Due to the current economy, many people have adjusted their financial habits. Reckless spending is much lower and financial discipline is growing significantly. People are keeping a closer eye on their debt (especially the credit cards!) and trying to save more. This newfound financial discipline has spiritual implications as well.
Now, I’m no financial expert, so when the analysts are discussing the Dow Jones and the gross national product, I pretty much glaze over. But the idea of “market correction” caught my attention. According to analysts, a series of poor financial practices, such as overlending by banks, overspending by consumers (mostly on credit), and overambitious interest rates have led to current market conditions. And the resulting foreclosures, unemployment rates, and national debt are the price we now have to pay—literally.
Undisciplined financial behavior leads to serious financial consequences. Now take the word “financial” out of that previous sentence. It’s a basic spiritual principle that a lack of discipline leads to poor outcomes. So as Christians, taking stock of our financial habits is closely tied into taking a closer look at our overall lifestyle. During this period of market correction, maybe there are areas in which we will achieve spiritual correction as well. There are a few examples:
• More people are using coupons now when shopping. I heard someone once say, “Retail price is for suckers.” Getting the best price for purchases just makes sense. But of course, this type of discipline involves planning your shopping trip to the grocery store or mall to ensure you have the coupons you need—which means fewer wasteful impulse purchases.
• Many have cut down on non-essential spending, such as dining out. I can only begin to tell you how many benefits this offers. The first is the ability to spend more family time at home. In addition, by preparing your own food, you control the ingredients—which has tremendous nutritional benefits for your family.
• Most of us are also keeping a watchful eye on the credit card bills and our accumulated debt. Paying down and controlling debt has always been essential. Many lost sight of that during more prosperous times. But now, outrageous spending is down, allowing more people to appreciate what they currently have and save for the future.
Have you been more responsible with your finances lately? Or are you in the market for some correction? I’m reminded of the parable of the bags of gold in Matthew 25:14-30. Take a read—and ask yourself if you are like the servant who was pleasing to his master. Then ask God for ways in which you can be an even better steward of the finances He has entrusted you with.
What are some ways in which you have been led to be more financially responsible? Leave a message!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
On Vacation?
I went away on vacation recently. But don’t you know, dear reader, that you can’t take a vacation from God? What I mean is, you can temporarily change your location and you can take a break from your daily routine…but when God has something for you to do—you just can’t get away.
In times of trouble and when faced with certain danger, it is so encouraging to know that God is there. And when we are walking in His way and serving Him the best way we can, we are so welcoming of His presence. But what about those times when we aren’t quite living up to our call? Are we as anxious to stand before Him?
I am reminded of Psalm 139, where David so eloquently states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.” Of course, this is not a frustration with the omnipresence of God, but an overwhelming awe of the fulfillment of His promise to never leave or forsake us. Yet, when we are out of His will, this may take on a new meaning for us.
For example, when Jonah was called to preach against the city of Nineveh, he decided to decline God’s assignment. So he packed his bags and went on vacation! Well, sort of. He ran away toward the city of Tarshish. He never made it, though, as he was swallowed by a big fish while en route. So much for getting away, huh?
And if you remember way back in the beginning, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, they tried to hide from His presence. But in the Garden of Eden, there was no place to hide their faces from Him. And even when they received their just punishment—banishment from the garden—God still watched over them.
Whether you work in ministry or serve from the pews, there may come a time where you feel like “taking a break.” It may come in the form of falling off from your responsibilities, or just getting lax in your prayer and Bible reading. The truth is, we can’t take “time off” from being Christians. Nor can we “get away” from the call on our lives.
Paul, who was a great worker in ministry, understood our human limitations. He encouraged the churches and warned them often to “faint not.” In 2 Corinthians 4:16, he offers the following words of encouragement, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The irony is that our daily renewal, our very strength, comes from doing the very things that our bodies and minds are telling us that we’re too tired to do!
Next time you feel the urge to “get away” from the Lord’s will, try a staycation: Stay in prayer, stay in the Word, and stay in His presence. He will fill you with joy—and the joy of the Lord is your strength!
In times of trouble and when faced with certain danger, it is so encouraging to know that God is there. And when we are walking in His way and serving Him the best way we can, we are so welcoming of His presence. But what about those times when we aren’t quite living up to our call? Are we as anxious to stand before Him?
I am reminded of Psalm 139, where David so eloquently states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.” Of course, this is not a frustration with the omnipresence of God, but an overwhelming awe of the fulfillment of His promise to never leave or forsake us. Yet, when we are out of His will, this may take on a new meaning for us.
For example, when Jonah was called to preach against the city of Nineveh, he decided to decline God’s assignment. So he packed his bags and went on vacation! Well, sort of. He ran away toward the city of Tarshish. He never made it, though, as he was swallowed by a big fish while en route. So much for getting away, huh?
And if you remember way back in the beginning, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, they tried to hide from His presence. But in the Garden of Eden, there was no place to hide their faces from Him. And even when they received their just punishment—banishment from the garden—God still watched over them.
Whether you work in ministry or serve from the pews, there may come a time where you feel like “taking a break.” It may come in the form of falling off from your responsibilities, or just getting lax in your prayer and Bible reading. The truth is, we can’t take “time off” from being Christians. Nor can we “get away” from the call on our lives.
Paul, who was a great worker in ministry, understood our human limitations. He encouraged the churches and warned them often to “faint not.” In 2 Corinthians 4:16, he offers the following words of encouragement, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The irony is that our daily renewal, our very strength, comes from doing the very things that our bodies and minds are telling us that we’re too tired to do!
Next time you feel the urge to “get away” from the Lord’s will, try a staycation: Stay in prayer, stay in the Word, and stay in His presence. He will fill you with joy—and the joy of the Lord is your strength!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The End of Days
Birds fall from the sky. Dead fish wash up on the shores. Sickness and diseases strike in epidemic proportions. Wars and rumors of wars spread worldwide. For those who are Bible readers, these events sound pretty Apocalyptic. Could this very well be the end of days?
Depending on which news source you read, there’s a very good explanation for the recent sudden death of thousands of birds and fish worldwide. It’s either a natural phenomenon that humans have just happened to witness recently due to greater urbanization—or it’s an unexplained mystery that may be a sign of the upcoming end of the world. In recent years, there have been quite a few events that have caused folks to take a pause:
• Weather phenomena, such as El Niño, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean tsunami
• The outbreak of the AIDS and SARS epidemics
• The rise and scope of terrorism, such as the September 11th attacks
But are these signs of the end of the world? The danger is that there tends to be 2 basic reactions: Too worried or completely apathetic.
Besides losing sleep and literally worrying themselves to death, those who are too worried run the risk of taking on a destructive outlook on life. Why bother to pursue one’s goals when the world is going to end anyway? Worry is a crippling state of mind. That’s why Matthew 6:25-34 warns us not to be consumed by such anxiety.
However, those who are completely apathetic may be overlooking an opportunity for salvation. With a “we’re all going to die, one way or the other” attitude, they may rarely stop to think about what happens afterward. But being “ready to die” is not quite the same as being prepared for eternal life. In Luke 17:26-29, Jesus mentions how people were obliviously going about everyday life in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah, before great destruction overcame them all.
So what is the right balance? As Christians, we are certainly to look forward to the day of Christ’s return. And we know that destruction of the sinful world soon follows. But instead of getting caught up in things over which we have no control, we should focus on getting our lives right. And reach out to help others find salvation. Because when the end of days does come, we want to ensure that we’re on the right side of eternity!
Depending on which news source you read, there’s a very good explanation for the recent sudden death of thousands of birds and fish worldwide. It’s either a natural phenomenon that humans have just happened to witness recently due to greater urbanization—or it’s an unexplained mystery that may be a sign of the upcoming end of the world. In recent years, there have been quite a few events that have caused folks to take a pause:
• Weather phenomena, such as El Niño, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean tsunami
• The outbreak of the AIDS and SARS epidemics
• The rise and scope of terrorism, such as the September 11th attacks
But are these signs of the end of the world? The danger is that there tends to be 2 basic reactions: Too worried or completely apathetic.
Besides losing sleep and literally worrying themselves to death, those who are too worried run the risk of taking on a destructive outlook on life. Why bother to pursue one’s goals when the world is going to end anyway? Worry is a crippling state of mind. That’s why Matthew 6:25-34 warns us not to be consumed by such anxiety.
However, those who are completely apathetic may be overlooking an opportunity for salvation. With a “we’re all going to die, one way or the other” attitude, they may rarely stop to think about what happens afterward. But being “ready to die” is not quite the same as being prepared for eternal life. In Luke 17:26-29, Jesus mentions how people were obliviously going about everyday life in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah, before great destruction overcame them all.
So what is the right balance? As Christians, we are certainly to look forward to the day of Christ’s return. And we know that destruction of the sinful world soon follows. But instead of getting caught up in things over which we have no control, we should focus on getting our lives right. And reach out to help others find salvation. Because when the end of days does come, we want to ensure that we’re on the right side of eternity!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
$86,400
I recently came across a very interesting proposition in my church bulletin. The question was, “What if someone deposited $86,400 into your bank account daily? What would you do with it?” Of course the mind begins to race and one begins to imagine all that could be accomplished with this amount.
As I read on, I found that whatever you don’t use at the end of the day gets deleted from your account. The next day, you begin with $86,400 all over again. You can’t save from the day before or borrow against tomorrow’s deposit. So, to make the most of your daily allotment, you would have to spend wisely.
Oh, and by the way, I read that the deposits can end at any time, without any warning. Well, that made the proposition a little more interesting!
How would you handle your daily deposit? Would you spend it on the things you need? Would you give some away to worthy causes? Would you invest it in long-term initiatives? Would you waste it on nonsense?
They say “time is money” and this helps bring that analogy to life. The $86,400 represents the number of seconds we have in a day. Each day, you get a new deposit and you have to decide what to do with it. In reality, each of us gets the same amount. How do you choose to spend yours?
This year, let’s make the most of our daily deposits. Some of us have made resolutions for the things we want to accomplish in 2011. Well, we have 86,400 seconds each day to make it happen.
A great start would be tithing some of it back to God. Remember to set aside time daily to go before the Lord in prayer, spend time reading His Word, and listen to His guidance. When you turn it over to the Lord, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with your 86,400!
Happy New Year, readers!
As I read on, I found that whatever you don’t use at the end of the day gets deleted from your account. The next day, you begin with $86,400 all over again. You can’t save from the day before or borrow against tomorrow’s deposit. So, to make the most of your daily allotment, you would have to spend wisely.
Oh, and by the way, I read that the deposits can end at any time, without any warning. Well, that made the proposition a little more interesting!
How would you handle your daily deposit? Would you spend it on the things you need? Would you give some away to worthy causes? Would you invest it in long-term initiatives? Would you waste it on nonsense?
They say “time is money” and this helps bring that analogy to life. The $86,400 represents the number of seconds we have in a day. Each day, you get a new deposit and you have to decide what to do with it. In reality, each of us gets the same amount. How do you choose to spend yours?
This year, let’s make the most of our daily deposits. Some of us have made resolutions for the things we want to accomplish in 2011. Well, we have 86,400 seconds each day to make it happen.
A great start would be tithing some of it back to God. Remember to set aside time daily to go before the Lord in prayer, spend time reading His Word, and listen to His guidance. When you turn it over to the Lord, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with your 86,400!
Happy New Year, readers!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Bible in One Year
Have you read the Bible? Okay, this is a trick question. Many Christians will say, “Yes.” But the question really is, “Have you actually read each and every book of the Bible in a concentrated effort to know and understand the Word of God we are to live by every day?” Hmmm…
As we enter 2011, people look to the New Year as an opportunity for a new start and a new commitment. I encourage you, my brothers and sisters and Christ, to make this your year of reading the complete Word of God. As we become more spiritually mature, we begin to realize that it’s not enough to know how to get to the books of the Bible and where to find popular verses that are often quoted. We need to really go deeper and read through all the pages of the Word we hold close to our hearts.
We live in a day and age—and most of us live in countries—where we have easy access to the Bible on a daily basis. And there are multiple translations available in our native tongue to help make it easy to read the Bible. But reading the Word of God in a year is not like picking up a coffee table book for a casual perusal. It takes a commitment. And it requires daily prayer for understanding. It means staying faithful even on the most difficult days of the year. And I for one can tell you that it’s not easy. But if you’re persistent, your reward will be immeasurable.
Thanks be to God that we live in a day and age where there are countless resources available to us. A simple online search will yield numerous programs that provide daily Bible readings that will help you accomplish your goal. My favorite can be found at www.ewordtoday.com/year.
There are a few things I enjoy about this daily reading program:
-- You can begin on the 1st or 15th of any month (but January 1st would be a great time to start, dear reader)
-- You can choose the type of reading program you want, such as cover to cover or a chronological series of events (tip: the chronological series really brings the events of the Bible to life!)
-- You can choose the translation you want to read throughout the year (I’m a big fan of the NIV for modern English speakers)
-- The readings take about a half hour or so, on average (before you begin your first reading, establish a dedicated hour of each day that you will turn over completely to God for the purposes of reading His Word and spending time meditating on it)
If you are truly considering reading the Bible in one year, turn your desire and intent over to God. He will guide you through it. While the task may seem overwhelming, keep in mind that through God nothing is impossible!
I thank God for each day in 2011 that I can draw closer to Him through His Word!
As we enter 2011, people look to the New Year as an opportunity for a new start and a new commitment. I encourage you, my brothers and sisters and Christ, to make this your year of reading the complete Word of God. As we become more spiritually mature, we begin to realize that it’s not enough to know how to get to the books of the Bible and where to find popular verses that are often quoted. We need to really go deeper and read through all the pages of the Word we hold close to our hearts.
We live in a day and age—and most of us live in countries—where we have easy access to the Bible on a daily basis. And there are multiple translations available in our native tongue to help make it easy to read the Bible. But reading the Word of God in a year is not like picking up a coffee table book for a casual perusal. It takes a commitment. And it requires daily prayer for understanding. It means staying faithful even on the most difficult days of the year. And I for one can tell you that it’s not easy. But if you’re persistent, your reward will be immeasurable.
Thanks be to God that we live in a day and age where there are countless resources available to us. A simple online search will yield numerous programs that provide daily Bible readings that will help you accomplish your goal. My favorite can be found at www.ewordtoday.com/year.
There are a few things I enjoy about this daily reading program:
-- You can begin on the 1st or 15th of any month (but January 1st would be a great time to start, dear reader)
-- You can choose the type of reading program you want, such as cover to cover or a chronological series of events (tip: the chronological series really brings the events of the Bible to life!)
-- You can choose the translation you want to read throughout the year (I’m a big fan of the NIV for modern English speakers)
-- The readings take about a half hour or so, on average (before you begin your first reading, establish a dedicated hour of each day that you will turn over completely to God for the purposes of reading His Word and spending time meditating on it)
If you are truly considering reading the Bible in one year, turn your desire and intent over to God. He will guide you through it. While the task may seem overwhelming, keep in mind that through God nothing is impossible!
I thank God for each day in 2011 that I can draw closer to Him through His Word!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Merry CHRISTmas!
This is the time of year where pleasantries are exchanged on a regular basis. “Happy holidays” is said with a smile. “Season's greetings!” is proclaimed with a nod. But for me, there's nothing sweeter or more refreshing to hear than “Merry Christmas.” I’ve always found it ironic that there are so many efforts to be "all inclusive" during the holiday season—the result is the exclusion of Jesus.
Attempts to X out Christ begin with the terrible "Xmas" label and go as far as removing any mention of Jesus from the holiday celebration. Without Jesus—the Christ—the entire meaning of the Christmas holiday is lost. What is the song Silent Night without the refrain “Christ the savior is born”? Why have a tree without topping it with either the star or angel in remembrance of the arrival of the Messiah? No wonder so many people are left feeling as empty as their unwrapped gift boxes after the holiday is done.
Luke 2:11 declares, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Christmas, or “Christ’s Mass” is a celebration of His birth. Now what sense does it make to have a birthday party and ignore the guest of honor? A simple “Merry Christmas” goes a long way in showing you know Who the party is for.
When I hear and say “Merry Christmas” these days, I consider it a purposeful and direct acknowledgement of Jesus Christ. It may not be politically correct—but I’d rather not be spiritually incorrect!
Merry Christmas, dear readers!
Attempts to X out Christ begin with the terrible "Xmas" label and go as far as removing any mention of Jesus from the holiday celebration. Without Jesus—the Christ—the entire meaning of the Christmas holiday is lost. What is the song Silent Night without the refrain “Christ the savior is born”? Why have a tree without topping it with either the star or angel in remembrance of the arrival of the Messiah? No wonder so many people are left feeling as empty as their unwrapped gift boxes after the holiday is done.
Luke 2:11 declares, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Christmas, or “Christ’s Mass” is a celebration of His birth. Now what sense does it make to have a birthday party and ignore the guest of honor? A simple “Merry Christmas” goes a long way in showing you know Who the party is for.
When I hear and say “Merry Christmas” these days, I consider it a purposeful and direct acknowledgement of Jesus Christ. It may not be politically correct—but I’d rather not be spiritually incorrect!
Merry Christmas, dear readers!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Spiritual Multitasking
This may be a familiar scenario: You are busily working on your computer. The television is on. Your cell phone buzzes, letting you know that a text message has just arrived. Someone walks into the room and asks you a question. Your first response: “Huh?” While we like to pride ourselves these days on our ability to multitask, there are still things in life that require us to focus.
The human brain is exceptional. It can process millions of bits of information in an instant. And, yes, the brain does have the ability to handle a number of different tasks simultaneously. However, studies have shown that certain tasks should be given our complete attention. For example, it’s no urban legend that talking on one’s cell phone while driving can be deadly. And let’s not even get started with texting while driving! Without a complete focus on what’s happening on the road, you are vulnerable to every unexpected hazard.
The same line of thinking can be applied to our spiritual focus. With so much going on in our lives, seemingly at all times, we may often find ourselves spiritually multitasking: Sitting in church service, thinking about what to put on the table for dinner. Doing the daily Bible reading while listening to the traffic news or weather report for our morning commute. If at any point God were to say something to us, our spirit’s response would be “Huh?”
God makes it clear in His Word that He doesn’t want us to put anything before Him—or even alongside Him. Our focus should be on Him completely, especially at times when we are in worship, in study, or in prayer. When God made His covenant with the Israelites, He instructed, “Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.” (Deuteronomy 28:14) While the “other gods” back then were graven images carved out of wood and stone, today’s “other gods” may be our gadgets or other interests.
God demands and deserves our undivided attention. I’m going to make sure He gets mine!
The human brain is exceptional. It can process millions of bits of information in an instant. And, yes, the brain does have the ability to handle a number of different tasks simultaneously. However, studies have shown that certain tasks should be given our complete attention. For example, it’s no urban legend that talking on one’s cell phone while driving can be deadly. And let’s not even get started with texting while driving! Without a complete focus on what’s happening on the road, you are vulnerable to every unexpected hazard.
The same line of thinking can be applied to our spiritual focus. With so much going on in our lives, seemingly at all times, we may often find ourselves spiritually multitasking: Sitting in church service, thinking about what to put on the table for dinner. Doing the daily Bible reading while listening to the traffic news or weather report for our morning commute. If at any point God were to say something to us, our spirit’s response would be “Huh?”
God makes it clear in His Word that He doesn’t want us to put anything before Him—or even alongside Him. Our focus should be on Him completely, especially at times when we are in worship, in study, or in prayer. When God made His covenant with the Israelites, He instructed, “Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.” (Deuteronomy 28:14) While the “other gods” back then were graven images carved out of wood and stone, today’s “other gods” may be our gadgets or other interests.
God demands and deserves our undivided attention. I’m going to make sure He gets mine!
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