“Chains of Fear Broken”

God is so good and perfect in all his ways. I've been giving my tithe but I would always leave until last to pay so when I didn't have enough to cover my bills I would "owe" God till next paycheck. One day the truth all hit me, God revealed to me that He has to be the first in my life and it's why I never had enough! That the truth is, I just have to have faith and trust Him. So I did! I was able to just let go of the fear! Thank you Lord! And since then I have seen His blessings over and over until it overflows just like it promises in Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

I thank my Lord allowing me to experience His goodness, by doing what He asks. If we just let go then He will be faithful to not forsake us and keep His promises.

Dear Friend, do not be afraid, the Lord has His arms open and He will hold you up with His right hand. He is so faithful. Just rest in Him and allow him to help you overcome this fear of tithing or any fear you have, give it Him, you do not have to carry that heavy cross, just give it to Him, you will run the race faster after you give your cross to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just be still and know He is God, the creator of Heaven and Earth, There is NOTHING impossible for Him. Believe and Keep your eyes set on Him, don't let the distractions from the world get you out of way from the race you are running.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you." (Isaiah 43:2)

Our HH is so faithful, and I will sing praises to Him all the days of my life. He has always been with me in the fire, just like in the story in Daniel, when his friends were in the fire, God was with them and their chains were undone. This is what my Lord showed me, that when I am in the middle of the fire He is right next to me, and while I'm in it He breaks those chains, I am not taken out from the fire for a moment (at the end He always delivers me), but as long as He is with me I know I will be peaceful and joyful. The more I see His Grace in the fire the more I fall in love with Him. I encourage you to open your heart fully to the Lord, give Him your worries and fears and in exchange He will give you joy and peace. Don't wait and tithe first showing Him you trust Him.

~Marilyn in Oklahoma, RESTORED

“I’m the Only Hindrance”

First I have to thank to my Husband who spare me of ANY financial lack during this whole journey. He and only He took amazing care of me and my son.

When I read this chapter from the Weekly Message, I had to stop and think how could I live my life before without the knowledge that He—the Husband, who is MINE is the Source of everything? He is the Source of every blessing not just in my life but in life of others. Who can be more proud to have such a Husband, than we—His brides?

Everything that was said here was so encouraging and it is bringing me to the point of trusting and even testing Him more and giving Him chance to bless me even more than I am now—because I know this is His nature to bless. I am the only hindrance why I am not bless the way He desire.

When I came here to RMI, it was the first time I understood and got great explanation about tithing and any blessing from the Lord and how does it work. Now I can say I really am blessed in everything. But I am sorry for all the people even in my own family, because even though they see how blessed I am, I openly speak about the Source of my blessing, they still keep believing in their own power and luck or unluck. I learned the most important principle, that if I have luck in any area, you have to give the little what you have to be blessed.

I also learned (not only in this chapter but on this Journey), that our Lord wants us to increase in everything. He wants us to have abundance of everything. He wants us to enjoy everything He is blessing us with. His sources are limitless and He is happy when He can bless us.

There is many many things I want to apply and not to forget: I want to remember this amazing principle of giving in the middle of any need I have. Either it is financial lack or lack of support, love, encouragement….., in everything I want to give first. And not just because I want to get more or be blessed, but I want my heart to be in the right standing before the Lord. I want to be more open to His leading, where He wants me to give and bless others. Not based on my own understanding or based on where I see the need, but where He knows is the best.

I also never ever want to panic in any situation. I know He has everything under control and He is just preparing the areas to bless me. So in the midst of everything I want to follow His lead. And even though I face Red Sea I know it is just opportunity for the Lord to bless me. Everything is for my benefit. Such a wonderful way to live my life.

In everything I encounter I say, “Lord, You are about to bless me” because He covered everything. I also want to forever remember every single blessing from the Lord and share it with others. But I also have to remember that I am nobody to be praised. Only the Lord deserves all the glory, praise and honor for everything He is doing.

Father forgive me for not knowing where my blessing was coming from. I thought that it was me doing, or my own wisdom what gave me good money, work and everything good in my life before my journey. Now I also remember that I couldn’t understand the thing at the beginning of my Journey, that You are the Only One who will be praised for everything. I wanted to be praised, or admired for what “I” did. Forgive me my Love. I know how my pride really hurt You.

My only Love. I feel the urge to thank you again and again that You have chosen me. First I did not understand why me and the pain. But now I know that behind the scary things was Your desire to bless me. I am so thankful that You led me to step out of the boat in many many things and You are still showing me other things. All what I want is to praise You, to worship You because there is no One like You. You are the only One.

Dear Brides, I wish we all could grab this truth together— to see only the blessing and miracles waiting for us behind any lack or need in our life. We all are the chosen one, we are the Brides of our Jesus, so let’s let Him prove what He wants to be to us—the Provider, Comforter, Lover and the One who is meeting every need. All what we need to do is to give. Give in any area where we would love to increase (where we are in need right now). He really is faithful.

From today’s Chapter the Bible verse has been on my heart, Deuteronomy 28:8-13, which is the proof that He is the One who own all the blessing, miracles, finances, everything what we ever need. We really are so blessed that He chose us for this life changing journey.

“The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you. The Lord will establish you as a people holy to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.  And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name [and in the presence of] the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord shall make you have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of your body, of your livestock, and of your ground, in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do them.” Deuteronomy 28:8-13

~ Andrea

“Living Rent Free!!”

I should not be amazed by what He can and will do. But I am!! Before coming to this ministry I had just started going back to church. I was only giving a small offering each week, just enough to say I gave. But coming here to this ministry they have shown me what God expects me to tithe and how. They showed me that I am to give my first 10% from each paycheck. In the beginning it was hard to even give that much because I thought I would run out before my next paycheck. And honestly I did run out. During this time I was living with one of my co-workers and we were renting this house together. I was just coming out of the divorce and I was at odds with my parents. My parents were hurting from the divorce also and I felt like they did not understand my feelings. Things were still collapsing before my eyes. I was trying to do things “myself.” I thought I didn’t need anyone to take care of me. And I didn’t want people to think that I was helpless because my husband left.

Even though I was benefiting from the RMI courses and Encourager, I continued to give faithfully my 10% to my church because at the time I thought that I was getting “fed” at my church more. I still remember the day when I had to call my parents and repented. I had to apologize for the way I was acting and asked if I could come home because I couldn’t stand on my own two feet. Of course they allowed me to move home! They were so understanding and helped me pack my things up again and move home. Then things started to turn around. My relationship with my parents improved. We started to talk more and we re-established our relationship. We even started to talk about God. We openly talk about Him and His word!!

Once I began to to tithe to my true storehouse, RMI, my paychecks started to go further. I also was living rent free at my parents. I know that if I didn’t start to tithe I would still be in financial crisis. I am not saying I have everything that I “dreamed” to have but I cannot say I’m lacking. Now I’ve moved out of my parents house and living with my best friend and her family. And yes, I’m still living rent-free here too. So yes, He does provide. I don’t want to give up on giving because I know that He is my provider. Everything that I have is His first.  

Please pray with me if you struggle is this area: Lord, I come to You with many hopes and dreams for the future. I struggle sometimes in believing that You are bigger than You are. I feel sometimes I need to step in and take control because I sometimes don’t see You working. Help me see that what You want to bless me with takes time and patience. Continue to show me that You are in control of everything and nothing is bigger than You. I’m thankful that You are my provider! I’m thankful that You allow me to make mistakes but You are always there giving me Your grace. Thank you for making my mistakes into something beautiful. Help me to continue to have a humble and giving heart. Continue to show me that everything that is mine is actually Yours. Help me bless others with Your gifts that You have given me.

Dear Brides, Don’t walk away from this most important principle. Don’t be like the widow women in Mark 12:42-44 which put in everything—all she had to live on. He will provide!! Don’t be like the rich in Matthew 19:24 that wants to take everything to heaven. Everything is His!!  He will continue to provide for you even when you don’t think He can. Start tithing and giving back to Him!! He will not disappoint you. He will start to bless you in many areas of your life.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. (Mark 12:42-44 NIV)

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24 NIV)

The more of ourselves that we give the more we will be blessed with!

~ Angel

“Desperate to Save My Marriage”

Tithing is a very important principle, and it’s why I wanted to share my heart with all of you. I think maybe one of the most important and a big problem currently is that ministers does not want to preach on this principle for fear of what people will think.

This has been a principle that has been hard to do due to my financial situation but also the most fruitful after the Lord helped me to stay true to this.

I do believe that 3 of the most important keys to unlocking a happy and fruitful life here on earth is giving, praying and fasting. And part of giving is also tithing. Realizing that everything comes from the Lord to start with.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9. In the beginning whenever I would tithe, I would first calculate what I could do with the money. Another sin of mine was not realizing that all I have comes from the Lord, nothing is earned for myself.

If you’ve struggled to tithe or tithe faithfully, pray with me:

Dear Lord, thank You so much for bringing me to this ministry in order for me to learn the truth and not have my ears tickled. I also pray that every lady that comes here see and experience the truth for herself so she does not leave this ministry having the enemy convince her that the ministry is out to get her money. I also pray that you help every lady to keep on tithing even when she does not see results right away. Lord, this very important principle lacks so much in churches today and that is why it is so easy for the enemy to come in and cause division among members. Dear Lord, please give us wisdom so we can know when a door has been left open for the enemy in order for us to grow as a ministry to lead women to You so You can become their dear Heavenly Husband. I love You with all my heart, Yvonne.

Dear Brides,

I did not say much in my form because what I wanted to say I want to say to you. I want to tell each of you the following about this principle: When I first came to RMI and realized how much emphasis is placed on tithing, of course the enemy whispered in my ear and I wondered if this ministry was just in this for the money because I have never seen any other ministry preach this principle so avidly. But to be very honest with you, I was so desperate to save my marriage that I tithed anyway. First just giving a donation while I was still attending church and then after realizing I was spiritually fed here I gave to the ministry. Again just because I was going to do everything right in order to save my marriage. Yes, I was that desperate:).

But despite my motives, I could see the effect of tithing immediately. Not in my finances as that was still a total mess but in my personal life. I was happier, more content. My faith in the Lord grew by the day. It got to a point where a friend of mine later said that she thought I was crazy for tithing because it was causing more financial damage, she told me that she really thought I could have used my tithing money more wisely. I was able to go through trials without breaking down. And yes, I do believe now that this was due to me tithing.

The Lord says He will rebuke the devourer, He does not only say, when it comes to finances, I believe it is every aspect of our lives. Even when I would sin due to my disobedience at times, I believe I was protected from more terrible consequences due to His wonderful protection. In my finances I could see the difference that although I did not have more money at that stage, the little we had suddenly went a very long way. Then the more I gave, the more I got. Suddenly my FH would start paying for things and when he heard something broke in the house he would pay for it. There are so many instances I can mention where the Lord helps me out financially.

My FH are even paying half of the bond (mortgage in the U.S.) on our home, this is not specified in the contract, he is doing it because the Lord is taking care of me. The months I really could not afford it but did it anyway, the blessings were even more. I cannot begin to explain to you how important this principle is, but my life is a living testimony of this principle. The way I see it in my head is that the blood of Jesus protects us, I see it as a glove that fits snugly over me protecting me from outside forces but when I follow His principles in the bible that glove spreads out and becomes a tent covering me and all my loved ones that lives under this tent with me. The same goes for the ministry, if we all tithe faithfully we are protected under this tent together and the enemy is kept on the outside. If you don't believe me then test the Lord and see if He will not open the heavens for you, He certainly did for me… and everything was based on His word which is why it works for everyone.

"You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." Haggai 1:6-9

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! "Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified," says the LORD.

"You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?" declares the LORD of hosts, "Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house."

The verse that really caught my eye was where the Lord says, I blow it away. That is exactly what it felt like to me. It felt as if it did not matter how much money we made, it was just blown away...

Another verse not in the lesson but which I related to was:

“She doesn’t realize that all she has, has come from me. It was I who gave her all the gold and silver she used in worshiping Baal, her god! “But now I will take back the wine and ripened corn I constantly supplied, and the clothes I gave her to cover her nakedness—I will no longer give her rich harvests of grain in its season or wine at the time of the grape harvest." Hosea 2:8 -9

Wow, these verses shocked me when I first read it. Yes Lord, I did not realize that You gave me all I have.

~ Yvonne

“He Made a Way to Tithe”

By reading FAL chapter 9 “Give” I learnt to trust my HH and to ask Him what He wants me to do. And mostly to obey , when He says give , even if it means giving your last cent , when you don't have anything left , that's when He blesses you more then you can ever think or imagine . I confess I rarely take time out to sit and ask of my HH what he wants me to do with my money after I have tithed , now I do .

I was struggling with what to do with my money after I had tithed , thinking that I can now just do what I want because I had done my part. Little did I realize that everything belonged to Him even that which is left over ,and to go to my HH and ask Him how He wants me to spend what is left .Thank You my HH for opening my eyes to see this . I so love You … and I also want to thank Him for making a way for me to tithe. Living in Botswana, when I wrote to RMIEW Office they to explain the problems I was having, they put me in touch with Yvonne who lives in Botswana too and now I know the devourer will be rebuked and I will be able to get the blessings He has rather than them being stolen.

~ Mercy

“Become A Cheerful Giver”

I was really blessed by this chapter I read in one of the Weekly Messages. It was something that I really needed to learn and take in.  Not only do I long for and want to give, but I want to become a cheerful giver. However, I never understood how I could give (especially financially) when I am struggling financially myself. I would hold onto every penny I could and calculate things so I didn’t go over my limits I had set. I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough money to cover bills or cost of food. This is a huge hurdle that I need to be able to cross. I find myself yearning to help people monetarily, but then I look at my account and my bills and say, “How can I give to them, when I barely have enough to cover my family’s needs or my needs?”

But therein lies the problem, I was looking at what I could “see”and asking myself these questions. I was lacking faith, or at least not applying it. I didn’t know how I could “do” for others. Well, I can’t DO anything without my Beloved!  I wasn’t asking my Beloved, the One who is the Source of it all, the One who owns everything. I was leaving Him out of this area of my life, not allowing Him to take over my finances and be in charge. I wasn’t allowing Him to lead me and show me how He wants me to give in order to be a blessing to others. I didn’t realize that it is during my lack, that He wants to increase what I have. He wants to show up in my life and bless me, if I will bless others.

Before this chapter, I always thought that I must give whenever I see there is a need. But this is wrong on my part, God will guide and lead me to give as He sees fit. If there is a need, He can use others to fill and bless that need, unless He is using that lack to get that person to cry out to Him. He doesn’t want me going around giving, He needs to be present in my giving and open the doors. However, I must stay close to Him to be able to discern if it is Him guiding me to give, or if it is the enemy trying to wear me out or steal from me.

My mind was renewed as I had forgotten that with each and every trial, test, temptation, or crisis, God already has a plan in place that includes a blessing at the end. He does not want us to think up our own plan on how to get out. Instead, He simply waits for us to come to Him, not in a state of panic or pleading, but in utter trust just as a child would go to a father who could (and would) fix anything! Instead of being worried or anxious about finances, any trials, or lack in my life, I need to rejoice in Him knowing that He is about to increase what I have!

Now I know that it only does this work financially, but this principle of giving works in all areas of our lives. We must give in the midst of our lack as this is when God is saying, “I am about to increase what you have! Now, put your faith to work for you. Believe what you don’t see, walk in that faith. Don’t pull back; don’t begin to fear that you will run out. I am your Source, but I need your faith, shown by your works (walking it out) for this spiritual law to manifest itself.”

Now I have learned that by hoarding all that I have, and not giving away what He wants me to, I am behaving unbecomingly and not acting like God’s child or the Lord’s bride. By behaving like this, I am not drawing others to want to know Him. This is why I must go to Him, repent of this behavior, and ask Him to change me and help me overcome this hurdle in my life. This is an area that I need to totally surrender to Him in order to experience the abundant life He has planned for me.

I thank Him for teaching me more of His principles and His ways through this chapter.

I confess that I have been struggling with giving monetarily when I didn’t “feel” like I had the money to give, or it didn’t look like I had enough to give. However, I have now learned that He will lead, guide, and show me how He wants me to give. He doesn’t just want me to go around giving to everyone and every need I come into contact with. When I give, He wants to be present and open the doors HE opens, as an opportunity for me to give.

I have struggled that it is during the lack that we are to give as God will use this to increase what we already have. We must run to Him and seek His face, speaking to Him about all our concerns, then allow Him to show us how to handle things the way He wants us to handle them. He will take care of us and supply us of our needs. He will increase and give to us, if we follow Him and trust Him by giving when He says and how He says. I need not fear that things will run out or I won’t have enough. I need to run to the Source of it all, who will supply my every need and whose supply never runs out.

I will be SG to show me how to give to others. I will be running to Him and speaking to Him about all my concerns financially. I will lay my financial burden down at His feet and allow Him to carry it. I will surrender that area of my life over to Him. I will trust Him completely that He will supply my every need like He says He will. I will take Him at His word, and trust that His principle and way of doing things work. When I see an area of lack in my life, I will know that is Him saying I am about to increase what You have.

Pray with Me: Lord, forgive me for not surrendering my finances over to You and not trusting that You will supply me of my every need. Forgive me for not giving like I should for fear of running out of money. Forgive me for not going to You and asking for help, and trusting that You would take care of me. Forgive me for behaving unbecomingly and not as Your child by hoarding and holding onto everything that I have, not giving it freely, for fear that I would be left with nothing. Forgive me for counting every cent and tracking it, making sure the bills would be paid. Forgive me for not trusting You, that You would provide since I have professed You are my Husband.

Dear Lord, You are all I want, all i need, and all I live for. You are my Source that will never run dry. Lord, I need You more than ever and I want to have more of You. I want to experience You more, and be a good witness for You. I want to help draw others to You. Lord, change me. Help me to act becomingly and like Your bride. Help me to be a cheerful giver, seeking You, and allowing You to lead me and show me how and what to give. Lord, help me surrender my finances over to You, giving You complete control of them, knowing that you will take care of me and supply my every need. Lord, I need help in this area, I have struggled with it for so long. Help renew my mind that in order to see increase in my life, I must give and the more I give, the more You will bless me. Help me to know that when I have a lack in my life, it is You saying, You are about to increase what I have. Help me to wait on You to provide opportunities and open doors to give how and when You want me to. Help me not to be deceived by the enemy nor be worn out by Him. Help me to stay close to You, holding Your hand, walking by Your side. Lord, You are my everything and I thank You so much for this ministry and all the lessons You are teaching me. Please help me to have more wisdom and understand more deeply the meanings behind what I read.

Please help me recall all the things You have taught me when I need them. Help me to become more like You and change me into the new, beautiful bride You want and created me to  be. I want to be closer and have a more intimate relationship with You. Show me the way, Lord. Help me in my volunteer work with this ministry. Help me to learn the new ways quickly and to have a teachable spirit. Help me to watch what I say, so that I don’t offend or hurt anyone. Help me increase my scores and assignment grades. Help me to do things in Your perfect time. Help me to understand more how this ministry works. Help me to learn and do a better job for You. Give me the words to say when ministering to other women. I can’t do it without You. I can’t do anything without You. I love You and I praise you so much. I am so thankful.

Dear brides, take Him at His word, trust He means what He says and says what He means. His ways work! When we see an area of lack in our lives, this is Him saying to us, I am about to increase what You have. We reap what we sow, so if we want to reap encouragement, we must sow encouragement. If we want to reap financially, we must sow financially, etc etc Surrender all areas of your life to Him and see what He will do once You lay everything down to Him. Go to Him, He is the Source and Owner of everything!

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

I long for and yearn to be a cheerful giver as God loves a joyous giver. However, I have allowed fear to stop me from being a giver. I was afraid I would run out or not have enough to cover my own needs. However, when we experience lack in our lives, this is when He is saying to give what you have left and then He will increase it.

"Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

No matter what we face, any trial or tribulation, we must rejoice in Him!

~ Katy