Dear Diary, we welcome you to another refreshing time of major happenings in today’s Sunday service. As you already know it is our congress week. Sunday School TOPIC: Avoiding Debt MEMORY VERSE: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8 BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Kings 4:1-7 KJV 1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. LESSON INTRODUCTION: Debt occur when something, usually money, is owed by one part (the borrower or debtor) to a second party (the lender or creditor) especially when it is becoming difficult to pay what is owed. Debt is a common problem in our society, and debts have a way of growing faster than expected. Anyone who comes to the realisation that he or she has taken on too much debt, becomes uncomfortable. The fear of the debtor may also overwhelm the debtor. It can also lead to psychological or emotional breakdown. Although, the bible neither expressly forbids nor condones the borrowing of money, the wisdom of the bible teaches us that it is usually not a good idea to go into debt (Prov.22:7; 2 Kings 4: 1-7). OUTLINES SOME LIKELY CAUSES OF DEBT HOW TO AVOID DEBT SOME LIKELY CAUSES OF DEBT Debt can occur through different means. Some of the likely causes are: Poor spending habits, mismanagement of resources (Lk.15: 11-13), lack of employment or underemployment (2Thess.3.12), medical challenges (Lk.8:43), failed business/reduction in income (Lk.5:5a), living outside your means (Pro.28:19), lack of contentment, gambling, covetousness (1 Tim.6:8-10), gambling, divorce/widowhood/single parenthood (2Kgs.4:1), expanding families, unexpected emergencies, unfavorable economic factors or inflation (2 Kgs. 6:25), impulse buying (Lk.15:13-14), lack of financial knowledge or poor investment (Pro. 23:5), a misunderstanding of needs versus wants (Lk.15:13), laziness (2 Thess. 3:10b), education cost fraud, etc. HOW TO AVOID DEBT In order to forestall going into debt, believers should do the following: 1 Honour God with your financial/material giving ( tithe, offerings, first fruits, etc) and also help the needy (Lk.6.38; Pro.3:9-10, 28:27; 1 Cor.9:7). 2 Develop a saving culture (Pro.21:20). 3 Prepare a budget based on your actual monthly income and actual expenses (Lk.14:28). 4 Avoid unnecessary/discretionary spending. Do not spend compulsorily on what is not your primary need (Isa. 55:2). 5 Do not be idle/lazy, find something doing (1Thess.4:11; 2 Thess.3:10; Matt.20.6; Pro.6.:9-11). 6 Be satisfied with what you have and avoid covetousness (Pro.15:16; Heb.13:5; 1 Tim.6:6) 7 Seek financial counsel and invest wisely (Pro.11:14, 14:22). Any believer who is already in debt should do the following in addition to the points raised above: 1 Pray for divine intervention, then seek wise and godly counsel (2 Kgs 4:1-7; Pro.24:6). 2 Commit to making changes to drastically reduce your lifestyle expenses (Rom.12.2; Phil.4:5). 3 Negotiate with your creditors for a possible review of the payment plan (Lk.16:5-8). 4 Be committed to paying back what you owe (Rom.13.8a). 5 Maintain discipline in financial matters (1 Cor.9.:27). CONCLUSION: Debt should be avoided as much as possible. However, as long as money is being handled wisely and debt payments are manageable, a Christian can take on the burden of borrowing if is absolutely necessary. Testimony Time: Over Comers Time! Bro. Jerry, appreciated God for adding another year to his Years. Sis Eunice, thanked God for answering her many critical questions. Sis Theresa, is thankful to God for keeping her safe from sustaining injuries from her recent fall. Sis. Edith, is grateful to the Almighty for restoring her health to normal. Drama Presentation: Don’t just say, live it; chronicles the life of a believer amongst unbelievers in work place and how there is an expectation of us to distinct ourselves from the various norms. How Mr Chidi, ended up been rewarded with the company for his honesty and how his other colleagues who simply mouths Christianity were sent packing. Ministration: Ministering: Pst. Magnus Okotie. Topic : Put your Trust in God Text: Psalms 125:1-5. Introduction: The lord has a word for you, who is threatened He says “He will be with you”. There are three major areas men put trust. 1. Flesh: They trust in other men, chariots, horses. Jer. 17:5-6. Being cursed is to be empowered or energized to fail. 2. Devil: some put it directly or indirectly in his system. Some believe they must sleep with a man to be married. Some others patronize charms, Babalawo, mamalawo,Brotherlawo (Isaiah 31:1). 3. Most High God: (Psalms 125 :1-5). You will remain even if the storm comes because your trust is in God. It is a mirage when you see workers of sin prospering. The devil is an expert conman. There is one place to put your trust that is in the most high and He will see you through. What to Do ! •He must be Lord, you must reassure Him that whatever He says you will do. If He is not number one, He is not there. •You must pray because He is your source, if you disconnect it is only a matter of time. Prayer points: Father I’m sorry for all the times I have put my trust in horses, chariot, have mercy on me. Father revive the hunger for your spirit and your word. Father in any area I have disconnected from you, let your mercy reconnect me in my relationship with you and my finance. Father help me to be sensitive to your spirit and your presence. Father in the name of Jesus, I will not be a casualty of the enemy, no evil report concerning me, no calamity will befall all that relates to me, I will finish strong. Father not only that I will finish this year well but the rest of my life, your glory will abide with me, I will not be a casualty of the enemy. Amen !!! Special Announcements: Tuesday is another great time for digging deep, time is 5pm. Thursday is another awesome time for petitioning, time is 5pm. Starting from tomorrow, we can join the Congress service at 7pm at the solution parish, as we stream together in the fellowship of God. This Saturday has been set aside by youths and sanitation team for washing chairs and collectively tidying up the house of God. 
RCCG Solution Diary: Put your Trust in God~Pst. Okotie
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