SUMMARY:

ABUNDANCE

ABUNDANCE: ITS SOURCE – WHY DOES GOD GIVE US SO MUCH?

MONDAY

BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 8:10-20

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Always remember that it is the LORD your GOD who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors. (Deut. 8:18)

MATERIAL BLESSINGS ARE ONE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S CARE.

In times of plenty, it is easy to take credit for your prosperity and begin to feel that your own hard work and cleverness have made you rich. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing your wealth that God is pushed right out of your life. But it is God who blesses us with abundance, and it is God who asks us to manage it for him. Don’t forget God in your abundance, or he will remove his blessing from you. Remember that the most valuable thing in life–your relationship with God–is free.

TUESDAY

ABUNDANCE: ITS DANGER –

HOW CAN WEALTH GET IN THE WAY OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

BIBLE READING: Mark 10:17-31

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23)

WEALTH CAN TEMPT US TO DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM GOD.

Jesus said it was very difficult for the rich to get into the kingdom of God because the rich, with most of their basic needs met, often become self-reliant. When they feel empty, they can buy something new to dull the pain that was meant to drive them toward God. Their abundance becomes their deficiency. The person who has everything on earth can still lack what is most important–eternal life.

WEDNESDAY

BIBLE READING: Luke 12:13-21

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Then he said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.” (Luke 12:15)

WEALTH CAN GIVE US WRONG ATTITUDES ABOUT MATERIAL THINGS.

Problem like this were often brought before the rabbis to be settled. Jesus doesn’t respond to the immediate situation at hand. Instead, he points to a higher issue–a correct attitude toward the accumulation of wealth. Life is more than material goods; far more important is our relationship with God. Jesus put his finger on this questioner’s heart. When we bring problems to God in prayer, he often does the same thing–showing us how we need to change and grow in our attitude toward the problem. This answer is often not the one we were looking for, but it is more effective.

THURSDAY

ABUNDANCE: HAVING THE BEST!

WHAT IS GOD’s GREATEST GIFT?

BIBLE READING: John 10:1-21

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fulness. (John 10:10)

JESUS GIVES LIFE.

In contrast to the thief who takes, Jesus gives. The life he gives now is rich and full. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in him is lived on a higher plane because of his abundant forgiveness, love, and guidance.

FRIDAY

JESUS WAS AN EXPRESSION OF GOD’S ABUNDANT NATURE.

1. Jesus was a living  example of God’s abundant blessings to us. God “so loved,” that is, he loved in abundance. Colossians 2:9 “In Christ, the fulness of God lives in a human body. All of God is in Jesus Christ, who came to earth just for us. In other words, God is giving all of himself to us and for us.

John 1:15-16 – John pointed him out to the people. He shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for He existed long before I did.'” We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us–one gracious blessing after another.

2. As Jesus met the needs of people, he always met them in abundance. The depth of human need is met in the fullness of God’s abundance.

Matthew 14:19-21 – He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God’s blessing on the food. He gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves, in addition to all the women and children!

Luke 5:5-7 – “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.” And this time their nets were so full they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

SATURDAY

HOW CAN I EXPERIENCE GOD’S ABUNDANCE IN MY LIFE?

1. We can experience God’s abundant life because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Through Adam, we learned to disobey God. Through Christ, we learned to obey God. Through Adam, sin rules over us. Through Christ, we have victory over sin.

Romans 5:17-18, 20 – The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes! Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes us all people right in God’s sight and gives them life. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant.

2. God’s Holy Spirit empowers us to live abundantly, even when our spiritual resources are on “E” for empty. Abundant living comes from an abundant life. Living to the fullest comes from being filled with God’s Spirit to the fullest.

Romans 5:5 – This expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Ephesians 3:16 – I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.

3. We experience God’s abundant dealing with us as we deal abundantly with others.

Luke 6:38 – “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – “Remember this: A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

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HOW TO LIVE (AND GIVE) WISELY – Rev Del Hooge

PAANO MABUHAY (AT MAGBIGAY) NANG MAY KATALINUHAN

I. KNOW TRUE RICHES (VALUE) – MAUNAWAAN ANG TOTOONG YAMAN (HALAGA)

A. It is OK to pursue material things. (Hindi naman masama ang maghangad ng materyal na mga bagay.) – Proverbs 10:4-5; Psalms 24:1

B. Wealth is not as important as character and wisdom. (Ang katangian o pagkatao o karunungan ay mas higit na mahalaga kaysa kayamanan.) – Proverbs 3:13-15

C. Ill-gotten gain is not good gain. (Ang yamang kinuha sa pamamagitan ng hindi tapat na paraan ay hindi pakinabang.) – Prov. 1:10-19; Ex. 20:17; Prov. 10:2

D. Don’t measure your life by money in your pocket or content of your bank account. (Huwag mong sukatin ang buhay sa pamamagitan ng salapi sa iyong bulsa o sa salaping itinabi mo sa banko.)

The things that are most valuable in life cannot be bought. (Hindi mo kayang bilhin ang mga bagay na pinakamahalaga sa buhay.) – Proverbs 13:7-8

II. USE YOUR RICHES WISELY (GAMITIN MO ANG IYONG KAYAMANAN NG MAY KATALINUHAN)

Everyone is given some talent, ability, or gift to be able to meet their needs.

(Ang lahat ay binigyan ng talento, abilidad, o likas na kakayahan upang matugunan niya ang kanyang mga pangangailangan.)

A. Avoid putting yourself at risk by standing good for somebody else’s debt. (Iwasan mong masangkot ang iyong sarili upang managot sa utang ng iba.) – Proverbs 6:1-5

B. Honesty in business is encouraged and blessed. (Hinihikayat at pinagpapala ang pagiging matapat sa pangangalakal.)

C. An honesty day’s work merits a full day’s pay; a full day’s pay merits an honest day’s work. (Ang tapat na pinagpagurang trabaho ay karapatdapat na bayaran ng buo; ang tapat na bayad ay kailangan ibigay sa tapat ng pinagpagurang trabaho.) – Proverbs 12:11; Proverbs 12:14

D. Don’t keep making the same dumb mistakes over and over. Discipline yourself. (Huwag paulit-paulit na gawin ang bagay na alam mong mali. Disiplinahin mo ang iyong sarili.) – Proverbs 13:18

1. PRIORITIZE – What is NEEDED? (Unahin – Ano ang KAILANGAN?

2. BUDGET – Learn what you can cut in expense and in time. (Laang-gugulin – Matutunang magbawas ng gastos at ng panahon)

3. LEARN TO SAY NO! TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS! (Matutunang magsabi ng “HINDI” sa sarili at sa kapwa!

4. GET ADVICE from an authority and possibly make them your authority until you get a new lifestyle established. (Humingi ng payo sa isang awtoridad at gawin siyang awtoridad hanggang sa magkaroon ka ng bagong istilo ng pamumuhay.)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 – Ang lahat ng ito’y magagawa ko dahil sa lakas ng kaloob sa akin ni Cristo. (Filipos 4:13)

E. CHEATING to win makes the “winning feeling” go away. (Nawawala ang “panalong pakiramdam” sa pandaraya para manalo.) – Proverbs 20:17

III. LIVE ON A MARGIN – Living on a margin simply means allowing room for things to happen. (MABUHAY NA MAY PALUGID – Pagbibigay ng puwang sa mga bagya na mangyayari.)

A. a TIME margin – Do I plan to be early? (Palugid sa Panahon – Nagpaplano ba akong maging maaga?

B. a PHYSICAL margin – Do I plan to live healthy? (Palugid sa Panlabas na Kaanyuan. – Nagpaplano ba akong mamuhay ng malusog?

C. a SPIRITUAL margin – Do I plan for spiritual downtimes (testing), or times of need? (Palugid sa Espirituwal – Nagpaplano ba ako para sa espirituwal na mga pagsubok?)

D. a FINANCIAL margin – Do I save for lean times, or times of need? (Palugid sa Pinansyal – Nag-iipon ba ako para sa oras ng kakulangan o pangangailangan?)

IV. USE OTHER’S RICHES RESPONSIBLY (GAMITIN NG MAY KAHUSAYAN ANG YAMAN NG IBA.)

A. Stewardship is the key principle for true prosperity. (Ang tamang pangangasiwa ang susi ng pagiging tunay na maiunlad.) Proverbs 3:9-10

B. God is for private ownership of property and looks unfavorably upon those who steal. (Ang Dios ay para sa pribadong pagmamay-ari ng ari-arian at masama ang tingin sa mga nagnanakaw.) – Proverbs 6:30-31

*Some materials are adapted from Financial Principles from the Book of Proverbs. Pastor Darrel Manning

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Faith Promise Missions – Rev Del Hooge

(ANG PANGAKONG MAY KAAKIBABAT NA PANANAMPALATAYA PARA SA MISYON)

I Samuel 1:27-28

27 Hiniling ko sa kanya na ako’y pagkalooban ng anak at binigyan nga niya ako. 28 Kaya naman po inihahandog ko siya kay Yahweh upang maglingkod sa kanya habang buhay.”

Pagkatapos nito, sinamba nila si Yahweh.

1. We encourage folks to use the concept of Faith Promise when giving to missions.
2. I believe that this is a Biblical concept taught primarily in the New Testament.  (Study 2 Cor. 8 &9)
3. However, as with any Bible truth, it can also be found in the Old Testament.
4. Hannah serves as a good Old Testament illustration of this New Testament truth.
5. She practiced faith promise with regard to a son.
6. She asked God for a son, trusted Him for the son, received the son, and returned the son back to God.
7. Her son, Samuel, was one of the greatest men of the Bible.

I. Faith Promise Is Requesting Something From God.  –  (2 Cor. 8:3)  (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya  ay Paghiling ng Isang Bagay sa Diyos.)

2 Corinto 8:3

3 Sila’y kusang-loob na nagbigay, hindi lamang sa abot ng kanilang kaya, kundi higit pa. Alam ko ito sapagkat

A.It means that we ask particularly –  (1 Sam. 1:11a)  (Humiling ng bukod-tanging kahilingan.)

1 Samuel 1:11a

11 Ganito ang kanyang panalangin: “Yahweh, Diyos na Makapangyarihan sa lahat, kung papakinggan ninyo ang inyong abang lingkod at inyo pong kahahabagan, kung hindi ninyo ako pababayaan, sa halip ay pagkakalooban ng isang anak na lalaki,

1. Hannah didn’t just ask for a child…she asked for boy!  When we desire something particular we must ask it in particular.

2. God rejoices over giving us the exact answers to our prayers.

3. He receives more glory through them.

4. Let’s we ask God to supply a particular amount for a mission’s commitment.

B. It means that we ask purposefully – (1 Sam. 1:11b)  (Kinakailangang may layunin ang ating kahilingan.)

1 Samuel 1:11b

11 . . . ihahandog ko siya sa inyo at habang buhay na siya’y nakalaan sa inyo; hindi ko ipapaputol ang kanyang buhok.”

1. Hannah’s purpose was to give him back to God.

2. Her desire was that she could have a son who would serve God all the days of his life.

3. What is our purpose for asking God to supply a particular amount of money?

a. There is a biblical principle concerning giving found in Luke 6:38

b. God will bless us as we give, but that should never be the motivation for giving.  (See James 4:3)

C. It means that we ask persistently  – (1 Sam. 1:12)  (Matiyaga (walang puknat, masugid) tayo sa ating kahilingan)

1 Samuel 1:12

12 Habang nananalangin si Ana, ang bibig niya’y pinagmamasdan ni Eli.

1. Sometimes we ask God and then forget about it.

2. Often, how persistent we are will reveal how important it is to us.

II. Faith Promise Is Relying Upon God To Answer  (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya ay Umaasa sa Diyos na Tumugon)

A. There is but One God.  (Mayroon lamang Isang Diyos.)

1. Hannah’s husband tried to meet her need.  But that would not satisfy.

2. Accept no substitutes, even if it is well-meaning.

B. Only God can supply what we need.  – (Phil. 4:19; 2 Cor. 8:8)  (Ang Diyos lamang ang makapagbibigay ng ating kailangan.)

Filipos 4:19

19 At buhat sa hindi mauubos na kayamanan ng Diyos, ibibigay niya ang lahat ng inyong kailangan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo Jesus.

2 Corinto 8:8

8 Hindi sa inuutusan ko kayo. Sinasabi ko lamang sa inyo ang pagsisikap ng iba upang masubok ang katapatan ng inyong pag-ibig.

1. We trust God for the means.

2. We trust God for the measure (specific amount)

3. We trust God for the money.

C. It is not a matter of us figuring out how to accomplish it…there is no faith involved in that kind of thinking.  (Ito ay hindi isang bagay ng pag-iisip natin kung paano ito maisasakatuparan . . . walang pananampalatayang kasangkot sa ganoong uri ng pag-iisip.)

III. Faith Promise Is Receiving The Answer –  (1 Sam. 1:19-20)  (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya ay Pagtanggap ng Sagot)

1 Samuel 1:19-20

19 Kinabukasan, maagang-maaga silang sumamba kay Yahweh, at pagkatapos ay umuwi na sa Rama. Sinipingan ni Elkana si Ana, at dininig ni Yahweh ang dalangin nito. 20 Nagbuntis siya at dumating ang araw na siya’y nagsilang ng isang sanggol na lalaki. Samuel[a] ang ipinangalan niya rito sapagkat ang sabi niya, “Hiningi ko siya kay Yahweh.”

A. God answers prayer, taking care of:  (Sinasagot ng Diyos ang panalangin, iniintindi Niya ang mga ito:)

1. The supply of our own needs

2. The sending forth of laborers

3. The salvation of more souls

B. When we pray, we must pray believing that God answers our prayers.  (Heb.  11:6) (Kapag nananalangin tayo, dapat tayong manalangin nang may paniniwalang sinasagot ng Diyos ang ating mga panalangin.)

Mga Hebreo 11:6

6 Hindi maaaring kalugdan ng Diyos ang walang pananampalataya sa kanya, sapagkat ang sinumang lumalapit sa Diyos ay dapat sumampalatayang may Diyos at siya ang nagbibigay ng gantimpala sa mga humahanap sa kanya.

1. James warned us of wavering towards God in the matter of prayer.

2. See James 1:6-7

C. It is ‘Faith’ Promise. (Heb. 11:1) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Ito ay “Pananampalataya” sa Ipinangako.)

Mga Hebreo 11:1

11 Ang pananampalataya ay katiyakan na mangyayari ang ating mga inaasahan, at paninindigan tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi nakikita.

1. If we can see it, it is not of faith.

2. As God supplies that which no one else can supply our faith is increased.

IV. Faith Promise Is Returning It To God   – (1 Sam 1:27-28)  (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya Ay Ibinabalik Ito Sa Diyos)

1 Samuel 1:27-28

27 Hiniling ko sa kanya na ako’y pagkalooban ng anak at binigyan nga niya ako. 28 Kaya naman po inihahandog ko siya kay Yahweh upang maglingkod sa kanya habang buhay.”

Pagkatapos nito, sinamba nila si Yahweh.

A.We should return it with grace.  –  (2 Cor. 8:9)  (Dapat nating ibalik ito nang may kagandahang loob.)

2 Corinto 8:9

9 Hindi kaila sa inyo ang kagandahang-loob ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, na kahit na mayaman ay naging dukha upang maging mayaman kayo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pagiging dukha.

1. All that we have is by the grace of God.

2. He saved us, He strengthens us, and He supplies our need by His grace.

3. We need to follow His example.

B. We should return it with gladness.  – (2 Cor. 9:7)  (Dapat nating ibalik ito nang may kagalakan.)

2 Corinto 9:7

7 Ang bawat isa’y dapat magbigay ayon sa kanyang pasya, maluwag sa loob at hindi napipilitan lamang, sapagkat iniibig ng Diyos ang nagbibigay nang may kagalakan.

1. Hannah didn’t try to re-negotiate with God.

2.  A grateful obedient heart led her to give her son to serve God with his life.

3. A stingy, selfish attitude will not please God.

4. When we give to God what He supplies to us, do we do it with a willing obedient heart?

5. Some Christians act like it is their money!

C. We should return it with generosity.  –  (2 Cor 9:6)  (Dapat nating ibalik ito nang may pagkabukas-palad.)

2 Corinto 9:6

6 Ito ang ibig kong sabihin: ang nagtatanim ng kakaunti ay aani ng kakaunti, at ang nagtatanim ng marami ay aani ng marami.

1. The law of sowing and reaping must be applied in this matter as well.

2. Is God a selfish God who begrudges everything He has ever done for us?

3. If we have we received so much from God, we should be willing to generously give back to Him that others might come to know Him.

Everyone who is saved — every man, woman, boy, and girl – can participate in faith promise giving! The question is not whether we can…the question is whether we will.

I. Faith Promise Is Requesting Something From God for the purpose that pleases him. (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya  ay Paghiling sa Diyos para sa layuning ikalulugod Niya.)

II. Faith Promise Is Relying Upon God To Answer so that we can obey him.  (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya ay Umaasa Sa Diyos na Tumugon upang Siya ay ating sundin.)

III. Faith Promise Is Receiving The Answer to fulfill his commission. (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya ay Pagtanggap ng Sagot upang tuparin ang Kanyang ipinag-uutos.)

IV. Faith Promise Is Returning To God what he has given for his purposes. (Ang Pangakong may Kaakibat na Pananampalataya Ay Ibinabalik Ito Sa Diyos ang Kanyang mga naibigay na upang magamit sa Kanyang mga layunin.)

“God will not ask you to give an unreasonable amount.

But He will stretch your faith. Let’s all believe God for more.”

(“Hindi hihilingin sa iyo ng Diyos na magbigay ng hindi makatwirang halaga.

Ngunit iuunat niya ang iyong pananampalataya. Magtiwala tayong lahat sa Diyos para sa higit pa.”)

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