My older brother spent his lifetime in a way in which many would consider unproductive. Unfortunately, as many talents that he had been gifted, he did not utilize any of them in a way that would benefit both himself and his family. Instead, my brother chose a lifetime of illegal drugs as a way to cope from various failures he experienced in his 20’s.
My brother absolutely did not believe in God or Jesus Christ. It was my heart’s desire that my brother accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior before he passed away. As my brother’s health continued to decline, it was even more important to me to have the opportunity to speak to him about accepting Jesus. His firm stance on the belief that there was no God had been standing in the way of my ever being able to talk with him beyond a sentence or two. A miracle would be needed at this point.
I had been praying for an opportunity to see my brother. More specifically, I had been praying that I would be able to stay in their home and use their vehicle while I was visiting, in order to reduce the travel costs. Normally, I have to spend the money for airfare, rental car and hotel. An opportunity presented itself which was an answer to prayer! My sister-in-law called me and explained that she wanted to fly out of town to visit one of her children and grandchildren, but couldn’t because she could not leave my brother alone. I wholeheartedly volunteered! My sister-in-law was surprised. You’d be willing to fly in and take care of him for 5 days? Absolutely! My sister-in-law was so thankful, she offered for me to stay in their home and drive her vehicle while she was out of town. An answer to prayer!
Let’s cut to the chase. I spent 5 days with my brother and every day was the same thing. He would sit on the couch with his headphones on watching TV – yes, all day – every day. He could barely get up from the couch and walk the 6 steps to the bathroom and oftentimes could not make it to the bathroom. My brother would literally eat, sleep and watch TV on the couch. He would only speak about whatever food I was giving him. When I tried to speak with him, he would lift up one side of his headphones from his ear and look at me, make a quick response like “yes” or “ok” and then put the side of the headphones back on his ear and stare straight towards the TV. I would give him breakfast, lunch, dinner and protein snacks, all of which he barely ate. There was no initiative to have a conversation with me and minimal words were spoken by him. The interaction between us was negligible – for 5 days.
The morning of my departure started out the same way by giving my brother the only thing he wanted in the morning – 2 hard boiled eggs. No response. No interaction. No movement. He’s still on the same couch.
I had a little more than one hour left before I had to leave for the airport. As I went upstairs to pack, my frustration level was very high. In fact, as I packed, I was – admittedly – venting to the Lord out loud about not being able to speak with my brother for the last 5 days. “How am I supposed to talk with him when he won’t respond? I can’t believe I’ve been here 5 days and he won’t respond.” Yes, I was venting and complaining to the Lord as I practically threw my clothes and articles into my suitcase.
As I carried my suitcase down the stairs, I realized that I had about an hour before I was supposed to leave. At the bottom of the staircase, I put down my suitcase and turned to the left to go into the kitchen. As I turned to the left, I was shocked – and I mean shocked – to find that my brother was sitting on a bar stool next to the back door!! Wait – what? He started to enthusiastically speak with me! “Thank you so much for coming! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming and staying with me. I’ve enjoyed all of your food. You are amazing. I so appreciate you being here. I can’t thank you enough!”
Who are you and what have you done with my brother? How did you get off of the couch, walk about 5 steps and then walk up 3 stairs, walk past the dining room table, walk past 2 barstools to the last barstool? I quickly looked at the couch and back to my brother. How? How? How did you do this? You have barely walked to the bathroom the past 5 days. You just spoke more words to me than you have the last 5 days!
There was a night and day difference with my brother. He was like his old self! What happened? I’m in shock! My jaw dropped as I tried to absorb what just happened. It’s like he had a completely new lease on life!
The words just came out of my mouth – “We need to talk!”. He fairly easily walked past the 2 bar stools, past the dining room table, down the 3 steps, and took another 5 steps to get back to the couch. I’m still in shock at the amazing transformation that happened – all while I was upstairs packing my suitcase.
I began to tell my brother the things that the Lord has done for me. God saved my townhouse when the townhouse 2 doors down blew up and the fire destroyed the house between us but stopped just before our house. The Lord saved me from two potentially fatal car accidents. The Lord brought me the vehicle I prayed for. The list goes on. I spent the next almost hour telling my brother about what God has done for me, as well as explaining that the only way for us to spend eternity together is for him to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We have a lot of catching up to do, and we can spend eternity catching up if you accept Jesus. After talking and talking, I finally asked my brother if he would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He responded, “I did in my heart”. I’LL TAKE IT! THANK YOU, JESUS! My brother has not lived his life to any kind of full potential, did drugs and did not believe in God. I’ll take this simple “yes” and praise God for it!
A week before he passed away, I went to visit him again. He was cognizant and could understand words, although it took him a bit to think about what you were saying. I told him, “remember you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior”. He responded, “yes”.
I called my sister-in-law the following Monday morning to check on my brother. She informed me that she had just come downstairs and realized that he had passed away. Although I knew this day was coming, it was still hard. Really hard.
The following Saturday, I was sitting my chair and talking to the Lord. “Tell my brother the story, Lord. Tell him the story. Tell him that You transformed and rejuvenated him that day – you got him off the couch, take 5 steps, walk up 3 stairs, walk past the dining room table, and walk past 2 bar stools to sit on the last bar stool the farthest away from where he was. Tell him how You strengthened him and transformed him. Tell him how You changed him so he was able to be himself and and talk to me. Tell him the story, Lord”.
I stopped talking to God and I paused to reflect on what He did to rejuvenate my brother that day. Just then, the Lord gave me a vision of my brother in heaven. He allowed me to see the back of my brother, who was on his knees and had his arms straight up. By the way, my brother lost his hair when he was in his early 20’s and in the vision, he had all his hair!
I had asking the Lord to tell my brother the story of what He did that day. When the Lord gave me the vision of my brother, He said, “I will tell him the story when he stops praising Me.” My brother was on his knees and had been praising the Lord since Monday – and this was Saturday! After the Lord showed me the vision of my brother in heaven, I felt the “sting” of his death leave me. I felt such a peace knowing that my brother is in heaven, and the Lord healed me of my hurt.
About 2 weeks later, the Holy Spirit gave me an update on my brother. “He has all of the love and acceptance here in heaven that he ever wanted on earth.”
I can’t thank God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for moving on my brother – for knowing what it would take for my brother to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior in order for him to be in heaven. He’s now enjoying life to the absolute fullest. And yes, one day, we will spend time catching up with each other.
For more information about how to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, check out our article at:
In this series of quick bible studies, we’re focusing on biblical examples of faith in action. In other words, we’re searching the scriptures to find examples of people who have stepped out in faith.
Philemon 1:22 [NKJV] says, “But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.”
Philemon is one chapter, and it’s a letter written by Paul to Philemon (“our beloved friend and fellow laborer”) as well as to Apphia, Archippus, and the church in their house.
I was reading the book of Philemon (which is only one chapter) and verse 22 just jumped off the page! Here’s Paul, who is asking Philemon and the others to prepare a guest room for him – even before he is sure that he is going. In other words, Paul is asking them to step out in faith and prepare the room, and pray for him to be granted by God to come see them.
Paul is instructing the readers of the letter to pray for God to allow Paul to come visit them. And, as a result of your prayers, prepare a room in anticipation of the prayers being answered. Faith in action!
It reminds us of what Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24 [NKJV]:
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
And these scriptures in 1 John 5:14-15 [NKJV]:
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
And, Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Here’s an expanded version of Philemon 1:22:
At the same time also prepare a guest room for me [in expectation of a visit], for I trust that through your prayers I will be [granted the gracious privilege of] coming to you [at Colossae].
The word “trust” in this phrase also means “hope”. Here are other verses that use the same word “trust” or “hope”:
Romans 8:25 (NKJV): But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We’ll continue our study of examples in the bible of people who have stepped out in faith in future posts!
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In my bible study reading this morning, Romans 8:32 particularly jumped off the page and caught my attention. God will give us all things! And then I wondered, what does the word “give” in this particular verse mean, and what other bible verses use the same word? I then found another Greek word for “give” and studied some of the scriptures that use this same word. Here’s a quick bible study about what I found!
The Greek word, “charizomai”, means:
To something agreeable or pleasant; to do a favor to; to gratify
To give graciously; give freely; bestow; grant
To grant forgiveness; to pardon
To graciously restore one to another
Bible verses that include this Greek word “charizomai”, meaning to give:
Romans 8:32 (AMP) He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 (NLT) Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Luke 7:21 (AMP) At that very hour Jesus healed many people of sicknesses and infirmities and evil spirits; and He gave [the gracious gift of] sight to many who were blind.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (AMP) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God.
2 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV) Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ
Philippians 2:9 (NLV) Because of this, God lifted Jesus high above everything else. He gave Him a name that is greater than any other name.
Matthew 7:7 (NKJV) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The Greek word, “didomi”, means:
To give something to someone
To bestow a gift
To grant, give to one asking, let have
To supply, furnish
To give over to one’s care, intrust, commit something to be administered
To give what is due or obligatory, to pay wages or a reward
To appoint to an office
To cause to come forth
To give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
To grant or permit; to commission
Some of the bible verses that use this Greek word, “didomi”, to give, include:
Matthew 7:7 (NKJV) [Jesus speaking] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Matthew 4:9 (NKJV) And he [satan] said to Him [Jesus], “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 7:11 (NLT) So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Matthew 10:7-8 (AMP) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 13:12 (NKJV) For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Matthew 16:19 (NKJV) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 25:29 (NKJV) For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
Matthew 26:26 (NLT) As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
Luke 6:38 (AMP) Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
Luke 9:1 (AMP) Now Jesus called together the twelve [disciples] and gave them [the right to exercise] power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.
Luke 9:16 (AMP) Then He [Jesus] took the five loaves and the two fish, and He looked up to heaven [and gave thanks] and blessed them, and broke them and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
Luke 10:19 (NKJV) [Jesus speaking] Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 12:32 (AMP) Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (AMP) “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Establishing intentional time for private praise of our Lord is critical to transformation in our lives as we get to know Him and experience His love. Praise restores our faith, fills us with joy, calms our fears, changes our perspective, and inspires us to love and obey God. Praise is the way of thanking God for everything He has done for us.
And, when we don’t understand what is going on in our life, praise is a way of saying to the Lord, “I trust in You regardless of my situation” or even “I trust You with my own disappointment in the turnout of this situation.” Basically, even when your situation is challenging or difficult, you are telling the Lord, through your praise, that “You are good and I trust you in this situation, and I am going to celebrate way ahead of any breakthrough I could have in my future as a result of this situation.”
Praising God was His idea in the first place! God invites us to praise Him, not just because praise gives God His due, but also because of what it does in us and for us. God is excited to have us come and spend time with Him. He longs for intimacy with us. Interested in a fresh awakening to the Holy Spirit’s voice and power? Praising Him is the perfect way to begin hearing His voice more clearly. Start by spending 20 minutes a day reviewing praise scriptures. You can also add praise music to your worship time. Are you ready to experience a more intimate relationship with the living God? Read and use these bible verses to help in your praise and worship time with the Lord!
Exodus 15:2 (NKJV) The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Deuteronomy 10:21 (NKJV) He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
2 Samuel 22:4 & Psalm 18:3 (NKJV) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
2 Samuel 22:47 (AMP) The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation.
1 Kings 8:22-23 (NLT) Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven,and he prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-11 (NKJV) 8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! 10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!
1 Chronicles 16:23-27 (NKJV) 23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 24 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 25 For the Lordis great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and gladness are in His place.
1 Chronicles 16:29 (AMP) Ascribe to the Lord the glory and honor due His name; Bring an offering [of thanksgiving], and come before Him; Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (AMP) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever.
1 Chronicles 29:9-13 (NKJV) Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered [money and precious stones] willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly. Therefore, David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NKJV) 13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
2 Chronicles 20:21 (AMP) When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in their holy (priestly) attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.”
[COMMENT: Isn’t it interesting that the people who praised the Lord went out before the army?]
Nehemiah 9:5-8 (NLT) Then the leaders of the Levites—called out to the people: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for he lives from everlasting to everlasting!” Then they prayed: “May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise! “You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you. You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham. When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.
Psalm 5:11-12 (NKJV) But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 7:17 (NKJV) I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2 (NKJV) I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 18:3 (NKJV) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 21:13 (NKJV) Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psalm 28:6 (NKJV) Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
Psalm 28:7 (NKJV) The Lordis my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 29:2 (NLT) Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Psalm 30:4 (NKJV) Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Psalm 30:12 (NKJV) To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 31:19 (NKJV) Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!
Psalm 33:1 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Psalm 34:1 (NKJV) I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 35:9 (NKJV) And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.
Psalm 35:27 (NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 35:28 (NKJV) And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Psalm 42:11 (NKJV) Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 44:8 (NKJV) In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever.
Psalm 47:1 (NKJV) Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
Psalm 47:6-8 (NKJV) Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
Psalm 48:1 (NKJV) Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.
Psalm 48:10 (NKJV) According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Psalm 50:23 (NKJV) Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Psalm 51:15 (NKJV) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Psalm 52:9 (AMP) I will thank You forever, because You have done it, [You have rescued me and kept me safe]. I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Psalm 54:6 (Amp) With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks and praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good.
Psalm 56:4 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:10 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), in the LORD (I will praise His word).
Psalm 57:5 (NIV) Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57:7 (NKJV) My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.
Psalms 57:9-11 (NCV) 9 Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing songs of praise about you to all the nations. 10 Your great love reaches to the skies, your truth to the clouds. 11 God, you are supreme above the skies. Let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 63:3 (NKJV) Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
Psalm 63:4-5 (NIV) 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 66:1-4 (NKJV) 1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. 3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. 4 All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah
Psalm 66:8 (NKJV) Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard
Psalm 67:5-7 (NKJV) 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
Psalm 68:3 (NKJV) But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
Psalm 68:19 (NKJV) Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah.
Psalm 69:30 (NKJV) I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:34 (NKJV) Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.
Psalm 70:4 (NKJV) Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”
Psalm 71:8 (NKJV) Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.
Psalm 71:14 (NKJV) But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 78:4 (AMP) We will not hide them [God’s Words] from their children, but [we will] tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, and [tell of] His great might and power and the wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 79:13 (NKJV) So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.
Psalm 86:4-5 (NKJV) Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86:10-12 (NKJV) For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.
Psalm 92:1 (NKJV) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
Psalm 95:1 (NKJV) Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Psalm 95:2 (NKJV) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalm 98:1 (NKJV) Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
Psalm 98:4 (NKJV) Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Psalm 99:5 (NKJV) Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool—He is holy.
Psalm 100:1-4 (NKJV) Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT) 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 105:1-5 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship The Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given.
Psalms 107:21-22 (NLT) Let them praise the lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.
Psalm 111:1-5 (NLT) 1 Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. 2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. 3 Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. 4 He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! 5 He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant.
Psalm 113:3 (NKJV) From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised.
Psalm 116:17 (NKJV) I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 119:171 (NKJV) My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 134:2 (NKJV) Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Psalm 138:1 (NKJV) I will praise You with my whole heart;
Psalm 145:1-3 (NKJV) I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145:6-7 (AMP) People will speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will tell of Your greatness. They will overflow [like a fountain] when they speak of Your great and abundant goodness And will sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
Psalm 145:9-12 (AMP) The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord, And Your godly ones will bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.
Psalm 145:21 (AMP) My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh will bless and gratefully praise His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 146:1-2 (NLT) 1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. 2 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 147:1 (NKJV) Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
Psalm 150:1-2 (NKJV) Let All Things Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Psalm 150:6 (NKJV) Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Isaiah 25:1 (NLT) O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) (A Hymn of Faith) 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Luke 1:46 (NIV) My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
Luke 19:37-38 (NKJV) Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV) But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 10:17 (NKJV) But “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV) Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Colossians 1:12 (NKJV) Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 2:7 (NKJV) Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT) 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV) Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Timothy 1:17 (NKJV) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:8 (AMP) Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Revelation 1:8 (AMP) “I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].”
Revelation 4:8 (AMP) “Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”
Revelation 4:11 (NLT) “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 15:3-4 (AMP) 3 And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and wonderful and awe-inspiring are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all]; Righteous and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! 4 “Who will not fear [reverently] and glorify Your name, O Lord [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You alone are holy; For all the nations shall come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts [Your just decrees and judgments] have been revealed and displayed.”
Revelation 19:1 (NKJV) After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
Revelation 19:5 (NKJV) Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
I was reading Psalm 92 and when I came to verse 2, “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening”, I wondered – what other scriptures discuss this same thought of seeking the Lord in the morning and/or the evening? As a result, this quick bible study is the search for scriptures that discuss morning and/or evening, specifically with regard to focusing on the Lord.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 NLT
And each morning and evening they [the Levites] stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him. 1 Chronicles 23:30 NLT
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NLT
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8 NLT
16 But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17 NLT
16 But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. 17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:16-17 NLT
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:2 NLT
1 O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help! 2 Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering. 3 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:1-3 NLT
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Psalm 143:8; 10 NLT
7 But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. 8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. 9 In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. Isaiah 26:7-9 NLT
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. Isaiah 50:4 NLT
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:22-25 NLT
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. Daniel 6:10-11 NLT
Our quick bible study is about the word “rooted”, which is the Green word “rhizoō”.
The Greek word “rhizoō” means:
to strengthen with roots
to render firm
to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded
There are two scriptures in the New Testament that use the word “rhizoō” (to be rooted, thoroughly grounded). While there are other words in the Bible that use the word “root”, we’re looking at the Greek word, “rooted”, that is only listed in the New Testament twice! We’ve offered three different bible versions for each.
Colossians 2:6-8
NKJV: 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
NIV: 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
AMP: 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], 7 having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.
Ephesians 3:14-21
NKJV: 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
NIV: 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
NLT: 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Comment: Note that there are other bible verses that speak about a “root” or “roots”, however these words are a different Greek word than the one discussed above! For example, the Greek word “rhiza” means “root”.
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Our quick bible study is about confidence, which is the Greek word “parrēsia”.
The Greek word “parrēsia” means:
1. freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
c) without the use of figures and comparison
2. free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
3. the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity
Strong’s Definitions:
all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:—bold, confidence, freely, openly, plainly
Here are some scriptures from the New Testament about confidence!
Hebrews 10:35 (AMP) 35 Do not fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. 36 For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.
Acts 28:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Ephesians 3:8-13 (NKJV) 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Hebrews 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (GW)
We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. 15 We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin. 16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.
1 John 2:28 (NKJV)
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
1 John 3:18-23 (NKJV) 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 15: 13-15 (GW) 13 I’ve written this to those who believe in the Son of God so that they will know that they have eternal life. 14 We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. 15 We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for.
I’ve been studying the bible about what the scriptures say about tithes (tithing to God). The word “tithe” means “tenth”, “tenth part”, or “payment of a tenth part”. In the following article, we’ve searched and compiled the bible verses relating to tithing, and these are divided into five sections:
(1) Old Testament scriptures about tithing that appear before God gave the law to Moses at Mount Sinai a few months after bringing the people out of Egypt; (2) Old Testament scriptures about tithing that are in the law given to the Israelites by Moses; (3) Old Testament – what God said about tithing after Moses introduced the law (4) New Testament scriptures – what Jesus said about tithing (5) New Testament scriptures – what the Lord said about tithing through the writers of the New Testament (6) Old Covenant versus New Covenant (7) Summary
We have also referenced scriptures about the old and new covenant, specifically regarding the law. The reason is for this is because some people have said that we are no longer under the law.
This is quite a lengthy article. If you’re interested in the bottom line – the summary – please scroll down to the bottom of this article!
(1) OLD TESTAMENT – BEFORE THE LAW WAS INTRODUCED
The subject of tithing starts right away with Adam and Eve’s children. So, the subject of tithing was practiced 430 years before the law of Moses.
Cain & Abel
Genesis 4:2-8 NLT Adam and Eve initially had two children, Abel and Cain. 2 When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift [offering, tribute, present] to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
[NOTE: The Hebrew word “minchah” means offering, gift, present, tribute. This is similar to the Greek word “prosphora”, which means offering, gift or present. Prosphora is used in Ephesians 5:2, which says “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”]
Genesis 4:7 (AMP) 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.”
[Comment: Who taught Adam and Eve’s children to give to the Lord the first part of what they’ve earned – their harvest? We often assume the first commands by God were given to Moses at Mt. Sinai, but this is evidently not the case, as God gave his commands, or at least some of them, to Adam and Eve and their children and it’s apparent from the narrative that Abel obeyed those commands, but Cain did not. God tells Cain that he can overcome this; all he has to do in the future is do what is right, and all will be well. But Cain does not repent, instead he allows his anger to fester and it results in him killing his brother, Abel.]
Exodus 23:19 (NLT) “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.
Now, there are scriptures in the New Testament that reference this situation. After all, what does it mean that Cain did not bring an acceptable sacrifice? Let’s take a look:
Hebrews 11:4 AMP – 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks. TLB – 4 It was by faith that Abel obeyed God and brought an offering that pleased God more than Cain’s offering did. God accepted Abel and proved it by accepting his gift; and though Abel is long dead, we can still learn lessons from him about trusting God.
[Comment: In Exodus 23:19 and 34:26, it says, “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.”]
[Comment: Abel gave the right kind of sacrifice, which was (1) he gave his sacrifice in faith, and (2) he gave the Lord the right kind of sacrifice – one in which he gave the best of what he had. One could say that it is a heart issue. Abel’s heart was in the right place, as he loved the Lord and therefore, gave the Lord the best of what he had as an offering.]
Abraham
Genesis 14:14-24 (NLT) 14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. 15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives. 17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” 22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
[Comment: Abraham recovered what was stolen. He recovered not only his nephew Lot and his family, he recovered all of Lot’s possessions – items that Lot already had before he was captured. Therefore, when Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of what he recovered – he was giving God a tenth of the possessions as a thank you gift to God for defeating Abraham’s enemies. Abraham only had 318 men with him, and God orchestrated the victory. Abraham gave a thank you gift to God.]
[Comment: Melchizedek is mentioned in other New Testament passages as referring to Jesus. See Hebrews 5:1-10, Hebrews 6:13-20, and Hebrews 7:1-28.]
[Comment: Abraham gave a tithe to God over 450 years before the law was given.]
Jacob
Genesis 28:10-22 (AMP) 10 Now Jacob [Abraham’s grandson] left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed overnight there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down there [to sleep]. 12 He dreamed that there was a ladder (stairway) placed on the earth, and the top of it reached [out of sight] toward heaven; and [he saw] the angels of God ascending and descending on it [going to and from heaven]. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above and around him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your [father’s] father and the God of Isaac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land [of promise] on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants shall be as [countless as] the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and the east and the north and the south; and all the families (nations) of the earth shall be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep [careful watch over you and guard] you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this [promised] land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said, “Without any doubt the Lord is in this place, and I did not realize it.” 17 So he was afraid and said, “How fearful and awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gateway to heaven.” 18 So Jacob got up early in the morning, and took the stone he had put under his head and he set it up as a pillar [that is, a monument to the vision in his dream], and he poured [olive] oil on the top of it [to consecrate it]. 19 He named that place Bethel (the house of God); the previous name of that city was Luz (Almond Tree). 20 Then Jacob made a vow (promise), saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if [He grants that] I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God. 22 This stone which I have set up as a pillar (monument, memorial) will be God’s house [a sacred place to me], and of everything that You give me I will give the tenth to You [as an offering to signify my gratitude and dependence on You].”
[Comment: Jacob gave a tithe to God approximately 300 years before the law was introduced by Moses.]
(2) OLD TESTAMENT – MOSES INTRODUCES THE LAW
Exodus 22:29 (NKJV) “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices.
Exodus 23:19 (NLT) “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.
Exodus 34:26 (NLT) “As you harvest your crops, bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord your God.
Leviticus 27:30 (NLT) One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.
Numbers 18:21 (NLT) As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel.
Numbers 18:26 (NLT) Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive—a tithe of the tithe—to the Lord as a sacred offering.
Numbers 18:28 (NLT) You must present one-tenth of the tithe received from the Israelites as a sacred offering to the Lord. This is the Lord’s sacred portion, and you must present it to Aaron the priest.
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (NLT) 22 “You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God. 24 “Now when the Lord your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the Lord your God has chosen. 26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want—cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. 27 And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you. 28 “At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.
Deuteronomy 26:12 (NLT) “Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns.
(3) OLD TESTAMENT – AFTER THE LAW WAS INTRODUCED
2 Chronicles 31:2-5 (NLT) 2 Hezekiah then organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the burnt offerings and peace offerings, and to worship and give thanks and praise to the Lord at the gates of the Temple. 4 In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites, so they could devote themselves fully to the Law of the Lord. 5 When the people of Israel heard these requirements, they responded generously by bringing the first share of their grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a large quantity—a tithe of all they produced. 6 The people who had moved to Judah from Israel, and the people of Judah themselves, brought in the tithes of their cattle, sheep, and goats and a tithe of the things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them up in great heaps. 7 They began piling them up in late spring, and the heaps continued to grow until early autumn. 8 When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, they thanked the Lord and his people Israel! 9 “Where did all this come from?” Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites. 10 And Azariah the high priest, from the family of Zadok, replied, “Since the people began bringing their gifts to the Lord’s Temple, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare. The Lord has blessed his people, and all this is left over.”
Nehemiah 10:37 (NLT) We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil. And we promise to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns.
Nehemiah 12:44 (NLT) On that day men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the offerings, the first part of the harvest, and the tithes. They were responsible to collect from the fields outside the towns the portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites. For all the people of Judah took joy in the priests and Levites and their work.
Proverbs 3:5-9 (NLT) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Malachi 3:8-12 (AMP) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld]. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, this whole nation! 10 Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “All nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight,” says the Lord of hosts.
[Comment: In ancient times special storehouses were established in the temple to receive the tithes of the harvest. If the people were not faithful, the priests could not continue to serve and perform their duties. In return for their faithfulness God promised protection for their harvest.
(4) NEW TESTAMENT – WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT TITHING?
I’ve heard and read that other people say that the new covenant does away with the law of the old covenant. So, I’ve also included some scriptures about what Jesus says about the law.
Matthew 5:17-19 NIV – [Jesus speaking] 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NLT – [Jesus speaking] 17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:23-24 NLT [Jesus speaking] 23 So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, 24 leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Matthew 15:1-20 NLT (See also Mark 7:1-13 NLT) [Jesus speaking] 1 Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? 4 For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 6 In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, 8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ ” 10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” 13 Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.” 16 “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
[Comment: Children who did not want to support parents used this tradition described in verse 5 and 6 as an excuse to evade the law. They would enter into a deal with a priest for a small percent to dedicate things to God which should go to parents. Then, they could claim them to be God’s and not their own. Thus they would be free from any obligation to parents.]
Matthew 22:15-22 NLT (see also Mark 12:13-17 NLT and Luke 20:20-26 NLT) 15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” 22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.
Matthew 23:23 NLT [Jesus speaking] 23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
[COMMENT: Some have taught that Jesus did away with the tithe since He did not specifically make it a part of His New Testament teaching. But in this instance, Jesus made reference to the scribes and Pharisees tithing and said that they were right in doing so.]
Luke 6:38 NLT [Jesus speaking] Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.
Luke 11:42 NLT [Jesus speaking] 42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Luke 16:10-13 AMP [Jesus speaking] 10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of earthly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? 12 And if you have not been faithful in the use of that [earthly wealth] which belongs to another [whether God or man, and of which you are a trustee], who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand devotedly by the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon [that is, your earthly possessions or anything else you trust in and rely on instead of God].”
Luke 16:16-17 AMP – [Jesus speaking] 16 “The Law and the [writings of the] Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it. 17 Yet it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the Law to fail and become void.” NLT – [Jesus speaking] 16 “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in. 17 But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.”
Luke 21:1-4 NLT (See also Mark 12:41-44 NLT; Luke 21:1-4 NLT) 1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
(5) NEW TESTAMENT – WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY ABOUT TITHING?
Romans 2:29 (NLT) 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Romans 3:30-31 (NLT) 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (NLT) 13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (NLT) 1 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.
2 Corinthians 9 (AMP) 1 Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem]; 2 for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond]. 3 Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be; 4 otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident. 5 That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift. 6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly [gives] will also reap sparingly [receives], and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. 7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. 8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9 As it is written and forever remains written, “He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!” 10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 12 For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God’s people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. 13 Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], 14 and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. 15 Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!
2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
Galatians 3:10-14 (AMP) 10 For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed (condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.” 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “The righteous (the just, the upright) shall live by faith.” 12 But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “He who practices them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [instead of faith].” 13 Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
Hebrews 7:1-28 (TLB) [Jesus has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Galatians 6:20)] 1 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. 4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. 8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him. 11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? 12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe. 15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. 23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.
[Comment: Read Hebrews chapters 6 through 10.]
(6) OLD COVENANT VERSUS NEW COVENANT
Habakkuk 2:4 (AMP) Look at the proud one, His soul is not right within him, But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God].
Romans 9:30-32 TLB – 30 Well then, what shall we say about these things? Just this, that God has given the Gentiles the opportunity to be acquitted by faith, even though they had not been really seeking God. 31 But the Jews, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping his laws, never succeeded. 32 Why not? Because they were trying to be saved by keeping the law and being good instead of by depending on faith. They have stumbled over the great stumbling stone. GW – 30 So what can we say? We can say that non-Jewish people who were not trying to gain God’s approval won his approval, an approval based on faith. 31 The people of Israel tried to gain God’s approval by obeying the laws in Moses’ Teachings, but they did not reach their goal. 32 Why? They didn’t rely on faith to gain God’s approval, but they relied on their own efforts. They stumbled over the rock that trips people.
Romans 1:17 NIV – For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” AMP – For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
Romans 3:21-22 NLT – 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. AMP – 21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son].
Romans 3:31 (AMP) 31 Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].
Romans 4:3 (AMP) For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed in (trusted, relied on) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living, right standing with God).”
Genesis 15:6 (AMP) Then Abram believed in (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right in regard to God and man).
Romans 4:13-25 (AMP) 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through [observing the requirements of] the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If those who are [followers] of the Law are [the true] heirs [of Abraham], then faith [leading to salvation] is of no effect and void, and the promise [of God] is nullified. 15 For the Law results in [God’s] wrath [against sin], but where there is no law, there is no violation [of it either]. 16 Therefore, [inheriting] the promise depends entirely on faith [that is, confident trust in the unseen God], in order that it may be given as an act of grace [His unmerited favor and mercy], so that the promise will be [legally] guaranteed to all the descendants [of Abraham]—not only for those [Jewish believers] who keep the Law, but also for those [Gentile believers] who share the faith of Abraham, who is the [spiritual] father of us all— 17(as it is written [in Scripture], “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the sight of Him in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “So [numberless] shall your descendants be.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. 22 Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). 23 Now not for his sake alone was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also—to whom righteousness will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead— 25 who was betrayed and crucified because of our sins, and was raised [from the dead] because of our justification [our acquittal—absolving us of all sin before God].
[Comment: Justification by faith was evidenced by Abraham in the Old Testament.]
Philippians 3:9 (GW) This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith.
Galatians 3:11 (AMP) Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “The righteous (the just, the upright) shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
Matthew 22:34-40 (AMP) 34 Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced (muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
John 1:16-17 (AMP) 16 For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. 17 For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Acts 13:38-39 (AMP) 38 So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; 39 and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses.
(7) SUMMARY
Some have taught that Jesus did away with the tithe since He did not specifically make it a part of His New Testament teaching. But Jesus made reference to the scribes and Pharisees about tithing and said that they were right in doing so. The New Covenant did not do away with the tithe, but it did clarify what the motives for tithing should be.
Some have taught that we are not under the law. When you read the scriptures about the law, it mostly discusses that the law points to our sin, and the fact that we are no longer justified by following the law, rather we receive our righteous standing before God because of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, and because of our faith in God. Keep in mind that before the law was given, Abraham believed and had faith in God and His promises, and therefore he was considered righteous.
Galatians 2:16 (AMP) yet we know that a man is not justified [and placed in right standing with God] by works of the Law, but [only] through faith in [God’s beloved Son,] Christ Jesus. And even we [as Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified [declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty].
Cain and Abel gave God gifts about 2,500 years before the law was introduced. Abraham tithed about 430 years before the law was given (Genesis 14:20). Jacob also tithed (Genesis 28:22) approximately 300 years before Moses introduced the law. Therefore, tithing was a Bible principle that didn’t begin or end with the law of Moses. However, the law of Moses did include tithing as a part of its commandments (Leviticus 27:30-32) with stiff penalties attached for failure to comply (Deuteronomy 28:15 and Malachi 3:8-9).
It was concerning these punishments for not tithing that the New Testament differed from the Old Testament. Malachi 3:8-9 says that if a man doesn’t tithe, he was robbed God and is cursed with a curse. Therefore, people gave out of the motivation of debt and obligation. Jesus redeemed us from this and all of the other curses of the law (Galatians 3:13-14) so that God will not curse us for not tithing.
However, the apostle Paul also made it very clear that any type of giving motivated by anything less than God’s kind of love was useless (1 Corinthians 13:3). Paul went on to explain in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that God wanted us to give, “not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver”. This type of giving that God loves is cheerful, freewill giving.
This does not mean that tithing is contrary to the New Testament. It was the fear of punishment motive that the Old Testament law attached to tithing that has been done away with. Giving and tithing are still very much a part of the New Testament doctrine, and if done with the New Testament, faith-based attitude, is acceptable to God.
Here’s the bottom line (summary). Yes, you should give to God. Yes, you should give to others. Yes, you should give when the Holy Spirit prompts you to give. However, it’s a matter of the heart. Are you giving grudgingly or with a happy heart that is thanking God for His provisions?
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Here are over 100 bible verses (scriptures) about healing to build our faith regarding God’s will for us to be healed:
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 6:3 (NLV) Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not stay in man forever, for he is flesh. But yet he will live for 120 years.”
Genesis 20:17 (MSG) Then Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech.
Exodus 15:25-26 (NLT) It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him.26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 23:25 (AMP) You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Exodus 15:25-26 (NLT) 26 It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him.26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
Deuteronomy 7:15 (AMP) And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you knew will He put upon you, but will lay them upon all who hate you.
Deuteronomy 11:9 (NLV) You will live long in the land the Lord promised to your fathers and their children, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Deuteronomy 11:21 (NLV) And your days and the days of your children will become many in the land the Lord promised to give to your fathers, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (AMP) IF YOU will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (AMP) I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live and may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Joshua 21:45 (GWT) Every single good promise that the LORD had given the nation of Israel came true.
1 Kings 8:56 (AMP) Blessed be the Lord, Who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised.Not one word has failed of all His good promise which He promised through Moses His servant.
1 Kings 13:6 (MSG) The king pleaded with the holy man, “Help me! Pray to your God for the healing of my arm.” The holy man prayed for him and the king’s arm was healed—as good as new!
2 Kings 5:10, 14 (MSG) 10 Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: “Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you’ll be as good as new.” 14 So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new.
2 Kings 20:1-7 (TLB) 1 Hezekiah [the King] now became deathly sick, and Isaiah the prophet went to visit him. “Set your affairs in order and prepare to die,” Isaiah told him. “The Lord says you won’t recover.”2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall.3 “O Lord,” he pleaded, “remember how I’ve always tried to obey you and to please you in everything I do. . . . ” Then he broke down and cried. 4 So before Isaiah had left the courtyard, the Lord spoke to him again.5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, and tell him that the Lord God of his ancestor David has heard his prayer and seen his tears. I will heal him, and three days from now he will be out of bed and at the Temple! 6 I will add fifteen years to his life and save him and this city from the king of Assyria. And it will all be done for the glory of my own name and for the sake of my servant David.”7 Isaiah then instructed Hezekiah to boil some dried figs and to make a paste of them and spread it on the boil. And he recovered!
2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (MSG) God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, “I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.
2 Chronicles 30:18-20 (MSG) 18-19 There were a lot of people, especially those from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, who did not eat the Passover meal because they had not prepared themselves adequately. Hezekiah prayed for these as follows: “May God who is all good, pardon and forgive everyone who sincerely desires God, the God of our ancestors. Even—especially!—these who do not meet the literal conditions stated for access to The Temple.”20 God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people.
Psalm 12:5 (MSG) Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: “I’ve had enough; I’m on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched.”
Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 30:2-3 (TLB) O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!
Psalm 41:1-3 (MSG) Dignify those who are down on their luck; you’ll feel good—that’s what God does. God looks after us all, makes us robust with life— Lucky to be in the land, we’re free from enemy worries. Whenever we’re sick and in bed, God becomes our nurse, nurses us back to health.
Psalm 89:34 (GWT) My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Psalm 91:1-3 (TLB) 1 We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.2 This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.3 For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. 4 He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.
Psalm 91:14-16 (TLB) 14 For the Lord says, “Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. 15 When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble and rescue him and honor him. 16 I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation.”
Psalm 103:1-5 (AMP) 1 Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; 3 Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.
Psalm 105:37 (KJV) He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
Psalm 107:1, 19-22 (NLT) 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 19 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,and he saved them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them,snatching them from the door of death.21 Let them praise the Lord for his great loveand for the wonderful things he has done for them.22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgivingand sing joyfully about his glorious acts.
Psalm 118:17 (AMP) I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.
Psalm 147:2-5 (MSG) God’s the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel’s scattered exiles. He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (GWT) Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.
Proverbs 3:5-12 (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.
Proverbs 4:10 (NLT) My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (AMP) My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. [The word of God will save your life.]
Proverbs 12:18 (MSG) Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.
Proverbs 15:4 (MSG) Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
Proverbs 16:24 (AMP) Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
Proverbs 17:22 (MSG) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
Proverbs 18:14 (MSG) A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?
Isaiah 19:22 (MSG) God will listen to their prayers and heal them, heal them from head to toe.
Isaiah 35:3-6 (AMP) 3 Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm. 4 Say to those with an anxious and panic-stricken heart, “Be strong, fear not! Indeed, your God will come with vengeance [for the ungodly]; The retribution of God will come, but He will save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 40:28-29 (NLV) 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. 29 He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength.
Isaiah 41:10, 13 (AMP) Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
Isaiah 43:25-26 (AMP) I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance [remind Me of your merits]; let us plead and argue together. Set forth your case, that you may be justified (proved right).
Isaiah 46:4 (NIV) Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 53:4-5 (AMP) Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
Isaiah 53:1-6 (NLT) 1 Who has believed our message?To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,like a root in dry ground.There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,nothing to attract us to him.3 He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.He was despised, and we did not care.4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;it was our sorrows that weighed him down.And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,a punishment for his own sins!5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,crushed for our sins.He was beaten so we could be whole.He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.We have left God’s paths to follow our own.Yet the Lord laid on himthe sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:5 (MSG) He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.
Isaiah 57:15-20 (MSG) A Message from the high and towering God, who lives in Eternity, whose name is Holy: “I live in the high and holy places, but also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed, And what I do is put new spirit in them, get them up and on their feet again. For I’m not going to haul people into court endlessly, I’m not going to be angry forever. Otherwise, people would lose heart. These souls I created would tire out and give up. I was angry, good and angry, because of Israel’s sins. I struck him hard and turned away in anger, while he kept at his stubborn, willful ways. When I looked again and saw what he was doing, I decided to heal him, lead him, and comfort him, creating a new language of praise for the mourners. Peace to the far-off, peace to the near-at-hand,” says God— “and yes, I will heal them.”
Isaiah 61:1-3 (MSG) The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.
Jeremiah 1:12 (AMP) Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Jeremiah 30:17 (AMP) For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no one seeks after and for whom no one cares!
Jeremiah 33:6-9 (MSG) “But now take another look. I’m going to give this city a thorough renovation, working a true healing inside and out. I’m going to show them life whole, life brimming with blessings. I’ll restore everything that was lost to Judah and Jerusalem. I’ll build everything back as good as new. I’ll scrub them clean from the dirt they’ve done against me. I’ll forgive everything they’ve done wrong, forgive all their rebellions. And Jerusalem will be a center of joy and praise and glory for all the countries on earth. They’ll get reports on all the good I’m doing for her. They’ll be in awe of the blessings I am pouring on her.
Ezekiel 33:22 (MSG) The evening before the survivor arrived, the hand of God had been on me and restored my speech. By the time he arrived in the morning I was able to speak. I could talk again.
Ezekiel 34:16 “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bandage the crippled, and strengthen the weak and the sick”
Joel 3:10 (AMP) Let the weak say, “I am strong!” [a warrior]
Nahum 1:7 (AMP) The Lord is good, a strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 (MSG) God is good,a hiding place in tough times.He recognizes and welcomesanyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble.
Nahum 1:9 (NKJV) What do you conspire against the Lord?He will make an utter end of it.Affliction will not rise up a second time.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save;He will rejoice over you with gladness,He will quiet you with His love,He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Malachi 4:2 (NKJV) But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings
NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew 4:23 (NLT) Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 4:24 (NLT) News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.
Matthew 8:2-3 (AMP) And behold, a leper came up to Him and, prostrating himself, worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me by curing me. And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed by being cured. And instantly his leprosy was cured and cleansed.
Matthew 8:5-10, 13 (NLT) 5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
Matthew 8:14-17 (NLT) 14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.15 But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.
Matthew 8:16-17 (NLT) 16 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.17 This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknessesand removed our diseases.” [Isaiah 53:4]
Matthew 9:19-22 (NLT) 20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe,21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Matthew 9:35 (NLT) Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 10:1 (NLT) Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 10:5,8 (NLT) 5 Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Matthew 12:15 (NLT) But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them.
Matthew 14:14 (NLT) Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:35 (NLT) 35 When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed.36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew 15:28 (NLT) 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Matthew 15:30 (NLT) A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.
Matthew 18:18-20 (AMP) Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. [Comment: You can take authority over the sickness in your body.Agree with someone for your healing.]
Matthew 21:21 (AMP) And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done.
Mark 5:25-34 (NLT) 25 A woman had been sick for twelve years with a flow of blood. 26 She had suffered much because of having many doctors. She had spent all the money she had. She had received no help, but became worse. 27 She heard about Jesus and went among the people who were following Him. She touched His coat. 28 For she said to herself, “If I can only touch His coat, I will be healed.” 29 At once the flow of blood stopped. She felt in her body that she was healed of her sickness.30 At the same time Jesus knew that power had gone from Him. He turned and said to the people following Him, “Who touched My coat?”31 His followers said to Him, “You see the many people pushing on every side. Why do You ask, ‘Who touched My coat?’” 32 He looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman was filled with fear when she knew what had happened to her. She came and got down before Jesus and told Him the truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your sickness.”
Mark 5:34 (AMP) Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”
Mark 6:1-6 (NLT) 1 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown.2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?”3 Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.4 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Mark 10:47-52 (TLB) 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was near, he began to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48 “Shut up!” some of the people yelled at him.But he only shouted the louder, again and again, “O Son of David, have mercy on me!”49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped there in the road and said, “Tell him to come here.”So they called the blind man. “You lucky fellow,” they said, “come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus yanked off his old coat and flung it aside, jumped up and came to Jesus.51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.“O Teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”52 And Jesus said to him, “All right, it’s done.Your faith has healed you.”And instantly the blind man could see and followed Jesus down the road!
Mark 11:22-23 (TLB) 22-23 In reply Jesus said to the disciples, “If you only have faith in God—this is the absolute truth—you can say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and have no doubt!24 Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it’s yours!25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too.”
Mark 11:24-26 (AMP) 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
Mark 16:17-18 (NLT) 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
Luke 5:12-13 (NLT) 12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
Luke 8:42-48 (NLT) As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds.43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure.44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed.48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:49-55 (NLT) 49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother.52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died.54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!”55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
Luke 9:1-2,6 (NLT) One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.2 Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.6 So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.
Luke 10:19 (AMP) Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Luke 17:11-19 (NLT) 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance,13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Luke 17:19 (AMP) Jesus said to him, “Get up and go [on your way]. Your faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God’s power] has restored you to health.”
Luke 18:35-43 (NLT) 35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”39 “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him,41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
John 9:31 (AMP) We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and a worshiper of Him and does His will, He listens to him.
John 10:10 (AMP) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
[Comment:The word “life” in this verse is the Greek word “zoe”, which means “life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed” and “the state of one who is possessed of vitality”.]
John 14:12-14 (NLT) 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 15:7 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 16:23-24 (NKJV) 23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Acts 3:6-9, 16 (NLT) 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.16 [Peter said,] “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”
Acts 4:5-12 (NLT) 5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem.6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest.7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people,9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed?10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejectedhas now become the cornerstone.’12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 14:8-10 (NLT) 8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.
Acts 28:7-10 (NLT) 7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him.9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed.10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
Romans 4:19-21 (AMP) He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.
Romans 8:10-11 (AMP) 10 If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
Romans 10:8-10 (NLT) 8 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand;it is on your lips and in your heart.”And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
[Comment:The word “saved” is the Greek word “sozo”, which means saved, healed, delivered, preserved, & in health!]
Romans 8:11 (AMP) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP) For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLV) Jesus says yes to all of God’s many promises. It is through Jesus that we say, “Let it be so,” when we give thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (MSG) Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (AMP) For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NLV) 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God.
[Comment: Cast down those thoughts and imaginations that don’t line up with the Word of God.]
Galatians 3:13-14 (MSG) Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham’s blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received it.
Ephesians 6:10-17 (AMP) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
Philippians 1:6 (AMP) And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 2:13 (AMP) [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. [Comment:God’s will — healing– is working in you. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.]
Philippians 4:6-8 (AMP) Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. [Comment:Fear is not of God. Rebuke it! For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.]
Hebrews 10:23, 25 (AMP) So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgment of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:35 (NLT) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! (MSG) But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely [earnestly; diligently] seek him.
Hebrews 11:11 (AMP) Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word.
Hebrews 13:8 (AMP) Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). [Comment:Jesus Christ has never changed. What He did in the Bible, He will do for you today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.]
James 1:2-7 (NIV) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
James 3:17 (AMP) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
James 4:7-8 (AMP) So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
James 5:14-15 (AMP) Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) 6 So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 2:24 (AMP) He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 5:7-9 (AMP) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
1 John 3:21-22 (NLT) Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
3 John 1:2 (AMP) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. Revelation 12:11 (AMP) And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
NOTES from a Pastor, Thurman Scrivner: God’s Word really does work, but guess who’s going to make it work for you? YOU!–if you walk in obedience to His Word and if you take these promises and do what He says. How do you release your faith? You speak it. What’s in a man’s heart comes out where?–his mouth (Matt. 12:34). That’s why God tells us to hide His Word in our heart. What you see (in the natural) with your eyes is not reality. God’s Word is reality. This Book cannot fail you unless you doubt! Until it becomes a reality to you, you cannot receive something by faith that you don’t believe is yours.
A prayer Thurman prayed when he was in great need of a healing: “Life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), so one more time, Lord, I confess that You’re my healer, You’re my deliverer, You’re my Lord and my God. I John 4:4 says that greater is the Holy Spirit in me than the devil who’s here trying to make me sick, so I tell you, Satan, in the name of Jesus, to get out! I’m going to get up and go to work, and I’m going to have a blessed day today!”
Why is it so many Christians don’t produce any fruit? Where is fruit produced on the vine?–On the branches. Who are the branches?–We are. (John 15:2 says, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”)
Recommended reading: Healed of Cancer, by Dodie Osteen
A Powerful Testimony: Thurman Scrivner speaks about an amazing healing for his granddaughter’s healing. His granddaughter, Katlynn, was in a severe car accident. The doctors said that there were too many things wrong with her and were emphatic that she would not live. Thurman Scrivner selected healing scriptures from God’s Word and declared them over her granddaughter for months. She is now completely healed and lives an active life. Thurman Scrivner discussed this miracle on the Sid Roth TV show. Click here to listen to his testimony.
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I wasn’t quite awake – you know that state when a thought comes to mind but you’re not awake yet? It was a thought that would definitely wake me up.
“Why are you afraid of opening the mail?
Why don’t you have an attitude of expectancy and hope?”
In my sleepy state the question rolled around in my head. I could see the box of mail that was by the front door in my head.
I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. It was definitely louder than the usual still small voice of the Lord. “Why don’t you have an attitude of expectancy and hope?”
The box of mail. I was experiencing financial challenges and didn’t want to face them. But I now felt as though my identity had, indeed, been stolen – only not through a perpetrator or thief, but by my own doing. I didn’t want to open the mail, as I didn’t want to be reminded of my financial situation.
But in the midst of our circumstances, we need to remember that God is indeed the restorer of all things. Just as you’re feeling down and out, depressed, discouraged or disillusioned, God can turn things around and restore you to not only what you had before, but better than you ever expected.
Think of Job’s story in the Bible. He had everything he owned taken away, including all his livestock and his home. Then, all seven of his children died. When he heard this news, all of which happened at the same time, Job stood up, tore his robe in grief and fell to the ground to worship God. It says in Job 1:22, “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”
After Job’s possessions and his family were gone, then his health was compromised with terrible boils from his head to his feet. His wife encouraged him to curse God, but Job refused. Job 2:10 says, “But Job replied, ‘You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.”
Three friends came to visit Job, but Job didn’t speak for the first seven days and seven nights. His friends then tried to rationalize with him. Job never cursed God throughout his situation. The book of Job continues to outline the discussions between Job and his three friends. And, in the end, God showed up – and in a big way. God appeared in a whirlwind and spoke with Job directly. After a lengthy discussion with Job, God told Job that He was disappointed that Job’s friends had not spoken accurately about Him, and instructed Job to pray for his friends.
Job 42:10 “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!”
Job 42:12-13 “So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters.”
Job 42:16-17 “Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.”
Back to my situation. Why was I having financial challenges? Where was God in the midst of all of my circumstances? I was quoting God’s Word – why wasn’t it working? Why weren’t God’s promises to me manifesting themselves? And here’s the answer.Pride and disobedience.
I didn’t hear God’s voice during my financial difficulties, because I really wasn’t reading His Word or trying to have a close relationship with Him.My fearful attitude and more importantly, my constant negative words, opened the door to the enemy.Being disobedient, having a wrong attitude and verbalizing negative feelings (which basically mean you are prophesying negative events to come to pass in your life) opens the doors to allow Satan in your life.After all, Satan came to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).And steal and destroy he did.And, I allowed him to kill my spirit.
My fear, shame and constant concern over the status of my situation was, for lack of a better term, my idol. My idol, you may ask? Yes. You see, anything or anyone that you put before or above God is an idol. God should come first in your life.
Let me assure you that God was not absent during this process.Remember the verse that says that He will never leave us nor forsake us.God is never the problem.I was the problem.God’s Word is full of promises, and if we believe them, we should take the time to meditate on His Word in order to get them deep into our heart. If you’re not giving Him any time, how will you know what to do?How can you receive further instructions?
Let’s set the record straight.Yes, God’s Word does promise prosperity.Was my church wrong in teaching me about the importance of quoting and believing God’s Word?Absolutely not.What I failed to realize was that my pride and choices to put other things above God nullified the fulfillment of His promise of prosperity in my life.
Proverbs 29:23 tells us that a man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. I was indeed brought low.But the good news is that God can, will, and continue to pick me up and put me back on the right track.
I asked God what I should do differently in my life to get back on track with Him.What do I need to do, Lord, to see the fulfillment of Your promises in my life? God explained to me what I can do to realize His promises.
God taught me that here are 3 weapons, so to speak, that we can use to combat the enemy – 3 weapons to handle any type of spiritual warfare. First, standing on God’s promises (God’s Word) is a weapon. Second, praise – or praising God for what He has done, is doing, and will do, is a weapon. Lastly, prayer – praying to God and asking Him is a weapon.
No matter what happens to you during your life, be confident that He can turn your life around for the good.He can take anything you have messed up and work through it.He is the ultimate provider, the ultimate healer, the ultimate friend, the ultimate Father and the ultimate Savior.Glory to God!
Hope and expectation?You bet. No matter what has happened, focus your attention on hoping in God and expecting His best.And, if it doesn’t seem to be going the way you think, ask God.Ask God.Ask God.Ask Him what is preventing the fulfillment of His promises in your life.Ask Him what needs to change or what you need to do differently.Remember – it’s a relationship with God, not a religion.God is real and He will direct your path, if you ask Him. [Proverbs 3:6]If you do your part – seeking God – He’ll do His part – directing your path. Concerned that you’re not hearing His voice? Find a comfy chair and get quiet. Read His Word and ask Him to speak to you. Listen for His still, small voice. And, whatever He tells you, be rest assured it will always line up with the Word of God.
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
FAITH IN GOD DAILY 
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