Carefully Consider Your Ways
Many people put no effort into planning their financial lives. They live month to month and when a crisis hits they say, “It’ll be OK. Everything will work out.”
They think they’re in faith, but actually they’re shifting their lack of responsibility over onto God. They expect Him to work financial miracles for them, and yet they haven’t done their part in the natural to plan and make sure their finances are in order. God has a lot of mercy, and He will take care of you; however, He also expects you to walk in wisdom and do your part in the natural to be financially responsible.
Haggai 1:5-7 says, “Now, this is what the Lord of Armies says: Carefully consider your ways! You planted a lot, but you harvested little. You eat, but you’re never full. You drink, but you’re still thirsty. You wear clothing, but you never have enough to keep you warm. You spend money as fast as you earn it. This is what the Lord of Armies says: Carefully consider your ways!
If we’re not where we want to be financially, then we need to carefully consider our ways. That means we first need to find out what we have and what we owe. Then we need to create a spending plan (a budget) and also some kind of a system to monitor our progress.
THE TAKE AWAY:
God is a miracle-working God, but He also expects us to do our part in the natural and carefully think about the decisions we are making regarding our finances.
JOIN OUR FAMILY:
The Natural and Supernatural
There’s a common theme that runs through the Word of God—we do natural things, and God does supernatural things.
We walk around the walls of Jericho, and God knocks them down. We lay hands on the sick, and He does the healing. We preach the Gospel, and He does the saving.
When God placed man on this planet, man’s part was to do the natural side, and God’s part was to do the supernatural side. God told Adam, “I want you to take care of the Garden, have dominion over the earth and subdue it, and I want you to be fruitful and multiply.” Everything God asked Adam to do was natural. If we’ll do the natural, He’ll do the supernatural.
The way we accelerate the supernatural in our lives is to make sure that we’re doing the natural. That means we must find out from the Word of God what we need to do in the natural, so that God can do His part supernaturally on our behalf. It’s only then that we will walk in the blessing of God.
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands…all these blessings will come upon you….” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV).
THE TAKE AWAY:
When it comes to walking in financial blessing, we can’t sit back and expect God to do everything. We must do the natural part that He instructs us to do, so that He can then do His supernatural part to bring it to pass.
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“You’re a Failure”…and Other Lies You Believe
What lies are you currently believing?
Let’s talk about the most common lies you’re believing and how to start telling yourself the truth.
Train Your Children to be Givers
I tried to teach my children when they were young that they were to be givers.
The Bible says, “God gives seed to the sower” (Isaiah 55:10; 2 Corinthians 910). It also says in Galatians 6:7 (KJV), “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Continue reading…
Are You Dating Your Spouse? You Should Be
Are you dating your spouse? If not, you should be.
What is Love?
Love isn’t something that you fall in or out of. Love is a decision that causes an action.
Wisdom from Heaven
Having taught for over 20 years on the subject of “family,” it seems the one area that causes people the most heartache and brings up the most difficult questions is the area of finances and trying to provide for a family.
Back to School Top 10 List
Time for school supplies, early mornings and after-school activities.
As a parent of six and a former school administrator I can tell you the beginning of the school year can seem hectic. But we don’t have to be stressed because God’s Word tells us what we need to know.
Why Your Child Needs to Memorize Scripture
Memorizing scripture is more than a way to win a prize in Sunday School. It’s instrumental in helping our children develop into all that God has called them to be.
Watch as Joe shares a quick video on why it’s important and where to start. Continue reading…
Practical Prayer Tips for Couples
As a couple, the prayer of agreement is a powerful tool.
God highly esteems unity. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19 (ESV), “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” The husband and wife who will take the time to pray together will not only create unity and harmony in their home, but God will work on their behalf to bring their requests to pass.
Here are a few practical tips to help you and your spouse get started praying together.
- Make a detailed list of requests that include every area of your home, family, work, etc.
- Write major requests on index cards that you can carry with you. Write out at least three scriptures on the back of each card as a reference for your faith.
- Be thankful when you pray. Start each prayer with a “thank you, God” attitude.
- Be specific when praying, and remember, there is no situation too small or too big that you can’t pray in agreement over,
- Keep it short and to the point. Many things don’t require you to pray for hours.
- Keep a prayer journal of your requests. As they are answered, date them and check them off the list.