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hesitation

Matthew 28:17 "And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted." This week marks the completion of our study of the acrostic GRACED : G o to God in prayer daily. R ead God’s Word daily. A ttend worship regularly. C onnect in a study group. E ngage in service. D edicate yourself to the tithe and beyond. This acrostic was not created to be another Ten Commandments. It is not a legal system for you to break, nor is it a measuring tape that shows you where you fall short. Don’t read it and say, “I have to do more.” We cannot do enough; there is always more we can do. But God has already done everything for us, from creation, to the Ten Commandments, to the Holy Bible, to the Holy Ghost, to our Lord and Savior giving us the opportunity for eternal life in heaven. The GRACED acrostic is simply a pattern for us to follow as we grow in how we follow Jesus. We are wrapping up the GRACED acrostic with the Great Commission. In these last verses of Matthew’s Gospel, we read ...
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mountain top experience

Matthew 28:16 "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them." We are studying the acrostic GRACED : G o to God in prayer daily. R ead God’s Word daily. A ttend worship regularly. C onnect in a study group. E ngage in service. D edicate yourself to the tithe and beyond. Last week we focused on “ D edicate yourself to the tithe and beyond.” While we often think of this as a money issue, it’s really a heart and mind issue. Whatever an individual values most, whether earthly wealth or heavenly principles, will inevitably become the center of their affections and priorities (i.e., how they spend their money and time). Jesus wants His followers to seek His kingdom rather than worrying about food, drink, or clothing (Luke 12:31). He also wants us to overcome our fears. We cannot earn provision through worry. What we receive is a gift from our loving Father who already knows our needs. God wants what is best for us, and that is a re...
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God's generosity

Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Today’s verse establishes an inseparable link between a person’s financial resources and that person’s emotional and spiritual focus. Whatever an individual values most, whether earthly wealth or heavenly principles, will inevitably become the center of their affections and priorities (i.e., how they spend their money and time). In the context of the preceding parable of the rich fool and the command to “sell your possessions and give to the needy” (Luke 12:33), this verse warns that storing up earthly treasures leads to anxiety and a heart chained to what decays. Conversely, investing in “a treasure in heaven that does not fail” anchors the heart in God’s provision, fostering generosity and freedom from the fear of lack. Ultimately, the verse teaches that actions reveal priorities; by examining where you spend your money and time, you can discern the true condition of your heart. Jesus wants His follower...
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treasure in heaven

Luke 12:33 "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Jesus tells us to sell our possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, emphasizing the priority of heavenly treasure over earthly wealth. This verse instructs followers to provide “bags which wax not old,” symbolizing spiritual investments that are secure from theft, decay, and loss, unlike material assets. Key Interpretations Heavenly Security : The “treasure in the heavens” represents eternal rewards and spiritual riches that cannot be corrupted by moth or stolen by thieves. This contrasts the fragility of earthly wealth with the permanence of divine provision. (Note: the parallel teaching in Matthew 6:19–20 also mentions rust; Luke focuses on moth and thieves.) Generosity and Trust : The command calls for radical generosity and detachment from materialism, urging believers to trust God ...
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heart issue

Luke 12:31&32 "31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." We were reading from the prophet Malachi, who wrote on behalf of God. These are great verses in which God calls His people to restored fellowship. In these unique verses, God explicitly invites His people to “prove Me now herewith,” challenging their faith by promising that if they obey, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out such abundant blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. This is a key verse supporting the concept of tithing (giving 10%) to the local church. Some people are uncomfortable talking about tithing and will bring up that everything belongs to God, as if that makes better sense. This does connect to the larger point we see throughout the Holy Scriptures: it is about our hearts and minds. Today’s verses from the Gospel of Luke bring u...
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10%

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." These words were written thousands of years ago by the prophet Malachi on behalf of God. In the surrounding verses we see the unchanging nature of God. He was also candid about the people’s slow, generational erosion of covenant obedience, to the point that they had abandoned the entire framework of divine instruction. Still, God calls His people to restored fellowship. The people’s response is not sincere. Their tone is one of blatant indifference. They are outwardly religious: they show up, they sacrifice, they observe the calendar, yet their hearts have drifted so far that they cannot perceive their distance. God also charges them with breaking their covenant obligations by withholding what was owed: t...
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robbing God

Malachi 3:8&9 "8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation." We are studying “Dedicate yourself to the tithe and beyond.” We can get touchy about our wealth, or lack thereof, even though these words were written thousands of years ago by the prophet Malachi. So far, we have read about the unchanging nature of God. While God’s chosen people have not been loyal, He has remained faithful to His covenant. God is also candid about their slow, generational erosion of covenant obedience, to the point that they have abandoned the entire framework of divine instruction. Still, God offers the invitation: “Return to Me, and I will return to you.” He asks His people for restored fellowship. In the record from Malachi, the people’s response is not sincere. Their tone is one of blatant indifference. They consider themselves already in right stan...
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