CAN I AFFORD IT?

You may have heard the words of Suze Orman on her segment “can I afford it” and heard, caller after caller, get Denied! Why is that? Why would someone who clearly does not have the funds to afford a trip to Tahiti even make the call? Is it because they need to hear someone of financial authority to tell them which way to go? Is it because they made a deal with the spouse that if Suze says yes, that they would go?

It could be neither or both. It may be strength seekers, which gather strength when they hear Suze loudly say, Denied! In any case, the Lord has given us something that we may use for discernment. It is called prayer. Have you acknowledged him on your decision-making or have you decided to go it alone? Remember, your view and God’s view is different. He can see the future and you cannot. He knows the destination of a bad decision and you may only know half of the consequences of this move.

God is not interested in stifling your joy, but making sure it last. Some bad financial decisions are easier to bounce back from and others are not so easy. Take time today to think. Is this financial decision good or bad? Ask the Lord and let his peace and wisdom guide you and not your emotions.

SATAN’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

It’s raining. April forgot her umbrella as she arrived at the mall. She must now make a dash inside. She decides to wait inside the car, hoping for the rain to let up before making her move. She sees a young man go inside and decides to make her move. Awaiting her sprint inside is a young man who holds the door open, so that she can get in quickly.

Smiling and responding to the young man with a thank you she walks inside. The young man asks, if she would be interested in the sale of the day. She asks, “What is the sale?” He tells her about this special sales card that gives her access to anything in the store half off. She looks at his store badge and says, “What do you need from me?” I need your credit history, name, home address, relationship information, place of employment, and drivers license.  She hands over the information with a smile and he uploads the data into the store computer. Within minutes he smiles and hands her the sales card.

April is now off to use the special card to make anything in the store half-off. She gives it a try on some shoes and it works like a charm. She gets so excited that she spends $1000 dollars within the store. With full hands and a happy face she leaves the store.

Now excited by the savings she decides to purchase a new car. After all the car she now drives is 5 years old. So she immediately goes to the car dealership and while speaking with the sales person she chuckles and says I wish I could use my half off card. The sales person pauses and looks into her eyes and says do have you the sales card with you? She pulls it out and leaves the dealership only paying half price for the car.

By now as you can imagine she is stoked about this newfound prosperity. She is acquiring all the things that she has ever wanted. She realizes the card works everywhere and is fully engaged in making the most of it. She buys a house and boat for half off. Her life could not be better. The only problem is she faces death.

April’s life will end and she will not be able to carry any of the things she is purchasing now into the next one. She will lose it all. She has not considered what will happen to her soul. She literally lives for the moment and does not consider her future.  She dies without hope.

How sad for such a precious life to be consumed of selfish lust. Thinking only what she could gain on earth she missed heaven.

 Wisdom

Praise the Lord

Out of my prayer comes this familiar song. May it remind you that when you face trouble.  Just remember:

When you’re up against a struggle, that shatters all your dreams
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes
And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fear
Don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear

Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Now, Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think
That we are paupers, when he knows himself we’re children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ has risen and the work’s already done

Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, for our God abides in our praise
Praise the Lord, for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you, that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

When you praise Him
When you praise Him
When you praise
When you praise, you praise the Lord
Praise the Lord

Read more: RUSS TAFF – PRAISE THE LORD LYRICS