A Financial Miracle

This is a series that appears on a weekly basis here at JosephSangl.com – “Biblical Financial Lessons” I, Joseph Sangl, believe that the Bible is the best money book ever written, and I really want to take some time each week to share the money lessons I have learned from the Word. A Financial Miracle – II Kings 4:1-7 II Kings 4:1-7 I covered II Kings 4:1 previously and shared the fact that debt had jeopardized the very freedom of her children. Wonderfully, the story does not end there. In fact, a financial miracle takes place. In verse 2, the prophet Elisha responds to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The woman responded, “Your servant has nothing there at all except a little oil.” Thought #1 - Have you noticed that when we are faced with an extremely difficult situation for which we can see no answer that we tend to minimize everything we DO have? This lady said that she had nothing – except a little oil, but that was not the full truth! She still had her sons at the moment. She also apparently had good health (a tremendous blessing). Moreover, she had access to the man of God! In verses 3 and 4, Elisha responds to her with a command. “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” Thought #2 – When we seek God’s guidance, He will give it! This lady went to the man of God, and received the word she needed. We have direct access to God through prayer. He hears our desperate prayers – even as we cry them out in despair! In verse 5 and 6, the miracle takes place. The lady left Elisha and did exactly as this man of God had instructed. The oil flowed until the very last jar was full! Thought #3 - We have to do our part. What if this lady had refused to do as the man of God had instructed? The miracle would not have happened, and she wouldn’t have been able to save her two sons from slavery! In verse 7, the lady informed Elisha of the miracle, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” Thought #4 - God always provides overflow! He provided enough to settle the debts and enough to live off of the rest! Simply amazing. In summary, here’s what happened:

QUESTIONS: 1.Do YOU believe that a financial miracle could really take place for you? 2.What do YOU need to do? 3.What is your desperate prayer? Email it to Joseph at joe@iwbnin.com and he and his team would be honored to pray for it with you!

Did You Think it would be Easy?!?!

Have you ever felt like you were in God's will and doing exactly what He called you to do so, for some reason in the back of your mind, you thought it would be easier since you are in God's will? Why did I think this? Denial? Hopeful? The Lord NEVER said it would be easy but He promises to NEVER leave us. This fact is something I have been clinging to lately. We are moving this summer to another town and I guess because I knew we were in God's will that it would be easier than it has been. Honestly, I have days where I just don't want to leave and I wonder if we are doing the right thing. I LOVE this town and would never leave but my sweet, patient husband has been commuting (an hour and 10 minutes one way) 5 to 6 times a week to work with his family business. He knew I wasn't ready to leave so he agreed to commute. For a while, I have been struggling with my own selfish desires, staying here, and being a supportive, submissive wife. I will be so glad to see him more but I will greatly miss this town. We love FBCO and our Sunday School Class. We are moving to Eufaula, Alabama (where my husband is from) and we were there this weekend for a wedding so we went to Sunday School at a church there. I had to chock back tears as reality hit me that this could be our new Sunday School Class. I am very comfortable in Opelika, even though I didn't grow up here, and it has become my comfort zone. I have realized that when God calls us to do something it might hurt aka growing pains. In my case, tears might be shed but I can cling to the fact that the Lord WILL NOT leave me. If you are going through something that is hard but you know the Lord called you and your family to do it, know that HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU. On a differnt note, we have a cute house for sale if you know anyone that is looking!!

Add some color to your Spring/Summer look

Spring ahead of this year’s color trends with the new Island Sunset Color Collection.

Island Sunset Eye Crayons: WATERPROOF!!! Great for summer in the South!!!

Your eyes will come to life with Island Sunset Eye Crayons. In five fierce hues, line your eyes, tint your lids or highlight your brow area for ultimate radiance. This luxurious long-standing, waterproof formula will hold a smooth texture that won’t fade.


Island Sunset Sheer Cheek Tints

Give your cheeks a supple, dewy glimmer in just one swipe. Lightweight formula glides easily over your cheeks giving color, nourishment and glow all in one. With five color options, cool your face with a natural flush look that will leave others blushing with envy.


Island Sunset Nail Lacquers

Complete your look in trendy spring colors with Island Sunset Nail Lacquer. Long-lasting formula glides on smoothly, protecting your nails and giving you a polished look for day or night. Complement your look with any three color options for a “polished” look.

I love how BeautiControl takes the guess work out for you!!
They have packaged an eye crayon, cheek tint and hydrating lip color that coordinate!! I can help you complete each set with an eye pencil and lip pencil

Lagoon Set...


Sea Moss Set...


Dusk Set...


Golden Sand Set...


Sunkissed Tan Set...


For all of the details head here.

Could You Handle $1,000,000?

Here is more great info by Joseph Sangl, check him out here, relating to money!!! If you were blessed with $1,000,000 RIGHT NOW, could you handle it well? Chances are high that if you can’t manage your current income well, you wouldn’t be able to handle $1,000,000 well. I’m convinced that if I had been blessed with $1,000,000 before I made major changes to my finances in December 2002, I would have blown through all of it and all I would have now is some rusty stuff and an ocean of regret. Think about this for a minute: ■If you don’t prepare and follow a budget with your current income, you won’t with $1,000,000 either. ■If you choose not to consistently give now with your current income, you won’t with $1,000,000 either. ■If you choose not to consistently save now with your current income, you won’t with $1,000,000 either. Money just amplifies current behavior. What changes do you need to make now to prepare to manage the $1,000,000 with excellence?

What to do on cold days?!?!

As always, I'm behind, these are from January. LOL, what's new. On the cold days that we did have this winter I looked for things for us to do inside.

We practiced sight words (excuse the way my child is dressed, as I said it was cold out and I let him get creative with his outfit)


I called it getting a head start, my sweet husband said we were behind, call it what you want but we did complete 3 Christmas crafts...
1.

2. Thanks pinterest for this idea...check it out here.



3. Thanks Pinterest for this idea too...check it out here.



Who doesn't enjoy a ride around the house in a BeautiControl box?!?!


We also did a little painting. Using painters tape (all I could find) T made a design in his painting.


On another note, I found this great info, thanks Martha, about measurment substitutions that I wanted to share. I am going to laminate these and keep in our kitchen. Check out the info here and the printables here.

Look how big my "baby" is getting... (excuse the laundry in the backgroud, had to get that done in between crafts)

More Sales for Mothers Day!!

So sorry I have been a terrible blogger lately. Please forgive me, life just gets crazy sometimes.

Here are more great ideas for Mother's Day and they are on sale until the end of April!!!

Spa Sugar Set

Set includes Sugar Body Wash, Sugar Body Lotion and Sugar Body Scrub, featuring the delectable scents of sugar cane and heavenly floral nectars, for the smoothest, softest skin possible.
SALE: $50.00 Regularly: $56.00

Spa Brown Sugar Set

This set is infused with the delicious scents of brown sugar, coconut and almond for a fragrance that lasts! Spa Brown Sugar set includes body scrub and body lotion.
Sale: $37.50 Regularly: $42.00
There is also a brown sugar cologne!!

Sale: $27.00 Regularly: $30.00

Herbal Serenity® Set
Relax your mind and condition your skin with chamomile, vanilla, rosemary, jasmine and melon botanicals. Set includes Body Oil, Body Gel, Body Scrub, Body Creme and Foot Creme.

Sale: $76.50 Regularly: $86.00

Spa Collection

Our Warming Trend Green Tea Masque is a botanically-enriched masque that cleanses the skin of dirt, oil and residue. Self-heating and aromatherpeutic benefits moisturize the skin, leaving it softer, smoother and healthier looking. Relax and soothe tired eyes with thse pads that reduce puffiness, cool skin, relieve irritation and refresh the entire eye area in as little as five minutes with our Spa Nourishing Eye Pads.
Sale: $37.50 Regularly: $42.00


Luxuries of Sea Set

Set includes, Body Lotion, Colgone and Salt Glow!!
Sale: $68.00 Regularly: $76.00
My favorite in this collection is the Luxuries of the Sea® Salt Glow.
Get a feel-good glow from head to toe! Natural sea salts and emollient rich oils gently buff away dry, dead skin buildup to revitalize, brighten and leave skin with a velvety smoothness. Great to use prior to moisturizing!

Check out ALL of the sale items here.

Are You Willing To Take A Financial Risk?

Great info from Joseph Sangl. Check him out here.

Are You Willing To Take A Financial Risk?

Equipping my children to be a blessing to others is one of my top priorities in life.

As part of this quest, I have had my daughter invest some of her money into a mutual fund. As I explained mutual funds to my beautiful seven-year-old girl, she immediately grew alarmed.

“I could LOSE some money?!?!?”, she exclaimed. This outburst was immediately followed by, “I am not interested in that type of investment.”

It was a very interesting discussion that helped me understand why so many people are financially stuck – they absolutely refuse to take any risk.

I know a couple that have budgeted their entire lives and have always lived within their means, but they are arriving at retirement with virtually zero savings. Why is this? Because they never prioritized investing because it would require risk and “they might lose some of their money.”

Many people jumped out of the stock market when it collapsed in 2008. They jumped out at rock bottom due to fear of losing it all. Those who remained in the market were generally financially whole within two years and have gained substantial ground since then.

Some people have said, “I would have been better off to leave my money in a CD instead of investing it into the stock market.” I ran the numbers on my investments and discovered that even with the drop of 2008, my investments were still way ahead of CD rates of return!

In fact, CD rates are lower than the inflation rate. Even if the CD interest earnings are tax-protected, the saved money will still lose overall purchasing power.

What are your feelings about taking risks with your investments?

BeautiPick of the MONTH...

WOW, this month BeautiControl is offering one of our best selling products as our BeautiPick of the Month for HALF PRICE. Yes, that's right, 50% off!!! Our BC Spa Instant Manicure makes a great Mother's Day gift (in May), Teacher's gift (in May), Graduation Gift (May), Administrative Professional's Day gift (April) or a sweet treat for yourself!!

Everyone LOVES the exfoliating Dead Sea salts and nourishing oils!

Plus, lots of our Bath and Body products are on sale for 10% off in preparation for Mother's Day!!

Here is our BC Spa Manicure Set...

Regularly $59, ON SALE FOR $41.50!!! WOW!!!
Set includes BC Spa Manicure Cuticle Oil Pen, BC Spa Manicure Instant Manicure and BC Spa Manicure Extreme Repair Hand Creme (3.4 oz/85 g)

Here is our BC Spa Pedicure Set...

Regularly $66, ON SALE FOR $58.50!!!
The BC Spa Pedicure set is your three-step regimen to feet that feel like new. The set includes BC Spa Pedicure Instant Pedicure Scrub, BC Spa Pedicure Foot Spray and BC Spa Pedicure Cooling Foot Salve.


Here is our Margarita Collection...

Regularly $56, ON SALE FOR $50!!!
Margarita Set includes Salty Foot Scrub, Creamy Body Lotion, Frozen Foot Creme and Tangy Lip Balm.

Here is our Spa Sugar Squeeze Collection...

Regularly $50, ON SALE FOR $45!!!
Spa Sugar Squeeze Collection includes Spa Sugar Squeeze eau de toilette and Body Lotion.

Check our all the savings here.

Why Do I NOT Do The Things I Know I Should Do? Romans 7:15

Here is another GREAT post from Joseph Sangl!! Check him out here.

Romans 7:15 – 15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Paul shares his thoughts on his struggle with not doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing.

This is a problem everyone faces – especially in the following areas of personal finances.

■Budgeting We know that we should prepare a monthly written Give/Save/Invest/Spend plan, but for some reason we don’t allocate the time and effort required to make it happen.
■Giving We know that we should give, but we fail to do so when it comes time to write the checks or pay the bills on-line for the month.
■Saving We know that we should be saving money. After all, the children are growing like weeds, and it seems like they will be headed to college tomorrow! The car has special “rattling” sounds, yet we have not saved any money to repair or replace it.
■Investing We know that we should be investing to fund our big-time dreams and prepare for retirement. After all, our bodies are creaking, and it seems to take much longer to get rolling each morning. Yet, we choose to invest little to no money to cover our living expenses and live life to the fullest during our retirement years.
■Wills/Estate Plan We know that we will die someday, but we choose to ignore that reality by failing to have a written will and estate plan.
■Insurance We know that we are going to get sick one day. Yet, we choose to not have health insurance. We know that law requires us to carry insurance for our cars and that we will probably be in a wreck someday, yet some still choose to drive without auto insurance.
■Debt We know that substantial debt can delay or completely prevent the funding of our future plans, hopes, and dreams, yet we choose to “sign the line” anyway.
The LIE that we tell ourselves is this: “Things will be okay. After all, we have made it this far living this way.”

If that is you, let me ask you a few questions:

■Are things REALLY okay?
■Are your dreams fully funded?
■Are you living the life you dreamed of when you were young?
■When was the last time you really allowed yourself to dream?

What do you need to do?

What Do You Truly Value?

Another great thought from Joseph Sangl. Check him out here.

What do you truly value in your life? It has been said that with one look at a person’s calendar and checkbook register, you would learn what a person truly values.

That’s certainly true, but I believe there is an even better way to learn what you value most. Have someone ask your spouse and children what you truly value. If you are not married, have someone ask your closest friends.

I’m having this asked of my bride and children. I wonder if the answers will align with what I say I value.