Debt Free: There's A Scripture For That...

I hate debt. I think about all those people who can’t pay their bills on time; not out of will not but out of can not. I have been there before. Nevertheless, I hate debt. When my bills come in, I try to pay them as quickly as possible. It’s not always easy, but we pay tithe, so the Lord always makes sure we have enough. I am grateful, though, to serve a God who is more than enough. When we can not supply for ourselves, He is our supply. I used to have an agnostic friend who would joke, “Yes, but when you’re hungry, you can’t eat Jesus.” I would just laugh and shake my head. As much as I tried to explain the principle that Jesus will always supply your needs, he could never understand.

When my husband and I moved to St. Louis in the winter of 2008, it was rough. We had the opportunity to move there with a job he had at the time. They paid for the U-Haul and down payments, fee’s and first months rent on our apartment. We just had to pay for food and rent. I was skeptical from the beginning, because “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” was a statement I grew up hearing. The job was a sales position, and my husband was lured there with the promise of better opportunities, better pay, possible millions to earn. Hahaha…. When we arrived there, they did make good on their promise about the free stuff. But St. Louis was a waste land when it came to opportunity. I had been in a trade school in Mobile, and there was not an opportunity for me to finish with the move. Every where that I asked was either not hiring, or not hiring me. And my husband would go out every day only to have door after door shut in his face. The economy had been hit harder there than it had in Mobile, and we were at a loss. Eventually, my husband got a job at a local restaurant making a decent wage. The hours were long and stress ran high, but we could pay our rent and we had food. But as for paying our bills, that was out of the question. I had always been a follower of Dave Ramsey, but even he couldn’t help me now. It was out of control.

I guess the company was nice enough to cover our payment for breaking the lease, because the first opportunity we had to move home, we took it. We arrived home on April 1, 2009, a day that will forever be burned in my memory. It was the day I stopped taking the little things for granted; the day I learned to appreciate the beauty and friendliness of the South; the day I swore I would never complain again about living for free in a house that Jer’s family graciously let us live in. But I could not move away from the bills. They had been neglected for so long, I was afraid to even look at the balance. I prayed and the Lord gave me an excellent temp job that allowed us to get caught up, and I was even able to pay off a few bills. LETMETELLYOU- there is a freedom in knowing that your debt is paid!!!

Before we came to Jesus, we had a debt we could not pay- not even if we wanted to. Our Creator knew that we were in need of salvation for the debt of sin, sickness and hell, so He sent Jesus to come and die so we could live!! What a Mighty God we serve that He would pay a debt that we owe. It was not easy for Jesus to get on that cross. Even He prayed, asking if there was another way. But He was gracious enough to die so we could live! Hallelujah!!! The only thing we have to do to accept that salvation, that freedom from debt, is accept our Savior! It’s not too good to be true. Upon salvation, we are no longer bound to sickness, there’s a scripture for that; we are no longer bound to death, there’s a scripture for that; we are no longer bound to condemnation, there’s a scripture (and a Savior) for that!!! Thank You Jesus that we can walk in that freedom forever! Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you; may He make His face shine down on you; may you walk in the goodness and mercy of God forever!!!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You paid a debt that I owed. Lord, I can not repay Your kindness, but I will serve You all the days of my life. Give me strength to be like You, to love like You Jesus.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture References:

Romans 13:8 (KJV)

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:7 (KJV)

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Psalm 37:21 (KJV)

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Luke 7:40-44 (NKJV)

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.”41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred tdenarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,

Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 (NKJV)

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:  “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Oh Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Love LIFE (LoveIsForEver):

Stress can really hurt a marriage. If you find yourself overwhelmed: First, give it to Jesus and Second, do something that puts you in your “happy  place.” Take an extra long bubble bath, write in a journal, or sip slowly on a latte and read a good book. I know you can’t escape the world forever, but a few minutes each week really add up. Remember, when you don’t take time to unwind, it effects every area of your life.

Song Recommendation:

If you haven’t already, check out singer Jason Upton. His song “Give Me One Reason” has always helped me put things back in focus. You can check it out on Youtube or Itunes.