Realigned - Finding God's Purpose for Your Money

Editor's Notes

• #4: Through the years, Jenny and I have met with thousands of people who have all had different financial stories. Wealthy but empty Barely making ends meet In Debt up to their eyeballs Overwhelmed by student loan debt - Stressed out about money
• #7: Whatever you feel when you think about $ is actually what has your heart.
• #9: All of these things currently have our hearts
• #10: Through the years, Jenny and I have met with thousands of people who have all had different financial stories. Wealthy but empty Barely making ends meet In Debt up to their eyeballs Overwhelmed by student loan debt We would give them fixes Help get on a budget, help get out of debt But we realized that these were just bandaid fixes – we weren’t really solving the foundational problem We couldn’t just fix the outside, we had to completely change or restore to a former position or state
• #11: Satan attacked Eve at the foundation of TRUST. And as trust was broken, it led to broken beliefs, and ultimately broken fruits or actions called SIN.
• #12: Tonight we are going to talk about 4 things that you must realign to have a lasting impact. What are you realigning too? – God’s original intentions! By aligning your beliefs, plans, focus, and giving, you can have a great impact. YOU CAN BE A PART OF STOPPING SEX TRAFFICKING, ENDING HUNGER, LEAVING AN INHERTIANCE TO YOUR KIDS, STARTING THE NEXT APPLE, AND BUILDING AN ORPHANAGE.
• #14: In order to handle our finances rightly, we have to have the right beliefs about ourselves and money. Your beliefs about yourself, God, and money can derail you from accomplishing those dreams.
• #15: Satan attacked Eve at the foundation of TRUST. And as trust was broken, it led to broken beliefs, and ultimately broken fruits or actions called SIN.
• #16: What is a belief system? Belief systems are the lenses through which you base your beliefs about life. They are shaped by the actions of others, events in our lives, our own mistakes, culture, and by the thoughts we think every single day. Belief systems are a lot like a tree. What is underneath the surface determines what comes out in the fruit. Imagine your belief system is a large tree bearing “fruit” in every area of your life, and the health of the fruit is directly dependent upon the health of those root systems. If those roots are based in unhealthy thoughts, there will NOT be healthy fruit. But if those roots are based in healthy thoughts, there will be healthy fruit
• #18: If you pushed pause on the thoughts that run through your head day in and day out, I would guarantee you that the majority of them will be either negative or destructive.
• #19: For many of us, our beliefs about life are grounded in LIES In the same way, we are attacked every single day to believe lies about ourselves, about money, and about God. We might have been believing those lies for years and don’t even realize it. And it is affecting every single one of our actions. We have probably tried to address the financial issues in our lives, but I guarantee you that unless you change what you are believing, you will never change how you are acting. Lies cause you to handle your money in such a way that you don’t accomplish your dreams. You live a sub-standard life because you operate under faulty beliefs that are rooted in lies.
• #20: The bible is very clear in that it says the mind that is set on the flesh only brings death. The fruit of our minds being set on lies is death. But the fruit of our minds governed by the SPIRIT of God is LIFE AND PEACE. There is an opportunity to not have to live with all of these fruits. We can have a mind of life and peace. Who wants that?
• #21: Next, we have to ask, How do I change my beliefs? If they are built on trust, you have to deal with what you are trusting. Don’t put your trust in lies any longer. You have to put your trust in God’s WORD!
• #23: We have to Re-NEW Our Minds. We are not just talking about thinking happy thoughts or believing in yourself. You have to come to a deeper conviction that this is what is true and I have to ALIGN my thinking to that truth. WRAP UP TENSION God has provided what you need to accomplish the dreams that he has placed inside of you. The first key to accomplishing those dreams is aligning your beliefs about God, yourself, and money so that your actions will be transformed in the long run.
• #24:  The next step is that you must switch those lies with truth.  We have to replace those lies with the truth of God’s Word.  One definition of “repent” is to actually change our way of thinking  There are three major areas that we have to have our mind’s renewed: Our Relationship with God, our Identity, and Our Relationship with Money.
• #25: We have to intentionally attack each of those lies. JENNY SHARE ABOUT – WHO TOLD YOU THAT? You have to stop listening to the lies- you have to shut them up. Then you have to ask God what is true and meditate on that. Think on it. Keep doing it again and again.
• #26: Who is God Who am I What is money
• #30: Once you have switched the lies you have believed with truth, it is now time to consistently speak that truth.  It’s not okay to just have good knowledge about God’s word; we actually have to put it into action.  Whether you are simply talking to yourself in your mind, or you are literally verbalizing truth, there is power in intentionally choosing to “speak it.”
• #31: “We all want transformed financial lives, but we must first renew our minds with the truth of God’s Word. If we change how we believe, we will change how we act.” Walking up the mountain – God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. What you think about and speak to yourself will ultimately change your actions.
• #33: The incredible thing about the brain is that it is incredibly flexible. Even though you have been believing the same things for years, the brain is constructed in such a way that it can re-learn certain behaviors and thought patterns. Just because you have had the same thoughts for years does not mean that it will always be like that. You can change your mind. You can make it new again. How do you make it new again? By replacing those lies with truth.
• #34: We have to Re-NEW Our Minds. We are not just talking about thinking happy thoughts or believing in yourself. You have to come to a deeper conviction that this is what is true and I have to ALIGN my thinking to that truth. WRAP UP TENSION God has provided what you need to accomplish the dreams that he has placed inside of you. The first key to accomplishing those dreams is aligning your beliefs about God, yourself, and money so that your actions will be transformed in the long run.
• #37: Secondly, in order to ensure that you have a lasting impact, you have to align your plans. TOO OFTEN WE CONFUSE OUR DREAMS WITH OUR PLANS. Dreams become reality when you craft a plan of action to accomplish them. If God has given you everything that you need to accomplish your dreams of ending hunger, etc. then your PLANS have to align. Tonight, we want to specifically talk about aligning two types of plans: Your long term plans and your short term plans.
• #38: Have someone read
• #41: The good news is that we have a kind and merciful father. But there is still an expectation of a return.
• #43: Don’t have enough money Don’t value it Can’t stick to it Never been taught It’s not my style
• #44: Only spend money that you have. Put it all on paper before the month begins
• #45: We must realize why it matters that we manage our money rightly.
• #47: We have to start thinking long term instead of short term.
• #58: TENSION – Talk about money fights – talk about some of our worst ones But in order to accomplish those dreams God has planted in our hearts, we have to learn how to operate with our spouses with money. Celebrate Personalities- nerd and free spirit Both have to play a part in the planning – both get a vote and both have to show up! Balance God has created you to balance one another out Emotional 1st Practical 2nd  Practical 1st Emotional Never Good intentions + Plans = IMPACT Nerds – you need to take it a little bit easier and relax Free spirits, you have to press in - VALUE AND HONOR - CAKE STORY
• #59: You also must understand your money personality. How do I get to where I want to go?
• #60: You also must understand your money personality. How do I get to where I want to go?
• #61: You also must understand your money personality. How do I get to where I want to go?
• #64: You also must understand your money personality. How do I get to where I want to go?
• #65: I don’t even think about what Jenny needs. I think about the budget Story – Anniversary – go get whatever you want as long as it’s in this price range. Didn’t get it for her because it wasn’t in that price range.
• #66: Jenny doesn’t even think about the budget, she thinks about people first. It is an emotional response.
• #67: You also must understand your money personality. How do I get to where I want to go?
• #68: Don’t spend money.
• #69: Just enjoy life and let the money go.
• #70: 3 Keys to thrive in your money personality.
• #80: Now that you have renewed beliefs, you have a clear plan for your money both long term and short term, the next imperative piece that must come into alignment is your FOCUS. It does not matter if you have a clear mind or the best plans, if you lack focus, then your dreams will remain unaccomplished. God has given you everything you need to accomplish your dream, but too often our FOCUS is distracted by other things. CONNECT – Have you ever wanted to do something really cool, but you lost focus and never accomplished it? The same thing happened with Adam and Eve.
• #81: John D. Rockefeller Founder of standard oil company Had a net worth of $340 Billion At one time considered to be the wealthiest man in all of history After his death a reporter asked his accountant how much “John D.” left behind. His accountant thought about it a minute and then replied… NEXT SLIDE
• #82: You see, John D. Rockafeller accumulated incredible wealth over his lifetime. But just like you and me, his answer was similar to all of ours… just a little bit more
• #83: Bike riding story –I lost focus and got off the path There is another story that embodies this idea of focus. It is found in the beginning of the Bible in the book of Genesis. God had created everything Adam and Eve needed and it was absolute perfection. In the midst of perfection he gave them two kinds of trees. The first is described as being “Pleasing to the eye and Good for Food.”- God gave them enough freedom to eat as much of this tree as they liked. The second tree was very similar, but God said not to eat of this one. This tree was described as being “Pleasing to the Eye, Good for Food, AND Desirable for Gaining Wisdom.” Eve ate of this fruit and it caused immediate separation with God. The difference of these two trees? And… It’s the “little bit more” that got Adam and Eve in trouble. God had given them everything that they needed and even more to enjoy, but they still wanted “A Little Bit More.” LOSS OF FOCUS = DISCONTENTMENT FOCUS = CONTENTMENT = JOYFULLY SATISFIED
• #84: Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; Have someone read this out.
• #86: When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.  Have someone read this out.
• #88: “A Little Bit More” = ENVY
• #89: This just a little bit more is called discontentment, and its what got Adam and Eve in trouble and it’s what gets us in trouble today.
• #90: This just a little bit more is called discontentment, and its what got Adam and Eve in trouble and it’s what gets us in trouble today.
• #96: Jenny’s video
• #97: JENNY SHARE WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT BOUNDARY LINES IN LIFE. WE CAN BE CONTENT BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD HAS WHATS BEST FOR US: You can remain focused and accomplish your dreams, by LEARNING TO BE CONTENT: How to BE CONTENT: BOUNDARY LINES Knowing God’s Heart Choosing Again and Again Thankfulness
• #98: Asher’s Story
• #100: Contentment is worked out through Thankfulness.
• #101: Contentment is worked out through Thankfulness.
• #102: Contentment is worked out through Thankfulness.
• #103: JENNY SHARE WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT BOUNDARY LINES IN LIFE. WE CAN BE CONTENT BECAUSE WE KNOW GOD HAS WHATS BEST FOR US: You can remain focused and accomplish your dreams, by LEARNING TO BE CONTENT: How to BE CONTENT: BOUNDARY LINES Knowing God’s Heart Choosing Again and Again Thankfulness
• #105: If you want to be free from debt and free up several hundred and maybe even thousands of dollars each month, then there is a very simple way to STAY OUT OF DEBT in the first place. Choose to be content. Save up for an emergency fund Live on a plan and actually follow what is written on that plan Trust God to provide – He is not freaking out about a bill or ways for you to stay out of debt. You will probably notice that ¾ of this formula are on your side of things. You are responsible to work hard, save, live on a plan and be content. If you have followed all of those things and there is still something that cannot be paid, then that is where you have to trust God to provide for you. Steven Washburn Story
• #106: If you want to be free from debt and free up several hundred and maybe even thousands of dollars each month, then there is a very simple way to STAY OUT OF DEBT in the first place. Choose to be content. Save up for an emergency fund Live on a plan and actually follow what is written on that plan Trust God to provide – He is not freaking out about a bill or ways for you to stay out of debt. You will probably notice that ¾ of this formula are on your side of things. You are responsible to work hard, save, live on a plan and be content. If you have followed all of those things and there is still something that cannot be paid, then that is where you have to trust God to provide for you. Steven Washburn Story
• #107: Now, how do you actually get out of debt? – You have to be intense about it and pay off your smallest debts first. The key here is momentum. As more money comes available from your debts being paid off, then throw that money at the other debts. Don’t spend it!
• #108: Giving is the Capstone Piece to All of This
• #113: There is a verse that many people actually love to quote when talking about the Bible. It says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” I have never seen a cheerful giver usually in the acts, but usually it comes after! This verse translated into Greek actually says that God is LOVES someone who is WILLING TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE! How many of you want to go on an adventure! Everyone wants to go on an adventure. God is looking for people who want to go on an adventure to and that is usually by letting go of money and trusting God.
• #114: Balloon story!
• #115: There is a verse that many people actually love to quote when talking about the Bible. It says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” I have never seen a cheerful giver usually in the acts, but usually it comes after! This verse translated into Greek actually says that God is LOVES someone who is WILLING TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE! How many of you want to go on an adventure! Everyone wants to go on an adventure. God is looking for people who want to go on an adventure to and that is usually by letting go of money and trusting God.
• #116: Two Bodies of Water: Dead Sea – Has millions of gallons of water floating into it. But nothing flowing out of it. The dead sea still gets the water taken out of it, but through evaporation. It leaves large deposits of salt and so nothing can live in the water. It brings no life.
• #117: The Colorado River The Colorado River is a great example of managing flow in order to accomplish maximum impact. The Colorado River starts up high in Rocky Mountains near the Continental Divide. It starts out fairly small and weak. You actually probably wouldn’t notice it if you were standing on top of it. It would be more of a puddle than a river. But from that small puddle, it begins traveling down the mountains and meets up with over streams and rivers along the way. It continues on for miles and miles and becomes a mighty river. That once small puddle travels on and brings life to countless valleys and towns as it keeps flowing. It is dammed in several places, but it continues to flow. - Overall, the Colorado River travels over 1,450 miles and travels through Colorado, Nevada, California, Arizona, Texas, and even into Mexico. - It brings life and refreshment to countless communities along the way including major cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson and San Diego. The Colorado River reaches all of these places because there is a path for it to follow. It’s called the riverbed. When it stays inside of this and follows the planned route, it brings life to tons of places. In the same way that the Colorado River’s flow has brought life to millions of people, the flow of our resources can do the same.
• #118: Overall the Colorado river brings life and water to over 30 Million people. JENNY SHARE STORY ABOUT BALLOONS
• #121: $4,500 One rescue operation with IJM $35 Sponsor one orphan with World Vision $1 Provide clean water for 1 person through Living Water Intl.
• #122: $4,500 One rescue operation with IJM $35 Sponsor one orphan with World Vision $1 Provide clean water for 1 person through Living Water Intl. $1,000 Each Year 2.5 Women rescued 28 Orphans sponsored 12,000 People given clean water
• #124: 2.5 Women rescued 28 Orphans sponsored 12,000 People given clean water 192000 Annually – 960,000 4500 Annually 35 Monthly $1 Annually
• #126: Annually – 18,000,000 4500 Annually 35 Monthly $1 Annually http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/523066/report_lists_top_ten_countries_at_risk_of_water_shortages.html Top 5 Countries affected by Water Scarcity: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/world-water-week-five-countries-most-affected-by-water-scarcity-1463189 Mauritania – 3 Million Sudan – 38 Million Niger – 18 Million Iraq – 34 Million Uzbekistan – 29 Million Pakistan – 185 Million Egypt – 83 Million Turkmenistan – 5 Million Syria – 21 Million Somalia – 10 Million
• #127: We must start by asking ourselves, what is the end goal? What is the end goal of your life? We would all say that we want to love God and make him know A passion for Jesus and His purposes in the world If this is the goal, then our lives should reflect that and therefore should be directed towards that. But even the people who were closest to Jesus wanted this. They wanted to stay near to him, but life got in the way. They were face to face with Jesus and they still missed it.
• #128: Here’s what’s crazy. These people are all with Jesus. And they are sitting right in front of him. They had reached their goal! They were with him. But life gets in the way. He could see it in their eyes, they began to worry about everything else. And these seem like some very basic things. These seem like things that our parents would suggest are being responsible. Food, Water, Clothing If I was the disciples, I would be worried about these too! But what is Jesus’ response?
• #129: Jesus says, no, that’s not how you are supposed to live. Your Father God knows that you need these things, but you as a follower of Jesus are supposed to live differently. So if we aren’t supposed to put our focus on these things that seem really important, WHAT SHOULD OUR FOCUS BE ON?
• #130: We are called to set our focus and activities on the kingdom of God. The Goal of our lives is to know him- seek first His kingdom. And to make Him known – His righteousness in the world. And all of these other things which seem like the most important thing are ADDITIONS. They are not the main goal.
• #131: We are called to set our focus and activities on the kingdom of God. The Goal of our lives is to know him- seek first His kingdom. And to make Him known – His righteousness in the world. And all of these other things which seem like the most important thing are ADDITIONS. They are not the main goal.