Seasons Greetings

Greg Ulmer
November 8th, 2008

This is a time of year where we give thanks and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we pray and think and act to make the Lord the focus of our celebration we have a responsibility. The season with all of it’s activities and stress, leaves many of us short on time and money and patience. This condition is even more pronounced this year given the current financial upheaval. People are wondering, what’s the next piece of bad news or how bad will things get before they get better, if they get better. Fear and anxiety about the present and the future are continuing to grow. Because of this we are presented with a tremendous opportunity.

As we go about the season’s activities, we must make time to bless those who otherwise would be in crisis, despair, and maybe even suicidal. Since we have invested wisely this year, now is the time for us to be a light in the world (2 Corinthians 4:6). Lets connect with people so they see our connection to God and our light will attract them. They will see our hope, love, peace and joy (Galatians 5:22) and wonder why are we so “together” and why aren’t we in a panic.

We know the burdens of the times are an opportunity for us to connect with and further develop a life of communing with God. Therefore we are to model of a life without worry. Mathew 6:25-27 tells us “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

As stewards of God’s blessings, we are not only responsible for the earth we are to be our brother’s keeper. Now is the time for generosity. We must choose to give because of what God has given us. Our actions are to model what a life of trusting in God looks like. We must allow God to work within us and use the talents He has given us. Our surrendering to God’s can and will become contagious.

So in this season and all seasons to come, Pray…

• Pray for understanding and wisdom on how you are to view and act throughout this financial crisis and the next crisis;


• Pray for God to use you according to His will;


• Pray for guidance as to how you and Grace Bible Fellowship can convert this economic downturn into a kingdom building opportunity;


• Pray that when people see us, they see God’s light in us (Acts 26:18) and not our human imperfections;


• Pray that they will then seek God and enjoy the fruit of the spirit.;

We have trust and faith in our Savior, so lets act on it, now (James 2:17).

Financial Stress and Your Health (pt1)

The Toll of Financial Stress

Greg Ulmer
October 29th, 2008

Research has shown that over half of all workers have money problems and this has produced financial stress.

• 15% of workers in the United States are experiencing stress from financial problems to the extent that their productivity on the job is negatively impacted;


• 33% of America’s workforce report that money worries sometimes hamper job performance;


• 34% of workers rate their financial stress as high to extreme;


• 53% of workers report dissatisfaction with their personal financial situation;


• 54% of workers worry about how much they owe;

This financial stress and it’s related worry and anxiety has been shown negatively affect health in one or more of the following ways:

• Unhealthy Coping Behaviors: People experiencing financial stress are more likely to numb their anxiety by drinking, smoking, overeating and practicing other unhealthy coping behaviors (including gambling, compulsive spending and uncontrolled or misdirected anger).

 
• Less Money For Self-Care: With less money in the budget, people who are already under financial stress tend to cut corners in areas like health care to pay for basic necessities like food. Small problems can go unchecked and turn into larger problems.

 
• Lost Sleep: When under financial stress, people often experience trouble sleeping, which can add up to a sleep deficit, impairing immune functioning and cognitive abilities, causing additional moodiness, and more.

 
• Unhealthy Emotions: Credit card debt can cause unhealthy emotions that can take a toll on health. People can experience anxiety, frustration and a sense of hopelessness as the debt piles up and increasing amounts of money are needed just to pay the interest.

 

These poor coping and self-neglect issues compound stress. When combined with the rising cost of gas and food, the mortgage/bank crisis, unemployment, underemployment and layoffs, more and more Americans are feeling a menacing amount of financial stress. It’s no wonder financial stress is one of the leading causes of stress in America.

This financial stress often becomes chronic. This is where people begin to see physical symptoms. The first symptoms are relatively mild, like chronic headaches and increased susceptibility to colds. With more exposure to chronic financial stress, however, more serious health problems may develop. These stress-influenced conditions include, but are not limited to:

  Please see Financial Stress and Your Health (pt2) ... Relieving Financial Stress

Financial Stress and Your Health (pt2)

Relieving Financial Stress

Greg Ulmer
October 30th, 2008

You can relieve yourself of this financial stress by following the 10 Steps to Financial Freedom (aka The Christian’s Path to Escape Financial Bondage).

1. Transfer Ownership: You must transfer ownership of every possession to God. This means money, time, family, material possessions, education, even earning potential for the future. This is essential to experience the Spirit-filled life in the area of finances (Psalms 8:4-6).

   
2. Become Debt Free: Prepare a written plan to get out of debt altogether. You must also determine what is essential for living, think before buying, discontinue using credit and practice saving. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

 
3. Establish the Tithe: A tithe is the minimum testimony to God’s ownership. It is through sharing that we bring His power in finances into focus. “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

 
4. Accept God’s Provision: Recognize and accept that God’s provision is used to direct each of our lives. This necessitates planning your lifestyle around the provision that God has supplied for you.

 
5. Keep a Clear Conscience: Have a clear conscience regarding past financial practices and personal dealings. Freedom from these may well require restitution, as well as a changed attitude.

 
6. Put Others First: Seeking financial freedom means always be willing to put other people first. This simply means that we shouldn’t profit at the disadvantage of someone else. Again, the key lies in attitude.

 
7. Limit Time Involvement: Limit time spent pursuing material possessions thus allowing family involvement to suffer. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens” (Proverbs 23:4-5). The first priority in life is to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The second priority is to family, which includes teaching from God’s Word.

   
8. Avoid Indulgence: Avoid the indulgences of life by assessing your standard of living. Most of us can reduce our expenditures substantially without a real reduction in our living standard. 

   
9. Get Christian Counseling: It is important to receive good Christian counseling and not to rely solely on our own resources. “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Make use of the Grace Financial Ministry (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or other Christian counseling to assess where your current situation and help you develop and follow a personal spending plan.

   
10. Pray, Study and be Faithful: Pray without ceasing for wisdom and guidance. Study the available materials on God’s principles for managing finances and apply them to your Christ driven lifestyle. Reveal your Faith by trusting God for things you cannot see or manipulate into happening.

   

According to Larry Burkett: “The financial principles given throughout God’s Word are not there to see if we’re strong enough to live by them; they’re given because God knows that they are the best for us. God’s principles of finances are not an arbitrary set of rules by which to govern us; they are a loving Father’s wisdom to those who will listen and trust Him.”

As you work on improving your financial situation, you can reduce stress by practicing faith-based stress-reducing techniques and making other changes to create a low-stress lifestyle. By following the steps provided and making these lifestyle changes, the burden of financial stress can soon be a thing of the past. Then your health and your faith will be Glorious!