Isaiah 43:13 says, “I am the Lord you God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear. I will help you” (NIV). 

I began writing this blog mid-January, praying about my financial expectations, and the weather was cold. Every Year, my church does a consecration just because the body of Christ needs financial blessings. We find ministries where the word is preached, and people want to experience freedom. After celebrating Thanksgiving, I looked forward to the New Year, especially the promotion, because I needed money. 

I want to pray for blessings during the consecration when I value the word first. With anticipation, I know 2025 will be a special year when I lack enough money for years. Before I recognized my actions, I Googled a new SUV trim level and a new house. God enjoys blessing us, but I didn’t plan the tithe and offerings. All the new stuff polarized my mind. Then, I felt guilty despite the fact I needed new things. God expects an excellent offering that honors his house, and I can bless many families. Since money is a tool to build the kingdom, I focused on reading my devotion and prayer. 

If you watch TikTok since last year, the group complains about increasing inflation over gas and groceries. When interest rates increased, I struggled to pay the minimum balance. At the bottom of the statement, you read that if you only pay the minimum amount, you spend ten years reducing that debt. Last year, you and I struggled to reduce debt, and we want to save more money. From June to December 2024, we felt frustrated when we walked into grocery stores, buying a few items that cost more money. Meanwhile, all our savings accounts dwindled even if you are a high earner. 

In God, I proclaim provision when I’m trusting in his word. Life is real and I demand a blessing. After I graduated, my student loan debt accelerated to resemble a mortgage. As an older adult, I had already prayed before returning to school. Some people questioned the value of a degree, but  I know the Lord will use my education and faith to minister. Additionally, millions of borrowers look for the federal government to cancel loans or extend payments. It’s nice to receive aid but we should only depend on the word. 

Faith is vital

Did you know your faith is vital before you get victory over finances? You don’t have to pray eloquent prayers to impress an audience. Those words don’t move God, but your faith will reach the throne as angels bring blessings down to earth. If we have anger or resentment, the blessings stop. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV). We have a firm confidence that the prayer is answered. You can’t doubt it! The word gives us light in dark places like high unemployment statistics. We serve a  living God who provides abundance in dark places because we know our prayer will sustain us on the job, or we can get another one. 

During the consecration, we grow closer to God, without T.V. and social media that takes a backseat. On January 1, I prayed for sin and joy when we worry too much about debt. The breakthrough is delayed. Bad thoughts block blessings but our faith becomes stronger than ever through prayer which is communication. Talk with God as if you’re talking to a friend on the phone or during lunch; you can tell your deepest secrets in the prayer closet because God already knows. There is nothing we could hide from our heavenly father. 

Don’t be discouraged when you pray for answers that haven’t arrived yet. I was an impatient Christian when my life didn’t unfold in a specific season. In my prayer closet, I asked God “ When will the job arrive you know I need a new house”. Impatience breeds frustration as I wanted all those things. And then I repented and thanked God for a season of waiting patiently. My heart didn’t have anxiety, and I even felt better. You have full assurance that the blessing will occur at the right time. When you doubt, the Devil steals your blessing. 

Fellowship with women

I have been writing about being a young Christian in the military. When my family lived in South Carolina, I accepted Jesus into my heart. That was a turning point. Nobody influenced my religious behavior except Christian friends in Kansas. If I had never lived alone, I would have rejected Jesus. The Devil lies deadly, and he wants us to be ignorant about our potential in Christ. If we believe a Christian life is boring, women fellowship together as a tool to encourage and minister the gospel. 

By fellowshiping with women, I gained more faith which dispersed resources. The Bible is the most important resource we have when we lack faith. We have the right intentions to be obedient but when the Devil has planned an attack we forget our authority. We didn’t go to bed early and rushed in the morning (Skip a major prayer session.). Plan your schedule so that you can cook dinner, do homework, and spend time with family. If you work two or three jobs, plan your schedule carefully though money is important. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, use wisdom to read the word diligently. This activity isn’t an option but your life depends on faith. We navigate through daily trials that test us. You want to make the best choices in your job, family finances, and church attendance. You can choose to be obedient or disobey and suffer the consequences. The right path leads to blessings and fellowship with God as the disobedient journey causes sin and darkness in your life. 

Otherwise, we succumb to sin and all the curses. Jesus had overcome the curse after he died on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice. He rose, which is a victory we have right now.