Some time ago I ordered my favorite soup from the Thai restaurant near my job. They always include a little furtune cookie and I always open it, curious to see the little slip of paper.  I don't know if you have ever noticed but these little cookies are now packed with a nugget of wisdom, not neccesarily a fortune. That day, the sentence read, "Giving will make you smile." It just so happened that on that day I had sent an email to RED 4 Christ Ministries members and friends announcing the newest Mission we have at our church, The Mid-Week Boost. 

I confess that I have a hard time asking people to give money. The Holy Spirit began to work in my heart and I believe He continues to massage my heart by sending little reminders like the wisdom found in a Cookie.

Yes, Giving puts a smile on your face. When you bless others it blesses you inside and out.

However, I submit to you an even more important reason to give and that is that Jesus is worthy. It is the least we can do. We give out of oedience to the word of God, We should also give because it breaks the stronghold of the enemy over our own finances.

We should give because we can't take anything with us whn we die.

We should give because one day we needed help and someone gave to us. And especially Jesus who gave it all. He has promises for those who give.  

For those of you who have responded we want to thank you for your support and faithfulness. We are praying for each of you. 

REFLECTION

I want to encourage those who are having financial difficulties right now. Now this might not apply to everyone, because some situations are different then others. But I think everyone can begin the process of recovery in the area of finances by asking yourself these questions and answering honestly in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  

The Bible is clear about what we need to do to find freedom in all areas of our lives. everything begings with a sincere heart that confesses the truth and then repents. Take some time this week and really go before God with a sincere heart and ask Him to show you any area in your life that might be locked up under the stronghold of the enemy. The evil one has access to our finances through the sin of commission or ommission.

We need to ask ourselves daily, "where did I commit a sin that I have not confessed and where have I neglected or failed to do something that I know is the right thing to do; where have I been disobedient and have not made it right? 

We all need to be right with our heavenly Father. This requires a daily reflection in the presence of the Holy Sprit, so invite Him to help you, for we cannot see clearly with out His help.

Here are some more questions to ask when reflecting on these things.

1. Have I been faithful in giving my tithes and or offerings?
2. Have I neglected giving in the church that feeds my soul and prays for me? (some people give in other places and its ok, but your first priority is to give in the church that you call home-church. the place where your pastor is, your pastor is the one who prays for you and knows your name. Your pastor is the one who feeds your soul with the word of God weekly) 
3. Have I neglected giving when an opportunity has risen for me to give, simply because it wasn't convinient to give? (if you don't give because you don't have the money, that is a different story. but neglecting to give because you find it inconvinient is an offense to God.)  

When we see a need we should respond with giving. simply because God is good and able to meet my needs when I give to others. 

My prayer for you: 

Father God, I thank you for these ones who are here reading this blog right now. I know that You see them and hear them. I thank you for your great mercies and grace that is enough for us all. It is your desire to provide for us according to your riches in glory.

Oh, Limitless God, how amazing it is to think that there is no limitations to the riches of Your glory, so I can expect that you have a limitless supply of what you can privide for us.

So we thank you for being Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. We also understand oh God that "we have not, because we ask not". So we come boldly into your throne room asking for guidance as we reflect on these hard things. We need you. We also understand that sometimes things are out of our control and it is then that we can look to you for help with the everyday things. In the same way, we understand, according to your word that we can stop our own blessings when we habitually sin without repentence and when we neglect our Christian responsibilities.  

So, Holy Spirit I ask you to search me and know me. Search your children oh God, and help us all to be obedient to your word. We want to see you move in our finances, our health and overall lives, so that we can live the life that you have intended for us; A life and life more abundantly. 

Lord, deliver us from the grip of the enemy and give us wisdom to steward well what you've so freely given us. Forgive us if we have neglected the practice of giving, for we know that it is an act of worship. In our giving we display our love for you and for the Mission of the Body of Christ and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Our giving is also a way that we display our love for others. 

We offer up to you today our very best. And we ask You, oh Lord, to help us stay faithful. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. and amen.