Jesus, in “Understanding Your Problem With Spending” You exposed me to the fact that there are foundational Scriptures. You explained to me that most of the other Scriptures in the Bible are built on them. These foundational Scriptures give me major principles for You to guide my life by. Since I am facing some intense issues, show me that these high level Scriptures are the ones I must look to for help. Teach me that it is vital I realize that these special Scriptures can bring healing, miracles, and solutions to my life.

Jesus, help me realize that the first foundational Scripture You exposed me to is in fact the most important foundational Scripture. It is: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Help me believe that if it is able to sum up the Law and the Prophets, it is able to help me with my issues of life. Jesus, take me one step further, as I start understanding this Scripture as a solution.

Mat 7:12 (NIV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Jesus, help me understand that problems like spending are compounded by the fact that they not only hurt me by keeping me from being able to do certain things I need to do, they cause me to do things I don’t want to do. Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do. For what I WANT to do I do NOT do, but what I HATE I do. And, if that isn’t bad enough, the fact that I have a problem like this causes me to focus, think about, stress about, and work on ways to get rid of it. If it isn’t causing me to act out or retreat, it is dominating my mind as I look at all the damage it has and is doing.

Jesus, this problem is wearing me down; it is absorbing my time, effort, emotions, and is even damaging my relationships. Help me allow You to give me a break from the constant harassment that is trying to take over my life. Teach me that the first part of Your solution for me is for me to get a break from it so I can breath. I am constantly anticipating when, where, and how it is going to happen again; this is putting a big load on me. But, help me accept the way You choose to give me this break; let me see that it may not be what I expected.

Mark 12:31 (NIV) The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Jesus, help me realize that the fact I really care that I have this problem and sincerely want to stop its influence over me is good. Rom 7:16 (NIV) And if I DO what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. Jesus, help me feel that You are proud of me. Help me understand that You are willing to work with me because You have helped me with this attitude of caring that this is hurting others. If I quite simply didn’t care that it is hurting others, if I spent all my time excusing my problem, if I was busy putting the blame for my suffering on someone else, then You would have had to help me with my attitudes BEFORE You could help me with my problem.

Mat 11:28 (NIV) Come to Me (Jesus), all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Jesus, even though it won’t be easy turning this over to You, even though I have tried many times to win over my struggles with spending and failed, even if You are not willing to give me total, immediate, and permanent healing and deliverance, help me turn the whole thing over to You anyway. Even though I will find I still have the problem AFTER I turn it over to You, help me trust You with it willingly.

Mat 6:33 (NIV) But seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these THINGS will be given to you as well. Jesus, remind me that nothing I did helped my problem to go away. Teach me that it is very important that I not lay out any rules, exceptions, or limits on this miracle. Help me accept the fact that the problem with spending won’t go away until some important things are done in my life. If I finally decided to take a physical problem to a doctor, I wouldn’t tell them that I would let them treat me provided it was a total, instant, and permanent result. Help me accept the fact that most things I go through take time.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus, if I take my car in to be fixed, if the mechanic tells me what I need to do, and if I refuse to do it, I realize that the car will remain unfixed. Make it clear to me that I MUST start praying and asking You what You want me to do. Help me allow You to START opening my eyes to the needs of other people. Since I can ONLY think one thought at a time; help me realize that if I am thinking about someone else’s struggles, I am NOT thinking about mine.

Jesus, when I turn my problem over to You, it is true that it still exists; but, if I ask someone to mow my yard, I know it won’t be done the moment I give them the assignment. But, if I will leave them alone and go take care of my assignments, the yard will get mowed and my assignments will be completed. You WILL take care of my problem, IF I will start praying and looking for someone that You want me to care about.

Mat 11:28 (NIV) Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Jesus, help me understand that this Scripture will remain just a theory, a principle, or an idea as long as I don’t come to You. But, help me understand that coming to You isn’t the same as going to the store. I know how to walk, drive, and shop. Help me see the differentce: This is a spiritual invitation; I am going to have to “come” with spiritual legs. This involves attitudes, faith, decisions, will, and all kinds of spiritual procedures that I am going to need Your help, training, guidance, and miracles with. For me to understand the solution to my issues with spending, I will have to be instructed, be receptive, apply myself, and do what I am told.

Mat 7:7 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Jesus, when EVER I get to a place where I don’t know how to do something “Christian,” “spiritual,” “Biblical,” “Scriptural,” “righteous,” or “good,” teach me that my solution is for me always pray and ASK You to help me with it.

Teach me that there is a foundational Scripture that tells me something I MUST believe and base my life on: John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. Make it clear to me that apart from You I can do nothing. Help me accept the fact that this isn’t just a slogan; it is a truth.

Mat 11:29 (NIV) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. In review, a yoke is a wooden load or work harness that is hooked to animals that you can use to do labor. Jesus, while I am going about my normal day, You expect me to start looking for someone that You and I can reach out to and help with their problems. But, help me see that for right now, it is a matter of me ASKING and praying for Your guidance. Show me that the moment I start ASKING for You to help me find someone, is the moment when I take on my “work harness.” Help me not rush; not worry; and not try real hard; help me just pray and ASK!

Mat 11:30 (NIV) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Jesus, while I am praying and ASKING You where You want me to start putting my efforts of help, let me enter into Your rest concerning my problem. Help me relax and know that You have my problem taken care of. And, since You are taking care of my problem, that frees me up to help someone else. Help me truly believe You are taking care of my problem with spending so I will relax and have rest in my heart. Then allow me to start helping someone else with their problem.