Tithing the new year part 2

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; Isaiah 1:19 (NKJV).

Hello friends, good to have you around. Here is a concluding part to the first blog post of the year Tithing the new year.

Praise

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24 (NIV).

Celebrating and praising God comes so easy when all is well and good with us but becomes a struggle when things don’t look like they are aligning the way we’d like. The act of praise is prophetic, it glorifies God, and it is a weapon of spiritual battle for us. When we praise, we carve a niche for God to dwell, and that my friend is literarily inviting God into whatever or wherever. Let us make worship our lifestyle this year. Those nice morning walks (unless you are running late for that lab meeting, and you dread to be that student😑) to the lab or class is a good time to enjoy some edifying playlist. You can worship anytime of the day and anywhere, it is in our heart and intents.

Fellowship

Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrew 10:25 (NIV).

One of the best ways to grow in our faith journey is by learning together with people of similar goals. Maintaining a private time to seek God’s face and enjoy the presence of God is very important. What is equally important is enjoying some time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Activities like bible studies and prayers could be done together, you will be surprised how much you learn from the next person in your group. There are many campus ministries in different schools that would provide such great platforms. You only need to ask around. You may start with InterVarsity or any other Christian group you are comfortable with. Fellowshipping is a great way to spend some time edifying each other and a bonus is you may end up making lifelong friends too! Yes, graduate students enjoy some free time too, and a quality way to do that is to lift each other up in prayers as we share our relatable struggles! It is therapeutic if you ask me…

Community

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 (NIV).

In grad school, you can’t stay alone. If you think you can, still don’t try it please. You will save yourself of multiple failed experiments, futile unnecessary calculations, hours searching google scholar, lots of error message in linux, empty grocery-less fridge, and much more if only you simply ask. I learnt that asking for help and receiving help is a humble act that does you good. It is great to be self-sufficient, in graduate school it is advised because that is one of the goals of getting the degree but seeking assistance timely when needed is also a strength and shows honesty. The power of being a part of a community cannot be underestimated. Interact with people, you may need them, and they definitely need you too.

Tithing

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV).

Something that looks like the main topic finally. Being a grad(student) does not stop us from giving tithes. This is a topic that is hinged heavily on different opinions and personal decisions. Whatever we do or decide, honoring God does not stop when it comes to our finances. Do something different this year and see how much you are blessed for it. Grad school is not a bubble that keeps us out of reality, whatever habits we form follow us through life when we eventually leave school. God provided the fellowship, scholarship or graduate assistantships, tithing is a way of sowing a part of the seed you have been given which grows back with time. That sounds like some farming stuffs, but you know what I mean.

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Special note: Would you give your life to Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth and the life. If yes, please pray the prayers below:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection for the salvation of my soul. Please forgive all my sins. I choose you today to follow and to obey. May your love and the holy spirit lead and guide my purpose for your glory. Thank you, my Lord and savior. Amen!

Grace and blessings,

Olushola.