Tag Archives: Finances

Three Times Blessed – Cheri Swalwell
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More than food

More than food

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6: 25-27 NIV

Our family is among those who have felt the sting of finances in recent months. We were in a pinch and I wasn’t sure how we’d handle the expenses we were facing. Dipping into our savings account would have to be a last resort, and charging the costs to our credit card … a big no-no.

My option was prayer, so I went to my knees and prayed. God, I trust in your provisions. Thank you for never failing us. Still, I wondered how we would handle the expenses that quickly approached.

Two days later, we received our first unexpected blessing. Two days after that, another blessing arrived in the exact same form, addressing the same need. If that wasn’t enough to help my faith soar, God decided to drive the point home by providing again one week later. Three blessings, all needed, all appreciated, each personal and exactly what our family lacked. That was not a coincidence.

God, with unending patience, reassures us in His Word He will provide our needs. My favorite verse refers to this promise and it brings such peace whenever finances or the state of the economy try to steal the faith I have in my Heavenly Father’s provisions: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

I challenge you to rest in God’s peace. Take your financial burden to Him. Lay it at Jesus’ feet. If God is willing to bless our family three separate times for one specific need, reassuring us of His power, I know He is waiting to do the same for you.

Be specific in your requests when you pray. Trust in the promises God offers, then sit back and watch how He will provide.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Grant Cochrane.

Cheri Swalwell describes herself as a Christ-follower first and foremost, wife, mother, and avid reader. If you want to hear more about the heart she has for marriage, parenting, and relationships from a Christian perspective, feel free to visit her blog: http://journeysfromtheheartofawifeandmother.wordpress.com or like her at Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/cheri-Swalwell/220762911373306.

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Under the Circumstances – Laurinda Wallace
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Proceed with caution

Proceed with caution

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:12

A sign at the edge of a trail-head parking lot caught my attention while hiking one weekend. It said, Unknown Conditions Ahead.That pretty much summed up my life. My circumstances had changed in a flash.

When life gets difficult, it’s easy to let those circumstances define my response. Thoughts run wild, worry increases stress levels, and I sometimes lash out at God or my family. Laments of, “I’m a victim of circumstances,” or “under the circumstances I can’t,” will start a pity party with no end in sight. I’ve been guilty of feeling sorry for myself or continuing to fight the situation instead of accepting it. Living under the circumstances is miserable.

Finances are my hot button and when part time work with the accompanying lower salary became a reality a little over a year ago, I became a victim over time. Our resources have been stretched because of unexpected medical bills. There were car repairs and other surprises that added to the financial crunch. Our savings account dwindled. Needless to say, it’s been scary.

Paul’s teaching in Philippians helped put perspective on this particular season in life. He knew what it was like to have plenty and practically nothing, yet he was content in either situation, always thankful, confident, and looking ahead. Paul lived above the circumstances, trusting God.

I need a full-time job, but waiting for that opportunity comes with more thankfulness and less anxiety because God has such an outstanding track record. Life is always changing, but aren’t you glad our Heavenly Father isn’t  He’s always faithful and always above the circumstances.

Under every circumstance, trust in Him.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Michael Marcol.

A native of the snowbelt in Western New York, Laurinda Wallace is a graduate of Houghton College, NY and has been an administrator and legal assistant for most of her career. She now makes her home in Arizona with her husband, David.

Laurinda’s first novel, The Time Under Heaven has just been published by 3-Mice Productions and is available for Kindle or in paperback. She has been published in The Upper Room and Mature Living, and she contributes to several websites, including Christian Devotions and Hope Hints. She teaches in women’s ministry and Bible study. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking in the mountains or digging in the dirt in her flower gardens. Visit Laurinda’s blog, SimplyLife at www.laurindaw.blogspot or her website at www.3-mice.com.

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Her Ship Came In – Celeste Vaughan
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He’s always faithful

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, For the earth is mine. Exodus 19:5 ESV

“Thirty Dollars. And it’s Friday. How are we going to make it until Tuesday?”

She’d been tithing faithfully, as she’d always trusted God to be faithful. But the financial stress caused her to begin questioning God.

“Okay, God, I know you are with me and you have a plan. But I’ve lost both my parents to cancer, gone through a bitter divorce alone, and attempted to shelter my children from the life we’ve landed in. I’m tired.”

She had put herself back through college and earned a master’s degree in special education, and had loans to repay. It had been years since she’d had a day without a bill smacking her in the face.

“Don’t you think it’s about time for my ship to come in?”

Though her parents passed ten years ago, she had recently received a request for a death certificate from an insurance provider who’d employed her father. Without much thought to the matter, she sent the requested information.

As the needle on the gas gauge crept closer to the “E,” she picked up her children from school and took the shortest route home, stopping at the mailbox before she went inside.

“Duke Power, Citibank MasterCard, Greenville Hospital System, S.H.I.P, American Express … Wait—S.H.I.P? What’s that?”

Disregarding the rest of the mail, she opened the one with S.H.I.P as the return address. God couldn’t have been any more specific in answering her prayer. The envelope contained a check for $10,000.

One of the companies her dad represented as an insurance agent—Senior Health Insurance Providers (SHIP for short)—had been trying for years to find the executor of his estate to pay the royalties he had earned.

Today was just that day. Once again, God was faithful. Her ship came in.

Her prayer and faithfulness kept her in tune to God so when he answered her prayer, it was so specific she knew it was God without a doubt. So not only did he refill her bank account, her refilled her faith tank as well.

Pray, believing God can and will answer your prayers. It may not be an immediate answer, and the answer may not be what you want to hear. But he will answer, and when he does, your faith will skyrocket.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Bernie Condon.

Celeste Vaughan graduated from the USC College of Pharmacy and settled comfortably into her life as a pharmacist, wife, and mom of three children. After fourteen years working as a pharmacist, she found herself on the other side of the counter and suffered for seven years with migraine headaches, grand mal seizures, and severe depression. On September 25, 2010, God intervened in her life and changed her forever. He has now called her into a ministry of writing and speaking, using her story to help others find happiness and their true purpose in life through Christ.

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The Nest – Darlene Lund
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He values you

So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 NASB

The move-out day drew near. My thoughts crisscrossed; where was I going to live? My husband of twenty-seven years had made it known, it was not together. To keep my thoughts focused, I intentionally hung an embossed wind chime right above the kitchen sink in the window.

The picturesque chime portrayed a robin on a nest watching over her three blue eggs. It reminded me of my life, a mom of three. Daily, it kept me focused. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

I prayed often: God, show me where my new nest will be. Your Word says not to fear; that I am more valuable than many sparrows.

More valuable? Hmmm, I thought. Alright, God, you provide twigs, grass, and hair for the birds to build their nests. Please provide what I need for my nest; after all, I am more valuable than the birds.

God had already proved Himself over and over in my life. Facing drastic changes like losing my father, brother, and mother all hurt deeply before this move and separation tragedy. I took God up on yet another truth. I believed this verse in Matthew. I repeated the verse several times a day until the move. I am more valuable than many sparrows. I anticipated His lead.

Prayers went up and I zipped emails off for prayer support. I’d visited a few rental homes that left me spinning. I knew living in a house was not the route, but where?

With twenty-two days remaining, a friend sent me a link, “Check it out,” she said. She had been Googling homes and rentals and  happened across this particular find. Surprised and pleased, I forwarded the info for other’s input, then made an appointment. Offer accepted. Contract signed. The move occurred within days of the deadline. Right on time, God answered.

Today you may hear, “Welcome to my nest,” as God has  transplanted me to a newly refurbished and decorated condo. You would think I picked out the colors, kitchen cupboards, and newly painted walls. Everything matches perfectly to my furnishings, and it happens to be located within walking distance of my church. Truth triumphs: You are more valuable than many sparrows.

Take God up on this verse. You’ll be amazed at His provision.

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Darlene Lund is a Life Purpose Coach® for women and a Grief Coach. Also she is a Ministry Consultant and a Lifetime-Instructor of Coaches for Life Purpose Coaching Centers International® (LPCCI®,) She facilitates two-day Life Plans for women as well as a one-day grief facilitation. In the fall of 2011 Darlene released a facilitation for women, Submersed in the Secret Sorrow of Infertility. She targets the heart of women in her coaching, teaching, speaking, and writing. Part of her story is published in Live Big, by Dr. Katie Brazelton. She sends out a monthly online newsletter geared for women. Sign up at www.Heartswithapurpose.com or contact Darlene@Heartswithapurpose.com.

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Faithful Giving – David Maddox
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“Burnin’ a hole in my pocket.”

“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.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

“After my husband died unexpectedly, his grown children by an earlier marriage evicted me from my husband’s house. Suddenly, I was alone, unemployed and homeless, but for the kindness of a cousin.”

I’d always tithed my time, talents, and money to God, not out of a sense of reluctant obligation, but of delight in returning a portion I’d prayerfully decided to give. It wasn’t long before I began to rationalize and question whether I could afford to give at all, much less tithe.”

That was the story from a woman whom I’d counseled. She went on to explain a series of unexpected events that began to unfold in her life. These events convinced her of the extent of God’s love and provision, when she chose to trust God and give, in spite of her circumstances.

She received a $17,000 inheritance. Next, $5,800 from a settlement with her stepchildren. Then, a $5,000 refund from the IRS and earned $1,000 on a contract job. “God was clearly demonstrating He could and would provide for me,” she said.

A few weeks later, she received a letter from a woman she’d met while attending a women’s retreat. She was shocked to find that the envelope contained $3,223—a little more than the amount she had tithed. “I tried to refuse the money, but my new friend insisted, telling me by not accepting her gift I would be robbing her of a blessing.”

Giving is a decision we each make and though God does not always provide in the way He cared for this woman, He never fails to meet our needs. He doesn’t ask us to give because He needs our money. He asks us to give so that our joy may be full, knowing that God loves a cheerful giver.

Is your giving reluctant because you feel obligated, or is your giving intentional and cheerful because you love God? Give with a cheerful heart.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and posterize.

David MaddoxDavid Maddox is a retired City Manager living in Sweetwater, TX with his wife of 45 years, Audra. They have two sons, daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. David is a freelance writer; his devotionals have been published in the devotion guide, “Light from the Word” and in “When God Steps In”.

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Riches—Even in Moments of Sniveling – Marcia Moston
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Don’t be a sucker to finances

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Like lint on a lollipop, one self-pitying thought after another stuck in my mind, fuzzying up my vision of truth. Apparently, God and I didn’t agree that having my own house qualified as a need.

When my husband was asked to be the pastor of a little Vermont church, he was thrilled. I, on the other hand, was alarmed. Although I wanted to serve the Lord and support my husband, and although I strove to set my heart on my riches in Christ, I worried how we would live.

The salary the church managed to hobble together was less than we had paid in taxes from my husband’s lucrative job in a New York City union. Nevertheless, in an endeavor of faith, we sold our house, boxed our possessions, and moved north.

But after nine months of austere living in a four-room parsonage, I despaired that we would ever be able to afford our own home again. In my weaker moments, thoughts of my “great sacrifice” overwhelmed what I knew to be true: God owed me nothing. He had already sacrificed everything for me.

Nevertheless, His mercy, goodness, and grace continued to pour from His hand and covered me, even in my most undeserving moments of sniveling.

One afternoon the postman knocked on the door and handed me a certified letter bearing the return address of an attorney.

I slit the seal and stared at the contents. A distant relative had died and left us a sum of money. Enough money to buy a house. Just like that. One moment on a sunny afternoon, an unexpected and undeserved inheritance changed my whole situation.

Why did I doubt? Indeed, My God will meet all [my] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Perhaps you have made some sacrifices you feel have gone unseen, sacrifices which have generated needs unmet. Perhaps you feel there is no human way your situation can change. In his letter to the Philippians, thankful for their sacrificial gift, Paul reassures them–and us–that God sees both the offering and the need. And it is from him that all we need will be supplied—perhaps in a moment on a sunny afternoon when we least expect it.

Trust your finances to God. He manages things best.

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Marcia MostonMarcia Moston is the author of Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife, and winner of the 2010 Women of Faith writing contest. Her nonfiction works reflect lessons learned from her varied experiences. She has taught in a Christian high school, worked with orphans in a Mayan village, led mission teams throughout Central America, delivered Yellowbooks, stuffed vending machines, and lived in everything from tepees to parsonages. Marcia and her husband live in sunny South Carolina.
Visit her at http://marciamoston.com.

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Faithing Finances – Martin Wiles
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God stretches the dollars

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

What will you do? Where will you go? How is having no income better? All questions asked by concerned people when I resigned. I wasn’t sure of the answers.

I was pastoring a small church in Low Country South Carolina. They were doing the best they could with pay and my wife was trying equally hard to stretch it. But the longer we stayed, the more debt we accumulated.

After months of intense prayer, I resigned. We sold a fourth of our belongings, loaded a truck with the remainder, stacked our earthly possessions in two storage buildings, and moved in with my mom. We quickly learned the truth of the verse: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

People bought our treasures without haggling over price. We received monetary gifts from friends and strangers. A few paid writing assignments materialized for me, and some baking jobs rose up for my wife. She remarked, “It’s amazing how much money we still have even though we’re spending it on bills.”

God is teaching us a few things about faithing finances. Financial situations aren’t a big deal for Him. My concern over finances occasionally borders on worry, but it doesn’t worry God. And if He isn’t worrying, why should I? He obligates himself to meet my needs.

God will be faithful to me when I am to Him. Though our income bottomed out, we decided to honor God with the first fruits of any income whether we could afford it or not. We tithed whether it made sense or not, and we’re convinced that’s why the money is staying in the bank even though we’re spending it.

I never imagined I’d be where I am at midlife, but I don’t worry about it anymore. Your financial decisions may not make sense to others, but if God leads you to them you’ll come out ahead. He promises to meet all your needs and he will when you faith your finances.

Prayer: Father, teach us that all we have belongs to You, comes from You, and will be used by You to meet every need we have in every situation we’re in.

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Martin Wiles is a native South Carolinian, author and speaker currently residing in Hodges, South Carolina. He and his wife Michelle are the founders of Love Lines From God http://www.lovelinesfromgod.com/. Wiles has authored Morning By Morning, Morning Serenity and Grace Greater Than Sin and has served as a regional correspondent for the Baptist Courier. He has also been published in Proclaim, Secret Place, Word Magic and Fires of Genius. He is a regular contributor to Christian Devotions, Christian Writers, PCCWebDaily, The WOW Blog, Faith Writers, The Eagle Record, and the Common Ground Herald.

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Happy New Year – Edie Melson
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Time to start ANEW

Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

I love New Year’s Day. Not because of the partying and hoopla, but because it marks an end . . . and a beginning. You see, by the time I get to the end of a year, no matter how many good things have happened, I feel dragged down by all the junk that has accumulated.

Those unfulfilled expectations.

The unrealized dreams (usually because I didn’t put in the necessary work). All the people I’ve let down and who’ve let me down.

By the time December gets here, I can generally pull up enough stuff to depress an elephant. And even worse, it’s never a stretch to blame myself for ninety-nine percent of the failures. But January first gives me the opportunity to start over, hopefully a little wiser than the year before. Wiser in my work, my finances, and my relationships.

That’s what God is all about, second chances and new beginnings. He makes a way for us . . . one way or another.

So as this New Year begins, join me in putting away the stuff from last year and resolve to begin again with a new year filled with hope and possibilities!

Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with years of experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. She’s also a regular contributor to Novel Rocket, a Writer’s Digest pick for top writing websites.

She currently has two books available, the best selling eBook, Social Media Marketing for Writers, and her latest project, a devotional for those with family members in the military, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle. Married thirty years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons.

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The Price is Paid – Laura Thomas
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My gifts were all paid for.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The most remarkable thing happened to me today—I actually won a contest. I never win. It was a “win what you buy” deal at a fabulous store. The prize? My Christmas purchases were refunded to me in cash. It was awesome.

I was giddy when I received the Congratulations! e-mail. I laughed out loud, danced with my English bulldog, and promptly shared the good news with my husband. This was one occasion when he was actually happy I had gone shopping.

It wasn’t an enormous amount of money, but all day I felt like a weight had been lifted from my Christmas-shopping shoulders. My purchases had been paid for. Totally. I kept smiling. I shared my glad tidings with everyone who would hold still long enough.

By the end of the day, I started thinking about another occasion when my debt was paid off completely—by Jesus. He paid the price for all my sins, took my punishment, and set me free from the burden of carrying my un-loveliness around. When I accepted Jesus as Lord and acknowledged my sin, I was ecstatic. I smiled a lot, shared my story, and would have danced with a bulldog had I owned one. His saving grace is still the same today. The price He paid is still amazing. His joy and salvation are a gift far greater than anything I can dream up at any store.

Today was an excellent reminder that the temporary feeling of freedom and happiness for winning a contest is absolutely nothing compared to the selfless act of love by the one true Redeemer. Are you allowing your joy and gratitude to flow as deeply today as when you first received the gift of salvation?

Rejoice—the price is paid!

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Laura Thomas is a wife, mother of three, and part-time worship director with a passion for writing. Born and raised in England, she now lives in B.C., Canada where she has begun fulfilling her dream of writing for children. Several of her stories and articles have been published in magazines. She has just completed her first novel manuscript. Visit Laura at www.laurathomasauthor.com.

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How Much $$ Stands Between You and a Merry Christmas? – Dianne Guthmuller
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How much??

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people,craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

Shop. Shop. Shop.

If I just had a little more money, we could really have a good Christmas, creeps into everyone’s mind from time to time. How much money is standing between you and a Merry Christmas?
$25? $50? $100? $500? $1000?

I wonder if Mary and Joseph felt that way on the very first Christmas. “The birth of our Savior isn’t going to be that great since…”
• We don’t have a nice, warm, clean place for his birth.
• None of our family can be here.
• We don’t have any gifts to give Him.

Have you ever said, “If we only had…”
• A beautiful home.
• All of our family with us.
• Gifts to give to all our loved ones.
• $_________

Then…we’d have a great Christmas.

Paul probably wasn’t talking about Christmas when he wrote this verse to young Timothy, but we could almost paraphrase it and say, “the LOVE of money is the only thing standing between us and our best Christmas ever.” Mary and Joseph made a choice that first Christmas. They focused on what they had, The Son of God in their midst, rather than the material things they didn’t have. They had a Christmas that the entire world has talked about ever since.

If . . . we have Jesus Christ in our life;
If . . . He is our Savior and Lord;
Then . . . a great Christmas should be what we are expecting, not because of decorations or money, but because of the gift we were given 2,000 years ago in a dreary, cold, and dirty stable.

During this Christmas season, resolve that nothing, including money, will stand between you and a Merry Christmas. Work to keep money in the proper perspective.

Jesus, help us to be a blessing to others during this special time of year.

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Dianne Guthmuller has a passion for mentoring, teaching, and leading women. She’s a blogger, writer, conference speaker, mentor, and leader of a local chapter of a new, national women’s ministry called Lead Her. In Dianne’s spare time you’ll find her wiggling her toes in the sands of the beaches at Destin, Florida with her husband Harry or one of their eleven grandchildren. Visit Dianne at www.dianneguthmuller.com or email her at iblgod@cox.net.

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