Sandie Freed: You Can Be Fearless About The Possibility Of Lack

Bankruptcy. Foreclosure. Inflation. How about fiscal cliffs? Let's take this a little further – something that's daily on the news – the national deficit that is completely out of control! We can all relate to the potential to fear our future concerning financial security during these times. However, as Believers, we are not wired to depend upon the global economy. And, actually, there is no grace to do so! How is that? Well, allow me to explain our spiritual DNA a bit and point you to keys that release the increase that God promises. And, yes, you can prosper during drought, famine, and lack – if you position your faith properly as a child of God.

Being Fruitful, Increasing, And Multiplying

Dear Believer, God's mandate to mankind has not changed. We know from Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV) that when God created mankind in His own image that He gave them dominion and authority. We read in the next verse (verse 28) that He also blessed them and instructed them to increase: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Since He created mankind in His own image and breathed life into them, we know that mankind was created with God's DNA! And according to His direction to them (to know they were blessed, to be fruitful, and take dominion and increase), I believe it is safe to conclude that we are not wired to accept lack. Lack should be considered an invasion from the enemy or an invasion of circumstances that attempt to seduce us into unbelief. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
If you recall, satan tempted Eve with lack – and she believed the lie! Satan lied to Eve and caused her to doubt what God had spoken to her. Genesis 3:1 (KJV) gives us an important clue concerning the evil seductions of our enemy: "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, 'Yea, hath God said, "Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden"?'" (my emphasis added). The word subtle is the Hebrew word 'aruwm (pronounced aw-room'), and it means "cunning (usually in a bad sense)." It is further translated as "crafty" and "prudent." Prudent? Now that word deserves attention! Let's delve into this a bit. Keep reading; breakthrough for increase awaits!
Satan's being prudent means that he carefully, skillfully, and, yes, shrewdly, plans his evil seductions. At the time in the Garden (and his seductions still haven't changed today), he decisively mapped out schemes to target Eve's faith in what God had said – concerning His directives as well as His desire to provide and protect. Adam and Eve were given dominion – even over this cunning serpent. Yes, they were in the Garden of Increase, and yet it was never fully accessed due to the prudence of satan and their believing him!
Take a moment and focus on the passage in Scripture which describes the craftiness of satan to lie and seduce mankind which is recorded in Genesis 3:1-6 (NIV). As you read, please note and carefully consider the words in bold:
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?' (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

"The woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die."'

"'You will not surely die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil'" (my emphasis added).

Satan's Seduction In The Garden Targeted Eve's Identity And Sense Of Lack

Notice specifically these three areas of satan's craftiness and how he twisted Eve's perception of God:

• Satan said, "Did God really say..." How often has God given us directives, or a promise of breakthrough and increase, and almost immediately satan comes with words of doubt? He cunningly finds a way to erect a death structure of unbelief by saying words like, "Did God really say that He was Jehovah Jireh, your Provider?"
• Satan said, "You shall not surely die." How often are we tempted to not believe God's Word? Adam and Eve did not immediately die when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, rather than only from the Tree of Life. No! But, it did cause a death structure to be erected over their lives. From the time they ate from the wrong tree, death had dominion! For us today, satan continues to lie to us concerning how "unimportant" it is for us to believe God!
Believers, when we do not heed God's principles, it opens the door for drought, famine, and lack. How is that? Well, since I want to target a false sense of lack, let's focus on the law of sowing and reaping.
Sowing and reaping are godly principles that will open the doors to your increase and harvest. Our spiritual DNA has wired us to be givers. After all, God is a giver. He gives, and gives, and gives out of love. Our foundation for this principle of love and giving is based upon John 3:16 (ASV): "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (my emphasis added). Yes, God "loved" and "gave." (Photo via Freeimages)
Again, we are not wired to be stingy, withhold, and hoard. Even during an economic crisis, we are to continue to focus on God's Word, which encourages us to "...give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38 ASV). Yes, we are instructed to "give," and then it is "given."
Increase and multiplication await you! Don't allow a fear of lack to keep you from crossing your threshold of abundance! Unbelief causes a death structure to block your breakthrough.
• Satan said, "...when you eat of it...you will be like God." Satan was targeting Eve's identity! Yes! How is that? Well, she was already like God, as she had been created in His image. Satan tried this same seduction with Jesus during His time in the wilderness. Satan told the Bread of Life "...If you really are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread" (Matthew 4:3, paraphrased). Jesus had just previously been baptized by John the Baptist and the Father declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). Notice that almost immediately satan targeted Jesus' identity! Precious saint – he does the same with us! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
When God has declared to you that you will prosper and be in health, the enemy will come immediately to cause you to doubt all that God has promised. We need not fear concerning our finances or lack. If we are His child, He promises to take care of us. Remember, the Word of God is still true as it says, "...For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
We need not be fearful concerning our financial situations, either present or future! Having faith in God's Word, even during times of financial crisis, will defeat fear and unbelief structures. Yes, it's possible to remain fearless even during difficult times. God promises to give us grace – and it is that exact grace that will empower you to remain fearless!

Will You Attack Every Area Of Lack?

In my recent book, Crushing the Spirits of Greed and Poverty: Discerning and Defeating the Ancient Powers of Mammon and Babylon, I discuss how a poverty mentality and greed hinder us from experiencing the blessings of God. This particular book is a war manual for us, as we are presently in a spiritual battle of contending with one of the greatest spirits that holds us in captivity: poverty.
When we agree with a poverty mentality, we are refusing to become what God has created and destined us to be. This includes an ungodly mindset of not believing (structures of unbelief!) that the Lord can cycle us into the fullness of His divine plans for us. Poverty includes lack; but, added with poverty is a fear of experiencing lack. Poverty has a voice – a voice that says, "God is not able!"
Fear of lack results in greed, covetousness, and even gluttony (see Proverbs 23:21). We experience poverty when we resist the leading of the Holy Spirit or resist His instructions (as Eve did when she believed satan's lies and ate from the forbidden tree).

The Midianite Spirit That Steals The Harvest

If you have noticed that you remain in cycles where your harvest is continually stolen, then you need to begin to war against the Midianite spirit. Gideon was familiar with the Midianites, as they were the ones who stole harvest from the Israelites. Each year, right at harvest, the Midianites had already devised a plan to steal the harvest from the Israelites. If you have noticed that right before your job promotion, just when you are expecting checks in the mail, or maybe every year at Christmas – the enemy comes and steals the blessings and breakthroughs – then it's time to go to war!
You must first begin to renew your mind concerning God's promises concerning your being blessed and anointed for increase. I have always said that the biggest battle is in our minds. It's time to repent (change our minds) for believing falsely about God, His provision, and His love for us. Dear Believer – we don't have to twist God's arm to bless us! He has already promised to bless us, and even made covenant as a guarantee! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Do Not Agree With Mammon!

In my book which I previously mentioned, I write much on the spirit of Mammon. Mammon was the name of an actual false Syrian god that was worshipped – even by some of the Israelites! Mammon is more than mere money. Mammon seduces us into "loving" money – often much more than God. Mammon attempts to rule over us through ungodly lust for wealth, fame, and fortune. Mammon creates an atmosphere for a fear of lack. Trusting fully in God and His divine provision is what negates the power of Mammon over our lives.
Matthew 6:24 explains that no one can serve both God and Mammon. Money, in and of itself, is neutral. Money is neither good nor bad. It is the love of money that becomes dangerous to us as Believers – whether we have any or not! We must continually examine our relationship with money and our dedication to the power which is behind money. That's right – money represents power, and it can be every seductive. Again, we must guard ourselves against the love of money (see 1 Timothy 6:10).
I want to help you understand how Mammon enslaves and imprisons us if we trust in worldly riches rather than God and His Word. The bottom line is: It is about whom or what we trust. Is it any wonder that an idol, named Mammon, was created so that men would worship it above the One true God? Yes, satan planned this evil scheme ever since he seduced mankind in the Garden. Whenever we put our trust in money, rather than God, we fall prey to the enemy over and over again.
Disasters may strike. But, did you realize that God is our Master in every time of disaster? Maybe you've made bad decisions concerning money and now you are facing difficulties. I have good news for you: God cares and He still wants to bless you! Sure, you may need to seek wisdom in the future before making major financial moves – but God does not desire to punish you with poverty! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
If you have believed that, it is time to repent for a false belief system, and then realize this: To repent means that we need to change the way we think. Yes, Believer, we must change the way we think about ourselves and about God. If you feel ashamed for your past failures, remember that God has clothed you with a robe of righteousness.
God has made a covenant to bless you when you become His child. He will resolve your financial messes, even if they are self-inflicted. Yes! Read that last sentence again! He is the only One to get us out of our messes. He will give you His wisdom! Getting more money is not the cure-all. Being submitted to God and trusting in Him and His provision is the only way to break out of lack.

You Qualify For God's Abundant Blessings

God told Abraham that He was going to bless him in order that he would then be a blessing to the nations. Believer, listen up! Prosperity was never meant to only bless us – it is about being a blessing to others! The prosperity message has been very misunderstood. It is not about believing God to bless us so that we keep it all for our own sakes. God has a much bigger plan whenever we get breakthroughs; His blessings are purposeful, and it's all about becoming a blessing to others.
Jesus taught thirty-eight parables concerning money and money management. I believe it would be safe to say this: Being good stewards is on the top of God's list! In Scripture, there are over five hundred verses concerning prayer and fasting – and yet there are two thousand on money and possessions from Jesus' teachings. So, again, it appears also very safe to conclude that Jesus taught five times more on money than prayer. Why is that? Because, dear friends, I truly believe He knew that if we do not learn to master money, then money will master us! (See Matthew 6:24.) (Photo via Freeimages)
Saint of God, know this important fact concerning being fearless against lack. You qualify for God's abundance because you are His child. He loves to provide for His kids! Once you decided to become a child of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, then all the promises of God become yours!
He wants you to know Him as the Father who loves to provide for His children and bless them. Make a decision today to trust Him and position yourself to receive all that He desires to give you. It's time to change our poverty mentality, believe for His promises, and confess that it is His will for us to prosper! Yes, it's time to understand and know more fully the generous heart of God!
Open your heart to the Holy Spirit today and pray this prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, I want to give You every fear that I am challenged with – especially the fear of lack. I want to turn my entire life over to You. I trust You with my life, my family, my ministry, my business, and my finances. Forgive me for believing that You did not desire to bless me. I know that I am Your child and that it is Your desire to lavish me with abundant love and blessings. I decree BREAKTHROUGH over my life! I decree that PROSPERITY and BLESSINGS are being released on my behalf. Thank You, Lord, that because of the shed Blood of Jesus and what He accomplished at the Cross that I can expect to be blessed!
In Jesus' name. Amen!
Dr. Sandie Freed
Zion Ministries
Co-pastor, Lifegate Church, Hurst, Texas
Email: zionministries1@sbcglobal.net
Website: lifegatechurchinternational.com
Dr. Sandie Freed co-labors with her husband, Mickey Freed, doing the work of the Lord as a ministry team. In addition, they are the founders of Zion Ministries Training Center in Bedford, Texas, and Lifegate Church International.