The David Alliance

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Wishy Washy… what a great way to describe people who do not live on a straight line… I can’t stand wishy washy people, they drive me crazy… Now I need to be careful when I talk about wishy washy people because well… Im one of them. And thats where were going today! 

 

 

Why Does God use wishy washy people?

  -  Demonstrate his grace

 

His Grace is amazing saving us as sinners…

But its super amazing in forgiving us in our failures after salvation.

 

Stephen Glenn - Adopted kids. He adopted a 15 year old boy. He ran the car through the garage. Stephen came home the boy had packed his suitcase, sitting on the bed waiting to be dropped back off at the social workers office…

Stephen said to him: did you not think I knew days like this would happen. The boy doubted him… Stephen went to his study, got a letter out of his desk and had the boy read it. It said “I know you will blow it, But I adopted you because I love you, not because you will be perfect”. 

 

His grace proves his redemption even in our failure and our foolishness. 

 

Jesus restored Peter. - He may discipline but he never abandons us. 

 

 

 

  -  He uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

It was said years ago NASA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create a pen that would write in space (no gravity made it almost impossible)

To show off to Russia they sent them a few… Russia returned them and said thanks but no thanks we use pencils.

 

Later The US sent a drill bit so small it could drill it could drill through the center of a stick pin… they sent it to the Chinese to see if they wanted to order any (and brag) China said, great job, but it tends to overheat so we added a feature to help with that… upon closer inspection they found a hole drilled straight through the center of it. 

 

*You would never Pick Peter to change the world.

You would never pick David to defeat a Giant

You would never pick a stutter’er to be the greatest leader in the Bible

You would never choose a mass murderer to be the greatest evangelist 

You would never pick a teenager to lead the NEW Church Plants

 

**WHAT WOULD YOU “NEVER” BE CALLED TO BE?

The best husband?

The best employee?

The most fulfilled and at peace?

The best marriage?

The best health?  

The best soul winner?

The best healer?

The best author?

The best Teacher? 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Dropping the weights on my foot

1 Peter 1: In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Suffer grief GK LOO-PAY-OH  = self inflicted grief… your own mistakes.

Trials GK PI-ROS-MOS  Temptations and testing

Verse 2

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

 

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine

**LITERALLY MEANS the handler of your faith is genuine! GODS CHARACTER WILL BE PROVEN AS HE WALKS YOU THROUGH YOUR MISTAKES AND HANG UPS AND POOR CHOICES. 

When a blacksmith heats a piece of metal…

When a blacksmith heats and rapidly cools (quenches) metal, they are performing heat treatment, a process that dramatically changes the metal's properties by altering its internal crystal structure to increase its hardness, strength, and wear resistance. Heating the metal allows its atoms to rearrange, and rapid cooling locks them into a distorted, more rigid structure, making the metal harder and more difficult to deform. 

 

Here's a breakdown of what happens:

• Heating: The metal is heated to a high temperature, causing its atoms to become more mobile. This makes the metal softer, more ductile (able to be stretched), and allows for its structure to change to a different phase, such as austenite in steel. 
• Rapid Cooling (Quenching): The hot metal is then quickly cooled, often in water, oil, or brine. This rapid cooling prevents the atoms from fully reforming into their softer, original state and instead traps them in a strained, highly ordered crystalline structure called martensite in the case of steel. 
• Increased Hardness and Strength: The trapped carbon atoms and internal strains within the martensitic structure create a very hard and strong material that resists deformation. 
• Potential for Brittleness: The rapid cooling can also introduce internal tensions and make the metal more brittle, a state that can be refined by subsequent processes like tempering. 
• Tempering (Optional): To reduce brittleness and create a balance of hardness and toughness, a blacksmith may then reheat the metal to a lower temperature and cool it more slowly in a process called tempering. This results in a tool that is both hard and less likely to snap under stress.

Great question. Growth in Christ is not a straight upward line but more like a lifelong journey of transformation—sometimes marked by leaps forward, sometimes by setbacks, but always under God’s grace. The Bible describes this process as **sanctification**—being made more like Jesus through the Spirit’s work. Here’s how that process unfolds, including the reality of ongoing failure:

 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Robin: EVERYTHING WAS HOLY….

 

 

 

What are five things no one would know about Burt Ward who played Robin in the TV show Batman?

 

### 1. **A Speed-Reading Sensation**

 

Before hitting the big time, young Burt became an accomplished speed-reader. He was tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills and clocked a staggering **30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension**—far beyond average reading speeds. ([Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1], [TV Banter][2])

 

---

 

### 2. **World’s Youngest Professional Ice Skater**

 

At just **two years old**, Burt was featured in the magazine *Strange as It Seems* as the **world’s youngest professional ice skater**, thanks to a traveling ice show owned by his father. ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1])

 

---

 

### 3. **He Did (Most of) His Own Dangerous Stunts**

 

Unlike many stars, Burt performed most of his own stunts, even though his face made using a stunt double difficult. This led to multiple emergency room visits—**dozens**, he says—due to injuries from stunts like being tied to a table with a real buzz saw inches away or suspended above Bengal tigers. ([Wikipedia][3], [Express][4])

 

A Reddit user humorously shared one of Burt’s more wild stories, recalling how during one stunt he was flung from the Batmobile when the door unexpectedly opened—and cracked an arm. ([Reddit][5])

 

---

 

### 4. **Musical Collaborations with Frank Zappa**

 

During *Batman*’s peak, Burt recorded several tracks produced by Tom Wilson and arranged by Frank Zappa. Notably, he released a single featuring "Boy Wonder, I Love You" (written by Zappa) and a cover of "Orange Colored Sky." ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1])

 

---

 

### 5. **Rescue Work for Giant-Breed Dogs**

 

Beyond Hollywood, Burt—and his wife Tracy—devoted themselves to canine welfare. In **1994**, they founded *Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions*, significantly impacting the lives of giant-breed dogs. Their nonprofit has facilitated **over 15,500 adoptions** and often houses around **50 dogs at home** awaiting forever families. ([Wikipedia][3], [People.com][6]) Additionally, their company *Gentle Giants* produces natural pet food aimed at boosting pets’ longevity and wellbeing. ([People.com][6])

 

---

 

### Bonus Tidbits:

 

* Burt actually chose his own stage name: swapping “Gervis” for *Ward* (his mother’s maiden name) and altering “Bert” to “Burt” because it had more punch. ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1])

* He holds a **Guinness World Record** for portraying the same live-action superhero in the most episodes (120 as Robin). ([Facts.net][7], [The Famous People][8])

* In **2020**, Burt received a star on the **Hollywood Walk of Fame**—a fitting tribute to the iconic Boy Wonder. ([Hollywood Walk of Fame][9])

 

To understand the deep meaning of redemption in Greek scripture, it is essential to explore the key terms used by New Testament writers, primarily agorazō and its cognates (exagorazō), and lytron with its related forms (apolytrōsis, lytrōsis). These words paint a picture of redemption as a decisive, costly, and legally binding rescue from the slavery of sin and its consequences. 

Key Greek words for redemption

Agorazō (ἀγοράζω) and exagorazō (ἐξαγοράζω)

The verb agorazō means "to buy or purchase" and is derived from agora, the Greek marketplace or slave market. The related verb exagorazō, which means "to buy out or buy from," intensifies this meaning. 

• Bought at a price: The use of agorazō emphasizes that humanity was on the auction block of sin but has been purchased by Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For you were bought with a price" (ēgorasthēte timēs), underscoring the high cost of this purchase.
• Freedom from the Law: The more intensive term exagorazō highlights a targeted purchase designed to remove something or someone from their previous state. For example, Galatians 4:5 says Christ came to "redeem those who were under the law" (exagorazō tous hupo nomon). This signifies not just a general purchase but a deliberate act of freeing people from the curse and bondage of the Law. 

Lytron (λύτρον), apolytrōsis (ἀπολύτρωσις), and lytrōsis (λύτρωσις)

This cluster of words emphasizes the idea of a ransom payment that brings about release.

• Lytron (ransom price): Lytron specifically refers to the monetary price paid to free a slave or captive. In Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, Jesus says he came "to give his life as a ransom (lytron) for many," directly comparing his death to a payment made to secure the freedom of others.
• Apolytrōsis (completed redemption): The preposition apo is an intensifier, making apolytrōsis a "stronger form" of the word that denotes a complete and finalized liberation. This is the word used when describing the future, full redemption of believers' bodies at the resurrection (Romans 8:23) and the day of ultimate redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
• Lytrōsis (the experience of release): This noun refers to the deliverance or liberation that results from the payment of a ransom. Hebrews 9:12 explains that Christ "obtained eternal redemption (lytrōsis) for us". 

The holistic and progressive nature of redemption

The deep meaning of redemption in the Greek New Testament moves beyond a simple, one-time transaction to a multi-faceted and progressive work of God. 

Past: An accomplished fact

• The price for sin has been paid through Christ's death on the cross, accomplishing a decisive and objective redemption for all believers.
• The sacrifice of Christ is the ultimate ransom (lytron), securing our justification and the forgiveness of sins (Romans 3:24). 

Present: An ongoing reality

• The power of redemption is at work in believers' lives, delivering them from sin's power and purifying them to be a people for God's possession (Titus 2:14).
• As part of this transformation, believers are no longer slaves to sin but bondservants of righteousness (Romans 6:18). 

Future: A complete deliverance

• Redemption is not yet fully realized. Believers "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23).
• The final stage of redemption will be the complete liberation from corruption and the resurrection of our bodies when Christ returns (Luke 21:28). 

A covenantal and communal significance

Understanding the Greek word for redemption also brings with it significant implications for our relationship with God and others. 

A treasured possession (peripoiēsis)

• 1 Peter 2:9 refers to believers as "a people for his own possession (peripoiēsis)." The Greek term highlights that God did not simply purchase us to release us, but to acquire and preserve us as his treasured property.
• This identity echoes the Old Testament concept of Israel as God's segullah, his special, prized possession. 

Motivating holiness - HOLY MOTIVATION BATMAN

• The knowledge that we belong to God motivates believers to live holy lives and not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
• The infinite cost of our redemption, the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19), calls believers to live not for themselves but for Christ. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

You didn’t have to love me like you did like you did like you did, but I thank you! ZZ Top

 

 

1. **Gratitude Rewires the Brain**

 

* Neuroscience research shows that practicing gratitude activates the brain’s **reward and motivation circuits** (especially the ventromedial prefrontal cortex).

* Over time, this strengthens positive neural pathways, making it easier to focus on good things instead of negative ones.

* In essence, thankfulness literally reshapes the brain toward optimism and resilience.

 

2. **Boosts Physical Health**

 

* Studies have found that grateful people report **fewer aches and pains**, better sleep, and stronger immune function.

* Gratitude lowers stress hormones like cortisol, which in turn reduces inflammation—a root cause of many chronic diseases.

* Even writing in a “gratitude journal” has been linked to better long-term physical well-being.

 

3. **Improves Mental Health**

 

* Gratitude is strongly linked to **lower rates of depression and anxiety**.

* MRI scans show gratitude practice increases activity in brain regions linked to happiness and reduces rumination (the cycle of negative thinking).

* Just 5 minutes a day of reflecting on things you’re thankful for can boost long-term emotional balance.

 

### 4. **Strengthens Relationships**

 

* Expressing thankfulness increases levels of **oxytocin** (the “bonding hormone”).

* Couples, friends, and families who practice gratitude report deeper connection, trust, and satisfaction in their relationships.

* From an evolutionary perspective, gratitude fosters cooperation and social bonding, making communities more resilient.

 

### 5. **Enhances Resilience and Coping**

 

* Research after crises (like 9/11 or natural disasters) shows that people who focus on gratitude recover faster emotionally.

* Gratitude shifts attention from what is lost to what is still present, fueling **hope and perseverance**.

* This makes it a powerful psychological tool in overcoming adversity.

 

All through scripture God says when I bless you do not forget me and do not forget to thank me.

When the lepers were healed and only one came back to thank Jesus… that spoke volumes to Jesus - what did he say to the leper…. Your faith has made you whole… meaning salvation.

When we thank God it anchors us back to our source… back to God. 

There are so many times I will be using something in my life… a guitar, a car a piece of clothing… that was given to me and It causes me to think back to that person and again say thank you… and I will even text them and say hey “I still use that guitar you gave me. Thank you so much for it”. That guitar anchors me to that person and continues to rewire my brain for faith. 

Thanking God on a daily basis anchors me to his goodness, to his kindness, to his provision, to his character and even to his forgiveness. At that moment it invites his presence into an active role in my day.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)

• Thanksgiving reminds us that everything we have—life, provision, salvation—comes from God, not ourselves… and God loves it when we thank him and brag on him… trust me, he will get up and close to you to hear that. Take advantage of it. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

**In other words: the Word judges as well as saves (Hebrews 4:12). Its effect may be positive (fruit) or negative (rejection), but in both cases, it is effective.

 

1 John In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

  -  14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

Jesus is the word… we speak Jesus, he will make an impact wether we see it or not. 

 

So follow me here.

If the word is Jesus (Gods word) and Jesus is the word… then we now know that words are associated with an entity… a being, a power of sorts. 

So maybe some words we speak are not God… but rather man… maybe some words I speak are Garth and maybe some words I speak are demonic. 

So our words have power, we see that all through scripture… wether we are aware of it we see it in our lives. We created our lives by what we thought and then spoke out into the future. But if we spoke words that were not God, but rather ourselves or demonic ideas and thoughts we then create that person as in charge of our life and in fact in charge of creating our future. 

 

Someone is creating your future… name them! Is it God, you or the worldly forces or even the demonic.

 

Words aren't just sounds or symbols; they are the architects of our reality. Every word we speak, every thought we form, is a building block in the future we're constructing or by power of default someone else is producing. This isn't just a feel-good idea—it's a fundamental principle of which many claim is human psychology which at its core is a biblical foundational Spiritual law.

 

The Power of Internal Dialogue

 

The conversation we have with ourselves is the most important one. When we consistently use negative words like "I can't," "I'm not good enough," or "It's impossible," we're programming our minds for failure and creating the road ahead of us that we will be traveling on. This negative self-talk creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, making us less likely to take risks, seize opportunities, or persevere through challenges, take steps of faith, pray big prayers or expect God to move on our behalf. 

On the other hand, a vocabulary of positive, biblical life empowering words transforms our mindset- and our future. When we quote scripture and in faith say "I can," "I will," or "I'll find a way," we're not just speaking—we're creating a mental blueprint for success. This positive internal dialogue builds resilience, fosters confidence, and gives us the mental fortitude to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals… what am I trying to say… it builds steps of faith to overcome, to persevere to the point of victory. 

 

 

The Power of External Dialogue

 

The words we use with others also shape our future. The stories we tell about ourselves and our lives become our reality.

• When we talk about our problems, we give them more power over our future. 
• When we talk about our goals and dreams, we make them more real and create a tidal wave of faith.

By consciously choosing to speak about our aspirations, we not only hold ourselves accountable, but we also attract the support and resources we need to make them a reality. Our words can inspire others to help us, open doors we didn't know existed, and create a network of support that propels us forward.

 

 

Actionable Steps

 

You have the power to change your future by changing your words.

1. Become aware of your self-talk- is it biblical? Is it faith filled. Start paying attention to the words you use when you think about yourself and your life. Here is a great idea… try to double your faith talk and bible verses that you speak daily. 
2. Replace negative words with positive ones. If you catch yourself saying "I can't," reframe it as “God will teach me how." If you say "This is a problem," reframe it as "This is going to be a great testimony.” But be aware of your words. 
3. Use scriptural affirmations. Consciously choose and repeat positive  faith filled bible verses and statements about yourself and your goals. Your words are a powerful tool, not just for communication, but for creation. Use them wisely, and you'll build a future you've always dreamed of.

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

 

Stephens Testimony 

I wonder how much Stephens words bore a hole in Saul’s heart. 

I wonder as Paul spoke and wrote if he ever realized… “Im using what Stephen said the day I had him murdered”. 

 

Our words may seem unheard… but God says my word shall not return void. 

 

The phrase “**My word shall not return void**” comes from **Isaiah 55:11**,

 

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”*

 

 

"Not return void"** means it will never fail to produce result

 

 

Matthew 13 - The Sower

3. Even “Rejected” Seed Fulfills God’s Purpose

• When birds snatch the seed, Jesus says it represents Satan stealing the Word. Even in that, God’s Word is not void—it exposes the spiritual warfare at play.
• When the sun scorches, it reveals a shallow heart. That too is purposeful: it shows where faith was not genuine.
• When thorns choke, it uncovers divided priorities. Again, the Word reveals reality.

 

**In other words: the Word judges as well as saves (Hebrews 4:12). Its effect may be positive (fruit) or negative (rejection), but in both cases, it is effective.

 

Jesus is the word… we speak Jesus, he will make an impact wether we see it or not. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

 

Nit picky… the joke about the guy who has a friend who can always find fault in anything. He takes him duck hunting and when he shoots a duck he can’t wait because his dog walks on water. There is no way this guy can say anything negative about his dog walking on water… but when the dog jumps out of the boat and walks on water, gets the duck, comes back… his friend just shrugs and says ‘its’ to bad your dog doesn’t know how to swim”.

 

How many times I have posted something about Jesus only to have “so called Christian friends” get captious about it. What is that? 

 

Being captious can be more dangerous than it first appears because it erodes trust, cooperation, and even self-awareness over time.
Here are the major dangers:

1. Damaging Relationships

• Constantly pointing out faults—especially small or irrelevant ones—can alienate friends, family, and colleagues. People may avoid you to escape feeling judged.

2. Destroying Collaboration

• In work or group settings, captiousness makes brainstorming and teamwork harder. Others may stop sharing ideas for fear of nitpicking or ridicule.

3. Stifling Constructive Problem-Solving

• Instead of focusing on solutions, captious criticism fixates on flaws, which can halt progress or cause projects to stall.

4. Creating a Hostile Atmosphere

• A captious approach can foster resentment and defensiveness in others, making any discussion tense and unproductive.

5. Damaging Personal Reputation

• People may start to label you as “negative,” “hard to please,” or “argumentative,” which can harm credibility and opportunities.

6. Self-Deception

• Because captiousness often feels like being “just thorough” or “detail-oriented,” the person may not realize they’re sabotaging their own influence and relationships.

7. Emotional Toll

• Continually looking for flaws trains the mind toward negativity, which can contribute to chronic dissatisfaction and even anxiety.

If you want, I can also explain the subtle difference between captiousness and healthy critical thinking, since the line can get blurry. That’s often where people unintentionally slip into it.

 

Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Self-Examination Before Judgment

Jesus emphasizes the importance of examining our own faults before pointing out the faults of others. This requires humility and honesty in assessing our spiritual condition.

 

Hypocrisy in Judgment

The metaphor of the speck and the beam highlights the danger of hypocrisy. We must be cautious not to judge others harshly while ignoring our own significant shortcomings.

 

The Importance of Humility

Recognizing our own imperfections fosters humility, which is essential in our relationships with others and in our walk with God.

 

Restoration with Gentleness

When addressing the faults of others, it should be done with a spirit of gentleness and love, aiming for restoration rather than condemnation.

 

Community and Accountability

This teaching encourages believers to foster a community where accountability is practiced with grace and understanding, promoting spiritual growth for all.

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

You know those certain type of guys… they always have a motive… They hold a door for a girl, they ask the woman if she needs help, they pick there young girl for their group exercise. Or the guy who is always trying to make a buck.. no matter on who or how or whom it will hurt…

In a way we as followers of Christ are to be the exact same way… 

 

 

Mark 10:17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Ok first off this is a very very important question… maybe the biggest question you could ask with the greatest of consequences if you get it wrong…

But Jesus almost ignores it and says… 

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

*Jesus never calls him out. I believe this guy really kept all the commandments. He was the super uber good guy. Everyone would look at him and say “I wish I could be like him”. Mothers were always saying to their sons “I wish you were more like that young man… he keeps all the commandments”…

But did you miss what is going on here? 

VERSE 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

DID YOU CATCH IT…

Jesus is stating in a backward way that he is God…

Hey skippy, why do you call me good? Because only God is good… thus do you really think I am good? Do you really think I am God? If so, lets see if you do and test that theory. If I am good aka God, then here is what you do

 

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Look there are some blatant bold and obvious things God is doing here. He is saying its not enough to follow the law. It is not enough to be good, I have to be God. I have to be God in your life which means I sit on the throne of your life and not your reputation, not your money, not your goals or your family or your job or your relationships or your whatever it is… If I am really God, then I come first in all things… it is not enough to just follow the rules. 

How many of us fall into that trap - we treat God as good, but not as God. 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

The tithe, which literally means "a tenth," was a central part of the giving system for the Israelites in the Old Testament.However, the requirements were more complex than simply a single 10% tithe. Most scholars believe the Israelites were commanded to give three different tithes, totaling more than 10%.

The three main tithes were:

1. The Levite Tithe: This was an annual tithe of one-tenth (10%) of all agricultural produce and livestock. This tithe was given to the Levites, who, because they had no land of their own, were responsible for the work of the tabernacle and later the temple. The Levites, in turn, gave a tenth of what they received to the priests. (Numbers 18:21-28; Leviticus 27:30-32).
2. The Festival Tithe: This was a second annual tithe of 10% that was to be used by the Israelites themselves to celebrate the yearly feasts in Jerusalem. They were to spend this tithe on food and drink, including "cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish," to celebrate before the Lord. (Deuteronomy 14:22-26).
3. The Poor Tithe: Every third and sixth year of the seven-year cycle, a third tithe was collected and stored in local towns. This tithe was for the support of the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows in the community.(Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 26:12).

When combined, these requirements mean that the Israelites were giving a total of approximately 23.3% of their income every year (10% to the Levites + 10% for festivals + 3.3% for the poor on average over the three-year cycle). This was a significant financial commitment and was in addition to other offerings and sacrifices they were commanded to make. It's also important to note that these tithes were primarily based on agricultural produce and livestock, not on monetary income.

The problem is it all starts in the heart with the foundation of “what is the least I can give”. 

Can I give only 10%? Can I hate my brother just a little for ripping me off? Can I lust over a woman if she is dressed provocative and Im not married? Can I make business plans on my own without getting clearance from God? 

All of these questions are resoundingly a “all or nothing”. I don’t know how my wife would feel if I asked her how much do I actually have to be married to you? 

The reason God demands all in is because we can’t do ALL without him. The OT was based on the law and rules… we can keep rules… not that we want to, but we can. Heck we will even make up more rules… But when God demands all or nothing… it leaves us realizing we can’t do life, eternity, spirituality or love in all things without him. There are no other options than total reliance on God. And that my friend is a good thing! 

Garth Heckman

The David Alliance

TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com 

 

Rebellion is a false sense of power… yes, but it might surprise you that conformity is also a false sense of power and in fact they are really the same thing. One person rebels to show they are in control and they don’t care the consequences… the other person conforms to show they are on control and don’t care about the consequences… Both find themselves in the same trap… but it is all brought on by outside forces… people, systems, problems, hurts, injustices, 

 

Wether your conform or rebel you are actually being manipulated by an outside force… 

Ever get hurt by someone and pray that they see their stupidity, their arrogance and their sin? They are tricking you into thinking its about you… they manipulated you into trying to be the “This is not fair” police. 

The person who just quietly conforms does the same thing. They pray to God asking him to see how well they are being like everyone else… They still are praying from the perspective of “This is not fair” I am doing what everyone is telling me to do, but not getting what I want.

OR Worse yet… ready for this? You rebel or you conform and you get exactly what you want… but you are still empty inside. NOW WHAT? Now who do you blame? 

The fact is simply this: we as followers of Christ can fall into either of these traps when we do not realize that our identity is not in who people say we are. It is not in what happens to us. It is not in how we judge or value our lives. It is not based on our family history or upbringing. Our identity is in Christ. Oh how silly and quaint to say this… but its true. When we rebel or conform we do it long enough where we seek provocation and support to justify our expression of these behaviors. Am I getting to deep… sorry. But here is another mad scientist twist… when lived out long enough it rewires our brain to “normally” live out our lives that way. We can no longer see it as unhealthy because we see it as normal… you can tweet that- its worthy. 

And scripture flys smack into this and tears this idea and mindset down. 

• 2 Corinthians 5:17:
  This verse states, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This verse signifies a complete change in identity for believers. It's not just about adding something new, but about becoming a completely new creation in Christ, signifying a break from the old way of life and a new beginning. 
• Galatians 2:20:
  This verse says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This verse points to a life lived in union with Christ, where the old self is crucified, and the believer now lives through Christ's spirit. 
• Ephesians 2:10:
  This verse states, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This verse emphasizes that believers are created by God for a specific purpose. It highlights that believers have a unique identity and purpose found in Christ and the good works that God has prepared for them. 
  
  
  When we rebel or conform we are using other measuring sticks to justify our behavior, our sin, our life, our reputation, our actions… 
• But when we use scripture… when we lay our life over the example of Christ life… things fall tragically short. We see quickly that our life must be formed by our walk with Christ and not through rebellion or conformity. 
• We do not conform to this world.. rather we are transformed…
• Maybe the best realignment for today is simply a prayer where we cry out to God and ask him to destroy our rebellion and our conformity and make us more like him through the transformation of his word.