Universal Gifts (Sources and Resources) Friday, Jan 31 2014

We are all endowed with certain universal gifts.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  Having sown good seed, it now takes rain and sun to grow your “crop”.  Rain represents the drip method or dividend reinvestment plan.  This means buying more stocks with your dividends to help to grow your portfolio.

            The sun shines down from heaven.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  It is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot.”  God is our source and all he has created is our resource.   “This is the day, which the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed day by day.”

So the sun represents the power God gives us to continue day after day.  Every bird has a song to cheer us on and lift our spirits.  With God as our source the supply never ends.  The security of knowing this is the core of the financial security you seek.  You may think you’re a self made man. But I contend that God had a better plan.  The greatest gift of all is the gift of eternal life.  It cannot be purchased.  The Lord is good.  “Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  And having the gift of salvation our lives become God’s bought for a price.

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Sowing and Reaping (Natural Laws) Thursday, Jan 30 2014

Financial Serenity is the product of sowing good seed.  It is the product of natural laws.  Natural laws can be seen in nature. Jesus teaches us through the parable of the sower that a farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  He who has ears let him hear.

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means.   When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.   But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.  He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

So what does this have to do with financial serenity? Everything.

First, you reap what you sow.

Second, the farmer went out.  He didn’t expect to harvest without first planting.

Third, he had plenty of seeds so much so; he was able to scatter it everywhere.  God gives us what we need to plant.

Fourth, not all that you invest will bring a good return.  Some will fall by the wayside.

Fifth, some investments are short-term but they are still based on the same “solid” rock principals.  Know the “roots” of your investment. Who else is planting there?

Sixth, thorns represent debt that ties up your investment in paying back old creditors instead of new ventures. Be aware of the liabilities and ratios of companies you buy.  The deceitfulness of wealth is greed.  Don’t put all your seed in one spot.

Seventh, Investing in good companies means truly voting your conscience. Know the ethics of the companies you buy.  Lax ethics increase the risk of legal battles.

Reaping has natural laws too. 

First, reapers come at harvest time, not sooner.  If you cash in your retirement early part of the money goes to pay taxes and penalties.

Second, the sower reaps.

Third, the farmer must go out to reap.  Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter.

Fourth, Bundle the tares first and burn them.

Fifth, If you sleep on the job and aren’t alert you could make bad investments.

Sixth the enemy can sow weeds in your “golden wheat.”

Seventh, the smallest seed of mustard can grow to be the largest investment.

Jesus teaches us the parable of the weeds. “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while everyone was sleeping his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.  The owner’s servants came and said to him, “Sir didn’t you sow good seed? Where then did the weeds come from?”

“An enemy did this,” he replied.

“The servants asked him, “Do you want us to go and pull them up?”

“No”, he answered. “Because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest.  At that time, I will tell the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.”

He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest in the garden when it is planted and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its’ branches.”

Remember Gal 6:7 “do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

            Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.

            If you gossip about your friends you will lose their friendship. Every action has results.  What kind of seeds are you sowing? Accepting the seed God gives us to sow can represent talents. Use the talents God has given you to earn and invest wisely.  Just remember that God gives the increase.

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Being Blessed (Seeing is Believing) Wednesday, Jan 29 2014

Jesus is the great teacher.  His words throughout the centuries have taught and comforted the world over.  During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us how to be happy.  He began at that point where we are ready to come to God our great provider: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.  Heaven is the grandest gift of all.  Notice that God gives to those who have nothing. Notice that he gives the most to those who have the least.

            Being poor in spirit is the very lowest of lows.  Next: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  Imagine having all of your emotional needs met.  The Spirit of God is the comforter. It is in God’s nature to comfort us.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”.  The earth is the third best gift.  Happy are they who inherit it by their meekness.  “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” These are all of the Christians who have put on Christ and walk after the Spirit.  They can’t help but be righteous, 1 John 3:7-9.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”  This is the center of happiness where the golden rule reigns supreme.  What you reap you sow and vice versa.  God has mercy enough for the whole universe.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Can you even imagine anyone who is pure of heart? Who? When? Where? I ask you would it not be all the children. Yes those babes who died in childbirth, or who were aborted, or who never saw the light of day?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God”.  Peacemakers are selfless. They are shrewd negotiators.  They see the big picture.  They seek the good of the greatest number of people.  They trust God to make a way, a way for peace.  “Blessed are they, which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Here we have come full circle, which tells me that the poor in spirit will very likely also be persecuted for righteousness.

            Jesus taught the multitude on the mountain: “Happy are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.  Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

So what does all of this happiness have to do with financial serenity?  If you are not worried about things on this earth, then money doesn’t matter.  You can be happy with God’s abundance.  Be happy with God’s Spirit in you, a life of meekness, righteousness, mercy, purity, and peace.  This is beauty, to let the Spirit of God dwell in you richly.  Be filled.  Be blessed. Be a child of God.

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Need vs Want (Facing the Truth) Tuesday, Jan 28 2014

I consult with clients on a regular basis to help them assess their goals.  It is through this process that we prioritize and differentiate between need vs. want for them.

            Through this chapter I will help you too.

            In the first part of this process, I want you to imagine your whole life as one unit and then as a hundred parts.  The reason is because you can’t have all that you want the minute you want it but if you break it down you’ll find you can get what you need.

            Categorize your wants by total cost first such as house, car, and vacation.   Then prioritize these wants by when you want them. Then rearrange the list a third time by which you “need most.”

            The purpose of this exercise is to help you to focus on what you really want.

            Now visualize yourself having those things.

            The purpose of visualizing success is so success can be created.  You cannot create something you can’t see in your “mind’s eye,” so visualize.

            After these exercises, you should have a better idea of what you want vs. what you need.  This is called “facing the truth.”  You may think you need something but in reality it is just a want.  Not that wants are bad, on the contrary they aren’t only good they are excellent because they keep you reaching your goals and meeting your potential.

            Remember the parable of the good steward?  It is also called the parable of the talents.  Matthew 24:14-30

Read it again.

            In this parable the unprofitable servant is cast into utter darkness.

            Notice also that the servant’s talent was given to the servant who had the “most.”

            Remember, money is not the root of all evil but the love of money. I Tim 6:9-10

            Be a good steward of what God gives you and it will pay off here and in the life to come.

            Do you still need what you needed at the beginning?  Or have you shifted some of those needs to the want column?

            The only thing, I need is faith.  All the rest are desires.

            You can say to me, that’s easy for you to say because you have a house, a car, and a vacation.  I want you to know that, I nave no more or no less than God has provided.  He is the great Provider.

            Financial Serenity comes when you see how it is the Father, who has gotten you this far.  1 Tim 6:6:8, Look at your needs.  Look at your wants.  Can you discern the difference?

 

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Carved in Stone (Budgeting for the Bullheaded) Monday, Jan 27 2014

 

Many people feel that their life styles are set in stone. The way they eat, the way they dress, where they live, what they drive define who they are as a person.

            For many people there are no compromises. Life is one continual party.  They are slaves to debt, slaves to want.

            Tossed about by every wind of doctrine. For some it is a weakness. They gamble, they drink, and they do drugs. The activities they participate in are costly, they’re addictive, and they do not fill the hole in the soul.

            Through the decades, I have counseled families in dyer financial straights. Some are compulsive spenders. Some are addicted to credit cards. They get one maxed out and get another. They make deals with themselves.  They actually negotiate with themselves. After I buy this or that I won’t charge any more. Then the car breaks down, they get a flat, or they forget their checkbook and their credit card rescues them.  It is a subtle compulsion because unlike when you over eat or drink too much and feel pain in the morning, the credit card bill doesn’t come for a month. For the compulsive spender, this is the reinforcement that keeps them in bondage to debt. I know the value of financing. I understand that some things are better purchased on time. So what do I tell my clients who come seeking advice about debt?  Every family is unique but the framework is the same. Many come saying, “Budgeting is too confining! I never stick to a budget anyway!”

            “I am not surprised you are here.” I reply.

            So I begin to layout the framework of a budget that will help them get out of debt sooner rather than later.  List your current spending. What are your housing expenses, your transportation, and your credit card debt? List everything, even the newspaper.

Are you renting or buying your home? There’s a really big difference. Homes are an investment. They can be used to restructure debt and make the interest tax deductible in many cases.  How about your phone bill and long distance?  If it is out of hand, you may be a candidate for prepaid phone cards. They force you to budget your calling time.  When they are done, you are done. Praise the Lord no surprise long distance bill coming later in the month after all of your money is long gone.

            Usually the biggest outlay each month after housing costs is the cost of your transportation.  What do you drive? Are you driving it, or is it driving you? If your car is eating you out of house and home maybe it is time to change the way you get where you need to be.  Or maybe you just need a new mechanic. You can see how each family is unique in their budgeting needs.

            Some of you may be asking right about now, where does God fit into all of this? When your desires are in line with God’s will you will be financially serene.  There will be no worry about how to pay your bills each month or which bills to pay.

            Remember the sparrow, which neither worries nor toils but has all he needs?

            What have you wanted to do that you haven’t been able to do because you’ve just never had the money?  Budgeting helps you to meet your financial goals. Budgeting is sensible. It gives you a sense of control. 

It is an integral part of discipline. Discipline is part of discipleship.
There are some things that you should never borrow for and they include food and taxes because when it’s gone and you are still paying on them there is nothing left to eat or pay your taxes with when it is time again to pay.
When you borrow you are mortgaging your future. And you lessen what you can do for your children in the future too.
When you do the budgeting, part of the process ask yourself, “Is this carved in stone? Or can I get the same thing for less somewhere else? Or maybe I’ll try my life without that altogether for a while.
When you budget, lay out a plan that you can be proud of now and in the future.
It may mean drastic changes. Don’t wait until you are forced into bankruptcy to budget. It is too late and too little.
Protect your credit as if it were your honor so that when a true emergency arises you will have the credit you need.
Your budget should be a systematic and flexible, contingencies should be included. The most important part of a budget is its’ prioritization and workability. True balance comes when you are getting a fair trade for your time and effort.
Be ruthless! Make changes to transform your life through your budget. All aspects should be evaluated; your credit, insurance, taxes, savings plan, retirement, and investing.

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Recession or Depression (Keep your Wits) Sunday, Jan 26 2014

You are feeling down because there is more month left at the end of the money. There is a saying that if your friend is out of a job it is a recession but if you are out of work it is a depression.

How do you keep your wits about you with no job or no prospect of a job in sight?  When you find yourself in this precarious position you can see the wonders of God’s love, mercy, and grace in your life as you truly look to him from day to day. Start by thanking God for what you do have in your life. Put on a spirit of gratitude. Immerse yourself in praising and thanking God. Pray in the Spirit with all earnestness. Remember that even before your prayer is finished, God is working to change your circumstances. He careth for you.

In my own situation, I could see God’s mighty hand as he moved people from position to position making room for me at the top. Month after month I waited upon God working diligently so that my superiors could see my value. I was passed over for positions that would not use my strengths. God kept his mighty hand on my job and me. Then on one winter night the company closed their doors for two weeks. How would I live with out any pay? Could I trust God to carry me through? Just at that same time I had extra expenses for customer satisfaction, Christmas, and my sons’ birthday. My son needed money to pay his college tuition. My property taxes were due. My washer broke down and I had to replace it. It was as if the devil knew I was down so he kicked me a little more.

But Praise the Lord; God had a better plan for me. He wanted to teach me to trust, trust, and trust. For in my weakness He was strong. Because I wasn’t working, I had time to go see my family a thousand miles away. My husband went with me.

The new washer I got was the very best that money could buy, a Maytag Neptune with front load. I’m very short and had spent decades with a top loader that bruised my ribs once week.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

I do not know if I had more or that I was just more thankful for what I did have. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I had needs and my Father in heaven met my needs. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him”. God took pity on me in my hour of need and he can and will do the same for you. He can bless you wherever you are in whatever circumstance.

“For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

So whether you are currently going through a recession or a depression, take heart because God has a better plan for you.

Pray this prayer with me now:

            “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me; in the day when I call answer speedily.  For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness I am like an owl of the desert. I watch and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.  For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, because of thine indignation and thy wrath for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth and I am withered like grass. Amen”

Supplication is to make humble and earnest entreaty. Let your prayer be a supplication that goes up to God in heaven. YOU shall see that God answers prayer. He is omnipresent and omnipotent. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive.”

Keeping your wits comes from trusting God even when you see no way out. Financial Serenity will be the brass ring you can never quite reach if you do not put your trust in God.  Making wise financial decisions can mean the difference between recession and depression for you.   The current economy of some ten trillion dollars is not the same beast that plagued our parents of the 20’s and 30’s. They lived through the “Great Depression.”  Every time has its’ challenges. There is nothing new under heaven. Each of us feels that our age is somehow unique, different, or exempt from the rules. But no, God’s laws are the same yesterday, today and forever.

 

 

 

 

 

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No Scarcity (God”s Providence) Saturday, Jan 25 2014

 

            Can you imagine never wanting for anything, ever? Wouldn’t that be a dream?

I Tim 4:8, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.”

            How can we be godly? Godliness with contentment is great gain.

            Phil 4:11 “Not that I speak of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

I Tim 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness”.

Godliness is devotion to God.  Godliness is holy living. Are you devoted to God? In what ways are you devoted?  Are you living a holy life?

            Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things, I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

            It is by profit that we are able to lack scarcity.

            See God’s wonderful providence evident in nature. Praise the Lord, O my soul. At the dawn the sun warms us and at the dusk it lulls us to sleep. Our eyes see the stars millions of light years away. Every intricate detail of creation had our need as its’ purpose. Matthew 10: 29-30, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered.”

            Do you have any idea how precious you are to God? How many hairs are on your head? If God will care for the birds surely, He would grant his providence to you.

            There is a spirit of scarcity that can attach itself to you and make you think you are poor when the treasurers of heaven are at your disposal. Rebuke this demon. Don’t believe it for even one instant.

            God is the master of the universe. Psalm 104:2, 4 “O Lord, how manifold are thy works. In wisdom thou has made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping enumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, which thou has made to play there in. These wait all upon thee that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou gavest them they gather. Thou openeth thine hand; they are filled with good.”

            Imagine all the oceans full of abundance for us! Praise God!

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Awakening the Heart (Tithing) Friday, Jan 24 2014

 

 

So did you count your debt to God? Do you even know the amount you owe? In this chapter, “Awakening the Heart” the emphasis is on tithing. Tithing is sowing to the Spirit. Leviticus 27:30-34, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai.”

Genesis 28:20-22, “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God; And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that thou shall give me I will surely give a tenth unto thee.” Jacob was terrified after a dream when he made this vow. Have you ever been terrified after a dream? Have you ever gotten into trouble and said to God, “Oh, God, I’ll do anything, just get me out of here?” Maybe you are saying that right now.

So, how many sheep in your flock? None? How many fruit bearing trees do you have in your grove? None?

Remember, that from that time until now there have been two major types of people on earth. The first are the nomads. They are the people who move from place to place so that their flocks can graze. The second are the farmers or the people who stay in one place year after year and sow and reap according to the laws of nature. It is not to say that some nomads didn’t plant for a time when they would return to a location or that farmers didn’t have herds. They often had both. So, what are you? Farmer? Nomad? It doesn’t really matter because both were a part of the “estimation of the tithes”.

The important aspect of the tithe was that, “all that any man gives of such unto the Lord shall be holy.” Leviticus 27:9

Leviticus 27:14, “And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the Lord, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.” So in the Old Testament, the priests were the accountants. They did all of the estimating.

So what is all of this mumbo jumbo about sanctifying his house? To sanctify is to make holy, to consecrate, to purify or free from sin, to impart spiritual blessing to or to make productive or conducive to spiritual blessing.

Awakening the heart means knowing what you know. You actually begin to live what you know in your heart is true. Your life is a living legacy to those who see your fruit. Tithing begins in the heart. It is an awakening. You give your very best to God. Live richly.

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Financial Serenity Chapter 1 Gratitude and Grace (Practice makes Perfect) Thursday, Jan 23 2014

Gratitude and Grace

Practice makes perfect.

           

This book is for Christians who want to attain the financial serenity that they deserve and it is also for non-Christians who want to learn what is all the hoopla surrounding Jesus Christ the son of the living God.

Financial serenity begins with a spirit of gratitude. Being grateful for all of the things you have already attained. Being grateful first for the vision God gives us in nature of  “how” to be financially serene. Be grateful for the clothes on your back, for the food in your belly, for the roof over your head, for your transportation, your job, your education, your talents, your ability to earn, and your ability to make wise financial decisions. Be grateful that you trust God for everything in your life. You look to him for his providence. And He does indeed provide. In Genesis we read how God said, “Let there be light”; in this first command of many God set the foundation for your financial serenity.  He knew, because He loves you so deeply, that you would have needs and even in the beginning He sounded the command that would bring forth “fruit” for the harvest. Without the sun there would be no fruit and without God there would be no financial serenity.

God is gracious toward us. He, by the power of His Holy Spirit, draws us to Himself. I believe that is why you are here right now reading these words. It is because God has a plan, a divine plan, to bring to you the financial serenity you deserve.

In order to accept the grace that God gives we have to see our need. We need to see that when we managed our finances our way, that “all hell broke loose”. But, when we trust God, and abide by the natural laws He shows us in nature and in His Holy word, we can have the financial serenity He wants for each of us.

So, what are you grateful for right now?  Make a short mental list of just three things. Maybe, you are thankful to your parents for taking care of you.  Maybe, you are thankful to your wife or your husband for providing for your needs through hard work and unrelenting dedication to you and your needs. Maybe, you are thankful to God for little miracles that happen day by day to carry you through another day.

Being grateful takes practice. It is a habit-forming endeavor.  In order to form a habit you must practice over and over doing a task correctly until you can do it with your eyes closed, without thinking. Imagine what it was like when you learned to drive a stick shift in a car. Remember how you had to coordinate the clutch with the gearing mechanism of the car? After awhile, it became second nature and you didn’t have to think about it anymore. It became a habit for you.

I would commend to you to practice the habit of gratitude in your daily life. Start each day with a prayer of gratitude that you are alive. Thank God for each new day. Thank Him for His presence in your life and His power over your finances. In St. Matthew 6: 24-34 it says, “That even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” If you have never read this passage, please read it now. It will help you to see what abundance there is in store for you.

I Peter 4:10 says; “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” The more grateful you become and the more that God’s grace works its power in your life, the more you should feel the yearning and the churning to share what you have learned with others.  I know that even now as I write these words that God is working a mighty wonder in your heart to hear. He is opening up your mind to hear the wisdom of this work. I believe that God gave me the ability I have to tell you how to be financially serene. It is my sincere prayer that in reading this book you may be blessed and God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

So, what is it you will practice? Practice saying, “Yes” to Jesus Christ every day. Say, yes when you hear His calling. Say, yes when opportunity to do right presents itself to you. Say, yes to Him over and over again as many times as it takes for you to see that “He cares for you.”

Practice “casting all your cares upon him,” I Peter 5:7. This means communicating your needs to God. Yes, He does know what, you have need of, but pray for it anyway. “Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find.” St Matthew 7:7. Let the word of God speak to you. Practice learning His word, today and every day, day by day:  “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that

needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” II Timothy 2:15.

The reason that it is so important for you to practice is because “This, know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, “ II Timothy 3:1-2. Being thankful is part of being Christian. So be grateful. Be thankful. Accept God’s grace. Accept God’s providence. He wants you to be financially serene.

As you go to the Word for wisdom, pray that God will show you how to be financially serene. I have marked my bible with little dollar signs ($) next to verses that lead to the path to financial serenity. Proverbs 8:21, “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”

Within the bounds of the twenty chapters of this book, I hope to show you many of these verses.  Hebrews 10: 24, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Are you feeling “provoked to good works?” If so, then grace and mercy be to you today and every day until His coming. If not, read on.

How do we know where to begin? You need to begin wherever you are. Do you know where you are at this time? The best tool for seeing exactly where you are is by creating a personal balance sheet. Count all your blessings. Count your cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term securities, receivables, prepaid expenses, fixed assets such as your home and investment property that you have now. Offset that by all that you owe. List all of your debts to banks, for short and long-term notes, personal loans, payables, credit card debt, and long-term liabilities such as the mortgage on your house. The formula is simple: Assets minus liabilities equals net worth. What is your “net worth?” This is an important number that will help you to see where you are starting from and where you will be able to go in the future. Don’t be afraid to take your time to do a complete balance sheet. Check out the current value of your stocks and be sure to list actual market value so you know the truth of where you are now. We will use this statement over and over throughout this book to aid you in your journey to financial serenity.

Some of you may be saying, “I know I am in a bad way financially, I don’t need to do some financial statement to remind me how bad it is to be me.” Remember that this is just a starting point. It is a place that you will look back on in the years to come and say, can you believe that this is where I started, before I used God’s natural laws to direct my path and to assist me in making financial decisions?  I hope you will take the time to list everything. Use original source documents if you have them, to make the statement as accurate as possible.

Galatians 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit life everlasting.”

 

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I Figured Out How to Buy Time Wednesday, Jan 22 2014

You might think this topic would be more appropriate for my accounting blog but bear with me a moment. We’ve all been taught to save for a rainy day and unlike money time cannot be set aside for future use or saved in a jar.  There are no “time” banks on every corner.

Time is a limited resource.

So then how am I able to say that I figured out how to buy time.

The bible tells us that exercise profits little. That “little” is the years that exercise can add to your life. This is physically speaking of course. Eternally that time won’t amount to a hill of beans unless you use it wisely.

So can you buy time? Maybe add a little to the end of your days? Maybe. But unlike money it won’t be available to you now and you won’t know exactly “how much” you’ve added. If it is one more day to love your family or one more hour to be with a friend wouldn’t it be worth a try. What do you have to lose? The increased oxygen will make you feel better so the quality of your life now will improve.

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