Tithing Your Time

Have you ever considered tithing your time? When we hear the word tithe, we attribute it to the action of giving monetary currency. Malachi 3:10 is commonly used as the basis for adherence to the instruction from God to tithe the first fruit of our increase.

Malachi 3:10 (NLT) says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"

Our obedience, out of love for Him, gives us an assurance of blessing in every area of our lives. But I pose the question to you again. Have you considered tithing your time? We have 24 hours in a day which is 1,440 minutes. A tithe of your time is 144 minutes or 2 hours and 24 minutes. You have a laundry list of your Christian doings. You thank the Lord everyday for your existence, family, job, finances, health, etc. Your life is so full of things that have to been done. You do things with and for the ministry. You read the word everyday, pray with and for others. Time is a great commodity and so much of it is consumed with your "must do" business. And when it's all done you need to rest and sleep. Before you sink into a deep sleep you might utter "Thank you Jesus for another day." Then off to La-La Land you go until the alarm clock rings to wake you for another day, repetitious of the days before.

Deuteronomy 12:10-11 (NLT) says, "But you will soon cross the Jordan River and live in the land the LORD your God is giving you. When he gives you rest from all your enemies and you’re living safely in the land, you must bring everything I command you—your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, your sacred offerings, and your offerings to fulfill a vow—to the designated place of worship, the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored."

You say, "I don't have time to tithe time." Believe it or not, you do have expendable time. How much time do you engage in social networking, watching TV, listening to your favorite music, reading books in your favorite genre, spending time with friends, chitty-chatting (maybe gossiping) with your family and friends, in addition to other leisurely indulgences?

Don't you think you can offer up the bare minimum of your day by dedicating it to no one but God? Can you take 144 minutes of your time just for Him? It's where you shut up and shut off EVERYTHING. Get quiet, get still and wait on Him. He is your audience. You are His audience. Even if you don't hear anything in the spirit, give Him His time with you. And when you do, you will be amazed at how close and intimate you will get with Him. The hidden man of the heart needs the nourishment of His presence and glory. And there is a wonderful benefit of tithing time to and with God. It will be unique and wonderful.

Deuteronomy 12:28 (NLT) says, "Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God."

Christine Brooks Martin
www.praywhatgodsays.weebly.com

Areli MediaWorks  |  2015

"SCRIPTURE WORKS!" author Rali Macaulay -- Guest Interview

Rali Macaulay

I am pleased to introduce Rali Macaulay to the Pray What God Says blog for a guest author interview.

Rali is an international bestselling Christian author, with a desire to bring the lost to the Lord, empower believers, and strengthen their relationship with God through her writings.

Earlier this year Rali's debut book entitled "SCRIPTURE WORKS!" became a bestseller within days of its launching. She is passionate about the Word of God, and lives her life on the principles of God's Word.

PWGS: What is your book all about?

RM: The full title, "SCRIPTURE WORKS! Effectively Praying God's Word over Life Situations" is about prayer based on God's Word, the Bible.

What inspired you to write this book?
RM: Many years ago, I started to pray with the scriptures; but then I would encounter similar situations in the future and completely forgot what scriptures I used in the past. As a result I would need to do my researches afresh and find appropriate scriptures to pray. I later decided to start journaling the bible verses I was using, at first in no particular order. Later I started to categorize them. After several years of doing this, I began to sense the Lord leading me to share these scriptures with others because there are many people struggling to pray, or know what scriptures to use in prayers. Some don't even know they can or need to pray the scriptures.

How did you decide to do what you’re doing today, that is, become a published author?RM: First, without any doubt, the grace of God. I also reached a point where I realized no matter how much I prayed or fasted, God was not going to do my part for me, which was to start writing. I needed to start putting whatever the Lord was placing in my heart on paper. So, with that knowledge, I made a decision to get serious with my calling and do this first book that I had been working on for too long. So I set a deadline even when I had no idea how to publish or how to get a book cover done! But God is ever faithful. Once you trust Him, and take that first step, and commit to doing your part, He will begin to bring in the people, resources and even skills you need to complete the assignment he has placed in your hands.

How long have you been writing?
RM: Since elementary school. I used to write short sentences on paper cut into little squares. I would staple those together and proudly pronounce I had a book. My writing continued in high school, however my first published work was a little over 20 years ago when I wrote an article for my local church magazine.

Can you describe a typical day in your life where you are able to fit writing into it?
RM: My typical day is very busy. Presently I work full time, and I'm a wife and mother of three little kids :) However, the Lord taught me to use what used to be a concern/pain to my advantage. I travel long hours to and from work; and fortunately I get to take the train. So these are the hours I do my writings the most -- while commuting to and from work. I also try waking early Saturdays before my kids, so I can spend some hours writing.

What do you enjoy most about what you do as an author?
RM: Seeing lives transformed, and people re-committing to spend time with their Maker. I'm also blessed when I hear testimonies of people arising to take their rightful place in Christ and living victorious Christian lives. I also, obviously, enjoy writing. When I write, I experience joy and peace. I feel deep satisfaction; and right then forget about any current issues that should have been a concern. It's like being translated from the present to the heart of God.

Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
RM: Definitely the bible takes first place :) I love reading that Book; and the Author is my Father:) I just enjoy God's word. It's ever fresh, ever relevant, ever powerful! I read books by different authors that I really love; but early in my life as a believer, I really enjoyed reading Max Lucado's books, when it comes to getting an assurance of God's love for me, and His total acceptance of me. I also enjoy Yonngi Cho's books on prayers. But all in all, I have been blessed to have been under the teachings of several anointed men and women of God either directly or indirectly; and these have been used by the Holy Spirit to shape (and still shaping) my life.

Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
RM: I love to crochet, and have done so since I was very little.

What do you expect your readers to gain from reading your books?
RM: I want my readers to cease being defeated in life! I want them to know that they have help in God through His Word, and that His Word is most reliable. In addition, I want them to experience how to turn scriptures into prayers, and help them to actually pray those scriptures through the sample prayers and faith declarations provided. I also want them to know that the Word covers EVERY situation in their lives. No matter what it is, God's got it covered! That is what the book "SCRIPTURE WORKS!" is about.

If you are working on any new book projects can you give us a sneak-peak?
RM: Yes. I am currently working on a series entitled "Secrets to Empowered Lifestyle." I recently published the first book in the series "7 Days of Power." The purpose of this book is to provide a daily devotional for the week, with scriptural prayers/faith declarations. It also includes a bonus section on goals because "...faith without works is dead..." --James 2:17.

Thank you Rali for being my guest author here at Pray What God Says. I hope you will continue to stand by your motto and that is to inspire others to live fulfilled, empowered, and victorious lives in Christ -- so they will be enabled to know and walk in God's plans.

Rali MacCaulay's titles are available at Amazon.com

SCRIPTURE WORKS!

SCRIPTURE WORKS!
Effectively Praying God's Word over Life Situations
ebook
Paperback

7 Days of Power

Secrets to Empowered Lifestyle:
"7 Days of Power" (1st in the series)
eBookPaperback

Connect with Rali MacCaulay at:
Website: www.wellspringinspirations.com
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/ralimacaulay
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WellspringInspirations
Google+: plus.google.com/111802034522858674366
Email: wellspringinspirations@yahoo.com

Areli MediaWorks  |  2014