What gives the eagle flight? He sees something in his parents. Something by-the-way of God that God intended of him, and us too. The young eagle flies by overcoming fear and replacing it with what?

Faith!  

Faith in being able to do what was intended of him!  In our case faith in believing God, believing in us, that he has from the beginning known, loved, and cared about us. 

Do you believe that? His plan includes us in it!  And, that plan includes a direct and indirect plan for each and everyone of us!

Do we truly believe that?  

If not drop back and punt!

You must accept that God is Guiding you!

We have to get across that bridge before our life can settle down. 

How can we follow God's will, whether finances or not if we can't accept that?

1 Peter5:8-10 "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. This salvation was something the prophets wanted to know more about. They prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, even though they had many questions as to what it all could mean."

Want to know more?  Read on

Robbie L. Rogers

We are supposed to be looking at "Finances" and we shall, however, if we don't have the full knowledge that God has a plan and personally takes an interest in our life, enough to guide us day by day, minute by minute even into the seconds, how will we trust Him with our finances, or anything else for that matter?

"Oh Lord, Thou has searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thoughts from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-4

Hey! He knows where you are, and when you have a problem; He not only knows your thoughts but understands where you are coming from, even if you don't acknowledge Him in the matter. 

Do you see it, or, do you still have a problem believing God's word is for you too?

Are we okay on that point? 

Do you believe and have faith that God loves and desires to guide you. You must also then also accept that the blessings you receive can and are most likely in direct proportion to your faith.

Is God going to literally tell you to jump off a cliff and fly like an eagle? 

Of course not! 

Not unless he gives you the plan on how to make yourself lighter than air or able to glide to the ground.

How do you spell relief?  Sometimes He will give you what you are able to handle, sometimes he gives us more than we want, letting us back off from a problem or ministry. Doesn't he?

1 Corinthians 10:13  "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."

Sometimes we feel He does the opposite, but we also know we must be tested and found true. So our finances don't always work out, doesn't He provide for our needs, even to abundances?

Sometimes we place our faith on the wrong things, relying on man's knowledge rather than our knowledge of God.

James 1:2-7  "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." 

Okay, so trials and tests builds faith -- so ask for wisdom for your finances. And, faith is very important, especially in finances. However be especially careful what you attach your faith in.

I keep some things in my bible just to remind me where my faith must come from. There is an old Confederate $50 bill, a Vietnamese 1,000 yen note, a deposit slip from my own personal bank account, even though it shows a balance it may be worth no more than the Monopoly bills I have there unless God is backing the operation.

And even at that we are not given assurances that our money or finances are always protected. Just like if you lay a "This Seat Occupied" card in a seat on the airline, God is not necessarily going to give you your place back if someone else is seated there when you return.

Luke 9:62  But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Jesus was not saying if we rest a spell we will be judged unfit; but he is saying if He gives us a task, see to it, finish it in its due time. This scripture gives a lot of people problems.  Know the character of God and that of His Son and that of the Holy Spirit! No one can be confused as to this scripture if they prayerfully know God, asking for wisdom and all the gifts. What is scriptural is laborers resting for good hard labor, without grumbling, serving the master properly.  Even if we fail we are not forgotten, if you repent.  God forgave David after his many failures because he repented.

We must press on toward the goal, forgetting what lies behind reaching forward toward the goal which Christ set before us. By resisting the roaring lions, God will establish your just reward. 

Philippians 3:13, 14:  "For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.  And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ."

Many people neglect to put God in charge of everything.  Here are some well grounded suggestions if you have particular problems in your finances.  

Remember He won't take what you won't give, and don't ask for guidance in areas you aren't free to give.

Several scriptures are in most of the categories.

Most people lose it due to lack of planning, no goals, procrastination and failure to put off self gratification, which by-the-way applies to most all situations in our lives. Seek God's guidance, then when you feel you have it, go for it!  Read: Rom 8::28-31; 12:1-3; 1 Tim 6:9-19.

1. Set up a prayerful budget and a financial goal, a plan, stick to it, living less than your means, never more! 

The average wage earner will earn over $500,000 in forty years, but will have to rely on Social Security for retirement.  Ask God to help you setup your budget so you can be a good responsible steward of what you have, so according to his word you may have more! 

Don't be the foolish one who buried his chance at receiving God's blessing and the chance for more. 

Read: Psalm 37:4-5; Prov 8:20,21; 10:22.

2. Give God His due first!  Develop a winning attitude, for if God is with you how can you fail?  

Unless directed by God to do otherwise, a more than 10% tithe is better, less and you run the risk of being classified as stealing from God. The same applies to whether you base your 10% upon gross or net pay -- what ever God leads you to do in that respect is scripturally correct. 

Read: Psalm 24:1; 1 Cor 2:14-16; 1 Cron 29:14; Matt 6:19,20,30-32; Jam 4:6-10; Deut 8:18; Mala 3:8-12.

3. Pay yourself second! Adjust your priorities, manage your finances rather than reacting to them.  

Place at least 10% into pure savings if possible.  Escrow another amount into extra savings, according to certain annual and probable expenses (repairs, doctors, vacations, gifts, education, etc). 

Draw a cash allowance for items such as groceries, gasoline, entertainment, and other miscellaneous weekly expenses. 

Get life insurance for at least the level of your indebtedness, don't leave a burden for someone else! 

Compound interest will either work against or for you. You will be surprised how much a 10% investment and savings accounts will grow in 30-40 years! A $1,000 lump sum deposit at 10% will pay you back $45,000 in 40 years; leave it in twenty more years and you'll have $304,000! 

What's your savings goal, set it up! You can never attain anything worthwhile unless you first develop a plan, counting the cost, keeping your eyes set on it through Christ.  

Look at your savings goal and figure backwards. Its easy to see how much you will need to put aside to make it. Remember only use your savings whether escrow or not for what it was intended -- except in a dire emergency (directed by God!). Consider that money as money already spent; for it is if you follow your plan!

4. Get control of your spending; pay cash (or check), financing only necessities.  

Adjust your life-style to fit your new budget, get an extra job to payoff high interest items, especially credit cards, or refinance if necessary to lower payments to within your new budgetary constraints. 

Cut up your credit cards if you are having a problem..  Don't be fooled by the minimum payment scam.  If you miss a payment or two, paying the penalties, and keep on paying the minimum IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PAY THEM OFF!  IF YOU CAN'T USE THEM PROPERLY... CUT THEM UP!

Don't attempt to buy a Cadillac on a Volkswagen income. If you can't payoff credit card balances each month or at least within a few months each time -- pay them off then get rid of them! 

Read: Eccles 5:10; Prov 3:5,6; Matt 6:24; Jam 4:13-17; Luke 16:10-13.

See: THE VILLAGE MITE  What is a Tithe?  Tithing