WASABI MOMENTS: GOD IS WORKING ON MY BRAIN 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4,5 

The first experience I had eating sushi was unforgettable! I learned that you could dip it into a mixture of soy sauce and something called wasabi, and then pop it into your mouth with one big bite.  I was warned that all I needed was a little dab of this wasabi, because it is powerfully hot.  But I’m a real man and really didn’t think it would affect me.  So I added a heaping spoon to my sauce and proceeded to dip my sushi in it.  I popped it into my mouth and waited a few seconds and suddenly it felt like my entire brain was on fire.  I had an experience with wasabi that day that I liken to the effect of God’s Word on your brain.  When you get one of God’s thoughts in your mind, it will explode old ways of thinking and pull down religious, carnal ways of thinking and renew it with the mind of Christ.  I call that a “wasabi experience!”  We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we can experience the perfect will of God in every area of our lives.  This involves exchanging our “lack thinking” for God’s thinking. 

TAPPING INTO GOD’S RESERVOIR OF ABUNDANCE 

It seems there is an invisible reservoir of abundance that can be tapped into by obeying certain spiritual laws. Norman Vincent Peale 

When I was just a young man, I decided I didn’t want to be a broke preacher, a victim of my circumstances, or the pity of others.  I began to study and practice the Biblical principles my parents taught me of tithing and giving.  I am grateful they modeled this lifestyle and taught me how to tap into a lifetime reservoir of abundance.  I learned firsthand the blessings, reward, and favor that comes to whoever decides to make giving a lifestyle, not just an occasional event. 

My dad and mom taught me to tithe the first ten percent of whatever money came into my hands.  My dad said I could either tithe on what I made or I could tithe on what I wanted to make.  That’s when I began to give over and above my tithe, eventually tripling my tithe.  My dad practiced giving generously throughout his life, even giving fifty percent of his income to the church, missions, and other ministries that had blessed him.  This was following his father’s example. 

My grandfather Hankins was saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and went on to pioneer churches in Texas during the Great Depression days. Once, when a missionary preached in their church, Pappaw Hankins gave that minister all the money he was saving for a much needed car.  All the family was rather upset that the car fund was gone.  Not long after, they were given a practically new car, much better than what they would have purchased.  That experience taught my father an important lesson, that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that Proverbs 11:24, 25 is really true.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.   Proverbs 11:24,25

One gives away, and he still grows the richer….(Moffat)

It is possible to give away and become richer!  It is possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything.  Yes, the liberal man shall be rich!  By watering others, he waters himself. (Living Bible)

NOT VALID IF DETACHED 

My dad learned that you could enter into partnership with the Father God. That is exactly what the Philippian church did.  A partner receives a percentage of the increase of the business.  When we tithe and give offerings over and above, we become business partners with God.  It is to His advantage when you prosper!  It is how His Kingdom is increased. However, some try to withdraw money from their bank account when they’ve never made a deposit.  I watched one day as a man tried, over and over, to withdraw money from a cash machine when he obviously did not have anything in his account.  He finally threw his receipts on the ground and stomped off in frustration.  I laughed to myself as I thought how it is the same with many Christians.  There has to be a deposit made in order to make a withdrawal. Christians often quote Philippians 4:19 with no results because they’ve never made an investment of tithing and giving in their Heavenly bank account.

My friends at Philippi, you remember what it was like when I started preaching the good news in Macedonia. After I left there, you were the only church that became my PARTNER by giving blessings and by receiving them in return. Even when I was in Thessalonica, you helped me more than once. I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving. I have been paid back everything, and with interest.  I am completely satisfied with the gifts that you had Epaphroditus bring me.  They are like a sweet-smelling offering or like the right kind of sacrifice that pleases God.  I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!  Philippians 4:15-19 (Contemporary English Version) 

In these scriptures, Paul told the Philippians how this debit and credit account worked for them.  Because of their giving, they were entering into partnership with God and now God could supply all their needs.  P.C. Nelson, a Pentecostal theologian who was fluent in 32 languages, taught that this passage was like a coupon, which says, “NOT VALID IF DETACHED.”  Only when a believer gives as verse 16 says, “they gave once and again,” can they claim verse 19: “My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

TAP INTO THIS GRACE 

The Apostle Paul understood the religious duties of tithing and giving, but his revelation of the redemptive work changed it from just a duty to a partnership with God in His kingdom business.  He understood how Jesus identified with man’s extreme poverty, so that we could share Christ’s divine life and prosperity.  On the cross, He redeemed us from the curse of the law so that the blessing of Abraham could come on us making us truly rich. 

For you see the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he had wealth, he became poor on you’re account, so that through his need you might have wealth.  2 Corinthians 8:9  (Bible in Basic English)

…enriched, (abundantly supplied).  (Amplified)

…gain riches through His poverty. (Wood)

2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are a picture of how we can enjoy Christ’s redemptive work financially.  Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.  When the early church began to follow the example of Jesus, they found this reservoir that took them from great poverty to a great overflow.  Paul left Titus in Corinth to make sure they continued in the grace of giving and carried out their commitment to finish the giving they had begun. 

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.  2 Corinthians 8:7

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us - I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. New Living Bible 

In this scripture, Paul is telling us to see that we excel in this grace of giving. In other words, this is not something that happens automatically but we have to “see to it” that we excel in this area.  By faith we access the grace of God in giving and receiving. 

God is calling the church to rise up and to tap into His abundant grace.  This reservoir of abundance can be tapped by obeying these four spiritual laws: The Law of Faith; The Law of Sowing and Reaping; The Law of Love; and The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.  These laws work together, causing us, the body of Christ, to release His authority, do His works and be supplied with finances and favor to do His will in this time.

This Information Will Change a Nation...The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jesus declared, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” He also said, “Go...and teach all nations...” (Matthew 24:14; 28:19).  For over 50 years, we have followed that mandate to preach the Gospel in nations around the world with the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.

We are so thankful for YOU, our World Missions Partners! Together, we are reaching the world with the Word of God. Our assignment is to train and equip pastors, ministers, and leaders in the message of faith, redemption in Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Your partnership is helping take the Gospel farther and reach more people than ever before. THANK YOU!

This month, for your World Missions partnership gift of any amount, we would like to send you two powerful books: The Holy Spirit Is a Genius and Feed Your Faith, a collection of faith-filled quotes gathered from over 50 years of ministry.  Partner with us today and help us continue taking the message of faith and the power of the Gospel to the nations of the world!  Together, we are reaching the world with the Word of God!

In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins