A special way to God's miracle help for our healing, finances, relationships       Also, see previous page 

Rick Lawrence Ministries
  nondenominational - 
 multiethnic - Bible-believing

   Do you have problems in your life: Money? Relationships? Health? This is a brief, bible study that could change your life.

You may wonder why I have written this special page.  There is a spiritual law found in the Bible that has applied in the past and, I believe still applies to all Christian true believers who will meet it's conditions.  I am speaking of the VOW. Vow is another word for pledge or something you promise to do or commit to doing.  A Vow can be made between you and God wherein you ask for special supernatural help with your finances, or goals, however, you are required to fulfill whatever you Vow. It's a serious matter. I want you to prosper so that you can be used of the Lord to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Interested?  keep reading this abridged Bible study regarding the importance of a Vow. It may be the answer you have been looking for!
                               
     Read this first -- A farmer or grower can look for a crop, but if he or she doesn't sow or plant he or she won't harvest or reap anything!  The farmer can pray for a harvest, but in addition to praying, the farmer needs to get busy and fulfill God's spiritual law by sowing [planting] the seed for the crop which will make up the harvest. As the crop grows, he or she can  pray, asking God to bring the increase, but the first step is to plant the seed and then pray for God's blessing in bringing the rain, sunshine and all else to cause a bountiful harvest.

     You sow [plant] financial seeds to ministry or missions by your donations to a worthy cause, and you will, I believe, over time, find that your own financial well-being will improve as you harvest a great deal more than you plant; it is the guarantee of the Word of God.  In Luke 6:38 Jesus speaks these words to us, "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."  You can see the spiritual law is this -- if you sow or plant the seed, you will get an increase [ harvest]. If you don't sow much, "not much" is what you will receive. This spiritual law governs all of our finances.  To all of you who need finances, or open doors, Jesus is telling you what to do to release the power of God into your financial situation and/or whatever area you have a special need or desire that will help you move forward.  One thing I know -- it takes money and effort to reach  out and spread the good news about Jesus. If everyone is broke and poor how can the Word be taught to the world? Summation --  give [sow] finances or help [this is the seed you sow] and you will receive according to the measure you use.

     How much FAITH [confidence] do you have in God's Word, the Bible? Hear this story -- The Old testament Book of  1 Kings17:8-16, the story is told about the Lord sending Elijah, the prophet, to  Zarephath in a time of famine. There was to be a a miracle interaction between Elijah and a widow in Zarephath. There had been no rain in the land for a longtime and, therefore, there were no crops. Here is the story -- Vs. 8, Then the word of the LORD came to him:
9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die."
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'"
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

     The point of the story, of course, is the lady was so poor and had so little that she barely had enough for one last meal for herself and her son -- then starvation would overtake them both. Elijah asks her for a small loaf of bread. This was an extreme sacrifice for her. Notice, he didn't ask her for all that she had, but for a portion of it. What if she had said no? But she trusted the Lord to provide for her as she gave up a portion of the little she had left to make some bread for Elijah. What happened? She fulfilled a spiritual law of God, she sowed some of the little food she had and God gave her a great increase. It took faith [confidence] in God's Word as spoken through His prophet Elijah.

     Okay, let's talk for a minute about faith. The Bible says, "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Many people, and this may include you, haven't heard the actual Word of God in the Bible as it pertains to the truth about finances and how to increase them so that you have enough to live an abundant life here on planet earth. 

     Most people think it is only a matter of prayer, for instance, keep asking God for finances and whatever else you need and /or would like (within reason) and hopefully, it will come to you. Frankly, you will rarely receive the help you need or want. How would you feel if you told someone they could have a certain thing or a certain amount of money, or whatever, if they would first give a dollar or two to a needy person. And, they acted brain dead. Apparently, they don't believe you. Instead of doing what you said, they keep on asking, and asking and asking? Some things you pray about, but when you are confronted by a spiritual law, you ACT ON IT. Do what it says!

     If God uses a spiritual law, it becomes a matter of action. Rather than pray and pray, we are to step out in faith and do what the spiritual law says. Then, we automatically, receive what is promised. God doesn't expect us to give everything we have -- he might on a special occasion, but Jesus spoke to the subject and said whatever measure you use will determine the measure you are blessed with. He wants you to act on His Word, which is His promise. When He says "with the measure you use" He's speaking about the quality of your action, what you feel in your heart when you give or sow. And when you sow, be certain your gift is generous and freely given. 
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     Let's step into a different realm,  the Vow         
        
     First, Understand that God answers prayer according to His will. It is not necessary to make a Vow between you and God to receive answers to your prayer from Him. Further, God says in His Word, the Bible, that obedience to Him is better than sacrifice. He would rather have you obey His Word and do what pleases Him than to live a sinful lifestyle, while you give sacrificial gifts to Him for His causes. But let me say this, if you are a spiritually born again believer, if you are obedient to His Word and give sacrificially to spread the Gospel [the good news of Jesus Christ] you have plugged into the most powerful help in the Kingdom of God.  Now, I know of happenings where people have accepted Jesus of Nazareth, as their personal Savior, and have been healed of strong mental or physical problems and/or delivered from strong addictions, or negative social behaviors. And if you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord of your life, be sure to do so if you expect [Yahweh] [Jehovah] God to enter into an agreement, a covenant with you in the form of a VOW.

     I believe that vows are a special form of added supernatural assistance to deliver true believers from super strong mental, bodily and other addictions as well as financial and other needs that are unusually difficult situations that seem not to respond to normal prayer and or fasting. So, I am saying that believers should not make Vow unto the Lord -- unless a very serious life situation calls for it. I believe the Lord listens especially to Vows of a believer who is making a Vow with a need for God's supernatural help that will also help the believer to live a holier life and help that believer who will use the help to be a better ambassador for Jesus Christ.

     There is something about making a Vow -- especially a financial Vow to help spread the Word of God -- that creates a special link between you and God. If you make a financial Vow to God to give to a ministry for spreading God's Word, and if your Vow is a request for the deliverance of a boyfriend, girlfriend, a husband or wife, or family member or friend from alcohol or other drugs, or a bad habit, or that you desire to move the hand of God that they may accept Jesus as their Savior -- or whatever your request in the Vow -- be sure you keep the Vow request to yourself. Don't mention it to the person you are wanting help for. God doesn't need or want your help in the matter, however, your love, understanding, patience and gentleness toward the individual will help. And, of course, a Vow may be established from you to God for your own needs of finances, healing and so forth. If you are still interested, read on and find out more about Vows.

      I want to bring to your attention a spiritual law that God has also placed in His Word for our use to achieve prosperity or abundant help in life. Some years ago, I came across this passage in the book of Psalms 50:14,15 -- "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. I needed help, I needed deliverance from financial needs and several other things. I said to myself, here is a spiritual law with a marvelous promise-- it's just what I need!  So, I looked up biblical references to Vows. There are quite few in the Book of Numbers and so forth. here is what I learned and will pass on to you.

      Here is how it works: To make a Vow to God regarding finances or protection needed, or whatever else -- was mentioned often in the Bible. For instance, The one making the religious vow proposed that if God did something (such as give finances, protection or help with a problem), then he or she in return would make some act of devotion. Often people would Vow to give of their money or goods to help others or to spread the Word of God. They linked freewill offerings as a Vow, and in return asked God to bless them in a special way, financially, or bless them in a special way for whatever else they were in need of. The devotion they promise God in return for His acting on their behalf should involve improvement in their Christian lifestyle, inasmuch as their intention is to stop sinning in some certain area of their life or the promise to live closer to God by obeying His commands, doing what pleases Him, and so forth.

     The Book of Numbers mentions Vows many times. Incidentally in Deuteronomy 23:21 it says, "If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin." What you need to understand is making a Vow will move the hand of the Lord on your behalf -- I believe -- in a special way. What you also need to understand is that when you make a Vow, and your devotional pledge to God is to give an offering of finances to help spread the Word of God in the world, it is true that you are helping a ministry or missions or someone, but in actuality, you are dealing with the Lord and He takes it very seriously. As for not being slow to pay it, I believe it is not that you need to pay it immediately, but that you must avoid letting it drag on while you make no effort to pay toward it. Making a Vow, according to His Word in the Bible, will move the hand of God, in a special way on your behalf. 

     Vow (pledge) -- Voluntary expressions of devotion usually fulfilled after some condition had been met. Vows in the Old Testament usually were conditional. A common formula for vows was the "if ... then ..." phrase (Gen. 28:20; Num. 21:2; Judg. 11:30 ). The one making the religious vow proposed that if God did something (such as give protection or victory), then he or she in return would make some act of devotion. Not all vows, however, were conditional. Some, such as the Nazirite vow (Num. 6), were made out of devotion to God with no request placed upon God. Whether conditional or not, the emphasis in the Bible is on keeping the vow. A vow unfulfilled is worse than a vow never made. While vows do not appear often in the New Testament, Paul made one that involved shaving his head [this may have been related to a cultural expression of his dedication -- in that day] Acts 18:18

     Your Vow doesn't have to be financial, however, God is pleased when you support His work in the world. You can make a Vow to God to help you with your health, your finances, your family, your job, or  provide you with something else you need, or to set you free from an addiction or whatever you need His miracle help with. God knows you can't send your Vow to heaven, He expects you to send it to support a ministry here on planet earth. I want to make it clear that you can make your vow to any ministry or mission you choose. Do not feel obligated to make your vow to Rick Lawrence Ministries. Do understand that you can make a financial Vow and send the finances -- a devotional part of your Vow -- to any ministry that spreads the Gospel or is involved with other ministry functions that lift up Jesus Christ to the world.  If you do decide the Lord would have you make a Vow of finances to help me with the dynamic outreach of Rick Lawrence Ministries it will help me reach thousands more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a sacrificial, worthy ministry and thanks to the Internet and global media, RKL2. org with Rick Lawrence Ministries reaches all over the USA, and all over the world. You can in a devotional pledge to God offer finances to help spread The Good news about Jesus Christ. But ask the Lord for wisdom to guide you as to where you should make and send finances or other help you vow.

       If you feel the Lord would have you make a financial vow to Rick Lawrence Ministries, It will thrill me to have you as a personal partner helping me lift up the Lord Jesus as a Banner and Standard in the face of all the evil satanic 'dark side' forces that war, globally, against the spreading of he Good News about Jesus Christ. Thank you, and God bless you for your consideration of helping  me with Rick Lawrence Ministries a truly dynamic outreach of Jesus of Nazareth, Son of the Living God [Yahweh] [Jehovah]  (JEHOVAH (Jeh hoh' vuh) is the English transliteration of the Hebrew text's reading of God's divine name Yahweh, thus these two names are interchangeable, they represent the one and only true God, God of the Bible, the universe and all that has been created. I use Jehovah to make it clear who I'm talking about when I use the word 'God.'  He is the great miracle worker; He loves you and keeps track of you.

     Many people have told of the remarkable miracles and changes in their situations when they have made a vow such as I have been telling you about.  I do want to caution you again. The Vow is one of the most sacred agreements you can make with God.  He will honor serious, realistic needs you ask for in your Vow, he will also hold you to whatever
devotional things you offer and agree to do in your part of the Vow agreement. It is better for you not to enter into a Vow with God than to make a vow and then let your devotional promise (s) slide.  He will end up reminding you of your devotional promise by disciplining you one way or another. And he may take away what you asked for and what He provided as His part of the vow agreement.  The VOW is a wonderful resource and has great ability to bring a miracle of provision or help into your life, but you must treat it respectfully -- you're dealing with God.

     Here is my challenge, which I believe is of the Lord: I challenge you to  make a Vow of dollars USD (United States dollars) an amount commensurate, that is, proportionate to your wealth or income. This may be a large offering of thousands of dollars. If it is possible for you, I challenge you to make a devotional offering of $1,000. If that is more than you can do -- if is too great for you, then I challenge you to make a vow of $500 dollars. If that is too great for you, then I challenge you to make a vow of $100 dollars. The point is to extend yourself in a free will,  generous offering as a special devotional pledge in view of asking God for a special blessing or deliverance. The same is true if you are pledging to so or not to do something in your lifestyle that will please God.  

     God is not asking for you to use your rent, or lease money, or car payment. You need to be realistic, but generous. you may feel led to Vow a particular sum that you feel is more right for you. How will you pay it if you are already needing finances, and can't afford to pay a whole lot on your vow? The Lord knows your situation. He wants to work on your behalf. If you can afford to pay $25, $50 or $100 a month on a $1000 Vow, He will know if you are giving your best effort. If it must be less, so be it. If there is an element of sacrifice, that's what He will credit you with in giving back a good measure. The Lord loves you.  If you do make a Vow --regardless of how much the amount is -- His spiritual law concerning it is that He expects you to pay on it: All at once is good, or give toward your Vow, monthly, or whatever you can do, but remember, it will be a contract, a commitment between you and Him. 

     To my beloved friends all over the world, I thank you and will ask God to bless you, greatly as I receive your financial help dedicated to teaching the Good News about eternal life, healing, love and help through Jesus Christ to people of every nation, tribe, language and people.  Receipts may take 4-8 weeks depending on mail service from USA to you in your country. God bless you for your gifts for the Lord's work! You can send the finances you Vow to me, Rick Lawrence, or to Rick Lawrence Ministry, we are one and the same. If you wish your gift to be tax deductible, you can send it through a church, or other 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Or click on this link to read of how to send it to Worldwide Ministries of which I am a member: If you send your gift to them and clearly designate it for Rick Lawrence Ministries, they will send your gift amount to me and forward  tax deductible receipt to you within 4-6 weeks.  see www.RKL2.org/support.htm  see lower portion of the page for more info on tax deductible gift.

Love in Jesus, your friend and brother in Christ,  Rick 

    You would be surprised at all of the people globally and also listeners of Crossroads of Life program who access the website and study what they find there. It's a wonderful ministry to reach the lost as well as believers, and RKL2.org offers Christian growth opportunities.  There are many huge ministries that are greater by far, but RKL2.org and Crossroads of Life, a contemporary radio outreach on secular radio, reaches thousands people who never tune into the religious radio and TV ministries. Recent polls show that huge numbers of people are listening to less TV and are spending more time listening to radio, ipods and surfing the Internet with their computers; this is especially true of youth and young adults.

     My friends, I have given you one of the Bible's most treasured spiritual laws that God uses to deliver His people from their difficult problems and needs. The minute you actively state your Vow and pay it, or make an active payment, you can expect to see God begin to work on your behalf. It is up to you to a carry out the acts of dedication or devotion you promise God when you make a Vow. I have seen some wonderful, supernatural deliverances people have received for themselves and for their loved ones, as a result of a Vow.

     As I close this study on God's Word regarding Vows, let me tell you that I, personally, have made several Vows over time and continue to do so, on occasion.  God has used these Vows, dramatically to bless me. In closing, I have other verses which I live by. Listen to these verses: 1 John 3:21-22,  "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."  This verse lays out a spiritual law that says if you obey His Word and act on it with an obedient lifestyle, God will hear you and reward you in a special way. Deuteronomy 18:8 "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power [and/or ability] to get wealth..." Malachi 3:11, "And I will rebuke the devourer  [pests, satanic attacks against you] for your sakes..."

     I trust this Bible study has been of help to you.  As I close this page, I share a verse with you that has remained with me and I recall it and recite it every day I share it with you, my friend, God promises it and if you obey Him in it, you can trust Him to bring it to pass -- Proverbs 3:5, 6  " Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not [or rely] on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."     

The first greatest miracle that you can undergo is to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord of your life.  “If you were standing before Jesus and he asked you ‘why should I let you into my kingdom?’ what would you say?  “The Bible says that we have all done wrong.”  “The Bible says the payment for doing wrong is Hell.” (Rom.6:23) But we get to go to heaven if we just ask.”   “Is there any reason why you would want to spend eternity in hell?”  I’m sure practically all of you are saying no!  GREAT!  Let me help you pray right where you are, Speak or whisper the words as you pray.   “Mean these words with your whole heart.”    
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all of the things I have done wrong. I acknowledge the fact that I am a sinner I ask for your forgiveness. I repent, changing my heart and mind, I turn away from my sins. I open the door of my heart to you now, Jesus I place my faith in you Jesus who died for my sin and made a way for me to have eternal life.”  I ask you Jesus to come into my heart as my personal Savior and become the Lord of my life. Help me to live for you. Thank you Lord Jesus for this miracle that causes me to be spiritually born again.  Help me to live this new life, to obey your commands and do what pleases you.  Amen 

If you have need of a miracle healing, for instance, mental, physical, or spiritual the Bible says that Jesus still heals people in today's world. (Hebrews 13:8) You may want to click on the following link and read one of my radio messages regarding healing Crossroads of Life scripts6.htm   When you accept Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior and Lord of your life read the Bible study I have written for new believers (Click here)

Love in Jesus, Your friend and brother in Jesus Christ,  Rick Lawrence 


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