"Don't Forget to File"

It's that time of the year... ...Again. 
Taxes!

Americans all over the country, American service members, businessmen, and women abroad, are all retrieving receipts and records.  All of this in preparation to do their very best in reporting to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).  Some will use computer aided software, others will go it alone with the Tax Booklet, while still others will hire some Tax Service, such as H&R Block, Hewitt, Sears, or other personal Tax preparation consultants.  The goal is not only to show themselves to be law abiding citizens, responsible, and accountable adults, but also to receive as much fruit from their labor as possible. 

How wonderful it would be if we all did the same thing in the compiling and reporting of our "Spiritual Income?"  What, never looked at each day of living as income?  

(Acts 17:24-28a)  24:"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25: Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27: That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28a: For in him we live, and move, and have our being..."

1Corinthians 6:19 informs us, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 

Jesus Christ has purchased us!

1Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

1Corinthians 7:23, "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."

2Peter 2:1, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

We all belong to God, and are created by God.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to take an inventory of our "Internal Spiritual Revenue."  The bible does admonish us to... 

2Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Can you imagine how the world would change for the better if all that, name the name of Jesus Christ, would move from religion to relationship, seek out a Christian house of Worship, and even lead others to receive assistance in retrieving their spiritual receipts, and records in reporting to God (Thanksgiving, Praise, and Testimonials), of all that they have received.  The definition of income as defined by Webster is:  

      1.  the act or instance of coming in.

      2.  money or other gain received, esp. in a given period showing net profit or loss.
(my insertion: Our period of living is currently "The Dispensation of Grace")

Admittedly, some Christians and Churches, like some Tax programs, Tax services, and consultants may not actually get you back all that you should have received but what a headache and exercise of futility it would be to receive no assistance. (We're not perfect, just forgiven and constantly growing in Grace).  Although, you may be pretty good on your own in your personal reporting: it is not only a good thing and a profitable thing to be incorporated... it's an Admonishment! 

Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

While you are preparing those important records for the IRS, why not also spend some time in reflection and recalling the manifold blessing of God?  He doesn't charge 28% interest, there may however, be a penalty for not filing.  Not only do we have a great "income" from God: it is that very income (our very being) that is the "how come" that'll determine the "outcome" of our profitable return.

By the way, there's no faster way to receive your return.  Just imagine how many assets you'll recognize when you begin to take an inventory.

1. Good health (free eyesight, air, movement, hearing, tasting, touching, etc.).

2. A way out of every difficulty (1 Corinthians 10:13)..

3. Just enough of life's circumstances to keep you humble; yet, not so many that you cannot make it (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

4. The love of Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors.

5. A place to live, a country to claim, transportation, education, a future, protection, blessings seen and unseen.

6. Even as you're recalling blessings in your life, the ability to think is just another blessing, and you'll find that the list is actually inexhaustible, because God's blessing you right now!

I believe you'll agree that we should not leave God out of the inventory.  All that we have, we have as a result of a loving, merciful, forgiving, understanding, and gracious Creator, Lord, and Savior.

So when preparing those taxes for "Uncle Sam," never forget to file with the Infallible Resurrected Savior (IRS)... Jesus Christ!  (File Daily)

~Let That Marinate!~

Be Blessed!      

Pastor Jerome A. Rogers, Sr  

NOTE:  (The scriptures used are not intended to be viewed as proper exegesis but as assistance in properly appropriating due benevolence and reverence to God.)

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