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Steve Lyston | Things that hold us back

Published:Sunday | April 15, 2018 | 12:00 AM

There are many things that can hold a person back from moving forward to advance at God’s pace. True prosperity is not only about material wealth, but it’s about being at the place that God intended for you and in the time He specifies. God has a timetable for each person concerning what He wants each one to achieve, so we must be in His will and purpose on His timetable. Being who God wants us to be, doing what God wants us to do or possessing what God has laid up for you. Ultimately, if you are not on schedule, then you have been held back and it is time for evaluation.

 

...Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is the number one issue that holds us back. It means we have not forgiven. First we have to forgive ourselves from making wrong choices - whether business deals, relationships or family relationship breakdown.

For some, they blame God for the negative things that happen in their lives and are upset with God for blessing others before blessing them. Some carry years of hatred and bitterness for those who hurt them and always blame others for their present circumstances.

Unforgiveness causes a person to dwell in the past, reject God’s love, hinders you from achieving prosperity, and from receiving healing and deliverance. It causes you physical and mental issues, and ailments in your body. We are seeing this play out also within the political system where lack of forgiveness keeps us from moving forward particularly on a national level. In fact, the politicians will portray unity in public, but privately hate each other and would never forgive each other.

In business, many receive major write-offs, amnesty or tax breaks, yet they refuse to extend it to those below them.   (Matthew 18: 21 – 35)

 

Recognise that unforgiveness:

 

- Perpetuates ongoing problems in our lives

 

- Affects us physically (so we lose sleep), emotionally, and hinders our growth

 

- Shuts down our flow of communication with God

 

- Stops our prayers from being answered

 

- Restricts God from working on our behalf

 

Unless we forgive, God can’t forgive us.  (Matthew 6: 15)

 

 

...Negative Words

 

Negative words hold us back and create an environment of hardship and suffering.  Oftentimes the problems you are going through is the result of what we speak from our lips. So when God is going to bring change to a nation, He has to change the speech of the people first. So we need to STOP speaking that our nation is the most corrupt nation. That is not true and we all know that it is not true. First world countries are even more so than third world nations. Many build their economies with corruption as the foundation. We need to confess positive things over our nation on social network, over our family and speak life not death. (Proverbs 18: 21) Only then will we move forward. Stop allowing our speech to hold us back and instead use your mouth to help propel you forward.

Remember this, kings rule by decree.  What they say goes.

 

...Not Giving

A person who doesn’t give is not creating a future for themselves. Giving, whether love, money, service or time. Your giving is the only thing that secures your future and brings you to the next realm/level. A giver will not easily face bankruptcy. A giver, even when sick, will always rise up from their sick bed. A  giver will never be defeated.

There are certain blessings that you can only receive through giving. When you give to the poor, you lend to the Lord. Many people are now getting sick because they don’t give. If we all started practising to give, the world would be a better place. When you hold back your hand, God holds back His. Even when you give to your local church, it is not about getting the leader rich, but it is for your protection.  Your giving also breaks generational curses and cycles. It also creates miracles and joy.

The principle of giving allows us to receive new ideas and strategies.  Bill Gates gives; Grace, Digicel and Flow give. The RJRGLEANER Communications Group gives as well.  If more companies would give to the development of our youth, we would be further ahead.

 

- Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.