“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31 (NIV).

Pastor Judah Smith from The City Church in the State of Washington gave a prophetic word on February 15, 2009 that every believer should listen to! The word of the Lord was encouraging, instructional, and it revealed part of God’s plan and purpose for his people.

If you need to hear a word from God…

If you are in need of encouragement…

If you want to understand what this season is about…

Take a few minutes and watch this video. You will be so glad you did. Your spirit will rejoice for it will be nourished by the Lord himself.

Pastor Judah Smith’s Prophetic Word February 15, 2009

I have a love/hate relationship with credit cards. I have three of them – but soon I will have only two. My decision to cancel the third came as a result of the Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009. This act hasn’t gotten a lot of press; however, there are some points I think need to be highlighted.

1. Expect rates to rise. Section 171 of the Act which has since been struck out, scared the credit card companies. Essentially this section says if a credit card company can’t change a fixed rate card interest rate until your card expires. My AX has gone from 7.99% fixed to a variable rate that equals 15.99%. AX will be getting my cancellation notice shortly.
2. Lower limits. Credit limits will be lower as the new act is forcing credit card companies to “live within their means.” If you have any type of risk in your credit profile – you’re going to get less than ideal terms.
3. No over the limit fees. The new Act gives the consumer the right to opt-out of over the limit fees to avoid going further into debt for ANY reason. Since some companies have been known to lower credit limits without telling their customers in advance – then notifying them after they went over the limit, I am behind this change 100%.
4. No fees for payments. In the digital age paying by phone, fax or computer would be cheaper. The Act has to spell out that companies should not charge for different methods of payment. Another plus for the Act.
5. Introductory offers will decline. Teaser rates that give 1.99% for the life of the loan look good, but – once that period is up now there are two balances. One at the introductory rate and one at a higher rate. Payments are applied the lower rate – forcing card holders to carry the high interest longer. Well no more, the Act requires companies to apply principle payments to highest interest rate first.

The good news is this act should force credit reform. The bad news is that those held in the pinch won’t be seeing the advantages – at least not right away.

If you want to increase you need help to understand credit, or to repair your credit I have three wonderful e-books you can download. Just click here the link…

The Credit Secrets Mini E-book

The Credit Info Repair Kit

Your Guide to Perfect Credit

Next time, we’ll cover things you can do to reduce your reliance on credit cards or at least their impact on your life.

Cheryl Richter is a Christian that happens to be a CPA. She has over 15 years of experience in the Audit profession. She has written for the Kansas City Star, Faith section.

Today the family decided to make peach jam. We were a little intimidated at the task because we felt that it was something that only a chef could do right. We were surprised to learn that it was a simple and easy process.

We had to make sure we had our ingredients:
1 quart of peaches (peeled, pitted, and cut up)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 pack pectin
1 cup sugar (agave) although the recipe called for 7 1/2 cups of sugar

We used our Montel Health Master to blend and cook all the ingredients. Then we poured it into the heated jars, sealed them with the heated lids and the jar caps.

Now the peach jam is cooling–we have to wait 12-24 hours too see if it came out right. But we did taste it and it was wonderful. If it does not gel we can redo the process by adding more sugar, lemon juice and pectin.

Or we can use it as syrup as my youngest son suggested. Either way it will not go to waste. If you want to learn more about making jams check out…

Or you can visit www.freshpreserving.com to learn more about making your own jams and jellies.

Next time…we will share with you how our watermelon rind preserves comes out.

God’s first missionary left his world to come to ours as a baby. He traveled beyond the stars and to constellations. He broke through the natural barriers of the atmosphere to be planted in the womb of a woman.

He lived among us as one of us—eating our food, wearing our clothes and adhering to our customs. He allowed us to teach him, feed him, and instruct him—though we were flawed and sinful he took our counsel.

He walked among us as a meek and compassionate friend. He manifested pure love and selflessness—that was unheard. He did not repay an eye for an eye—he forgave and instructed us to do the same. The earth was Jesus’ missionary field. He preached the Gospel and shared the Fathers love with all who would hear.

He cried with us when those we loved died. He worked with us when we needed wine. He healed us when we were sick. He forgave us when our sins our sins would have destroyed us. When the wealthy shun us, Jesus came and sat down. At every turn, he met our deepest needs and planted seeds in our heart for God.

He asked nothing in return for his coming. He simply came to give—to share the abundance of God’s love with us.

If Jesus could leave the presence of God…his home in glory…his position of high honor to come and toil in the missionary fields of earth should we not do the same?

We don’t have to cross galaxies. We don’t have to fly through the heavens or pass stars to work in the mission field. We just have to open our hearts. And as we open our hearts to the needs that are all around us—we too will be at work in the mission field for God.

And like Jesus, we will show God’s love and compassion toward those who absolutely need a reason to hope and are in need of rescuing.

Just say the word with me – budget. It almost sounds like a curse word. I admit, on occasion I’ve muttered a few expressive words when working on a budget. I know we have checkbooks (paper or electronic), what do we need a budget for?

1. It’s a planning tool. Your budget should reflect your income and realistically project what you can afford. I’m lucky enough to have a weekly budget, but if I got paid monthly it would be a monthly budget.

1. It doesn’t have to be complicated. I use an Excel spreadsheet. It lists what comes in and what goes out. I also track what is due when so I know when I can “splurge” or when that annual association bill is due. Usually I go plan out about 1 year – but monthly or weekly works well too.

1. A budget looks forward. A checkbook will tell you what you spend and it can show your habits – like a food diary. It will tell you where you have been. While a budget tells you what’s coming up. Not just a light bill, but how about having cash for your next vacation or even paying cash for Christmas?

1. It’s not perfect. Setting unrealistic goals will make your budget ineffective. Keep in mind that a little padding is necessary for the unexpected car repair or doctor visit. Make sure you go back and revisit your budget as your lifestyle and your goals change. Your budget should change with you.

Budgeting should be easy. Consider it a road map to security. Sure you might make a few wrong turns, but the point is to enjoy the ride. Keep it simple and let it change with you. You may decide a little debt is worth the cost – a budget will only help you make an informed choice which is all financial planning is about.

If you want to increase your financial intelligence I have a wonderful e-book you can download. Just click here the link… Enhance your Financial Intelligence

Up next, credit cards. Why do we need them? When do we use them and how do we get rid of them? I struggle with this and I bet you do too. Hopefully, we’ll find the answers to these questions together.

Cheryl Richter is a Christian that happens to be a CPA. She has over 15 years of experience in the Audit profession.She has written for the Kansas City Star, Faith section. You can contact Cheryl via e-mail at c.l.richter@hotmail.com.

“He did it again,” Juanita cried as she held the ice pack to her black eye. Sobbing she said, “He’s been under such pressure trying to pass his finals. And you know his family is always on his case. I’m the only one on his side.”

As I listened to her excuses for Jimmy her boyfriend, I got mad. Why is she settling for his abuse? She deserves better. Is this the life she wants? What should I do or say as her friend? Should I support her with this and keep my mouth shut? Should I tell her he’s a looser and she should dump him?

Lost in my thoughts I didn’t realize Juanita was staring at me waiting for a response. “Juanita, you’re my friend and I want the best for you. Jimmy doesn’t love you. Remember what we were taught in Sunday school, love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Is Jimmy kind to you?”

Shaking her head, Juanita said “No.”

I continued, “Leave him. It’ll hurt, but hurts heal. If you stay with him you could end up….”

Blinded by my tears I labored on, “I love you, you’re my best friend its better for me to speak now then to speak over your grave.”

Nodding in agreement, Juanita said, “Its true Michelle, I deserve better.”

Meditation: Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals on their heads, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 (NTL).

“Complain, complain, complain; all she does is complain! I’m so sick of it! I can’t do anything right. Why try?” I mumbled to myself.

There has to be a better way to make money. Why should I have to put up with Ms. Perfect Anderson’s constant complaints? Criticism and belittling is all I get from her. No praise, no job well done, she is never satisfied. I just hate coming to this job! She has sucked the life right out of me; my joy has shriveled up like a prune. She’s a vampire. Maybe I need to get a cross! Laughing to myself, “I should buy one for real.”

Just then, like a peacock, Ms. Anderson strutted over to my cubicle. With a condescending tone, she said, “Is there nothing you can do right? This report is all wrong. Do it over now! I want it ASAP by COB.” She threw the report at me; it missed my head by an inch. Smugly she turned and sashayed down the aisle. I’ve just been doing this job for twelve years; I’ve received awards too. You arrived here six months ago and now I’m incompetent? I run my house, kids and this office; who are you to question . . . .

Have you ever encountered difficult people- you know the type-the ones only a mother could love? Want to move from victim to victor without loosing your mind or your temper? Heap coals! Be polite and respectful and when temptation comes flee, even if it’s just in your mind. Decide if it’s more important to preserve your character or to let them have it. What will your choice be?

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.” 1Peter 5:7 NLT.

“Mom, birds don’t have anything to worry about. They are free to soar above the world,” Shamalie said as he watched a bird perched in a tree.

“Birds do have things to worry about.”

“Like what?”

“Birds care about building their nests in a place of safety for their eggs; or finding food to feed their young. Birds aren’t so different from…mothers?”

Shamalie gave me an inquisitive glance. “They’re not?”

“No. They don’t face many of the stresses that I face on a daily basis like, balancing the budget, making that last can of tuna stretch, or getting you to soccer practice. If only my life were as simple as that of the bird,” I said smiling. “The amazing thing is it could be!”

“I know Mom…you just need to cast our cares upon the Lord for He cares for you… is that what birds do?”

“Yes, they do what they can, what’s in their nature to do, and then they leave the rest up to the One who created them. It’s not always easy to do, but it is doable. If you have tried everything else what do you have to loose?”

“Nothing, Mom…nothing!”