Dear brides, if you are anything like me when it comes to finances you are probably scared to spend, to give, always worried about tomorrow. I’m slowly starting to learn through the chapter Chapter 4 “Give it Away” to give away the little that I have so that my HH can bless me and that He will provide for my every need – Big or Small.
Here is a small excerpt from this chapter which really encouraged me:
‘’As I keep saying, this principle works in every area of your life: finances, love, strength, and time—the list is endless. When you begin to notice a “lack” in any area of your life, this is when God is saying, “I am about to increase what you have! Now, put your faith to work for you. Believe what you don’t see, walk in that faith.
“Don’t pull back; don’t begin to fear that you will run out. I am your Source, but I need your faith, shown by your works (walking it out) for this spiritual law to manifest itself.
“He is our Source dear Bride! Have faith! Believe! Don’t worry tell Him that He is All you Want – All you Need – All you Live for!
Dear Bride, I have learnt in this chapter not to be afraid because He is my source. To give as He leads me. He is your source!
You may not always understand what the writer is trying to say the 1st time you read through a chapter, but may I say that once you have read through it a couple of times asking the Lord for wisdom as you go along, may I just say that it will end up being an amazing blessing!! 🙂 Because when you give it time you give the Lord time to tell you and teach you what He wants you to know! It is such a blessing having this intimacy with the Lord!
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —Luke 6:38
When you give with an open heart you will receive a bounty, so much that you will be amazed.
‘With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.’” Mark 10:27
I never have to be in doubt ever, nothing is impossible for God; He has shown me this over & over..
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:38–40).
This verse came alive a couple of months ago when a colleague took leave over Christmas and New Year’s without consulting me thereby leaving me without any break over this period, but I because I knew this verse I did not react at the time but I was very upset and wanted to tell her off… but I did not and told her it was ok and she could take off I would work. Only God knew that I would no longer be working there and would have the WHOLE of December free!
Previously I held on very tightly to stuff… money, clothing, food. But this chapter has taught me to give without reservation, without worrying for tomorrow because He provides for all my needs. I loved reading what Erin said about the Lord being our HH and like any Husband He wants me to know how wonderful He is. I wrote this down after reading this chapter:
*He wants me to know as my Husband He is going to take care of everything, my sick baby, food, kids missing their dad (dad away working as we in the process of relocating) – finances to get through this month – WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME AS HE WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS! I also wrote down – *What a wonderful opportunity to be taken care of by Him!
I used to be scared to spend money before especially on presents or even something as simple as underwear for myself… and I would argue or complain if I had to spend money on something I did not think I should take care of or especially if a family member wanted me to pay for something. But I am slowly learning to give and put Matthew 5:38-40 into practice:
“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two”
So I am learning that my HH will take care of each and every need as it arises. Back when I was alone with the kids I needed to take care of everything myself, meals, taking care of the kids etc. My EH had been away for the longest period – what I experienced is that when he went the 1st time, emotionally, it really took its toll on me and the kids not having EH here.
But my dear HH is close to me so that I don’t feel any emotional loss but to be joyful in Him, enjoying my time with Him and I have! I have experienced my HH being my provider, being so joyful that He had answered specific prayers of things I needed. I have given away stuff that I had very little of which I myself needed… but I have not gone without.
Most of my life I have watched my money, I have done budgets and tried to control our family’s finances, in most cases it never really helped anyway, we still lacked! Now I’m learning day by day to give it away. To stop trying to control the money that I have so that I can experience the provision of my HH in each and every need I come across.
I will live out this principle by giving. By being close to my HH so that He can lead and guide me to where and when He wants me to give. I will live out this principle by not being scared to be a GIVER – by blessing those He puts on my heart to give to.
I truly feel that the Lord wants me to live out this principle by living close to Him daily. Waking up each morning asking Him to lead and guide me. By doing and reading over my lessons and renewing my mind daily with His word, by making a note in my personal notebook to pray each morning asking the Lord where He wants me to give today. I have learnt that giving is not just in finances but it can be my time, my strength or any one of my abilities in helping others but what is truly important is to allow Him to lead and guide me.
I have decided my New Year’s Resolution is to stay close to you by reading your word, and the Daily Meal offered as well as spending time daily reading through a lesson or completing my DJ. I know that by staying close to You that I don’t need to worry about anything because You dear Lord will take care of everything else in my life and the lives of my family.