Keeping His Word

Can you think back to when you gave a promise recently to someone, and then because of time constraints or some other obstacle you really had to press in order to keep it? Remember how you were motivated to move faster or find a way to make it happen so you could keep your word? Consider then how our loving God, who is able to literally move Heaven and Earth, and will do so in order to keep His promises to us.

“God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). We are talking about the Creator of the Universe. Is not the One who spoke all that we can see into existence also able to perform every promise that He has spoken as well? There is no one more equipped to keep their promises to you than God Almighty. Because He existed before you came into being, because he is all powerful and because He loves you with an everlasting love – even before the foundations of the world (John 17:24).

Knowing that there is no “guarantee” that can be counted on in this world to be fulfilled like one that the Lord issues, now look at a promise from God where He issues a test onto Himself.

“Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10) The word “prove” used above is translated from bâchan in the Hebrew as to mean “test”.

As one author wrote, this is an opportunity for God and not for us. It is an opportunity for God to show His glory to us in fulfilling His Word and to reinforce that He alone is completely trustworthy. Think about how you already trust Jesus with something as priceless as your eternal destiny… what we are talking about here is merely trusting Him with the first tenth of your earnings.

In return, He not only promises to overtake you with blessings that cannot be contained, He will even “rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground”. God can be trusted to not only bless us but to defend us against the enemy.

In needing to remember His Word, in Proverbs 7 we are encouraged to “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” God has no such trouble in remembering what He has said to do for us – “He has given food and provision to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever and imprint it [on His mind].” (Psalms 111:5) And He also will be on time… “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises” (2 Peter 3:9)

Lastly, if you find yourself beaten down by finances, be encouraged to accept this invitation from Christ Jesus:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Planting Seeds

The Bible plainly states that the whole kingdom of God is based on sowing and reaping. In Mark 4, Jesus said “The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground, and then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how. The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.”

We have arrived to a new year… 2016, and there may be things you want to achieve. With your finances you probably want to be in a better place at this year’s end than you currently are. You know it cannot happen at once but requires steps to take combined with time to see it come to fruition. Today, we’ll look at practical steps we can take – seeds we can plant than can make this happen.

The first area to address is spending – especially our optional and impulse spending. What can you do this first week to plant a seed that will help reduce your debt load? Are trips to the coffee shop and eating out for lunch a regular part of your work week? If this is true, decide to make your own coffee or lunch for a part of this week. You don’t necessarily have to cut things entirely out, but by just cutting back it can have a sizeable effect on your spending when it is in an area repeated regularly.

If having dinners out is part of your routine, besides cutting back occasionally you can utilize coupons and offers from many resources. Dining coupons not only come in your mail but are available directly from many restaurants by signing up on their websites. Groupon and similar offers abound online and the Entertainment books are a tremendous value with one price bringing you discounts at hundreds of places with many BOGO offers. I can tell you our household has used this book for decades, saving thousands of dollars. The way I view it is they are paying me to dine at their restaurant instead of a competitor.

Now what can you do this month to plant a seed? Pull out your credit card statement and look at all of the entries. How many of them were optional or impulse purchases that looking back now you would like to have done differently? Keeping regular tabs on your credit card spending is one of the most important things you can do, because it is where most of your impulse buys were tracked in black and white.

Take a close look at your regular monthly bills. Could you reduce the repeated expenses of the cable, phone, insurance and other monthly bills by changing to a more modest plan? That step can be very beneficial because your savings is repeated month after month by you making that one-time choice.

What can we do spiritually to sow seeds for 2016 that will help us? Reading Galatians 6:8 provides an answer. “For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” If we give lots of time and thought towards things we want to buy (especially what we cannot afford) that is likely what we will reap when given the chance at the marketplace and in front of our computer.

For success in this area it is important to sow His Word into our thoughts. “I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways” (Psalms 119:15). God’s Holy Spirit will help us live the life He desires for us as we sow good seed into ourselves. His Spirit will be there speaking to us when faced with a purchase decision we should not make, so we need to listen for Him.

Proverbs 19:20 guides us to a vital step we can submit to for success. “Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.” This month the best seed you can plant is to attend the Debt-Freedom Class being held at Broomfield Assembly on Saturday, January 23rd. This 3-hour teaching is packed with what you need to achieve your financial goals for 2016 and beyond.

You will learn with your own numbers that you enter on your own private worksheet where you really are in respect to your debts. We will show you a step-by-step plan for systematically reducing and paying off your debts with an estimated timeframe to be debt-free. In most households this can be achieved in 7 years – including your mortgage, with the money you already make. We’ll show you practical ways to save money that can immediately go towards your debt reduction plan.

Most importantly we will encourage you with God’s Word, speaking from a treasure of scriptures related specifically to all of the covered teaching on debt, finances, spending, contentment, giving and more. You will have all of these scriptures to take home, keeping you inspired and encouraged through the process. You will leave the class with a renewed hope for the future, by knowing the path you can take right now and from hearing of testimonies from those who have been blessed and succeeded.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. Galatians 6:9

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

That Missing Thing

Many of us are now preparing for giving (and getting) during this Christmas season. In addition to shopping for those we love, likely we have also given gift ideas to those who love us for things we desire.

In Matthew 7 Jesus reminds us in our own parallel as we “know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.”

Notice how He said “good and advantageous”. That means God—because He loves us, will not add things which will ultimately harm us. Remember, since He knows the future then He knows what things will be good and what things will not be good for us to have.

There are “things” all of us want, and what God desires is for us to place that “thing” in its proper order—which is far below Him, so that our affections are not strongly attached to the things of this world. In 1 John chapter 2 God has cautioned us not love the things of this world, as it is passing away.

Are you sometimes confronted inside with having to get that “thing”, even if it involves spending money you really don’t have and going deeper into debt? As it relates to the bottom line in our finances, how we manage our handling of optional, discretionary and impulse purchases will have the greatest say in reducing our debt level and eventually becoming debt-free.

In Isaiah 55 it is written “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to Me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness (the profuseness of spiritual joy). Because God created us, He knows what will ultimately satisfy us – and that is closeness to Him.

We can think “I just have to get that new (phone, car, clothes, device, service, etc.) thing”, or that “I just have to get it now, I can’t wait”. God knew we’d deal with these impulses and through Paul gave us the proper mindset we need to be overcomers and that is in being content.

Choosing to be content is the wise choice. In Philippians 4, Paul tells us “I have learned how to be content in whatever state I am. I know how to live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. He received his contentment from Christ. It is in this reliance that will provide patience, enabling us to turn away from choices of spending money we do not have that plunge us into debts.

Jesus spoke lovingly to us in Matthew 6 to not be worried or anxious about what we will eat, drink and wear, but instead to aim at His kingdom and His righteousness, and to meditate on the attitude and character of God. He said this from a position of authority, promising that in doing so first, that all these things will be given to us as well.

Who else can make such a promise than the One who created the Universe and all that is within it?

“THINGS WHICH THE EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND THE EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

The Lord’s Work: Restoring Us

Have you thought about the “business” God is in as it relates to us? Because He created us, loves us so greatly, and desires only the best for us – here are examples of what the Lord has done and continues to do:

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save (Isaiah 59:1)

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18)

For I will restore health to you and I will heal your wounds (Jeremiah 30:17)

And I will compensate you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten (Joel 2:25)

The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10)

With whom My hand shall be established and steadfast; My arm also shall strengthen him. (Psalms 89:21)

To bring good news to the humble and afflicted… To bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted… To comfort all who mourn… To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives… To give them a turban instead of dust… Instead of your [former] shame you will have a double portion (Isaiah 61)

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)

It should be evident from reading these and many other actual acts of God’s work and God’s promises given to us that he is in the “business” of restoring us and in that process bringing glory to Himself, showing His love and power.

Let’s look further at what occurred when Jesus walked this Earth:

Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages [in Galilee], teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness (Matthew 9:35)

Jesus stated “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10)

In other accounts Jesus also stopped a violent storm, caused a catch of an enormous amount of fish, turned water into wine, fed the 5,000 He was teaching, raised several from the dead, restored the ear of one who came to capture Him, and nearing His own death on the cross even brought salvation to the man hanging next to Him.

John concluded his writing by saying “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were recorded one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

Jesus spent His allotted time of ministry showing us about the Father… “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself [of His own accord], unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever things the Father does, the Son [in His turn] also does in the same way. For the Father dearly loves the Son and shows Him everything that He Himself is doing.” (John 5:19-20)

Please… really think in responding to this next question. Knowing all of this evidence about the redeeming character of our Lord, is there any doubt about how He wants to bring restoration to your finances as well?

So how do we receive this restoration? By following His Word. Our first step is to acknowledge Him as Lord by giving back to Him in tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10 reads – “Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it.” That sounds exactly like the Redeemer we’ve read about above.

Now, continue onto verse 11 which also reveals another aspect to His promise for us – “Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the LORD of hosts. God promises to not only bring new wealth to you, but also to prevent those calamities from devastating your household.

Our next step is to get on a plan to pay down and eventually pay off our debts. Begin by listing all of your monthly and other bills including your credit cards so you know exactly where you stand. Focus your available finances on reducing the balance and eventually retiring the lowest debt of your list. Then point your available money the next month to the next smallest bill and work your way up.

We offer a free 3-hour class at Broomfield Assembly that goes into great detail how to organize your finances to pay off your debts in the shortest possible timeframe. We also show you exactly what debt is costing you, give you practical steps you can take and provide a multitude of scriptures to keep you motivated and to realize God is on your side to experience freedom from debt. Please contact the church if you are interested in attending a future class.

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Taste and See

          “O taste and see that the LORD our God is good” (Psalms 34:8). Why is this confident invitation extended to all? Because our God, the Creator of the Universe, knows exactly how good He is and how much joy we will experience in getting close to Him.

          We can trust the Lord because He has always been present (The First and the Last - Revelation 22:13), He knows all things (Declaring…from ancient times things not yet done – Isaiah 46:10), He knows all about you (You are acquainted with all my ways – Psalms 139:3), and especially because He loves you (Christ died for us – Romans 5:8).

          God is specifically confident in issuing His promise to us in for giving to Him in tithes and offerings. It is written “and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). Who is better to fulfill such a promise than the One who is all powerful, has always existed and has kept His word every time?

          He also desires for us to experience the goodness of a life free from debt. In Romans 13 it says “Owe no man anything, but to love one another”. The timing for the attainment of this goal can be quite different for each household, but I can share from our personal experience and testimonies from others that once we commit ourselves, the strength and power which comes from the Lord makes it as though it is already done. That is God showing His goodness to us.

          God promises to bestow His goodness in giving to others. Jesus said “It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.” This can be with finances, materials or your time. By yielding ourselves more in this area, it will soften our hearts to be less attached to the things of this world. In Matthew 25 the Lord also reveals His approval of giving and a great promise to come – “The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.”

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Paying For Things

    Jesus said in Luke 14:28 "For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it?” The Lord was addressing our commitment to Him, however He used this illustration because we could relate to it and contains His eternal wisdom.

        There are 3 ways we can pay for things

1. Borrowing – by making those “easy monthly payments”, placing it on a credit card, or lending from someone
2. Money on hand – we give the clerk the cash or check because we have the funds available now
3. Saving – we’ve made provision for the purchase by putting enough away to be ready for it

    The Word of God gives clear instruction what the wise person is to do. In Deuteronomy 28:12 it reads “you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow” and we are cautioned in Proverbs 22:7 that the borrower is servant to the lender. Does it not feel like being a slave to have promised so much of your paycheck before you’ve even earned it? 

    What also makes it difficult to operate by borrowing is the interest, because you are eventually paying much more than the normal cost of the item. For a typical new car of $26,000 financed the real cost is $33,000 and an average $222,000 home mortgage will actually cost over $381,000 to pay it off. 

    Credit cards have high interest rates that average 14.95%, and as you know they go up from there. The typical household has $7,400 in credit card debt and if that was paid by only sending in the minimum 2.5% of balance amount each month it will take 18 years to pay off with over $6,700 going to interest alone. 

    Now if we have the money available to make each purchase – especially large ones, that is a good place to be. We’re not wasting dollars in interest paid and we’re also avoiding the stress of making those payments each month. By always paying your credit cards down to zero each month that qualifies here as well. If you’re currently in debt this is the first goal to reach. 

    The next scripture from Proverbs 21:20 is the #1 verse that I bring attention to in Debt-Free Class, it describes the wise person… “There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.” It is simply saying the foolish man spent all he had but the wise man had provision available because of how he managed it. It is my #1 verse because if you follow it, freedom from debt will be a reality for your household. All it involves is simply spending less than what you make. 

    When you are operating on less than what you make, that allows you to move to the next goal by saving provision for future purchases and the future in general. Egypt was able to weather seven years of upcoming famine prophesied by Joseph by storing up provision for it (see Genesis 41).

    God’s desire is for you and your household to have all of your needs met and to be a blessing to others. However it takes us to apply His wisdom to see the results unfold. First, we honor Him as Lord through faithfulness in tithes and offerings. Lastly, remember again the three ways that we can pay for things…

1. Borrowing – by making those “easy monthly payments”, placing it on a credit card, or lending from someone
2. Money on hand – we give the clerk the cash or check because we have the funds available now
3. Saving – we’ve made provision for the purchase by putting enough away to be ready for it

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Lighting The Way

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalms 119:105). This scripture captures one of the best visualizations of how God’s Word leads and blesses the believer who follows it.

Do you have debts that have hung around for a long time that you really want to pay off? Aside from a few people with extreme situations out of their control, the truth is the rest of us have landed where we are from choices that we have made. God’s Word tells us we will reap what we sow. If we have given lots of time and thought towards things we want to buy (especially what we cannot afford), that is likely what we have reaped when given the chance at the marketplace and in front of our computer.

What’s important to recognize is this is not a physical struggle, it is a spiritual one, and drawing close to the Lord and His Word will give us the victory. For success in this area it is important to sow His Word into our thoughts. “I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways” (Psalms 119:15). Be encouraged to know from Galatians 6:8 that “he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life”. God’s Holy Spirit will help us live the life He desires for us if we sow good seed into ourselves.

Romans 12:2 instructs us - Do not be conformed to this world (this age), but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]. It is a temptation to “keep up” by spending with your neighbors, co-workers or friends on things and activities. But what you do not see is their personal stress in struggling to pay bills from “keeping up” with all of those around them.

Reducing our pride and regarding Christ as our Lord and contentment is described in Timothy 6:6 - [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).

Temptation in the Bible can be in many areas, I encourage you from personal experience that as you read God’s Word regularly, meditate afterwards on what you’ve read, seek His face and goodness in times of prayer and communion with Him, you will notice a lowered desire for the things the flesh. Galatians 5:16 says – “But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).”

By abiding closely to Him, God will be there with us… Psalm 91:1 reveals “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” We will remain stable and fixed in this area of temptation we are referring to as taking control of our spending. As we yield to the Spirit we will realize there is a victory to be won by each of us.

If you feel overburdened from your debts, be encouraged from what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul