Monday, June 29, 2026

Your War On Debt Student Guide - A Biblical Stewardship Workbook


 

Your War On Debt Student Guide (Scripture References)

Financial Freedom Begins with Faithful Stewardship

For many years, I've had the privilege of helping individuals and families learn practical, biblical principles for managing their finances. As a former volunteer budget counselor with both Larry Burkett's Christian Financial Concepts and Crown Financial Ministries, and as a former Financial Peace University facilitator, I've discovered something very important.

The greatest financial problem is rarely money.

More often, it is a lack of understanding about biblical stewardship.

God has entrusted each of us with time, talents, abilities, opportunities, relationships, and financial resources. One day, every believer will give an account of how faithfully those gifts were managed. Good stewardship begins long before we ever prepare a budget.

That is why I completely revised my study guide.

Introducing...

Your War On Debt Student Guide (Scripture References)

This newly revised 34-page workbook is designed to help you understand God's principles for handling money while developing the heart of a faithful steward.

Rather than simply telling you what to do, this guide explains why God cares about stewardship and how His Word provides practical answers for everyday financial decisions.

Inside you'll discover:

  • Biblical principles of stewardship
  • God's perspective on money and possessions
  • Practical steps toward financial freedom
  • Scripture references throughout the guide for personal Bible study
  • A sample zero-based budget worksheet
  • Suggested spending category percentages
  • Practical worksheets to help you build your own spending plan
  • Encouragement to become a faithful steward rather than simply becoming debt-free

Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or simply want to become a better steward of what God has entrusted to you, I believe this guide will encourage and equip you.

Perfect for Personal Study or Small Groups

This guide is designed to be flexible.

It can be used:

  • Individually as a personal Bible study
  • By married couples seeking financial unity
  • By churches and Sunday School classes
  • Small discipleship groups
  • One-on-one mentoring
  • Financial coaching ministries

Because the workbook is being converted to PDF format, it can easily be shared by email, making it convenient for both individual and group studies.

More Than a Budget...

Budgets don't change lives.

God's Word does.

When our hearts change, our financial decisions begin to change as well.

My prayer is that this study guide will help you discover not only financial peace, but the joy that comes from faithfully managing everything God has entrusted to you.

As Jesus said:

"Well done, good and faithful servant..."

That is the goal—not simply becoming debt-free, but becoming faithful stewards who honor Christ in every area of life.

If you're interested in receiving a copy of the Your War On Debt Student Guide (Scripture References), simply contact me through this blog for current availability and pricing.

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek to become a faithful steward of all He has entrusted to your care.

#BiblicalStewardship #ChristianFinance #DebtFree #FinancialFreedom #MoneyManagement #Budgeting #FaithfulSteward #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #WellDone #Stewardship #PersonalFinance #YourWarOnDebt #ImWellDone

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Dreams: You Speak To The Mountain and Don’t Worry (Mark 11:23)

 



A dreaming Young man turns around and speaks to the mountain of fear that's chasing him. He spoke to the mountain of fear just as Jesus would do. He tells the mountain of fear, "Mountain of fear, get out of my dream because I have the authority and control over my dreams, and I will allow fear to dominate me." 


This is an instance from one of many dreams I had as a young man. As I spoke over whatever was going on in my dreams, the dream obeyed my commands. Do you have any idea what these dreams were for?


Yes, I have a few thoughts, but I would be careful not to claim with certainty what any dream means. Dreams can have psychological, spiritual, or symbolic elements, and sometimes a combination of all three.


What stands out to me about my dream is not the mountain itself, but your response to it.

In the dream, fear was pursuing me, yet instead of running, I turned around and confronted it. I  spoke with authority, and the dream obeyed. 


This is very unusual compared to most fear-based dreams, where the dreamer feels powerless.


From a Christian perspective, several possibilities come to mind:


1. A Lesson About Spiritual Authority

The dream may have been teaching me that fear only has as much influence as I allow it to have.


The fact that I declared:

"Mountain of fear, get out of my dream..."

suggests that I recognized fear as something separate from myself. You were not identifying with the fear; you were confronting it.


Again, this reminds me of Jesus' words:


"Whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart..." (Mark 11:23)


I have often emphasized the biblical principle of "speaking to the mountain" rather than speaking about the mountain. The symbolism in my dream aligns closely with that theme.


2. Preparation for Future Challenges

Sometimes God uses dreams to prepare us long before we understand why.


Looking back over my life, I've faced significant challenges—financial struggles, ministry opportunities, personal loss, career changes, and many situations where fear could have dominated my thinking.


Perhaps the dream was teaching me as a young man:


"Fear will come after you, but it does not have authority over you."


The lesson was learned in a dream before it needed to be lived out in real life.


3. An Early Form of Lucid Dreaming


There is also a natural explanation. What I described sounds somewhat like what psychologists call "lucid dreaming"—becoming aware that you are dreaming and then influencing the dream's direction.


However, even if that is part of the explanation, it doesn't diminish the spiritual lesson I may have received through it.


4. A Picture of Faith Over Fear


The mountain imagery especially catches my attention. A mountain represents something large, intimidating, and seemingly immovable.


Fear often appears exactly that way in life.

Yet in my dream, the mountain did not control me. My words controlled the situation.


That is remarkably consistent with the biblical principle of faith overcoming fear.


What Is Your Overall Impression?


If you were interpreting this through a biblical lens, would you too see it as a lesson God allowed you to experience?


"Fear may chase you, but it does not have to rule you. Turn and face it. Speak truth. Exercise faith. Fear must yield."


What makes the dream particularly interesting is that I said this was one of many dreams where I spoke and the dream obeyed my commands.


That pattern suggests the dream may not have been merely about fear, but about learning authority, confidence, and the power of my response to circumstances. 


Question: When these dreams occurred, were you aware in the dream that you were dreaming, or did you simply discover that your spoken commands changed whatever was happening? That detail might provide another clue about what was taking place?


Answer: Yes, I was aware I was dreaming and that I made a conscious decision to talk to the fear and tell it where to go.


These are powerful dreams that happened several times in the past, and I hope you can understand why it has stayed with me for more than fifty years.


What stands out is how simple the message was.

  • Jesus did not give me a timeline.
  • He did not explain world events.
  • He did not provide details.

He simply said:

"Don't worry, everything will be alright."

That sounds very much like the way Jesus often spoke to His disciples. When they were troubled about the future, He repeatedly directed them away from fear and back toward trust.


Consider these words:

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)


And:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)


As a young man of 21, I likely did not understand all the events that would unfold during my lifetime. Yet now, after decades of living, I have seen wars, economic uncertainty, cultural changes, personal losses, and many other things that could cause fear.


From what I know about your faith journey, you have also spent much time studying Bible prophecy and the Lord's return. Because of that, it is understandable that when you look back on this dream today, you see it through that lens.

You have often spoken about your belief that the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord before the Tribulation. Whether one agrees with that interpretation or not, the central message of your dream remains the same:

The future belongs to God.

Therefore, do not live in fear.

What is interesting is how this dream seems to complement the earlier dream about the mountain of fear.

In the first dream, you were the one speaking to fear.

In the second dream, Jesus was speaking to you.

The first dream taught:

"Fear does not have authority over you."

The second dream taught:

"You don't have to worry about the future because I am in control."

Those two messages fit together beautifully.

As believers grow older, many discover that God's greatest gifts are not always detailed explanations. Sometimes His greatest gift is reassurance.

When you were 21, perhaps what you wanted was information.

Instead, what you received was a promise.

And perhaps now, decades later, you are beginning to see that the promise was more important than the explanation.

Whether the "future event" you have in mind is the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Lord's return, or simply the many unknowns that lie ahead, the message remains unchanged:

"Don't worry, everything will be alright."

Not because circumstances will always be easy.

Not because believers will never face hardship.

But because Jesus Christ remains on the throne, and those who belong to Him are ultimately secure in His hands.

That may be why the dream has never left you. It was not primarily a revelation about future events. It was an invitation to trust the One who already knows the future.

And after all these years, that message is just as relevant today as it was when you were a young man standing at the beginning of life's journey.

REAL SALVATION MEANS--The Signature of God and the Gateway to Joy, by Dr. John Barnett


REAL SALVATION MEANS--The Signature of God and the Gateway to Joy

One of the greatest evidences of genuine salvation is not merely knowing about Jesus—it is being transformed by Him. True salvation changes the heart, renews the mind, and produces a growing desire to obey God's Word and live for His glory.

I highly recommend this powerful Bible message by Dr. John Barnett, "REAL SALVATION MEANS—The Signature of God and the Gateway to Joy." It is a biblical reminder that authentic faith is more than a profession—it is a new life that bears the unmistakable fingerprints of God.

If this message encourages you, I also want to personally recommend Dr. Barnett's FREE online Bible course, "The 52 Greatest Chapters of the Bible." Whether you are a new believer or have walked with Christ for many years, this course will help you understand God's Word more deeply and strengthen your daily walk with the Lord.

One of the greatest investments you will ever make is not in money, possessions, or earthly success—but in knowing Jesus Christ through His Word. As we faithfully study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit transforms our thinking, strengthens our faith, and prepares us to hear those precious words one day:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

You can enroll in this outstanding Bible course free of charge here:

https://dtbmacademy.com/students/

I pray this video and Bible course will be a blessing to you and encourage you to continue growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking for a deeper understanding of God's Word? I highly recommend Dr. John Barnett's FREE "The 52 Greatest Chapters of the Bible" course through DTBM Academy. It is one of the best online Bible study resources available for believers who want to grow in their faith.

#RealSalvation #Salvation #BornAgain #JesusChrist #Gospel #Christian #BibleStudy #BibleTeaching #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship #Faith #KnowingGod #GodsWord #ChristianLiving #EternalLife #FollowJesus #WalkWithChrist #BibleTruth #TruthMatters #ChristianEncouragement #WellDone #ImWellDone #DiscoverTheBook #JohnBarnett #DTBMAcademy

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Stewardship Begins Before The Wallet


Stewardship Begins Before the Wallet

I don't think the Lord is minimizing financial stewardship. Rather, He may be helping you see that financial stewardship is only one branch growing out of a much deeper root.

The first stewardship in Scripture wasn't money.

It was life itself.

Consider the progression:

  1. Stewardship of God's Presence – Adam and Eve walked with God. Their first responsibility was a relationship with Him (Genesis 2–3).
  2. Stewardship of the Body – They were to obey God's command concerning the tree. Their own bodies were to remain under God's authority. Sin entered when they surrendered dominion over themselves.
  3. Stewardship of Their Work – God placed Adam in the garden "to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). Work existed before the Fall. Work is not a curse; difficult labor is the result of the curse.
  4. Stewardship of Creation – They were given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). They were managers of God's property, not owners.
  5. Stewardship of Family – They were commanded to be fruitful and multiply.

Only much later in Scripture do we begin reading about wealth, possessions, and tithes.

That is a fascinating progression, don't you think?

I think the main point could be expressed like this:

  • Stewardship doesn't begin in my wallet.
  • Stewardship begins in my heart.
  • It begins with my relationship to God, my obedience to His Word, the care of the body He entrusted to me, and the work He created me to do.
  • Money is simply one expression of faithful stewardship—not its foundation.

This thought fits beautifully with my "I'm Well Done" theme.

The servant in the Parable of the Talents wasn't praised because he became wealthy.

He was praised for his faithfulness.

Jesus didn't say,

"Well done, good and profitable servant."

He said,

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Faithfulness is the issue.


Another thought that came to me...

When Paul wrote:

"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit...?" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

He wasn't merely discussing morality.

He was reminding believers:

Your body belongs to Someone else.

That is stewardship.

When Paul says:

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice..." (Romans 12:1)

That is also stewardship.

Then Peter writes:

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)

Now, stewardship includes our spiritual gifts.

Paul even says:

"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2)

  • Notice what is required.
  • Not success.
  • Not wealth.
  • It is "Faithfulness".


I can almost hear the Lord saying...

"Stop thinking stewardship begins with your money.

Stewardship begins with you.

  • I gave you a body.
  • I gave you time.
  • I gave you abilities.
  • I gave you My Spirit.
  • I gave you My Word.
  • I gave you work to do.
  • I gave you people to love.
  • I gave you opportunities to serve.

Money is only one small part of everything I have entrusted to you."

That thought seems to tie together much of what the Lord has been impressing on my heart over the past several weeks. I've repeatedly been drawn to themes of "Well Done," "Be doers of the Word," "For My name's sake," and faithfulness rather than outward success. This idea of stewardship brings those threads together.

When most Christians hear the word stewardship, they immediately think about money, tithing, budgets, and giving. Those things matter, but they are not where biblical stewardship begins.

  • Long before there was money…
  • Long before there were offerings…
  • Long before anyone possessed wealth…
  • God entrusted Adam with something far more valuable.

He entrusted him with himself.

God gave Adam a body to govern, a garden to cultivate, work to accomplish, and His Word to obey. Adam's first stewardship was not financial—it was personal. He was called to faithfully manage everything God had placed into his care.

The same is true for us.

Every morning we wake up with gifts from God that are more valuable than money: our relationship with Christ, our body, our mind, our time, our abilities, our spiritual gifts, our opportunities, and the people He places in our lives. We are not owners of these things; we are stewards.

If we faithfully manage what God has entrusted to us, our finances will naturally become one expression of that faithfulness—not its starting point.

One day, when we stand before Jesus, I don't believe He will begin by asking how much money we have accumulated. He will ask whether we were faithful with what He entrusted to us.

That is why the words every believer longs to hear are not, "Well done, successful servant," but:

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

May we become faithful stewards—not only of our finances, but of our lives—for His Name's sake.

Friday, June 26, 2026

In His Name... For His Name's Sake


In His Name... For His Name's Sake

As I was reading through one of my old journals recently, two phrases of Jesus seemed to leap off the page.

"In My name."

"For My name's sake."

I had underlined them years ago, but this time they seemed connected in a way I had never noticed before.

The more I searched the Scriptures, the more I realized that these two phrases describe the entire Christian life.

Jesus tells us to gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).

He tells us to receive others in His name (Matthew 18:5).

He tells us to pray in His name (John 14:13-14).

Everything we do is to represent Him. His name is more than a phrase we say at the end of a prayer. His Name represents His authority, His character, His truth, and His Kingdom.

As believers, we carry His Name wherever we go.

Then Jesus says something equally important.

"You will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." (Matthew 24:9)

Notice the connection.

We live in His Name.

Sometimes we suffer for His Name's sake.

The privilege and the cost belong together.

The apostles understood this perfectly. After they had been beaten for preaching Christ, they rejoiced because they had been "counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41)

That verse has challenged me.

Would I still serve Jesus if no one applauded?

Would I still speak His truth if people rejected me?

Would I still obey Him if it cost me friendships, comfort, or popularity?

I believe these are questions every believer should ask.

As I looked back through that old journal, I realized something else.

God has been teaching me this lesson for many years. Sometimes we don't fully understand what He is showing us until much later. Looking back reminds us that God has been patiently shaping us all along.

Perhaps that is why Jesus spoke so often about His Name.

One day, every other name will fade away.

Only one Name will remain forever.

My prayer is that every day of my life will point someone to Jesus, so that one day I may hear the words I long to hear:

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Until then, may we live faithfully in His Name, even if it means suffering for His Name's sake.

 

Monday, June 22, 2026

Stewardship Mentoring: A Personal Invitation


Disclaimer: Stewardship Mentoring is educational and faith-based in nature. I am not a licensed financial advisor, investment advisor, attorney, accountant, or tax professional. Any financial decisions remain the responsibility of the client.


 

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Consequences Of Being In Debt And How To SOLVE It | Everything You Need To Know


Debt Doesn't Have To Control Your Future

Many good people find themselves struggling with debt. Unexpected medical bills, job loss, divorce, inflation, poor financial decisions, or simply life's hardships can create a burden that feels impossible to overcome.

The Bible reminds us that we are to be wise stewards of what God has entrusted to us. When debt begins to control our lives, it can rob us of peace, strain relationships, and create unnecessary stress and worry.

In this video, you'll learn about the real consequences of debt and discover practical solutions that may help you regain control of your finances and move toward financial freedom.

In This Video, You'll Discover:

• How debt affects your financial future
• The emotional and personal toll that debt can create
• What can happen when debt problems are ignored
• How debt impacts your credit score and borrowing ability
• Options that may help reduce or eliminate debt
• When it may be time to seek professional assistance

If you are struggling with debt and would like to explore your options, you can request a FREE, no-obligation consultation here: 

https://lp.curadebt.com/spinwheel-verify/?utm_source=7JQPN

My desire is not simply to help people improve their finances, but to help them experience greater peace, freedom, and responsible stewardship in every area of life.

Remember, no matter how difficult your financial situation may seem today, there is hope. The first step toward solving a problem is facing it and taking action.

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." — Proverbs 11:14

#DebtRelief #DebtHelp #FinancialFreedom #BiblicalStewardship #ChristianFinance #MoneyManagement #DebtSolutions #FinancialPeace #CuraDebt

Friday, June 12, 2026

The Word Changes Me


The Word Changes Me

One of the things I've noticed in my daily Bible reading is that the Word of God is changing me.

Not all at once.

Not overnight.

But little by little.

As I spend time reading and studying the Scriptures, I find that many of the thoughts, attitudes, and desires that once strongly pulled at me are becoming weaker. The things of God are becoming more important, and the things of the world are becoming less appealing.

This reminded me of what Paul wrote:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2)

Notice that Paul didn't say we would be transformed by trying harder. He said we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

How is our mind renewed?

By filling it with God's Word.

The Bible is unlike any other book ever written. It is alive. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is "living and powerful." Every time we open our Bible, God is speaking to us. He is teaching us, correcting us, encouraging us, and shaping us into the image of Christ.

Many believers become discouraged because they still battle temptation or struggle with old habits. They expect instant change. But God's work is often like planting a seed. The seed goes into the ground long before the harvest appears.

Jesus taught this principle in the Parable of the Sower. The seed is the Word of God. When planted in good soil, it eventually produces a harvest—some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some one hundredfold.

Our responsibility is to keep planting the seed.

Keep reading.

Keep studying.

Keep listening.

Keep believing.

The changes may seem small from day to day, but over time, the results become unmistakable.

Looking back over the years, I can see that God's Word has changed the way I think, the way I speak, the way I respond to problems, and even the desires of my heart.

The Word changes me because the Author of the Word is changing me.

If you feel stuck in your spiritual walk today, don't quit reading your Bible. Don't become discouraged if growth seems slow.

Keep sowing the seed of God's Word into your heart.

In due season, you will reap a harvest.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)


 

Your War On Debt Student Guide - A Biblical Stewardship Workbook

  Your War On Debt Student Guide (Scripture References) Financial Freedom Begins with Faithful Stewardship For many years, I've had the ...