Know Your Status

Proverbs 27:23 NIV Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.

Being a good steward over the resources that the Lord has blessed you with is part of being spiritually healthy.  As you go about assessing your spiritual fitness, spend time reviewing your financial status. 

The bible instructs us to know the condition of our flocks. In biblical times, their wealth consisted of herds and flocks and not money, stocks, and investments as wealth is measured today.  How do you determine your financial status?

A great way to start is take a pencil and paper (or use your computer) and write down your monthly expenses. Also take note of your monthly income. Include all sources of income: salary, wages, child support, alimony, self-employment income, illegal funds, etc.  

Compare what you're spending to what you're earning/receiving? Are you overspending? Are you being wasteful?

You should assess your financial situation every month or at least every other month to have a solid grasp of your financial status. Once you know your status, set financial goals. 

*I'm going to dedicate Mondays as "Money Mondays" to discuss money management.  Next week, I will continue by discussing setting financial goals and developing a budget. If you have an area in money management that you'd like to see posted, let me know. I will work to get a guest blogger if needed.*

Be blessed and manage that dough! :-)

You can say NO when you KNOW!!

An encouraging word from my dear friend, Tiera. Be blessed!

In order to grasp your Purpose in God, and take hold of your destiny, you must have an understanding of Who and Whose you are.

Unless you KNOW what God declares about you, you won’t have the courage to say NO to the fallacies and temptations of the enemy (my people perish due to lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6). There are plenty of times when I approach God with a heart weighted by “whys”. Why do I continue to fall for the same tricks and traps? Why am I not where I want to be financially? Why have I not tapped into my purpose? Why am I not where I desire to be professionally? Why am I still single? Why, why, why???God recently blessed me with a revelation that has forever changed the trajectory of my life: “When you don’t KNOW your true worth in me, you’re easily manipulated by the enemy and don’t recognize when to say NO to his counterfeits.” Just like with counterfeit money, if you don’t know what a real hundred dollar bill looks like, you’ll be bamboozled by its counterfeit. This is exactly what the enemy hopes for and preys on. Your adversary walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8). He seeks out those areas where we are blind to the truth and presents a counterfeit. The enemy’s deceits about your marriage, your finances, your relationships, your children, your employment, your health, and your worth must be battled with the truth of God’s word. The only way to say NO to the enemy is to KNOW who you are in God.

Transparently speaking, God has more for me and thinks higher of me than I could ever imagine. Generally speaking, at times we lose sight of the GEM we are in His Eyes. We get overwhelmed by the “little big things” in life, and become blind to how FAB (Favored, Anointed, and Blessed) we are. God declares that we are Fearfully and Wonderfully made and His thoughts towards us are to give us a hope and a future. I have learned that we must remind ourselves daily about our true identity. We must look in the mirror and celebrate Who and Whose we are. Otherwise, our self-esteem will go whichever way the enemy blows. And like the three little pigs, our straw house of esteem will come crashing down.
Yes, it is vital to surround yourself with people who are going to rejoice with you and where you are going. Nevertheless, always remember that it starts with YOU recognizing and appreciating how FAB you are. Only when you KNOW that you are God’s treasured possession, is this truly possible (Deuteronomy 7:6).

To KNOW more about who you are in God’s eyes, and gather the audacity to say NO to the enemy, please read: Psalm 62:5-8 and Psalm 139.

I can do ALL things

Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What dreams or visions have God placed in your heart? What have you done to prepare yourself? What have you done to see them come to pass?  There are several truths about the dreams/visions that God gives to you:

*He chose YOU to see it to fruition.
*He has already equipped you to accomplish it.
*It is for His glory.
*He knows that you can do it.

What can you do to beat procrastination, fear and doubt? First, you must know that these are all of the enemy. His job is to kill, steal and destroy your spirit. He does not want you to live out God's will by doing what God has called you to do. He will do anything to stop you. Secondly, develop a written plan to hold yourself accountable and stay on track. Begin by setting goals and working on seeing your vision come to pass one step at a time. Sacrifice time in front of the television or some other time stealer.

Keep yourself motivated by not giving the enemy room to work. Remember that you are doing it for God's glory and you can do ALL things that you were destined to do. You can do all things through Christ because He is the one who gives you strength.

Prayer for today: Father in heaven, thank you for the visions that you've given me. Help me to stay focused and commit to doing your will. I desire to live a life that is pleasing to you. Order my steps and lead me in the paths of righteousness so that I may bring glory to your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.


*** Be sure to check out my website: www.encouraging-works.com ***