​You’ve probably heard someone say at some point that God calls us to give tithes and offerings. They are often coupled together in our vernacular, but in scripture, they are unique—each serving a particular purpose.

Tithes are our regular, planned, proportional, and responsive giving, echoing back to God a portion of what He gives us. This kind of giving is a regular act of worship. Offerings are above and beyond our tithes. This is sacrificial giving or a particular purpose.

Watch our study from 2 Corinthians 8:1-12 as we consider the difference between these two ways of worshiping the Lord through our giving.

​We often think that reforming someone’s life or behavior is a worthy goal. After all, getting someone’s life clean and in order would be helpful, wouldn’t it? We may endeavor to clean up their act and get their house in order, but if nothing inhabits that house, old sins come flooding back with a vengeance.

Imagine this scenario: the worst person with the worst sinful behavior who is inhabited by the worst demons is delivered. The demons are cast out, their behavior changes, and they reform their ways. But Jesus tells us that without something (or Someone) else inhabiting their heart, all that’s been accomplished is cleaning up the house to invite even more demons, more sin, and more problems.

This is why it’s so important to make a distinction between reformation and regeneration. You may have heard it said that Jesus did not come to make bad men good. He came to give dead men life. You must be born again so that your heart may be inhabited by the Holy Spirit so that God may make His home there (see John 14:23 and Ephesians 3:14-17).

This won’t happen after getting your life in order. This only happens the moment you surrender your life and heart to God, inviting Him in to rule and reign. Only then will the Strongest Man make His home in your heart.

​Holding to cultural superstitions instead of Scripture can lead to some wacky conclusions. That’s why it’s always important to examine a belief to see if it’s following cultural norms or if it’s based in Scripture. When a cultural belief clashes with what the Bible says, it needs to be set aside.

Just as in Christian culture today, some in the Jewish culture during Jesus’ time held certain beliefs about what the devil could do that may not have been rooted in Scripture. So Jesus carefully provided some Scriptural teaching to address these ideas. Consider His wisdom as we look at our study of Luke 11:14-26 from this past Sunday.

​God the Father gives His testimony concerning God the Son through God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes alongside us, convicting us of sin and convincing us of who Jesus truly is. Eternal life is found in Him and Him alone (see 1 John 5:11-12)

You either believe that testimony, or you don’t. The Pharisees didn’t—they rejected Jesus and plotted to destroy Him. They even accused Him of conspiring with the devil.

Will you receive the witness of Jesus as He reaches out to us by His Spirit gently and persistently? Or will you reject His testimony? If you reject this testimony, you’re accusing the Holy Spirit of being a liar, and He will only endure that insult for a finite amount of time.

This decision is the most consequential decision that anyone could ever make. This is no indecision—there is no neutral decision. And there is no assurance of more time to make this decision. That’s why now is the day of salvation, not tomorrow (see 2 Corinthians 6:2). Receive, believe, and live!

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)

​Jesus is a gentle man. He calls out to us because He loves us. He corrects us gently and comes alongside us, asking for permission to take His rightful place upon the throne of our hearts.

But Jesus doesn’t do this forcefully. He knocks at the door of our heart, but He will never pound and demand entry. He patiently convicts and convinces until a decision is made—either an invitation to enter, or a dismissal of His offer. And like a gentleman, when the knocks go unanswered, He will eventually stop knocking.

This past Sunday, we examined the evangelistic ministry of Jesus through His Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Watch our study of Matthew 12:15-32 as we considered the testimony of God.

​The religious rulers of Jesus’ day had deeply held cultural convictions that stood in stark contradiction to God’s Word. They had more loyalty to their traditions than to the truth. So much so that they were willing to let real harm come to another and stoke a desire to destroy the One who wanted to help. These rulers thought they saw clearer than anyone—even Jesus. But they were blinded by their man-made religion.

But Jesus saw, and didn’t just agree to disagree. He asked thought-provoking questions to help them see if their beliefs could withstand scrutiny and be defended with logic. If not grounded in truth, would they have the courage to forsake man-made traditions?

Like Jesus, we can lovingly question deeply held man-made beliefs, traditions, and cultural convictions—holding them up to the scrutiny of God’s Holy Word with those around us to help them truly see the truth.

​After countless confrontations, the religious rulers relentlessly questioned Jesus about His violation of traditions. Sensing their intent, Jesus challenged them about their disregard for God’s commandment in favor of their own customs.

This question should have initiated a respectful discussion. Lacking reason, logic, and intellectual integrity, these religious rulers clung to tradition—even when it defied truth. Driven by irrational hatred and senseless malice, they focused solely on destroying Jesus.

Watch our study of Matthew 12:1-14 as we carefully considerJesus’ response when He was challenged about the man-made traditions of religion.

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”
–Jeremiah 29:13

The Lord is near. He is not far from us (Acts 17:27), but He must be found. There’s a difference between knowing someone is around and knowing their exact location.

Jesus isn’t hiding when times are difficult, but He is drawing us in to deeper fellowship with Him. We must seek Him so we can find Him.

What does that look like? Where do we get to know Him?

Prayer and Bible reading. It’s really that simple.

Talk to Jesus and read your Bible. Pour out your heart to Him—tell Him your hopes and fears and concerns and burdens and joys and sorrows. Ask Him to answer your questions…and then read His answers in Scripture—not just to obtain information or attain spiritual status, but so that you can know Him.

In times of uncertainty, we can run to Jesus for safety and security. He is our refuge and strength. He is ready to help when we need Him.

But how? How do we find a strong and safe shelter in Jesus in the midst of the storms of life? How is Jesus our refuge and strength? How is He helpful in our times of trouble?

These are good questions for us to ask—and to keep asking until we find the answers. Watch our study from this past Sunday as we sought answers in Psalm 46.