Cedric Dukes's Blog, page 14
February 6, 2018
#Prayer and #Finances Can Coexist
Many times prayer is utilized in where we are defenseless or at our wits end. For some, prayer is looked upon as the last resort because we may not be able to physically solve a problem or even a crisis. I submit to you to look at prayer as the first act to solve your problems.
Truthfully many don’t like to mix God with their finances because for many of us don’t want God to mess with our money. If I may suggest, pray over your finances for the next 30 days whether it is in good or bad shape. It does not matter. Just try it.
Financial praying is not asking God to increase your finances to do whatever you want but it is used to put finances in the right perspective. It is used to utilize finances the correct way. We have to realize that God never intended for us to live beneath out privileges. He never intended for us to toil to meet ends meet. Lastly he never intended for us to be bankrupt or to go into debt. This is not his nature. You are his representative so why would he put you in this position. There will be good days and bad days; we must be ready for both no matter our financial position. So why not pray?
I have prayed for my mortgage, budget, bills, and investments. In each case God has given me solutions to avert disaster even before this financial crisis. He has also given me solutions and favor to completely eliminate debt. He has also shown me how to not only increase my return but to increase my financial position. Basically, I have given my financial issues over to him to solve because I realize that I or no one else is capable of solving. He is truly my Financial Adviser. Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I have learned not to be anxious but give everything to him. Let’s face it, finances is a hard area for most so give it up to God and allow him to work out the situation in your behalf.
February 3, 2018
5 Easy Steps to Eliminate Debt
Cut up your credit cards and keep one for an emergency. Determine which credit card you need. You should be able to pay off the balance within the credit card cycle. If you are not able to do this, you may need to switch to a debit card, which is an excellent opportunity to control spending since the payment is taken from your checking or savings account.
If you owe a large debt and are having a difficult time living day to day because your expenses are too great, consider selling something in your household of value to pay off that particular debt. Proverbs 10:22 states, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
Occasionally help others to pay off debt. Luke 6:31 says, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Be patient. All debt will not be paid off instantly unless God decides to do so. Patience is the key. James 1:4 tells us, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Patience is perfect; patience has no time God’s work is perfect because He knows the day and timing when you will come out of debt.
Excerpts from Hostile Takeover – Manifesting God’s Plan and Purpose for Your Finances
January 30, 2018
Parents, convince your teenager they are a brand
Whether we like it or not, we live in a world of branding. From Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, iPhones, Jay Z and Beyoncé, everyone has a brand. Some brands are hidden not breaking the light of day. Others brands are in your face daily. We buy and adore brands. Mobile phones are purchased because of branding – how easily it operates, which has the most features and what is the largest screen size. Personal branding is similar to our mobile devices because of the comfort that it gives us and how it makes us feel good.
Teenagers today are a brand of itself. Whether it’s Twitter, Whats App, Snapchat or Instagram, they are being branded. Their behavior brands them by what they say and do. They are branded each day by their teachers, grades, family members, friends, coaches, and counselors. If a student produces either straight A’s or B’s in their courses, they will be looked upon positively by others. On the other hand, if a student produces below average grades and don’t turn in their homework and are late to class, their brand will take a nose dive like the stock market a couple of years ago. Parents help your teenagers understand that people get better treatment based on their brand. It is a given fact that people promote people they like. Music artists collaborate with each other to sell more records. Star basketball players are creating super teams to win championships and companies rush to stars that have the most followers in social media to sell their product. Like it or not, everything that we do or say is a brand. The next time your teenager is in the heat of a battle, tell them to think about the consequences and inform them how others are watching and branding them. Their character, attitude, and decision making brand will outlast them for years to come.
January 7, 2018
Try this book for time management
The Power of Time: Living a Life of No Regrets by Cedric D. DukesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Your Time + Your Purpose = Your Destiny
You have 24 hours in a day; the same as anybody in the world - what are you doing with your time? You have 1440 minutes in a day – are you putting it to good use? You have 86,400 seconds in a single day – what are you doing with it? Your effectiveness on earth is measured by what you do or do not manifest. Your entire life is dependent on the decisions that you make and the time you take to complete them. You must make the most of every opportunity.
View all my reviews
December 21, 2017
Journey Through Mountains
Mountains are a journey through life. A mountain builds character, humility, and brings us to our purpose. It has a definite starting and stopping point. Getting to the other side of the mountain is a process. First there is preparation. This includes training, planning, and prayer. You must have a mindset to complete your goal. Never go onto the mountain without planning to finish. You have to train your mind because it controls every bodily function. For instance, your mind can make you sit down, run, walk, or just do nothing. Get in your mind that you are going to cross this mountain and get to your goal. Ninety percent of the journey is attitude. The Israelites took 40 years to travel to the promise land when it should have taken no more than 10 days. It was their complaining attitude that took them 40 years. Understand that if you are in it for the long haul, you must get the proper resources, materials, and tools for the trip. If you don’t, you will be inadequate in your travels. Those tools could be education, tips, and wisdom from others. The best experience is wisdom that you learn from others because you’ll learn their failures and successes.
December 20, 2017
Crossing our Mountains (Audio)
Audio from “Man – Transforming our families, our communities, and our world”
https://cedricdukes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Mountains.mp3
Motivation
Excerpts from “Man”
Motivation is different for every man. Some are motivated by fame and fortune. Some are motivated by their job. Others are motivated by their family. Each man has a motivation. I encourage you to find out what that is and ask yourself, “Would God be pleased with my actions?” Motivation originates in the heart. Whatever we put or allow in our heart will show up as motivation. When we allow stuff (good or bad) in our heart, it can produce those things that will ultimately define our purpose. One of the first murders in the Bible was between two brothers – Cain and Abel. The two brothers brought an offering (gift) to the Lord. God accepted Abel’s offering but He did not accept Cain’s. The difference in the two was motivation. Abel gave God his best, which was the first born of his flock, and Cain gave God what was from the ground. Abel brought something more valuable to God. Cain short-changed God. What was their motivation? Abel wanted to please God with his faith. As a result of his insecurity, Cain killed Abel. His selfish motivation was rooted in pride. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD (Proverbs 21:2). Our motivation must be rooted in love. Love is the greatest equalizer of self-centeredness. When you are in a predicament about something, ask yourself, “Am I doing this in love or doing this to get something?” Every time you will answer truthfully.
November 25, 2017
Financial Strengths: Need, Want, and Desires
Work your budget first with the “Need” in mind. The need is a necessary expense for living (food, clothing, shelter, insurances expenses, and emergency fund/savings). The need is a “gotta have”. Work your budget with the need expenses and determine if your budget can be met. If your income does not exceed your expenses, then go back and work it until you have a surplus. There is a saying in Proverbs 10:22 which states, the blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. If there is something in your expenses that causes you pain and frustration, you may need to get rid of it. By doing so, freedom will come. Additionally, when your income is unplanned, always put some money away so when the rainy day comes you have it to pay those needed expenses.
If you have a surplus, work your budget with the “Want” expenses. The want is something above and beyond basic needs, better quality and better technology than the store brand. In most cases, the cost is higher (i.e. PDA vs. flip phone, name brand cornflakes instead of store brand – you get the picture!). You should be meeting your budget comfortably with the want expenses.
Lastly, if you have a surplus, move on to the “Desire” expenses. These are expenses that will move you closer to the achievement of your personal goals. Within each category, there is a level of budget constraint that you should experience. This means that accomplishment is around the corner for your vision.
October 28, 2017
Don't waste time
Don’t procrastinate (do them now)
Don’t be afraid to say no to your friends (when you have other important things to do)
Avoid distractions (cell phone, TV, etc.)
Write down everything so you don forget the important things
Don’t’ under estimate assignments
Make free time to have fun
The Power of Time: Living a Life of No Regrets
Your Brand
www.cedricdukes.com
Cedric Dukes
