The Word

Category: Admonitions

  • FINANCIAL PRESSURES IN HOMES

    FINANCIAL PRESSURES IN HOMES

    It truly breaks my heart to hear the heavy burdens weighing down the homes of so many devoted Christian brothers and sisters. As shepherds of God’s flock, we often encounter these distressing accounts of intense financial hardship within families who genuinely love the Lord and earnestly seek His will. Despite their sincere faith and conviction that they are doing their best while trusting in God for a prosperous life, they unfortunately find themselves facing the very opposite.

    It’s a crucial reminder that our earthly journey, even for the most devout, operates according to principles clearly laid out within the Holy Scriptures. Sadly, we often fall short in consistently reading and diligently applying these divine principles to the fabric of our daily lives. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” These aren’t mere suggestions; they are the very foundations for a life that honors God and flourishes.

    Here are some biblical tips on how to overcome financial pressures:

    1. Seek God’s Guidance and Wisdom:

    • Proverbs 3:5-6:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
      • Pray for discernment and wisdom in making financial decisions. Seek His will above your own desires.

    2. Practice Contentment:

    • Philippians 4:11-13:“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
      • Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness for what you have rather than focusing on what you lack. True contentment comes from Christ, not material possessions.
    • Hebrews 13:5:“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
      • Recognize the danger of the love of money and find satisfaction in God’s provision and presence.

    3. Be Diligent and Work Hard:

    • Proverbs 10:4:“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
      • Embrace hard work and avoid laziness. God honors those who are responsible and industrious.
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:10:“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’”
      • Recognize the value of honest labor and its role in providing for your needs.

    4. Live Within Your Means and Budget Wisely:

    • Luke 14:28:“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
      • Develop a budget to track income and expenses. Make informed decisions about spending and avoid unnecessary debt.
    • Proverbs 21:20:“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp down all they have.”
      • Practice saving and avoid impulsive spending. Plan for the future and unexpected needs.

    5. Avoid Debt:

    • Proverbs 22:7:“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
      • Be cautious about incurring debt, as it can lead to bondage and financial strain. Strive to live debt-free whenever possible.
    • Romans 13:8:“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
      • Prioritize paying off existing debts and avoid accumulating new ones.

    6. Give Generously:

    • Luke 6:38:“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
      • Practice generosity, even in times of financial difficulty. Giving reflects trust in God’s provision and can open doors for blessing.
    • 2 Corinthians 9:7:“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
      • Give willingly and cheerfully as an act of worship and trust in God.

    7. Trust in God’s Provision:

    • Philippians 4:19:“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
      • Rest in the assurance that God is faithful to provide for those who seek Him and live according to His principles.
    • Matthew 6:33:“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
      • Prioritize your relationship with God and His Kingdom, trusting that He will take care of your material needs.

    8. Seek Wise Counsel:

    • Proverbs 15:22:“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
      • Seek advice from godly and financially wise individuals. They may offer valuable insights and perspectives.

    By applying these biblical principles with faith and perseverance, you can navigate financial pressures and experience God’s provision and peace in your life. Remember that overcoming financial challenges is often a journey that requires patience and reliance on the Lord. May the Lord grant you success in Jesus’ name. Amen

  • OVERCOME THE FEAR OF DEATH

    OVERCOME THE FEAR OF DEATH

    Are you always scared of dying suddenly? Many go through life with this fear. It affects their lives badly and limits their potential. I have good news for you. The Bible says that Jesus has given us victory over the fear of death! As we study together, the Lord God Almighty will open your eyes of understanding and satisfy the longings of your heart in Jesus’ name. Amen

    Who has the power to kill? This is a crucial question we need to answer. It might surprise you to know that:

    • A fellow human being does not have the power to kill you.
    • Witches and wizards do not have the power to kill you.
    • The government does not have the power to kill you.
    • Demons do not have the power to kill you.
    • Natural disasters, accidents, diseases and pestilences do not have the power to kill you.

    I know the claims above sound outrageous. You feel like arguing about some of the claims I put forward. Relax, I am not asking you to accept those claims without proof of validity. So let’s take them one by one.

    Fellow Human Beings – They can plot, scheme, and put strategies to kill. However, stories abound within and outside the bible of people who escaped assassination attempts. The stories are in various forms. Some escaped bullets, some poisons, some knife stabs etc. While unbelievers classified such as mere luck, you know better than that. The spiritual realm controls the physical. Events only unfold in the physical realm after they have been concluded and sealed in the spirit realm. A scripture comes to mind to confirm that. Lamentations 3:37. Also Isaiah 7:7

    Witches and Wizards – Many people, especially believe that witches, wizards and those who use occultic powers can kill fellow human beings. While stories abound that seem to confirm this claim, there is no truth in it. The powers of darkness and their agents do not possess such power. If they did, all unbelievers would have been eliminated at once to prevent the possibility of them ever accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Why will you allow your captive an opportunity to escape from captivity? The truth is that the powers of darkness can only accuse a fellow before the throne of judgment to obtain a judgment against such a fellow. If they succeed, then the execution of the judgement obtained can result in death. Then the agents of darkness will lay claim to the execution of judgment as the manifestation of their prediction against the fellow. As a child of God, you must understand the fact that you are seated in heavenly places with Christ, far above where principalities and powers operate. So the devil and his agents cannot kill you.

    Government – There are several stories of men and women who were sentenced to death but the execution failed. Wikipedia has about twenty-three cases listed. In the bible, attempts made to kill Daniel by the execution of the King’s decree were unsuccessful.

    Demons – They can only deceive and distract human beings. They do not have the authority to kill human beings at will. If they had such power, the earth would have been empty by now. However, they are good at luring human beings into sin and will bring judgment that can lead to death.

    Natural disasters – There is nothing accidental about natural disasters. They occur as the execution of judgment against a nation or people. No person dies in such a disaster by accident! Stories abound of several individuals who survived such natural disasters despite all odds.

    Conclusion: A study of Psalm 91 should put your heart at rest that God is your keeper and He watches over His own. Nobody can harm you without His permission.