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I want to thank all of you for personally praying for Robert and Mary…they got a HUGE VICTORY today…next comes the seven-fold restoration.
I’ve prayed for over 1,000 people today and have received dozens and dozens of requests from folks who want to be included in my day of prayer on Monday, September 1st. If you want to be included just send me an email: harold@debtfreearmy.org
Stay blessed.
I’d like to ask you to join me in the prayer of agreement for two very close personal friends of mine, Robert and Mary. Pray for them to have Godly favor and wisdom. Also, pray for the seven-fold restoration of everything the enemy has stolen from them.
Thank you and stay blessed.
Harold
It’s early Monday morning as I’m writing these words…I’ve just finished reading Proverbs 18.
As I read verse 15 in the King James, my spirit was stirred.
“The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”
I felt prompted to study this verse in several other translations.
The Amplified says, “. . . and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.”
“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” NLT
As I was reading this scripture, the Lord brought back to my remembrance Proverbs 15:14 which says, “Anyone with good sense is eager to learn more, but fools are hungry for foolishness.” CEV
So here’s the question I feel prompted of the Lord to ask you and every other believer.
“What do you want to learn more about? What kind of knowledge are you craving?”
In the past ten days, have you spent more time watching someone else win the gold or preparing yourself for the gold?
Are you just observing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in the face of others or planning, with God’s help, how you can overcome every obstacle to your success?
Have you spent more time savoring every enticing offer from advertisers or more time tasting the Word to see that it’s good?
Don’t get me wrong. . . Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals exemplifies what Paul talks about in pressing toward the mark (Philippines 3:14) . But are you pursuing your purpose in life with the same passion?
Surveys indicate that the average person watches four hours of television a day. If that is true in your life. … that equals twenty-eight hours a week. . .which adds up to 1,456 hours or 60 days or TWO MONTHS of your entire year spent watching television!
If you were paid $10 an hour for those 1,456 hours, it would amount to a total of $582,400 income over a 40-year period.
So here’s the question. How much of your time is spent watching television, surfing the net for entertainment or indulging in meaningless pursuits? Do you want to spend your life watching other people’s passion or jump into your own passion so you can know more, do more, be more and have more?
By the way, time invested in seeking scriptural, inspirational, motivation and educational knowledge may not put a gold medal around your neck but it will truly bring gold into your life. Like an adventurous Christian life.
Think about it.
Harold Herring is the President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini. He is also the new President of Millionaire University.
Do you realize that you have a Financial DNA? That’s right, 90% of the people feel exactly the same way their parents do about debt, wealth and success.
Before you say the important “I do,” words you’d better make sure that you completely understand your spouse’s view about financial matters. Your style of dealing with money is no doubt different than your spouse. Different viewpoints can introduce conflict and misunderstanding into an otherwise great relationship.
If you’ve already entered a marriage relationship and handling finances has been a problem from the start, it will help the stress level if you sit down and talk expectations.
No relationship is going to be argument-free when it comes to how money is managed; however, it’s good to understand certain issues. Remember this: opposites “do” attract and it’s for a pretty good reason. You complement each other. There is a reason you are tight-fisted and your spouse loves to spend. Somewhere in the middle is a balanced financial system that will work for your family. Let God help you work it out.
Here are 4 tips for overcoming financial stress in marriage.• Understand that growing up with different backgrounds has given you two sets of attitudes and behaviors to work from. Discuss how each of your families handled money. Did your parents argue over money? Did both your parents know and discuss financial issues? Who handled the checkbook, bills and savings
? Who was the saver and who was the spender? How did they deal with these differences? If you don’t know all the answers, then ask yourself: how do you feel about who handles the money and why?• Be honest about how that history and past experience may influence your spending and saving decisions. Once you recognize patterns of past behavior, do you see this behavior manifesting itself in your handling of money now? How can you both changes to reflect the goals you have for your money? And you should have goals!
• If you have a debt situation, focus on a plan to reduce debt and make peace over who is at fault. After determining exactly where you are financially, create a budget/spending plan and begin to track your spending. Put together a plan to get out of debt or one that plans for the future.
• Discuss the possibilities of what you would like to have in a few years such as children, a home of your own, kids college fund started or a retirement plan started (or retirement funds available,) a vacation etc,. Then, agree to make a commitment to each other to be open and honest about money and stick to the plan. Nothing hurts a marriage like one spouse continually making costly financial blunders.
• Make sure you have your spiritual house in order by honoring God with your tithes and giving. If you believe the Word of God, take the time to learn about God’s plan for your finances and determine to trust Him for a financial blessing. You’ll be so glad you did.
• If your blessed union is being torn apart by financial pressure, talk to a financial counselor or your pastor who may be a help in repairing the stress points.
These tips can potentially help you see where you are financially right now and where you could be in the future. Conflict left unresolved can cause fractures in other areas of your relationship as well. Start today to educate yourself and empower your family!
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.
A couple of days ago I heard the old song “16 Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
I’ve updated the song with a few modern lyrics:
16 cards and what do you get?
Another year older and deeper in debt
Now brother don’t you tell me ‘cause I already know
It’s true what they say that you reap what you sow!
There are way too many believers up to their eyeballs in credit card debt. Every month that you only make on the minimum payment on your credit card, you are actually lowering your standard of living.
The first key is an absolute must. . .stop buying stuff on your credit card. The reason for your purchase doesn’t really matter STOP NOW. There will always be some emergency.
Debt isn’t something that just happens as you go about your daily routines. Spending habits determine debt. I’m listing five spending habits that will get you into serious financial trouble.
If you have any of these habits STOP THEM NOW unless you like stress and all the “d” words. . .debt, disappointment, discouragement, depression, and disaster (financially speaking, of course.)
If you only make $1,500 a month, how could you possibly spend $2,000 in a month? This doesn’t sound logically possible but it’s much easier than you think. In fact, you might be spending more than twice what you make.
Do you dip into your savings, borrow from others, or use credit? These are some primary ways of spending more money than you bring in. You might be able to get away with doing this for a few weeks or even months but, soon, your hole-digging spending habits will catch up with you and you’ll fall in the hole you dug. One day your savings will be depleted, your credit cards maxed out, and you’re borrowing will be over. You won’t be very popular with anyone anymore except the credit card companies who are calling you on a regular basis, saying “Show me the money.”
Spending more money than you make is enabled by a society where you can spend money you don’t have. You spend money you don’t have by using credit cards and taking out loans. When you use these instruments to pay bills and make purchases, you’re creating debt. If you can’t repay the debt each month, it will continue to grow.
From your budget you should use cash to make everyday purchases like groceries, gas, clothes, and entertainment. Credit cards give you the ability to pay later for items that you buy now but items already consumed lose their luster when it comes to paying for them. And not paying your credit card bills in full each month is the worst habit of all. If you realized how much that hamburger or new sweater is actually costing, you would be shocked.
Have you ever decided to use your credit card even though you had cash? Why is that? Somehow it feels good to keep that cash for other things but doing so means you are able to spend more.
One of the quickest ways to get into debt is to choose to use credit when you have the cash to make a purchase. People do this with a “something for nothing” type of mindset. They want to buy but they don’t want to pay at the time. The convenience of leaving your money in your wallet comes at a cost. Chances are, if you don’t want to pay for it today, you’re not going to want to pay for it tomorrow. But you will paying and paying for many tomorrows.
When you use credit cards to pay off other cards and loans to pay off other loans you’re on a dangerous curve… You are spending a lot of time, energy and money just shuffling your debt around incurring more debt each time you do so.
Balance transfers have transaction fees and most loans have some kind of down payment or origination fee. So when you use debt to pay off debt, you end up worse off than when you began.
Final Word
It’s time for you to stop spending and develop good stewardship habits. A habit takes about three weeks to actually become a part of your thought process. Start today and in three weeks you can change your financial mindset around to a brighter future.
For help handling debt, look under Tools at this website. You can also read our blogs on debt elimination practices. The Debt Terminator is an investment that will take you out of debt if you are serious about changing your financial situation.
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.
I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know what the expression “going for the gold” means.
In the Olympics games the only recognized winner are the gold, silver and bronze winners, but with God everyone who presses toward the mark the prize, the high calling is a winner.
This blog is a little longer than usual but if you focus the same amount of time on this as you do consciously or subconsciously on the Olympics, then I feel sure you’ll be the winner.
Here’s an eight- step formula for winning the gold in your life.
1. Decide EXACTLY what you want in a specific area and write it down clearly and precisely. Make it measurable and specific.
The Olympic athletes didn’t wake up just three or four weeks ago and say, I want to win a gold medal in Beijing. These athletes knew exactly what they wanted to do and they set a definite timeline to be ready to qualify to go to Beijing.
The Apostle Paul in Philipians 3:13 said:
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
Paul wanted to run the best race that he was personally capable of and yes, he
won the race despite overwhelming obstacles and challenges.
Once you establish your goals you need to put aside any and everything that can
hold you back. You need to focus. The great evangelist D.L. Moody said, “It is better to say, ‘This one thing I do,’ than to say, ‘These forty things I dabble in.’ “
You should be like Paul and be focused on winning the gold. He wasn’t messing around with 40 different things. . .he was concentrating on the specific goals in his life.
Ask yourself where you want to be in the next month, six months, one year, two
years and five years. WRITE IT DOWN.
It may be that you need to find a quiet place away from the distractions of cell
phones, pagers, PDAs, text messages and even family. If you’re married, I suggest that you and your spouse share this process as you are called to be one flesh.
If you’re serious about goal setting, it should also be a matter of intense prayer to discuss what God would have you do. . .to seek His face and direction.
2. Set a deadline for achievement of the goal. If it is a large goal, break it down into smaller parts and set sub-deadlines.
It’s important that your goals be timely, whether they’re immediate (daily, weekly and monthly); intermediate (three months, six months, a year) or long-range (two, three or five years.)
For instance, if one of your financial goals is to contact your creditors about lowering the interest rate on your credit card, have the information you need available when you call the toll-free number you’ll find on your statement.
If one of your physical goals is to lose weight, how are you going to do it and when are you going to start? How many days a week are you going to exercise? One, two or three? By the way, there is a difference between what you’d like to do and what you really will do. Start out with realistic goals. You can always add but first you need to experience success.
Dr. Robert Schuller also said it very well, “Winning starts with beginning.”
3. Make a list of everything you will have to do to achieve your goal.
One of the successful characteristics of millionaires is that they write down their goals. Keeping it in your head just isn’t good enough. What would you think of a business that didn’t have written records?
If you do excellent work for someone else … you should do no less than that for yourself. You are God’s business manager. He has made you a steward of everything you are involved in on the earth. As stewards we own nothing, but we have the awesome responsibility to manage everything. Our Boss says we must write the vision and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2).
When people say to me, “I’m not a numbers’ person. I’m not the kind who likes to write things down.” My response to these excuses is plain and simple. God told you to write the vision and that settles it. PERIOD. PARAGRAPH.
The Lord had a word for that type of person In Psalm 50:17 NIV when He said, “You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you” (Psalm 50:17 NIV).
Carry your goals with you in either a notebook, laptop, PDA, legal pad or napkin. Do whatever it takes to keep your goals in front of you every day.
4. Organize your list of actions into a plan. A plan is organized on the basis of two elements—priority and sequence. The 80/20 Rule…says 20% of what you do will account for 80% of the results.
One of the questions you need to ask is who can help you with this plan? If you’re married, it’s important to have your spouse involved. BUT, do not despair if you’re spouse isn’t interested YET. Don’t let anyone steal your dream, your goal, the vision of how your life is going to be. When your spouse sees you making progress amazing things will start to happen.
If your financial affairs are in disarray, you need to know where you’re at before you can develop your goals for financial freedom.
First, if you’re not doing so already BALANCE YOUR CHECKBOOK.
Second, get a spiral ringed notebook. Make it the kind a man can easily carry in his pocket and a woman in her purse. If you’re married, both spouses should be involved in this process. For the next thirty days,write down every single PENNY you spend and mark it by category. I’m sure you know where the big money goes, but it’s most often the little money that adds up to big money.
This may not seem like your kind of fun, but let me tell you that it won’t be fun the day you realize you’re broke, busted and wallowing along with a poverty mentality. Believe me, this exercise is worth it.
5. Identify obstacles or limitations that might hold you back from achieving your goals both in the situation and within yourself.
If you’re training for the Olympics, there are certain sacrifices you make as lifestyle changes. For instance, you will be separated from your family and friends for a significant period of time. You will have to give up Big Macs, French Fries and hot fudge sundaes. There will be no late night partying. You will remove any and everything that can hold you back from achieving your ultimate goal.
6. Once you have determined your goal, developed your plan and identified your obstacles, immediately take action toward achieving your goal.
You are the writer, producer, director and star of your own life story. You write the script. You produce all the resources necessary to bring it to the big screen. You direct all the action and overcome all the obstacles and limitations. Only when you do that … do you become the star. . .the main attraction. Just always remember who gave you all the abilities and opportunities you enjoy.
The devil’s greatest desire is to neutralize, contain, and render you ineffective for the kingdom of God. His greatest weapon is not an active sinner but an inactive Christian who is not fully aware of the power working in and through Him. Get that down in your spirit and it will take you up and over the circumstances in life.
“People judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard boiled egg.” Good Reading
You will never achieve your goals if you decide to only work on them when it’s convenient or you feel like it. That’s certainly not the training routine of an Olympic athlete.
No excuses. Now is the time, this is the day, YOUR DAY, YOUR TIME.
7. Do something every day that moves you closer to your goals.
When you wake up in the morning, before your feet hit the floor and certainly before you walk out the door. . .it’s important. . .no, it’s essential that you begin to dress your mind as well as your body.
How much do you spend on those trips to the beauty or barber shop for hair care, cuts, fros, dos, bobs, weaves and/or coloring? What about the money spent on hair sprays, gels, shampoos, brushes, picks or hair dryers? All that money goes on the outside of your head.
The real question is how much did you invest in books, CDs, DVDs and MP3s that will fed the greatest computer ever invented. . .your mind?
Jesus was always improving Himself. Should we do any less?
8. Never ever give up
In the 1908 Olympics there was an Italian runner by the name of Dorando Pietri. When he entered the stadium for the final 100 yards of the marathon he was running, he was in a state of collapse. The Italian runner fell five times before an official finally helped him across the finish line. He was disqualified but he would not quit until he finished.
In the 1992 Olympics, Derek Redmond of Great Britain, about halfway through the 400 meters race tore a hamstring. Redmond hobbled the rest of the way with the help of his father who rushed from the grandstands to aid his son. He came in last, but he finished.
In the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, Tanzania’s John Stephen Akhware, with his right leg bloody and bandaged, staggered into the stadium more than an hour after the winner had crossed the line. He said afterwards, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish the race.”
One Final Thought
If you’re going for the gold for God, then you must focus on your goals and plan for success. With God, everyone gets the gold (medal) as long as they follow His rules and procedures.
“And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5 NLT
Harold Herring is the President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.
As I was pondering what subject to cover in this blog I was reminded of a conversation I had with a single mother not too long ago. She told me that she couldn’t tithe or sow a seed in the offering because of her current financial situation.
In love, I reminded her of the story of another single mother as found in 1 Kings 17.
It’s important for each of us to be reminded of how God rewarded the widow at Zarephath for her willingness to obey and follow His principles of biblical economics (1 Kings 17:8-16). This poor widow had only enough for one final meal. When the prophet Elijah came and asked her for something to eat, she replied:
…I have not a cake, but [only] an handful of meal in a barrel … and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress [prepare] it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 1 Kings 17:12
She was down to her last meal, but Elijah exhorted her to share her last cake. He promised her that if she obeyed:
… The barrel of meal shall not waste [be used up] … until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. 1 Kings 17:14
The turning point was when the woman actually gave the last of her precious food away. The world would have told her it was sensible to hoard her small bit of remaining meal, to use what little she had for herself and her son. However, God works by different principles. This lady was exhorted to share her meal with God’s minister, and let God provide the harvest. She planted the seed in the darkest part of the famine, because Elijah convinced her that if she planted, she would reap a bountiful harvest.
So the poor widow obeyed and met the need of the man of God.
As she gave her son’s last meal to the prophet, instantly a miracle happens in her pantry. Food begins to multiply…enough for her, her son, as well as the man of God for many days.
As a result of her willingness to plant seeds, and her refusal to observe the winds and clouds of famine, God miraculously met her need.
… the barrel of meal wasted not [was not used up] … according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:16
Isn’t it interesting that Jesus notes the unusual response of this widow in Luke 4 and He states that she and she alone received help from God in this famine?
“I tell you the truth many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah…but unto none of them was Elijah sent except unto Zarepath…unto a woman that was a widow.” Luke 4:25_26 Para
Remember:
I learned years ago that when we turn loose what’s in our hands, God will turn loose what’s in His hands….and truth be told, I’d much rather have what’s in His hands.
Harold Herring is the President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV
God has chosen you. Believe me, the Word backs me up. You wouldn’t even be born if it weren’t for God. Be assured that with God, there are no “Opps” in this world. In the eyes of the law, a child may be called illegitimate, but with God, He’ll use someone’s “supposed mistake” to place someone beloved to Him on the earth.
God places within each of us a sense of our ultimate destiny and leaves it to us to discover it. If you feel you haven’t found yours, seek Him fervently until it becomes real to you. He has given you all your feelings for a reason. What do you love? What do you see that needs His touch? All these things reflect what He wants you to accomplish for Him.
Back in the recesses of time, long before your encounter with God, He had you in His Mind. That is hard for our minds to imagine, but we are talking about God. God knew that someday you would be exposed to the gospel. He also knew just how you would respond to the spoken and written Word of God. You are and have always been special to Him.
Since God knew this, He included you in His plan and fixed something for you to do in the great design of His eternal will. Since your Creator knew that your personal reaction to the gospel would be favorable, He designed His great plan with you in mind. You were always on the drawing board of eternity. Isn’t that an awesome thought?
Now, the day we took a step toward Christ we were given a new perspective on life. Before there was ever a star in the sky, He planned out and fixed a niche for you to fit and work within. He willed that you, as a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit, be involved in and do some of His divine work. He has a purpose and place for you in His Kingdom.
ABRAHAM’S BLESSING.
Gen 12:1-4 NOW [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].
3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had directed him; and Lot [his nephew] went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
The father of many nations, at the ripe old age of seventy-five listened to the call and voice of God. In exchange for His obedience, he was promised the “blessed life.” His life stands as a model for each of us today.
SHOW YOU
The Lord tells Abraham that He will ‘make” something out of his obedience. What does God desire to make out of your life of obedience?
BLESS YOU
The Lord told Abraham that He would “bless” him. The Amplified Bible explains this to be an “abundant increase of favors.”
Can you imagine the Master of the Universe saying that He will give you an abundant increase of favors? Well, that is what He said.
Abraham’s greatness was because of God. The greatness you seek should not be sought outside of the presence and power of God. It is not achieved because of you but because of God in you. Blessings and supernatural provision come in all forms. What do yours look life? Are you grateful for and do you recognize all the blessings God has given you?
BLESS THOSE
Finally, the Lord God told Abram that He would “bless those who bless you.” Those Abram encountered who treated him kindly also saw the same blessings come upon their own life. In the same way, those who curse you, He will deal with so you can leave it to Him.
ABRAM DEPARTED
In obedience to God, Abram packed up his belongings and headed on down the road. Was Abram chosen because of his good works? Did he have a good heart? Was it just because he was a special person? NO!
God wants to bless all of His children. Abraham’s life is highlighted in scripture because of his faith in the ultimate provision of God. Abraham made just as many mistakes as any other human being.
Numbers 6:24-26 makes it clear that the blessing of God is for all.
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” KJV
I also like the Message translation of that verse.
“God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face and make you prosper.”
SO THE QUESTION IS……
Why does God want to bless you? His purpose in blessing you is so you can turn around and bless others. Who are we to bless? Our family and friends and those who can repay us? The children? The sick and the needy? The poor and down and out? Yes, it is easy to bless all of these people. Jesus said this in Matthew 25;34-40
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
But Jesus also said for us to bless those who curse us, mistreat us, and are against us. This is much hard for us to do, yet Jesus commanded us to do so.
27 But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred,
28 Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].
29 To the one who strikes you on the jaw or cheek, offer the other [c]jaw or cheek also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold your undergarment as well.
30 Give away to everyone who begs of you [who is in want of necessities], and of him who takes away from you your goods, do not demand or require them back again.
31 And as you would like and desire that men would do to you, do exactly so to them.
32 If you [merely] love those who love you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the [very] sinners love their lovers (those who love them).
33A nd if you are kind and good and do favors to and benefit those who are kind and good and do favors to and benefit you, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? For even the preeminently sinful do the same.
34 And if you lend money at interest to those from whom you hope to receive, what quality of credit and thanks is that to you? Even notorious sinners lend money at interest to sinners, so as to recover as much again.
35 But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked.
36 So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].
37 Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released. AMP
BLESSED FOR A PURPOSE
For every person, God has a purpose….
Let me say that again, FOR EVERY PERSON, GOD HAS A PURPOSE. And that purpose is ultimately that you might become a blessing to others. As God supernaturally provides for you, you in turn will not be one who dams up the river of blessing, but one who becomes a conduit so the blessings flow to others.
Are you living in the purpose of God? Are you operating in the plan He designed for your life? Are you giving to others as you are blessed yourself? Wherever you go, be a blessing! With whomever you meet, become a blessing. Whatever you put your hand to do, be a blessing. You have been blessed for a purpose.
Harold Herring is the President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini. Harold also serves as the President of Millionaire University.
The words “blessed” and “blessing” are so common in Christian circles that they can sometime lose the very strong scriptural meaning behind them.
What does it mean in the natural to be “blessed.” According to the Roget’s New Millennium Thesaurus” the word “blessed” has 24 entries: as a noun, a verb and an adjective.
To be blessed in the human sense is to be happy, blissful, contented, fortunate, joyful, redeemed, saved, welcome, and commendable as well as to be privileged, to possess, to not be in lack, need or want and to be favored.
In the context of this teaching, the word “blessed” will mean to not be in lack and, in fact, to be favored.
According to Roget’s, the word blessing is both a noun and a verb with a total of 27 entries/definitions. To have or be a blessing in our world is to have grace, reason for thanksgiving, asset, benefit, bounty, endorsement, gifts, fortune, godsend, help, kindness, miracle, profit, windfall, convenience, expediency, gain, influence, preference, prestige, permission, protection, recognition, resources, return, support, to invoke divine favor upon, treasure, and value.
In the context of this teaching, the word “blessing” will mean to experience the grace of God’s influence, protection, resources and assistance.
Are you ready for this………
You are blessed or will be blessed so that you can be a blessing to others.
God does not prosper you for the purpose of raising your standard of living. He prospers you so that you can raise your standard of giving.
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2
The call of God upon Abraham can be the model for God’s call to us.
Just as God promised to bless Abraham, He will also bless us. Why does God desire to bless His people? So that we might become a blessing to others.
“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].” 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
Biblical stewardship is too often defined as giving money to the church. Unfortunately, statistics still indicate that 10 percent of the Christians provide 100 percent of what the church receives. But that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what we are called to do.
Our role in receiving the supernatural provision of God is about keeping only a needed portion of God’s blessing and returning a great portion of the blessing so others can be blessed as well. That may sound like God wants you to do without, but you have no idea how blessed you would be if you lived according to the true biblical plan.
Harold Herring is President of the Debt Free Army, an organization he co-founded with Brother John Avanzini.
A few days ago I was reading some statistics on giving which saddened me. In fact, they caused me to pause and pray specifically for every person who calls themselves a Christian.
As I mulled over the five statistics that I’m going to share with you, I was reminded of a quote Martin Luther once said:
“People go through three conversions in the Christian faith: their head, their heart, and their pocketbook — unfortunately, not all at the same time!”
If you’ve wondered why debt is rising among Christian families, perhaps it’s a direct reflection of these statistics:
1. Incomes have gone up nine to ten times in the last 20 years and giving to ministry has gone down about 50 percent during that same time period.
There has been a steady decline in the percentage of Americans who give to ministries. The decline is roughly six to eight percent each year.
2. In the year 2000, 17 percent of Americans claim to tithe but in reality only six percent actually do.
3. The two groups in the United States that give the highest percentage of their income are the poor (those making less than $20,000 per year) and the rich (those making more than $100,000 per year). Middle-class Americans are the smallest percentage givers.
4. Christians donate 181 billion dollars per year, but if all Christians tithed according to scripture, giving would increase to 647 billion dollars per year.
5. Generally, the more money a person makes, the less likely they are to tithe.
It says in Matthew 6:19-25 “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In other words, our hearts will reflect what we consider to be our treasure. When we accept Jesus Christ, we reconsider what we know to be important and what is worthy of our giving.”
I often tell folks who come to our seminars - Show me your checkbook and credit card statements, and I’ll tell you where your heart is.
If you truly embrace Christ’s teachings, you will understand true investment are in the eternal Kingdom of God and not in the things of this world.
Folks who invest in the stock market are constantly involved in what’s going on in the stock market. When we invest in a particular area of ministry, our hearts will follow and become very interested in that area of ministry.
I am thrilled and encouraged so many have joined the Debt Free Army with their giving. Together we can reach thousands of others in an all out effort to get them out of debt and be able to contribute to eternal things rather than give our money away in useless interest payments. I have spoken with excited partners who realize their gifts have helped educate and empower so many individuals and families.
Now this is something to Think About.