Prayers of Financial Freedom: From Breaking Curses to Celebration

     As I stated in the last post, there are many Christians who are not free from the bondage of fear over finances. As Dr. Mark Virkler pointed out, many of our ideas about money [and the lack of it] come from misquotations of the Bible, as well as wrong attitudes about wealth in our family lines. For myself, it was my father's upbringing during the Depression that led to a life-long worry about money and falling into debt. As the oldest, it was easy for me to adopt those same fears, and it wasn't until I was 40 years old that I realized my deep-seated worry about having enough money to pay my bills came from my dad. I was determined to let go of those fears and begin trusting in the Lord for His provision. I will tell you, it has been a battle to keep from returning to that bondage.
     As the previous Prayer for Repentance [in regards to Financial Freedom] shows us, we must turn away from the sins of our ancestors and their ungodly beliefs about money. We must believe that it is God's desire to give us all we need to prosper, and then we must trust in Him to provide.
     But Dr. Virkler has outlined several other areas in which we must free ourselves from financial bondage, and I'd like to share that information with you, and then summarize with a prayer that defeats all our financial fears. The first thing I learned is that we can actually have curses spoken over us and our bloodlines. These can come in the form of word curses, hexes, incantations and witchcraft prayers from those who are aligned with the Dark Side. And they can result in financial lack and poverty. Within some of the oaths taken by Secret Societies [such as Freemasonry], you will find curses against prosperity and finances. But we can pray the truth that God wishes to bless us, and we can break agreement with any of these curses and cancel their ability to keep us in lack.
     It is important that we also break any ungodly thought patterns, images, attitudes or ideas that we have allowed to keep us in bondage. We can even erase our cellular memory, cleansing it from the emotions of fear, lack, and poverty. Remember, we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind [able to resist the wiles of the devil]. We must ask for forgiveness for doubting the word of God which tells us He knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not harm us; plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
     We can even do some inner healing ourselves, by communing with the Lord, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any negative pictures from our past that need to be healed, and then journaling what is revealed. Remember, in the spirit realm, there is no time, so God can heal in the past, present, and the future. As you begin to flow in the spirit, more events and images will appear, and you will see the Lord ministering grace to your ancestors, resulting in new freedom flowing down through your family line, ultimately touching you and your descendants. What a time of joy and excitement to see that freedom raining down!
     Next, we can ask the Lord to reveal the gifts and talents He has created in us that anoint us for financial success. We have been uniquely made for service and to glorify Him through the applications of these talents and passions. And we trust the Lord to guide us each step of the way as we stay tuned in to the flow of the Holy Spirit within us. We can pray for revelations of Spirit-given goals for our lives, believing that we will be successful!
     Finally, we should pray prayers of celebration as we discern our faith rising in response to our financial freedom. We will know that it is God's compassion and grace that sustain us and remove all our fear and doubt about finances. We will continue to praise the Lord for His faithfulness in our finances, knowing that such praise silences the voice of the Accuser. And with our promised prosperity comes renewed minds, revived spirits, and increased fruitfulness.
     It is not easy to overcome financial fears, especially when it becomes a familiar spirit in family bloodlines. But when we submit to the Word of God and declare the Truth about how God wants to bless us in all the areas of our lives -- including our finances -- then it is possible to be Overcomers in this spiritual battle. So, please join me in reciting this prayer [out loud] as we declare our Financial Freedom:

     [Lay your hands on your heart, seeing Christ's hands overlaying yours].... Father God, I break all word curses spoken over me by myself or others concerning money. I bind and rebuke all evil spirits that are connected with these curses and have gained a foothold in my life. Poverty has no place within me. Demonic forces, be gone now in Jesus's Name! I declare that the lack the Enemy envisions for me will not prevail over the ability of Almighty God to bless and prosper me.
     Father, I ask that you forgive me for ever believing the lies of the devil regarding money, for Christ's blood has made me clean from the spirit of fear, and I stand clothed in His righteousness, received by faith in His finished work on the Cross. 
     Lord, I embrace what You have spoken, that money is a blessing and a fruit of following Your voice. I put on the mantle of abundance in Jesus's Name. I receive God's anointing, for it is He who has given me the power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to our fathers.
     I break all ungodly mental strongholds of fear and lack and worry, which say I will never have enough. These are lies of the Enemy! You, God, have promised me more than enough. And I speak to my cellular memory, my RNA and my DNA. Emotions of fear, lack, and poverty, be cleansed and erased from my cellular memories. Images, thoughts, attitudes and ideas that I will never have enough, be swept out in Jesus's Name! [Breathe out deeply a couple of times, seeing Jesus sweeping your cells clean. Feel the release]. Thank You, Jesus!
    Now, Lord, I ask if there are any negative events in my family line concerning money that You want to heal. I forgive everyone involved, including myself, others, God, circumstances, and governments. I choose to honor and release them and bless them, in Jesus's Name. Thank You for Your healing, Jesus!
     And, Lord, I know that Your Spirit releases creativity and faith, encouraging me to step forward and succeed financially. Lord, I know that You have anointed me with gifts, passions, and talents which equip me to serve humanity in a special and unique way. So, what paths do You want me to explore? What doors do You want me to knock on? I step forward into new paths, seeing You at my side. I choose to embrace this process of change and growth with a heart-passion full of love, anticipation and thankfulness that You are leading me to victory. By Your grace, I press on to success!
     So, Father, with a big smile on my face, I celebrate my lifestyle of divine creativity, divine connections, divine anointing, and divine prosperity. I celebrate the new skills and talents I am mastering. They carry me to new places, new victories, new relationships, new abundance. Along with my finances, my service to humanity has expanded, and many will be blessed by my life. I enjoy and celebrate this gift of life which You have given me. Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer and for delivering me from this fear of finances. I rejoice in my freedom and my fruitfulness! Amen!

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Thanks to Dr. Mark Virkler, who is the author of more than 50 books in the areas of hearing God's voice and spiritual growth. He is the founder of Communion with God Ministries and Christian Leadership University. He has taught on developing intimacy with God and spiritual healing for over 30 years on six continents.

Proverbs 10:22    The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

    

Prayers Of Financial Freedom: Prayer Of Repentance

     I'm going to confess that throughout my life, the devil has tried to keep me in bondage to the fear of financial lack. Perhaps you are like me and grew up with parents who struggled financially in their childhood, and that carried over to an unhealthy attitude towards money and a fear of the lack of it.
     I recently read an article in Charisma Magazine by Dr. Mark Virkler and it profoundly touched my heart and I want to share some of his observations. He begins by stating that "Finances are one of the greatest sources of fear for people today". I agree with that! It has certainly been the case in my family and I hear that sentiment echoed often by people I come in contact with.
      So how can believers overcome fears and worries about their finances? Some of you may even feel that money is somehow wrong and against God's will. The Scripture 1 Timothy 6:10 is often misquoted as "Money is the root of all evil". In truth, the Scripture reads "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil". We know that Sin is the root of all evil, and it is the love of money, not money itself, that leads to trouble. In fact, in Deuteronomy 8:18, God reminds the Israelites, "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth...". Wealth is not a bad thing. We just need to remember who it comes from.

     So, if you have a fear about financial lack, don't let the Enemy steal your peace or joy. It's okay to pray for a financial breakthrough, and to access the storehouses of heaven. Again in Deuteronomy 28, the Word says, The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your storehouses and in all that you undertake, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you (verse 8). Verses 10 and 12 tell us the Lord will give us great prosperity and will open His good treasure house for us. 
     We need to understand that God has stored things up for us according to our needs, desires, and requirements. In our spiritual life, it means that He wants us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in the love of God, overflowing with the joy of the Lord, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit as well as flowing in the gifts of the Spirit, demonstrating the power of God, radiating the life and nature of God.  In our families, it means that He has stockpiled everything we need for our generations to serve Him. In our bodies, we have access to health. And in our finances, He wants us to have an overflow of abundance; more than we could dare to ask or think... in other words, financial freedom -- enough to meet our needs plus extra to share with others. And it's okay to pray and ask Jehovah Jireh (the God who provides) to open up His storehouse for us. If we are fearing the lack of money or think it is sinful to need it, then we are listening to the lies of the devil. It is God's good pleasure to provide for us!
     Since this is an issue that has affected me and my family, and I'm sure many other families, I would like to take the next couple of blog posts to give you prayers [by Dr. Virkler] for helping you to overcome your fear of money and to step into the abundance the Father has stockpiled for you. This first prayer is a Prayer of Repentance. I suggest praying it our loud, slowly, incorporating any pictures or visions the Holy Spirit brings to mind; letting any emotions flow to make it a heart prayer and not simply a head prayer. And believe that your prayer will be heard and answered.

Prayer of Repentance
     Lord, I repent for my sins and the sins of my ancestors for harboring ungodly beliefs about money. I repent for believing it is wrong to have wealth when others are in poverty. The truth is that You have provided more than enough resources for everyone. Your watchful care, personal guidance, angelic intervention and creativity within each heart releases Your financial provision into our lives. You do this for me. You do this for others.
     I repent for believing that money is evil and thus is to be avoided. In reality, money simply magnifies what is in a person's heart. You said, 'Blessed are the pure in heart' (Matthew 5:8a). Thank You that Your Spirit has purified my heart, allowing me to see You and receive from You.
     I repent for believing that money will disrupt my spiritual life, for it is You and You alone whom I allow to influence my spirituality. I have chosen to receive Your wonderful counsel in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8, Isaiah 9:6) as I encounter You in my quiet time. You keep me on track and reveal dangerous attitudes and actions I am to avoid.
    You have given me unique gifts and a passion to multiply talents, mastering area after area. Every vocation and skill I have is part of my spiritual life, and taking time to master every area You place before me is part of my spirituality. In no way is it secular. So I will take the time to master each area, acknowledging these areas are part of Your kingdom.
     I repent for believing I am not gifted enough to be prosperous. The truth is, it is the hearing and obeying of Your voice that causes blessings to be released in my life (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).  Your wisdom and anointing overcome every natural limitation. You have placed within me a vision for my destiny (Genesis 12:1-3, Proverbs 29:18). You have instilled the passion and gifts to bring it forth (Romans 12:6). I honor and receive each of these and know that by following them, financial blessing will flow. Thank You, Lord.

   In the next post for Financial Freedom, we will consider a prayer for breaking off curses, and a prayer for forgiveness. And I would suggest that you repeat these prayers often to fully receive the blessings they afford. Thank you to Dr. Virkler for these encouraging and powerful prayers. May they grow your faith and understanding of all that God desires for your life.
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Dr. Mark Virkler is the author of more than 50 books in the areas of hearing God's voice and spiritual growth. He is the founder of Communion with God Ministries and Christian Leadership University. He has taught on developing intimacy with God and spiritual healing for over 30 years on six continents.

Psalm 35:27    Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the prosperity of His servant!”     

Who Is Next?

   

     We have all been so consumed with the recent Supreme Court decisions that there's been rarely a ripple in our consciences about the deepening financial crisis in the world.  In case you haven't noticed, the banks in Greece have shut their doors for the week, after there was a run on them over the weekend.
     Perhaps we have become impervious to the doom-and-gloom of financial news.  After all, since 2008 our own economy has been on the decline --- no matter how much the White House and various news organizations would like us to believe otherwise.  And it's been a couple of years since I wrote on this blog about Greeks scavenging for food in dumpsters, and the panic that many felt about their future.  The threat of bank closures has always hung in the air; and now it is reality.
     From my limited understanding, the crisis centers around the European Central Bank (ECB) announcing that it will end liquidity funding (fancy name for a bailout) that was being used to prevent a Greek banking collapse.  Greece's European partners want it to agree to an austerity plan that is unpopular with Greece's leader and its people.  In fact, Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras suddenly terminated negotiations with the European lending institutions, surprising everyone, and called for a referendum of the Greek people on July 5.
      According to a CNBC report, Greeks are expected to vote on whether to accept the bailout measures offered by international creditors, which come with strings attached; they can accept prolonged austerity measures, or reject them and potentially leave the euro zone. This has the European markets on edge, and the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers met without Greece present, to take steps for the protection of the eurozone.
     Of course, this is a risky gamble if the people of Greece vote to exit the eurozone.  What happens next?  Well, for one thing, Russia and Vladimir Putin are waiting in the wings to help Greece solve its financial crisis.  Reports on Russia Today, quote President Putin as saying that Greece has not asked for a bailout of its €316 billion debt, but Moscow could help out by buying Greek state assets in privatization sales, or in other investment projects such as Turkish Stream, the working name of the proposed natural gas pipeline from the Russian Federation to Turkey across the Black Sea. In 2015 the Greek government plans to privatize €1.5 billion worth of assets, and Russia appears ready to take advantage of that strategy.
     You will also find it of interest that Gazprom, Russia's largest oil producer, and holder of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, tried unsuccessfully to buy a controlling stake in Greece’s Public Gas Corporation [DEPA] for €900 million in 2013, when Antonis Samaras was prime minister.  But it's a new day in Greece, with a new prime minister.  Could this play be back on the table? Just think how that would upset the world's apple cart -- Russia would have a foothold in Europe, not to mention a position in the world's strategy for control of gas and oil reserves -- and the future of the world's economy could drastically change.
     But Greece isn't the only country in the world facing financial difficulties, and their situation is sure to affect the stability of the entire globe.  According to Breitbart News, China’s stock markets have been in free fall since June 12, falling almost 20 percent in a couple of weeks.  The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) made a major move, cutting interest rates sharply, to a record low, which in effect, props up the stock market, but it will have little effect on China's economic growth.
     Then there is Puerto Rico’s governor Alejandro García Padilla, who has announced that the island territory will be unable to pay off its $72 billion in debts. As Breitbart's John Xenakis wrote, "Many people have invested in Puerto Rico bonds because they pay 10 percent interest (yields) and because under federal law they’re “triple-tax free,” meaning that you can earn 10 percent interest every year and not have to pay federal, state or municipal tax on the interest you collect. It’s a sweet deal, provided that Puerto Rico doesn’t go bankrupt, because if it does, then you lose most or all of your initial investment.  But the unemployment rate in Puerto Rico is 13.7 percent. Only 700,000 of the 3.5 million people, or 20 percent, work in the private sector. The other 80 percent either are on welfare, or they receive unemployment or other aid, or they work for the government."  (There is a lesson here for us, if we are smart enough to pay attention).
     Mr. Xenakis presents this very important scenario ... Today we have major financial crises in China, in Europe and in Puerto Rico. In each case, officials have made some preparations. But can the global financial system handle all three simultaneously?  Economic gurus have been pointing out that our own Wall Street stocks are in bubble territory, and dangerously close to bursting.  Will the current world economic crisis be the catalyst that causes a panic similar to our 1929 crash?  No one knows for sure.
     So, while America seems determined to ignore the global financial crisis, the reality is that the world sits on the precipice of financial disaster as the world banks struggle to solve staggering debts.  The prediction is that the Dow will react negatively to the latest news from Greece, and it will remain to be seen how the rest of the world reacts.  Could this be the beginning of a political and economic crisis that the Bible predicts?  One in which this end-times prophecy in Revelation is fulfilled? ... “ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [a brief period] as kings with the beast.”  The Bible tells us that conditions will be so desperate and dramatic that these 10 rulers will give their authority to a powerful figure who, as head of a new global superpower, will bring order out of chaos.
    We cannot know when this event will take place, but if you are a Believer, you can be assured that it will happen.  We should all be watching what happens with the Greek situation, and it is undeniable that these are interesting days in which we live....

Proverbs 22:7   "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender."


   

George Bailey vs. The Greedy Global Elites of the Federal Reserve

     My wonderful husband was the impetus for today's post.  He knows that It's A Wonderful Life is one of my all-time favorite movies.  First of all, I'm a huge Jimmy Stewart fan; and secondly, I love the theme of the movie -- namely that each one of our lives touches so many people; we don't even realize how the world would be different if we weren't in it.
     But as PLW was eager to show me, Frank Capra's brilliantly directed movie has an underlying theme that will have me watching it with new eyes and ears.  Let me explain ... First of all you need to know that Mr. Capra was an extremely patriotic American.  After leaving his native Italy at the age of five, and crossing the Atlantic with his family in the steerage section of a ship, he never forgot the lack of privacy nor the degradation.  And he always remembered his father's exclamation at the sight of the Statue of Liberty:  "Look at that! That's the greatest light since the star of Bethlehem! That's the light of freedom! Remember that. Freedom."
     His experiences as an immigrant, and the hard work it took him to achieve success in the film industry contributed to the themes of some of his most famous movies, including Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Meet John Doe, and the subject of this post, It's A Wonderful Life.  All of his films stressed a deliberate reaffirmation of solid, moral American values, and his strong political views.
     As noted in Wikipedia, "Capra’s political beliefs coalesced in his films, which promoted and celebrated the spirit of American individualism. A conservative Republican, he had railed against Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his tenure as governor of New York State, and opposed his presidency during the years of the Depression. Capra stood against government intervention and assistance during the national economic crisis. A man that had come up the hard way, overcoming the disadvantages of an immigrant background, Capra saw no reason why others could not accomplish success through hard work and perseverance."
     One of the primary reasons that Capra disapproved of Roosevelt's Presidency was the collusion between the President and the Federal Reserve, and the effects upon the banking industry.  And this distrust appears as an underlying theme in It's A Wonderful Life.  Mr. Potter represents the Federal Reserve; both are greedy Elites who control the private banking industry and enslave the populace through fraud, fear, and their manipulation of loans and interest rates, leaving all the George Baileys of the world staring into the abyss of debt and financial ruin.  As a video on YouTube asks, "Do we live in a country that looks more like Pottersville than Bedford Falls?"
     In the movie, Mr. Potter took over the banks, guaranteeing them "sufficient funds to meet their needs"; and declares a bank holiday.  This by the way is similar to what Roosevelt did during the "banking holiday" of 1933.  (And it remains a constant threat during our ongoing crisis). It has definitely been the pattern during our country's history of financial difficulties.   During the financial panics in 1907, the Depression, and 2008, the Elites of the Federal Reserve were able to shut down competitors, and snap up assets at fire sale prices. (For instance, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) closed 465 failed banks from 2008 to 2012. In contrast, in the five years prior to 2008, only 10 banks failed.)  And you might be interested to know that the FDIC is a United States government corporation operating as an independent agency created by the Banking Act of 1933, considered a part of Roosevelt's New Deal.
     Another little piece of history comes from a quote by Charles Lindbergh, Sr., father of aviator Charles Lindberg, and a U.S. Congressman who voted against the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.  He accurately portrayed the Federal Reserve as "the strangest and most dangerous advantage ever placed in the hands of a special privilege class by any Government that ever existed.  The system is private, conducted for the sole purpose of obtaining the greatest possible profits from the use of other people's money."  Sounds like the manner in which Mr. Potter wanted to run the Building & Loan upon the death of Peter Bailey, George's father, doesn't it? He proves that the Federal Reserve does not have the same motivation to lend, as do the smaller, private banking institutions.  In fact, Mr. Potter spends the entire movie trying to put George Bailey out of business.
     Would it surprise you to know that there are currently only 6,891 banks in the U.S. -- the fewest since 1934, when the federal government started keeping records.  This figure is down from about 18,000 in the mid-1980's, because small banks are disappearing.  Between 1984 and 2011, more than 10,000 banks, holding assets of less than $100 million faded from the scene.  Nearly 17% failed, while the rest entered into mergers or consolidations.  As George Bailey says, "This town needs this measly institution, if only so people have somewhere to go without crawling to Potter."  In 2014, our choices are rapidly disappearing.  The Federal Reserve is eliminating their competition, just as Mr. Potter tried to do.

     In the film, Frank Capra shows us what can happen to society when there is no longer healthy competition (in the person of George Bailey) to counter the Big Banks; when there are no longer Credit Unions or Savings and Loan companies.  Vice runs rampant, the people are angry and distrustful, and the law becomes corrupt.  Everyone is a renter; no one has a stake in their community.    George Bailey's small Building & Loan is a champion for private ownership of property, and is the antidote to Pottersville (the Federal Reserve's vise grip on finances).  George rightfully asks the Board of Directors, who must decide between Potter's management of the Building & Loan or his leadership ... "Doesn't it make them better citizens and better customers?"  In other words, shouldn't we be encouraging the citizenry to become financially successful, with the opportunity to grow their own wealth?
      But like Mr. Potter, the global Elite don't want to share the wealth; they want to control our level of success, and they are able to do it through vehicles like the Global Carbon tax, or the various trade agreements fostered by the United Nations.  They would not be moved, anymore than Potter was, by George Bailey's passionate plea for the average citizen who does "most of the working and paying and living and dying in the community." George disputes the image that Potter has of the average working citizen as "cattle".  Yet, that is exactly how the Elite see us.
     And if someone like George dares to stand up to them, then they are simply bought off, as Potter attempts to do with George, offering him a high-paying job, expense accounts, trips to Europe, and the ability to buy his wife nice things.  The sad thing is, if George had succumbed to the temptation, the $20,000 per year salary would have been subject to the manipulations of Potter.  As Congressman Lindbergh pointed out,   "They [the Federal Reserve] know in advance when to create panics to their advantage.  They also know when to stop panic.  Inflation and deflation work equally well for them when they control finance."  It's likely that Mr. Potter was more interested in destroying George than he was in growing his ability to accumulate wealth and status.
     And look at what the Federal Reserve has done to our abilities to increase our wealth.  Through inflation, the dollar has lost 90% of its value since It's A Wonderful Life was made in 1947, until 2013.  This deliberate control by the Fed makes it nearly impossible for anyone to gain wealth through hard work and saving.  But is that what we really want our lives to be about?
     That's why I love this movie so much!  Because in the end, we see that all of Potter's wealth and control of finances leaves him cold and embittered.  It's the George Bailey's of the world that are truly rich.  George realizes that his family and friendships, and the honest relationships he has made through his life's work are what really counts.
     And I love to think that perhaps Frank Capra was hinting at some future audit of the Federal Reserve in the final scene as George welcomes the Bank Examiner to complete his own audit.  And we must not dismiss the role that prayer played in turning George's life around.  It was the prayers of his wife and children, his mother and family, his friends, and his business associates that stopped Mr. Potter's evil schemes.  You see, God hates prolonged and unjust treatment, and tyrannical control by immoral men.  I know that It's A Wonderful Life is only a movie, and a sentimental one, at that.  But there are some foundational truths in the way it ended.  I believe that our prayers as a nation can effect the end of the stronghold of the Federal Reserve.  God is stronger than any cabal of global elite, and He is Sovereign over the affairs of men.  Maybe there's a reason that It's A Wonderful Life remains at the top of the film industry's all-time movie lists.  Isn't it time that we look to God and return to the values that George Bailey and his "old Building and Loan" represent?

For a concise comparison between Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" and the Federal Reserve, please take a look at the YouTube video, titled "It's A Wonderful Lie -- 100 Years of the Federal Reserve."

Proverbs 22:16    "Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty."



   
   
   

Congressional Spending Bill: The Wins & Losses For The American People

     I've had a day or so to mull over the spending bill before Congress.  While being touted as a "Bipartisan Compromise", initial reports of the $1.01 Trillion boondoggle reveals where the focus of our elected officials lie.  Remember, these are the representatives that we send to Washington to rule the nation on our behalf -- not to vote for their own ideologies.  Based on an article in The Washington Post,  here is a brief summary of some of the dollars proposed; and it should give us a clear picture of how we will be governed.  Pay close attention to what agencies will be receiving more money, and ask yourselves, "Why"?

Increases In Spending: (You decide if it truly benefits the American people).
•  Campaign Finance:  Through some manipulations and "funny politics", donors can now give $324,000 in campaign donations -- that's a 10% increase over current limits.
•  Centers For Disease Control:  receives an additional $42.7 million, making their budget $6.98 Billion.
•  National Institute of Health:  plus $150 Million in funding.
•  FDA & Food Safety:  an additional $37 million, from last year's budget of $2.68 Billion.
•  Immigration:  There's lots of land mines in this section of the funding bill.  The Department of Homeland Security will only be funded until next February.  (But don't worry, this is probably to throw us off their trail).  Then there's the $80 Million increase for the Department of Health & Human Services for the "unaccompanied children's program" that sees to their health issues.  Add in the $14 Million to help schools absorb new immigrant students, and you can clearly see the priorities.  What about helping the inner city schools, which has been peddled as a contributing factor to the racial unrest in this country?
•  Overseas Military Operations: $1.3 Billion to combat ISIS, and $1.6 Billion to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces; plus an additional $500 Million to train and equip vetted Syrian forces, (who are complaining that they have stopped receiving arms and aid from the U.S.)

Decreases in Spending:
•  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) or ObamaCare:  Congress will try to pull the wool over our eyes by saying that they have decreased the budget by $10 Million for the Independent Advisory Board (so-called Death panels) within the Affordable Care Act; and that there is no new money allocated for ObamaCare.  But I guess they think of us the same way the ACA Architect, Jonathan Gruber, does ... stupid.  But it doesn't take a genius to see that we have been fooled once again.  ObamaCare is still funded, and still exists.  It remains to be seen what the new sworn-in Congress can do to fulfill their campaign promises of defunding it
•  Ebola:  Congress only funded $5.4 Billion, instead of the $6 Billion the President wanted to fight this modern-day plague.
•  Environmental Protection Agency:  Their budget is down to $8.1 Billion, $60 Million less than last year, plus 21% down since 2010.  This budget cut likely means staff reductions.
•  IRS:  Their budget is slashed by $345 Million, and they can't target organizations (such as the Tea Party), based on ideological beliefs.

Wins: (At least from my perspective):  We can take some satisfaction from the following cuts in the budget:
•  Abortion:  There will not be any Federal Funding for most abortions.  I see a Supreme Court case in our future, don't you?
•  Clean Water Act:  Congress has blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from applying restrictions to certain farm ponds and irrigation ditches; a definite win for farmers.
•  Palestinian Authority:  There will be no assistance to the PA if it becomes a member of the United Nations, or UN agencies, without an agreement with Israel.  The bill also prohibits funding for Hamas.
•  Common Core:  There is no funding for this Progressive agenda-driven Educational curriculum.
•  Department of Veterans Affairs:  This department will receive more money and more oversight; long overdue.  $209 Million added to address new costs related to additional medical staff and expanding dozens of facilities.  In addition, the VA's inspector general is getting a $5 million budget increase to continue investigating lapses in patient care.
•  Whistleblowers:  Whistleblowers will now be protected from prosecution should they report allegations of waste, fraud or abuse, even if they sign a confidentiality agreement

Losses For The American People:
•  Egypt:  We are still funding this Muslim Brotherhood-influenced nation with $1.3 Billion in military aid, and $150 Million in Economic aid.  How does this benefit us, again?
•  Guantanamo Bay:  Detainees will still allowed to transfer to other countries -- perhaps to fight again another day?
•  Military personnel vs Federal Employees:  Members of the military will see their pay increase cut from 1.8% to 1% (Generals and flag officers receive a pay freeze), while Federal Employees will see a 1% increase in their pay.  And after the embarrassing scandals regarding elaborate conferences and travel perks, Congress has agreed to ban, or at least "put limits on certain conferences, official travel and some employee awards."  Military personnel, on the other hand, are losing their 5% discount on tobacco-related products at military exchanges.

     I don't know if any of you even waded through all the facts and figures of this post -- or, if you even care.  And I can't say that I don't blame you.  Our government is so out of control with spending and their mismanagement of our trust.  There will be further manipulating of the bill, and there's a good possibility that we may never know all that is hidden in it, or even if it will be enacted as it is pronounced.  But one thing we know for sure ... as a nation, we are far from being fiscally sound or good stewards of all the largesse that God has bestowed on us.  It is readily apparent -- to me, at least -- that if we had to defend our management of all that He has given us, there would be a huge payment coming due.  It's time to reconcile the books and balance the budget.

Malachi 3:8-9   "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you."

Last Minute Buying Tips: And It's Not About Christmas!

     This blog post comes to you courtesy of my husband, Peace-Loving Warrior.  Although his antennae are up and he is all about spiritual warnings, he is also alert to how we can better plan to ride out the storm in terms of worldly preparations.  So, put on your Prepper hats and consider the bargain basement prices on these precautionary essentials.
     In three words, you need to consider Silver, Firearms and Gasoline.  It has been years since all three were at rock-bottom prices, all at the same time.  And for those who are late to the game of preparing for a not-so-bright future; or those of you who think they missed the train and it's already pulled out of the station ... PLW wants you to know that the train has slowed down at a curve, and now's the time to jump on board.
     Even if you don't yet see yourself as a Prepper, you can't deny that the warnings are everywhere ... we no longer hold the Number One spot as the world's Economic Power; the Puppet Masters have done a good job at creating racial strife and civil unrest;  and the dramatic influx of millions of illegal immigrants who are suddenly made legal, threatens to overwhelm our infrastructure.
     Just ask yourself these oft-repeated questions:  Are you better off today than you were last year?  Five years ago?  Ten?  Do you trust our elected officials to do their job, and protect our civil liberties, national security, and Constitution?  Does your dollar buy more or less than it did one year ago?  It is this last question that I want you to concentrate on today.
     It is a matter of simple economics that low prices mean you can buy more for your dollar than higher prices can purchase, right?  So, if you are like millions of other Americans, and aren't quite as confident in our future as you were a decade ago, might it not be prudent to compare the cost of goods that might make the future a little easier to navigate?  And wouldn't it be smart to take advantage of these low prices ... since we all know that they could be gone tomorrow, due to the plots and schemes of the world's Elite.

     So, why does PLW want you to take a good hard look at Silver, Firearms and Gasoline?  First, Silver is currently trading at around $16.48 (with the price set to fluctuate at a moment's notice).  That price is far below the highest price of around $47 in April of 2011 and is close to the period of affordable pricing in the fall of 2010.  Will it fall to the ground floor prices of $9.36 that it exhibited during our national banking crisis in the fall of 2008?  No one knows, but it is significantly lower than around the $22 level this past summer.  There is no time to waste ... if you want to hedge your bets against the dire predictions of our failing economy, this is no time to hesitate or repeat your regrets of the past.  
     After all, for more than four thousand years, silver has been regarded as a form of money and a prized method of exchange for goods --- far longer than paper money; and it's more durable.  Very simply, it is a safeguard against financial stress; and like all precious metals, it survives in periods of inflation, deflation and devaluation.  If our government's $18 Trillion debt doesn't make you nervous, it should -- the exorbitant amount of printed money in our financial system is only serving to make our dollar less valuable, and eventually will cause precious metals to rise.  This may be your last chance to take advantage of that probability -- no more excuses.
      Then there is the price of firearms.  Our Second Amendment rights have never been more precious, as the events of the day point to our need to be able to protect ourselves and our families.  Even if the thought of owning a firearm is foreign to you; that you know nothing about safely operating them, it is time to get some professional training and become a responsible gun owner.
     You've heard the warnings, such as those from Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke:  "Calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option... You can beg for mercy or you can fight back.  Consider taking a safety course in handling a firearm so you can defend yourself until we get there."
     Both PLW and I would add that there is no better time than now to take advantage of this advice.  Prices for defensive weapons are at extremely affordable prices, and they are readily available.  I would remind you that at the beginning of this nation, every colonial household owned a musket to provide food for the table, and as a means of protection.  Those same needs are present today, and an automatic rifle is today's modern equivalent.  In addition, ammunition for these defense weapons is at pre-gun hysteria prices.  So, it's time to get over whatever pre-conceived ideas you have, or the inaccurate information conveyed by the media.  Protecting your family is your responsibility, and firearms ownership is a legal and effective way to accomplish that goal.
     Finally, Gasoline is as cheap as its been in 5 years.  I'm sure you are all enjoying the affordable fill-ups during this time of belt-tightening; both unleaded and diesel are enjoying low prices.  But try to think beyond the immediate timeframe.  Why not consider buying a storable fuel tank for your property and stock up on extra gasoline?
     If the financial analysts are correct, and OPEC's finagling with the price of a barrel of oil might mean the end of our energy boom, think how good you're going to feel knowing that you have stocked up on this precious commodity.  And that's not even considering that you will be able to affordably run a generator in a grid-down scenario.
     So, as you can see, in a way, things have never looked so good ... especially for those who have tarried or delayed in getting in the game.  I don't see how anyone could continue to deny that there have already been some drastic changes in our way of life, and that even more serious events are just over the horizon.
     And, yes, I know that what I have written today concerns our worldly existence.  And I also know that there will be Christians who proclaim that we should simply trust God in these matters; that He is our sanctuary, and we should not worry ourselves with taking steps to protect this earthly life.  But I maintain that the Bible obliges us to preserve Life -- our own lives, and those of others.  It teaches us that we have been bought with a price, and these human bodies belong to Him; they are not to be relinquished without an effort to preserve them for His Glory.
     Moreover, as the familiar verses in Ezekiel 33 warn us, if we know danger is coming to others, and we deliberately fail to warn them, we are guilty of causing harm to the victims.  That in itself is enough reason to bring these tips to your attention.  Whether you give them credence, or take advantage of the opportunities, is up to you.  But there's never been a better time to take stock of your future, or better prices to help you protect it.  I know that this earthly existence does not take precedence over the heavenly, but I'm equally sure that we are to protect and provide while we are here.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20     "Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a [a]preciousness and paid for, [made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."
   

As Goes Detroit, So Goes the Nation

     This is one of those subjects about which I wish I had been wrong.  For several years now, I have been trying to tell acquaintances not to count on their pensions and retirement vehicles.  But we Americans are so trusting in the financial wizards that we've entrusted our futures to, that we believe their empty promises and hear what we want to hear.  (I still laugh to myself when I think back to 2008, and our Edward Jones broker telling us "you need to be in the market for the long haul --- this is America; we will bounce back".

    But back in May of this year, Forbes.com was predicting "We are on the precipice of the greatest retirement crisis in the history of the world. In the decades to come, we will witness millions of elderly Americans, the Baby Boomers and others, slipping into poverty."

     Too many counted on the last three decades of so-called retirement innovations, most notably those promoted by the titans of the pension benefits consulting and mutual fund 401(k) industries.  We now know that 401ks will not provide the retirement security promised to workers.  In fact, Teresa Ghilarducci, a professor of economics at the New School for Social Research, estimates that 75% of Americans nearing retirement in 2010 had less than $30,000 in their retirement accounts.  A serious illness will wipe that out in a single heartbeat.

     As Forbes reported, even if you are among the lucky few that have a pension, you cannot rest assured that it will be there for all the years you’ll need it. Whether you know it or not, someone is busy trying to figure how to screw you out of your pension.

     And now the folks in Detroit are feeling that painful truth.  The civil servants and union members who never thought this day would come, are now finding out what happens when government entities spend too much money and can't keep their promises.  Basically, what happened is this:  the City of Detroit petitioned a Court for protection from their 100,000 creditors and was granted bankruptcy protection by the Judge.  An article on SHTFplan.com reports that unsecured creditors, such as pensioners and bondholders, will receive a $2 billion note for $11.5 billion in estimated debts — in other words, less than 18 cents on the dollar.  

     In essence, that means that the most vulnerable of those owed, the retirees who counted on that pension to see them through their golden years, will be the ones who will suffer the most.  Many of them will see an 80% decrease in the retirement funds they believed they’d receive until they died.  Add the uncertainty of their healthcare situation, due to Obamacare, and the future is looking mighty scary.  They are now facing the terrible truth that the magic spigot of imaginary money has been turned off.

     But when you look past the personal side of this Detroit bankruptcy, you realize that it is only the tip of the iceberg.  First it was Stockton, California; and now Detroit.  Waiting in the wings are East St. Louis, Illinois; Camden, New Jersey; New Orleans, Louisiana and Oakland, California -- all who have seen crime drastically rise as the city police force has been cut in an effort to stave off debt. 

     After the cities, we can expect the states that are in financial trouble to seek their own debt relief through bankruptcy.  And then, of course, there is the big Daddy of them all, our national debt.  We'd better face the reality that the Government will be forced to not only cut retirement benefits promised to federal employees, but will make the case that if they have to give up their retirement funds, you’ll have to give up your 401k, IRA or personal savings.  Think that can't happen?  Think again.... real hard!

     Congressional members have already been talking about a nationalization of America’s retirement funds, and when they are ready to do it they’ll pass the legislation just like they did when they seized 1/6th of our economy by nationalizing health care.  It's the only choice they will have!

     So, like I said at the beginning of this post, I was accused of being on the Crazy Train back in 2008, when I followed the logical progression of our national debt crisis.  Believe me -- I didn't want to be right, and it's not an argument that I wanted to win.  But I'm here to give the same warning I gave five, nearly six years, ago ... our future is not what you thought it was going to be.  Please plan accordingly! Get a second stream of income, stock up on food, and prepare for a rocky future ... Time is running out! That retirement or pension fund, and your 40l(k), are no longer the safety nets you thought they would be.  If the truth be told, retirement is a word that won't exist for many, while poverty may become the new reality.  Start swimming before this wave overtakes you.  You're going to have to save yourself!  

Ecclesiastes 7:10     "Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this."

Better Safe Than Sorry

The following is a guest post from a young financial blogger, Annis Sadowski.   I don't accept just any offer from other writers, but I thought her topic was relevant to both young people and seasoned citizens, and deserved your consideration.  There are so many Americans who are worried about their financial future in the wake of what we have suffered through the last few years, and what we see on the horizon.  I'm not sure any of us will escape the coming hardship, and this guest article will provide no "miracle cures".  But Annis offers some good, common-sense advice and simple ways to approach your financial situation.  As a member of the younger generation, I wanted to encourage her efforts to reach her peers and make them think about their financial future. I applaud her insight and awareness. 

     As the nation is sleepwalking through yet another phase of recession and financial downturn, taking control over your finances has become a necessity, irrespective of your age. Everybody, from teenagers to students; from stay-at-home moms to divorcees and seniors should all be clear about their financial goal and have a clear idea of their financial future. Unless you know how you're going to spend your near future, you won't be able to arm yourself with the resources it will take to stay on the right financial track. If you're confused about the steps that you need to take in order to draw a clear picture of your financial future, here are some vital steps that you should consider:

   •    Adopt the 'no-blame-no-shame' strategy: The foundation of a financial start has nothing to do with some specific financial do's and don'ts. The most difficult step, or coincidentally the first step, is to absolve yourself (or your spouse, if applicable) of any guilt.   Write down the mistakes that you both have created so that you are able to rectify them in the near future.   Be honest and don't blame each other; this isn't about shaming the other person.  Instead, try to learn from your mistakes and help each other make better decisions in order to take better financial steps towards shaping your financial future.
     •    Get a snapshot of your finances:  It is almost impossible to map out a route to your ultimate financial destination if you don't know where you're presently standing.  Therefore before you draw a picture of your future finances, you should know what you have now.  Take a snapshot of all that you have so that you're clear about your net financial worth.  On one side of the ledger, assemble all the details like your savings account, checking account, retirement account, and other investment accounts.   Don't miss out on any source of income that happens to shower extra funds in the interval. Then you should make a list of all the debts that you owe to different creditors.  When you compare the two lists, you'll get a "bottom line" snapshot of your financial picture.
    •    Determine your retirement needs: When you're thinking about your future, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is your retirement.  Retirement is said to be your "golden years".  But when your biggest concern for your retired life is 'money', those years look anything but "golden".  If you don't want debts to mar your retirement, you should determine your retirement needs now, so that you may take the required steps to be as comfortable as possible during those coming years.
    •    Adopt a strategy towards your credit cards: You should then adopt a strategy to pay off your credit cards, and resolve not to use them unnecessarily. Although credit cards are an important part of our lives, you should not overuse or misuse them.   This will only lead to more debt and will eventually spoil your peace of mind.  If you are lucky enough to have a steady source of income, consider carrying cash in your wallet so that you don't resort to using your credit cards unnecessarily.  Credit cards should only be used during an emergency.
     So, when you're mapping your future, these practical steps will help you to keep your finances safe and secure.   Although legal companies abound to help you, should you find yourself in debt, it's always better to play it safe, than be sorry.

     You just might happen to be one of those who can't face our nation's economic monster because you're afraid of what it reveals about your personal finances.  And while Annis's article may not be the "magic pill" for our nation's financial woes, her suggestions will help you take the first steps towards gaining control of your future.  Thank you, Annis, for giving us some fail-safe methods for beginning that important self-examination.

1 Timothy 6:6-8       "But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and[c] we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."