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Domestic violence is as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is utilize to achieve and/or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This control entails any actions that will bring about fear, intimidation, terrorize, manipulation, hurt, humiliation, blame, injury and isolation, etc. Domestic violence does not discriminate, it is about control over a person and it can happen to anyone regardless of your race, age, economic class, marital status or gender. Many abusive partners may seem undeniably perfect in the early phases of a relationship. Remember, possessive and controlling actions do not always appear overnight, but rather develop and strengthen as the relationship continues to grow. Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury and death to women worldwide.

Domestic violence is as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is utilize to achieve and/or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This control entails any actions that will bring about fear, intimidation, terrorize, manipulation, hurt, humiliation, blame, injury and isolation, etc. Domestic violence does not discriminate, it is about control over a person and it can happen to anyone regardless of your race, age, economic class, marital status or gender. Many abusive partners may seem undeniably perfect in the early phases of a relationship. Remember, possessive and controlling actions do not always appear overnight, but rather develop and strengthen as the relationship continues to grow. Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury and death to women worldwide.

Statistically, one out of every four women and one out of every seven men become victims of domestic violence. Due to the frequency and severity of domestic violence in intimate relationships, that the onslaught of not only the verbal, emotional, psychological and physical abuse inhibits the victim to catch a mental break.  The repetitiveness of such abuse denies the victim’s inability to mentally evaluate the trauma event and heal before the next event occurs.  As individuals, we all have different ways of thinking, thought processing, problem solving, strength and weaknesses (physical & mental), this is also true on how PTSD symptoms varies from one person to another.

According to Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services, WA “When a Woman is constantly abused and put down she may start to think of herself as worthless. Many women feel powerless. Many women stay in abusive relationships because they are too afraid to leave. If a Woman does decide to separate, it is not unusual for her to return to her abusive partner, particularly when appropriate support and assistance is not available.

Domestic violence can have long-term effects on a Woman. There may be emotional problems such as difficulty in trusting others. She may also suffer long-term effects on her health from physical injuries.

Not all the long-term effects are negative. Often a Woman dealing with domestic violence has developed incredible strengths in order to survive. To come out and move in to a new life living through years of violence is usually an extremely positive experience.”

Since every relationship is different, the appearance of domestic violence may look different in every relationship. One thing most abusive relationships have in common is to have more control and over their partner/victim.

Common signs of an abusive relationship includes:

* Tells you your worthless and you can never do anything right
* Demonstrates extreme jealousy of your friends and or time spent away
* Demonstrates extreme jealousy of your friends and or time spent away
* Isolates you from seeing/contacting friends or family members
* Insults, demeans, or shames you
* Controls every aspect of the finances in the household
* Refuses to give you money for necessary expenses
* Acts in ways that scare you or threatens to hurt or kill your pets
* Prevents you from making decisions
* Tells you that you are a bad parent, harms your children or threatens take them away
* Keeps you from working or attending school
* Destroys your property
* Threatens/hurting you with guns, knives or other weapons
* Prevents you from calling the police or getting medical assistance
* Abandoning you in unfamiliar places
* Pressures you to have sex or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
* Locks you in the house, takes phone away from you
* Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol
* Pulling your hair, punching, slapping, kicking, biting or choking you
* Forbidding you from eating or sleeping.
* Tells you your worthless and you can never do anything right
* Demonstrates extreme jealousy of your friends and or time spent away
* Isolates you from seeing/contacting friends or family members
* Insults, demeans, shames you
* Controls every aspect of the finances in the household
* Refuses to give you money for necessary expenses
* Acts in ways that scare you or threatens to hurt or kill your pets
* Prevents you from making decisions
* Tells you that you are a bad parent, harms your children or threatens take them away
* Keeps you from working or attending school
* Destroys your property
* Threatens/hurting you with guns, knives or other weapons
* Prevents you from calling the police or getting medical assistance
* Abandoning you in unfamiliar places
* Pressures you to have sex or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
* Locks you in the house, takes phone away from you
* Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol
* Pulling your hair, punching, slapping, kicking, biting or choking you
* Forbidding you from eating or sleeping

Domestic violence abusers are good at controlling and manipulating their victims. Their victims have endure emotional and or physical abused. The majority of them are often depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help getting out of the situation, yet their partner has often isolated them from their family and friends. By recognizing and noticing the warning signs, we can offer our support, we can help them escape an abusive situation and allow them to begin healing.

Domestic Violence & the Bible

Some abusers have attempted to defend or excuse abuse by wrongfully using Scripture to support their actions.  Domestic violence goes against the very nature of our Lord, who is and always points to love. The Bible views all forms of domestic violence as sin.

“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalm 11:5

Malachi 2:16-17 “… Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”

The Lord is very clear as to how we suppose to treat our wife. Scriptures clearly speaks out against responding with violence.

Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” And how wife are to be with their husband.

Colossians 3:18 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” Now, that is not a ticket for anyone to abuse their wife.

1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Ephesians 4:26 – 27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”

A painful truth about domestic violence is that ending a violent relationship can require navigating a complex and difficult minefield of emotional loss and loneliness. Many violent relationships endure multiple breakups and reunions. Leaving an explosive abusive relationship is not a simple choice as many who have never suffer such trauma believe it to be. Very seldom are relationships one-dimensional. Those relationships are entwine with shared history, shared dreams, and shared pain. While it is true that many abusers hold their victims captive through threats of violence, reputation destruction, financial ruin or physical danger, many victims also stay because they have lost their self-worth, their reputation damaged or destroyed. In midst of loss and pain, they feel they have no one to turn to. The one whom they thought would protect them from life’s trials has become their greatest intimate enemy

Psalm 55:4-5 “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.” 

Psalm 55:12-14a “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship.”

Psalm 55:22-23 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 
But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.”

Trauma such as domestic violence can ultimately open doors regarding discussions of profound spiritual issues/concerns of faith, personal beliefs, lack of purpose, individuality, guiltiness, shame and forgiveness. Pastors and lay leaders should not be worried to tackle these concerns with biblical based solid theological.

In Hosea 4:6 we find these Words: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge….  God’s calls upon His people to be a blessing, a helper, a light, and a resource to those that are lost, in need and hurting. We are God’s people with a purpose and mission. This is why our church, (BSCOG) has launched, “ReBoot, Beyond the Battlefield” Ministry to help anyone suffering from PTSD and equipping others in the body of believers on how to help others with whom they are able to reach out to. Our goal is to help church leaders, family member, friends, etc., from feeling unable to assist when someone is having a PTSD episode.

Many victims of domestic violence, who are bruised and battered in body and spirit, are looking and seeking to churches for comfort (physical and spiritual) and guidance. As such, as a community of faith, we must do more to ensure our place of worship (churches) are safe places for the survivors of domestic violence or any other type of abuse. How do we do that? By calling out, denouncing the sin of domestic violence in our churches, and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring about healing to the victims within the body of Christ. ~Dr. Tony A;varez

The term “Word of God” can and is used in different ways.  First, people use the Word of God as a description of the Bible and its Scripture that is contained within the pages.  Second, it is a phrase people use to describe the actual spoken words of God.  Although, there remains controversy within various denominations as to whether people can actually and physically hear the spoken Word of God today, there seems to be an acceptance that historically, God did speak directly to His children.  We can see this many times documented throughout the Old & New Testament of the Bible.  We can read and see how God spoke into existence everything that was created.  It is well documented in the Book of Genesis.  We can see where God spoke directly to Adam and Eve, at least prior to the downfall of man, and the need for repentance to it.  With the eating of the fruit, we see God physically spoke directly to Adam and Eve not to partake of it; furthermore, we can recognize how God begins to achieve redemption with a relationship of God and man throughout the rest of history.  Jesus Himself, spoke to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, where his life was forever changed.  A Christophany that changed the world’s history and who can come to the Lord’s call of Salvation. A Christophany is an appearance or non-physical manifestation of Christ. Traditionally the term refers to visions of Christ after his ascension, such as the bright light of the Damascus Christophany.     

When one reads the Old Testament of the Bible, we can see where God spoke things into existence then a latter result of an existence creation. Additionally, we see that every time God physically spoke after the downfall of man, it was always to redeem a relationship with His creation. Of what He spoke, it was always to steer mankind in a different direction than what he was heading, because of the contrary of where God wanted him. With the writing and documentation of how God worked at that time, the Old Testament became the “Word of God,” because it is there that we can come to understand not only what God was speaking to man, but realize what God is speaking to us today. We can begin to understand Theology; The Doctrine of God. Yes, the “Word of God” is God’s spoken word as we earlier discussed, but it is Scripture and what God is saying to us even today in relation to the Bible being God’s continually spoken word. When asking your question as to what God is trying to say to you, think: the nature, person, and works of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Additionally, how your life is lining up to those attributes or God’s characteristics.

An initial question to those not well versed in the Bible would be whether God was able to redeem that relationship that He had with man as it was in His original creation.  The answer to God’s fulfillment of the covenant He had with man is concluded with the sending of His only Son to make the fulfillment happen.  Jesus Christ came to fulfill all that which God was speaking of and working to fulfill in the Old Testament, The Law.  When we look at Jesus being the fulfillment of everything God was speaking in the Old Testament of the Bible, we can accept the fact that Jesus is now the “Word of God”.  It becomes one and same, because of what is obtained by accepting Him and understanding what He did for you and me.  If God’s word was captured within the Old Testament and Jesus is now on earth to fulfill what God was speaking, then Jesus is now the fulfillment of what God was and is speaking.  Not only does the life of Jesus Christ become the “Word of God” but everything He physically spoke was documented in the New Testament and becomes the “Word of God”.  John 1:1 KJV says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Jesus at times even said that He is what God is.  For example, Jesus said in John 15:4-8 NKJV, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  It becomes the same that God’s Word is His Scripture in the Bible as a documentation of His history but also that Jesus is now the “Word of God” fulfilled in human form again for the redemption of that special relationship He had with His creation.

Upon the departure of Jesus to remain at the Father’s right hand until His second coming, man was to wait upon the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised them.  It is the Holy Spirit that continues that work of Jesus Christ and was in turn the work of God here on earth.  Because the Holy Spirit is God and part of the trinity of His existence, we must see the Holy Spirit, as Jesus Christ was, the continuing “Word of God”.  When we can accomplish this, we can tap into the power we need for correct and appropriate biblical interpretation.  We can ask and trust the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and hearts and properly allow us to understand God’s speech-act.  What is it God is trying to say to us?  A biblical interpreter can always take the Holy Bible, read it, and take the scripture for face value; however, there initiates the possibility of wrongful interpretation.  If you seek council and guidance from the Holy Spirit for correct and insightful interpretation then the interpreter can see the correct interlacing of God’s will and Word upon His interpretation; somewhat of a double check that he or she is correctly interpreting the act behind God’s will and not the mindful guess of what the interpreter has concluded to, by happenstance or a self-personal drive behind what he may want the interpretation to be.

It may sound deep at first to understand what God is saying to us as with the inquiry I discussed earlier, but as in anything when the motive is pure and right behind the search, then the outcome most likely will surface as well.  In understanding that the “Word of God”, at one time being physical and audible to most people is documented in the Bible and now as God’s spoken Word captured in the scripture of the written print of the Bible, we can understand that we can use the Bible to understand God’s spoken word or the act behind what He wants to say to us.  We can then see the covenant fulfillment in the life and words of Jesus Christ and accept that it was not only the fulfillment of what God wanted but the furthering of what God wanted to say to us.  Moreover, the work of the Holy Spirit then is the continuing the “Word of God. He captures not only what is in the Bible, but we can see His effect on us to understand what God wants to say to us today.  So, “What is God saying” or what is the “Word of God”?  As a basis we need to seek council of the Holy Spirit to allow us to be open enough to understand what God wants from us as seen in the life of Jesus Christ and what God was saying to His children prior to God sending His son to us for an example to reach Him.  By doing this, we can then understand, “What is God saying to me?”
~Richard E. Dixon, Th.D. (Exec Pastor @ Boyette Springs COG)

TIME

Our Most Precious Commodity

“When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection.”

A. W. Tozer

Time is the rare and precious commodity that can only be redeemed and bring a return if it is used wisely. Paul said best when writing to the church at Ephesus:

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

• Ephesians 5:15-16 amp

It is hard to believe that we are now 2 decades into this new millennia, far removed from the Y2K fiasco. The old axiom, “time flies when you’re having fun,” doesn’t adequately capture the reality of life, time rapidly moves regardless of our level of satisfaction. Solomon surveyed this reality in Ecclesiastes 3, he pointed out that times and seasons are part of the order of God and everything is beautiful in His time (v11). However, the Preacher seems to interpret all things in this life as vanity.

The focal point for Solomon seems to be the difficulty and toil of man as well as the endless pursuit of pleasure to which he admittedly attempted with great regularity and success. When listening to the Preacher bemoan his life, love and labor, one might believe he was a little depressed, consider his words:

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

• Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 amp

Many of the things that Solomon pursued throughout his life turned out to be time wasters that had zero eternal value and those hours could not be redeemed. What was true in antiquity remains true today and more so as modernity has brought about great technological advancement, which has actually created an environment where it is easy to not make wise us of the time afforded us each and every day. But this is not the end of the story, Solomon’s message and final impartation of wisdom is found in the second to the last verse in the last chapter of Ecclesiastes:

All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all
inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

• Ecclesiastes 12:13 amp

As we consider the scripture’s admonition to make the most of our time and to serve God, keeping His commands in reverent fear, which the Preacher declares is mankind’s highest call, how will we live our life in 2020? Will it be in vain pursuits, time wasters or will we be frugal with this precious commodity, seeking only to invest in that which brings the greatest return. Here are 3 things we can do to aid in the pursuit of healthier time management:

1. Prioritize our time to honor God daily
2. Identify areas of waste and make corrections
3. Develop healthier patterns to maximize opportunities

This may seem simplistic but in truth, it requires sacrifice and discipline, both of which  not as easy as we might believe.

Final thought, for the person truly being led by the Spirit of God, this is actually a natural process, or it should be!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

It’s that time of year again, the holidays are upon us and life may seem busier that normal. Like clockwork we turn our attention to the issue of thankfulness or at least we should and not to sound too cliché but as a believer, everyday should be a day of thanksgiving.

With that said, consider what Paul writes to the church at Colosse and allow me to take a moment to consider what I’m thankful for. Maybe you’ll feel the same.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be THANKFUL!

What am I Thankful For?

1. That I have been granted the blessing to understand the indescribable reality of God’s love demonstrated through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! (Jn 14:6)

• That through faith in Christ I’m saved and have come to the revelation of absolute truth found in the Word of the Living God. The Bible! The irrefutable truth of scripture informs my thinking and leads me in paths of righteous living before God.

Psalms 107:8

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

• That I was blessed with a wonderful family, a beautiful and intelligent wife, an awesome son, great in-laws and extended family. Riches and wealth are truly measured in terms beyond that of economy.

Luke 12:15

….. for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

• That I have been favored to live in this great nation, not perfect, but far superior to anything that has been or is today. Part of the revealed truth previously referenced is that I’m fully cognizant of the liberty we experience as Americans, a liberty unrealized in any other form of government or ism that exist beyond our shores.

• That God established the Church and saw fit to raise up local congregations where the saints can assemble to worship, pray, serve and hear the proclamation of the Word.

Matthew 16:18

…and on this rock I will build My church,

and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

This only summarizes some on the key blessings in life that I remain eternally grateful for. To remember and recount all the miraculous things God has done for my family and I would require more time and mental bandwidth than I currently possess. David must have grappled with this perplexity when he sang Psalm 40. Why? Because of v5:

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done;

And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order;

If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

While the task of recounting in succession all the great things Jesus has done may seem daunting, let us not become idle or indifferent in our Thanksgiving. After all, it’s more than a holiday, more than turkey and dressing with all the trimmings, more than football, parades or shopping. It is the grateful recognition of the sovereignty of our Lord and His Christ and His willingness to demonstrate His goodness to all mankind.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is trigger by a terrifying event, whether experiencing it or just witnessing it. Symptoms may include but not limited to flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. PTSD if left unchecked can lead to a disruption of your everyday life. This includes disruptions with your health, happiness, relationships and fulfilment of everyday activities. If ignored, PTSD can put you at a higher risk of mental health issues, such as; depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcoholism and issues with drugs, self-harm, and or develop suicidal ideations or actions.

In John 10:10 we read “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Turn on the television or radio and listen to the news or read the newspaper. The number of suicides attributed to PTSD is astronomical.  An average of 20 veterans per day commit suicide. More police officers die from suicide than in the line of duty. “A study found that 103 firefighters and 140 police officers died by suicide in 2017, compared to 93 firefighter and 129 officer line-of-duty deaths” (firerescue1.com).

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” There are many reaching out for help while others are just trying to cope with PTSD on their own. We are limited in our own abilities and need to recognize when we need help and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and other destructive ways are not the answer but a demise to our wellbeing and future.

According to an article on verywell.com, “In the United States, more than 40,000 people commit suicide each year…. In a survey of 5,877 people across the United States, it was found that people who had experienced physical or sexual assault in their life also had a high likelihood of attempting to take their own life at some point…”

 Although there is no quick medical fix for PTSD, the Church can and should be one place that can provide a place of patience, understanding, love and support for those needing and seeking for a holistic solution to what appears to be a lost cause to their condition. Aside from Mental health, having family members, church personnel and sufferers themselves trained within the body of believers is a good step toward helping oneself and others. Many believe that PTSD is just a mental condition that can only be resolved through mental health intervention and medications. Although mental health can be and is an important element in treatment. I believe that we are a triune being comprised of Body, Soul & Spirit and therefore, a Bible based Spiritual (holistic) approach to PTSD treatment is an imperative element to the healing of the Spiritual person alongside the physical person as well.

Trauma such as PTSD may very well open doors regarding discussions of profound spiritual issues/concerns of faith, personal beliefs, lack of purpose, individuality, guiltiness, and forgiveness. Pastors and lay leaders should not be worried to tackle these concerns with biblical based solid theological.

In Hosea 4:6 we find these Words: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge….  God’s calls upon His people to be a blessing, a helper, a light, and a resource to those that are lost, in need and hurting. We are God’s people with a purpose and mission. This is why our church, (BSCOG) has launched, “ReBoot, Beyond the Battlefield” Ministry to help anyone suffering from PTSD and equipping others in the body of believers on how to help others with whom they are able to reach out to. Our goal is to help church leaders, family member, friends, etc., from feeling unable to assist when someone is having a PTSD episode.

Approximately 22 veterans each day commit suicide. The numbers are higher for non-vets suffering from PTSD. Many of whom are members of a church. As such, I strongly advocate for church leaders to identify, validate, affirm and reach out to those who do not feel safe. Community of faith is crucial and beneficial for healing. The right thing to do is to get people plugged into the proper resources (in and out of church) that helps them, that doesn’t mean you are turning your back, you are in fact helping/supporting them and being a blessing by having them stay in the faith. Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Come and join us as we venture through the Word of God concerning the biblical principles of combating PTSD and restoring our inner spiritual being. Check our church website for specific ReBoot Seminar dates. This is open to every adult who is struggling with PTSD (military & nonmilitary related) or just want to learn how to help someone struggling with PTSD.

Proverbs 4:5-9 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”

Did you know that one of the Church of God Doctrinal Commitments is tithing and giving?  We are presented with more than a few Scriptures on this topic: Genesis 14:18-20; 28:20-22; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42 ; 1 Corinthians 16:2 ; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ; Hebrews 7:1-21.  My favorite of course is Malachi 3: 10, which says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”  I am always so excited to see how God can take something small and turn it into something miraculous.  After all, He is in the miracle business.

So, what is the tithe?  A tithe is 10% of the income you receive.  That is of course the most simplistic definition.  Early writings report that among the Greeks and Romans tenths were frequently dedicated out of a man’s substance to their gods, sometimes as lasting obligation, sometimes only on particular occasions; but it was customary to dedicate the tenth of the spoils of war to Jupiter Praedator, to Mars, and to Hercules.  The Persians gave to their gods the tenth of war spoils.  The part of this that fascinates me is how all of these had so much dedication to paying their tithes to gods that were not even real.  It brings us to think of the Scripture in Acts 17:23, “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.”  Paul was addressing the Church of Thessalonica when he saw this altar and was perplexed that they did not know who they were exalting.  Those historical people paid tithes to the gods that did not exist and did not personally know, in contrast, we know our God!  We know that He is real!  And, we know that His Word instructs us to bring the tithes into His storehouse.

the CFO here at BSCOG, I often see the blessing attached to giving in connection to those that regularly tithe.  Working in the finance department within the church can be a difficult task; one sees who regularly gives and those who may not.  My prayer is that people would trust God more with their finances and they would see the miraculous happen in their life more often.  The Bible tells us, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ~Luke 6:38 NKJV.”  I often wish people would use larger measuring cups in their giving and see what happens. When we pay 10% of our income to the Lord, we always receive more than we give.  Though many times we receive spiritual blessings for paying tithes & offerings, sometimes the blessings are temporal. I like what Randy Alcorn wrote, “..tithing isn’t something I do to clear my conscience so I can do whatever I want with the 90 percent–it also belongs to God! I must seek his direction and permission for whatever I do with the full amount. I may discover that God has different ideas than I do.”
― Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, Eternity.

When Edward Stokes Rich was 12 years old, he worked at night for a local newspaper to help his single mother earn money for his family. Whenever Edward received money, he gave it to his mother, who’d pay tithing on it.  One time his mother said, “Edward, I know that you have no overcoat, and you must walk many miles to and from work each night. With winter coming soon, it’s going to be very cold when you walk home at four or five o’clock in the morning. So, I’ll give you your tithing money and you can either pay your tithing or buy an overcoat. I’ll leave the decision up to you.” Edward hurried to the Bishop’s house and paid the tithing.  The next week Edward’s Aunt Mary came over and gave Edward a coat her sons had outgrown.  It fit him and was better than any coat he could have bought.  Since then, Edward’s decided to always pay a generous tithing.

This is just one story where God worked through a person’s giving.  There are thousands more and each time we see God being God.  He tells us in His word to test Him on this concept and that we are to be a cheerful giver.  With that said, why not test Him on his return? Get your largest measuring cup out and get happy by paying your tithes to the church you are a member of or attend, and watch the miracles come forth!

Hello friends, this is my first ever blog and I’ve chosen an unconventional topic considering I’m a Lead Pastor. One would think this blog would be some great insight into a particular passage of Scripture or biblical doctrine or prophecy, and the list goes on; but it’s not. I’ve chosen to share about our new and improved website and why we chose to step up our game in our online presence. But first, let me say how I’m proud and appreciative I am of those who have labored diligently to help our church in this endeavor, without them this would not have happened.

Change is never easy, but more often than not, it’s necessary. I’m from the Gen X world, I remember wall hung rotary phones and black & white TV’s. Used to be, if you needed to do research, then off to the local library you go or find a full volume of Encyclopedia Britannica, not anymore. So here we are, some of us fighting to retain some vestige of the past, others fully embracing everything this new technological frontier has provided. As a pastor and a church, we hope to utilize the best parts of the web to connect with and influence our church and community.

Let me start at the beginning. My wife and I began to pastor Boyette Springs Church of God in the fall of 2015 and one of the first goals was a website upgrade. Of course, as with all we attempt to do for God and His people, it was done with excellence and purpose; it was a great site. But times have changed, technology moved forward, and it seemed prudent for us to move with it. RELAUNCH!!!

We hope that our new website reflects the value we place on technology and the part it can play in our ability as a church to connect to as many people as possible. The purpose, as always, is to share the Good News of Jesus and inform our community as to who we are and what is happening at BSCOG. There are several new additions on our site, BLOGS are just one.

While there are similarities to the old, we hope that you will find in our upgraded platform a more visually appealing and functionally interactive site. Our desire is to provide a place where individuals and families will find resources, encouraging words, a clean and easy way to give, and a community of shared values. This is just the beginning, something we can build on.

Blessings in Christ!