Abideandseek Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Members Followers: 8 Topic Count: 22 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 33 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 30 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/24/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 01/26/1988 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Hey Friends! We haven't posted on here in a little while but I wanted to share some of our most recent articles with you. This article is titled Financial Freedom and was written by Nick to allow us to see that we don't have to live our entire lives tied to money! Nick and I have both experienced the stress and unhappiness that money can have on you, but we are here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way! We hope you enjoy! Be Blessed, Nick & Leah Financial Freedom Most people spend their entire lives in financial bondage. Money doesn’t have to rule your life, it’s time to break out of from its hold and find financial freedom! Money for most is a very touchy subject. It’s hard not to feel defensive about our funds when it feels like everywhere we turn someone is trying to lighten our wallets. It’s amazing when we stop to think about how much of our time and attention we give over to money. Either thinking of ways to earn it or ways to spend it. We quickly fall into a vicious cycle of wasting precious time chasing a dollar, only to spend it on things that we don’t even have time to use! The problem is that in reality, it’s not the money we desire but the false sense of security it brings or the momentary pleasure we gain from the things it buys. “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14 This wisdom from Ecclesiastes really speaks to the truth of our reality… all of life’s rewards are uncertain and ultimately unsatisfying. That is why to find true contentment we need a source of contentment that will ultimately satisfy. Jesus said in John Chapter 4 while speaking to the Samaritan woman, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Financial freedom isn’t found in learning how to better balance our checkbooks or with industry-leading secrets that can teach us how to hoard up our wealth. True financial freedom is found when we renew our minds and come to the source of living water that never runs dry. Overcome The Fear For some, the mere thought of money strikes fears into their hearts. With the thought of bills piling up and the feeling that you can never get ahead, it is hard not to worry about it. I myself lived paycheck to paycheck for years. As soon as I got paid the majority of my earnings were spent before that weekend was over. Besides all the money I wasted on alcohol, cigarettes and partying I was always blowing my money on things that I thought would bring me some sort of happiness. The funny thing is that the days spent in fear of over drafting my account each paycheck greatly outweighed the moments of delight I would find in the things I bought. Honestly at the time I was making lots of money, had very few bills or financial responsibilities and was single, but I still never had enough to keep up with my spending. When we live like this we quickly begin to drown in financial worries and burden. It corrupts not only our happiness but also the way we live our lives and our relationships. The fear of financial uncertainty is a heavy burden for anyone to carry. Fortunately, we don’t have to. We can never escape financial bondage by just trying to not spend money, it just doesn’t work, at least not in the long term. Have some people done this with success? Yes, of course, they have. Anyone can stop spending money but it isn’t a long-term solution. If we just stop spending money, instead of addressing the true issue, we don’t escape financial bondage, we just give it a new name and dress it in different clothes. Instead of spending all of our time worrying about making ends meet, we just find ourselves spending time wishing we didn’t have to pinch every penny as we dream of all the things we wish we could buy but can’t. To find true freedom we need to renew our minds and find contentment in the absence of “stuff”. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 If we turn toward Jesus and openly embrace His perfect love, fear has no place. Financial worry will fade away and through His word, we can begin to renew our minds and focus on finding contentment in Him. Overcome The Hold Renewing our understanding of the world and the role money has in our lives is a process. As we take time in prayer and in the word, we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Escaping the hold that money has on us is so important. Besides the fear and worrythat tags along with financial troubles, it also begins corrupt us in other ways. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10 Most people have heard this scripture before and maybe some have heard it but didn’t even realize that it was scripture. I have heard this misquoted so many times as “money is the root of all evil”. That is not what the scripture is saying. The true emphasis here is on the love of money. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. For some, seeing this scripture might be a bit disheartening. Most of us don’t mind turning to God when we are in need… but can’t we live for this world too? The truth is we can’t. We have to choose because the two are in conflict with each other. Paul said in Galatians 5, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want.” If we want to truly escape the hold that money has on us we need to turn away from it and turn toward Jesus. The good news is that if the two are in conflict with each other, you can be sure that when you truly surrender to the Lord there is no place for financial bondage. If the son sets you free you will be free indeed! Most of all it’s important to remember that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, not money itself. If we can overcome the fear that tags along with money and the hold it has on our lives, we can do something truly amazing. We can take the tool the enemy has been using to keep us in bondage and use it against him to build up God’s kingdom! Overcome The Need We have talked about overcoming the fear and the hold that money has on our lives, now it’s time to talk about overcoming the need. But as the two previous sections spoke to the process of obtaining financial freedom, this one speaks to the power of we have when we obtain that freedom. I’m not talking about overcoming our need for money. Unless you decide to start your own homestead, grow your own food, and make your own clothes, there’s going to be some need for it in your life. What I am talking about is our ability to use what the enemy intends for evil and purpose it for good; to use what God gives us to overcome the need in the world. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 We need to always keep the royal law found in scripture, love your neighbor as yourself on our hearts. God’s kingdom is a kingdom built onselflessness and service to others. A life lived in the bondage of the world is a selfish life full of wandering and disappointment. We all at one time have lived this way and everyone feels the emptiness this life leads to. It drives us to loneliness, unhappiness, depression, anxiety, addiction and it just gets darker and darker as we seek to find just a little fulfillment and joy among the gloom. It is also important to remember that most of us reading this article have way more than most of the world. Almost 50% of the world’s population lives on around $2 a day! That means if your household is bringing around $4,000 a month you are making 100 times as much money as 50% of the world’s population. Though not every household in the U.S. is making this much money, it’s still amazing to think about how people who are making that much are struggling to make ends meet. The only way to truly find financial freedom is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 We will never find financial freedom through pursuing more money or learning to “want less”. True freedom is found only through life in Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Whoever drinks His water will never thirst! Indeed His water will become in you, a spring of water welling up to eternal life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorningGlory Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Royal Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1,022 Topics Per Day: 0.16 Content Count: 39,193 Content Per Day: 6.12 Reputation: 9,977 Days Won: 78 Joined: 10/01/2006 Status: Offline Share Posted February 5, 2018 I don't equate 'financial freedom' with salvation. Not sure what your point is. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.35 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted February 5, 2018 Godliness with CONTENTMENT , now theirs your great gain. Godliness is loving and keeping JESUS sayings which includes being content as you are . Not storing up, not having your affections on things of the world . For starters none would go in debt to begin with . And to lose all those things of this earth should cause us no fear. SET THE AFFECTIONS above and come what may , WE have peace of mind . whether we lose everything are persecuted and on the run , sleeping in caves , in forests and etc , in prisons . YOUR PEACE shall remain. Find the true PROSPERITY . and that cannot be found on anything made or of this earth. THE true prosperity is KNOWING JESUS and knowing Him more and more through all dangers , toils , hardships. and if riches do increase , set not your affections upon them by heaping and steaping . nope pour the excess right into the hand of the poor. Live as did OUR LORD, who lived no better than his own flock. That should be our heart . LIVE as did our LORD , putting all others welfare before ours . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.35 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted February 5, 2018 You want finiancial freedom. THEN STORE YOUR TREASURES above where no man can steal, no moth corrupt. Store not up here on earth for where your treasure is , THEIR IS your heart . WHEN our treasure IS ONLY JESUS........................it wont matter what we lose on earth. OUR HOPE remains. JESUS IS THE TREASURE , JESUS IS the gain JESUS is the riches and JESUS is THE LORD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.35 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted February 5, 2018 JESUS is the ONLY RICHES that will profit a man . ONLY HE can save a man from wrath. Praise the LORD peoples, praise the LORD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.35 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted February 5, 2018 19 minutes ago, Abideandseek said: Hey Friends! We haven't posted on here in a little while but I wanted to share some of our most recent articles with you. This article is titled Financial Freedom and was written by Nick to allow us to see that we don't have to live our entire lives tied to money! Nick and I have both experienced the stress and unhappiness that money can have on you, but we are here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way! We hope you enjoy! Be Blessed, Nick & Leah Financial Freedom Most people spend their entire lives in financial bondage. Money doesn’t have to rule your life, it’s time to break out of from its hold and find financial freedom! Money for most is a very touchy subject. It’s hard not to feel defensive about our funds when it feels like everywhere we turn someone is trying to lighten our wallets. It’s amazing when we stop to think about how much of our time and attention we give over to money. Either thinking of ways to earn it or ways to spend it. We quickly fall into a vicious cycle of wasting precious time chasing a dollar, only to spend it on things that we don’t even have time to use! The problem is that in reality, it’s not the money we desire but the false sense of security it brings or the momentary pleasure we gain from the things it buys. “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14 This wisdom from Ecclesiastes really speaks to the truth of our reality… all of life’s rewards are uncertain and ultimately unsatisfying. That is why to find true contentment we need a source of contentment that will ultimately satisfy. Jesus said in John Chapter 4 while speaking to the Samaritan woman, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Financial freedom isn’t found in learning how to better balance our checkbooks or with industry-leading secrets that can teach us how to hoard up our wealth. True financial freedom is found when we renew our minds and come to the source of living water that never runs dry. Overcome The Fear For some, the mere thought of money strikes fears into their hearts. With the thought of bills piling up and the feeling that you can never get ahead, it is hard not to worry about it. I myself lived paycheck to paycheck for years. As soon as I got paid the majority of my earnings were spent before that weekend was over. Besides all the money I wasted on alcohol, cigarettes and partying I was always blowing my money on things that I thought would bring me some sort of happiness. The funny thing is that the days spent in fear of over drafting my account each paycheck greatly outweighed the moments of delight I would find in the things I bought. Honestly at the time I was making lots of money, had very few bills or financial responsibilities and was single, but I still never had enough to keep up with my spending. When we live like this we quickly begin to drown in financial worries and burden. It corrupts not only our happiness but also the way we live our lives and our relationships. The fear of financial uncertainty is a heavy burden for anyone to carry. Fortunately, we don’t have to. We can never escape financial bondage by just trying to not spend money, it just doesn’t work, at least not in the long term. Have some people done this with success? Yes, of course, they have. Anyone can stop spending money but it isn’t a long-term solution. If we just stop spending money, instead of addressing the true issue, we don’t escape financial bondage, we just give it a new name and dress it in different clothes. Instead of spending all of our time worrying about making ends meet, we just find ourselves spending time wishing we didn’t have to pinch every penny as we dream of all the things we wish we could buy but can’t. To find true freedom we need to renew our minds and find contentment in the absence of “stuff”. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 If we turn toward Jesus and openly embrace His perfect love, fear has no place. Financial worry will fade away and through His word, we can begin to renew our minds and focus on finding contentment in Him. Overcome The Hold Renewing our understanding of the world and the role money has in our lives is a process. As we take time in prayer and in the word, we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Escaping the hold that money has on us is so important. Besides the fear and worrythat tags along with financial troubles, it also begins corrupt us in other ways. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10 Most people have heard this scripture before and maybe some have heard it but didn’t even realize that it was scripture. I have heard this misquoted so many times as “money is the root of all evil”. That is not what the scripture is saying. The true emphasis here is on the love of money. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. For some, seeing this scripture might be a bit disheartening. Most of us don’t mind turning to God when we are in need… but can’t we live for this world too? The truth is we can’t. We have to choose because the two are in conflict with each other. Paul said in Galatians 5, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want.” If we want to truly escape the hold that money has on us we need to turn away from it and turn toward Jesus. The good news is that if the two are in conflict with each other, you can be sure that when you truly surrender to the Lord there is no place for financial bondage. If the son sets you free you will be free indeed! Most of all it’s important to remember that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, not money itself. If we can overcome the fear that tags along with money and the hold it has on our lives, we can do something truly amazing. We can take the tool the enemy has been using to keep us in bondage and use it against him to build up God’s kingdom! Overcome The Need We have talked about overcoming the fear and the hold that money has on our lives, now it’s time to talk about overcoming the need. But as the two previous sections spoke to the process of obtaining financial freedom, this one speaks to the power of we have when we obtain that freedom. I’m not talking about overcoming our need for money. Unless you decide to start your own homestead, grow your own food, and make your own clothes, there’s going to be some need for it in your life. What I am talking about is our ability to use what the enemy intends for evil and purpose it for good; to use what God gives us to overcome the need in the world. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 We need to always keep the royal law found in scripture, love your neighbor as yourself on our hearts. God’s kingdom is a kingdom built onselflessness and service to others. A life lived in the bondage of the world is a selfish life full of wandering and disappointment. We all at one time have lived this way and everyone feels the emptiness this life leads to. It drives us to loneliness, unhappiness, depression, anxiety, addiction and it just gets darker and darker as we seek to find just a little fulfillment and joy among the gloom. It is also important to remember that most of us reading this article have way more than most of the world. Almost 50% of the world’s population lives on around $2 a day! That means if your household is bringing around $4,000 a month you are making 100 times as much money as 50% of the world’s population. Though not every household in the U.S. is making this much money, it’s still amazing to think about how people who are making that much are struggling to make ends meet. The only way to truly find financial freedom is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 We will never find financial freedom through pursuing more money or learning to “want less”. True freedom is found only through life in Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Whoever drinks His water will never thirst! Indeed His water will become in you, a spring of water welling up to eternal life! LEARN to be content. WHEN all one WANTS IS CHRIST , that one ISFREE and has found the pearl of great price by which he will give all , to purchase , SING IT PEOPLES Set affections above . THIS LIFE is but a vapor , but eternal life has no measure . A man who has billions stored up will not know the abundant life of those who may lack all and are on the run or in prison IF THOSE HAVE CHRIST . the abundant life is nothing to do with earthen riches. ITS THE JOY PEACE HAPPINESS that ONLY JESUS can FULLFILL in one . no matter how hard times will soon get for those who are persecuted for JESUS, i tell all, that even in this life their joy will be full, their peace will abuond and happy is the one who keeps HIS SAYINGS. and the richest of rich will never have the joy, fulfillment peace on their best day , that i will have in my worst day . LET that sink in. I seen men sining in prison having far more joy than the richest of kings and leadres who persecuted these . THE abundant life IS KNOWIN JESUS and beware coventous for a mans LIFE consists not n the ABUNDANCE of what he posses. YEP that aint the ABUDANT LIFE so many preach ITS COVETOUSNESS which is IDOLATRY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.35 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted February 5, 2018 29 minutes ago, Yowm said: There is nothing wrong with making prudent financial decisions just as it is wise to stop at red lights and take some food and water on a long hiking trip. Absolutely spot on . In fact we are to be wise stewards of all things God has given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor Posted February 5, 2018 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 949 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,522 Content Per Day: 5.02 Reputation: 9,025 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted February 5, 2018 There is example that seems to be most sufficient of Biblical wisdom and for prayer in the Bible. It contains my own prayer. And has worked well for my own financial independence. To paraphrase; may I not be so poor as to resent God for my poverty, and may I not be so rich as to think I have have no need of Him. Proverbs 30 English Standard Version (ESV) The Words of Agur The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth. There are those—how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift! There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind. The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.” The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures. Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin. This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.” Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up: a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food; an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress. Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride: the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him. If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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