"If Money's Tight...Spend It Right" Part #1

     Money...Money....Money...Everybody is talking about money. The problem is that very few of us have any to spare.  Gas prices, food prices, pretty much the price of everything is going up except our pay checks. As a result  too many  people are stressing out bigtime!

         Some are even looking toward Heaven and asking, "Where is God in all of this money mess? "  The awnser is right in the middle of it!  The truth is that no matter what life brings our way God is available to us and willing to help us make it through the times of uncertainty.   The important thing to realize is that if you don't have a relationship with God you are not going to seek His help or comfort.

         It's not that God doesn't care, He is a gentleman who won't enter un-invited.  So, its up to us to make sure we are connected to Him and open to His help and comfort. I can say from personal experience that God wants to have the opportunity to demonstrate His power and love for us.  I have had so many times in my life where I turned to God for help and He delivered exactly what I needed.

       Just so you know, sometimes what I needed was not what I had in mind at the time. God has always delivered just what I needed when I needed it. 

      The condition for this provision is that we are connected  to God through His Son Jesus.  Getting connected to Jesus isn't a hard process. All we need to do is admit we don't always do what is right , we mess up and do the wrong things. In other words, that we are not perfect and that we have shortcomings and failures.  Because of that we need to be forgiven of those things and given a chance to start over again fresh.  The Bible lets us know in 1st John 1:9, " If we confess our sins (those things we messed up or failed to do right) Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Simply we ask Jesus to forgive us, He does and then gives us the ability to start over again, with His help.  After we are forgiven we need to ask Him to pour His Holy Spirit into us so that we will be able to understand His purposes and directions for us to have a satisfied life based upon His plan for our success.

      Just so you know, His forgiveness won't alter consequences for poor choices.  He doesn't rewind time or erase our memories either.  What He does is connect you to God, His Father, who will help you through the tough times and see that you have what you need to make it through.  Once you have gone through that process you will have the spirit of God living within you, guiding you, helping you, and comforting you. You won't ever have to deal with what is stressing you alone again.

     Believe me, I have tried living without Jesus and with Him in my life. I can honestly say, "I could'nt have made it without Him.  If you give Him a chance He can make a big difference in your life too!  All you have to do is pray and ask Him the things we just mentioned. (Admit we mess up, confess our shortcomings and failures(ask forgiveness),ask Him to pour His Holy Spirit into us, and choose to follow God's direction and plans for our lives) 

     If you are going to be sucessful in dealing with the things life throws your way, having Jesus by your side is the first step.

      May God Bless you as you explore the possibility of freedom in Him.

       -Pastor Jim

         Next week look for Part #2  To find out how to escape the debt trap.