God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
On January 20th, 2009, one of democracy’s finest moments occurred yet again, as Barak Obama was sworn in as our 44th President.  The transition of power from George W. Bush’s presidency to the Obama presidency is even more amazing because ideologically these two men are not on the same page with their views on several matters.

Around the world, the United States has (in most countries) someone designated as a United States Ambassador.  The Ambassador is asked to live not in the United States, but in another country and another culture (usually many miles from home) to represent the President and the United States of America in matters of interest.  If an issue arises in one of these countries, it is the job of the Ambassador to know what the will of the President is on that issue and communicate that will clearly to the leaders of this foreign government.  Failure to do so could cause a foreign government to act in a way that could damage diplomatic relations.  When Obama was elected, Ambassadors started being briefed on the specific differences between the previous Bush presidency, and the current Obama presidency.

Today’s scripture reminds us that we too are ambassadors, not of an earthly government but of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Though believers in Jesus have a home in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1-10), for the time being we are asked to dwell on this earth, in a culture that pursues many things that are contrary to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus prayed that we would be “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:15-16).  Jesus wants everyone to become a believer, and to enjoy an eternal citizenship in the heavenly Kingdom.  This passage says he wants to make this truth known through you.

How can you be a good ambassador for the King of Kings?

By knowing the will of the King-  we don’t have to guess, just read it.  The message we need to know is found in the Bible.  Are you committed to knowing the will of the King?
 
By living the will of the King-  its not enough to know the will of the King, as ambassadors we are called to be living examples of it (James 1:22-25).  Are you committed to living out the will of the King in every way?
 
I’m sure that if a President had an ambassador who was not acting in accordance to his will, he would communicate his displeasure.  Through the Holy Spirit, the King of Kings does the same, calling on His ambassadors to confess their sin so that they might be restored (1 John 1:9).  If Jesus is currently making you aware of ways your finances, relationships, actions or attitudes are running counter to His will, confess it and let Him bring you the victory and restoration you need to be an effective ambassador for Christ.
Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great.  You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.” 2 Samuel 22:35-39 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
King David is a person that many people who read the Bible can easily connect with.  David was not a perfect man, yet deep down beneath it all he really had a heart that wanted to connect with God.  God allowed him to overcome some mighty big enemies in his life…

As a boy he overcame wild animals as he protected the sheep.
 
As a young man he took on a nine foot giant named Goliath.
 
Next he was chased by the King of Israel and the King’s armies.

Each time, God was faithful to deliver as David placed his faith and trust in God and allowed God to direct his steps.
 
David wrote today’s scripture passage as he was remembering all that God had allowed him to do.  Are you facing a giant God wants you to overcome?  David’s words testify of what God will do for you if you will turn to God in your situation…

He will train you-  You may not know how to defeat your giant, but God will teach you what you need to do.

He will strengthen you-  God’s direction may take more strength than you think you have, but He will provide the strength you need if you depend on Him.

He will protect you-  When we humbly turn to God and rely on Him, He will shield us from weapons that used to harm us and cause us pain and suffering.
 
He will stoop to help-  When we cry out to God, He is willing to come down to our level that He might raise us up to new heights.  Don’t think you have to get good enough for God, call to Him just as you are and let Him stoop to help you.

He broadens the path you need to walk, allowing you to see and experience options that will bring victory.
He will completely destroy the thing that is causing you defeat, that is why we need to stay close to him not just to beat back the enemy but continue to trust and obey the Lord until the foe is completely destroyed.

Whether your enemy is debt, fear, addiction, or self sufficiency, our God is mighty to save.  Trust God the way David did and experience complete victory over your giants.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”  Daniel 9:3 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
Daniel was an incredible Bible character who from a young age exemplified what a real, dynamic relationship with the Lord looks like.  We all would like for God to do amazing things for us like He did for Daniel in the lion’s den, but Daniel’s story is one where we find Daniel day by day honoring and connecting to God.  Daniel was faithful in the little things, and so he was available and ready for the bigger things that God wanted to do in and through him.

In today’s focal passage, Daniel had just realized through reading the scriptures his people would be held captive in a foreign land for 70 years.  Daniel also realized that this captivity came about because God’s people had become lax in hearing and doing the will of the Lord.  All of this understanding caused Daniel to want to connect with God even more, so  he might not miss anything God might want to teach him from this experience.  The passage says that Daniel humbly pleaded with God through prayer and through fasting.

Most of us are familiar with prayer, but what about fasting?  Many in the church today have never entered into a dedicated time of fasting, even though the Lord said we should (Matthew 6:16-18).  Many times fasting is associated with food, but it doesn’t have to be.  The spiritual idea behind fasting is to do without something for the purpose of turning our attention humbly and desperately toward God, that He might speak to us about our situation and connect us to His will and His ways.

God is working on several of us about our perspective on and use of wealth.  For others, God is working to change your heart related to some other attitude, relationship, or way we are not completely honoring God.  Why not allow God to use a fast in your life to evidence your humility and desperateness to hear from Him?

I know someone who absolutely loves GOLF.  His golfing doesn’t include drinking, gambling, or robbing precious family time, so it is not a bad or evil influence in his life.  Yet, this guy is desperate for God to speak and to accomplish some “next step” experiences in his life.  This guy is currently on a six month “golf fast.”  The margin that this “fast” has created in his life has already produced some new insights and new next steps, and he is only a few weeks into the fast.
 
What about you?  If God has started working on you concerning your use of and attitudes concerning money, material things, or debt are you humbling yourself to hear?  Are you pleading with God to speak on and show you all that He wants you to do?
  
What if you committed yourself to a one or two month fast from using a credit card so God might speak to you about credit?
 
What if you committed yourself to a six week “just the groceries” spending where you only spent money on the groceries and utilities, and put off every non-essential purchase to see what you could NOT live with?  You might have to borrow or barter, but think what God might teach you?

What if you committed yourself to a two month coke or coffee fast?  What if you put all the coke money or coffee money you would have spent in a jar, and at the end of the fast donated it to the church’s benevolence ministry?  What might God show you?

Daniel’s fasting resulted in more of God’s presence and revelation for Daniel.  What might be the result of your fasting?
Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”  Matthew 2:11-12 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
Today’s devotional scripture comes from the Christmas story, where the Magi have followed the star and finally have arrived at their destination.

Mary and Joseph were poor, and were not used to having expensive things like gold, incense and myrrh lying around the house.  Much has been suggested about the meaning of each of these gifts, and these “foreshadowing” meanings are probably right.  But the truth is, the greatest meaning for Mary and Joseph was that these things were quickly going to be able to be turned into cold hard cash!  God knew that as soon as the Magi left, He would have to send an angel to Mary and Joseph, telling them to get Jesus away from Herod’s jealous attempt to kill him (Matthew 2:13-15).  And where did God tell Joseph to go… Egypt!  This trip to Egypt was long, and the time they stayed there was probably a few years.  The money that Mary and Joseph were able to obtain through these gifts made the trip and stay possible.

Most of us have received an unexpected monetary or material gift.  For many, before the day is over we have already spent it or figured out how to use it on ourselves. But what if Mary and Joseph had done that?  If they had cashed in these gifts to spurge on a new home in Bethlehem or a sleek newer model donkey to ride around town on, they would have had nothing for the trip God knew they needed to take.

Many right now are asking God what He wants them to do related to finances?  For some, God wants to help get the ball rolling with debt reduction.  For others, God wants to work on your attitude about money.  If some miracle money comes your way in the near future, could it be…
God’s plan is for you to start a debt snowball with it so you can begin the disciplined process of paying off your debts?
 
God’s plan is for you to give it to someone who has desperate need for it, allowing you to work on your possessiveness of money and things?
 
We will never benefit from what God intended if we just blow it.  Ask God to help you start praying over your checkbook, over your purchases, and over any miracle money you receive.  You might be surprised what God intends to do with it.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of 
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” John 4:23 (NLT)

Devotional Thought…

Today’s verse tells us an interesting thing about God… He is looking for true worshippers. Whether you are worshipping on Sunday morning in a Worship Center, on a weekday morning having your daily devotion, or any other time God wants us to be true worshippers.

Each time we encounter the Lord or the scriptures, we are encountering truth. (John 14:6; John 17:17) When we encounter truth, God wants us to respond truthfully. For example, if we are reading a passage where God reveals to us we are sinning, a true worshipper doesn’t pretend they didn’t see it or doesn’t ask for God’s forgiveness when they have every intention of doing it again. True worshippers acknowledge the truth that God reveals, and talk to God about what He has revealed…

If God is calling us to put away something that we honestly enjoy, be honest about it. Ask God to take away your appetite for it, so you will want to put it away. (Isaiah 6:5-7)

If God is calling us to take on something that we don’t think we can take on, be honest about it. Let God know you don’t think you can do it and let Him convince you that He can. (Exodus 3-4)

As for Sundays, think about what God could do with a room full of true worshippers. People who when singing “I surrender all” were begging God to make “surrender” a reality in them. People who in coming face to face with scriptural truth were desperately asking God to make that truth a reality in them.

God is looking for true worshippers today, and will be this Sunday. Let’s approach worship in a way where we are desperate for Him to find us truly worshipping.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of Prosperity Renewal:14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom

info@prosperityrenewal.org

www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God. 

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.”  Psalms 119:14 (NLT)

Devotional Thought…
Have you ever really wanted something and then were able to finally possess it?  Can you remember the feelings that were going on inside of you at that moment?  Maybe one of these examples will help you remember the feeling I am talking about…

The feeling of walking into a home you finally were able to purchase.
 
The feeling of driving home in that car you had your eye on.
 
The feeling of receiving that promotion that you were up for and had worked hard to get.
 
You know the feeling I am writing about.  That feeling that puts a smile not only on your face but a huge happy feeling on the inside as well.

Today’s scripture is a simple one to understand but not often practiced.  The Psalmist basically says to God that the words of God get him just as excited as a pile of money.  The scriptures put a smile on his face and in his heart just as much as his favorite possessions.
 
When is the last time we got excited as we heard from God?  Do we seek after His words to us as expectantly as we seek after a good word from our accountant or retirement account?  If we will seek after a word from God, He has promised that He will deliver (Proverbs 8:17).

Ask God to create expectancy for hearing from Him.  Do we really believe God desires and can speak to us through His word?  Express that belief to God and don’t be surprised when a “godly grin” or a “holy hallelujah” starts to make its way from the inside out.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
”No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”    Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) 

Devotional Thought…
Discipline is a word that through the years has changed.

When most people think of being disciplined, they think of punishment.  This kind of thinking relates discipline to the idea that we did something that someone in authority didn’t approve of, and now we must be punished for it.  It associates discipline with words like spanking, grounding, and loss of privileges.  When we think of discipline in these terms, we tend to run from it.

But discipline is really a word that means to be shaped into something we are not.  True discipline is not focused on the pain, even though pain is felt.  True discipline is focused on the end product; on what we can become if we are willing to change.
 
It is much like a great whittler, who was asked one day how he could create such beautiful carvings.  “Well, what I do is start with a piece of wood and if I want to whittle a dog, I just cut away everything that doesn’t look like a dog!”

God’s discipline is the pocket knife He uses to take us from an ordinary piece of wood to a spiritual carving of Christ.  The Bible is clear that God’s goal for each of us is to be like Jesus (Romans 8:29).  For most of us, there is a great difference between what we are today and the person of Jesus Christ.  God loves us too much to let us stay where we are, so He uses all sorts of things to whittle away everything that doesn’t look like Jesus.

What is the Lord whittling on in you?  Are you angry at God, because you are focusing on the pain?  Are you at peace and celebrating the fact that God loves you enough to whittle on you?  Take some time to talk to God about your perspective on his whittling, and ask Him to help you keep in mind the Christ-likeness that He is whittling toward.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
Recently, I was able to visit Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  Oahu is a beautiful island that hosts millions of visitors a year.  Whether you are hiking in the mountains, snorkeling in the reefs, or golfing on one of its manicured courses, it is easy to find a peaceful place.

The morning of December 7, 1941 was not a peaceful time to be on this island.  On that day, the Japanese accomplished a surprise attack on the island, targeting the US naval base at Pearl Harbor.  Over several hours Japanese planes bombed and torpedoed their targets and the once peaceful island turned into a nightmarish turmoil that saw ships and planes damaged and destroyed, and over 3000 people killed or wounded.
  
The island today is a reminder to us that peace doesn’t “just happen.” Peace was restored to this beautiful island but it took a war, it took changing our Pacific strategy, and it took the dedication of striving for new technologies that made peace possible.

Our God is a God of peace, and today’s verse reminds us that He desires us to experience peace in all times and in every way.  If peace is not a reality in our financial situation, our relationships, or in any other category of our lives it means that something ungodly is working against us.  Sometimes the things that work against us come because of the ungodliness of others, but many times the peace we lack is because of our own ungodly and selfish ways that are working from within.  Either way, usually it takes a Christ-waged war, a Christ-revealed strategy change, or a passion for a godly new way of doing things that will make the peace of God a reality in our lives.

Think about your life.  What area(s) of your life does the peace of God reign?  Have you thanked Him for the peaceful places He has established in your life?  Today’s scripture should inspire you to worship and thank the God of peace.

What areas of your life are full of turmoil and restlessness?  Have you cast your burden on Jesus, knowing that He cares for you?  (1 Peter 5:7)  Have you enlisted for the God ordained war it may take to bring peace to the troubled areas of your life?  Are you willing to look to Christ for the marching orders of change that He promises can bring “peace at all times and in every way?”

The Prince of Peace died and lives so that His peace might reign in us. Give Peace a chance!

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of 
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”  Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) 

Devotional Thought…
As we listen to folks comment on the current economic times, many use words and phrases related to how much we have lost and how difficult gaining more will be in the coming days.
The truth is, anyone who is reading this devotional today has more wealth and more stuff than probably 99% of the rest of the world.  We have a safe and secure shelter to lay our head at night, we know where our next meals are coming from, and we have multiple shoes for our feet.  If you really want to see what the rest of the world is living like, you might take a look at http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats. Could it be we have plenty enough but need to be using what we have differently?

One of the questions we need to ponder with God is, “What have I been doing with my wealth so far?”  Today’s passage reminds us that we need to be honoring the Lord with our wealth, and that honoring is to come from the beginning of our wealth.  Most folks pay their bills for all the stuff they have already bought for themselves, and if there is anything left over then we give some money to God and/or someone in need.  That is the opposite of what today’s scriptural truth tells us to do.

Honoring God with our wealth starts with the tithe (Malachi 3:10, Luke 11:42).  This is how God impacts the world for Him in a “we and Jesus” way.  But above that, God may call you to give in some “me and Jesus” ways.  Using your wealth to meet the need of someone who has lost a job, supporting a mission church or missionary with some of your wealth, or blessing someone with a portion of your wealth who could never pay it back are all ways we can also honor God with our wealth.  God wants us to do more than pray for people in need (James 2:14-17).

If you are realizing that you need to change some things so that you can honor God with your wealth, remember that He is not looking over your shoulder with a mean smirk because of where you are.  God is in front of you, calling to you with a loving smile to experience the super abundant joy that comes from being a giver.  He knows the feeling because He is the ultimate example of giving (Galatians 1:3-5).

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of 
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

Genuine Love

Today’s Scripture…
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”   Mark 10:17-23 (NLT)

Devotional Thought…
Genuine… a word that means the “real deal.”  When you are blessed to meet someone who is genuine, it is a breath of fresh air.  It is always nice to be with someone who isn’t pretending to be something they are not.

Today’s passage tells us the story of a wealthy man who had a genuine question.  He really wanted to know what he needed to do to secure his place with the Lord.  He had been taught all the rules and regulations of being a good person, and had done a decent job of following the rules.  Yet he knew something was not right, and he came to Jesus to get His perspective on it all.
Jesus knew that this man’s actions didn’t really line up with what he really worshipped. 

It is interesting to note what the Bible says Jesus was feeling on the inside about this man.  Even though the man was a conflicted, spiritual mess, the Bible says Jesus felt genuine love for him.  It was from this “genuine love” that Jesus spoke, and helped the man see that his “doing good deeds” was never going to be able to get him eternal life.  Eternal life comes as we lay down all of our sin, our striving, and our stuff and follow Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus we receive genuine forgiveness and find the genuine purpose for our existence.

Today’s scripture gives us some great truths to meditate on…

Jesus genuinely loves you.  In a world where more times than not people love us because of our performance, we can be tricked into thinking that Jesus’ love operates the same way.  But that is a HUGE lie, for Jesus loves us to death (John 15:13).  He loves us in spite of our conflicted-ness and even in spite of our unwillingness to change.  Have you ever just been still before the Lord and thanked Him for his genuine love for you?  …His love not based on performance?  …His love despite your mistakes?

The rich man missed out, because instead of running to genuine love, he ran back to his first love… his wealth.  As we enter into this study on financial peace, the Lord may lovingly make you aware of specific things you need to do to come follow Him fully.  Have you ever ask God to show you ANYTHING in your life that is keeping you from following Him?  If you will genuinely ask, He will show you!  (Jeremiah 33:3)

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.