Gaining Ground

Gaining Ground

          In Luke 14:28, Jesus said "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" Jesus frequently spoke in parables to convey His message in terms people could relate to - in this instance, the cost of discipleship.  With many looking to football starting again, I want to share some ways to view paying off debt and gaining ground in a similar manner.

          We may begin a month at 1st down and 10 yards to go, but if we spend more than we make we've been sacked - and now face more than 10 yards for the next month. Proverbs 21:20 illustrates that "precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it". It is simply saying the foolish man wasted and spent everything he earned, while the wise man spent less than he made.

          But it gets worse from there, since we've usually borrowed that excess amount on our credit cards, we get hit with a "penalty" on top of the loss of yardage in the form of interest (averaging 14%), so figuratively we may be looking at 2nd down and 20 yards (or more) for the next month.

          So how do we gain ground? Just like in the real game, we run the ball and take a modest gain - by going back to Proverbs 21:20 and spending less than we make the next month. The good news is we have more than four downs to make up the lost yardage, just "advance the ball" a portion each month. As you are encouraged by the results you will think of additional ways to curb overspending and will move forward even faster.

          Consider our credit cards and smaller debts like first downs on the field. In the bigger picture of getting debt-free, it is as we pay off those debts we move closer to the end zone, which would be like what is owed on your car(s). Paying off the smaller debts - and not charging them back up again, frees up the additional funds to allow you to retire your car debt(s) in a relatively short time... and punch it in the end zone.

          Having moved past the credit cards, smaller debts and car loans you now have the capacity to take your mortgage head on. It has worked like a snowball rolling downhill and at this point you can make double and even triple payments and on average pay off your mortgage in about 5 years. I can tell you from experience that major accomplishment is like winning the game - even the Super Bowl!

          The great players and teams do not just show up on game day, they've put in the time preparing in the weight room, studying the playbook and practicing to carry out the coaches' plays. 

          It's not much different for us in this effort. Spending time in God's Word having our mind renewed, seeking His face and listening to Him will help prepare us to make wise choices. We also have the Holy Spirit, who can assist much like how the coaches speak to the players' receivers in their helmets in an instant. It's promised that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

          Lastly, be encouraged that our "play caller", God Almighty, has promised this... "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten... and you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you".

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

          

           

The Opening

The Opening

          Isaiah 61:1 says "He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound."

          In the area of debt, we may not think of being bound or in prison, but the Word of God and Jesus both spoke to illuminate things that are visible only from the Father's perspective - which is much higher than ours and knows every aspect of the condition of humanity from the beginning to the end.

          In Proverbs 22:7 it is written "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." As so much of our paycheck can be promised before we've even awoke each morning and worked hard all week to earn it, is that not just like slavery?

          The good news is we can regain our freedom.

          The first step, is to honor The One who will lead us out of captivity. There are some who "honor" their creditors first and withhold the tithe from the Lord as a result. God plainly describes this in Malachi 3:8 as robbing from Him, but He also promises to "open the windows of heaven" for those who are obedient. 

          Next, is to allow humility. Much of our indebtedness is brought on by discretionary spending - either on things not needed or exorbitant in stature, or from excessive in quantity. Psalm 25:9 says "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." 

          By allowing humility, we will find ourselves more content. in 1 Timothy 6, Paul wrote "with food and clothing we shall be content". He also revealed that his inward strength came from Christ, enabling him to live under all circumstances. By this reliance we'll receive patience, enabling us to turn away from spending money we do not have on optional things.

          By starting with the foundation of the first two steps above, decide that over the next 30 days you will not spend more than you make. Begin by writing down the total amount of each debt. The main culprit to hold in line will be your credit card. To help, write down every charge as it is made on a log and keep it in view every day - that way there will not be a surprise when the statement arrives and you'll be more able to stay on target.

          If you can achieve this pivotal step of spending less than you make over the next 30 days, your momentum will have been established and you'll realize just how much control YOU have to not overspend. Then you can work towards paying the smallest debt off first and moving onto the larger debts - more detail on this process is in the December 2016 Blog Archive titled "Moving Forward".

          In closing, remember these words from Romans 13:8 which provide simple instruction and will protect us from being bound: "Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another."

God Bless you and may he show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

________ For Others

________ For Others

          "Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others".  (Philippians 2:4). This brief, powerful instruction from Paul bursts out in how to fulfill the needs of the church body, reach out to a hurting world, solidify a healthy marriage and family, contribute to a winning work environment, and experience happiness inside.

          This past week, a Vice President of our corporation moved on to a new company.  There's no one I've respected more in my working career than her, from how she handled difficult circumstances, maintained a positive attitude, had excellent business knowledge and sense, and always had the right thing to say.

          In leaving, she shared personally with me that her focus was always on the team and the people there... which reopened my eyes to that beginning verse above. Let's look at what we can do to live out this scripture in our finances and other efforts.

          Starting with our vocation, in working unto the Lord (from Colossians 3:23) we should naturally also be thoughtful of the work and communication going to our coworkers, so they can do their best. We can be careful listeners when they share of personal needs, which may be opening a door to pray for or with them and to share about Jesus. Being a considerate and diligent worker will also make you valuable, returning to bless you.

          With our wages we first bring our tithes to the Lord, as directed in Malachi 3:10 that "there may be food in My house". This is unto the Lord, but its flow goes towards reaching the lost in the community, nurturing the church body including our precious youth, and spanning across the country and continents through missions. 1 Peter 4:10 states you've been given gifts by God to serve others, look for areas to serve at your church.

          In giving beyond the church, there may be specific organizations that are serving to fulfill a need that is close to your heart. Review the March 2019 post titled "In My Name", which covers how to locate these ministries. Be mindful of the Holy Spirit prompting you to give towards individuals in need, or you may sense something through a normal conversation where God's will is to use you to help their situation.

          Beyond utilizing money or your gifts given to you by God for others, look to share their burdens in prayer - either alongside them in agreement or lifting their needs to the Lord in your personal prayer time.

          What also takes place as we help others while walking in love, is our flesh is quieted... because we are walking by the Spirit and not gratifying the flesh. That will help our walk in so many other areas.  Lastly, be encouraged to know there is a promise towards those who help others from Hebrews 6:10.

          "God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them".

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

          

           

Visible & Invisible

Visible & Invisible

          "Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you." (Luke 11:9)

          As is written in these words from Jesus, there are actions we can take that are visible and invisible to move us forward. In seeking to be free of debt, let's begin with what is visible.

Know where you are:

- List all of your monthly bills along with their required minimum monthly payments.

- For one month, track all of your spending. This is a vital step for you to know exactly where your money is going. Most people - including myself, were stunned to see where it went. It is like an X-Ray showing what we lost track of as it was spent.

- Begin by paying only the minimum monthly payment to each debt, and applying what is left over to the debt which has the smallest total balance.

- Once that smallest debt is retired, go onto the next debt that now has the smallest total balance, and so on. You will be encouraged as you see the number of debts reduced and be strengthened to continue the effort.

Maximize what you have:

- Bring coffee, lunch or drinks with you instead of purchasing from vending machines, convenience stores and restaurants.

- For groceries, read the sales ads and coupons, try generic brands and buying in bulk, shop with a list and stick to it, leave the kids at home during shopping.

- Use dining coupons, Groupons and Entertainment books along with signing up on restaurant websites and loyalty clubs. View it as they are paying you to eat at their place.

- Check out Craigslist and other sites for enormous savings on pre-owned items.

- Research raising insurance deductibles for auto, home and medical coverage.

          Let's look at some of what we can do that is invisible:

- Think and meditate on His Word. In doing so we will find ourselves more molded to His image, receiving strength and being inflexible to temptation to overspend.

- Ask God for wisdom. In James 1:5 it says if we are deficient in wisdom to ask of the giving God, who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly... and it will be given to him.

- Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when faced with a sizable purchase decision. We'll be led forth by peace and also know when to pause and wait for direction.

- In prayer, casting our cares on Him is written in 1 Peter 5:7. While in Ephesians 3:20 it declares He is able to carry out superabundantly above all that we can ask or think.

          Now, compare what is visible versus what is invisible. We'll see that item in the store or on our screen - it's visible. We have to believe in something - our desire for that "thing", even if it overextends us... or to believe in what is the wise thing to do in light of our goals to be free of debt and obedient to God. 

          What's invisible is what's going to change our course, to overcome. Lastly, project yourself making wise choices about over spending on things - which are all temporary, by recalling this verse:

        

          "Consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are brief and fleeting, but the things that are invisible are everlasting." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

Just One Thing

Just One Thing

          "But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and extending myself unto those things which are ahead."  These words from Paul in Philippians 3:13 are among the most timeless, practical and universally beneficial ever placed together in history. If followed it can be valuable to anyone, from overcoming a destructive relationship or a serious health challenge to being a professional athlete.

          What too often keeps us from advancing? Is it not because we think back on how we've done things previously and let that dictate us into inaction and continuing the same path even though it has not been working?

          Whether it is something we'd classify as spiritual - like time for prayer, reading God's Word or tithing to the Lord - or something else like paying down debt, exercising or quality time with loved ones... it comes down to two things: 1) forgetting what you've done before  2) extending to what is ahead of you. How does this look for our finances?

Forgetting what is behind

           It is in the clutching onto our past that keeps us from getting out of debt. High-cost phone/streaming plans, cable TV, frequent coffee trips, eating out for lunch every day, costly automobiles and overpriced fashions are some - you may know of others you can cut back on to make a difference.

          The mentality of charging on credit cards and keeping a balance needs to be forgotten. Consider that if you cannot confine your spending to what you make each month, how will you continue to keep up by paying that additional 14 to 20% interest onto those purchases?

          For tithing as an example, you may need to forget the mindset of "I'll tithe when I have enough money"... because you won't have enough money when you're making your choice that way, and instead focus on loving the Lord - who reached out to you and loved you first, and make room for Him first. 

Extending to what is ahead

          God wisely communicated it in Deuteronomy 14:22 to "set aside the tithe..."  If we first set it aside, there is not the possibility of that money going elsewhere. Think about the successful use of payroll deductions for 401K savings... it's simply the same action of setting aside the funds first.

          For our discretionary spending to set aside what our true available funds are for that month first - and stop when it is depleted. To plan ahead for small purchases - like using apps for the best pricing from gas to groceries and avoiding vending machines and convenience stores. And to plan ahead for bigger purchases by saving for them and escape paying interest charges.

          In the effort of reducing debt, if you dwell upon missing out on some of the "things" you used to spend money on, you will not last long. Looking to what lies ahead includes visualizing your future without balances on credit cards, having that peace without the stress and worry of being over-extended and to have more capacity to give. 

          Lastly take this encouraging thought with you of how Jesus set the ultimate example in extending to what is ahead. In Hebrews 12:2 it is written He endured the cross "for the joy set before Him". Much of that joy was in knowing the multitudes over the thousands of years to come that would be saved by His sacrifice.

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

          

          

Paid In Full

Paid In Full

          There is a debt we all were born with, that every single person... past, present and future owes. There is no amount of wealth that can pay it off, nor any amount of good deeds or works performed will retire or reduce it.

          The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God".  It matters not that one person may have tried to be good from their youth, while another has rebelled and lived a life full of destruction - both of their eternal outcomes will be the same... unless they receive the atonement, the payment for their sins that is the centerpiece in all of God's Word provided by His Son Jesus Christ.

          Those who believe that doing good works will get them to Heaven lack the understanding of what God says in His own Word that our righteousness and best deeds and justice are as "filthy rags" in Isaiah 64.

          Thinking that being good or performing works qualifies is like a person owing a debt to the banker and arriving at the bank with Confederate or Monopoly money.  It doesn't matter how much they brought, the banker will not accept it as payment for the debt.  That is because God declared in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death.

          However, the remainder of that verse contains our hope..."but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  He was the one who paid our debt, by the shedding of His blood for our sins - paying our penalty, and God credits that to the account of those who believe and declares them righteous because of what Jesus did in His awesome love for humanity.

          Consider that if there were a way for man to pay for his own sins... that would mean Jesus left Heaven, came to earth and suffered an excruciating death for no reason. What if you had given a gift to someone, and they instead regarded it as something they earned from you? How would you feel? Salvation is a free gift extended to us.

          If you have accepted Jesus, as we approach this time of remembering and celebrating His crucifixion and resurrection over death, let us regard that we owed a debt which we could not pay... and He paid that debt for which He did not owe.

          If you have not yet accepted the free gift of salvation, given by the blood Jesus shed on the cross for your sins, there is no better time than right now to answer the call God has placed on your heart, and be reconciled to Him forever.

          You can ask God right now to save you, to accept Jesus as your Savior. In Romans 10:9 it is written "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  And you can know that your debt has been paid in full.

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul

          

In My Name

          "And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." Taken from Colossians 3:17, these words cover all of our actions, and also especially enlighten and encourage us in the way to reach out to others in need - in submission to Jesus Christ.

          For several years it has been noticeable the number of businesses proclaiming how they will donate a percentage of their profits to what they consider "good causes". In many cases what the recipient organization carrying out the work usually lacks, is not addressing what created the need - a yet to be experienced personal relationship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

          There is a searching for solutions, with over 1.6 million charitable organizations in the U.S. alone... and we are directed to give - "Don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." (Hebrews 13:16). However, in almost any problem that exists, there is a "Jesus sized" hole that only He can fill. That is why it is essential to give to the work of those carrying out their efforts in the name of Jesus.

          Those organizations and ministries helping others in the name of Jesus are doing more than fulfilling a need, they are pointing the way to our God of compassion, graciousness, mercy and eternal salvation. The beautiful lyrics that sing "Glorify Thy Name in all the Earth" are lived out as we speak, help, give and contribute to others doing so... expressing that it is done in the name of Jesus.

          Jesus stated He came to glorify the Father. Concluding about His own allotted time in John 17:4, He said "I have glorified You down here on earth by completing the work that You gave me to do". At the end of the chapter, Jesus said "I have revealed Your character and Your very Self."

          A person can help another in need, and the recipient may feel love from doing so. But when it's been expressed that the origin of it came from the One described by John... "God is love", it has the capacity to reshape that person's view of God and that they are loved by Him as well as the giver.

        

          Beyond your tithes and considering your giving of offerings or volunteering, I encourage you to side with those organizations pointing the way to the Father. Online resources are available to find those that do so - guidestar.org contains nearly all organizations and can be filtered to those that are Christian-based. Ministry Voice underwent a rigorous search for the best Christian Non-Profits, found at www.ministryvoice.com/most-trusted-nonprofits/.

          "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,

Paul