July 28 - Matthew 3-4

Matt 3:1-3 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:    "A voice of one calling in the desert,    'Prepare the way for the Lord,       make straight paths for him.' "   Isaiah 4:3 3 A voice of one calling:        "In the desert prepare        the way for the LORD  ;        make straight in the wilderness        a highway for our God.   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Matt 3:5-6 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.   John the Baptist prepared the path for Jesus. He preached the message of repentance. He baptized those who were willing to repent. Repentance is necessary for God to further his works on somebody.   Matt 3:7-8,10 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.   After repentance, a person should be bearing fruit, be fruitful. A non-fruitful person may be removed. A repented person would be blessed.   Matt 3:11 11"I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.   John does water baptism. Jesus does baptism with Holy Spirit. Hence, baptism in the Spirit.   Matt 3:16-17 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."   Water baptism is an important symbolic event. Even Jesus went through water baptism.  Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. After water baptism, God had anointed Jesus to commence his (Jesus) works.   Matt 4:1 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.   Matt 4:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.   For those who serve God, they will definitely be tempted by the devil. For those who serve God, it is good to practice fasting.   Matt 4:3-4 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."  4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "   Matt 4:4 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"[a]   Matt 4:4 is one of my favorite verses. As the body needs physical food such as bread and rice, the soul needs spiritual food which is the word of God, the bible.   Deut 8:3 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.   Deut 8:3 (NKJV) 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.   Matt 4:5-7 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:    " 'He will command his angels concerning you,       and they will lift you up in their hands,    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]" 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]"   Matt 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"   The Devil knows the bible too.  We must remember the Devil was a fallen angel, in fact he was formerly an archangel. We should live by faith. Yet, we should not test God.   Deut 6:16 16 "You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.   Deut 6:16-19 16 "You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers, 19 to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has spoken.   Matt 4:8-10 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "   Matt 4:10 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you,[d] Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"   Do not seek the kingdoms of the world. Seek first the kingdom in heaven, the kingdom of God. Worship the Lord God.  Worship not the "things" of this world. Let us put our priorities right.   Deut 6:13 (NKJV) 13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.   Deut 6:13-14 (NKJV) 13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you   Matt 4:13-16 13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:  15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,       the way to the sea, along the Jordan,       Galilee of the Gentiles—  16the people living in darkness       have seen a great light;    on those living in the land of the shadow of death       a light has dawned."[e]   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Isai 9:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,       As when at first He lightly esteemed       The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,       And afterward more heavily oppressed her,       By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,       In Galilee of the Gentiles.        2 The people who walked in darkness       Have seen a great light;       Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,       Upon them a light has shined.   Matt 4:17 17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."   Jesus' initial preaching message was similar to John the Baptist. There was continuity of message from John the Baptist to Jesus.   Matt 4:23-25 23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[f] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.   Jesus had preached about the gospel of the kingdom, and did a lot of healing. Healing (and miracles and wonders) are powerful tool to attract people.     Note: Today, I read Matthew chapters 3 and 4.

 

July 27 - Matthew 1-2

Matt 1:17 17Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.[b]   Is there any significance that 14 generations between each major stage/event? Any special meaning to 14?  Is it just 2 x 7?  (Note: Seven is a special number denoting Completeness.)   Matt 1:20-21 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins."   Jesus is Greek name for Joshua. Jesus = Joshua = "The Lord saves"   Mat 1:22-23 22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"[d]—which means, "God with us."   Immanuel = "God with us"   Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you [c] a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and [d] will call him Immanuel.   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Matt 2:1 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him." 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[e] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.   Magi = the Wise Men It is often in Christmas plays that there were 3 wise men. This probably due to the fact that 3 gifts were brought to Baby Jesus, i.e. gold, incense, and myrrh.   Matt 2:3-6 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ[c] was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,       are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;    for out of you will come a ruler       who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'[d]"   Micah 5:2 2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,        though you are small among the clans [b] of Judah,        out of you will come for me        one who will be ruler over Israel,        whose origins [c] are from of old,        from ancient times. [d] "   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Matt 2:13-15 13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."[f]   Jesus spent his childhood years in Egypt.   Hosea 11:1 1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,        and out of Egypt I called my son.   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Matt 2:16-18 16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:  18"A voice is heard in Ramah,       weeping and great mourning,    Rachel weeping for her children       and refusing to be comforted,    because they are no more."[g]   If the angel of the Lord did not call Joseph in a dream to shift to Egypt, baby Jesus would have been killed. Joseph was a righteous man, who listened to God. Joseph listened that his wife-to-be was impregnated by Holy Spirit and married her. Joseph listened and shifted his family (Mary and baby Jesus) to Egypt.   Jeremiah 31:15 15 This is what the LORD says:        "A voice is heard in Ramah,        mourning and great weeping,        Rachel weeping for her children        and refusing to be comforted,        because her children are no more."   A prophesy was fulfilled.   Matt 2:19-21 19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." 21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.   Joseph listened and shifted his family back to land of Israel.     Note:  Read Matthew chapters 1-2.

 

July 24: Galatians 5 (part 2)

Gal 5:16-18 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Gal 5:16-17 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Live by the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit. Live a life which is guided by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Do not gratify/satisfy/fulfill desires of the carnal self, lust of the flesh, desires of our sinful nature. Remember…lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes. The Spirit's way is not similar to the flesh's way. We cannot follow 2 masters. We either walk according to the Holy Spirit / God's way or according to the ways of our flesh / carnal self / sinful nature. Spirit's way is contrary to the flesh/carnal way. Gal 5:19-21 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 (NKJV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Characteristics of the flesh/carnal/sinful way include but not limited to: a) sexual immorality, extra-marital sex, pre-marital sex b) impurity, uncleanness c) debauchery, lewdness d) idolatry e) witchcraft, sorcery f) hatred, discord, contentions, jealousy g) anger, fits of rage, outburst of wrath h) selfish ambition i) dissensions, factions, heresies j) envy, murder k) drunkenness, orgies. Those who live grossly sinful life do not deserve to inherit the kingdom of God, do not deserve to go to heaven. However, if they ask for forgiveness, Christ will forgive, they can still be eligible to go to heaven. This is the irony, as seen by non-believers. Gal 5:22-23a 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22-23a (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Gal 5:22-23 (KJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. This is one of my favorite verses. Notice it says "fruit of the Spirit", and NOT "fruits of the Spirit." This means we cannot say "May favorite fruits are joy and peace. I desire to have more of these two" This "fruit tree" produces 9-in-1 fruit. This fruit tree (meaning the Holy Spirit) does NOT produce 9 types of fruit. This 9-in-1 fruit of the Spirit comprises: a) Love, b) Joy, c) Peace, d) Patience (Longsuffering) e) Kindness (Gentleness), f) Goodness, g) Faithfulness (Faith), h) Gentleness (Meekness), and i) Self-Control (Temperance). As we can see it, the first and foremost is Love. Second and third components of the Fruit of the Spirit are Joy and Peace respectively. When there is LOVE, we will be happy and JOYful. With Love and Joy in our hearts, we will experience PEACE in our heart. When we feel at PEACE, we will surely be having more PATIENCE. I don't know how to connect from Patience (LongSuffering). The last but not least is Self-Control. Gal 5:24 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. We Christians ought to have crucified/disregarded our instinct-related sinful self, our passions, and lustful desires. Gal 5:25 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:25 (NKJV) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. If we claim to live in the Spirit, we must also practice the ways of the Spirit. Gal 5:26 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. If we claim to live in the Spirit, we must avoid: a) Becoming proud, arrogant and conceited. b) Provoking one another, backbiting, backstabbing. c) Envying each other. Be satisfied with what we have.

July 24 - Galatians 5 (part 1)

Gal 5:1 1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Christ has set us free. Do not be burdened with "yoke of slavery" such as carnal desires, greed of money, pride, gluttony. Remember that God abhors pride. Pride is worse than murder & adultery. When David schemed and took somebody's wife to be his, he was punished…his baby with that woman died. When David felt proud of his successes and decided to do a census, God punished him by killing thousands (or is it tens of thousands?). Gal 5:6 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal 5:6 (NKJV) 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Circumcision is only a symbolic event. What is important is the process of renewal, which involves removing our carnal self, and having Holy Spirit dwell in us. "Faith through Love" is the focus. Gal 5:7 7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? I was running a good race. I was living a good Christian life. I was invited to become the President of Christian Union (of my school). I because the Treasurer of IKUTM (Christian Fellowship of UTM). What kept me away? What things/events drove me further away from God? Back then in 1986…. Busy with studies & assignments? Falling out of love? Seeing and angry with "church politics"? Disappointed with the lies of Christian leaders who claimed to receive God's views (thru tongues, visions, etc.)? Gal 5:13-15 13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Gal 5:13-14 (NKJV) 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love one another, serve one another. Love one another through serving one another, helping one another. "You shall love you neighbor as yourself" is a supreme command. This is the golden rule in dealing with people. If we love our neighbors, our friends, our relatives, many people-oriented problems would be resolved or even prevented. Backbiting, backstabbing, gossiping and slandering are terrible. I remember how I was slandered by a distinguished Lion, who was an elder in his church. What a shame! A Christian who looks righteous among his parish… is actually a backstabber and slanderer.

July 23 - Philippians 1

Phil 1:9-11 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.   Phil 1:9-11 (NKJV) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.   Strive to love knowledge and discernment. Discern what is best, things that are excellent. Live a pure, sincere and blameless life. Be filled with the fruit of righteousness.   Q: What is(are) the fruit(s) of righteousness?   Phil 1:15-18 15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.   What is important is that the gospel is preached, disseminated, publicized. Some do it out of good motive, some not-so-good motive. Still, the gospel gets preached; this is good despite whatever motive. In this era, there are some preachers out there who are money-minded, wealth-seeking, conceited and proud.  So long God's message is effectively passed on to the people, it's ok; main objective is achieved. It doesn't matter that the preacher is carnal, the preacher is wealth-seeking or money-minded.   Phil 1:21 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.   Phil 1:21 (NKJV) 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.   One of my favorite verses. This is uttered by Paul when he was persecuted, when he was imprisoned. He wanted to live on because he wanted to continue to preach the gospel. To die was gain because he could be in heaven, closer to God.   Phil 1:21-26 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For[c] I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.     Ok. Gtg. Time to go to work.

 

July 22 - attended Home Fellowship @BK

Today, I attended Home Fellowship after a few years break.   Felt good. I think I will go again.   HF Leader = Davie Samuel Host = Heong & Poh Man HF Deputy Leader = Heong   Topic: ...becoming a Testimony....(i think) * Words & Actions * Right Time for Words * Create Interest * Felt Need   Favourite verse i read just now: For God has not given you a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.     Hallelujah. Praise the Lord God.

 

July 22 - Supply/Wealth & Malachi

Phil 4:13 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   Phil 4:19 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.   Phil 4:19  (NKJV) 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.   Mal 1:8 8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.   Mal 1:13b-14 "When you bring injured, crippled or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?" says the LORD. 14 "Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.   Bring to the Lord…your best, your time, your commitment, your effort. The Lord deserves the best from us. Remember the story of the poor woman who her money (her all) at the temple.   Mal 2:7 7 "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.   Man of God (such as priest, pastor, elder, deacon) should be wise, preserve and extend the knowledge, and provide instruction to the masses.   Mal 2:11-12 11 Judah has broken faith. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves, by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. 12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD cut him off from the tents of Jacob [d] —even though he brings offerings to the LORD Almighty.   Marrying outside the race was a no-no.  In present times, this could be interpreted as restriction of marrying outside the faith.   Mal 2:13-16 13 Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.  15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [e] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.  16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself [f] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty.       So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.   These are discouraged: a)     Marrying second wife, b)     Separation with wife (or 1st wife), c)      Divorce with wife (or 1st wife).   Mal 3:5 5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.   God will chastise those who are bad, oppressive and unjust.   Mal 3:8-11 8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.       "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'       "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.   Mal 3:10 (NKJV) 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,       That there may be food in My house,       And try Me now in this,"       Says the LORD of hosts,       " If I will not open for you the windows of heaven       And pour out for you such blessing       That there will not be room enough to receive it.   Bring in the tithes and offerings to God. And God will reward back with excessive blessing, money and wealth. God will protect our assets, properties and earning potential.   Mal 4:1-3 1 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.   Mal 4:2 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.   Mal 4:2-3 (NKJV) 2 But to you who fear My name       The Sun of Righteousness shall arise       With healing in His wings;       And you shall go out       And grow fat like stall-fed calves.        3 You shall trample the wicked,       For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet       On the day that I do this,"       Says the LORD of hosts.   God with bless those who are good, faithful and those who fear the Lord.   Note: Finished reading the book of Malachi.