How to Walk in Abundance - Part 4

Are you strugggling financially? Barely making ends meet? Maybe you've lost your job or your business is not going so well. Or maybe you wish you had more money to travel, buy a nicer car, get out of debt. As a single mom who has been through bankruptcy, and was in debt for years after an ugly divorce, I can testify that financial freedom is possible, whatever situation you are currently in. Today I am sharing a key principle to moving forward into financial freedom and abundance.  

                   

Learn to be Odedient

While visiting Houston years ago, I had the opportunity to see how animals learn obedience. The bird trainer came out with a macaw on her hand. Placing the brightly colored bird on its stand, she had the bird's full attention. Certain gestures of hers told the bird to lift its claw, wave, give her a kiss, flap its wings and perform a variety of assorted antics and tricks. The macaw's name was Louis and his reward was an unshelled nut which he pecked open with his sharp beak in great delight.

One thing I noticed was how intently the trainer gazed into the eyes of the macaw. Her eyes never left his and vice versa. The bond they had established was obvious.

"It takes years to train these birds," she explained.
"How long do they live?" I asked.
"Most live till they are in their 80s," the trainer replied.
"About as long as a human - interesting."

In a similar way, we humans learn obedience. From the time we are infants, our parents teach us how to obey and we receive rewards for doing so. Then we move on to adulthood and God takes over the training. Just as it pleases parents when their children are obedient, so it pleases God when we are obedient. 

Personal Story 

When I was married, we had to declare bankruptcy - on my birthday - because my then husband lost his job and we had purchased a huge parcel of land that we could no longer afford. We sold the land at auction and had to repay creditors for 7 long years. The financial stress was the breaking point of our marriage and I ended up in my worst nightmare - a single mom raising two young boys. As a result, I kept a tight rein on my expenses. I didn't buy the latest and greatest of anything. I shopped at Walmart and drove an old car. I didn't buy designer fashion or extravagant jewelry. But I was obedient.

Every January when the pastor at church would talk about finances and tithing, I would ask God how much I should give that year. Giving to the church was always a stretch, but I was faithful and so was God. He always provided for everything we needed: braces for both my youngest son and I, soccer uniforms & cleats for the boys, sports equipment & musical instruments for my sons, even family vacations at the beach. It all started with one decision: to be obedient. 

Trust the Promises of God

Many people have a scarcity mentality, holding onto and hoarding material possessions. Others do not know or trust the promises of God. God says this about giving: "Test me in this. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse and I will pour out the windows of heaven blessing after blessing" (Mal. 3:10). I am living proof that God keeps his promises.

For those who are unfamiliar, a tithe is the first 10 percent of our income. And yes, it is an old Testament commandment but it still works today. We are not to spend every red cent we make. We are to live below our means, not above so we can save for a rainy day and help others who are less fortunate. 

Start small. Buy someone's meal. Pack a Christmas shoebox for a poor child. Volunteer at a shelter. There are a million ways to give. Before you know it, you will move forward financially and be able to give more and more. I have sponsored a child in a third world country for 20+ years and she is now attending college, studying to become a nurse. I also have set up a scholarship for students from single mom homes to go to college. Next month, my mortgage will be paid off and I will be debt-free. It boggles my mind what God has done in my life since I started being obedient and tithing. 

For Reflection
Have you learned to obey God? When you hear that still small voice that says "Slow down", "Pay your bills", "Go exercise", "Call your mother," "Wear your mask?" do you listen? More importantly, do you obey? These are simple yet important acts that God watches. He is waiting to see if we can be trusted with the little things so he can entrust us with bigger things. 

If you want to see more abundance in your life, may I encourage you to practice obedience. Nothing pleases the Lord more than immediate obedience. We all know the phrase "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today". What is it that the Lord is calling you to do today? What have you been putting off? We will not move forward until we have obeyed what he has already asked us to do.

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Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom. Love to hear your thoughts on this important topic and do share with a friend.

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Hear When God Speaks

Ever wake up in the middle of the night? I do. I used to get frustrated by not being able to get my much needed 8 - 9 hours of beauty rest. I'd do anything to try to get back to sleep - get a snack, put relaxing music on, listen to a podcast. Then one night it dawned on me. Could God be trying to talk to me? Hmmmm. 

I surrendered and listened to that still small voice. Some call it intuition. I call it God. Did you know that sometimes when God can't get our attention during the day, he will wake us up at night to talk? If you're married, you've probably experienced this with your spouse a few times so you know what I'm referring to.

So there I am lying in bed wide awake and I hear - not audibly mind you, but inaudibly.
"Go do your nails".

I knew it was God speaking because He usually speaks to me in the form of a command such as "Go" or "Stop".

Now that is an odd thing to hear at 2 am.

I listened again and again the still small voice said

"Go do your nails."

Obedient and groggy, I pushed myself off the bed and made my way to my kitchen where my manicure tools were waiting from the day before. As many of you ladies know, there is quite a process to doing your nails. Guys, bear with me here. You'll see where I'm going with this soon.

First, you smooth out all the ridges and rough spots.

Then, you buff the nails.

Next, you shine them up with one of those handy rectangular things.

Then you apply the polish.

Lastly, you apply the top coat.

Yes, gentlemen, this is what we ladies have to go through in order to have those nice shiny nails many of you adore. I can honestly tell you I have been judged by the condition of my nails. Really!

As I was doing my nails, the realization came to me:

The same process we use on our nails is the same process God uses on us to make us beautiful and shine.

First, He smooths out all the rough edges and removes the spots.

Then, He allows life and circumstances to buff us.

When the buffing process is complete, He shines us up so we are ready to be polished.

Next, He applies the polish - this is the exact color He has for each one of our lives.

Finally He applies the top coat - His protection over us.

Are you having trouble sleeping these days? Could God be speaking to you? Are you willing to listen and obey or do you drown out that still small voice by taking a pill or a sleeping aid? Perhaps we need to be more diligent about taking time during the day to get quiet and listen to God.

Whatever your situation, rest assured God is in control. No matter how bad things might seem, He is still on the throne and His plans will not be thwarted. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and that plan sometimes takes time to be revealed. In the meantime, we can trust that He is refining us for his perfect purpose. So don't fight your sleepless nights. Listen to that still small voice. You can be sure all will be made clear in time. Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight.

If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my bi-weekly posts and a copy of my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".

Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom to help you find healing, wholeness, and harmony. 

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

What Parents and Dog Owners Already Know

Parents and dog owners know this already. When we ask our child to take out the trash, do their homework, or help tidy the kitchen and they willing cooperate, what happens? They get a reward, right? We smile and give them praise, a star on their chores chart, and maybe even dessert.

When cute little Fido or Fifi poops outside or comes when we call them, what happens next?
They get a treat, right? There is something to be said for immediate obedience, isn't there?

When we love someone, we want to do what they ask us to do. I know as a mom, it makes me happy when my children obey me without hesitation. I love it even more when they do it without me asking them.

Consider this. God likes immediate obedience even more. What do you think would have happened if Mary had said "It's not a good time right now," when the angel told her she was going to be pregnant with the son of God? What about if Jesus had said "I don't feel like it" when it was time to go to the cross? God is looking for people who will respond in immediate obedience.

Jesus feels the same way. In fact he says in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." He also promises us a blessing in Luke11:28 "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

But we humans have a tendency to make excuses and put things off, don't we?

When I put off things God has told me to do, I get that nagging feeling that keeps me from being at rest in my spirit. I can't seem to move forward in the other areas of my life. It's like God is saying "Take care of this first and then I'll show you the next thing." Many of us want to be blessed by God, but we don't want to follow His directions.


Do you ever get that nagging feeling? Ever feel like you want to move forward but for some reason you are being held back? Could it be that God has asked you to do something you have not yet done? If you think about it for a bit, I'm sure God will reveal it to you.

If you enjoyed this post, please click on the like button, share with a friend or leave a comment. If you'd like a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" please enter your email address in the box provided.

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz