Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it" (Haggai 1:6).

   Some people put their money into a bag with holes. They do not give God his tithe, but eventually they spend the money for automobile repairs and medical bills, or something else. They may have avoided this if they had been faithful to God in their giving. God said the whole nation of Israel was cursed because they had not given God what was due to him. BLESSINGS OR CURSINGS? We get to decide, choose wisely!

   God blesses the people who pay tithes and offerings. They do not always have the most money or the

best clothes, but they are blessed. God's richest blessings are not necessarily monetary. God takes

notice of our giving. He noticed when the widow put money into the treasury at the Temple. He noticed

what Cornelius was giving. He noticed what Israel was not giving. He knows what we give and He notices

when we give. God want us to be consistent givers and prove Him and see if He will not give us His

blessings. Paying tithes will not save a person, everyone must be born again to be saved. You cannot buy

your way into heaven. Paying tithes will reap a blessing. Genuine Christians will not only pay tithes, but they willingly pay tithes.

   Everything we have belongs to God. We are stewards of His goods. There were three attitudes in the parable of the "Good Samaritan." The priest and the Levite had the attitude, "What's mine is mine and I'm going to keep it!" The thieves had the attitude, "What's your is mine, and I'm going to get it!" The Samaritan had the attitude, "What's mine is yours, and you can have it." There is another attitude that should permeate our thinking, even above the commendable attitude of the good Samaritan. That is, "Everything we have belongs to God and we are stewards of his goods. God owns the entire world and its substance. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof (Ps. 24:1).

   Behold, all souls are mine (Ezekiel 18:4). The silver is mine, and the gold is mine (Haggai 2:8). It is God who gives us the power to obtain wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Why should we begrudge God the ten percent, when actually everything belong to Him? If it were not for Him, there would be no land, no seed, no strength, no income, and no life. GIVE GOD HIS DUE!

   The prophet Amos date and background places the prophet in the middle of the eighty century B.C., contemporary with Uzziah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. Uzziah, king of Judah, reigned about fifty years. He defeated the enemies of Judah and strengthened the walls of Jerusalem. The country was prosperous under his leadership, and for a time the influence of Amos was spiritually constructive.

   But Uzziah was probably under the influence of Jeroboam, king of Israel. Jeroboam's reign of approximately forty years was extremely successful, and his influence eclipsed that of Uzziah. In his religious leadership, Jeroboam deliberately encouraged the practices of fertility cults. He did not exclude the worship of Jehovah, but paganized it by adding cultic pillars, images, and teraphim. The social life of the nation was chacterized by adultery, robbery, and murder. The luxury of the wealth was built upon injustice and oppression of the poor.

   Amos was a native of Tekoa, in the desert of Judah, twelve miles south of Jerusalem. He was a shepherd, who supplemented his income by taking care of "sycomore" (wild fig) trees. The call of God came to him while he was following the flock. His claim that the Lord called him directly puts him in line with all the prophets who experienced a direct revelation from God. Although a native of Judah, Amos prophesied in the Northern Kingdom and aroused such antagonism that he returned to Judah, where he committed his message to writing.

   The writing of Amos shows he had a deep knowledge of history and of the problems of his day. His language, rich in figures and symbols, stands with the finest literary style in the Old Testament. This sounds like what is happening in our day and time! HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF.

   Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth Numbers 12:3.

    Moses was a very humble man and God spoke with him face to face. Meekness does not mean

weakness, it means you have harnessed strength. Your strength is under subjection. And it came to pass

in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens:

and he spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way,

and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he

went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did

the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? Wrong is wrong, no matter who it is that wrong has been

done to. We are not to have a respect of person mentality. If we do not correct ourselves, we will not

inherit the promised land. Moses had a spirit of anger and frustration that he did not properly deal with,

thus, keeping him from entering the land of milk and honey. God is a just God and he will not allow any

act of disobedience go unnoticed and dealt with. Even to his closet and faithful servants, God calls us all

to accountability. He will not bend his word for anyone. The reason Moses was not allowed to go into

the promised land was because he was told by God to speak unto the rock so that water would come

out and give the people and animals water. Mose in his anger and frustration struck the rock twice. And

the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the

children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them Numbers 20:12. TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE! CORRECT YOUSELF BEFORE YOU SHIPWRECK YOURSELF!

   1. Individuals             the pastors                Revelation chapters 2 and 3

   2. Israel the Nation     the Jewish people      Revelation chapters 7 and 12

   3. Gentile Nations       the Judgments           Revelation chapters 8, 9, 15, 16

   4. The Church            the seven churches     Revelation chapters 2 and 3

   The Apocalypse ( Book of Revelation) reveals God's blessings/judgments for the Church, Israel, and Gentile nations.

   Then the Lord said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. "Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.' (Exodus 20:22-26 NIV)

    God has given specific instructions on how to make an altar unto him. The place that he will cause his name to be honored. There is to be no other gods alongside His altar. No man-made method or work is acceptable, less your nakedness be exposed. Our works are tried by God, whether they are good or not. He knows the very intentions of the heart, nothing escapes him. If we want the blessings of God we MUST follow the blueprint- the Bible.

   The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord Isaiah 11:2 NIV.

   There are seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit:

    1. Spirit of the Lord

    2. Spirit of wisdom

    3. Spirit of understanding

    4. Spirit of counsel

    5. Spirit of might

    6. Spirit of knowledge

    7. Spirit of the fear of the Lord

   The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorities; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore he would to your fathers- to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- and to their descendants after them." (Deuteronomy 1:6-8 NIV)

   The Israelites were commanded by God through Moses to go up and take possession of their inheritance. God told them to not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Then all of them came to Moses and said, "Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to." Even Moses said the idea was good to him. So he selected twelve men, one from each tribe to go to the Valley of Eschcol to explore it. They took some fruit of the land back to camp and reported, "It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us. But ten also said, "The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there." The Israelites did not trust God to bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey. They had been under the direction of God by way of a pillow of fire and a cloud leading them. They did not believe God would go before them and fight for them. Some people have to see to believe. The word of God says, "Blessed are they who do not see, yet believe." Only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to go in, not even Moses were allowed to enter, because he got angry and did not sanctify God before the people. The children who did not know good from bad went into the promised land. God will not tolerate ANY rebellion against him. Everyone will not be able to go into their promised land, if we do not forsake all of our sins and unbelief. We must conquer and remove every weight and sin. We must have a pure heart in order to see God and unfeigned faith. We must not let anyone discourage us. Keep guard of our eye gate, ear gate, mind and heart. Don't let nothing come between you and your destiny. OBEY GOD! KNOW THOSE AMONGST YOU! DISCERN!

   The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:23b-25 NIV)

   The Lord is not slack concerning his promises. He has heard your cry and he will answer you. He will not let you suffer above measure. Keep believing and expecting the Hand of God to move with favor toward you. Lean not to your own understanding. His thoughts are higher than ours, he sees the bigger picture, trust his wisdom. FOR HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT YOU!

   The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever Psalm 23:1-6 NIV.

   The 23rd Psalm is perhaps the most quoted Psalm in the Bible. King David, himself a former shepherd, begins this Psalm with, "The Lord is my shepherd," immediately putting himself as a sheep in the care of Jesus Christ.

   The Lord is my Shepherd. That's Relationship!

    I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. That's Rest!

    He leadeth me beside the still waters. That's Refreshment!

    He restoreth my soul, That's Healing!

    He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. That's Guidance!

    For His name sake, That's Purpose!

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, That's Testing!

    I will fear no evil. That's Protection!

    For thou art with me, That's Faithfulness!

    Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, That's Discipline!

    Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. That's Hope!

    Thou anointest my head with oil, That's Consecration!

    My cup runneth over. That's Abundance!

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That's Blessings!

    And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. That's Security!

    Forever! That's Eternity!

    JESUS PLUS NOTHING = EVERYTHING!

   About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

   The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God- he and his whole family.

   When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left  Acts 16:25-40 NIV.

   God used an earthquake to shake things up. When Jesus was on the cross, there was an earthquake. The Father will use everything at his disposal as he wills. When we are in a fiery trial, just know the Lord will bring you out. Stay calm! Never loose your praise! The trials we go through is not for us alone, it will cause others to believe in God and to be encouraged.  The Father will give you an open door, go through it before it closes. He will give you the exact words to say when you need to say them and to whom you need to say them to. Do not fear, for greater is he that is in you. Paul's claim were, they were Roman citizens and were treated without just cause. We can claim our heavenly citizenship and that all of heaven backs us! We have the whole counsel of God at our disposal the Bible. We have prayer, praise, other witnessess who have gone before us, worship, the Holy Spirit and fasting. We have the power of Almight God to declare his works and words with power. USE IT!

   Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune telling. This girl followed paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "in the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her Acts 16:16-18 NIV.

   We cannot tolerate an evil spirit to remain in our midst operating in a person. Paul had to rebuke the evil spirit speaking through this slave girl. The spirit knew who Paul was and what his mission was, we don't allow an evil spirit to speak, even if they are telling the truth to deceive later. This evil spirit caused the slave girl to make much money for her master. When one works for Satan, they are a slave to him, and whatever false wealth you think you have, it is not really yours but your master, Satan. We have to say what Paul said, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her." Even Paul tolerated this spirit longer than he should have done. It will cause vexation to us if we prolong to cast the evil spirit out!

   Question: Are you willing to pay the price, I mean fully renouncing wicked ways and full-heartedly embrace Christ? COUNT UP THE COST! Make up your mind, set your affections on Christ, deny yourself, abase your self and follow Him. He will make you fishers of men. His benefit package is out of this world! The Lord will pay you well in this world and the world to come and in heaven. Have a blessed and prosperous day in the Lord.

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananis heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events Acts 5:1-11 NIV. Lying to a spiritual authority is dangerous. God will always deal with sin, especially those who name the name of Christ. It is to preserve the integrity of the church and what it stands for and the truthfulness of the message of the Bible. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold real estate, brought and placed money at the apostles' feet. Ananias kept back part of the money for himself. Literally, he embezzled from the sale price. Peter exposes the fraud. He knows the truth, by the Holy Spirit. He asked Ananias why Satan (the father of lies) has filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Ananias shows not only a lack of honesty in bringing only a part of the sale price but also a lack of integrity, pretending to bring the whole amount. For christians today this type of sin is still a temptation. We do not take seriously the consequences of our deliberate sinning. But God will not be mocked. Three hours later Sapphira, the wife too experienced divine judgment by immediate death. Great fear came on the whole church. Luke lets us know that the dread extended to christians and non-christians as well.This was proper to employ discipline to guard the church's integrity, unity and purity. For the non-christians, this account is a warning: Think twice before joining this holy fellowship. Count the cost. We are not to deliberately sin and remain unrepentant. Are you willing to pay the price, fully renouncing wicked ways and full-heartedly embracing Christ and other believers in his body, the church?

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat has as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 NIV) This is the proper protocol when you have been offended or when someone has sinned against you. It is best to be able to go to the person one-on- one with an humble and loving spirit. Pray and discuss the problem between the two of you, using the word of God as your guideline. If the matter is settled, you can stop at this point. If the conflict is not resolved, you go with one or two witnesses to resolve the matter. If this suffice, you have won your brother/sister over. There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. If he/she still refuses to be reconciled take them before the church. If they refuses to listen to the church on how to be reconciled by forgiving, then treat them as a sinner to uphold purity, until they have asked for forgiveness and changed. This will cause others to fear God and adhere to divine accountability. The important and common denomination is to keep the matter between the witnesses and the offended partners.

The paschal lamb was typical of Christ, I Corinthians 5:7 says, "Christ is our passover" and he is the Lamb of God in St. John 1:29. In Exodus chapter 12, the Passover lamb was to be a male of the first year, while it was in its prime. Christ offered himself up willingly while in his prime. It denotes strength and sufficiency of the Lord. This lamb was to be without blemish. Jesus was without spot, blemish or defect (I Peter 1:19). This lamb was to be set apart four days before it was killed. Jesus entered Jerusalem four days before he was crucified. Jesus was set apart to go to the cross before the foundations of the world. His crucifixion was at the time of the Passover. This lamb was to be slained and roasted with fire- noting the sufferings of Jesus even unto death of the cross. The lamb was to be killed by the whole congregation between the two evenings, that was between three O'clock and six O'clock in the evening, not a bone of it was to be broken. The Jews and the Romans played a part in the death of Jesus.This was fulfilled in Christ, But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs (John 19:33). The blood of the lamb was to be sprinkled upon the door posts. Which means we must make an open, public confession of our faith in Jesus, being obedient to him. We are not to be ashamed of Jesus or else he will not openly confess us before his Father and the angels in heaven. The Passover lamb was killed not to just look or gaze upon, but to be fed upon. We must by faith eat all of it, not just the parts that we like. In so doing, we receive spiritual strength as we take delight in Christ. We must take Christ and his yoke, Christ and his brokeness of heart in this remembrance of sins. This Passover was to be eaten in a departing posture. We must sit loose to the world and everything in it. We are to understand this world is not our home. We have a home not made by hands. The Feast of Unleavened Bread must be kept in love; without the leaven of hypocrisy. All of the old leaven of sin must be put away from our house, life. Will you keep this Feast of a holy life to the honor of Christ as an ordinance forever?