Dollar Signs

God has been teaching me {alot} about finances lately. Largely because I have been trying to seek understanding from Him so He has been making Himself known in the area of money. Let me first give you some background information of how this all came about! I was offered by my sister and brother-in-law to take over their lease sometime around October. After discussing it with a few people I trust, I felt at peace with moving forward and making the commitment to take on the lease when they are ready to move out. Although, I know I only make enough to live pay check to pay check. Which I concluded was fine, and it is a season I really want to walk out and an experience I feel like God is going to teach me a lot through.

Knowing full well that finances will be a key component of me moving out and how I will be living, I know that God MUST be intertwined in my decisions or else there really doesn't leave room to have faith. There are three main points that God has brought to my attention. These three point have literally impacted my whole perception of money and my thought processes. I pray that these points can add to your existing thoughts of money and how you handle your decisions about the topic.  

{Have Faith} 
{Put Forth Effort}
{Be a Steward}

I'm so excited to talk to you about what God has shown me about these three life changers!

HAVE FAITH

{ Luke 16:10 }

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much"

Faith is a really important component - With faith you can do above and beyond what you think. If you have faith when you have only a little or the bare minimum, you will most likely be able to build lasting faith when God blesses you. Faith allows God to intervene while on the other hand faithless living only positions yourself to get in the way of what God could be doing in your life. While faith is a huge factor in how I will be handling my finances for me it is partnered with effort.  Which leads me to the second aspect that God has been teaching me. 

PUT FORTH EFFORT

Put Forth Effort! I have found that it is crucial to have faith that God WILL show up but to also partner with Him and work for the financial aspirations you have. I know that I have a big part in making my finances run smoothly. If I am being lazy, not being diligent at my job or just expecting money with no effort, that logic has flaws in it. So while I am believing & having faith that God will provide an adequate amount of money I have recently asked my boss for a few more hours at work as a sign that I am putting forth effort that will tag team my faith goals & how I know God WILL be showing up in my life.

BE A STEWARD

Lastly, and the concept of being a steward! This point is really what initiated this blog post. While listening to Dave Ramsey and trying to see if God would speak to me about anything, Dave brought up the topic of being a steward. A concept I am familiar with simply from reading scripture and listening to offering transitions in church. Have you ever experienced hearing something over and over but never really {hearing} it? Until there is a point in life were it is applicable to you and the season you are in. The impact it has and how it resonates is way more personal when you are experiencing and walking through a particular season. The part that really struck me was when I looked up the definition of {steward} and it stated:

Stew·ard

A  person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others

The instant I read that definition I was impacted. I am only stewarding Gods money that He has so GRACIOUSLY allowed me to manage for Him. If everything is His in the first place than money is not exempt from that. I will conduct my life in a way that demonstrates first hand that God is the overseer of my finances. I am only being an agent of what He's given me, blessed me with and asked me to take care of.

The combination of faith, effort & stewardship that God has been teaching me, has allowed me to comprehend and understand my place in handling the way I see money and what I do with my money. I want God involved in every area of my life - money is a big area and I'm desperate for Him to be in the fabric and make up of how I conduct myself. Finances included!    

I give EVERYTHING over to You Lord

Being Cautious

Season 1 Episode 3 "Cautious"

{And this part of my life I call Workin' It Out}

Recently I have been feeling drawn to seek wise council about unanswered questions in order to be cautious about the direction I am heading. I have been talking to those who know me best and really trying to hear God's voice through their advice and guidance. I don't want to get to a state where I am so cautious that I can't enjoy the blessings God has placed in front of me. Instead finding a balance of Godly council and actually living out my walk with God, trusting that He will guide my path as I follow after Him. My desire is to please God and bring honor to Him through my life.

I want to do things right. Relationally, friendships, education, ministry and family. I have noticed myself being more guarded lately, in order to avoid any hurt. Although, mentally I know that is a destructive way of living and thinking, I have been fighting against the trap of shutting people out. I want to be vulnerable because I know how much benefit it is to have honest people living life. Even if it is a little messy at times, honesty is appreciated by God which means I am learning daily how to appreciate it in the same way as He does.

I have been feeling this desire to break through the dark cloud that has been following me for quite some time. I don't want any fear based relationships or hidden secrets. I want an honest jab at a healthy, flourishing, productive and stable relationship. Something that has always been a desire of mine. So as I work through my journey of asking questions and seeking out answers, as well as forming God honoring relationships with people, I will do the things that can not fail me. I will still keep falling madly in love with my God. I will still live each day with a passion to pursue God. I will still bow my knees in prayer. I will read the Bible with an open heart. I will lead by example and walk by faith. I will keep pouring into the lives that God has allowed me to, while still staying humble enough to be poured into and molded as well. I love my God, I am thankful for my life. I worship a Mighty King!

I give everything over to You Lord

Filling Up

Lately, I have been so passionate about living. Literally, passionate about being alive, breathing, walking, talking. I feel so comfortable yet not complacent with where God has me. I am at a place of complete submission to His will. I have "thrown in the towel", so to speak. And no, I'm not implying that I have given up on life, just given up on my ways being more important then Gods will. I have been trying my best to drain my inhibitions and let Gods vision for my life fill me up. It's exciting. More exciting than I thought it would be, honestly! I am a "go with the flow" kind of person, and I have left all my joys, pains, and trails in Gods hands to smooth them out and mark the map of my life.

I am willing and ready to leave, to stay, to travel, to encourage, to conquer, to build new relationships or mend old ones. You know that antsy feeling you get when you know something big is coming up? That is the feeling that rages wild within the Spirit and body. I am just excited! I have spent a lot of years trying to "figure" things out, while, in a way, turning my back to seeking God. So if you feel like you are at a place where you just want to "be there", where ever you feel like "there" is, be patient. God really is concerned about your character, your journey, your growth, your battles fought and won! Also, if you are at a place where you actually don't have excitement for living or to face another day, I have been there too. You are not alone. There is HOPE! If you are willing to drowned yourself in prayer, the Bible, and strong people, you will be able to find the spark for life! Do what it takes to get to where God needs you, trust me, it's worth it!

I give everything over to You Lord

Yes, No, Maybe so

It started with the Pastor Jason, the youth pastors at my church. In a meeting we had Pastor Jason's words confidently spoke, "Sheena, you're gonna be on big stages preaching, bigger stages then we could imagine." I laughed and shook my head "NO!" Then, as days passed it starting sinking in and I kept pondering the thought. Myself on big stages? Talking? Preaching? WHAT?! NO!

I've been praying though, for an opportunity to share my testimony. A little reluctant I must add! I talked to one of my friends about the passion and desire I have to help people with their struggles. I can only say that, now, because I have come out of my battles, not all, but some, and I have seen the Grace, the Love, the Strength, and the provision that God blessed me with.  Something so sweet and so inspiring, that I don't want to keep it just for myself, I want to share the greatness of God.

This morning I was talking to God on my way to school, and sure enough, I told God that I want my heart softened to the idea of me being on stages bigger then I ever imagined. I asked God to use me, to mold me, and to teach me. I think, well, I'm starting to believe that I WILL be on big stages one day. Although I don't know how, or where, or why, I know I will. I need to start living it out, with confidence, or else I will drowned in my insecurities. I want to fight for that. I'm scared. But I'm willing. I'm fearful, but excited. I'm so, so excited! 

I give everything over to You Lord