Debts Cancelled

Happy Sunday!

WOW!  What a week! It's been full and eventful.  I pray that you enjoyed your week and pray that everything is well in your "neck of the woods"!  One consistent thread this week has been that the Word of God is truth.  Just like it says in Isaiah 55:11, the Word never misses it's intended target..."So it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, But it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined."(Voice).  

This week I had the pleasure of attending the Living Victory Chicago conference with Brother Kenneth Copeland.  It was awesome.  If you know me, you know I'm a cry baby.  Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.  I love the Word of God and enjoy hearing good, relevant, and encouraging messages. It was also a great blessing to be able to enjoy it with my daughter, Crystal.  I found myself crying and thanking God for the amazing things he's doing in my life!  He's so gracious. Even though my enemies want to see me fail, with God on my side, I always win!  I was reminded of the scriptures, Mark 10:29-30.  Jesus has just told the disciples something very shocking.  A rich, religious young man came to Jesus asking what he must do to gain life in the world to come.  He claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth, and maybe he had.  But Jesus told him that he left off one thing.  He told the young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor.  Verse 22 of this chapter says, "The young man went away sick at heart at these words because he was very wealthy."(Voice).  The reason the disciples were shocked at this interaction is because they were also wealthy! Read it for yourself.  Read it in your own bible.  Peter owned his own fishing business.  Jesus sat on one of Peter's ships to preach.  Get that picture of a man with a little fishing pole out of your head!  This is fishing on the scale of "The Biggest Catch"! The disciples were flabbergasted and wondered, "Who then can be saved?"(verse 26).  In verses 29 and 30, Jesus let's them know that anyone that gives up anything for the kingdom will receive more in this life, and in the life to come.  He also mentions that these blessings come with PERSECUTION.  Yes, as the old folks say..."If you don't run head first into the devil, you're going in the same direction he is!"  There's no reason to fear!  Jesus overcame for us, and he empowers us to make it through persecution unscathed. 

Brother Kenneth Copeland reminded us that nothing just happens.  There are really no coincidences in this life.  God orchestrates everything.  Jeremiah 29:11 says it, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that."(Voice).  God has a plan.  Even when we deviate from the plan, he has a plan.  Joseph's brothers thought they had a great idea to get rid of their dreaming younger brother.  But really they guaranteed their future prosperity.  In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said, "It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Then today, Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Revelation of the Blessing".  There are three ways God uses to give you supernatural debt cancellation.  He uses Miracles, Wisdom, and Overflow.  In 2 Kings 6:1-6, a young man helping with the building project, dropped a borrowed ax head in the river.  He screamed to the prophet Elisha.  The prophet cut a stick and threw the stick into the water. The stick made the iron ax head float. That's a Miracle!  In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow came to the prophet.  Her husband and provider was dead, and the creditors were coming to enslave her sons.  The prophet gave her wisdom about how to use something she already possessed to eradicate her debt.  That's Wisdom! In Philippians 4:15-19, the Apostle Paul thanks and encourages the believers that contributed to his ministry.  The Message translations says  this in verse 17, "I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.".   The King James Version  says, "but I desire fruit that may abound to your account".  That's Overflow!  God will bless you with extra: bonuses, unexpected gifts, and returns that have been fraudulently held up by the enemy.  You can use the overflow to pay down your debt!  That is not extra money to buy shoes!  You can buy more shoes after the debts are paid.  Proverbs 22:7 says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."(KJV).  There is nothing wrong with borrowing and lending, but God wants you on the lending side of the equation.  Deuteronomy 28:12(b) says, "and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."(KJV).

Why is debt cancellation important?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked.  This world as we know it is heading for a dramatic conclusion.  Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(KJV).  We are responsible to get the Good News about Jesus to the world.  No, you may not be called to Africa or India as a missionary.  But you are responsible to help get the Word out.  It's much easier to give when you are out of debt! When you partner with your local church, and other ministries you are eligible for the reward and the return on the souls affected.  Proverbs 11:30(b) says, "he that winneth souls is wise."(KJV).  Proverbs 19:17 says, "Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia