A Financial Plan for Hard Times: Earn, Save, Give
Mark Earley
President, Prison Fellowship Ministries
October 24, 2008
It’s been a rough month financially for everyone. We’ve watched the stock markets plunge and our retirement or college plans shrivel up like autumn leaves. Hard times call for some hard thinking—and a re-examination of how all of us, as Christians, should manage our finances and plan for our futures. So let’s do it.
The famous preacher John Wesley had the right recipe for Christian money management. It was quite simple: Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.
Simple, yes. But quite profound. In fact, Wesley delivered a lengthy sermon on the topic. It’s a sermon I would recommend you read. But let me warn you: Reading a Wesley sermon is not for the faint of heart. He had the gift of convicting his audience.
You also need to know that Wesley’s thoughts on how to use money are all grounded in the concept of stewardship. As he pointed out, you are not your own. You belong to God, and so then do your finances. You are not an owner, you are a steward.
So let’s begin with earning all you can. Wesley was no fan of leisure. But he was huge on hard work. “Gain all you can by honest industry,” Wesley said. “Use all possible diligence in your calling. Lose no time. If you understand yourself and your relation to God and man, you know you have none to spare.”
He was also quite clear what he meant about “honest industry.” He urged his hearers not to take employment that would damage their health, compromise their religious principles, or harm others.
Some jobs, for instance, cannot be performed “without cheating or lying, or conformity to some custom which is not consistent with a good conscience.” These kinds of jobs, Wesley said, “are sacredly to be avoided . . . for to gain money we must not lose our souls.”
On the topic of saving money, Wesley was uncompromising as well in a way that, I’m sure, made his audience squirm. “Do not waste any part of so precious a talent merely in gratifying the desires of the flesh,” he said.
He wanted to be sure his listeners got the point. When it came to fancy foods, the latest fashions, elegant furniture, he had this to say: “Cut off all this expense!”
He even urged Christians not to overspend on the kids. “Why should you purchase for them more pride or lust, more vanity, or foolish and hurtful desires?” he said. “They do not want any more; they have enough already; nature has made ample provision for them.”
Now there’s some tough talk in today’s times.
As for “give all you can,” Wesley again was blunt. You really haven’t saved anything if you merely hoard your money, he argued. “You may as well throw your money into the sea, as bury it in the earth . . . or in the Bank of England.” Not to use it toward a good end is to “throw it away.”
Indeed, according to Wesley, Christians are to use their money to ensure their own health and strength as well as the health and strength of their families, then to “do good to them that are of the household of God,” and then, “to do good to all men.”
Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can. Simple yet profound advice in good times and in bad.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Walking Wisely
Walking Wisely
Amy Carroll
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you have an important decision to make today? Rehoboam's story in I Kings 12:1-19 has a lesson for each of us in the midst of making hard choices. Rehoboam had a dilemma. He had an important decision to make, and he didn't know what to do.
Following Solomon's death, the people of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam king. About that time, Jeroboam (I know these names are doozies, but hang in there!) came to speak to Rehoboam on behalf of the people. He said, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." The people were worn out. Solomon had been a great king, but he had worked the people into exhaustion with all of his building projects. They were pleading for rest during Rehoboam's reign in exchange for their undying loyalty, but Rehoboam wasn't sure of the kingly response. He asked for three days to come to a decision. Great idea, right? He started well with a request for time to seek counsel.
The first group that he asked for advice was a group of elders who had served under his father. These were men of experience both from years lived and from the places where they had served. They advised Rehoboam to answer the people affirmatively. The elders encouraged him that the people would follow him faithfully if only Rehoboam would humble himself to be a servant leader.
Rehoboam didn't like their answer, so he sought out a different group to ask. This time he decided to ask "the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." Are warning bells going off for you, too? Not only were these men young and inexperienced, they also were on Rehoboam's payroll and stood to lose or gain by their answer. Here was their advice: "Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions'" (I Kings 12:10b-11 NIV). Rehoboam foolishly listened to his friends.
If we want to make wise decisions, we need to seek wise counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel." (NAS) How can we make sure that we pick the right people to seek advice from?
Choose a godly person. Proverbs 2:6 tells us, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (NIV). When I choose to seek advice from someone who knows scripture and seeks God in personal quiet time, I can be assured their advice is based on a foundation of truth.
Choose a person with experience. It's always been helpful to me to learn from other women who have walked before me. I've sought out other teachers, wives, and mothers who are purposeful about building godly relationships and behaving righteously to give me counsel as I live life. It's the principal of the older believers teaching the younger believers that's found in Titus 2.
Choose someone who will tell the truth in love. Ecclesiastes 7:5 explains, "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools" (NIV). So many around me would rather "sing me a song" than tell me what I need to hear. I have several friends that I trust to tell me the unvarnished truth when I ask for advice. They love me, but they fear God!
Rehoboam's decision changed history. He reaped a rebellion that ripped the country in two. He lost his following, his potential for enormous power, and the favor of God. We don't have to make those mistakes. We can head the warning taught by Rehoboam's story and follow God by seeking wise counsel.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
At the Feet of Wise Ordinary Women by Angie Conrad, et al
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Application Steps:
Read the full story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam in I Kings 11:26-12:24.
List the people that you most often turn to for advice. Do they meet the three suggested criteria above?
Reflections:
Do I usually seek counsel when I am making a decision?
Who in my life will tell me the truth in love rather than saying what I want to hear?
Has there been a time when I've reaped the consequences of following unwise counsel?
Power Verses:
Job 12:13, "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (NIV)
Proverbs 20:18, "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance." (NIV)
Amy Carroll
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Devotion:
Do you have an important decision to make today? Rehoboam's story in I Kings 12:1-19 has a lesson for each of us in the midst of making hard choices. Rehoboam had a dilemma. He had an important decision to make, and he didn't know what to do.
Following Solomon's death, the people of Israel gathered to make Rehoboam king. About that time, Jeroboam (I know these names are doozies, but hang in there!) came to speak to Rehoboam on behalf of the people. He said, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." The people were worn out. Solomon had been a great king, but he had worked the people into exhaustion with all of his building projects. They were pleading for rest during Rehoboam's reign in exchange for their undying loyalty, but Rehoboam wasn't sure of the kingly response. He asked for three days to come to a decision. Great idea, right? He started well with a request for time to seek counsel.
The first group that he asked for advice was a group of elders who had served under his father. These were men of experience both from years lived and from the places where they had served. They advised Rehoboam to answer the people affirmatively. The elders encouraged him that the people would follow him faithfully if only Rehoboam would humble himself to be a servant leader.
Rehoboam didn't like their answer, so he sought out a different group to ask. This time he decided to ask "the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him." Are warning bells going off for you, too? Not only were these men young and inexperienced, they also were on Rehoboam's payroll and stood to lose or gain by their answer. Here was their advice: "Tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions'" (I Kings 12:10b-11 NIV). Rehoboam foolishly listened to his friends.
If we want to make wise decisions, we need to seek wise counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel." (NAS) How can we make sure that we pick the right people to seek advice from?
Choose a godly person. Proverbs 2:6 tells us, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (NIV). When I choose to seek advice from someone who knows scripture and seeks God in personal quiet time, I can be assured their advice is based on a foundation of truth.
Choose a person with experience. It's always been helpful to me to learn from other women who have walked before me. I've sought out other teachers, wives, and mothers who are purposeful about building godly relationships and behaving righteously to give me counsel as I live life. It's the principal of the older believers teaching the younger believers that's found in Titus 2.
Choose someone who will tell the truth in love. Ecclesiastes 7:5 explains, "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools" (NIV). So many around me would rather "sing me a song" than tell me what I need to hear. I have several friends that I trust to tell me the unvarnished truth when I ask for advice. They love me, but they fear God!
Rehoboam's decision changed history. He reaped a rebellion that ripped the country in two. He lost his following, his potential for enormous power, and the favor of God. We don't have to make those mistakes. We can head the warning taught by Rehoboam's story and follow God by seeking wise counsel.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
At the Feet of Wise Ordinary Women by Angie Conrad, et al
Visit Amy Carroll's blog
Application Steps:
Read the full story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam in I Kings 11:26-12:24.
List the people that you most often turn to for advice. Do they meet the three suggested criteria above?
Reflections:
Do I usually seek counsel when I am making a decision?
Who in my life will tell me the truth in love rather than saying what I want to hear?
Has there been a time when I've reaped the consequences of following unwise counsel?
Power Verses:
Job 12:13, "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (NIV)
Proverbs 20:18, "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance." (NIV)
5 Importent lessons
5 Important lessons
You may have seen this before but we all need to be reminded of these lessons.
Five (5) lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.
1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor
gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read
the last one:
'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the
cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended,
one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers,
you will meet many people. All are significant. They
deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say 'hello.'
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her
name was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American
woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway
trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally
unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man
took her to safety, helped her get assistance and
put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his
address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a
knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a
giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A
special note was attached..
It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway
the other night. The rain drenched not only my
clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.
Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying
husband's bedside just before he passed away.. God
bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving
others.'
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,
a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and
sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.
'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and
studied the coins in it.
'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the
waitress was growing impatient.
'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.
The little boy again counted his coins.
'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on
the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice
cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the
table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies...
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had
to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a
roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock Some of the
king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the
King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed
a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the
person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a
hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who
was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only
chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had
miraculously survived the same disease and had
developed the antibodies needed to combat the
illness.. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would
be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will
save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in
bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the
doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his
sister all of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.
'Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching.'
Generous or Greedy ?
Generous or Greedy?
Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
1 Timothy 6:17 Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT)
Friend to Friend
The great Bible teacher, Howard Hendricks, was invited, along with his wife, to have dinner at the home of a very wealthy man. The Hendricks were slightly apprehensive about spending an entire evening with someone so powerful and famous but as the meal progressed, they discovered that their host was completely unassuming and surprisingly down to earth. As they were leaving, Howard Hendricks turned and asked the man, "How could you grow up in such wealth and not be consumed by materialism?" The man smiled and replied, "My parents wisely taught us that everything in our home was either an idol or a tool." What a great truth for all of us!
We live in a "stuff" driven world where it doesn't really matter what we have; it is never enough! We are constantly told that the more "things" we have - the more successful we are! Encouragements to accumulate and hoard the things of this world fuel every aspect of the media. Each day is spent looking for ways to increase our earthly treasures. Greed has become the driving force behind much of what we do in life and as a result, is a prevailing enemy of contentment.
Calvin Miller says, "The world is poor because her fortune is buried in the sky and all her treasure maps are of the earth."
In Philippians 4:12 the Apostle Paul writes, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Paul is driving home the point that his contentment does not depend upon "stuff" and neither should ours. Having experienced both wealth and poverty Paul had learned to be content within -- no matter what the circumstances without might be. Notice that Paul "learned" to be content; it did not come naturally. "Learn" literally means "initiated into the secret". In other words, Paul's circumstances were his introduction to the life truth that real contentment has nothing to do with either prosperity or poverty! Contentment is an inside job, the result of knowing God and living life against the backdrop of eternity. It is important to understand that greed is not just about material things. We may be guilty of wanting other people's gifts -- possessions -- abilities or circumstances in life. Driven to have the best and to be the best, we cannot simply relax and appreciate where we are and what we have. We keep pursuing things that will never satisfy, frantically trying to squeeze life out of lifeless things. That pursuit is pointless and always results in a desperate longing for something more.
We need to understand that our Father does want us to have wealth. We just have to be careful not to settle for money! Instead, we need to "seek first the kingdom of God" and everything we need will be added to our lives. Peace, joy, love, goodness, patience, purpose and power are credited to our spiritual account the moment we become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Now that, my friend, is true wealth!
We must constantly be alert to the subtle workings of Satan in our lives. The greatest way to guard against greed is by training our hearts and minds to view those things we possess as either tools or resources loaned to us by God. We are simply stewards and managers of these possessions, called by God to disperse them in such a way that the needs of others are met and lost hearts drawn to Him. Hold your possessions loosely, my friend. Invest them in the two things that are eternal -- people and God's truth!
We cannot "out-give" God! But when we try, contentment will come and greed will vanish.
Let's Pray
Father, my heart and life are so often filled with greed and discontent. Right now, I choose to take my eyes off of "things" and focus on what You want for my life. Thank You for all that you have given to me and for what You have done in my heart. I praise You, knowing that in You I have everything I need. In Jesus' name, Amen
Now It's Your Turn
We need to understand that greed will destroy our peace and contentment. Examine your life, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal every area of greed. Confess your greed as sin and choose against it while looking for ways to practice "Kingdom" giving. Ask yourself the following questions:
What areas of my life are most affected by greed?
What are my idols?
What "things" or "desires" do I need to give up so that greed will have no grip on my life?
What specific ways can I begin to practice "Kingdom" giving?
What is the first step I should take in order to guard against greed?
Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
1 Timothy 6:17 Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT)
Friend to Friend
The great Bible teacher, Howard Hendricks, was invited, along with his wife, to have dinner at the home of a very wealthy man. The Hendricks were slightly apprehensive about spending an entire evening with someone so powerful and famous but as the meal progressed, they discovered that their host was completely unassuming and surprisingly down to earth. As they were leaving, Howard Hendricks turned and asked the man, "How could you grow up in such wealth and not be consumed by materialism?" The man smiled and replied, "My parents wisely taught us that everything in our home was either an idol or a tool." What a great truth for all of us!
We live in a "stuff" driven world where it doesn't really matter what we have; it is never enough! We are constantly told that the more "things" we have - the more successful we are! Encouragements to accumulate and hoard the things of this world fuel every aspect of the media. Each day is spent looking for ways to increase our earthly treasures. Greed has become the driving force behind much of what we do in life and as a result, is a prevailing enemy of contentment.
Calvin Miller says, "The world is poor because her fortune is buried in the sky and all her treasure maps are of the earth."
In Philippians 4:12 the Apostle Paul writes, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
Paul is driving home the point that his contentment does not depend upon "stuff" and neither should ours. Having experienced both wealth and poverty Paul had learned to be content within -- no matter what the circumstances without might be. Notice that Paul "learned" to be content; it did not come naturally. "Learn" literally means "initiated into the secret". In other words, Paul's circumstances were his introduction to the life truth that real contentment has nothing to do with either prosperity or poverty! Contentment is an inside job, the result of knowing God and living life against the backdrop of eternity. It is important to understand that greed is not just about material things. We may be guilty of wanting other people's gifts -- possessions -- abilities or circumstances in life. Driven to have the best and to be the best, we cannot simply relax and appreciate where we are and what we have. We keep pursuing things that will never satisfy, frantically trying to squeeze life out of lifeless things. That pursuit is pointless and always results in a desperate longing for something more.
We need to understand that our Father does want us to have wealth. We just have to be careful not to settle for money! Instead, we need to "seek first the kingdom of God" and everything we need will be added to our lives. Peace, joy, love, goodness, patience, purpose and power are credited to our spiritual account the moment we become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Now that, my friend, is true wealth!
We must constantly be alert to the subtle workings of Satan in our lives. The greatest way to guard against greed is by training our hearts and minds to view those things we possess as either tools or resources loaned to us by God. We are simply stewards and managers of these possessions, called by God to disperse them in such a way that the needs of others are met and lost hearts drawn to Him. Hold your possessions loosely, my friend. Invest them in the two things that are eternal -- people and God's truth!
We cannot "out-give" God! But when we try, contentment will come and greed will vanish.
Let's Pray
Father, my heart and life are so often filled with greed and discontent. Right now, I choose to take my eyes off of "things" and focus on what You want for my life. Thank You for all that you have given to me and for what You have done in my heart. I praise You, knowing that in You I have everything I need. In Jesus' name, Amen
Now It's Your Turn
We need to understand that greed will destroy our peace and contentment. Examine your life, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal every area of greed. Confess your greed as sin and choose against it while looking for ways to practice "Kingdom" giving. Ask yourself the following questions:
What areas of my life are most affected by greed?
What are my idols?
What "things" or "desires" do I need to give up so that greed will have no grip on my life?
What specific ways can I begin to practice "Kingdom" giving?
What is the first step I should take in order to guard against greed?
The Fear of Failure
The Fear of Failure
1 Peter 4:8
Love covers a multitude of sins.
In an address to a nation divided by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln underscored the need to persevere in spite of failure. He said, "I am not concerned that you have failed. I am concerned that you arise." The following excerpt, which appeared in an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, also emphasizes this point:
You've failed many times although you may not remember. You fell the first time you tried to walk, didn't you? You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim. Did you hit the ball the first time you swung the bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also struck out a lot. R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on. English novelist John Cracey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books. Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.
In a performance-oriented culture such as ours, failure belts us like a punch in the stomach. Repeated failure often results in a knockout blow, and many people give up altogether. As Comedian W. C. Fields once quipped, "If at first you don't succeed, then quit. There's no use in being a fool about it."
The problem is that a life with little failure is a life of little risk. This type of life may appear to offer safety and security, but it actually leads to guilt, boredom, further apathy and even lower feelings of self-esteem. God designed and commissioned us to be productive-many times that demands faith and risk.
1 Peter 4:8
Love covers a multitude of sins.
In an address to a nation divided by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln underscored the need to persevere in spite of failure. He said, "I am not concerned that you have failed. I am concerned that you arise." The following excerpt, which appeared in an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, also emphasizes this point:
You've failed many times although you may not remember. You fell the first time you tried to walk, didn't you? You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim. Did you hit the ball the first time you swung the bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also struck out a lot. R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on. English novelist John Cracey got 753 rejection slips before he published 564 books. Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.
In a performance-oriented culture such as ours, failure belts us like a punch in the stomach. Repeated failure often results in a knockout blow, and many people give up altogether. As Comedian W. C. Fields once quipped, "If at first you don't succeed, then quit. There's no use in being a fool about it."
The problem is that a life with little failure is a life of little risk. This type of life may appear to offer safety and security, but it actually leads to guilt, boredom, further apathy and even lower feelings of self-esteem. God designed and commissioned us to be productive-many times that demands faith and risk.
Why are you sleeping?
WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING? RISE AND PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION.
Luke 22:46 When is the Christian most liable to sleep? Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous? Have you not found it so? When you had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, were you not more awake than you are now? Easy roads make sleepy travelers. Another dangerous time is when all goes pleasantly in spiritual matters. Christian did not fall asleep when lions were in the way or when he was wading through the river or when fighting with Apollyon. But when he had climbed halfway up the Hill Difficulty and came to a delightful spot, he sat down and promptly fell asleep, to his great sorrow and loss. The enchanted ground is a place of balmy breezes, filled with fragrant odors and soft influences, all of which tend to lull pilgrims to sleep. Remember Bunyan's description: "Then they came to an arbor, warm, and promising much refreshing to the weary pilgrims; for it was finely wrought above head, beautified with greens, and furnished with benches and settees. It also had in it a soft couch, where the weary might lean." "The arbor was called the Slothful's Friend, and was made on purpose to attract, if it might, some of the pilgrims to take their rest there when weary." Depend upon it-it is in easy places that men shut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness. Old Erskine wisely remarked, "I like a roaring devil better than a sleeping devil." There is no temptation half so dangerous as not being tempted. The distressed soul does not sleep; it is after we enter into peaceful confidence and full assurance that we are in danger of slumbering. The disciples fell asleep after they had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop. Take heed, joyful Christian, easy days are close neighbors to temptations: Be as happy as you will-only be watchful!
Luke 22:46 When is the Christian most liable to sleep? Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous? Have you not found it so? When you had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, were you not more awake than you are now? Easy roads make sleepy travelers. Another dangerous time is when all goes pleasantly in spiritual matters. Christian did not fall asleep when lions were in the way or when he was wading through the river or when fighting with Apollyon. But when he had climbed halfway up the Hill Difficulty and came to a delightful spot, he sat down and promptly fell asleep, to his great sorrow and loss. The enchanted ground is a place of balmy breezes, filled with fragrant odors and soft influences, all of which tend to lull pilgrims to sleep. Remember Bunyan's description: "Then they came to an arbor, warm, and promising much refreshing to the weary pilgrims; for it was finely wrought above head, beautified with greens, and furnished with benches and settees. It also had in it a soft couch, where the weary might lean." "The arbor was called the Slothful's Friend, and was made on purpose to attract, if it might, some of the pilgrims to take their rest there when weary." Depend upon it-it is in easy places that men shut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness. Old Erskine wisely remarked, "I like a roaring devil better than a sleeping devil." There is no temptation half so dangerous as not being tempted. The distressed soul does not sleep; it is after we enter into peaceful confidence and full assurance that we are in danger of slumbering. The disciples fell asleep after they had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop. Take heed, joyful Christian, easy days are close neighbors to temptations: Be as happy as you will-only be watchful!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Without_Love..._We_Have_Nothing
_Without_Love..._We_Have_Nothing
내가 천사의 말 한다해도
내 맘에 사랑 없으면
내가 참 지식과 믿음 있어도
아무 소용 없으니
산을 옮길 믿음이 있어도
나 있는 모든 것 줄지라도
나 자신 다 주어도 아무 소용없네 소용없네
사랑은 영원하네
사랑은 온유하며
사랑은 자랑치 않으며
교만하지 아니하며
불의 기뻐하지 아니하네
내가 천사의 말 한다해도
내 맘에 사랑 없으면
내가 참 지식과 믿음 있어도
아무 소용 없으니
산을 옮길 믿음이 있어도
나 있는 모든 것 줄지라도
나 자신 다 주어도 아무 소용 없네 소용 없네
사랑은 영원하네 영원하네 영원히
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=1PrTXnGBDl8
If we speak with the tongues of angels, and have not love, we have nothing.
If we gain all the world and its knowledge, and have not love, we have nothing.
If our faith is strong to move the mountains, and if we give all we have to the poor,
And if we offer ourselves, yet our heart never loves, we have nothing.
Without love, we have nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love isn't selfish or boastful.
Love doesn't seek out its own way, but rejoices in the truth, in the truth.
If we speak with the tongues of angels, and have not love, we have nothing.
If we gain all the world and its knowledge, and have not love, we have nothing.
If our faith is strong to move the mountains, and if we give all we have to the poor,
And if we offer ourselves, yet our heart never loves, we have nothing.
Without love, we have nothing, nothing, nothing... Without Love.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)