Finding Financial Freedom

Economic empowerment is an equalizer.

Let that sink in.

Soak it in for a moment.

Empowering people can change their perspective.  Empowering people can change their prospects in life.  Like I said earlier, economic empowerment is an equalizer.

I plan on sharing some realistic economic options for people here.  I say that's my plan because I had started on a similar journey not so long ago with a blog series starter on Money Makeovers.  Much like John Lennon stated: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

My mother passed away during the Christmas holidays.  She had fought cancer for a few years but the disease spread and required a different level of care that chemo could not address.  A few months after that my stepmother passed away, and then my close cousin died as well,  

My cousin's passing hit me hard since we were the same age and spoke of plans to travel and conduct some business together in the near future.  His passing jarred me a little bit.  I took it bad.  

Living with these recent losses and having to step in to take care of my mother's affairs in her latter days helped put some things in perspective.  I had to adjust my viewpoints on how I prepared for the present and the future.  I needed to organize some things for my family so that they do not have to search and find what was what when I have my time to go to the Lord.

I strive to place an emphasis on empowering others to find financial freedom here and via my other work online.  Please join me for a journey to engage in a discourse that we rarely tackle in low-income, minority and faith-based settings.  In all honestly, it helps with the healing and my prayer is that it helps others as well.

Let's get started.

Holy Spirit Work

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. - Luke 12:12 (KJV)

The Holy Spirit has a serious job to do.  Jesus explained that to His disciples right before He departed this earth.  Many theologians have studied and researched about the Spirit.  Yet, we still have some trouble with the whole concept of the Holy Spirit.

Realize the Holy Spirit's power and work.  The Holy Spirit teaches and takes us to task.  He is the Comforter.  He is the Helper.  He reminds us of what the Father has commanded of us and what Jesus has provided for us.


Let the Holy Spirit:

• Work on you like the power He has to exhibit as part of the Godhead.
• Work in you through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit baptized within you at the point of belief.
• Work through you in a powerful way that allows others to see God at work through your good works.

From Eden to Egypt- Day 30

7Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites.There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.- Genesis 25:7-10 (NIV)

In the end, "Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac' according to Genesis 25:5 (NIV).  This same chapters says that he gave other gifts to his other sons, the sons of his concubines, but he left his personal possessions to the son of promise, Isaac.  The other sons received something from Abraham, but the one son received everything that was considered Abraham.

Think about it like this: Abraham had an estate, including herds, property, and servants.  Before he died, he had already given gifts to his sons and sent them away from the son of promise.  When he died, he left everything that he had in his possession to Isaac.  It is peculiar because Ishmael, the firstborn son, is not mentioned by name until the burial of Abraham.  It may be assumed that Ishmael was included in the earlier verse where Abraham's other sons were given "gifts." However, he is not mentioned by name prior to the burial of his father.

It is Issac, "the beloved son" as called by J. Vernon McGee, who gains all of his father's possessions.  imagine the uproar that could have started if Abraham had not blessed the other brothers before his death.  Think of all of the ruckus that would have gone down if each brother sat around the house after laying Daddy to rest, only to find out that every single thing went to Isaac.  I can just picture the depths of discontent and the wealth of woeful feelings that would emerge as every sheep and goat, every acre of land, and every single slave went to Issac.

Parents need to make provisions for their passing on to the next life.  Be sure to deal with your children accordingly in the case of your death.  Let them know what provisions have been made for them and their children.  Do all that you can to leave a legacy that lives on beyond you.  Don't let your burial become a battle of Daddy's favorites versus the black sheep flock.  Be sure to handle your business and order your affairs while you have time and a sound mind.

Again and Again and Again

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

- Luke 17:3 (NIV)

"Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realising you were the prisoner!"
— Max Lucado

I don't forget what I have done.  All of the bad that I have stirred up still has its lingering effects.  I try to cover the scars and the tattoos with navy blue and banker's grey power suits.  I hide the tears that I want to shed for my wrongs behind the dark lenses of wrap-around shades or under the low-riding brim of a fedora. 

As much as I try, the memories plague me. The bad times have their way with my psyche.

Then, always right before I get totally worn out and weighed down, He speaks softly to my spirit through His Holy Spirit.

I took care of that for you already.

I stand in awe, wondering how could that be.

Look at My hands. The pierced Me for your sake, for your salvation.

I fight with myself to come to some understanding why.  Why would the Savior do so for me?

My Father sent Me because He loves you.

Me? I have all of this baggage, though.

Come to Me and lighten your load.

I wonder what I am to do without all of this junk to carry around.

Make a difference in My name.

Make a difference with My Word.

Make a difference in My World.

Make a difference like Me for Me.

Make a difference Daily.

But I sin, Lord.

I forgive.

 No, I mean I really sin. 

I forgive.

I am a real big sinner.  I know I do not  please You.

I forgive.

What about from here on and I mess up?

I forgive.

And if it is more? Or, even worse?

I forgive.




Yes.

And again?

Yes.

And again and. . .

Yes.

How long will you keep that up?

Forever.

Eternity.

Day after day.

Until you make it to your new home with Me.

Amen.*

Amen.*


* Amen is translated as "so be it" or "it is so." It offers a response of agreement or declared affirmation.

Starting Small

If you starting a new venture in business or ministry, here are a few things to keep in mind. The size of your new baby can grow over time. Starting small should not be connected with anything shameful. Start and stay in it for the long haul.

Focus on a "small"start by:

• Starting small
• Starting smart
• Starting smooth

Try it this way and expect to take your next venture all the way to the next level.

When Enough is Truly Enough

So they all ate and were filled.- Luke 6:42 (NKJV)

Five loaves of bread and two fish were enough. Jesus was the ultimate master of the teachable moment. In fact, the Master went so far as to demonstrate that God has already supplied what we need. He used what resources were available to Him and His disciples, took them and looked up to heaven, blessing and breaking the bread. Then, He did the same with the fish. In the end, it was truly enough for five thousand people to be fed (with fragments left over to fill twelve baskets).

What has Jesus provided for you? Isn't it enough? It probably is more than enough for what He wants you to do. Are you willing to look up to heaven and give thanks for what He has given to you? Are you willing to break it up and share it with others who are in need? Look at what Jesus did with the available resources. He did not wait for Ceasar's stimulus plan. He did not hold out and hold on to see if the government would change policies. He used what He had and made it work for those who were in need of it.

We can learn a real lesson from this simple act of Jesus. Beyond the miracle itself is a simple message of truth. God will provide exactly what we need to get the job done. We have to get on board and be willing to do the work. He has called us. He has supplied us. What are we waiting on?