For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. -Hebrews 13:8 (MSG)

Faith, Finances and Flawed Thinking

Over the past 35 years in ministry I've seen many musicians, singers, songwriters, ministers, evangelists, and their entourage cruise through major ministries and churches gleaning what seemed like thousands and thousands of dollars if not millions from the faithful few. I walk a tight rope with businessmen and ministry...but the truth is they're as much connected as they are different. It seems many of us have lost sight of true riches. Our future is not simply a set of events waiting to happen that we have no role to play in. It’s not a script with your name on it that you’re predestined to follow. The future can and will be whatever God has designed for you to become, as you WORK OUT His plan in your life. That includes finances! What’s the difference between people who fulfill their destinies, their callings and those who don’t? The only significant difference is that people who become all they were designed to be are willing to set challenging and rewarding goals and work toward those goals. Understanding that fact alone is worth vast riches to you! There is a passage in the New Testament that defines true riches: Luke 16:9-13 NIV 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” To sum it up..."It's a HEART condition." Today the popular opinion among many is to go the opposite direction. This is equally destructive! We know through scripture that "where God guides, He provides". But as we see in Hebrews 11:8 even Abraham had to get moving before he knew where God was leading him. Remember Jesus? It costs money to feed and lodge 13 itinerant preachers. Many people knew that, and gladly supported the cause. But as with a number of contemporary ministries, there was corruption within. The trusted treasurer turned out to be a liar and a thief (see John 12:4-6). Let me wrap this up like this: Even though there is a very present problem of corruption in ministries, it is biblically legitimate to be supported by donors and sales: "Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? . . . Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:7, 14). So while it IS INDEED all about souls and fulfilling your calling...you have to be equipped and that takes money! As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV. Thank you for letting me be a part of your destiny... - Gene Bailey

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” - David Brinkley

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. (Psalm 141:3 NLT)

Begging God for healing? You don't have to convince God to heal you. He decided that when Jesus was nailed on the cross for YOU.

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?My only hope is in You.
-Psalms 39:7 (NLT)

It's what you do when no one is looking that defines you.

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18 NLT)

Don’t sin by letting anger control you.Think about it overnight and remain silent. -Psalms 4:4 (NLT)

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. (Proverbs 4:7 NLT)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
-Mark 12:30-31 (NLT)

Pride compares itself to others,
Poverty compares itself to others,
Gratitude compares itself to God.

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
-Matthew 6:32 (NLT)

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Cor 9:8 (NLT)

And though you started with little, you will end with much. -Job 8:7 (NLT)

Authentic Grace and Real Faith

It is amazing to me the battle I still see about grace and faith. Church leaders across the globe will almost come to blows defending their stance on Bible Faith and Greasy Grace. Well, I am glad the bible is quite clear about all this.

I have the answer:

Look at Ephesians 2:8

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" NKJV

Or in a different version:

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." NLT

There it is, plain and simple. You can't get there without the other. It was "by Grace THROUGH Faith" that we received the gift of salvation from God. Anything or anyone that points you to anything that you have to work for is simply in error. IT is through Faith!

Grace was God's part; faith is our part.

Done. Any questions?

Livin' Large on Tulsa Time.

Better to have the right spirit and the wrong facts than the right facts and wrong spirit. One is easily corrected but the other isn't!

The main difference between a rut and the grave is the depth...! 

Reach your full potential & maximize your life, by chasing after the giver of every good & perfect gift.