Trusting God with Finances

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Happy New Year!  The New Year marks a perfect opportunity to make a fresh start and do things differently in an effort to better ourselves.  That’s why so many people have New Year resolutions.  The beginning of the year is a convenient and, seemly so natural, a place to start when one wants to set new goals to accomplish for the New Year. We set all types of goals ranging from vows to get more exercise to doing something for charity and everything in between.  As Christians, we often set goals that sound like, “I’m going to take better care of my body this year”, or “I want to read the bible from cover-to-cover this year”.  I would think those are fairly common resolutions.  But when was the last time you heard someone say, “You know, this year, I want to trust God more with my finances?”

But what does that even mean?  What does it mean to trust God more with one’s finances?  Some would argue that it is a reference to one increasing their giving (i.e. tithes and offerings).  Some believe that if a person, simply, is more consistent with their giving of tithes and offerings, they are showing more faith and they will be blessed financially.  It’s that straightforward; right?  But I don’t think it’s that simple.  Here are a few reasons why…..

  1. Tithes and offerings are only a portion of the money God gives us.  God has declared 10% of our earnings are His and 90% of our earnings we are to manage wisely.  What are we doing with the 90%?  As the proverb reads, “a fool and his money are soon parted.”  If God is given His 10% and we waste the other 90%, can we expect God to bless us with more?
  2. Financial situations improve with a change in behavior or money habits.  For there to be a change in behavior, the old habits must be replaced with new habits.  How do we decide what habits are good and/or bad and what will replace the bad ones?
  3. There just is not enough money to do everything we want to do.  We are given a limited amount of money to steward.  So, if tithes and offerings are to be given, something else must be sacrificed.  But, how does a person choose what goes unpaid?  How is a person to prioritize their money?

My point is trusting God with our finances is more extensive than giving tithes and offering; there is more to consider.  Tithes and offerings are only a small part of our fiduciary responsibilities.  It is all God’s money and we are responsible for handling all He has entrusted to us and not just the portion we are to give to the church.  God will be faithful to His Word, but he expects us to do our part.

So if you are looking to trust God more with your finances, you have to evaluate all your finances honestly. Often, especially when it comes to money, we are afraid to see how bad things really look.  And sometimes we have no idea how bad thing really are due to our ignorance!  Either way, we have to face the truth and get help.  The bible tells us to seek wise counsel (Prov. 1:5, Prov. 12:15, Prov. 19:20), and at Mountaintop, we offer the Financial Peace classes to help meet the financial needs of the people.  There is so much we don’t know and it’s evident because we are not prospering!  There is help available, but we can’t let our pride stand in the way and block us from our future!  If pride caused Satan to fall from heaven, it will definitely keep you from financial prosperity.  Have a happy New Year and God bless.

 

I BELIEVE GOD

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Mark 9:24 

24) The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (NLT)

Have you ever found yourself, believing God and crying at the same time?  Standing between Faith and Failure, Doubt and Desire, Quitting and Conquering?  When you find yourself in the Faith cross road, you must remind yourself that you are in the perfect place for God to turn your situation around in your favor.  Most times, when we find ourselves locked in the middle of our circumstances and changes, we can link the dilemma to something that is dear to our hearts, i.e. our children, jobs, spouses, relationships, our ministries, etc.  When your heart is pressed with the decision to Trust God or not, somehow we find ourselves crying out …I Believe God, in spite of what it feels or looks like; our spirit man, will not allow us to faint in our days of adversity.  Just like this Father who was shattered by the condition of his child, Jesus asked him one question: “How long has this been happening? He was not questioning the parent because He did not know, Jesus wanted to hear how long had they been struggling in their Faith?   The Father replied, since he was a child!  Then he said, have mercy on us and help us if you can.  Jesus comment was life changing: “Anything is possible if a person believes.”  The scripture says the Father “Instantly” cried out!

I want to encourage you in your Faith walk that one instant cry of belief will shift your entire life.

Key #1 When you brought your problem to Jesus, you can Trust Him with it.

Key #2 Remove your emotions from the problem because it is delaying the process.

Key #3 Never be ashamed to bring your crisis to your God.

Key #4 Shift your perception, do not magnify your crisis larger than your answer.

Key #5 It only takes a decision to believe God.

Key #6 God only sees your life futuristically, so you need to confess the change you want to see.

Final Key:  Your belief in God should never be predicated on how you feel.  Often, when you are waiting for the circumstance to change it get worse before it gets better.

You must be determined that in 2017 you will Believe God, practice your daily confession, Matthew 19:26 “with God all things are possible” you are setting the standard for the rest of your year and the years to come, you are shifting your faith to another level. So put your hope in God and anchor your faith and say I BELIEVE GOD…

B.E.L.I.E.V.E ~ BECAUSE EMMANUEL LIVES I EXPECT VICTORY (in) EVERYTHING
Pastor Clinton House

 

 

Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival

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Unless you live under a rock, there is an energetic awareness to the number of people who are being shot and killed during confrontations with police.

PBS station WFYI, in partnership with the SALT Project, Trinity United Church of Christ and Christian Theological Seminary developed the short film: “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival.”

10 Rules of Survival if Stopped by the Police:

  1. Be polite and respectful when stopped by the police. Keep your mouth closed.
  2. Remember that your goal is to get home safely. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you and your parents have the right to file a formal complaint with your local police jurisdiction.
  3. Don’t, under any circumstance, get into an argument with the police.
  4. Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
  5. Keep your hands in plain sight and make sure the police can see your hands at all times.
  6. Avoid physical contact with the police. No sudden movements, and keep hands out of your pockets.
  7. Do not run, even if you are afraid of the police.
  8. Even if you believe that you are innocent, do not resist arrest.
  9. Don’t make any statements about the incident until you are able to meet with a lawyer or public defender.
  10. Stay calm and remain in control. Watch your words, body language, and emotions.

I am adding an Eleventh tip…PRAY… for God’s guidance and protection.

Man Up and Get a Check-Up

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When it comes to scheduling for a routine check-up, routine doesn’t always mean routine especially for men. Months, even years, go by before a man schedules just the simplest of health care screenings. Several reasons for procrastinating a routine check-up are: fear of what the doctor may say; too busy to make time; there’s nothing wrong or feeling good. Whatever the reason, a person should visit their health care provider for a regular check-up.  The purpose of these visits is to:

–       Screen for medical issues

–       Assess your risk of future medical problems

–       Encourage a healthy lifestyle

–       Update vaccinations

–       Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness

There are specific times when you should see your provider.  Below are screening guidelines for men.

Blood Pressure Screening

  • Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless the top number (systolic number) is between 120 and 139 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80 and 89 mm Hg or higher.  Then have it checked every year.

Diabetes Screening

  • If you are age 45 or older, you should be screened every 3 years.
  • If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, your provider may test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
  • If you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and have other risk factors for diabetes, you should be screened. Having a BMI over 25 means that you are overweight.

Cholesterol Screening and Heart Disease Prevention

  • Men over age 35 and older should be checked every 5 years.

If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often and start getting screened earlier, at age 20.

Physical Exam

  • During an exam, review overall health status:

–       20-39 yrs. / every 3 years

–       40-49 / ever 2 years

–       50+ every year

  • Your blood pressure should be checked at least every two years.
  • Your height, weight, and BMI should be checked at every exam.

Colon Cancer Screening

  • If you are under age 50 and have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should have a colon cancer screening.
  • If you are between ages 50-75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Note: Screening may also be considered if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.  You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screening

  • Most men age 50 or older should discuss screening for prostate cancer with their provider.  African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative younger than age 65 should discuss screening at age 45.
  • The potential benefits of PSA testing as a routine screening test have not been shown to outweigh the harms of testing and treatment.  If you choose to be tested, the PSA blood test is most often done very year.

It is never too late to schedule an appointment to see your health care provider. If you have not done so, then do it the Nike way, “Just Do It.”  Make it a Christmas gift to yourself.

So, Man-up, get a check-up, so you can live-up to your full potential of living a healthy lifestyle!

Please consult your health care provider as screenings may vary based upon your health. 

Information provided by medlineplus.gov. 

 

Be Thankful

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In Everything Give Thanks for this is the Will of God In Christ Jesus Concerning You.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Life’s circumstances have its tendency to cloud the amazing blessings in our lives.  There are blessings we receive that we soon forget, but we must remember to give thanks in everything. Don’t try to carry the weight of life alone; instead, give thanks to God who says “cast your cares upon me because I care for you.”  Rather than walking through life with anxiety and worry, give thanks to God who says “I will never leave nor forsake you.”  One thing is always sure and true, God is with us, He is Immanuel.  Learn to praise God and give Him thanks even in what you think are the small things.  Realize that there are no small things in God, only big blessings.  Continue to diligently seek him and give Him thanks.  There are great rewards when you are obedient to the Will of God; in everything give thanks…this is His Will.

Christmas Spending

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With all the Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday hype dying down, we now have a chance to let the Thanksgiving dinners digest while we catch our breath.  But Christmas is coming fast!  If you haven’t felt the pressure yet, it’s coming soon.

The not-so-subtle hints and wish lists, if you’re not careful, can cause you to spend more than you planned and put you in a bad spot, financially, going into next year.

In case you didn’t know, I want to let you in on a little secret.  It is OK with Jesus to have Christmas on a budget!  Trust me, He is good with it.  I have learned that budgeting Christmas spending is the best way to maintain order over the finances during these spend-happy holidays.  You can start by deciding how much money you are willing to spend on Christmas.  Notice I didn’t say gift-giving or traveling.  All Christmas related activities that are out of the normal day-to-days spending practices are lumped together.  Whether you are buying gifts, traveling, paying for special dinners, all Christmas spending could come out of the allocated money.  And when there is no more money…there is no more Christmas spending.  Period.  That is when you resort to giving the gift of love!

Christmas is the most celebrated holiday of the year.  You should enjoy it.  But you don’t have to celebrate until you’re broke! It’s O.K. to dial it back some, cut the wish-lists short, and budget your Christmas spending.  Jesus won’t be mad at you (although some of your family might call you cheap!).  Trying to please people is a losing endeavor, so why not take a different approach to the holiday spending this year?  Put your Christmas on a budget and hold fast to the spending limit you set.  You don’t want to still be paying for December choices in January.  That’s like living life in the rear view mirror.   Finish strong and go into 2017 with some positive momentum.  A major part of keeping your finances under control is developing disciplined spending habits.  It may be hard now, but you will be better for it in the future.  Or at least that is what the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:11. So enjoy your Christmas, but don’t go crazy!  God bless and we’ll see you in 2017.

 

Month of Miracles

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Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

What is a miracle? One definition implies the divine intervention into the human experience. As Christians, we know miracles are when God does the impossible on our behalf. This month is the time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. The very circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus shows the power of miracles. This verse says that Jesus was supernaturally conceived. No one but God could take the credit for the way things turned out.

Crisis in our lives creates the opportunity for God to do the impossible. I believe this month is going to be a month of miracles. As we turn our hearts towards celebrating the miraculous birth of our Savior, God is also going to demonstrate that same miraculous power in our lives. I believe that as the year comes to a close we become reflective. Perhaps we are looking at things that we believed for that have not happened yet. Maybe, we want to be victorious in an area before we enter the next year.

No matter what the conditions are in your life, I am challenging you to believe that this is a month for God to do the impossible for you and in you. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of faith. Begin to confess this is our month for miracles. God is able to do more than we can ask or think. God is going to exceed our expectations this month. What are you believing God for?

My Prayer

In the name of Jesus, we are victorious. As we celebrate the season of Your miraculous birth, we are also believing that the same power is at work in our lives. I pray that we would position ourselves for this month of miracles. God, do what only you can do. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Pastor Clinton House

State of the Church 2016

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State of The Church