2014 National Training NT 1411 2 Our sovereign God placed us on the earth at just this time in history, and these tough economic times come as no surprise to Him. Since He knows every single detail of our lives, down to the exact number of hairs we lost to our hairbrush this morning. (Mat 10:30; Luke 12:7) 5 “Unlike the cold steel vending machine, God demands more than the fulfillment of a few simple financial steps: He demands relationship.” Lk 8:15 (Page 10 A new wave of revival in your finances) “God looks at the heart .No simple biblical formula on giving will ever result in prosperity unless your heart is pure.” Matt 5 v 23-24. (Page11 A new wave of revival in your finances) 6 Sin – Individual or corporate Systemic – Every business/career has its turbulent periods Ignorance, skill deficiency & resistance to change Satanic attack Test – God permits us to be tested “to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Dt 8:2 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Is 43:2) “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” (Ps 107:29) “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Ps 46:1 Don’t trust in ‘horses and chariots’. (Ps 20:7) If God can’t help you, no one can Return to God, if you have strayed away. (Is 55:7) Like Ron Konelly sang: “If you are passing through hell, don’t stop.” The time of storms is the best time to seek and serve God. “Go to the ant ,thou sluggard: God is at work, you too must. consider her ways and be wise…” Pr 6:6-8 God did not fold His arms after His world God’s work is faith-filled, creative, was destroyed by the enemy – He redemptive, reviewed…and went to work perspiring. Gen 1 Remember: A farmer sows more in famine. So, get to work! Spend what you have on what you need. Don’t copy or compare yourself to others. (2 Cor 10:12) Take a pay cut. Take up less lucrative projects or jobs Be practical. When necessary, downgrade your living standards, but don’t lower your esteem & confidence in God Communicate current situation to your family with clarity & with assurance of a great future “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13) You are not alone in this. God is faithful. You can cope with the challenge. There is a way of escape; if only you can see it! Be like Abraham, who kept alive the hope of having a child, even when circumstances were not favorable Rom 4 Don’t blame God, yourself or others Look unto God not at the circumstances Learn from the past, but don’t dwell too much on it. Look UP! Maintain a good confession, live right, praise Him…believe His Word Wilderness experience may be the time to learn new skills in the existing business or change line altogether. Let Him lead you to new ideas and be prepared to learn the new ropes Humble yourself to learn new skills Use the available time you are out of limelight to be in God’s light. Be consistent & persistent in learning new skills. The liberal soul shall be made fat (Pr 11:25) There is he that scattered and yet increaseth (Pr 11:24) So, tithe to your church, give to your chapter, sponsor outreaches, invest in FGBMFI literature, Be part of the Miner Arganbright Remember the story of the widow and her last coin (Lk 21:1-4) Remember the widow of Zarephath (1Kg 17:7-16) Seek first His Kingdom and He will handle the storms (Mt 6:33) The Storms are not final. There is a calm after the storm. Can you hear Jesus say, “Peace, be still!”? “Beware…Lest when thou hast eaten and art full…Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God…’ (Dt 8:11-14)