Friday, December 30, 2005

Truth & Consequences
Admonitions - Encouragement - Promises



Admonitions [Things to beware of and be aware of.]:


The saddest verse in the Bible is 1 Kings 18:21, ‘And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.’ (emphasis mine)

How long will YOU falter between two opinions? Will YOU give God an answer?
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:7

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:15, 16: Choose to do the ‘right thing’ and get out of debt!

Debt is slavery, and there are commands not to be in debt or a slave to debt:
“…And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Proverbs 22:7

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, (referring to the slavery of Pr. 22:7)

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20


After all this: Debt is STILL sin and may be a consequence of sin:
“Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21,

“You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children each wanting your own way. You’re cheating God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way.” James 4:2-4. The Message Bible (REMIX)

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We know that debt is failure to trust in the Promises of God to meet our needs. Philippians 4:19

“No worker can serve two bosses: He’ll either hate the first and love the second or adore the first and despise the second. You can’t serve both God and the Bank.” Luke 16:13 (The Message Bible)

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

“For the love of money is a root of all sort of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.” 1 Timothy 6:10

“And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’” Luke 12:15

Other Admonitions:
“...And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”” John 18:11

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” Proverbs 3:9

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Corinthians 9:6, 7

“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;” Proverbs 27:23

“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” Proverbs 10:4

“Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8

“There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.” Proverbs 21:20

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6.

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

1 Corinthians 10:31 says it all, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”



Encouragement [Things to remember as one struggles to become debt free.]:

(many of these are direct promises also…)


“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6

“No temptation has overtaken you, except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" Philippians 1:6

“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

"The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity." 1 John 2:17 (The Message Bible),

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.” Job 36:10

“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Philippians 4:6.

“For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.” Psalm 75:6

“not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” Ephesians 6:6-8.

"...as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged." Deuteronomy 1:21b.

““Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-33

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7


“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:22-24



PROMISES*: [Promises to claim when becoming debt free.]:

(Promises often require that we claim them AND are given as a ‘reward’ for obedience.)


“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7

Promises about supplying ‘needs’:
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” Psalm 37:18, 19

“Let your conduct be without covetousness [envy]; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ”I will never leave you nor forsake you."" Hebrews 13:5

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

"If you decide for God, living a life of God worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." Matthew 6:25 -33 (The Message)

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

“"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;" Malachi 3:10, 11

“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.” Deuteronomy 28:12

“For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.” Deuteronomy 15:6

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17


----------------------------------------------

Beloved friends, hold fast to the promises of God. Diligently pursue a debt-free life. The rewards of obedience far outweigh any ‘sacrifice’ in ‘standard of living’.







* As previously stated, one MUST be a Christian to claim the promises of God. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home