Can I tithe To Another Ministry And Not My Church?

Question: As seniors on a fixed income who would like to help a church that is basically seniors like ourselves. They need young people and therefore a student pastor part/time.  Could we give our tithe to help rather than give it to where we attend?  

MY ANSWER:

A church family is precious.  With your gift of self, service and financial support (I still believe in the tithe or even tithe plus) you get to help your local church worship, disciple through teaching missions and ministry and do your part to evangelize.

Ministry does cost money.  The principal of the tithe is every one gives an equal type portion.

The storehouse is then full.  If the whole church tithed and the church the church bills and supported all worthy ministries and missions, the problem would be how to use the surplus of money.

I firmly believe your tithe needs to go to your church.

The storehouse cannot bless others if the shelves are empty.

This is what the government tries to do-write checks with nothing in the storehouse.

1  )You can give gifts to the special ministry or another church.

2)  You can also ask your church to support a weaker church.  This is biblical and commendable.  The plan of the tithe maximizes such church to church blessings..

Our local church cannot function with empty shelves.

Our local church can be a powerhouse of blessing for the Lord if all members did their part and tithed.

                     Malachi 3:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

My Open Letter to the Atlanta? Falcons Concerning a Move to Los Angeles

My Open Letter to the Atlanta? Falcons Concerning a Move to Los Angeles

Dear Birds,

We have had a relationship now for 46 years you and I.

Since your start I have carried you around like they say a guilty pleasure.

When Georgians for the most part have mocked your embarrassing ways I stood by you.

When my wife was a sweet young coed she asked me while on a date once –

“What is the one thing you would like to own in the whole world?’

My answer was –“The Falcons.”

She said “no really?”  I said the Falcons.

Yes I apologize for coveting your team Mr. Blank.

I was in 2^nd grade when I learned we would have a pro ream in 1966.

You had in the early days Tommy Nobis, Ernie Wheelwright, Randy Johnson, Bob Berry, Jim “Cannonball” Butler and Gainesville’s Billy Lothridge plus John Zook, Claude Humphrey and George Kunz.

You quickly fired head coach Norb Hecker, a former Lombardi assistant from Green Bay and hired Norm Van Brocklin who the expansion Vikings did not want anymore.

He irritated the players and got into fist fights with sports writers after games.

You hired and fired and actually finished a season with Pat Peppler as  the coach.

Peppler never coached or to my knowledge even played high school ball.

He was an accountan/general managert or something.

In the mid 1970’s you would often finish games in front of less than 5,000 fans.

You drafted QB Steve Bartowski and hired Leeman Bennett.  Leeman got  us in about three good attempts towards a Super bowl so you fired him.

We went through a couple of coaches with one being a retread.

You gave us Glanville making us seem “The Honey Boo Boo” of NFL franchises.

I remember being mocked by a K- Mart cashier for buying a Falcon hat during those ridiculous days.

I stayed true.

You gave us Jeff George at QB – he attacked his coach on the sideline-enough about him.

You moved your headquarters to Flowery Branch.

You hired the great Dan Reeves who got us to a Super Bowl.

This native Georgian was not “good enough”.

You sold the soul of the franchise for the now infamous coach killer (and dog) from Virginia Tech.
You adopted CFL like uniforms despite having an original good look.

You have since gotten rid of the VT QB and have run a good team.

QB Ryan and Coach Mike Smith are solid.

We were playing in a circle in the Braves infield until the 1990s.

You helped force a Georgia Dome downtown down taxpayers throats so we could host the Olympics.

This Dome was built despite it being –from the FBI - the worst crime neighborhood in America.  (check the throat slashing fan after the 49er playoff game.)

You could not have made it more inconvenient for you fans to get to a game now.  

You refused to go to the suburbs like all NFL stadiums as you played politics to get a sweet deal with the city of Atlanta.

The NFL is unsurpassed in popularity.

I am convinced you could sell out a two stadiums –one north and one south of I-285 with two franchises.

There is no way any new expansion team could do worse in 46 future years.  A new expansion team we would get would be only an improvement over your clownish history.

You say you might leave Atlanta for LA- the Smith family (original owners) used to threaten us with a team move to Jacksonville.

You are descent now and just now deserving of your price.

You now want to gouge the state and charge loyal fans with PLCs (a fee a fan must pay called personal seat licensing to keep buying your same tickets).

If you leave I can say farewell Birds.

Just remember- “It’s you not me” as it is said in breakups.

Farewell if you must,

Fletcher  

   

   

Question Answered from A Teen: When Christ returns I do not want to to miss - fun,marriage,sex, etc... will I?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Greetings! This is kind of a silly question but it's been bugging

me and a few of my friends for a long time. It's a bit of a

running joke in youth culture these days that everyone wants

to get married before the rapture happens. I used to laugh

along with everyone else until I realized how much I wanted to

be married one day. I'll finally be out of high school next year

and be in a position to get to know new people and be on my

own, and I found myself thinking that it would be so unfair if

the rapture happened right now and I never got to know what it

was like to be so intimately connected to another person. I

immediately felt guilty because I wanted that more than I

wanted to be with Jesus, and that there were many Christians

in dire straits who pray for deliverance every day. I just have

so many dreams that will go unrealized, but I know it's terrible

to think that way, and it's not in God's character to withhold

good things of course, what am I missing here? Thank you so

much for taking the time to read my question, God bless

MY ANSWER:

You are wise to know to seek the Lord and cherish Him more than earthly pleasures.

This seems hard to do yet commanded by Christ.

Matthew 6:33 New King James Version (NKJV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We need to promote marriage in our culture among Christians.

For even Christians to rush into a marriage not in the Lord’s will would be wrong for the sake of just having a “legal” sex partner.

By all means pursue marriage

By all means prepare for the “day of the Lord”.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

If the Lord returns before you get married, have children,

make a million, write your novel etc. you will not be disappointed when you meet Him if you are a Christian.

Paul gives accounts of Heaven.

Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

1 Corinthians 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Paul had firsthand knowledge of Heaven

2 Corinthians 12:2-5  New King James Version (NKJV)

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

The Apostle John also had firsthand knowledge and gave witness to Heaven.

1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Thanks friend this made my day as I started thinking how I cannot wait to see Jesus.

But I must wait as we were commissioned to make Disciples

 and Jesus said He would tarry (wait) as more souls are gathered in His kingdom.

2 Timothy 2:10  New King James Version (NKJV)

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

I know I will see Jesus because I received His saving Spirit sealing my heart when I confessed my sins and trusted in Him for salvation.

He paid for my sins on the cross and I was declared righteous in the eyes of God.

All become “Citizens of Heaven”.

Brother seek Christ and marriage that glorifies Him if that is His will for you.

In no way will you be disappointed, or long for past pleasures or pleasures missed

when you behold Him face to face.

Question Answered: Why Pray If Everyone Has Free Will?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Since humans are physical things, what is free will?  I am a Catholics and was taught everyone has free will, why pray?  For example, if I'm undergoing physical torment from another human and I pray to God for deliverance from the torment.

Will God not interfere due to free will?

The older I get the more confused about God I get.

MY ANSWER:

Free Will is doing what you decide.

Sovereignty is the final and complete rule of Almighty God.

Guess who ultimately wins?

Concerning our Free Will – Consider the Free Will choices of Adam’s, yours and mine for decisions in life to benefit us.

The scars, pain and destruction remain.

If we are in a Kingdom we serve a King.

The King has ultimate and the final ruling.

Why pray?

We Christians serve a Sovereign Lord who answers prayer.

James 5:17-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

“17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

Does God answer prayers to our satisfaction or His own?

His own.

Luke 22:42 New King James Version (NKJV)

42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Even before Jesus went to the cross to redeem humanity He prayed three times for His Father to remove that cup (His sacrifice on the cross).  Yet He prayed for the Father's will to prevail not His.  And yes we benefited as the Father's will prevailed.  

God answers prayer in His will for His ultimate glory which will benefit all in His kingdom.  Evil can have a moment but our Sovereign Lord will prevail.

If you are Saved –that is you have gone to the Lord and asked Him to forgive you as He sent His Son to die to pay the price for your sins you are in His family or kingdom.

You then have intimacy with the Father.

A good formula for praying is A.C.T.S.

Adoration –Address Him directly. Jesus Christ
                      through the Holy Spirit  is your intercessor.

Confession – Confess your sins.

Thanksgiving – Thank Him for your relationship with Him and His blessing you.

Supplication – Present the needs of your prayer for others and yourself.

Pray.  He hears you.

QUESTION ANSWERED: What Is The Difference Between Protestants and Born Again Christians?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

Are born again Christians different from protestants? If it`s just the same, how come others address themselves as protestants rather than being called as born again Christians?

MY ANSWER: 

Born again Christians? 

This is redundant.

According to Jesus Christ a person MUST BE BORN AGAIN to see the Kingdom of God.

                      John 3:3-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

“3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

The above passage from John 3 is Jesus Christ’s response to   a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, who approached Christ one night.

When a person receives saving faith it is something that comes from only through

 Jesus Christ and the witness of the uncontrolled by man Holy Spirit.

Some Christians call receiving salvation as -being born again, conversion, being saved, being

declared justified.

A person can join a protestant church and be a protestant and not be “born again”.

This means you can be a church member and not a real Christian.

In 1517 Martin Luther protested against the Church of Rome and the Reformation began.

Protestants of the Reformation declared by faith alone, by grace alone, by Scripture alone, by Christ alone and to God alone be the glory. 

These protesting Protestants saw these “5 solas” as what had to be the base of orthodox Christian belief and the church.

Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans and even Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostals and more can trace heritage directly or indirectly to these reforming beliefs.

To be a Christian and to see the kingdom of God the Bible clearly states you must be born again – everyone not just those raised or attending a Protestant church.

We hear the gospel after being drawn by the Holy Spirit.  We are convicted of our sins. We repent of our sins.  We have faith that Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life and was fully God and fully man took the punishment for our sins on the cross. We are pardoned, born again, and receive citizenship in Heaven.  This gospel of grace is to be shared to the whole world.  

Bible Study - Ephesians 4:7-16 Spiritual Gifts

Ephesians 4:7-16  Spiritual Gifts

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.   

8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”  

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)   

11 And He Himself gave some to be

apostles,

some prophets,

some evangelists,

and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,   

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;   

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,   

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—   

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Verse 7- We Christians all received a gift from Christ. 

 Does one deserve a gift? (GRACE-unmerited, unearned, undesereved.)  Our gift is related to Christ’s gift.

What is Christ’s gift?   (Another play on words –Christ’s gift of unmerited salvation –Christ has gifted believers)  

Verse 8 - “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”   Is this about Psalm 68 and the victor distributing the spoils of victory?  Psalm 68:18

You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there.

Is this about hell/Hades/Paradise? (Luke 16:19-32)          

Verse 9- 10 ‘Descended’ or ‘ascended’ This means it can be only Jesus Christ.    

John 3:13

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.    

Verse 11-      Some are

apostles,  -  [Apostles (can mean messenger) were required to have seen the risen Christ, so that he could preach a resurrection of which he had himself been an eyewitness (1 Corinthians 9:1).

He had to be called and commissioned by the risen Lord directly (John 20:21; Acts 26:15-18), which also meant that he received the gospel from Christ Himself (Galatians 1:11-12).]

Some prophets, [Told the truth of the current spiritual reality of a people

some evangelists, [This office is an out reach by the church to the lost to share the GOOD NEWS -2 Tim 4:5 says for to do the work of an evangelist.

pastors and teachers -  refers to the oversight of the believers, and it involves teaching, preaching, caring, and exercising authority where needed. The elder also serves in the church as leader and teacher. Pastor is an under-shepherd.(Timothy and Titius cover pastor qualification.)  2

Peter 2:1-32 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 

James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Verse 12-16    We learn rightly – grow –so we can serve

We are Blessed to bless the Body of Christ.

Question received: Believers On Mission Trips In Rebellion? Is This Possible?

Question: Should believers in open rebellion against God go on mission trips?

Is this a paradox or contradiction?

Compare a paradox and a contradiction.

Many get these confused.

R.C. Sproul says “something that appears at first glance to be contradiction, but when explored further really is not. The Christian faith has many paradoxes, but no contradictions.”

A paradox can seem false but is true.

Example:  “All presidents of the the U.S.A have been Americans.

Not all Americans have been the president. “

A contradiction says something is one way and another way is wrong..

In logic there is a law of non-contradiction.

A believer in open rebellion is a contradiction according to Scripture.

Scripture repeatedly describes people in rebellion as evil and separated from  Him.

Psalm 95:8

“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

Proverbs 17:11

An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

What definition are you using for rebellion?

By showing grace and biblical discernment through the Holy Spirit, 

know is this person saved going on the mission trip?

If not how can they share the gospel on a mission trip?

It the mission trip includes physical work as ministry and no gospel witness then it is not a mission trip but a ministry.  

Is the person in “rebellion” because they need  to get closer to the lord or flaunting a sinful law-breaking lifestyle?

All Christians need improvement but need to “press towards the Mark.

Do not use Scripture to crush a person.

This person can be saved if they are lost.

This person may be an erring Christian and you can win your brother.

Work coming from humbleness tears and grace.

Self-righteousness can kill a church and the work of the Lord.

This would be a great sin.