STEPS TO RECEIVING YOUR DOUBLE PORTION - God promises that if you bring your offerings and obey what He’s told you to do, He will pour out seven specific Covenant Promises in your life: An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles. An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles. God will be an enemy to your enemies. The Lord will prosper you. God will take sickness away from you. You will not die before your appointed time. Increase and an inheritance will be yours. What the enemy has stolen will be returned to you.As wonderful as these blessings are, God amazingly offers us seven additional “Double Portion” blessings when we observe the Feast of Tabernacles… The Bible says God has instituted “Appointed Times” when He wants to bless His people in extraordinary ways. These seasons of supernatural blessing and provision remind us that there are two different economies in which we can choose to live. The world’s economic system says work hard, be smart, and you’ll be rewarded. It’s all up to you. In contrast, God’s economic system is based on the law of Seedtime and Harvest. He says He will take care of you if you’re obedient to His commandments and faithful in your tithes and offerings. While the world says hold on to what you have, God says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” And while the world says hoarding our wealth brings prosperity, God says withholding what you have will lead to poverty.

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Steps to Receiving Your Double Portion

God promises that if you bring your offerings and obey what He’s told you to do, He will pour out seven specific Covenant Promises in your life: An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles. An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles. God will be an enemy to your enemies. The Lord will prosper you. God will take sickness away from you. You will not die before your appointed time. Increase and an inheritance will be yours. What the enemy has stolen will be returned to you.As wonderful as these blessings are, God amazingly offers us seven additional “Double Portion” blessings when we observe the Feast of Tabernacles…

by David Cerullo

 

This month Inspiration Ministries is celebrating an amazing milestone.

Twenty-five years ago, we said yes to God’s calling and took a step of faith to launch what has grown into a worldwide Soul-winning ministry that is now touching lives in more than 155 nations.

What a testimony to God’s faithfulness when we take steps of faith and obedience.

During the past 25 years, He has transformed this ministry into a multifaceted international media and crusade outreach known as Inspiration Ministries.

In addition to being the twenty-fifth anniversary of this ministry, there’s an even MORE important reason why this month is a special season on God’s calendar — a season when supernatural Harvests are available for all those who will trust and obey the Lord.

The Bible says God has instituted “Appointed Times” when He wants to bless His people in extraordinary ways.

These seasons of supernatural blessing and provision remind us that there are two different economies in which we can choose to live.

The world’s economic system says work hard, be smart, and you’ll be rewarded. It’s all up to you.

In contrast, God’s economic system is based on the law of Seedtime and Harvest.

He says He will take care of you if you’re obedient to His commandments and faithful in your tithes and offerings.

While the world says hold on to what you have, God says, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).

And while the world says hoarding our wealth brings prosperity, God says withholding what you have will lead to poverty (Proverbs 11:24-25).

Every promise in the Word of God has a condition attached to it.

The Lord tells us in Malachi 3:10, “Prove Me.” He says, “If you’ll do ‘this,’ I’ll do ‘that.’”

Though our salvation has NOTHING to do with any actions on our part other than believing and receiving His free gift of eternal life, the blessings we receive from God have EVERYTHING to do with our obedience… fulfilling His conditions.

The Lord’s amazing love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are 100% unconditional, but His blessings are just the opposite: They are 100% conditional.

Special Days on God’s Calendar

One of the Lord’s Appointed Times is the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating His care and protection of His people when they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, we’re reminded each year…

There is shelter, protection, and provision in the tabernacle of God’s presence!

Along with the Feasts of Passover and Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles is one of three Appointed Times when God said He would meet with His people and bless them in extraordinary ways.

God clearly instructed His children that these are to be perpetual feasts, for all generations (Leviticus 23:40-41).

Yes, there is a BLESSING in store for you when you commemorate the perpetual feasts, celebrations, and Holy Convocations (“rehearsals”) God designated as His Appointed Times.

God promises in Exodus 23 and Leviticus 23 that if you bring your offerings and obey what He’s told you to do, He will pour out seven specific Covenant Promises in your life:

An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles.

1.    An angel of God will be assigned to protect you and lead you to your miracles.

2.    God will be an enemy to your enemies.

3.    The Lord will prosper you.

4.    God will take sickness away from you.

5.    You will not die before your appointed time.

6.    Increase and an inheritance will be yours.

7.    What the enemy has stolen will be returned to you.

As wonderful as these blessings are, God amazingly offers us seven additional “Double Portion” blessings when we observe the Feast of Tabernacles…

A Double Portion of Blessings

Joel 2 has many parallels to the “Days of Awe” leading up to the Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles.

Just prior to the Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) sounded an alarm and called people to sober soul-searching.

In the same way, Joel 2 begins with a call to repentance, fasting, and holiness: “Blow a trumpet in Zion” (verse 1)…

“Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation” (verses 15-16).

This passage goes on to list seven special “Double Portion” blessings the Lord wants to provide for His people during the Feast of Tabernacles:

1. A double portion.

“He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, AND the latter rain in the first month” (verse 23).

Although the periods of the former and latter rains were usually separated by many months, God wants to give you a double blessing during the Feast of Tabernacles so you can receive both of these outpourings of provision “in the first month.” 

This double portion was of great practical necessity to the Israelites, because the Harvest blessings of the Feast of Tabernacles season had to last them a longer period than the interval between Passover and Pentecost (just 50 days) or between Pentecost and Tabernacles (about four months).

2. Financial prosperity.

“The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil” (verse 24).

3. Restoration.

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (verse 25).

4. Special miracles.

“You shall…praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you” ( verse 26)…“and I will show wonders” (verse 30).

5. God’s presence and favor.

“You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel…My people shall never be put to shame” (verse 27).

6. Blessings for your sons and daughters.

“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…your young men shall see visions” (verse 28).

7. Deliverance from harm or oppression.

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered” (verse 32).

Honoring God’s Appointed Times

In order to unlock the “Double Portion” of blessings God has for you, it’s crucial that you fulfill His conditions.

Deuteronomy 16:16 says, “None shall appear before the Lord empty-handed.”

At these special times each year, the Israelites were to present their sacrifices and offerings to the Lord from the Seeds they had Sown and the Harvest He had given them.

Do you want to Reap God’s BEST?

Do you want to see Him move in your life as never before?

Then begin now to prepare your heart and your special Feast of Tabernacles “Double Portion” offering to the Lord.

I’m convinced that if you need a miracle breakthrough in your body… your relationship with the Lord… your marriage… your children… your emotions… or your finances…

This is your opportunity to obey God and receive His DOUBLE PORTION blessings!

I am standing with you, believing God to give you amazing breakthroughs during this very special season on His calendar.

God bless you!

David Cerullo is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian Land, South Carolina ­– a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ worldwide through media. The son of international evangelist Morris Cerullo, David took a less traditional approach to ministry, graduating from Oral Roberts University with a degree in business administration and management. He has authored over 20 books, and operates a global media ministry that powerfully impacts the world for Christ. More from David on Inspiration.org.

https://inspiration.org/david-cerullo/strengthen-your-walk/steps-to-receiving-your-double-portion/

HOW RICH WERE THE MAGI? - It appears highly likely that the riches given by the Magi helped sustain the family after Joseph's death. The riches freely given by the wise men may have also funded Jesus' ministry. There is no hint in the gospels that Christ ever asked for donations, although some, out of generosity, did willingly support him. The Bible also indicates that the group regularly gave money to the poor. Jesus had enough finances not only to take care of his disciples but also to give to the less fortunate. It is entirely possible that the rich Magi gave a big enough offering to the Lord to fund his public preaching of the gospel! The economic status of Jesus' family was anything but rich before his birth. This situation, would dramatically change with the appearance of the Magi. Before the Magi's arrival, Mary and Joseph could not afford much beyond the necessities of life given Joseph's job as a skilled craftsman or carpenter. The family was not rich by any means but rather lived from paycheck to paycheck. After the birth of our Savior, the family travels to Jerusalem's temple to present him before God and to give the required offering. Unable to afford the more costly offering of a one-year-old lamb and either a dove or pigeon they give the fall less expensive two pigeons or doves. The appearance of the Magi, shortly after the family arrives back in Bethlehem, completely changes the financial status of the family.

 

How rich were the Magi?

It appears highly likely that the riches given by the Magi helped sustain the family after Joseph's death. The riches freely given by the wise men may have also funded Jesus' ministry. There is no hint in the gospels that Christ ever asked for donations, although some, out of generosity, did willingly support him. The Bible also indicates that the group regularly gave money to the poor. Jesus had enough finances not only to take care of his disciples but also to give to the less fortunate. It is entirely possible that the rich Magi gave a big enough offering to the Lord to fund his public preaching of the gospel!

BibleStudy.org

 

How rich were the wise men, or Magi, who came to worship Jesus (Matthew 2:2)?

Did they give enough money to support his ministry?

The economic status of Jesus' family was anything but rich before his birth.

This situation, however, would dramatically change with the appearance of the Magi (wise men).

Before the Magi's arrival, Mary and Joseph could not afford much beyond the necessities of life given Joseph's job as a skilled craftsman or carpenter (Matthew 13:55).

The family was not rich by any means but rather lived (in our modern terminology) from paycheck to paycheck.

After the birth of our Savior, the family travels to Jerusalem's temple to present him before God and to give the required offering.

Unable to afford the more costly offering of a one-year-old lamb and either a dove or pigeon (Leviticus 12:6) they give the fall less expensive two pigeons or doves (Leviticus 12:8, Luke 2:24).

The appearance of the Magi, shortly after the family arrives back in Bethlehem, completely changes the financial status of the family.

These "wise men" were influential and rich members of one of Parthia's two ruling classes who were willing to travel over 1,000 miles to worship (not merely honor, see Matthew 2:2) the King of Kings.

The Magi brought far more treasure, including silver and gold, as an offering to Christ, than most people think.

In his book, "The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel . . . Found!" author Stephen Collins states the following regarding the gifts given by the Magi.

"This Parthian delegation was offering tribute money to a 'king,' and therefore would more likely have brought a whole train of pack animals loaded with gold, frankincense and myrrh . . .

"The Parthians regarded Jesus as royalty, and it was the ancient custom to give a royal personage a truly worthy gift when coming into his presence.

"Since the Parthian Magi were directed to Jesus by an angel of God, their sense of awe likely resulted in unusually large gifts being given to Jesus" (first revised edition, chapter 9)

After the rich Magi leave Bethlehem, an angel tells Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).

Mary and Joseph, who only recently barely afforded a temple offering of two birds, now have the financial means to not only travel to Egypt (a fulfillment of prophecy, Matthew 2:13-15) but also to stay there at least five months!

The family upon the death of Herod, then make the long trip back to Nazareth.

God made sure, through the riches of the Magi, that his beloved Son had the resources available in order for his life to be protected.

The possible benefits received from the gifts left by the Magi do not end, however, with the above!

Joseph, Jesus' stepfather, dies sometime between Christ's twelfth birthday (Luke 2:43) and several years before his ministry starts at thirty.

His death leaves at least six children (not including Jesus) without a father and breadwinner.

How did Mary, as a widow, afford to raise and feed seven children total?

It appears highly likely that the riches given by the Magi helped sustain the family after Joseph's death.

Stephen Collins writes the following in this regard.

"the Parthian Magi had lavished gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh upon Jesus when they had visited him shortly after his birth . . . Jesus (as the firstborn son and head of the household after Joseph's death) could have tapped that wealth to provide for his family's needs without having to work as a carpenter" (ibid. page 399).

The riches freely given by the wise men may have also funded Jesus' ministry.

Consider the following possibility. There is no hint in the gospels that Christ ever asked for donations, although some, out of generosity, did willingly support him (Luke 8:3).

The ongoing expenses for twelve men traveling for at least three years would have been significant (remember, none of the disciples were rich and all had left everything to follow him).

Judas regularly stole from the disciple's collective money bag (John 12:6, 13:29), an act which would be easily noticeable had the group had little cash.

The Bible also indicates that the group regularly gave money to the poor (John 12:5, 13:29).

Where did all this support come from, for group expenses, aid to the poor and so on if not (at least partially) the Magi?

Jesus had enough finances not only to take care of his disciples but also to give to the less fortunate.

It is entirely possible that the rich Magi gave a big enough offering to the Lord to fund his public preaching of the gospel!

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