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The Money Test:

Our God-Given Opportunity For Blessing And True Security

Session 7 – October 11, 2026

Review: God’s Desire to Bless His Children (Genesis 3; Genesis 12; Galatians 3) The principle of Lordship, the test of First Things, investment (the Tithe); command/promise, obligation/opportunity principle; TITHE: a Holy Portion.

The Law of First Things:

(Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 6:5; Luke 10:27; Proverbs 3:9, 10)

Honor: Recognize Ownership; Release Control; Respond to Instruction!

The Tithe Promise: Grace; invitation to test His Promise; “More than enough” provision; God’s Involvement in warfare for our provision! (Malachi 3:10, 11) The enemy is personally involved in warfare vs. resources.

The Lord is aware of and involved with our Giving! (See Hebrews 7:8)

✸ Immediate vs. Ultimate

Temporary vs. Long Term

No scriptural evidence that clearly re-defines the Tithe.

The Money Test: It’s not about money …. It’s about Lordship! God is paying attention to how we handle resources! A Powerful Principle from the Beginning. If we don’t believe our Father wants our best, and we consume what He says is His only, we reap the harvest of our disobedient unbelief. (Genesis 3)

God’s Desire For His Children’s Financial/Material Well-Being

3 John 2

The Covenant of Abrahamic Blessing (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:6-14, 29)

What we treasure reveals our true heart! (Matthew 6:19-21)

God’s Truth about ownership: HE OWNS, WE MANAGE! The Creator has divine ownership rights!

Everything in heaven and earth (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Every Good and Perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17)

God has chosen a portion of our resources as Holy and set apart for His use only! (Leviticus 27:30-32; Proverbs 3:9,10)

God is offering Special Grace, even a path to His Abundant Provision for those who will Believe and obey Him. (Malachi 3:10,11)

Review: Tests, trials: opportunities for development, accessing wisdom (James 1:2-12). Self-examinations: Eye Test (Hebrews 12:1, 2). “Words” Test (James 3)

Proverbs 18:21 – Death and Life …..

The Incredible Power of Words!

God’s image: a Speaking God! Jesus is the Word, personified! (John 1:14)

Salvation is connected to our words (Romans 10:9,10)

Our words reveal our true heart! (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:37)

Our words are integral to our success!

Joshua 1:8-10 (Life assignments)

Ephesians 5:26 (Marital Relationships)

Our Heart/Words connection!

Romans 10:8-10: Connecting your words and your spirit. God’s partnership for success.

Our Words work With or Against our spirit/heart! (And our reborn heart is where every God-given blessing resides! His Love (Romans 5:8), His faith (Romans 10:10), His Gifts ….

✸Note: The power of God’s Grace through His spoken Word can re-program old patterns of thinking that have led to brokenness.

Tests: The Necessity Of Self-Examination For Success

Session 4 – September 13, 2026

Review: The opportunities that tests, trials, temptations present! Development, joy, wisdom, faith! Fixing our eyes. (Hebrews 12:1,2); Word of Liberty (John 8:31, 32; James 1:25)

Self-Examination: Keep looking in the internal mirror (James 1:22-25)

Prejudice test: (James 2:1-13)

Corresponding Actions Test: (James 2:11-26)

The “Words” Test: Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”

The Incredible Power of Words!

God’s image: a Speaking God! Jesus is the Word, personified! (John 1:14)

Salvation is connected to our words (Romans 10:9,10)

Our words reveal our true heart! (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:37)

Our words are integral to our success!

Joshua 1:8-10 (Life assignments)

Ephesians 5:26 (Marital Relationships)

James 3:1-12 – The power of our words: working for/against us; inviting/resisting Grace, favor; neutralize/invite Enemies; invest/inflame relationships.

Take an honest look!

Ask for and receive the Holy Spirit’s correction and ability to bridle our words!

✸ “A soft answer” …. vs painful, hurtful words (Proverbs 15:1)

Passing The

TESTS: Our God-Given Opportunities

James 1:2-6; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17

Session 3 - August 23, 2026

Review: The tests are inevitable! The internal decision that changes perspective! Faith can be developed under pressure, stress! The powerful, God-given gift of Wisdom!

Our internal, spiritual perspective can be greatly affected by our natural senses and choices! (Gates into our soul) The Spirit of Truth and the Word of God are the Gatekeepers to our soul, our “Inner House”.

The Choices of Our “Gate”: Self-gratification or The King’s Best?

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus! (Hebrews 12:1,2)

Looking intently, giving attention to: an ongoing discipline!

Prayer, worship, confession of the Word. JOY: A Settled Result!

Conscious prayer for the Lord’s filter on what I continue to view!

Stop looking in the Rear View Mirror! (Past hurts, failures, etc.)

Stop the replays! (Romans 8:1,2; Hebrews 10: 17; 1 John 1:9)

Stop rehearsing offences (Ephesians 4:32) Forgiving as forgiven in Christ.

Heirs … Not Orphans! (Romans 8:16, 17)

PASSING THE

TESTS: OUR GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES

JAMES 1:2-6; HEBREWS 11:6; ROMANS 10:17

SESSION 2 - AUGUST 16, 2026

è Trials, Tests: Weights vs. My Faith (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:4; Mark 4:15

è Wisdom: God’s Perspective

• We have Natural/Physical Eyes and Spiritual Eyes

è OUR EYE TEST: Our natural, physical eyes: Gates into our spiritual person. (What we see with our eyes (brain) affects our mind (soul).

✸What we keep on viewing with our eyes is critical to the success or failure in our inner person (soul).

è What we fix our eyes on is consequential!

• Matthew 6:22, 23: light and darkness (perspective) “I am the Light”; Jesus! (John 8:12)

è Testing My Eyes! Eyes open paths!

• The path to darkness and destruction (Luke 11:34; Mark 9:47)

• The path of Deception: (Genesis 3:6) Disobedient, destructive pleasure.

• The path of self-righteous judgement (and the blindness thereof) (Luke 6:41,42)

✸Current Tests: Screen time messages!

è Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus! (Hebrews 12:1,2)

• Looking intently, giving attention to: an ongoing discipline!

• Prayer, worship, confession of the Word.

• Conscious prayer for the Lord’s filter on what I continue to view!

• Stop looking in the Rear View Mirror! (Past hurts, failures, etc.)

• Stop the replays!

• Stop rehearsing offences (Ephesians 4:32)

✸Knowledge involves an accumulation of facts. Spiritual wisdom discerns how to apply those facts for a successful result. i.e. I can know that something is true about a situation, but wisdom will direct me into what to say/do, when to say/do, how to say/do.

⍟In the absence of knowing what to do next, focus on what you do know!

Passing The

TESTS: Our God-Given Opportunities

James 1:2-6; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:13

August 9, 2026

The Power of Joy!

James 1:2 - A decision must be made … and reinforced! Tests are inevitable.

A promised powerful result!

1 Corinthians 13:4 – remembering God’s main motive and character! (Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 4:7,8,16; Romans 5:8)

Patience; patient endurance is critical in our development. (See Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:29)

Tests, Trials, Temptations are inevitable in this fallen world (due to the world system, our flesh, the devil).

These tests come in varied, multiple ways! (Relational, physical, spiritual, financial, etc.)

The enemy’s agenda is to attack our Faith! God can and does USE tests, trials to develop our Faith, increase our connection to Him! Enemy agenda - destroy; God’s agenda - development.

James 1:3,4 – God is “working on something”! (Hebrews 6:15)

Faith and Patience are Partners!

The Test won’t endure forever or destroy you (1 Corinthians 10:18)

Joy is supernatural energy!

Joy is given by the Lord and deposited in your re-born spirit by the Holy Spirit. (John 17:13; Romans 15:3; Galatians 5:22)

The Joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

Biblical Wisdom for Overcoming Strife :Covenant Heirs Fellowship 8/2/2026 Immanuel Marsh Speaking

Biblical Wisdom for Overcoming Strife

Covenant Heirs Fellowship

8/2/2026

Immanuel Marsh

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:13–18 ESV

What is strife? Strife: the competitive inward drive for self-centered agenda, self-focused results, push to get others to defer to my agenda and methods. A contention for superiority, conflict resulting from rivalry

Strife is _____________ before it is ever _____________ . (James 3:14; 4:1; Gal. 5:19-20)

_____________ ourselves. (Phil. 2:3-4; cf. 1:17)

Philippians 2:3-4 - Do nothing from selfish ambition (strife) or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Let go of _____________ . (Pro. 29:22; 30:33; cf. Gen. 4:3-7)

Prov. 29:22 - A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Be _____________ who you _____________ to. (Pro.16:28; 26:20; 1 Tim. 6:3-10)

Pro. 16:28 - A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Be _____________ . (1 Tim. 6:3–10; Phil. 4:11–13; Heb. 13:5)

Phil. 4:11 - ... I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

“The Hidden Culprit Of Our Defeat”

(And Most Of Us Never Saw It Coming)

James 3:13-16

Sessions 1, 2

July 19, 2026

Strife is a poison that works to defeat, divide, distract, and destroy everything Good that the Lord desires for us! It works as an agent of the enemy in our relationships, business, church, governments, teams, etc.

What is strife? Strife: the competitive inward drive for self-centered agenda, self-focused results, push to get others to defer to my agenda, methods! Strife is NOT disagreement, or confrontation. It is an internal contention.

What are it’s results? Self-deception; self-indulgent, demonic influence, confusing conflict, access to everything evil. (James 3:16)

What is strife’s “Root”? An internal agenda and mindset to “have it my way.” This contentious striving disturbs the peace of God and violates His Love. (Romans 5:8) It grieves the Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 4:30-32)

How To Deal with the enemy of Strife

Recognize Strife’s presence by the Spirit. (Psalm 139:23,24) “Search me O God”

Confront the enemy. Be diligent! (James 4:6, 7)

Close the door! Via the authority in the Word, declare the promises and ownership of the Lord. (Proverbs 26:20)

Practical Principles For Victory Over Strife/Contention: (*Remember: this is an ongoing War! (See Acts 15:37-40)

Love, honor, respect, and prayer are non-negotiable. (Separation, when these are still present, is sometimes necessary.

“You can’t Fix everything”: (Romans 12:18) “If possible, as far as it lies with you, be at peace with all”.

Start with “me”! Humble self and ask the Lord to reveal what I need to see! (Psalm 139:23, 24); (Self Repent)

In prayer, receive the Love of God by faith, for the other party. Forgive them, pray for them …. (Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:44; Ephesians 4:32)

** “Lord, I obey you, by your Grace, through the Holy Spirit, not by my mind or feelings, but through Your Grace, I forgive ______________________.”

It is through YOUR GRACE, by Your Spirit, that YOU will lead them to see what YOU want them to see.”

By God’s Grace, make a firm decision to close the door to strife and keep closing it! Recognize the agents and traps of strife!

When engaged, speak the Truth in Love.

Be willing to suffer for doing right. (1 Peter 2:20, 22)

“The Hidden Culprit Of Our Defeat”

(And Most Of Us Never Saw It Coming)

James 3:13-16

July 12, 2026

Strife is a poison that works to defeat, divide, distract, and destroy everything Good that the Lord desires for us! It works as an agent of the enemy in our relationships, business, church, governments, teams, etc.

What is strife? Strife: the competitive inward drive for self-centered agenda, self-focused results, push to get others to defer to my agenda, methods!

What are it’s results? Self-deception; self-indulgent, demonic influence, confusing conflict, access to everything evil.

What is strife’s “Root”? An internal agenda and mindset to “have it my way.”

How To Deal with the enemy of Strife

Recognize Strife’s presence by the Spirit.

Confront the enemy. Be diligent!

Close the door! Via the authority in the Word, declare the promises and ownership of the Lord.