The Christian Broadcasting Network
The Law of Reciprocity

Financial Panic to Happily Ever After!

By Audra Haney
The 700 Club




Partner With CBN

There are people in this world who are crying out to God for help this very minute. You can end hunger and thirst, bring medical and disaster supplies, provide jobs, and give hope to millions of hurting people. When you join, you help preach the Gospel in 147 countries and territories and 65 languages around the world. Do something that will last for eternity.

Partner Today

Find out more about how CBN partners are making a world of difference...

 
Partner Profiles

Freedom from Financial Fear

Escaping the Paycheck to Paycheck Life

You Can Love Your Work

 
 

CBN.com —Before 2009, DL and Deborah Hobby lived large. Deborah was a successful real estate agent and DL owned a body shop until he sold it to help finance their land deals. He decided to stay at home with their two children.

“I was very driven,” says Deborah. “I was all about acquiring the next deal.”

Deborah’s deals were paying off. She developed several affluent subdivisions. In 2006 the couple bought two additional properties with plans to develop them as well.

“Real estate was booming,” says DL. “Banks were handing out money left and right.”

As the couple’s business exploded, so did their lifestyle. Everyone in town could see their 4,600 square foot dream home from the main road.

“We became consumed with what we thought we had to have in order to be happy. And it was basically stuff,” says Deborah.

In 2009, the housing market crashed and the Hobbys’ business dried up almost overnight.

“And all the builders that we worked with basically quit or went bankrupt or both,” says Deborah. “It was literally like one day it was fine and the next day it just died.”

The Hobbys were quickly buried in an impossible amount of debt. Banks demanded payment on the loans they had taken out for their developments.

“Three, four, five million dollars that we were in debt,” says DL.

It caused a lot of fear, almost a panic in me,” says Deborah.

The Hobbys tried to pay their bills. Deborah shifted her real estate approach and DL started working overnight at a shipping company where he is still employed today. But, it wasn’t enough. First, they were forced to sell their home at a huge loss. Then, in 2010, they declared personal bankruptcy. When they moved their family of 4 into a 1,000 square foot home, the couple felt defeated.

“Our marriage was in shambles,” says Deborah. “We had put God on the back burner, that’s what caused us to unravel. Once we realized this is wrong, this is not working, we’d have no peace in our heart, in our home.”

“We made a commitment to each other and to God that we were going to follow him no matter what,” says DL.

DL and Deborah did agree on one thing. They would keep on tithing despite their financial difficulties. The Hobbys began to watch The 700 Club and eventually became partners.

“There were so many stories on there that gave me hope through God’s word,” says Deborah. “That people had been through the same kind of experiences that we had gone through. And, it just encouraged us.”

With their new focus, amazing things started to happen in that 1,000 square foot home.

It healed us,” says Deborah. “And moving to a smaller home and having less distraction, less pressure, it enabled us to appreciate the real things, the important things in life.”

Deborah’s business eventually started to rebound and within two years of the bankruptcy, the Hobbys bought a larger home. Today, they live their lives focused on God, not worried about all they can get, but rather, all they can give.

“God has doubled dared you, double dog dared you to try him on this one,” says DL. “And see if I won’t pour you out a blessing.”

“I know by the grace of God that our finances have been restored because of Him,” says Deborah. “And I believe that is because of us continuing to tithe and us putting God first in our lives.”

Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for DL and Deborah. Join them in partnering with CBN. You will make a difference in lives around the world, through medical missions, food and clothing programs, humanitarian outreaches and so much—all in the name of Jesus. Please join today.



CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?

A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.