Being A Good Steward

 Nothing turns people against each other faster than mishandled money. I have seen it affect churches, families, and friends. People who you thought would go through anything with someone else abruptly end the relationship because of this one thing!

Luke 12:42- And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

A faithful and wise steward is someone who handles accounts well. They are in charge of paying bills, grocery shopping, feeding the family, scheduling, and all the other little things that are required to make the household or business operate smoothly.

Titus 1:7- For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Many churches are hung up on "the pastor of one wife" (I Timothy 3) meaning that a person can't be a pastor if they've been divorced. However, they look over the other listed qualifications as though they aren't really that important. If a person isn't apt to teach, they shouldn't be holding the office of a pastor. If they can't control the children living in their house, then they shouldn't be in charge of a congregation. And if they are given to filthy lucre (greedy for material goods) they should step down from a position of authority.

Does this mean that only a pastor should have to be a good steward? Not at all! All of God's disciples should be a good steward with what He has put under their hand. This could be a church, or a household, or a business, or a ministry, etc.

I Corinthians 4:1- Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

We will all stand before God and give an account of how we used the things He gave us while we were on this earth. If we want to be considered a wise steward then we will learn how to manage what He has provided.

The word "manage" is the key. You'll almost never find an accountant without a bookkeeping software. They use these spreadsheets and programs to keep track of incoming monies and outgoing debts. And, we can learn a lot from how they utilize these programs.

The first step in management is to have everything in order. If you are building a house then you need a checklist of steps that you can tick off when you've accomplished them. You're not going to get a house built without a permit. You won't get a permit without proper paperwork being submitted to the correct oversight committee. And, before you can submit the proper paperwork you need surveys and plans. Everything done in the proper order.

I Corinthians 14:40- Let all things be done decently and in order.

So, how do we begin? By writing it down. You can purchase a planner or even a notebook for this- I personally like Homemaker's Friend.

If you are scheduling things, make sure you have a calendar where you can write the appointment, address, and time while also making note of who the appointment is for, who needs to be there, and any special paperwork or documents that you may need to bring.

 

This is by far the easiest way to keep things scheduled and on-track without over planning or double booking. What types of things would you need a planner for? Well, vacations, home improvement work, play dates, doctor appointments, and anything where you need to make certain you are where you need to be on time.

If you are the one who makes the meals and does the shopping, then you should take the time to create a menu (I have about 5 weeks of menus that I've created where I can choose meals from so we get a good variety). After you have your menu, then you create your shopping list.

Go through your recipes and cabinets and write down anything that you need to buy that you don't have on hand. Don't forget breakfast and lunch items! If you are on a strict budget, then you're going to want to enter all the items in the cart on the Walmart shopping app to get an idea of how much your groceries will cost you. You can then adjust your menu or go for some store-brand items to save money. Only buy what is on your list!

If you are in charge of finances, then you will have a few more steps. 

The first step is to list out all of your debts with the approximate monthly amounts in the order that they are due. Then, you will decide which paycheck those bills will get paid from.

Example:

Hubby's Check #1 ($1,300)

• Tithe
• Groceries
• Phones
• Internet
• Electric

Wife's Check #1 ($500)

• Credit Cards
• Tithe

Hubby's Check #2 ($1,300)

• Mortgage
• Groceries

Wife's Check #2 ($500)

• Utilities
• Insurance

Now that I know where each bill will get paid from, and how to pay so that they aren't late, I have my basic budget format. Now, all I do is write down when the checks come in, how much they are, and what was paid.

You can create your own or just use a notebook. Write down when it was paid, how much was paid, and your confirmation number or the check number you used to pay it.

The picture above is my personal monthly budget template. I write how much our checks are in the "Income" portion at the top, how much our bills are and how and when I paid them in the "Bills" portion in the middle, and then any extra that goes to savings or other accounts in the lower "Savings" portion. I've also put a notes section at the very bottom where I can write down things like "had the septic tank emptied on this date for this amount" or any other things that aren't general monthly items.

It will take about 3 months of doing this consistently to actually get in the groove of it, but once you do it takes literally about 30 minutes each week to finalize and tweak my budget as needed. Any additional income that's over what I've allocated either goes to savings or to the unusual expenses that happen (like emptying the septic tank).

You do not have to be a genius to be a good steward, you just need a little time and organizational skills. I love the Homemaker's Friend planner because it has so many options in one place- monthly layouts for keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries, a weekly layout for scheduling, a place for tasks, information, and projects and events, which can be used for your budget or your menu or anything else you need to have in writing, plus an area for shopping lists.

Do you have to have a planner? No! Like I said earlier, you can use a notebook- just don't lose it!

Also, you’re going to need to learn to save for emergency situations. Start with $1,000. Raise the price according to your needs. An easy way to start saving is with a game.

Your testimony is not only what you say or wear or even what church you attend it's what you do in life that others can see and what you still do even when others can't see, because God sees it all! 

Acts 24:16- And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Hebrews 3:5- And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

II Corinthians 1:12- For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

What is your testimony to those around you? How do your neighbors and other members of your church see you? How about your testimony when it comes to your banker and bill collectors? It does matter!

Babylon's First AntiChrist

 

Throughout church history there have been many attempts to identify the Antichrist. Most of these attempts have been the result of someone believing two things: (1) that they were living in the last days, and (2) that the Antichrist would naturally be associated with one of that day’s enemies of Christianity. This has led many to claim that the Pope is, or will be, the Antichrist. Others have suggested that dictators such as Hitler, Napoleon, or Ceasar were the Antichrist. Some even believe that the Antichrist could be a U.S. President. All such views stem from a lack of scriptural understanding. Yes, the Pope and various world leaders are evil, but the coming Antichrist is far more than evil; he’s the ultimate evil. He’s “that wicked” (II Ths. 2:8), and he’s “the son of perdition” (II Ths. 2:3). I do not think his home will be the White House, the Vatican, Moscow, or Shanghai. I believe God's word directs us elsewhere.

Of the many types of Antichrist found in the Bible, none are found in Europe, East Asia, or the Americas. If you’ll draw a triangle on a mid east map with the three points being Haran, Egypt, and the northern tip of the Persian Gulf, you will have identified the home of the Antichrist. Of eighteen different types of Antichrist in the Bible, all are found in this area. Add a few more men to the list, such as Lamech or some of the wicked kings of Israel, and you’ll still be in the triangle. According to the Bible, the Antichrist will be found in the Middle East. If I am wrong and the Antichrist happens to be a Pope, a UN chief, or a Western or Eastern dictator, then he will still end up in the Middle East, and it is from there that he will rule his short-lived kingdom. The earth’s first sinner was from the Tigris-Euphrates River area (Gen. 2:10-14), and it is there that the tempter first appeared to him. So, that is where Satan will plant his coming “man of sin.”

One of the earliest indicators of this is Nimrod (meaning “the rebel”) who began his kingdom at Babel in the land of Shinar (Gen. 10:8-10). While exalting man and ignoring God, this kingdom became the first united nations movement in history, and it was finally brought to an end by the intervening judgment of God (Gen. 11:1-9). All of this was centered in what is modern day Irag.

Another empire builder was Nebuchadnezzar. Like the “beast” of Revelation, Nebuchadnezzar persecuted Israel, literally became like a beast for seven years (Dan. 4), and he demanded that people worship his image (Dan. 3). Like his ancestor Nimrod, he hung his hat at Babylon.

Sennacherib the Assyrian was an empire builder who persecuted Israel and was judged by the angel of the Lord (II Kgs. 19). His capital city is first mentioned in connection with Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-11), and his kingdom covers much of the same land as Nimrod’s kingdom, including Babylon. In fact, the Holy Spirit connects him with Nimrod in a specific prophecy concerning the Antichrist: “And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.” (Micah 5:5-6) Also see Isaiah 5:10, 14:25, 23:13, 27:13, 52:4, and Jeremiah 50:17.

Haman the Agagite was another grand type of the Antichrist. He had ten sons (Est. 9:10-12), just as the Antichrist will have ten kings (Rev. 17:12), and he was “the adversary and enemy” who sought to exterminate the Jews (Est. 7:6), just as the Antichrist will do (Rev. 12:17). He was from Shushan, the winter home of the Persian kings near the tip of the Persian Gulf (Est. 3:15; 9:12), also a part of the Babylonian and Assyrian empires.

Even many of the Pharaohs of Egypt (including the ones in Genesis and Exodus) were Hyksos (“shepherd kings”) from Syria. Syria fits well within the boundaries of our geographic triangle, and it was part of the Assyrian, Persian, Babylonian, and Roman Empires.

Other types of Antichrist, such as Ahab, Goliath, Jeroboam, Judas, and Saul, are from the land of Israel because the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel and he ends up defiling Israel’s rebuilt temple (Dan. 9:27; II Ths. 2:3-7). The whole emphasis is on the Middle East, the triangle area that we mentioned earlier.

Even when the Roman rulers Herod and Pontius Pilate come onto the Biblical scene, they are in Israel (in our triangle), not in Rome, and the Herod that murdered the Jewish children (Mat. 2:1-22) was “the son of Antipater, an Idumaean, and Cypros, an Arabian of noble descent.” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary). Contrary to fundamental opinion, all roads do not lead to Rome. They lead to the Middle East and back to Babylon where they began. The wicked Pope of Rome might very well be aligned with the Antichrist, and some have speculated that he could be the False Prophet, but I seriously doubt that the Antichrist himself will be a Pope.

Now, there’s a simple reason for believing in an Antichrist-Babylon connection more than an Antichrist-Rome connection, an Antichrist-Russia connection, or an Antichrist-White House connection. The book that tells us of the Beast and his kingdom of terror also names his city six times (Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2; 18:10; 18:21). The city is Babylon, plain and simple. It is not likely some other city that might represent Babylon, and it is not “mystery Babylon,” an unscriptural term (Revelation 17:5 places a comma between the two words, thus changing the meaning altogether. Besides, the word “mystery” isn’t even used with the other five “Babylon” occurrences in Revelation.) Zechariah 5 states that Babylon will be rebuilt, so it appears as a literal rebuilt city in Revelation, and the Beast is closely connected with it (Rev. 17:3, 18).

Is it possible that Revelation's Babylon is not literal Babylon, but rather some other city and kingdom? Yes, it's possible, and some have made some strong arguments for such a case, but it's also possible that it refers to the literal rebuilt city of Babylon as a headquarters for the New World Order of the Antichrist. Larkin believed this nearly a century ago, and I see no good reason to forsake this view, at least not yet. If Oak Ridge Tennessee can see a population increase of 2,500% (from 3,000 to 75,000) in three years (1942-1945), then we shouldn't doubt the possibility of something even greater happening in the 21st century Middle East. I could be wrong, but only time will tell.

-James L Melton

A Token of His Grace (song)

We Give Immortal Praise (poem)

 We give immortal praise to God the Father's love

for all our comforts here, and better hopes above:

he sent his own eternal Son,

to die for sins that man had done.

To God the Son belongs immortal glory too,

who bought us with his blood from everlasting woe:

and now he lives, and now he reigns,

and sees the fruit of all his pains.

To God the Spirit's name immortal worship give,

whose new-creating power makes the dead sinner live:

his work completes the great design,

and fills the soul with joy divine.

Almighty God, to thee be endless honours done,

the undivided Three, and the mysterious One:

where reason fails with all her powers,

there faith prevails, and love adores.

-Isaac Watts

Southern Praline Cake recipe

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

Cake:

1 cup dark brown sugar

4 large eggs

2 cups almond flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Icing:

3/4 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

4 large eggs yolks

1 large can evaporated milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups pecans, chopped

Grease and flour three nine-inch round cake pans and preheat oven to 350°F

Cream the butter with both white sugar and dark brown sugar until very light and fluffy, then add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Mix the flours with the baking powder, baking soda and salt and add to the sugar butter mixture with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Divide batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake in the center of the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the layers comes out clean. Cool layers in their pans over a rack for ten minutes, then loosen and turn out layers directly onto racks for cooling. Cool layers thoroughly before icing.

For the icing, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat, then stir in white sugar and dark brown sugar. (Sugars will not dissolve).

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the evaporated milk until smooth, then whisk this mixture into the saucepan with the sugar mixture. Return saucepan to a medium heat setting and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thick, shiny and caramel-like, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and pecans.

Cool icing to a good spreading consistency (about 30 minutes), then spread evenly between cooled cake layers and over the top and sides of the cake.

The Great Reset (video sermon)

What Are You Willing To Risk?

 People take risks all the time! Skydiving is risky. Opening a business is risky. There are risks every time you have a surgery. People risk things for what they believe matter.
When it comes to your money you will risk things for financial gains. How much have people risked in the name of education or professional advancement? If you live your life in fear of failure or for the surety of safety you will do nothing!
So, now I want to ask you a question. What have you risked to serve God?
Living a disciple's life will cost you something. Greatness doesn't come without sacrifice. Spiritual blessing usually comes after a cost has been paid.
Luke 5:1-8- And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Peter has been working all night long and hasn't caught anything! He's done fishing and is cleaning up getting ready to probably go take a nap. But Jesus said that if Peter would just get out of his comfort zone and would ignore what he thinks he already knows then he will get a blessing. Once Peter went along with what Jesus said, he got more than he ever expected.
Matthew 26:73-75- And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
How did Peter go from "Lord I will never deny you" to "I know not the man"? He wasn't willing to take the risk. He didn't want to pay what he thought would be the cost.
You don't know what the price will be for taking risks for the Lord. You can imagine many awful things. Others have paid very high prices for serving Christ. But God will always be there to go through it with you.
If you're a christian in America, the reality is that the risks are very small. You may get some looks if you pray over your food at a restaurant. You may get mocked if you preach on the street. Someone may reject the tract that you try to give them.
There are Christians risking their lives in other countries just to read the Bible, or attend a service. There are many who have already given their lives to take a stand for Christ.
I Corinthians 4:10- We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Will you risk your convenience? Will you risk your health? Many have risked life and limb. Many have lost friends and family. All the apostles died a martyr's death except John. Paul himself gave so much!
II Corinthians 11:23-28- Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
I wouldn't blame Paul for taking it easy in his later years. He gave so much already! And yet, he wasn't finished. Those risks didn't stop him. He was ready to take more.
Philippians 3:13-14- Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
You're afraid you might fail. But why not try?
Matthew 14:23-32- And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
I've heard many preachers berate Peter for his lack of faith. Really? He's the only one that tried! Peter and Christ are the only two to ever walk on top of water!
You're afraid to fail? What if you succeed?
I'm not telling you to keep a list of what you've given up for Christ. Don't try keeping a score card of your discipleship. God will make sure that you're repaid. You just keep going.
Mark 10:29-30- And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
There's always further to go, more to do, and more to grow. There's a risk you take in serving Christ. Not everyone will like you because of it. It may cost you friends. People may call you weird. They may even mock you or falsely accuse you.
Matthew 26:6-13- Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
I always get exasperated with this story because they're in the house of a LEPER! And yet, he's part of the group giving this lady a hard time for giving something precious of hers to the Lord. It was hers to give!
Your life is yours to give. Christ will not force you to accept Him as your Savior. He will not compel you into living your life for Him. It will always be your choice.
Joshua 24:15- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.