FREEDOM- GREED AND GENEROSITY

 FREEDOM- GREED AND GENEROSITY

TEXT: Luke 12:13-21

Intro: One of the seven Deadly SIN. “Greed” I would like to examine this word or SIN Greed. We’re using them as a lens to examine our hearts, to be able to repent of sin and ask Jesus to help us build virtue.  Means= behavior showing high moral standards

 

1. The sin of greed: 

What is greed?  Webster says that it is “a selfish and excessive desire for more than is needed.”  More!  More! .  Greed is never satisfied.  The more it gets, the more it wants.  More!  More!  More money, more stuff, more possessions , more power!

Let’s go back to our definition.  Greed is “a selfish and excessive desire for more than is needed.”  Desire is not wrong; in fact, it is natural and good-until it becomes selfish and excessive.  But where is that line?  And what is “more than is needed?”

Why is greed a sin?  Let me list a few reasons.

Greed is a sin against yourself: it ruins you.  A greedy person is an unhappy person: he is never satisfied, never has enough, and is unable to enjoy what he has for very long.

ILL: Have you ever said, “If I just had this, I’d be happy”?  And you get it, and you’re happy… until a new, better, shinier model comes out.  I have said this about , computers, cameras, phones, backpacks, gadgets…you name it.  More, more!

Greed means you’ll never be satisfied, which is why Jesus warned us:

 

Luke 12:15 “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Life is more than the sum of what you own; greed reduces your life to a collection of things.  Paul put it this way:

1 Timothy 6:9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Greed ruins people.

Greed is a sin against my neighbor when my having more means he must have less.

1 John 3:17-18 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Strong words!  John says that if you are able to give to someone in need and refuse to do so, you don’t love God.  Your love for God shows up in action-specifically the action of giving to those in need.

Greed is the cause of conflict.

James 4:1-2 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Trace most wars back to their causes and you’ll find greed.  Trace most personal conflicts back to their sources and you’ll find greed.  As the saying goes: “Follow the money.”

Greed is a sin against God.  Greed is idolatry, it is misdirected worship towards a false god.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

How is greed idolatry?  The greedy worship something other than God.  Greed tries to satisfy our restless souls with things that were never met to satisfy it.  

In the Old Testament, idolatry was worshiping a statue; today, idolatry is greed, worshiping money, and stuff.

Greed keeps us from God.  Luke 18 tells the story of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus and wanted to follow Him.  Jesus told him:

Luke 18:22-25 “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²³ When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. ²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

What kept this young man from following Jesus?  Greed.   

Greed is a sin against yourself, your neighbor, your world, and your God.  So how do we overcome it?

 

2. The virtues of:

We overcome greed by developing a couple virtues.

 

A.      Generosity: to be FREEDOM in giving.

Generosity is a quality that's a lot like unselfishness. Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. Generosity is a quality — like honesty and patience — that we all probably wish we had more of.

The classic virtue that is usually considered the opposite of greed is generosity.  To be generous is to have FREEDOM in giving.  Perhaps the best way to pry the fingers of greed off your heart is to give.  It is certainly what Jesus recommended.

Matthew 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 6:2-4 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Luke 6:38 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.”

Give!  There is no better way to overcome greed than to give.  One of the reasons generosity is so effective in overcoming greed is that it makes us aware of the needs of others.  When I’m greedy, I’m thinking only of myself; when I’m generous, I’m thinking of others.

Nothing will make you happier than when you look beyond yourself.  Discover the joy of sharing!  Give!

If you feel yourself growing greedy, fight back!  Give!

 

B.   Contentment: to be satisfied with what you have.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Contentment isn’t usually listed as one of the Seven Holy Virtues that correspond to the Seven Deadly Sins.  I’m adding it because I think it is the exact opposite of greed.  If greed says “more, more”, contentment says “enough”.  I have enough.  I am satisfied with what I have.  Would you say that with me?  I have enough.  I am satisfied with what I have. It’s very hard to say, and harder to live.  

Waiting.  This spiritual practice has fallen out of favor in our busy society.  We don’t like to wait-for anything!  How many of you hate to wait in line?  How many of you count the number of people in the check-out lines so you can get in the shortest line?  And some bozo needs special help, and they call the manager, and you’re stuck waiting.  Listen to these verses:

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 130:5-6 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. ⁶ My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Wait for the Lord.  When was the last time you just sat and waited for God?

How does waiting overcome greed?  Greed is fueled by our impulsiveness.  We see things and buy them impulsively, without waiting.  But if we waited, if we let the impulse die, we’d buy less and be happier.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Mark 8:36-37 KJV

We overcome greed through generosity.

If you are a greedy person, and by greedy I mean tight-fisted, stingy, frugal, selfish, penny-pinching or grasping, then you need March Kindness. You need to do intentionally kind and generous acts. You need God to do a work in your heart, and He will begin the work as you begin to give.

This week our challenge is to give something away. I’m talking to all of us greedy people (because the generous ones have already done it 3 times since Sunday). What are you going to give?

Personally, I gave to a friend who’s in need financially. If you need an idea, you can start with him. Let it be a springboard to generosity in your life.

 

What level of Faith are you at

 Faith is like WiFi. It's invisible but it has the power to connect you to what you Need!"

 

But we all with open face beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord are transformed from one degree of glory to another, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor. 3:18)

 

What level of Faith are you at ? 

 

1). Imitation Faith - This person relies on others to show him how to do most things. He cannot successfully believe God for protection, provisions, or direction until others provide an example for him to follow. This child-like faith is characteristic of many Christians who are content to just wait until they are told what to do or warned what not to do. This person has a hard time discovering truths that apply directly to his own situation from the scriptures.

2). Lead Me By the Hand Faith - This person insists that he be led by the hand in making difficult decisions. He lacks the confidence, courage, and boldness to trust God to take him through difficult times without supervision. Counsellors should remind this person that Christ sent the disciples out two by two to learn from their own experiences in the quest to bring others to a saving knowledge of Christ. This level of faith is when many Christians are willing to grow, but they lack the assurance in God’s promises to launch out in witnessing, service, and obedience without consistent encouragement from a more mature believer.

3). Discovery Faith - This person learns to develop his faith and gifts through self-discovery endeavors. He acquires new ideas and inspiration by analyzing many different ideas from scripture as well as from Godly people. He is willing to progressively try new ways to improve his ministry, personal character development, and relationships by experimenting with new applications from scripture. He is continually seeking ways to grow up into all aspects into Christ.

4). Mature Faith - This person has develop an integration of his knowledge of God, theology, philosophy, and methodology with his faith. His entire life and ministry are characterized by a mature faith that exhibits the fruits of the Spirit. This individual’s identity, roles, and responsibilities are closer to the scriptural ideals than those of his culture.

 

Conclusion: Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you." Jesus said, "If you believe in Me, the works that I do, will He also. And greater works than these will he do because I go to the Father that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You can ask for anything in my name and I will do it." (John 14;12-14)

THE POWER OF PARDON

 THE POWER OF PARDON

I want to go now into the power of pardon, going from a tight place to a for-

giving place. 

Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy." Mercy is just another word for forgiveness. Many of us have the opportunity to walk in unforgiveness, but Jesus is wanting us to walk guiltless before Him.

 He wants us to be free of any offenses that have come into our lives.

So, let's start in 1 Samuel 26:5-26. It recounts the story of David coming

to the place where Saul had encamped. David went down with Abishai and

they found Saul sleeping. Abishai said to David, "Today, God has delivered

your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time."

But, David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his

hand against the LORD'S anointed and be without guilt? David went on to

say,

"The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD'S anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water ,

and let us go." 

David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Sauls

head, and they left. When Saul realized what had happened, he said,

"I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life

was precious in your sight this day." 

David replied, "The LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you

into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the LORD'S

anointed. 

Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so

may my life be highly valued in the sight of the LORD, and may He deliver me

from all distress." 

Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David,

you will both accomplish much and surely prevail." 

The final verse tells us David went on his way and Saul returned to his place.

Reference from Prophetic Journey book

Pastor Joey  

 

God Appointed & God Anointed

 

David was the king because God made him king he was not the king because he was the most qualified person. 

God Appointed & God Anointed 

A person or leader is not doing what he is doing because he is the best at doing it he is doing it because God has put him there.   God Appointed & God Anointed 

• Respect God authority to place someone in a position. 
• Stay the Course. Journey of FAITH 
• Learn from your mistake & others  
• Empty yourself & Be willing to be pour into. New Wine Skin 
• Cut those heavy weight that slow you down .  Start Cutting . 
• Cut those Pretenders friends  that can’t wait to see you fail & fall . 
• Get around some people that will encourage you & lift you up . 

Straight from the book Loyalty and Disloyalty.

John 16:33

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Psalm 34:4–5, 8

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

What do you have that GOD can use ?

 

EXODUS 4:1-5

 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?  ² Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”  “A staff,” he replied.  ³ The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”  Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ⁴ Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So, Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. ⁵ “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.

God uses the shepherd’s staff here for a very simple reason.

 Moses was holding one in his hand. He says to Moses what’s that in your hand? What do you have that God can use?

God then says to Moses, take it and throw it on the ground…. And when he does it becomes a snake. Moses does what many of us would do…he runs from it. God tells him to pick it up and then it turns back into a staff.

Notice this, as long as Moses kept the staff in his hand it was useful, but the moment he laid it down, it became something that was useless…even harmful. When God gives you a gift, don’t ever put it down.

Every one of us has the ability to do certain things with our hands There is great power in our hands to do good. All we need is a heart of obedience. If we fail to use what God has given to us it can be rendered useless.

 

Stewardship- It’s Matter of Trust

 Definition of stewardship 

The  obligations of a steward, the conducting, supervising, or managing of something

especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

    The stewardship of money

“Money does not change people, it unmasks them “

Turn to the gospel of Luke, chapter 16, where were going to read verses 10-13 

““Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:10-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus speaks these words immediately after telling the parable of the unjust servant or the unjust steward. 

In the parable the unjust steward is caught squandering his master's money and is called to give an account of how he has used his master's money. 

Realizing that he has been caught, he begins to use the master's money to make friends for himself so that when he no longer has a job, he will at least have friends.

 Read the chapter 

Meaning-Use the adjective shrewd to describe a person or thing that is smart or clever in a practical sort of way. The word shrewd is from a Middle English adjective formed from the noun schrewe "an evil person, a villain." King James “ wiser or cleaver 

 He says, "for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light."

Jesus does not condone the steward's dishonesty, but points to how clever and shrewd he is. The moral of this parable is that if the wicked can be this shrewd in the things which are temporal, how much more shrewd-wiser  should we be in our dealing with those things which are eternal?

Now, look at verses 10-13 (read text).

Jesus is saying that if we cannot be trusted with something as temporal and fleeting as money, He is not going to trust us with the truly valuable things of the Spirit. 

If we have not proven faithful with little, we will never be entrusted with much. If we are not faithful with that which belongs to someone else, who will give us something of our own? Then Jesus tells us that you cannot serve two masters, you cannot serve both God and money.

Think about money in these four simple terms.

1. It is a trust – It is something God has entrusted to our care, something which belongs to Him but which He has given us to invest on His behalf. The idea here is that He will get a good return on His investment.

 If He trusts us with a little, and we use it wisely, He will trust us with more. That's why He says, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much…" Money is something God has entrusted to us. It is a trust.

2. It is a tool – He expects that we will use it to further His kingdom here on Earth, using it as best we can to reveal His glory and to relate His gospel to those around us. To the one who is spiritually minded, money is never something which should become an end unto itself, but rather it is merely a tool, something which is to be used to accomplish a greater good.

Like a rope thrown into the water to save someone from drowning, the rope is not what is of real value, the life being saved is what is of real value. So it is with money. It has value, but only to the degree that it is used properly, only to the degree that it is used to further the kingdom of God.

3. It is a test – God often gives us something of lesser value to see if He can trust us with something of greater value. If He cannot trust us with something as fleeting as money, why should He trust us with spiritual things of eternal value?

If He cannot trust us to make good decisions with the small amount of money that we have, it stands to reason that we cannot be trusted with the large amount of money that we may want.

And just for the record, God can give you as much money as He wants to give you and He can leave you with as little as He wants to leave you with. When we are dealing with someone who has our very heart beat in His hands, we shouldn't quibble over something as temporal as money. We should seek to pass the test and use it as He commands.

4. It is a thermometer – How we spend our money reveals the truth about our spiritual lives.

Conclusion 

Now let's just take the gloves off for a moment. If you do not at the very least tithe, if you are not investing at least a portion of the money God has entrusted to you into eternal causes, you are not a growing Christian and you probably need to take a long hard look at your life through the lens of scripture to see if you are even a Faithful at all. 

That may sound like a harsh statement, but Jesus makes it abundantly clear that you cannot serve God and money. He talks about money more than heaven and hell combined.

 It is clear: Jesus thought the use of money was an important thermometer of your spiritual life. If you are truly His servant, and you have surrendered everything in your life to Him, one of the most elementary external visible signs of that internal transformation is that you will walk in obedience to Him with respect to money. 

Go through the scripture, from the Old Testament through the New Testament and you find the same message

Stewardship- It’s a matter of Trust 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Straight from the book Leadership Pain

 Straight from the book Leadership Pain 

Some Christians can be sneaky, some might say devious. Everybody is smiling when they walk through the doors on Sunday morning, but behind the smiles occasionally lurk lethargy, suspicion, distrust, and sometimes devious plots to undermine the pastor’s authority and destroy his reputation. 

In addition to personal conflicts, leaders face a wide range of organizational and cultural obstacles. Let’s look at the most common ones.

Betrayal

If you lead long enough, you’ll inevitably endure the deep wounds of betrayal. It’s a paradox of leadership: our efforts to help people experience the love and power of Christ create envy in the hearts of some who are watching (and receiving our love). 

Most people are grateful, but a few—and it only takes a few—undermine us with open opposition, lies, and gossip.

Criticism

Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). But it’s also true that where two or three are gathered in his name, someone is finding fault with the others. 

It’s human nature for people to try to build themselves up by putting others down, and ministry leaders are very visible, accessible, vulnerable targets. 

If they’re visionaries, they’re criticized for not being patient or valuing traditions or not caring for those who are hurting. If they’re devoted to the sick and make many hospital calls, they’re criticized for not being in the office enough to manage projects or failing to chart a bold path to the future. 

If their gifts are administrative, they’re criticized for not being a great speaker.

The point is clear: no matter what your gifts and style may be, no matter how much you pour your heart into people, and no matter how much time you devote to your ministry, you’ll face criticism.

The Complexity of the Job, Inheriting a Toxic Culture, Masks, Lies, and Deceit, The Conflict Between Vision and Tradition,Heartaches at Home.

Limited by Team Members

For years I’ve used the metaphor of a ladder to help leaders understand the influence of team members. 

In my book Who’s Holding Your Ladder? I explain that the leader’s vision is his ladder. As he tries to climb it, he doesn’t need any help to go a few rungs up a twenty-foot extension ladder. 

It’s stable and secure if he’s only a few feet off the ground. But if he wants to go higher, he needs someone to hold the bottom so it doesn’t come loose from its moorings. If the helper isn’t paying attention, the ladder could slip and the pastor could fall and be injured. 

So even to climb a short distance farther up the ladder, the pastor needs someone attentive and sturdy.

If he wants to climb to the top of his ladder, the pastor will need two or three people who are just as strong and attentive as the first ladder holder. What if his vision reaches fifty feet? Or a hundred feet? The people holding his ladder determine how high he can go.

It doesn’t matter how high the vision is; what matters is the quality of his ladder holders.

JACOB'S THREE JOURNEYS

 

 

JACOB'S THREE JOURNEYS

Text: Genesis 28:10-22 

Jacob had many journeys and struggles in his long and eventful life. From three Jacob’s journeys we would see the process of a sinful life turned godly.

 

I.                  FIRST JOURNEY TO BETHEL:  A VISION OF GOD (Genesis 28:12-13)

 

A safe place, A place of healing, restoration, A place where you and I receive and conceive what GOD has spoken. It’s a place of strength and possibility, Jacob needed his own experience with God to solidify his birthright and his blessing.

 

It was in that safe place where Jacob got the perseverance, motivation, and confidence to wake up and move toward his future

 

Bethel means “The House of God.” Calling it , The gates of Heaven and a place where God dwells.

 

 A truly godly life begins with a three-fold vision of God.

Upward, Inward, Outward  
Vision- upward to God, to worship & Exalt him.  Vision - inward search or motives, Vision= outward look on the multitudes, increasing.

 

 

II. JOURNEY TO PENIEL: AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD (Genesis 32:24-30)

 

Jacob had a personal encounter with God at Peniel (“I have seen God face to face”). Whether you encounter Him on the beach (Andrew & Peter), tax collection office (Matthew), the road to Damascus (Paul), beside the well in Samaria (Samaritan woman), or at the altar of the church... it is always a new and fresh start for an old life! Note the change in name from Jacob (“supplanter”) to Israel (“prince of God”). In troubled times do not forget your personal encounter with God for it will strengthen you and help you realize that God is faithful and still very much under control!

 

  

 

III. SECOND JOURNEY TO BETHEL: WORSHIP OF GOD (Genesis 35:1-3)

 

His first stay at Bethel and his stay at Peniel were brief but his return to Bethel was to build an altar to worship God and he was instructed “to dwell there.”

 

There is an end to our many “walks” and travels in life. There comes a time in the life of the believer when he finally finds rest and peace from God as he seek and do God’s will (cf. Prov. 13:15).

 

CONCLUSION: Life is a journey with the Lord. How far have we gone? Where have our striving taken us? Our entire life should be one continuous seeking of God’s will, worship experience, and giving of praise to God for everything.

Prayer Target financial breakthrough

 

Prayer Target financial breakthrough

 

Heavenly Father, I ask for forgiveness for the poor financial choices I’ve made. I gave only when I had excess not when it was my first fruits.

 I was fearful and insecure about how I would be able to provide for myself and my family. I repent of my sins and ask for Your provision in the mighty name of Jesus.

I pray for debt cancellation and financial breakthrough to come upon my finances.

 Please give me the tools to strategically make lifestyle changes financially. Please help me steward what You’ve given me. Please use this situation as a powerful testimony of Your provision and mercy. I ask for a financial miracle. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

Proverbs 3:9-10 Amplified Bible
Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);
Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

 

Father God , I come to You with my financial problems. The bible says that nothing is impossible in Christ Jesus.

 I pray for financial breakthrough over my present and over my future. I declare miracle prayers for money to help me with my debt.

Please help me see Your heart and know Your ways so that I may receive a total recovery with my debt. I declare that You are more than enough. Through this prayer for prosperity and financial release, I also ask that You will bless me and enlarge my territory to be a blessing to others. I pray all these things in Your wonderful name, Amen. 

1 Chronicles 4:10 English Standard Version
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

 

Holy Spirit, just as Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped at an hour where it was most weary, I come to You to declare these midnight prayer points.

I declare Your provision over my finances just as You’ve provided every element in my life. I declare Your favor upon my finances with checks in the mail, debts paid off, sales increasing, I pray all these midnight prayer points for breakthrough in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Acts 16:25-26 English Standard Version
The Philippian Jailer Converted
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

In the Name of Jesus Christ , I ask for supernatural strength to stand firm in Your truths.

Please help me navigate through the unknown as I hold fast to Your word. Holy Spirit, I declare Your protection over my life – over my money.

Your truth gives me discernment so that I will not be manipulated by the enemy’s lies. I find refuge in You and will choose to worship You. In Your almighty name I pray, Amen. 

Ephesians 6:10-12 New Living Translation
The Whole Armor of God
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.