Today @ This is the way...
Hi! The sword of the Spirit is an essential part of our spiritual armor.
Clyde and Dee Kilough
En Garde!
While traveling to France, a young woman was sitting on a bench with her handbag on the ground next to her. The bag was snatched by a cunning thief, who caught her off guard. She lost her passport and all the personal items that were in the bag. She learned a valuable lesson to never let her guard down.
Our spiritual life is much like that. Peter told us to beware of Satan because he "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Just like the thief who stole the bag, Satan tries to catch us off guard. Paul advised us to put on the armor God provides (Ephesians 6:10-11). With the whole armor God gives, you will be able to successfully stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
We are in a spiritual war and must wear the full armor of God at all times, never letting down our guard.
well, than i must continue to hold my faith
and when things fails as they always will,
i shall not quit, for its when I'm at the nearest
I'm always hit.
=)
i received a MSG similar to this too!
it says the" lord your god has send you in
to establish his covenant.
so that you and your family may dwell in it forever"
i shall serve you with all my heart and mind!
amen
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
They Want To Be A Rise up/Step up!!!
Is that a Joke?
Who do i mean they?
i mean those people at my work place, they want it.
I can see it
they tell people they can do it...
but when i see them doing their work, it seems they only want to have fun and slack around.
doing nothing and just keep thinking about the pay(long story).
I mean there's no wrong in working and having fun at the same time, but for them they talk about things that are not relating to work and for a bloody long time if i might add.
To them its not about the work, customers or even the serving attitude.
To them its just fun and pay and MOST worse of all, "GOSSIP" .
i think for some people, they feel a certain rush when they talk about people behind their backs(Bad things, if you know what i mean).
maybe it makes them feel powerful and manipulating people's view of them makes them feel they are higher or in some ways better than them.
but than again i cannot blame them entirely as maybe they were train in this way.
Its like you can't blame a dog for not learning how to seat when you haven't teach him how to do so.
yeah?
but there's the part where they just keep picking on whatever small little things you've done wrong, and amplify it to a certain huge extend and just say, " hey you're not that better after all".
but i'm not going to go there and even talk about it!
(disclaimer:The above written content does not represent the whole team of worker in that store.)
Who do i mean they?
i mean those people at my work place, they want it.
I can see it
they tell people they can do it...
but when i see them doing their work, it seems they only want to have fun and slack around.
doing nothing and just keep thinking about the pay(long story).
I mean there's no wrong in working and having fun at the same time, but for them they talk about things that are not relating to work and for a bloody long time if i might add.
To them its not about the work, customers or even the serving attitude.
To them its just fun and pay and MOST worse of all, "GOSSIP" .
i think for some people, they feel a certain rush when they talk about people behind their backs(Bad things, if you know what i mean).
maybe it makes them feel powerful and manipulating people's view of them makes them feel they are higher or in some ways better than them.
but than again i cannot blame them entirely as maybe they were train in this way.
Its like you can't blame a dog for not learning how to seat when you haven't teach him how to do so.
yeah?
but there's the part where they just keep picking on whatever small little things you've done wrong, and amplify it to a certain huge extend and just say, " hey you're not that better after all".
but i'm not going to go there and even talk about it!
(disclaimer:The above written content does not represent the whole team of worker in that store.)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
MAYBE I SHOULD STOP CARING.
I just had an arguement with someone close.
Maybe i really care too much about some things.
i mean i try to let them know about their wrongs ways
and try to enlighten them, showing them things in another light.
Seems to them like i'm scolding them or giving lectures.
i mean MAN, do i look that free?
I've got work every other day other than my off day, and personally i think i'm not
getting enough sleep feeling the drag and tired everyday..
The toll may be getting to me, but i can do all things through christ strenghten me!
And still i have their interest at heart...
care and concerns mean nothing to them!
maybe i was wrong.
maybe i/they think differently.
maybe i should just quit on them.
maybe i should try another approach.
But i need wisdom.
Oh thou lord, won't you give me all the wisdom
i need to overcome this problem
as i need it desperately.
amen
shalom,jireh
Maybe i really care too much about some things.
i mean i try to let them know about their wrongs ways
and try to enlighten them, showing them things in another light.
Seems to them like i'm scolding them or giving lectures.
i mean MAN, do i look that free?
I've got work every other day other than my off day, and personally i think i'm not
getting enough sleep feeling the drag and tired everyday..
The toll may be getting to me, but i can do all things through christ strenghten me!
And still i have their interest at heart...
care and concerns mean nothing to them!
maybe i was wrong.
maybe i/they think differently.
maybe i should just quit on them.
maybe i should try another approach.
But i need wisdom.
Oh thou lord, won't you give me all the wisdom
i need to overcome this problem
as i need it desperately.
amen
shalom,jireh
DID I CARE TO MUCH?
Well i shall straight to the point ...
and i must try not to use acronym....
wanna improve my writing too ya know?:)
I jus feel that sum times i jus care too much...
how so?
well in personal inter-relationship
and in work and new friends..
worst of all in my family..
should'nt we all care about each other
more abit, i mean if everyone care abit more
show more concern abit more..
would'nt it be better for everyone in the world?
that just reminded me of a song by nickel back"if everyone care".
:)
what do i mean?
let me explain...
i was at work, and our job scope is to ensure all the clothes are hung at the correct
place, wall, chang(the special design at F21)area.
and we are to interact with the customer appropriately....
as we all know, that is the job of a sales associate, retail staffs, or whatever it is!
but due to human laziness, they just chuck the clothes wherever they feel its the same pattern or design.
i mean can anyone get any lazier than this!
i mean i am shock that this worldly culture have brought up such practices and ways..
not as in shocked literally but jus felt that isn't the secular world suppose to be more competitive?
and the thing i can't stand is when the part-timers jus stand around like idiots doing nothing, i mean
yeah i know the work is demanding and maybe they feel the pay ain't enough..
but i mean if you here to work, than let's get some work done. yeah? =)
maybe because of this, it prompted me to be different.
how so?
in mine back rail(putting the clothes back)
and customer serving!.
yeah maybe cause of that, mine boss sees me in a different light.
woala i m getting promoted soon...
my boss! she said" you need to STEP UP"
when i heard that, i was like at last god has seen my hard work!
amen.
i thank you god for your kindness in my face and
protection over me from my enemys.
i thank you again and may your will be done!
and i must try not to use acronym....
wanna improve my writing too ya know?:)
I jus feel that sum times i jus care too much...
how so?
well in personal inter-relationship
and in work and new friends..
worst of all in my family..
should'nt we all care about each other
more abit, i mean if everyone care abit more
show more concern abit more..
would'nt it be better for everyone in the world?
that just reminded me of a song by nickel back"if everyone care".
:)
what do i mean?
let me explain...
i was at work, and our job scope is to ensure all the clothes are hung at the correct
place, wall, chang(the special design at F21)area.
and we are to interact with the customer appropriately....
as we all know, that is the job of a sales associate, retail staffs, or whatever it is!
but due to human laziness, they just chuck the clothes wherever they feel its the same pattern or design.
i mean can anyone get any lazier than this!
i mean i am shock that this worldly culture have brought up such practices and ways..
not as in shocked literally but jus felt that isn't the secular world suppose to be more competitive?
and the thing i can't stand is when the part-timers jus stand around like idiots doing nothing, i mean
yeah i know the work is demanding and maybe they feel the pay ain't enough..
but i mean if you here to work, than let's get some work done. yeah? =)
maybe because of this, it prompted me to be different.
how so?
in mine back rail(putting the clothes back)
and customer serving!.
yeah maybe cause of that, mine boss sees me in a different light.
woala i m getting promoted soon...
my boss! she said" you need to STEP UP"
when i heard that, i was like at last god has seen my hard work!
amen.
i thank you god for your kindness in my face and
protection over me from my enemys.
i thank you again and may your will be done!
FRIENDLY REMINDER
well to me this is my live journal..
so to some it may seems weird or too personal
well if u feel that way ...
plz take the nearest exit to the twill-light zone..
:P
all right!
after everythings is said and done ..
let's begin
the first chapter.
so to some it may seems weird or too personal
well if u feel that way ...
plz take the nearest exit to the twill-light zone..
:P
all right!
after everythings is said and done ..
let's begin
the first chapter.
A SUDDEN URGE TO BLOG
well..... what made me suddenly decide to blog again was that
i really feel that i 'm really keepin alot of things inside of me.
and i jus really want to share it out..
instead of keeping it in
now i see the reason in why sum ppl decided to blog it out.
i mean you know they might wanna gossip or say bad stuff about people
and they don wanna do it openly ...
yea?
so how ?
they blog it out...
least they get some form of pleasure frm it....
haha
jireh back for real
and really blogging
helps me improve mine typing speed
heeeee...
always wanted to practice and now its time...
jehova jireh...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
TRUE FRENZ
A true friend never walks awayA true will always stayA true friend looks out for you
A true friend will guard your secretsLike a precious giftA true friend is there for youTo give you a helpful lift
A true friend tries to make you smileTries to replace that frownThey may not always succeedBut they rarely let you down
These arms for you are openThis heart for you does careAnd when I think you need meI'll try to always be there
I'll listen to your fearsI promise not to laughComfort your falling tearsI'll make this friendship last
I'll keep you near to my heartI'll always hold you dearEven when we're miles apartEven when you're here
I hope I am to youEverything you are to meFor the friendship we haveIs a special one indeed
that's what frenzs are for
yeah?
friendly reminder from me to me O_o
A true friend will guard your secretsLike a precious giftA true friend is there for youTo give you a helpful lift
A true friend tries to make you smileTries to replace that frownThey may not always succeedBut they rarely let you down
These arms for you are openThis heart for you does careAnd when I think you need meI'll try to always be there
I'll listen to your fearsI promise not to laughComfort your falling tearsI'll make this friendship last
I'll keep you near to my heartI'll always hold you dearEven when we're miles apartEven when you're here
I hope I am to youEverything you are to meFor the friendship we haveIs a special one indeed
that's what frenzs are for
yeah?
friendly reminder from me to me O_o
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Just for Youth...Is Life Only About FUN! FUN! FUN?
What's wrong with just doing whatever you want? Find out how to get your kicks in life-but not those that kick you in the teeth!
by Les McCullough
Sound counsel can be packed into only a few words. When I was in my teens, I heard a small-town police officer say something that has stayed with me. Several of my friends and I were in possession of some beer in a car when the officer pulled us over. He didn't arrest or ticket us. He made us pour the beer on the ground. "What you are today," he told us, "is what you will be 20 years from now."
That officer's saying stuck with me because I didn't want at age 36 to be as reckless and irresponsible as I was at age 16. The 13 words uttered by that policeman made an impact on me. Their effect wasn't immediate, but they tempered my actions from then on.
I began to think seriously about what I wanted to do and realized I wanted to achieve more than my parents had. I loved my father and mother, and they were fine people, but they were limited by their background and education. I wanted a career that I enjoyed, not one that just earned me a living. My father had a job, but my mother had to work to help pay their way. That wasn't how I wanted to live.
Some kids act responsibly
Do young people want only to have fun and bear no responsibility? Actually, what may be surprising to some is that many of them show a surprising capacity for responsible decision-making.
But they need guidance and training in making right decisions. Parents should start when their children are young to teach and direct them to see all sides of a question, then let them know that as they mature some decisions will fall to them, although others will still require input from adults.
How many parents live in the house they want in the city they want or even in the country they want? How many
have the job they want? How many take the vacation they want when they want?
If you are a young person, go to your parents and seriously ask them those questions. You may be surprised at the answers.
For many, the necessities of life dictate location and career. Often it is too late in life to make discretionary changes in job or residence. Less-than-ideal decisions early in life will affect their lives forever.
But, with the passing of time, people tend to grow wiser. A parent who says no to his child may be attempting, perhaps unwisely, to spare the child from making mistakes that would adversely affect his life. It is easier just to say no than to say no and then explain the reasons for denying permission.
If you are a parent, perhaps you should ask questions of your children and keep an open mind about the answers. The teenage years are a difficult time, when life is exciting and so much looks so desirable. Your children can't help wanting to be a part of it. Their friends appear to be having so much fun.
Wait a minute. Is that true? What other young people are they looking to as examples of kids having fun? Let's take a look, not just at a young person's acquaintances, but at young people as a whole.
What have been the fruits of the culture of the 20th century on a worldwide scale? Generally speaking, are most young people having fun? In fact, are any of them having any fun at all?
Struggling just to live
Look at Afghanistan, the Middle East, Central America, Ethiopia, Iran, China, the inner cities of nations around the world. People in these places strive for their version of happiness. But you can hardly call their striving fun.
Street urchins struggle just to live. They don't want to die, but they do. They die by the thousands for what they want in life, or they die for no good reason at all.
Children in some countries are slaughtered because they were born into the wrong ethnic background. Others simply get in somebody else's way. Some are abused just because they were unlucky enough to exist. Others struggle to find food to survive on. These youngsters are not having much fun.
If we reflect honestly, most of us reading this have much more than the basic necessities of life. We expect a better life than most of the world can ever live.
What we want, young and old alike, are the good times we see portrayed on television or in the movies or that we read about in magazines-parties, music, dancing, the kicks in life.
Unfortunately, and we don't like to think about this, the kicks in life too often turn around and kick us in the teeth. They exact a penalty that may cripple us in some way for the rest of our lives. Parents sense that this can happen; that's another reason they frequently say no.
Each year hundreds of thousands of unmarried women and girls give birth to unwanted babies.
They shed millions of tears just because they and the babies' fathers wanted to have a little fun.
The fun was short-lived, but the pain endures. More than one fourth of American families are now headed by a single female parent. Most of those families live in poverty.
Living in poverty while raising an illegitimate child is not much fun. If you had planned your life, that wouldn't be what you wanted for your children.
now think whether would it be happiness foever,or pleasure for the moment?
What's wrong with just doing whatever you want? Find out how to get your kicks in life-but not those that kick you in the teeth!
by Les McCullough
Sound counsel can be packed into only a few words. When I was in my teens, I heard a small-town police officer say something that has stayed with me. Several of my friends and I were in possession of some beer in a car when the officer pulled us over. He didn't arrest or ticket us. He made us pour the beer on the ground. "What you are today," he told us, "is what you will be 20 years from now."
That officer's saying stuck with me because I didn't want at age 36 to be as reckless and irresponsible as I was at age 16. The 13 words uttered by that policeman made an impact on me. Their effect wasn't immediate, but they tempered my actions from then on.
I began to think seriously about what I wanted to do and realized I wanted to achieve more than my parents had. I loved my father and mother, and they were fine people, but they were limited by their background and education. I wanted a career that I enjoyed, not one that just earned me a living. My father had a job, but my mother had to work to help pay their way. That wasn't how I wanted to live.
Some kids act responsibly
Do young people want only to have fun and bear no responsibility? Actually, what may be surprising to some is that many of them show a surprising capacity for responsible decision-making.
But they need guidance and training in making right decisions. Parents should start when their children are young to teach and direct them to see all sides of a question, then let them know that as they mature some decisions will fall to them, although others will still require input from adults.
How many parents live in the house they want in the city they want or even in the country they want? How many
have the job they want? How many take the vacation they want when they want?
If you are a young person, go to your parents and seriously ask them those questions. You may be surprised at the answers.
For many, the necessities of life dictate location and career. Often it is too late in life to make discretionary changes in job or residence. Less-than-ideal decisions early in life will affect their lives forever.
But, with the passing of time, people tend to grow wiser. A parent who says no to his child may be attempting, perhaps unwisely, to spare the child from making mistakes that would adversely affect his life. It is easier just to say no than to say no and then explain the reasons for denying permission.
If you are a parent, perhaps you should ask questions of your children and keep an open mind about the answers. The teenage years are a difficult time, when life is exciting and so much looks so desirable. Your children can't help wanting to be a part of it. Their friends appear to be having so much fun.
Wait a minute. Is that true? What other young people are they looking to as examples of kids having fun? Let's take a look, not just at a young person's acquaintances, but at young people as a whole.
What have been the fruits of the culture of the 20th century on a worldwide scale? Generally speaking, are most young people having fun? In fact, are any of them having any fun at all?
Struggling just to live
Look at Afghanistan, the Middle East, Central America, Ethiopia, Iran, China, the inner cities of nations around the world. People in these places strive for their version of happiness. But you can hardly call their striving fun.
Street urchins struggle just to live. They don't want to die, but they do. They die by the thousands for what they want in life, or they die for no good reason at all.
Children in some countries are slaughtered because they were born into the wrong ethnic background. Others simply get in somebody else's way. Some are abused just because they were unlucky enough to exist. Others struggle to find food to survive on. These youngsters are not having much fun.
If we reflect honestly, most of us reading this have much more than the basic necessities of life. We expect a better life than most of the world can ever live.
What we want, young and old alike, are the good times we see portrayed on television or in the movies or that we read about in magazines-parties, music, dancing, the kicks in life.
Unfortunately, and we don't like to think about this, the kicks in life too often turn around and kick us in the teeth. They exact a penalty that may cripple us in some way for the rest of our lives. Parents sense that this can happen; that's another reason they frequently say no.
Each year hundreds of thousands of unmarried women and girls give birth to unwanted babies.
They shed millions of tears just because they and the babies' fathers wanted to have a little fun.
The fun was short-lived, but the pain endures. More than one fourth of American families are now headed by a single female parent. Most of those families live in poverty.
Living in poverty while raising an illegitimate child is not much fun. If you had planned your life, that wouldn't be what you wanted for your children.
now think whether would it be happiness foever,or pleasure for the moment?
Guard the Door to Your Mind!
by Steve Myers
To the 21st-century ear, 1 Peter 1:13 sounds a bit peculiar in the King James Version of the Bible, and the New King James Version didn't update the wording. It tells us to "gird up the loins of your mind."
When I first read that verse I couldn't help thinking, "I didn't even know that my mind had loins, and how do you gird them anyway?" As unusual as it may first seem, Peter was inspired to record those curious words for us because they do have meaning and significance for our lives today.
What Do You Mean, "Gird Up the Loins"?
Imagine living at the time of the apostles. First-century dress was very different from today and people normally wore long robelike garments. If they tried to hurry, they could easily trip and fall over their lengthy clothing. It would be like trying to run somewhere in your long bathrobe.
To offset this dilemma a man would gather the folds of his long garment and tuck them into his belt so that he could move freely and speedily. Examples of this are also found in 1 Kings 18:46 and Luke 12:35.
Peter takes this common expression of his day and, instead of speaking about running with robes, he applies it to our minds. He tells us to take those long robes and pull them up, tuck them in and turn them into activewear. It's not time to lounge around in lengthy robes and take things as they come, but it's time to be ready for action. The NIV translation echoes this idea saying: "prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled."
What should our minds be actively doing? How do we prepare and protect our minds? We should begin by guarding the door to our mind. The process of guarding our minds is similar to protecting our computers. If our mind is to be ready for godly action, we must guard it like we secure our computers.
Install a Firewall
To keep our computer safe from attacks, we try to strengthen its defenses. What can be done to ward off computer problems? Install a firewall. A firewall isolates our computer from outside influences like the Internet. It allows the data we consider safe to enter and blocks the data we don't consider safe from corrupting our computer.
It's no different with our mind. We must strengthen our defenses by installing a spiritual firewall to guard our thoughts.
Proverbs 4:23-27 (New Century Version) tells us: "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Don't use your mouth to tell lies; don't ever say things that are not true.
Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. Be careful what you do, and always do what is right. Don't turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths." We must constantly be on the defensive to ward off wrong thoughts.
Isn't it true that our thoughts dictate the direction of our lives? The greatest battlefield of life is the mind, and we are constantly at war for its control! If we want to live right, we must put up a spiritual firewall and not allow just anything to affect our thinking.
We have to be careful what we let in, and what we allow to influence us. We have to keep wrong thoughts and wrong ideas out of our minds, because how we think will affect how we live.
Computer geeks have a name for this process. It's called GIGO. GIGO is an acronym that stands for "garbage in, garbage out." It means that the quality of the output is directly dependent on the quality of the input. In other words, if we put bad data in our computer, what comes out will be bad results.
Jesus taught that it is exactly the same with our minds. In Mark 7:20-23 He said, "The things that come out of people are the things that make them unclean. All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. All these evil things come from inside and make people unclean" (NCV).
Don't allow ungodly thinking. If we allow wrong thoughts into our minds, it will result in wrong sinful actions. We must keep our minds clear, uncluttered, pure and right. By being filled with God's Holy Spirit, it is possible to keep the garbage out of our minds.
Install Antivirus Software
There are circumstances, impulses and desires that constantly threaten our thinking. This is reminiscent of how our computer's processing, its thinking, is also threatened.
A common threat to guard against is a computer virus. A computer virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on a computer program. For example, a virus might attach itself to a program on your computer and then each time that program runs, the virus runs too and has the chance to wreak havoc.
The key to controlling a computer virus is to prevent it by using antivirus utilities. Installing
antivirus software and keeping it updated will keep our computers secure by not allowing a virus access to our programs.
The same is true with our minds. We have to guard our minds so that wrong thinking is stopped even before it can begin. We must be sure that we have God's Holy Spirit activated in our life.
The apostle Paul didn't know about computers, but he understood that our minds are under attack. He tells us in 2 Timothy 1:13-14, "Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us" (New Revised Standard Version). The word for guard is the Greek word phulasso . It can mean "to keep by way of protection." We must protect our minds by using God's Spirit. It's like a spiritual antivirus program that helps us to guard against wrong thinking.
Romans 8:5-6 states, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Have we set our mind in order to guard what has been committed to us? Have we shielded our minds by thinking according to the Spirit?
Computer techs tell us that we should be sure to use real-time monitoring and keep our antivirus software updated. To safeguard against the latest virus, we should be sure that the update process is set to the daily mode.
Spiritually speaking, we must be "updated" daily. Are we sure that we are building a close relationship with God every day? We are spiritually updated as we constantly focus our minds on submitting to God and build godly character as we live His way. We are told in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
Protecting and directing our minds during our daily spiritual update will bring remarkable blessings. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah" (Psalm 68:19).
Guard Against Spyware
When you use the Internet, it is possible that spyware could invade your computer. Without knowing it, spyware (also called adware or malware) can track your computer usage, what Web sites you visit and even what keys you strike on your keyboard. It knows what you're doing, collects your personal information and can send it to a third party without your permission. This can certainly be a threat to the health of your computer and your personal information.
There is a direct correlation between spyware and the way Satan and his demons try to track what we are doing. They watch us and try to influence us. They see what we are doing. Remember 1 Peter 5:8? We're told to "discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour" (NRSV). Satan tracks our movements and watches for an opening so that he can go on the attack.
We cannot let Satan's spyware influence our minds. Our perspective must be one of self-control so that we are not a vulnerable target for attack. As Ephesians 4:14-15 states, "...we will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head" (NCV).
We should be sure of the integrity of all of the thoughts that we allow in our mind. To get rid of Satan's spyware, we must raise the security level of our browser (our mind) from minimal safeguards to the highest security level. Proverbs 13:6 tells us how we can accomplish this: "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner" (NIV).
Unfortunately, some have the misguided idea that somehow thoughts have a life of their own and that these thoughts determine what goes on inside our heads. This is not true. Each of us has control over our thoughts and the ability to guard them if we're determined to do so.
"We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NCV).
With God's help we can take control to root out wrong thinking before it even begins. John confirms this: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Reject the Dangerous
Computer security experts tell us to further protect our system by refusing unknown software, unfamiliar e-mails and unspecified attachments. Do not download unknown software. Don't open unknown e-mails, especially if they have interesting headlines. Make every effort to stay away from questionable and dangerous Web sites. If you browse them, your computer will be at risk and you can imagine what will happen next.
When applying these principles to our minds, the spiritual implications of this kind of protection are even more serious.
We must have the resolve to refuse wrong reasoning. We have to be always ready to recognize sinful influences and defend ourselves from attack. The apostle John reminds us to "look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward" (2 John 8). "Look to yourselves" in the NRSV translation conveys this ready resolve by telling us to "be on your guard."
Be an Effective Guard
We worry about the safety of our computers, but how much more should we be concerned about what enters our minds? Do we stop to consider our daily diet of radio and television? What about the newspaper or our favorite magazine? How many times are our minds under attack by the philosophies of our day?
Do we realize the extent of the powerful influences that movies and music produce on our thinking? Even the people we associate with can have a detrimental effect on us. Do we just take it all in, or do we set a guard at the door to our mind?
Let's be ready for mental combat. Think about what we view. Contemplate what we read. Let's ask ourselves: "Where is this coming from?" "How does it want me to think?" "Is this the way God thinks?"
We can secure our lives by keeping our eyes open, being vigilant and resisting wrong. A breech of computer security could result in a hard drive crash and the loss of our data. If we do not guard our mind, the loss of life will have eternal consequence.
Remember, the most powerful weapon in your arsenal is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)—a sound knowledge of and a deep respect for the Bible.
As we stay close to God, we can take security in His promise in Psalm 121:7-8: "The Lord will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever" (NCV).
Guard the door to your mind. UN
by Steve Myers
To the 21st-century ear, 1 Peter 1:13 sounds a bit peculiar in the King James Version of the Bible, and the New King James Version didn't update the wording. It tells us to "gird up the loins of your mind."
When I first read that verse I couldn't help thinking, "I didn't even know that my mind had loins, and how do you gird them anyway?" As unusual as it may first seem, Peter was inspired to record those curious words for us because they do have meaning and significance for our lives today.
What Do You Mean, "Gird Up the Loins"?
Imagine living at the time of the apostles. First-century dress was very different from today and people normally wore long robelike garments. If they tried to hurry, they could easily trip and fall over their lengthy clothing. It would be like trying to run somewhere in your long bathrobe.
To offset this dilemma a man would gather the folds of his long garment and tuck them into his belt so that he could move freely and speedily. Examples of this are also found in 1 Kings 18:46 and Luke 12:35.
Peter takes this common expression of his day and, instead of speaking about running with robes, he applies it to our minds. He tells us to take those long robes and pull them up, tuck them in and turn them into activewear. It's not time to lounge around in lengthy robes and take things as they come, but it's time to be ready for action. The NIV translation echoes this idea saying: "prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled."
What should our minds be actively doing? How do we prepare and protect our minds? We should begin by guarding the door to our mind. The process of guarding our minds is similar to protecting our computers. If our mind is to be ready for godly action, we must guard it like we secure our computers.
Install a Firewall
To keep our computer safe from attacks, we try to strengthen its defenses. What can be done to ward off computer problems? Install a firewall. A firewall isolates our computer from outside influences like the Internet. It allows the data we consider safe to enter and blocks the data we don't consider safe from corrupting our computer.
It's no different with our mind. We must strengthen our defenses by installing a spiritual firewall to guard our thoughts.
Proverbs 4:23-27 (New Century Version) tells us: "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Don't use your mouth to tell lies; don't ever say things that are not true.
Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. Be careful what you do, and always do what is right. Don't turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths." We must constantly be on the defensive to ward off wrong thoughts.
Isn't it true that our thoughts dictate the direction of our lives? The greatest battlefield of life is the mind, and we are constantly at war for its control! If we want to live right, we must put up a spiritual firewall and not allow just anything to affect our thinking.
We have to be careful what we let in, and what we allow to influence us. We have to keep wrong thoughts and wrong ideas out of our minds, because how we think will affect how we live.
Computer geeks have a name for this process. It's called GIGO. GIGO is an acronym that stands for "garbage in, garbage out." It means that the quality of the output is directly dependent on the quality of the input. In other words, if we put bad data in our computer, what comes out will be bad results.
Jesus taught that it is exactly the same with our minds. In Mark 7:20-23 He said, "The things that come out of people are the things that make them unclean. All these evil things begin inside people, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, evil actions, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, speaking evil of others, pride, and foolish living. All these evil things come from inside and make people unclean" (NCV).
Don't allow ungodly thinking. If we allow wrong thoughts into our minds, it will result in wrong sinful actions. We must keep our minds clear, uncluttered, pure and right. By being filled with God's Holy Spirit, it is possible to keep the garbage out of our minds.
Install Antivirus Software
There are circumstances, impulses and desires that constantly threaten our thinking. This is reminiscent of how our computer's processing, its thinking, is also threatened.
A common threat to guard against is a computer virus. A computer virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on a computer program. For example, a virus might attach itself to a program on your computer and then each time that program runs, the virus runs too and has the chance to wreak havoc.
The key to controlling a computer virus is to prevent it by using antivirus utilities. Installing
antivirus software and keeping it updated will keep our computers secure by not allowing a virus access to our programs.
The same is true with our minds. We have to guard our minds so that wrong thinking is stopped even before it can begin. We must be sure that we have God's Holy Spirit activated in our life.
The apostle Paul didn't know about computers, but he understood that our minds are under attack. He tells us in 2 Timothy 1:13-14, "Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us" (New Revised Standard Version). The word for guard is the Greek word phulasso . It can mean "to keep by way of protection." We must protect our minds by using God's Spirit. It's like a spiritual antivirus program that helps us to guard against wrong thinking.
Romans 8:5-6 states, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Have we set our mind in order to guard what has been committed to us? Have we shielded our minds by thinking according to the Spirit?
Computer techs tell us that we should be sure to use real-time monitoring and keep our antivirus software updated. To safeguard against the latest virus, we should be sure that the update process is set to the daily mode.
Spiritually speaking, we must be "updated" daily. Are we sure that we are building a close relationship with God every day? We are spiritually updated as we constantly focus our minds on submitting to God and build godly character as we live His way. We are told in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
Protecting and directing our minds during our daily spiritual update will bring remarkable blessings. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah" (Psalm 68:19).
Guard Against Spyware
When you use the Internet, it is possible that spyware could invade your computer. Without knowing it, spyware (also called adware or malware) can track your computer usage, what Web sites you visit and even what keys you strike on your keyboard. It knows what you're doing, collects your personal information and can send it to a third party without your permission. This can certainly be a threat to the health of your computer and your personal information.
There is a direct correlation between spyware and the way Satan and his demons try to track what we are doing. They watch us and try to influence us. They see what we are doing. Remember 1 Peter 5:8? We're told to "discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour" (NRSV). Satan tracks our movements and watches for an opening so that he can go on the attack.
We cannot let Satan's spyware influence our minds. Our perspective must be one of self-control so that we are not a vulnerable target for attack. As Ephesians 4:14-15 states, "...we will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head" (NCV).
We should be sure of the integrity of all of the thoughts that we allow in our mind. To get rid of Satan's spyware, we must raise the security level of our browser (our mind) from minimal safeguards to the highest security level. Proverbs 13:6 tells us how we can accomplish this: "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner" (NIV).
Unfortunately, some have the misguided idea that somehow thoughts have a life of their own and that these thoughts determine what goes on inside our heads. This is not true. Each of us has control over our thoughts and the ability to guard them if we're determined to do so.
"We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, NCV).
With God's help we can take control to root out wrong thinking before it even begins. John confirms this: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Reject the Dangerous
Computer security experts tell us to further protect our system by refusing unknown software, unfamiliar e-mails and unspecified attachments. Do not download unknown software. Don't open unknown e-mails, especially if they have interesting headlines. Make every effort to stay away from questionable and dangerous Web sites. If you browse them, your computer will be at risk and you can imagine what will happen next.
When applying these principles to our minds, the spiritual implications of this kind of protection are even more serious.
We must have the resolve to refuse wrong reasoning. We have to be always ready to recognize sinful influences and defend ourselves from attack. The apostle John reminds us to "look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward" (2 John 8). "Look to yourselves" in the NRSV translation conveys this ready resolve by telling us to "be on your guard."
Be an Effective Guard
We worry about the safety of our computers, but how much more should we be concerned about what enters our minds? Do we stop to consider our daily diet of radio and television? What about the newspaper or our favorite magazine? How many times are our minds under attack by the philosophies of our day?
Do we realize the extent of the powerful influences that movies and music produce on our thinking? Even the people we associate with can have a detrimental effect on us. Do we just take it all in, or do we set a guard at the door to our mind?
Let's be ready for mental combat. Think about what we view. Contemplate what we read. Let's ask ourselves: "Where is this coming from?" "How does it want me to think?" "Is this the way God thinks?"
We can secure our lives by keeping our eyes open, being vigilant and resisting wrong. A breech of computer security could result in a hard drive crash and the loss of our data. If we do not guard our mind, the loss of life will have eternal consequence.
Remember, the most powerful weapon in your arsenal is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)—a sound knowledge of and a deep respect for the Bible.
As we stay close to God, we can take security in His promise in Psalm 121:7-8: "The Lord will protect you from all dangers; he will guard your life. The Lord will guard you as you come and go, both now and forever" (NCV).
Guard the door to your mind. UN
today:this is the way
Hi friends,We hope you will reach for a helping hand when you need one.
Clyde and Dee Kilough
Wise Counsel
A well-known American stated that a person who refuses to be counseled cannot be helped. We seem to have the ability to shut off our hearing from time to time. Seeking some counsel indicates that we are unsure, don't know or need help. For a man it is especially hard to admit to these "flaws." Yet a wise person will spend time with those who can give wise counsel.
Proverbs 8:33 advises us to hear instruction and not to disdain it. Those who refuse to hear will learn the hard lessons of experience. Children are expected to listen because adults have experience and can make the path a little smoother. If we retain the attitude of a child, we can avoid some pain. We can even be wise.
Further Reading:"Is Life Only About FUN! FUN! FUN?" -- Online at www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn07/lifefunfunfun.htm
Clyde and Dee Kilough
Wise Counsel
A well-known American stated that a person who refuses to be counseled cannot be helped. We seem to have the ability to shut off our hearing from time to time. Seeking some counsel indicates that we are unsure, don't know or need help. For a man it is especially hard to admit to these "flaws." Yet a wise person will spend time with those who can give wise counsel.
Proverbs 8:33 advises us to hear instruction and not to disdain it. Those who refuse to hear will learn the hard lessons of experience. Children are expected to listen because adults have experience and can make the path a little smoother. If we retain the attitude of a child, we can avoid some pain. We can even be wise.
Further Reading:"Is Life Only About FUN! FUN! FUN?" -- Online at www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn07/lifefunfunfun.htm
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Parenting and Social Responsibility
"Am I my brother's keeper?" retorted Cain when God questioned him concerning the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom Cain had just murdered.
Cain's age-old response to God started mankind down a path that has had major ramifications for our societies and civilizations. When we reject a sense of responsibility for the welfare of our fellowman, we're reduced to savagery in a struggle for dominance and the survival of the fittest. When we accept a shared responsibility with and for one another, we are then able to work together for the common good.
In spite of the abundance of warning signs in the behavior of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold—including an obsession with violent video games, strange music, black clothing, Adolf Hitler and guns and explosives—the two boys marched unimpeded toward orchestrating their personal Armageddon.
The two obtained a small arsenal of guns and ammunition and materials to construct more than 60 bombs—some of them extremely sophisticated—apparently without their families' knowledge or intervention. Fifteen people lost their lives and 23 others were wounded because no one intervened to put a stop to a tragedy in the making.
What does this say about the state of modern families?
Dave DeForest-Stalls, executive director of an activity center for Denver teens and older youth, expressed the problem this way: "What it all comes down to is, Who's listening to these kids? Who is spending enough time to listen to them? Who knows them?"
Research has shown the links between broken homes and the increased likelihood of eventual criminal behavior. Yet the Columbine High catastrophe is a dramatic wake-up call to all families. These two students came from apparently stable, middle-class- and wealthy families. But, in a society in which the norm is that parents hold down one or more jobs outside the home, as was the case here, there isn't enough time to go around.
When we analyze our society as a whole the picture becomes clear. "We don't spend enough time with kids, and we've taught them they're not valued," Mr. DeForest-Stalls said. "We'll give them a check, a credit card, a car before we give them our time."
Material possessions—cars, computers, gadgets and a generous allowance—are no substitute for the priceless gift of time spent with our children.
"We have to focus on our own behavior and neglect rather than on what's so wrong with kids these days," he continued. "We have to let them know their lives have value ..."
God expects parents to instill proper values in their children. When He gave His laws to ancient Israel, He knew the family was the building block of a safe and decent society. Immediately after He revealed the Ten Commandments, notice His instruction to parents:
"Keep these words, which I say to you this day, deep in your hearts; teaching them to your children with all care, talking of them when you are at rest in your house or walking by the way, when you go to sleep and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Bible in Basic English).
Several fundamental principles for maintaining an orderly society come clear in these verses.
First, parents are to learn God's laws and allow His Word to guide their thoughts and conduct. The words and deeds of parents are the most effective teacher in instilling proper values.
Second, parents are to teach God's laws to their children "with all care." They are to make this one of their highest priorities. No parent should excuse himself from this God-given responsibility.
Third, parents must regularly discuss God's laws and His Word with their children. Parents should teach their children, through real-life examples we see in the news and all around us, how obedience to godly laws brings blessings and disobedience brings pain and sorrow. The tragedy at Columbine High School is a powerful example of how obsession with evil leads to indescribable anguish to everyone involved. Far too many of the adults and peers who interacted with Eric
Harris and Dylan Klebold had lost touch with the way they were thinking.
Fourth, this passage clearly tells parents regularly to spend time with their children—to converse with them, know what they are thinking and let them know they are loved, valued and appreciated, both by their parents and by their Creator. Parents should know how their children think and feel-what they enjoy and what causes them pain and hurt. Parents should be there to guide them in dealing with anger and coping with frustration and rejection.
well,that's pretty true
and we shld all have a common goal instead of fighting against each other
=D
"Am I my brother's keeper?" retorted Cain when God questioned him concerning the whereabouts of his brother Abel, whom Cain had just murdered.
Cain's age-old response to God started mankind down a path that has had major ramifications for our societies and civilizations. When we reject a sense of responsibility for the welfare of our fellowman, we're reduced to savagery in a struggle for dominance and the survival of the fittest. When we accept a shared responsibility with and for one another, we are then able to work together for the common good.
In spite of the abundance of warning signs in the behavior of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold—including an obsession with violent video games, strange music, black clothing, Adolf Hitler and guns and explosives—the two boys marched unimpeded toward orchestrating their personal Armageddon.
The two obtained a small arsenal of guns and ammunition and materials to construct more than 60 bombs—some of them extremely sophisticated—apparently without their families' knowledge or intervention. Fifteen people lost their lives and 23 others were wounded because no one intervened to put a stop to a tragedy in the making.
What does this say about the state of modern families?
Dave DeForest-Stalls, executive director of an activity center for Denver teens and older youth, expressed the problem this way: "What it all comes down to is, Who's listening to these kids? Who is spending enough time to listen to them? Who knows them?"
Research has shown the links between broken homes and the increased likelihood of eventual criminal behavior. Yet the Columbine High catastrophe is a dramatic wake-up call to all families. These two students came from apparently stable, middle-class- and wealthy families. But, in a society in which the norm is that parents hold down one or more jobs outside the home, as was the case here, there isn't enough time to go around.
When we analyze our society as a whole the picture becomes clear. "We don't spend enough time with kids, and we've taught them they're not valued," Mr. DeForest-Stalls said. "We'll give them a check, a credit card, a car before we give them our time."
Material possessions—cars, computers, gadgets and a generous allowance—are no substitute for the priceless gift of time spent with our children.
"We have to focus on our own behavior and neglect rather than on what's so wrong with kids these days," he continued. "We have to let them know their lives have value ..."
God expects parents to instill proper values in their children. When He gave His laws to ancient Israel, He knew the family was the building block of a safe and decent society. Immediately after He revealed the Ten Commandments, notice His instruction to parents:
"Keep these words, which I say to you this day, deep in your hearts; teaching them to your children with all care, talking of them when you are at rest in your house or walking by the way, when you go to sleep and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Bible in Basic English).
Several fundamental principles for maintaining an orderly society come clear in these verses.
First, parents are to learn God's laws and allow His Word to guide their thoughts and conduct. The words and deeds of parents are the most effective teacher in instilling proper values.
Second, parents are to teach God's laws to their children "with all care." They are to make this one of their highest priorities. No parent should excuse himself from this God-given responsibility.
Third, parents must regularly discuss God's laws and His Word with their children. Parents should teach their children, through real-life examples we see in the news and all around us, how obedience to godly laws brings blessings and disobedience brings pain and sorrow. The tragedy at Columbine High School is a powerful example of how obsession with evil leads to indescribable anguish to everyone involved. Far too many of the adults and peers who interacted with Eric
Harris and Dylan Klebold had lost touch with the way they were thinking.
Fourth, this passage clearly tells parents regularly to spend time with their children—to converse with them, know what they are thinking and let them know they are loved, valued and appreciated, both by their parents and by their Creator. Parents should know how their children think and feel-what they enjoy and what causes them pain and hurt. Parents should be there to guide them in dealing with anger and coping with frustration and rejection.
well,that's pretty true
and we shld all have a common goal instead of fighting against each other
=D
Thursday, February 15, 2007
A key to contentment
Paul's words bring into relief an unusual concept of the purpose of wealth. Most people view work and money as the necessary means of satisfying their personal needs and wants, which can often be selfishly focused. But a righteous viewpoint embraces the spirit of God's law of love, which is concerned about the welfare of others in addition to oneself. We should keep this in mind when contemplating how to use money and other material wealth. By examining the example and words of Paul, we see that he learned to be content with only what he had during various periods of his life (Philippians 4:11). Sometimes this was almost nothing.
Paul tells us that "godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Considerable spiritual danger lies in wanting more and more. Paul recognized this: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life . . ." (verses 9-11).
Because of constant pressure to buy and satisfy our every urge, such contentment and focus is difficult for us to achieve. But the closer we come to contentment the better off we will be. We need to learn to focus on our genuine needs rather than the frivolous things advertisers have convinced us we need.
Paul's words bring into relief an unusual concept of the purpose of wealth. Most people view work and money as the necessary means of satisfying their personal needs and wants, which can often be selfishly focused. But a righteous viewpoint embraces the spirit of God's law of love, which is concerned about the welfare of others in addition to oneself. We should keep this in mind when contemplating how to use money and other material wealth. By examining the example and words of Paul, we see that he learned to be content with only what he had during various periods of his life (Philippians 4:11). Sometimes this was almost nothing.
Paul tells us that "godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Considerable spiritual danger lies in wanting more and more. Paul recognized this: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life . . ." (verses 9-11).
Because of constant pressure to buy and satisfy our every urge, such contentment and focus is difficult for us to achieve. But the closer we come to contentment the better off we will be. We need to learn to focus on our genuine needs rather than the frivolous things advertisers have convinced us we need.
Responsibilities toward others
God's Word offers many other financial principles and truths we should study and follow to gain wisdom and guidance from God's mind.
One sound bit of advice is to pay your taxes. Romans 13:1-7 teaches we should comply with governmental tax requirements. Some wrongly think they are above and exempt from government authority, but this is not what the Bible teaches (except in cases where God's laws conflict with man's; Acts 5:29).
Failure to pay taxes can result in severe penalties because it is against the law of the land. Jesus Himself told us to pay taxes but not neglect what we owe toGod (Matthew 22:17-21). We should pay first that which belongs to God as well as that which is required by the government.
The apostle Paul teaches that we should be willing and generous in contributing to the needs of others (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). He amplifies this by explaining that we should work so we "may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).
God's Word offers many other financial principles and truths we should study and follow to gain wisdom and guidance from God's mind.
One sound bit of advice is to pay your taxes. Romans 13:1-7 teaches we should comply with governmental tax requirements. Some wrongly think they are above and exempt from government authority, but this is not what the Bible teaches (except in cases where God's laws conflict with man's; Acts 5:29).
Failure to pay taxes can result in severe penalties because it is against the law of the land. Jesus Himself told us to pay taxes but not neglect what we owe toGod (Matthew 22:17-21). We should pay first that which belongs to God as well as that which is required by the government.
The apostle Paul teaches that we should be willing and generous in contributing to the needs of others (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). He amplifies this by explaining that we should work so we "may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).
What is our highest priority?
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 shows the futility of seeking worldly pleasure, wealth and materialism. In the end such pursuits are empty: "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance with increase" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
This illustrates again the importance of putting the things of God and His Kingdom first because they alone give lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.
Jesus Christ tells us we cannot successfully focus on and place the correct emphasis on both God and "mammon"—material wealth (Matthew 6:24).
Therefore the choice between the two is an important one.
To help us consider and evaluate these alternatives, Jesus contrasted the value of each. Earthly treasure is easily destroyed or stolen, He said, although heavenly riches are not vulnerable to loss or theft and are therefore more enduring and substantial (verses 19-20).
Later He continued this theme by showing that being overly concerned with the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches can strangle the influence of God's Word, preventing spiritual growth and maturity (Matthew 13:22).
In Matthew 19:16-26 and Luke 12:13-34 He gives additional examples of the greater importance and value of setting our heart on spiritual priorities rather than material and earthly concerns.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 shows the futility of seeking worldly pleasure, wealth and materialism. In the end such pursuits are empty: "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance with increase" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
This illustrates again the importance of putting the things of God and His Kingdom first because they alone give lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.
Jesus Christ tells us we cannot successfully focus on and place the correct emphasis on both God and "mammon"—material wealth (Matthew 6:24).
Therefore the choice between the two is an important one.
To help us consider and evaluate these alternatives, Jesus contrasted the value of each. Earthly treasure is easily destroyed or stolen, He said, although heavenly riches are not vulnerable to loss or theft and are therefore more enduring and substantial (verses 19-20).
Later He continued this theme by showing that being overly concerned with the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches can strangle the influence of God's Word, preventing spiritual growth and maturity (Matthew 13:22).
In Matthew 19:16-26 and Luke 12:13-34 He gives additional examples of the greater importance and value of setting our heart on spiritual priorities rather than material and earthly concerns.
Acknowledging God for His blessings
Because God is the Creator, life giver and sustainer of every living being, it follows that He has the prerogative to ask something in return from those who live as tenants on His property. Thousands of years ago He instituted the financial principle of tithing—giving 10 percent of one's increase to His representatives—as a way of acknowledging Him as the source of our blessings. Tithing also provides a means for allowing His truth to be shared with others.
Scripture shows us that the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham and Jacob tithed (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:22). God commanded the entire nation of Israel to tithe (Leviticus 27:30). Jesus Christ endorsed tithing (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
People who think tithing is a humanly contrived scheme to obtain wealth fail to see this financial practice was ordained by God, not man, for a great spiritual purpose. They also fail to see that being willing to acknowledge and obey God in this matter is an important step toward attaining personal happiness and financial success.
God promises material blessings to those who obey Him and acknowledge Him with their wealth (Proverbs 3:1, 9-10). Through the prophet Malachi God warned that withholding His tithe amounts to robbing Him, but He will bless those who tithe (Malachi 3:7-12).
God gives us "every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17). Giving a 10th back to Him, along with offerings that express our gratitude, is a basic financial obligation. Putting God first in your financial planning shows you are getting your priorities straight and willing to follow God's instruction. The first 10th of our increase is holy to God (Leviticus 27:30) and should be set aside for His purposes and desires rather than our own.
Because God is the Creator, life giver and sustainer of every living being, it follows that He has the prerogative to ask something in return from those who live as tenants on His property. Thousands of years ago He instituted the financial principle of tithing—giving 10 percent of one's increase to His representatives—as a way of acknowledging Him as the source of our blessings. Tithing also provides a means for allowing His truth to be shared with others.
Scripture shows us that the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham and Jacob tithed (Genesis 14:18-20; 28:22). God commanded the entire nation of Israel to tithe (Leviticus 27:30). Jesus Christ endorsed tithing (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
People who think tithing is a humanly contrived scheme to obtain wealth fail to see this financial practice was ordained by God, not man, for a great spiritual purpose. They also fail to see that being willing to acknowledge and obey God in this matter is an important step toward attaining personal happiness and financial success.
God promises material blessings to those who obey Him and acknowledge Him with their wealth (Proverbs 3:1, 9-10). Through the prophet Malachi God warned that withholding His tithe amounts to robbing Him, but He will bless those who tithe (Malachi 3:7-12).
God gives us "every good and perfect gift" (James 1:17). Giving a 10th back to Him, along with offerings that express our gratitude, is a basic financial obligation. Putting God first in your financial planning shows you are getting your priorities straight and willing to follow God's instruction. The first 10th of our increase is holy to God (Leviticus 27:30) and should be set aside for His purposes and desires rather than our own.
The source of all wealth
Many have forgotten—or never considered—that it is God who gives us power to obtain wealth. Although diligent effort is a necessary part of anyone's success, God reminds us that when we say in our hearts, "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth," we need to "remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
As 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 tells us: "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; . . . Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."
Psalm 24:1 adds, "The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."
These verses give a critically important godly perspective that we need to consider. It is God who gives us our life and capacities and who has created the earth's raw materials from which commodities and wealth originate.
Man's focus on materialism
We live in a world that does not seek the knowledge of its Creator—including His financial advice. Few people are aware that the Bible contains an amazing amount of information about how to accumulate and manage wealth. God wants us to be prosperous and happy (3 John 2), and He offers guidance to make that possible.
Most people feel they are able on their own to handle their personal affairs, including monetary decisions and allocations. They don't realize this is where they make a great mistake, because they unknowingly cut themselves off from God's favor and guidance that lead to the financial success they seek.
For example, contrary to human inclination, God tells us not to set a high priority on the accumulation of wealth and material goods. Instead, even though we have physical needs, He tells us that spiritual values and objectives are more important and lasting and that we need first to seek His Kingdom rather than the things of this world. If we do this He promises to supply the physical necessities we require (Matthew 6:19-34).
However, because people are naturally inclined toward acquiring as much as possible for themselves, many find God's approach difficult to accept and pursue. But if we want to attain real financial stability and security-with peace of mind—we must recognize the importance of putting God first. After all, He is the primary source of our blessings. Covetousness, along with lack of discipline and self-control, is a root cause of much personal and national economic trouble (1 Timothy 6:10).
God's Word sternly warns against covetousness. God's Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17) forbids coveting—intensely or obsessively desiring something that doesn't belong to us.
The prophet Jeremiah indicted the kingdom of Judah for its citizens' covetousness (Jeremiah 22:17). Jesus Christ warned of its dangers (Luke 12:15-34).
Hebrews 13:5 tells us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." Too many people fail to recognize the perils of yielding to their desires and cravings, especially when they can't afford them.
We live in a world that does not seek the knowledge of its Creator—including His financial advice. Few people are aware that the Bible contains an amazing amount of information about how to accumulate and manage wealth. God wants us to be prosperous and happy (3 John 2), and He offers guidance to make that possible.
Most people feel they are able on their own to handle their personal affairs, including monetary decisions and allocations. They don't realize this is where they make a great mistake, because they unknowingly cut themselves off from God's favor and guidance that lead to the financial success they seek.
For example, contrary to human inclination, God tells us not to set a high priority on the accumulation of wealth and material goods. Instead, even though we have physical needs, He tells us that spiritual values and objectives are more important and lasting and that we need first to seek His Kingdom rather than the things of this world. If we do this He promises to supply the physical necessities we require (Matthew 6:19-34).
However, because people are naturally inclined toward acquiring as much as possible for themselves, many find God's approach difficult to accept and pursue. But if we want to attain real financial stability and security-with peace of mind—we must recognize the importance of putting God first. After all, He is the primary source of our blessings. Covetousness, along with lack of discipline and self-control, is a root cause of much personal and national economic trouble (1 Timothy 6:10).
God's Word sternly warns against covetousness. God's Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17) forbids coveting—intensely or obsessively desiring something that doesn't belong to us.
The prophet Jeremiah indicted the kingdom of Judah for its citizens' covetousness (Jeremiah 22:17). Jesus Christ warned of its dangers (Luke 12:15-34).
Hebrews 13:5 tells us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." Too many people fail to recognize the perils of yielding to their desires and cravings, especially when they can't afford them.
Financial Security and Peace of Mind
A popular magazine pointed out that some Hollywood celebrities, each earning more than $35 million per year, were deeply in debt. A newspaper article similarly reported that a popular musician had to drastically reorder his finances because his personal spending had grown to an average of some $400,000 per week.
At the same time, many nations are mired in serious financial trouble, carrying enormous deficits, in spite of their industrial, business and agricultural productivity and know-how.
Following these same patterns, personal bankruptcies are soaring upward, and many families owe so much money they have very little hope of getting out of debt.
It is ironic that our materialistic world, which prizes the acquisition of wealth over almost everything else, is so heavily burdened by it. It is not hard to see that something is fundamentally wrong and out of balance. Instead of being a blessing and source of stability and security, money has come to be a curse that often produces great stress and anxiety because people have not learned to properly use it.
A popular magazine pointed out that some Hollywood celebrities, each earning more than $35 million per year, were deeply in debt. A newspaper article similarly reported that a popular musician had to drastically reorder his finances because his personal spending had grown to an average of some $400,000 per week.
At the same time, many nations are mired in serious financial trouble, carrying enormous deficits, in spite of their industrial, business and agricultural productivity and know-how.
Following these same patterns, personal bankruptcies are soaring upward, and many families owe so much money they have very little hope of getting out of debt.
It is ironic that our materialistic world, which prizes the acquisition of wealth over almost everything else, is so heavily burdened by it. It is not hard to see that something is fundamentally wrong and out of balance. Instead of being a blessing and source of stability and security, money has come to be a curse that often produces great stress and anxiety because people have not learned to properly use it.
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