Good day friends, this are what I learnt from today's teachings.
The teachings was centered on "willingness"
As children of God, we are not suppose to be told everything to do.
That is why we have the Holy Spirit in us. To guide us and to teach us all things.
John 16:13
King James Version
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
But we have all limited His work in us because we have choose the words of our pastors over the conviction from the Holy Spirit. That is why it seems our life is centered on what the preacher always say. It is not suppose to be so.
Philemon 1:21
“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say".
In the verse above, Apostle Paul is telling us that we should have confidence in the good we do, meaning we should wait for our pastor to tell us what to do, before we can do it.
It is important we should do whatever is good even if it was not written in the bible.
So from that verse, we are not confined to the good deeds in the bible only, as they will always tell us in our churches. Whatever is good and can help grow the society, we are admonished to do it willingly and joyfully.
Isaiah 1:19
King James Version
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.
Some of the things we can do willingly and are not supposed to be forced by our churches upon us are:
Vow: Vow is a solemn promise to do a specific thing.
Our vows to God should be done from our heart and should not be forced upon us.
Numbers 30:2
King James Version
2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Therefore whenever we make a vow to God, we should do well to fulfill it.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
King James Version
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Contributions or donations: Our donations should be voluntarily and should not be an obligation placed upon members by their churches.
It is something that should be given joyfully from our heart according to how God prospered us.
Mark 12:41-42
King James Version
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
The value of our donations should be between we and God and no man. You are not obliged to state what you are given as most of our churches tell us to do.
2 Corinthians 8:3
King James Version
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Our donation should be used to grow the church of God, example helping the widows, orphans etc. These are ways the church can grow.
James 1:27, KJV: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Hebrews 13:15-16
King James Version
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.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Whenever we are blessed by God, we should always give thanks with our lips (mouth) and with our substance(sacrifices).
Example: waking up everyday is a blessing from God and we are to show our gratitude through thanksgiving.
Thessalonians 5:18, KJV: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Thank you and God bless you all.