Rich Thoughts Blogs

Growing up in eastern North Carolina….I frequently heard it said that money talks.

Well for most of my life, if money talked, it said “good bye.”  Either that or I needed a hearing aid.

Praise God, that’s not anymore the situation any more.

But here’s the question, I want you to consider during this teaching….if your money talks what is it saying about you.

Have you ever noticed that many people become uncomfortable when the pastor talks about money? Everyone is happy as long as he talks about grace, mercy, faith, or love. However, when the subject turns to money, some become extremely quiet, while others just tune out what he is saying.

I asked the Lord, “Why is it that your children react so negatively when the preacher talks about money?”

The Lord’s answer startled me. He said, “Harold, it’s because their money will tell on them.”

I asked, “What do you mean. Lord?”

He said, “Everyone at church is supposed to love me. However, you will never know who really loves me until you spend about thirty minutes looking through their checkbooks from the last few years. Only then will you know who they really love the most.”

What you just heard may surprise you, but the following verse should make it clear.

… where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

Notice our Lord doesn’t say where your heart is, your treasure will be. He says, where you treasure is, your heart will be. In other words, your heart (or your interest) will follow your treasure.

If you put your treasure in a motor boat, your heart will follow it to the open sea. If you put it in a motor home, your heart will be on the open road. However, if you regularly put your treasure into the things of God, your heart will always be with Him.

I grew up in a church where money wasn’t talked about…I never remember hearing anything said about tithing….but they did like money…..the church of my childhood had a simple financial policy “get what you can, save what you can and sit on the can.”

My Mom and Dad used to pick up kids and bring them to church….I remember one summer that wanted the church to pay their way to summer camp and the response from the deacons was no because it would take the savings account under 100K….now this is a church of less than 100 people in a town of less than 3K people.

My fine wife Bev and I, along with my parents paid for these children to go to church camp.

I remember when we left the church of my youth to attend First Assembly of God….one of the deacons, the one who handled the money, said, we’re sure going to miss you and he smiled.

In my spirit, I knew what he was going to miss….it was my money, as Bev and I were not only the largest givers to the church, we were the only ones who tithed on a regular basis.

In fairness, I must say that you can’t have faith for what you don’t have knowledge of…that’s why there is so much misunderstanding in the church about money.

The majority of the Church misunderstands what the Word of god teaches about money. They make the mistake of thinking money is evil. We have all heard people try and argue against the biblical message of abundance by saying, “But the Bible says money is the root of all evil.”

The Bible doesn’t say money is the root of all evil. It says the love of money is the root of all evil.

For the love of money is the root of all evil … 1 Timothy 6:10

God is not against your having money. He just doesn’t want money to have you. God never wants money to rule your life. If you start to love money, it will not be long before it becomes your master, making it impossible for you to properly serve God.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money). Matthew 6:24

Prosperity is not what you have. . .it’s what has you.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  He is also the new President of Millionaire University.

            The headline The Drudge Report this morning (Saturday, September 13, 2008) said “4 million without power.”  The reference is to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike slamming into the Texas coast.

            As I read those words, the Lord spoke clearly to my spirit and said, “they are without electricity but not without power.”

            The news report stated it might take several weeks to restore power to those affected by Ike.  But the Lord said to me “tell my children that will never happen.”  The Lord said that His children are never  without real power but they must not give in to the fear of the situation or the unknown.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”                                     2 Timothy 1:7

            In speaking to me this morning, the Lord starting bringing to me scripture after scripture to me dealing with His power and the authority that He has delegated to you and I as believers.  He has given us the power. . .the authority to deal with every situation that we face.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”                                     Matthew 28:18

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”                  Acts 1:8

            The Lord said that some will doubt but He reminded me of Matthew 22:29 which says:

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

            I turned on the TV briefly to watch Fox and Friends when I heard a doctor speaking about all the potential problems with disease that people could be facing.  The Lord brought Matthew 10:11 to my remembrance:.

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”                         

            The Lord said this is a time that we rely totally upon Him and not our own thought processes or worse the opinions of the news media.

“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”                                           1 Corinthians 2:5

            He said that the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead will manifest as believers repair, rebuild and restore their property.

“But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto me.”                   Matthew 9:8

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”      Ephesians 3:20

            Finally, He said that in the storms of life, Ike being one of them that our trust and focus should always be on Him. 

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”    Romans 15:13

What kind of music do you listen to?

Do you prefer Gospel (urban, contemporary, southern), rock (hard, soft or classic), jazz (light, instrumental), country (pop or classic) … what’s your preference?

Regardless of the type of music you like or what format you listen to it in…you have a playlist.  And you probably have more than one.

Think about this.  A playlist includes things that you must enjoy … because you keep playing it over and over again.

You’re may even think you don’t because you haven’t got an IPod or disc player … but I assure you that you do have a playlist.  And it doesn’t just play melodies but memories you keep playing over and over and over in your head.

Have you ever walked into a store to shop and heard a song playing?  Maybe it’s one you don’t even like but, when you leave; it keeps playing over and over in your mind?  That is like a playlist. 

Some believers even choose to have the wrong kind of playlist.  For example, what believer (or anyone for that matter) needs to have these songs bombarding their brains or getting down into their spirits:

“Born to Lose”

“What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am?”

“It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To”

“I Got Friends in Low Places.”

“What Made Milwaukee Famous Made a Loser Out of Me.”

When you like a song, you play it over and over again.  It may have a catchy tune but you need to think twice about what you are feeding your subconscious mind.

You are your own disc jockey.  You decide what songs to play.  So be sure to develop a positive playlist for your mind.  Make the ways in which God has manifested His powerful presence and love in your life … a part of your playlist …  especially in turbulent times.

Colossians 3:16 (AMP) gives us the perfect insight on how to program our playlist for maximum success.

“Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.”

As you continue on your day … take a moment to monitor the melodies and memories that begin playing in your mind.  Make sure your playlist contains the things you want to hear over and over again.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  He is also the new President of Millionaire University.

          The news media has dropped Gustav like a hot potato this morning now that hurricane Hanna and Ike are gaining strength.  But yesterday’s news coverage in New Orleans got my attention.  Some bar owner who decided to ‘tough out the storm’ commented that the next time New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, tells everyone to GET OUT, he would be ignored.  Sorry, but that is just ignorance gone to the seed and often exactly what the news media likes to report.

When Gustav headed toward our coastline over those warm gulf waters, it is no accident that the reports came in that it could become a category 5 before it hit land.  So, why did it Gustav back down to a category 3?  Why did the levees hold up?  How about giving credit where credit is due?  The praying saints of a Mighty God!

As I was recording a Rich Thoughts phone message Saturday morning, my spirit was stirred about Hurricane Gustav so I add a paragraph asking everyone to pray for those states along the Gulf Coast.

On Sunday morning, my wife, Bev, and I attended The Wisdom Center where our dear friend Dr. Mike Murdock is the pastor.  As he was ministering, I felt the Spirit of the Lord tell me that Gustav would gain strength not because of the warm waters of the Caribbean but the fear of believers.

Bev said she felt the Lord remind her of the Word that “even the winds and the seas obey Him” (Matthew 8:27).  And that we are called to do the works of our Lord.  If God was speaking to us, we knew He was reaching across this entire country looking for other believers who would defeat fear and boldly stand in the gap .

          Just before our Sunday night church service at Triumphant Life Church (TLC), I heard that Gustav was predicted to get weaker instead of stronger.  That’s certainly not the norm for such warm gulf waters. 

          Gustav has now been downgraded to a Tropical Storm. I’m not minimizing the damage of Gustav or the loss of life and property associated with this storm, but I am saying that the “storm of the century” as it was labeled by the Mayor of New Orleans did not leave up to its billing although it certainly could have.

          And the reason is not some meteorological phenomenon … but the prayers of the saints.  I’ve heard talk about the levees holding, the orderly evacuation and how New Orleans dodged a bullet but …I’ve not heard credit being given where it’s deserved. . to our God!

I think it’s important for believers to understand that fear can fuel disaster.  God showed me the results could have been much more devastating but when we do what the Lord God says, we can make things happen and circumstances will change.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  Harold is also the new President of Millionaire University.

Since midnight, I’ve slept a little more than four hours. . .the rest of the time I’ve been praying for partners of this ministry to have an IMMEDIATE BREAKTHROUGH.

In response to my Rich Thoughts emails and bi-weekly phone calls, thousands are going us in this Labor Day of Prayer.  The response has been so overwhelming that it locked down our voice mail at the office and my personal cell phone.

In less than an hour, I’m going to post the names of most of the people I’m praying for today and I want to invite you to join me in the powerful, yet precious prayer of agreement for these saints to experience the favor of God.

             Why should you join me in this prayer of agreement?  Because it’s in the Book.

            “. . .The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”  James 5:16 AMP

            “. . .the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”  Job 42:10

            “. . . knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:8 NASB

            When you pray for someone else. . .for loved ones to be saved, healed or delivered; for a new job, a promotion, more customers for a business, marriage to be restored, financial breakthrough, debt cancellation or elimination. . .whatever good thing your prayers cause to happen for them. . .God will do for you.

            Keep checking back…the list will be posted shortly.

Sir Winston Churchill once said that “. . .sometimes it’s not enough to do what’s required you have to do what’s necessary.”

If you’re coming out of debt or if you just need more money, then you need to consider picking up a new avenue of revenue.  It may not be convenient or easy but when you need money, than you have to do what’s necessary.  Who knows, you might even have some fun doing it.

Here’s a list of 35 ways to increase your income.

·        Wait tables on weekends

·        Volunteer to work overtime on the job

·        Pick up a paper route

·        Get a job at a fast food joint

·        Turn your hobbies into a job

·        Learn to make jewelry and sell it at local fairs

·        Put up and take down other people’s Christmas lights

·        Teach cooking classes

·        Do freelance work in your vocation

·        Sale “stuff” on eBay and yard sales

·        Referee for sporting events

·        Start a lawn-care business

·        Teach piano lessons

·        Donate plasma

·        Babysit

·        Help coach a local sporting team

·        House-sit

·        Clean houses or office buildings

·        Refurbish furniture and sell it to consignment stores

·        Do Handy-Work for others

·        Makes meals for sale

·        Teach private swim lessons

·        Sell homemade rolls or treats around the holidays

·        Repair cars

·        Sell gift baskets

·        Breed animals for sale

·        Grow plants to sell

·        Become a dog walker

·        Become certified to teach aerobics, water aerobics, pilates or yoga

·        Teach language lessons

·        If you are good at photography, start a small business

·        Look into credible multilevel marketing opportunities

·        Deliver phone books or door ads

·        Become a sales person for in-home

·        Check the local want ads to determine if they are market/research projects looking for part-time help

If you can think of other ways to increase your income let me know.   Just send an email to Harold.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  He is also the new President of Millionaire University. 

The Lord woke me up just after 5 AM this morning…it’s now 7:33 AM as I sit at this keyboard.

A few minutes ago, I was pondering what I could post on the website today that will be a blessing to those who read it.  Very clearly, the Lord led me to a blog that I wrote on November 13^th last year.  His direction was specific…post that blog again…it has a message my children need to get inside of them.

Here it is. . .

I started writing this blog at 5:49 AM….forty-eight minutes after the Lord woke me up to pray for you and other friends of this ministry.   He directed me to write and post on this blog what He was saying to me.   He further directed me not to wait for my fine wife, Bev to proof my words before posting.  So I started typing the words that my Heavenly Father was speaking to me…

 There is no question that the enemy is not happy about this simple but profound message from the Lord.  As I was about to depress the save button the entire blog disappeared…that has never happened to me before…so I know that we’re about to create some turbulence in the heavenlies and the enemy is not happy that one of his favorite tactics is about to be exposed.

Here’s what the Lord directed me to tell you. . .

The Lord wanted you to know that. . .

“Anything that can get you down is above you.”

He said, “Tell me children that. . .

“. . .if debt can get them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if lack can get them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if sickness can get them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if lack of a proper job or position can get them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if addiction to anything can get them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if rebellious children can get them down, they’re above them.

“. . .if the lack of customers in their business is getting them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if what’s happening politically in this country and around the world is getting them down, it’s above them.

“. . .if an unfaithful spouse can get them down, then the problem is above them.

“My children need to understand that they empower anything that can get them down.

“Tell my children that the only thing that should EVER be above them, is their love for Me and my Word.,

“Give my children the scriptures I’m stirring in your spirit right down.  Assure them that I will lift them up and draw them unto me.”

Here are the scriptures that the Lord gave me for you early this morning. . .

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . .”  Proverbs 23:7

“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now.  You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.”   Psalm 40:17 NLT

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. “Proverbs 16:3

“No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.:  Psalm 84:11

There are a number of other scriptures that I could list here but the four scriptures above are the ones the Lord directed me to write in this blog.

No matter what situation, circumstance or problem we’re facing, we should never let it get us down, because God can turn EVERY situation around JUST LIKE THAT.  Snap.

I’ve been obedient. . .now you must read, heed and obey the Word of the Lord.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

The blog that you’ve just read was written 41 weeks ago today but it’s still a fresh word from the Lord and more importantly, He wanted you to read it today.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  Harold is also the new President of the Debt Free Army. 

As I was praying for partners a few minutes ago, the Lord brought to my remembrance a teaching that I recently did on the life of Job.

In the first 19 verses of Job chapter one, we read of the demonic attacks against this good, Godly man.  He lost all his wealth, all his money and all his children were killed and then his health was attacked.  In a word, you could say, Job lost it “all.”

What was Job’s response …?

“Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshipped”   v20

The scripture says Job fell to the ground … but it doesn’t say that he fell down in defeat, that he fell down and gave up … that he fell down and blamed everybody else.  The scripture is clear… in the midst of a horrendous attack, Job WORSHIPPED GOD.

As born-again believers, we need to understand that just because we love God doesn’t mean we won’t be attacked.  However, the key to our victory is not in avoiding the attack but in how we respond to the attack.

It’s important to note what Job did when adversity came … he didn’t call Brother Wonderful or Sister Marvelous down at the Tabernacle … the scripture says he WORSHIPPED God.

Too many times we worship God only when things are going well … when it’s convenient … when we feel like it … but in the midst of a demonic onslaught … the scripture says “he WORSHIPPED God.”

When the enemy attacks you, I recommend that you immediately begin worshipping God….

I encourage you to write down how God has manifested His presence in your life … list the times that He brought you out of turmoil … list the times He’s poured His blessings out on you and your family.

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”                                     Psalm 34:1

In the midst of the attack it’s more important than any other time to have that attitude of gratitude and praise God for all He’s done and is doing in your life.

22 “In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.”

Job didn’t sin … he didn’t begin singing “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen”… he didn’t ask to be on Oprah, Jerry Springer or the Nightly News to tell how bad things were … he did as the scripture says, “not charge God foolishly.”

What happens when you worship God no matter what your situation, circumstances or problems may be?  We find the answer in Job 42:10.

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Job’s “friends” weren’t exactly the kind of folks you’d want to hang out with.  One translation even calls them “fair-weather friends.”  But here’s some good news…no matter what you’re facing…you have a friend that sticks closer than a brother (See Proverbs 18:24)

God gave Job a new family and a whole NEW ATTITUDE.

Sometimes believers wonder “Why Me Lord?” but the real question should be “Lord what do you want me to learn from this?”

I believe the book of Job has real meaning for our lives….yes, there is suffering and loss in the world … but there is victory over defeat … triumph over tragedy … and success over failure.

Most scholars agree that Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible.  I think there’s a reason why God had it written first.  It’s the story of a good, Godly man who lost everything … maintained his faith … and got rewarded with twice more than what He had before.

Harold Herring is the President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  Harold is also the new President of Millionaire University.

            It’s Saturday morning,  and I was just praying about what book I should read next.  The word “success” came to my mind.  It seems that almost every day someone is writing a new book about success.  As an author and an avid reader, I’m always happy when people write new books.   Let me clarify that and say, I’m always happy when people write GOOD BOOKS……

            That’s when the Lord reminded me that. . .

            If you want to be a lawyer………you study law

            If you want to be a doctor or a nurse….you study medicine

            If you want to be a teacher……you study education….

            If you want to be successful….you study secrets of success….the greatest man who ever lived….Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

            I was also reminded that Jesus was always improving Himself and that we shouldn’t do any less.

            Luke 2:52…And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

            Even though the word “success” is only mentioned one time in the King James version of the Bible….the greatest book ever written gives us success strategies from the greatest man who ever lived.

            I encourage you to write down these scriptural references….make notes and apply each of these strategies to your life.  Write down how they apply in your current situation and how God can use the truth of the revelation to take you to the next level.

Jesus understood the necessity of goals.

And He said unto them…I must be about my Father’s business.”

Luke 2:49

Jesus knew what happened to people without goals

…if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 15:14

Jesus was focused on His goals.

For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10

Jesus never lost sight of His goal.

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:4

Jesus had goals that benefited others.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:  I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Jesus took care of business.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Luke 2:49

Jesus came to finish the work.

…My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 4:34

I have glorified thee on the earth:  I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:4

If you want to learn how to be a success in life learn from the best.

Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  Harold is also the new President of Millionaire University.

You’re special AND that’s NOT just because you’re visiting the Debt Free Army website and reading this blog.  You’re special because the Word of God says that you are.

Now I must admit I’m curious how many of you received a letter in your mailbox during the past week telling you how SPECIAL you are that you’ve been pre-approved, pre-qualified for that special low interest credit card.

Do you think credit card companies are sending you these credit card offers because they think you’re so SPECIAL.    No, it’s because they want your money.

Keep this in mind when you’re reading all the flowery language in the credit card/debt solicitation.

When it says: “Our membership is difficult to obtain…”
What it means: Death row prisoners are not eligible… in most states!

When it says: “We have shortened the application process…”
What it means: “We need lots of new members fast b/c we want more money!”

When it says: “You have no predetermined credit limit…”
What it means: “We’re not worried, we employ the Break Their Spirit collection agency.”

When it says: “Exceptional Customer Service…”
What it means: Except when you need it!

When it says: “Trained customer representatives await your call…”
What it means: “Press one if you want to know your balance.  Press 2 if you want to know your balance.  Press three….you get the pix?

When it says: “To apply for membership, fill out this short form…”
What it means: You’ll get the long form later after we check your credit record.

When it says: “You may direct us not to share this information with anyone else…”
What it means: “Catch us if you can!”

When it says: “We look forward to receiving your completed application…”
What it means: “We baited the hook, and we hope you’ll bite!”

Harold Herring is Presdient of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.  He is also President of Millionaire University.