A place to share thoughts and revelations about life and God's word.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Daniel 12:10 KJB
Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.
Daniel 12:10 ESV
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds
Col 3:9
Do not live a lie. Do not conform just to get along or please people, all the while hiding rebellion in your hearts and secretly desiring the things of the world. Examine yourself and put away those things, for they are the ways of death.
Remember you are risen in Christ and seek those things which are above.
Romans is addressing the liberty we have concerning the ceremonial and dietary laws, but we do not have liberty concerning moral law.
Biblical feast days and sabbaths are ceremonial and shadows of things to come. We have liberty concerning them as Jesus has or will fulfill them.
The practice of traditions of men, doctrines of devils and pagan practices is a moral issue, as God has expressly called it abomination.
Born again believers have a new nature that seeks to do that which is pleasing to God.
It is the sin nature that seeks for what it thinks it can get away with.
where are the nine?
Luke 17:11-19 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Unthankfulness a trait of the last days
2 Tim 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Lack of thankfulness is the path to reprobate
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Giving thanks should be focused toward God, not include self focus or comparing your self with others
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Sacrifice of thanksgiving (thanksgiving may cost you)
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Psalm 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
Psalm 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Giving thanks should come willingly from the heart
Leviticus 22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will.
Be ye thankful
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Give thanks instead of foolishness
Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Giving thanks makes known what God has done
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Psalm 105:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
God is not our servant, we ought to give Him thanks (no obligation to give thanks to a servant)
Luke 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Thanksgiving in our liberty
1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Thanksgiving for victory in Christ
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Giving thanks results in abounding faith
Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving
Begin in thanksgiving
Nehemiah 11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
1 Chronicles 23:30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even:
In everything, continually give thanks
Psalm 97:12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Jesus gave thanks
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Jesus gave thanks at meals and communion
Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mark 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Luke 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat..
1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Thanksgiving in song
2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 147:7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;
Giving of thanks for others
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Philippians 1:3I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Philemon 1:4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
More Examples of Giving Thanks
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
1 Chronicles 16:35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.
1 Chronicles 29:13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
Psalm 30:4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Psalm 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Psalm 50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Psalm 75:1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Psalm 79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:
Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 106:47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.
Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
Psalm 136:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Jeremiah 30:19 And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
1 Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Revelation 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19
past feeling = desensitized, hardened of heart
The dream of many is to put their money to work for them via the generation of passive income from investments instead of them working for money .
Did you know that the bible addresses investing? Even tells you where and how to invest? The bible also addresses whether or not to leave a legacy to your children.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Proverbs 13:22
The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. This wealth is laid up for us (as those who are justified in Christ).
For us to benefit from the wealth laid up for us, we need to know where the sinners have laid up their wealth.
Here are five places where the sinners have laid up their wealth.
Stock Market
Read Matthew 25:14-30
The faithful servants “went and traded” (v15) and earned double their original investment “after a long time” (v19).
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents
Matthew 25:15
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them
Matthew 25:19
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent … He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:20-22
It is not about “getting rich quick” by gambling, it is about investing for the long term and getting a return over time.
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Matthew 25:27
We call the stock market the “exchange” where people go to “trade” stocks. Investing in companies means you buy a share of that company and become a partner in its growth and success. The shares grow in value and pay dividends (usury).
Investing in stocks is a long term activity. The best stocks to consider are dividend growth stocks, companies that consistently increase their dividend every year.
According to the “Rule of 72” the amount invested will double approximately the number of years found by dividing 72 by the rate of return. For example at an 8% rate of return takes nine years to double: 72 / 8 = 9 years.
The other consideration is to diversify across multiple sectors, regions, classifications, etc. If tracking individuals stocks is not for you, then consider funds such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), Mutual Funds, and/or Closed End Funds (CEFs) with low expense ratios, steady growth, and consistent dividends.
Bonds
For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Deuteronomy 15:6
The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
Deuteronomy 28:12
A bond is lending money to a corporation or government. We can “lend to many nations” by buying bonds. There are many types of bonds from corporate, municipal, to those offered by many national governments.
Bonds are typically viewed as safer, less volatile, alternatives to stocks and currently have a better return than bank products such as money market accounts and CDs.
Municipal bonds loan money to a city government and the interest they return is typically exempt from federal taxes. If you hold bonds in a taxable account, these are the best type to have.
The interest from other types of bonds is typically taxable and best held in a tax advantaged account such as IRA, 401k, etc.
Rather than the headache of individual bonds, is easier, safer, and more diversified to invest in bond funds (ie: ETFs, CEFs).
Real Estate
Everyone is involved in real estate in one form or another. Even if you rent and don’t own any property, you are still living somewhere and participating in real estate.
And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.
Genesis 33:19
The first way most people are involved in real estate is owning their own home. Owning your own home gives you a place to live while building equity in a piece of real estate. Owning your own home is a good way to build equity and preserve some of the money you would otherwise loose in renting, however home ownership should not be considered your only investment or even your “biggest investment”. Your home costs a lot to keep and maintain. For something to truly be an “investment” it needs to put money into your pocket, whereas liabilities take money out of your pocket.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:6
Another way to be involved in real estate is owning property that is productive in some way, such as farming, gardening, running livestock, growing hay, leasing for hunting, leasing for oil production, etc.
Rental property is the most common thing people think of when they think of investing in real estate.
Other ways you can profit from real estate investing without having to manage the property yourself is by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). There are public REITs traded on the stock market or in funds. There are also private REITs that pool money from investors and invest in real estate but are insulated from the stock market volatility.
Commodities
Read Genesis 41 and Genesis 47:13-26
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:56
Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.
Genesis 47:19
The crops stored up over the years of plenty were the commodities that became so valuable during the years of famine that people gave everything they had, even selling themselves into servitude to get food.
When people hear commodities in relation to investing, they may first think of the “commodities market”. There is indeed a great wealth in the commodities market but it is the most volatile and risky of the investments. It is not recommended to get into the commodities market unless you really know what you are doing, and even then with only a small percentage of your dollars available for investment.
You can also get involved in commodities by investing the logistics services behind the commodities. For example Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) that get money from the transportation of oil and petroleum products.
Another way to get involved in commodities is investment in tangible things that have inherent value that you own, hold, and trade directly. Some examples may include livestock (cattle, goats, chickens), farm and garden products (meat, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables), precious metals (gold, silver), and not to forget guns and ammunition.
All these things are good stores of value. Other investments depend on the the stability of the economic system, but having a portion of your wealth stored up in personally owned commodities are a hedge against even the worst economic conditions.
Your Skills and Abilities
The fifth area for investment is investing in yourself. Gaining new skills and developing existing skills should be your first priority, especially early on.
Your skills and work ethic will determine your income.
Your income is your greatest tool that will benefit you the rest of your life.
It is from your income that you seed your investments.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2 Thess 3:10
There is no way around having to work. The true key to passive income from investing is to first faithfully and regularly seed those investments out of your income from working.
Your income will provide you with money that you can put to work in productive investments.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:23
In an 1882 edition of “Zion’s Watchtower”, Charles Taze Russell tells about how he was reading the Revised Version, and he thought, Oh, the scholars say that 1 John 5:7 doesn’t belong. See, I always thought that Jesus Christ wasn’t God. This led to the creation of the Jehovah Witnesses.
We are to be united by a common authority, not by compromise. By God’s words not by vain philosophies, traditions of men and doctrines of devils.
Believers are one body united under One Head, the Lord Jesus Christ