in northern Israel.
The Saudi Plan has won limited support from President Shimon Peres, who says it could be used to launch negotiations. Other senior politicians and defense officials have dismissed the plan, saying it wold compromise Israel’s security.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, the heads of the Kadima and Labor parties, have not ruled out the Saudi Initiative completely. However, neither has expressed willingness to give away the Temple Mount or major Israeli population centers located east of Israel’s 1949 borders.
Approximately 600,000 Israeli citizens live in the areas, including eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, demanded for the PA under the Saudi plan.
The plan also calls on Israel to find a solution for the plight of millions of foreign Arabs who claim descent from those who fled Israel during the War of Independence. They are considered refugees by Arab governments and continually have been denied citizenship in their countries of birth. While proponents of the plan have welcomed the plan as a chance to deal with the refugees without granting them Israeli citizenship, some Arab leaders have warned that any alternative to allowing the millions to “return” to Israel is unacceptable.
PA-based terrorist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are among those who insist that every Arab who identifies as a descendant of a former resident of Israel be allowed to live in Israel.
Abbas: Retreat or War
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas addressed a letter to PA Arabs on Saturday saying Israel must retreat to its 1949 borders or face war. “The passage of years… will not force us to abandon or surrender a single inch,” of Judea, Samaria or Jerusalem, Abbas said in the letter, which was published by PA media. The letter was sent in honor of PA “Independence Day.” While the PA does not rule an independent country, it celebrates “independence” each year in honor of the PA having declared itself an independent entity 20 years ago.
