By His Spirit Ministries
Articles
The following excerpt was in Living Abundantly Spiritually, Financially and Physicially.
http://livingabundantly-jpdavis.blogspot.com
Living Abundantly Financially
My husband and I retired from our careers last year. We are enjoying our retirement to the fullest because we had a plan.
First, we maxed out our retirement IRAs where we worked and the government added a percentage. We also had a savings plan whereas money was automatically taken out of our earnings. We knew that we should always pay ourselves second after tithing, even in retirement.
Second, we prepared for retirement: The last few years prior to retiring, we started paying off all debt. Our home and new automobile were paid in full soon after we retired.
Third, we had a purpose, a reason to retire. We love to travel and recently visited Maine, Nova Scotia, Niagara Falls, and Hershey, PA.
I always take plenty of my books to give to those who may need a word of encouragement. Each book has a prayer for readers to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Obedience is the key to pleasing God! I received a video from Oral Roberts Ministries on Financial Success several years ago. In reviewing this video over the past years, it has truly been a blessing to our financial life. This video stresses the most important step to financial freedom is to tithe our gross income, pay our self by placing money in either a savings account, or an envelope marked savings, and then pay others. If we can get this deep down in our spirit, and start moving on it, we’ll get out of debt and stay out. It takes discipline and accountability. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58:11
Do you really want to get out of debt? If so, then start today praying and asking God to help you. I don’t know about you but I know the less I owe the more cash I’ll have to save, invest, travel and give.
The following story was published in Faithful Women of the Bible.
A Story of Esther
The story of Esther is about a beautiful Jewish woman, who had the courage to succeed despite the overwhelming odds against her. Esther’s parents died when she was very young and her cousin, Mordecai, brought her up. She never dreamed that one day she would be queen of the Persian Empire living in a luxurious palace.
It all began when King Ahasuerus summoned his wife Vashti to be brought before him, as he wanted to show off her beauty. When she refused, the king became so angry that he issued an order that her royal position be given to another. Vashti’s refusal opened the way for the coming of Esther.
God divinely moved Esther forward to this position for the whole purpose of saving Israel. King Ahasuerus had no idea Esther was Jewish, but loved her more than all the other women in the land. It was not long before he crowned her as queen of Persia.
Queen Esther soon became friends with the people when she showed that she had wisdom, self-control, and the ability to place others before her own interest.
God’s direction is seen through the lives of His people. This truth is nowhere better observed than in Esther and Mordecai. Mordecai overheard Haman, one of the King’s highest officials; plan to kill all the Jews. When Mordecai told Esther of Haman’s plan, he then stated, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this”? (Esther 4:14). Those were daring words for a young queen.
Esther’s courage is breathtaking as she so carefully moves to save her people. She calls on all Jews in their area to fast for three days and she joined them in this fast, which in itself suggested she was a woman of prayer. “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Here is a woman who not only believed in what she was doing, but also had the courage to do it.
King Ahasuerus received Esther, promising to grant her whatever she desired. This is when she told of the evil plans to destroy her people. The king demanded the name of the person behind this scheme. Esther told him that it was Haman who planned to murder every Jew in the empire. The king decrees Haman shall be hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.
Jews still celebrate “the feast day of Purim” to commemorate their deliverance by the mighty acts of God through Esther and Mordecai.
Esther, with devout love, risked her own life to save her people. Even though God was not mentioned in the book of Esther, His presence was everywhere. It is for us to find him today in each area of our own lives.