Currency Exchange

Every country has its own currency. While in a particular country, you need to use the currency of that country. Any other currency, even if it is of much greater value, is not useful to purchase anything!

The currency of the Kingdom of GOD is the Holy Spirit Who originates from the Heavenly Father. When we ask for Him and are humble to receive, He is poured into the wallet of our heart as love, filling us with joy and hope! We can then freely share this love with others. The more we release to others, the more love is released into the wallet of our heart!

Earthly money is absolutely valueless spiritually in GOD'S Kingdom. It can only be used with love to bless the needy, provide for the material needs of the servants of GOD and for the material needs of the  work of the Kingdom.

 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, 

from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 

but with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

1 Peter 1:18-19 

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

  And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands 

the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, 

"Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands 

may receive the Holy Spirit." 

  But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, 

because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 

  You have neither part nor portion in this matter, 

for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 

  Repent therefore of this your wickedness, 

and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 

  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." 

Acts 8:17-23 

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, 

nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, 

who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 

  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, 

ready to give, willing to share, 

  storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, 

that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

1 Timothy 6:17-19 

 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, 

and though I give my body to be burned, 

but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3

GOD'S Kingdom values are quite contrary to earthly values, the bottom line being souls.

A million dollars cannot purchase one soul, but one soul that is saved by the love of JESUS can be GOD'S instrument to bring a million souls to salvation in JESUS!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

What are my most important criteria in making decision?

Money Profit?

Time Profit?

Convenience and Comfort?

Self Glory?

Or is it GOD'S glory and Kingdom Profit?

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

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PRESENTS!

Look back at yesterday with thankfulness to GOD.

Yesterday is past.

Look forward to tomorrow with hope in GOD.

Tomorrow is future.

Receive today with joy and gratitude to the LORD.

It is PRESENT and it is a PRESENT from the LORD!

As you live it with praise, His PRESENCE will fill your heart 

and you will live in His glorious PRESENCE!

You cannot change yesterday.

You do not know what tomorrow holds.

You can make the PRESENT different

by dying to 'self' and denying 'self'.

You can change your attitude towards GOD and others now.

Then, life will be different tomorrow!

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 

"Today, if you will hear His voice, 

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, 

In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Hebrews 3:7-8

Let your conduct be without covetousness; 

be content with such things as you have. 

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; 

I will not fear. 

What can man do to me?" 

Remember those who rule over you, 

who have spoken the word of God to you, 

whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:5-8

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, 

and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, 

will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:30

 'And now, carefully consider from this day forward: 

from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord-

- since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, 

there were but ten; 

when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, 

there were but twenty. 

I struck you with blight and mildew 

and hail in all the labors of your hands; 

yet you did not turn to Me,' says the Lord. 

'Consider now from this day forward, 

from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, 

from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid-

-consider it: 

Is the seed still in the barn? 

As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, 

and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. 

But from this day I will bless you.' "
Haggai 2:15-19

 And Moses said to the people, 

"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, 

which He will accomplish for you today. 

For the Egyptians whom you see today, 

you shall see again no more forever. 

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:13-14

 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 

This was the Lord's doing; 

It is marvelous in our eyes. 

This is the day the Lord has made; 

We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:22-24

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Today salvation has come to this house, 

because he also is a son of Abraham;
Luke 19:9

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Assuredly, I say to you, 

today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, 

And in the day of salvation I have helped you." 

Behold, now is the accepted time; 

behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

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VERSE

When the devil shoots at you with his lies and accusations,

verse him with a Scripture verse!

 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness 

to be tempted by the devil. 

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, 

afterward He was hungry. 

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 

"If You are the Son of God, 

command that these stones become bread." 

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.' 

" Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, 

set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 

"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. 

For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' 

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, 

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' 

" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 

'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' 

" Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, 

and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You 

if You will fall down and worship me." 

Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! 

For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, 

and Him only you shall serve.' " 

Then the devil left Him, and behold, 

angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11

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Direction and Distance

Peter and Judas

The direction we are facing is more important than the distance we are, from our destination.

In other words, being far from the goal, yet turned in the right direction is better than being close but facing another direction!

 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. 

And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
Mark 14:54

Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, 

"Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."
Mark 14:44

Peter still followed JESUS, but at a distance because he feared for his life.

It was his weakness. He was facing the right direction.

Judas had turned against JESUS our LORD.

He faced the opposite direction from the LORD but came so close to the LORD.

Close enough to kiss Him!

His heart was turned away from GOD towards money.

This was wickedness!

Cornelius

Although Cornelius was a gentile, his heart was turned in the right direction.

 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, 

a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, 

who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
Acts 10:1-2

GOD used Peter to share the truth with Cornelius and many gentiles were even filled with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized!

 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, 

because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 

Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, 

that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 

Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Acts 10:44-48

Cornelius, as a gentile, was far from the Only True GOD, but his heart was turned towards that GOD. Therefore GOD revealed Himself to Cornelius and drew him close to Himself!

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