(a chapter from my book, Facing Change)
At the end of each financial year, our local church has a “Miracle Offering.” Still, we had a rest year this year to allow the land to rejuvenate and regenerate. According to our senior pastor’s vision, we had a “Heart for the House Offering” instead. I did not have much to give, so the Lord asked for a grain offering of 1 kg of whole meal flour and 1 litre of extra virgin olive oil. On Sunday morning, I was running late to church, so I got out of my car and drove away from the house before I realized I had forgotten the grain offering. I could have brought it to another service I attended later on Sunday evening. Still, the Lord said that it was necessary. So, I went back home to pick up the grain offering.
That Sunday afternoon, I wrote one psalm, which I brought to sow into the “Heart for the House Offering” in the evening. After the service, I wrote seven psalms that Sunday evening, which I again brought to sow into the “Heart for the House Offering” on Monday morning. And then, over the next two days, I finished fourteen psalms for the Lord.
In a few days, the Lord demonstrated the principle of sowing and reaping in action for everybody. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NLT, the Bible instructs us on the principle of sowing and reaping.
If we give generously, there is provision for those who need it and for ourselves because God is able to multiply our giving. Sowing seeds for offerings like the Miracle Offerings and Heart for the House Offerings that God put on our senior pastor’s heart is optional but necessary if we are to see a future harvest, both for ourselves and our communities.
God does not usually ask for a grain offering. The grain offering is a thanksgiving for the year the people bring to God in the Old Testament. However, the Old Testament still applies to all the unredeemed descendants of Adam and Eve; it is still relevant to us as the redeemed in the context of the New Testament. Thus, the grain offering is a thanksgiving intercession on behalf of all the unredeemed descendants of Adam and Eve. [See Romans 2:14-15 NLT, Hebrews 8:10 NLT, Hebrews 10:16 NLT, and Jeremiah 31:33 NLT.]
Similarly, the blood of Christ and the cross at Calvary continues to be a salvation intercession and an atonement intercession on behalf of all the unredeemed descendants of Adam and Eve and all the unredeemed descendants of Abraham. For salvation and atonement intercession for the salvation of the whole world, the Lord asked for:
- about a hundred rose, white, and yellow gold crosses
- a rose gold bracelet
- a yellow gold bracelet
- red wine and unleavened bread (matzos)
The Lord asked for this two years ago. Recently, a little more than one year later, some pastors left my local church in Sydney to plant a church in Cape Town, South Africa. On their first day in a new church, they had 5 services, and over 3000 people came through the church. Through the powerful intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ and the effectual prayers of saints, the Lord has cleared away the obstacles that stop some people from receiving Christ. This will increasingly happen worldwide as the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to every nation, and the Church of Jesus Christ is prepared to accept the lost people into the Body of Christ at these end-to-end times. I see that the Lord will resource the Church of Jesus Christ in every way to fulfil His vision to save the world in preparation for the new heaven and earth described in Revelation 21 and Revelation 22. The Lord is always Faithful and True to His Word.
Another note on the grain offering: The Lord fed Elijah by ordering the ravens to bring him bread and meat by the side of the brook in Keriath Ravine, east of the Jordan. When the brook dried up, the Lord asked Elijah to stay at Zarephath in Sidon, where a widow would supply him with food. This is the scripture. [1 Kings 17:8-16 NIV]
The grain offering consisted of flour and oil. The cake Elijah asked the widow to make for him consisted of her last bit of flour and oil. When the widow obeyed the man of God, there was food for Elijah, her, and her family for many days until the day the LORD brought rain on the land again. The Lord wanted to bless this woman, but first, she had to give in faith according to the Word of the Lord. First, she had to allow God to lead and obediently follow. This is the secret of God’s miracles. This is the secret of God’s provision. This is the secret of Christian leadership. First, we acquire the sensitivity to hear the Word of the Lord, and then we obediently follow. Confirmation will come when we see the signs and wonders that follow the preaching of God’s Word.
How do we acquire the sensitivity to hear the Word of the Lord personally in our lives? We have a relationship with God the Father, Yahweh Elohim Adonai Jesus, by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, Son of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. [John 14:6 NIV]
Jesus is the door. If anyone enters by Him, they will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [John 10:9 NKJV]
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.