90 Day Challenge - Part 2: Financial Fitness

This month I started a 90 Day Challenge to improve my health: spiritually and financially. Please see my previous post on Part 1: God's Word. Welcome to Part 2: Financial Fitness! Onward...

Over the years, I've had my ups and downs financially. I've had hardships. I've had periods of positive cash flow. I've been unemployed. I've worked two jobs while continuing my education. I've worked multiple part-time jobs because I couldn't find a full-time job. Can you relate???

I've also had moments of not knowing how my expenses would be covered and God always provided.I tell ya...struggle can improve your prayer life. God's faithfulness is a blessing and not one to take lightly. I have a responsibility beyond prayer. He is generous enough to allow us all free will. To choose right from wrong. To choose His ways over man's ways.

When a child is irresponsible with what's been entrusted, what does the parent usually do? Take it away, right? The child has a lesson he or she needs to learn. We've all experienced it in some form. We are reminded, "Take care of that which you have been given." God, our Heavenly Father, is no different. He is generous! He is gracious! He is merciful! He gives more than we deserve...and does not give us what we, as sinners, do deserve. But He also expects us to take care of that which He has given us.

James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." Remembering that all good gifts come from God, our Father, should prompt us to be especially wise with our finances. When times are tight, it's hard to even think of anything beyond making ends meet. I can relate. I've been there. 

So where do we begin when things are not where they should be financially? I have done several programs and one that has helped me the most is Dave Ramsey's book "Total Money Makeover". I've posted a link to the 7 Baby Steps below, as outlined in the book. One of the best things about the book is the many testimonials in it. Having read it a few times, I'm always amazed how different stories resonate with me. I hope you'll take a look for yourself.

http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/

I will attest that sometimes it seems easy to think you can combine baby steps and maybe reach your goal faster. I will also attest...something WILL "come up" and prevent that from happening. Seriously. Just do the steps. One step at a time. Just as it's written. AND you will make strides to improving your financial fitness! Keep it simple. It's not easy, but it IS doable.

As Dave says, "If you live like no one else now, later you will live like no one else." Translation: Make some serious sacrifices now...for a few months to a few years (however long that takes for your situation). Then, when you are DEBT-FREE and building wealth...You will be able to live like most people will not. Why? Because you will be been debt-free and they will be swimming in debt til the end of their time. I don't know about you...but I don't want "debt" to be my legacy! I want FREEDOM! Freedom to live generously and not be enslaved to whatever "The Joneses" have. I want to live like no one else for the glory of my God and Savior, Jesus Christ!

90 DAY CHALLENGE - PART I: GOD'S WORD

I recently started a 90 Day Challenge. Not because I have "spare time" but because I need to make the most of the time I have. I'm desiring to be more intentional about growing in my faith, becoming debt-free and improving my health. I also desire to encourage others in such endeavors. So here goes!

I have a goal to improve my spiritual and financial health in these next 90 days. I'd love to know yours. If you are like many people I know, you have dreams but no deadline or action plan to reach them. I have been there myself. I'd love to have partners in this "challenge" for accountability and encouragement. Are you in???  Let's Go!

First things, first. God's Word. The most important relationship you can have is with the One who created you, who knows you better than you know yourself, and desires to have you know Him. I'm referring to God. One infinite being in three persons. The Father, The Son (Jesus), The Holy Spirit.

How can you know Him more? Through the Bible. God's Holy Word. Written for all people, to know of Him, of HIS story. Each of us makes a personal choice...whether or not we will choose to believe and follow. No matter where you are currently, this can either be a starting point for or a walk further down the road of your personal spiritual journey.

I'm starting a study...mainly through the book of John, but encompassing other portions of Scripture...so that whether you know a little or a lot of the Bible, you will get to read quite a bit. I hope you'll join me on this journey in discovering more about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Invest your time into being still in God's presence and on mediating on His Word. Ask Him questions (you can ask me too!). Ask Him to give you understanding. Remember, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

For Bible translations, I recommend the New King James Version (NKJV), New American Standard Version (NASB) or New International Version (NIV). Be sure to have a copy of the whole Bible, including both the Old and New Testament. Additionally, grab a journal (or any notebook) and a great writing instrument. Now, you're ready to study.   

Each day, read the passage(s) a few times through, prayerfully. Then make notes on your reading in your journal (questions, verses that speak to you, themes that stand out, etc.). Let's get started:

Day 1:  Read Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 (might as well begin at the beginning)...then Read John 1:1-5
Day 2: Read John 1:6-13 
Day 3: Read Luke 1:26-38 & John 1:14-18 
Day 4: Read Mark 1:1-8 & John 1:19-28 
Day 5: Read Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:29-34 
Days 6-7: Re-read the above passages. Do you have answers to any of your initial questions? Any new questions? Additional thoughts from what you wrote when you read these the first time? Jot those down.

I welcome your comments, questions, and look forward to hearing your thoughts/insights ("A-ha moments" if you will). Please share by commenting below.  I hope you'll "follow" me during this journey on this blog. Simply click the follow link or enter your email to the right.