John & Harold at April conference in the Netherlands To subscribe or add a friend click Here     Kings - Breaking Poverty   Catching a cold happens when we get "what's  going around." I've noticed the latest spiritual cold is a season of "financial fear." One of the enemy tactics is to sow an atmosphere of fretting over God's faithfulness. Here's what I believe the Lord is saying to those being stretched. I will never leave you nor forsake you. It is my plan to cause you to ride on high places and know the freedom of generosity and to share that aspect of my nature. For even as I grant the desires of your heart, I will place a longing within you to bring others into that same place. For I will multiply your resources, your influence, and your stature among men as you show them the God whose cup runs over and who blesses beyond your expectations.  Let your doubts and fear be burned as fuel in prayer to unveil the storehouse of heaven and see the goodness of God toward you. We live in a natural  world where the prevalent economic theory is based on scarcity; Yet we also live in the Kingdom of God where abundance rules. You can make the transition from scarcity to abundance by adopting God's economic theory in three simple areas:   1. Abundance is the nature of God - While in college our professor taught us that major projects were always plagued by a shortage of money and that the job of engineering was to find the best option that fit the available finances. However, when God does a project everything he wants is accomplished and there are still resources left over. It's his nature to provide "too much"... not just a little too much, but exceedingly too much! Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Eph 3:20  KJV We spend a lot of time budgeting around our "scarcity" to see what we can do with what we have. Here's a suggested therapy that will help you focus on God's abundance instead of your scarcity. In addition to having a responsible budget and being a good steward, let your heart dream about what you would do with abundance.   Sue and I played a little game this week. I suggested we both make a list of the things we would do with $1M. One of her requests was to put a few items on my list, so I had to change our dream to $1M each. That thought process puts you closer to God's heart than your budget does. What would you do if there were no limitations on your time or finances?   God's abundance doesn't just apply to finances. He wants abundance to be the norm for all your emotional needs as well. Think about the metaphor, "river of delights." You can't exhaust the level of God's blessing any more than you can drink a river dry! They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Ps 36:8-9   2. Take steps to make it happen (initiative) - Have you ever noticed the blessing on Jewish people. They have a reputation for doing well financially in business and they are clearly visible in the arts (TV for example). I want to suggest that favor is rooted in their concept of God. They don't wait for God to detail out every step, they start down a path and expect God to bless it.   Although Christians have a much clearer concept of the reality of Jesus, we often carry a poverty mindset that requires God to lead us through every step (or we won't move). We know God wants us to delight ourselves in him (Ps 37:4). He also delights in your way (Ps 37:23). We have a dormant little theology whispering that all our plans are sinful, when God really wants to take delight in our initiative. If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Ps 37:23-26 3. Praise God for His faithfulness - When we look back over our lives, we have to admit that God has been faithful even when we were not. Praise puts fear in perspective. When you are in need of God's intervention, remind Him that you really do trust him and appreciate His answer - even if you wish the schedule was sooner. Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. Ps 37:34 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.              Ps 37:39-40     Blessings,   John & Harold   PS: if you enjoyed this article your might also like "How You Can Break Off Poverty and Embrace Prosperity."  The full story is in our book Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace.     PS: we get lots of interesting feedback on these newsletters at "You Wrote Back" http://www.releasing-kings.com/you-wrote-back.html        _____________________________________________________________________   Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings.  These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry.  Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html.  If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.     Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings.  It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions.  This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. john@releasing-kings.com 509-308-6873     Friends Tell Friends Harold and I have both been hesitant to "market" this book... sounds self-serving.  Here's the "grassroots" reality.  God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way.  If you haven't read it - get it.  If you have read it - give it.  http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html   We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it.  Reloading Seniors was powerful.  Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html   PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective.  You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html     ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html