Defend

 

Defend

"Forsake not (Wisdom), and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you."

    This verse number 6 along with all of what was written in Proverbs 4 shed divine light on the enormous impact of embracing, gaining and walking in wisdom. And what fruit it brings to the believer who practices it. 

    Today, we will focus on a few places we can apply wisdom to our finances to "defend" us from spending more than necessary... think about what you earn as "offense" and what you spend as "defense", and we always want to end up with more than we spend - this concept is always important, and even more challenging today with the rising prices we see.

    As you likely experienced much higher gas bills this winter, a good way to "defend" yourself from paying more in the future is to invest now in caulking, weather-stripping, insulation and energy-efficient devices. You probably are set with the temperatures you keep your home at, so a little DIY project to make these changes can help reduce your bills while keeping the same comfort level.

    For food and supplies, give the store brand items a try if you have not done so, or expand your selection by sampling something new. Many are made in the same factories alongside the name-brand items, and all retailers will refund your purchase if it was not acceptable, so you have nothing to lose.

    For dining out (or carry-out), check out your restaurants website or apps. More and more establishments from fast-food to fine dining are offering substantial discounts if you sign up. In our household, we have received many discounted or free entrees throughout the year and it is very easy to receive the savings.

    Insurance is one of the neglected areas of expense control for most. Many households begin with one company and never compare coverage and cost, while continuing to pay hundreds or thousands per year. Take the time to do two things - first, look at your deductibles and consider raising them to save on your bill. Insurance is best used for the large and over-whelming event, not every small occurrence, which is what makes it so expensive. Second, invest an hour and contact providers to see what they can offer for savings while maintaining coverage you feel is needed. You will see the savings from both efforts continue year after year.

    When you are set on buying something, consider pre-owned options. It takes just a few minutes to check out Craigslist, eBay or a growing number of online clothing and product outlets. You may be able to find exactly what you are seeking - at a fraction of what it would have cost to buy brand new. You could even sell some of your excess and add to your "offense" of earnings.

You cannot succeed at this or any other "game" if you do not know the score, right?

    That is why you have to keep tabs on where your spending is in real time. As most of us use credit or debit cards frequently, it is imperative to go online and view your account frequently. That is the only way you will be aware of exactly how much you have cumulatively spent during the period of time before your bill arrives. This brief step allows you to make "half time adjustments", so that you are not behind when the bill comes.

    One other way a good defender plays is to wait... not committing too early and getting out of position. It works the same way with us and spending. If you are encountering a sizeable purchase decision, I encourage you to wait overnight before committing. Allow this time to think it through clearly, see if the Lord is impressing upon you a certain direction, and also to "sift" how much you actually want that item.

    Look up at the picture we began with. Identify the shooter with the ball as one trying to score and get you to spend more money. See how there are two defenders guarding closely? You are one of the defenders and you are not alone:

    In Malachi 3:10-11 it is written, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts."

    Our Lord has promised specifically to be there at your defense. It may be in the form of a discount on something you were not expecting, Him keeping your cars, appliances running and other items lasting (like the clothing and sandals in Deuteronomy 29), or even preventing an accident that would have been costly. Our God is limitless in ways to both bless and prevent calamity as He sees fit.

    Lastly, be encouraged by what is written a little later in Proverbs 4, in verse 22 it describes what is to be received for keeping His word and wisdom - "For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."

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

Paul

Boards of Faith

 

Boards of Faith

    "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, took heed and constructed an ark for the saving of his household..." (Hebrews 11:7)

    Our Pastor Aaron recently reflected on Noah's faith in his message, speaking about the human-ness Noah would have dealt with in working decades constructing an ark on dry land that had never seen rain. How he dwelt alongside a wicked generation that had no interest in the things of God, yet Noah persevered... board by board, in faith unto the Lord. Every day that Noah woke up and began work by measuring and cutting those boards - each of those completed boards showed a completed step of faith. 

    It can be visualized the same way with us in our obedience to God in our finances.

    Like Noah, we have been given specific instruction from the Lord. First, to honor, love and give to Him in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10-11). Then to be wise stewards who spend less than we make (Proverbs 21:20), and to be generous towards others in need (1 John 3:16-18).

    Each time you make the wise choice in these areas, it is finishing another "board" of faith, which goes against the grain of the world around us. Most in the world view what believers do in obedience with their finances with the same disinterest they did with Noah and his ark and following God.

    Unlike Noah, we are not fashioning boards and assembling them together for one horrific event... we are having the daily mindset to humble ourselves before our God, submitting to Him in reverence. Bringing our first fruits to Him, denying ourselves to the excesses of this age, and when giving to others doing so in the name of Jesus Christ. However, like Noah, each of these is being done in faith.

    Each of those three areas (tithes/offerings, avoiding debt, generous giving) will have an impact on this lost generation around us. Our tithes and offerings support the good news being spread out in our community and also to our missionaries around the globe. Our avoidance and reduction of debt can be an open door when others see such a different approach. And our giving in Christ's name will always bring glory to God, as it has the capacity to reshape that person's view of God and that they are loved by Him.

    In regards to the unbeliever, those "boards" we are assembling do work towards an ark for them in the form of Jesus Christ, who is the Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Rock, True Vine, The Way, the Truth and the Life.

    So be encouraged in your daily faith with how you handle your finances, knowing how each positive step in this area strengthens your faith in God, and with the power of the incorruptible seed has the ability to make an eternal impact for others.

    Lastly, take with you these two faith-filled verses, which have the power to support you in times of need:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29)

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

Paul

2023 - In God We Trust

 
                               

2023 - In God We Trust

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)

    As we cross over into a new year of 2023, let us dig into God's Word about trusting Him, reinforce what that looks like and endeavor to abide in Him.

    First, let me comment on the top half of the picture above - the photographer made a wonderful capture of the nickel coin showing Thomas Jefferson's gaze straight up, towards the heavens and not to the right or left. It should be in that same manner with us, not looking to the supposed wisdom of others but only to God.

    In 1 Corinthians 2:14 it is written "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him..." Those of this world and who instruct others out of this world will direct you to a different way than God's Word shows, because it is folly to them.

    Let's begin with our giving to the Lord in tithes and offerings. With the world this is folly, they see it as giving unto "religion" or to an "institution", but in His Word God makes it clear this is unto Him personally (bringing food into His house)... even to the degree that He promises in Malachi 3 to personally respond, by Him "opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing" and "rebuking the devourer for our sakes".

    Think about how you already trust the Lord with your eternal salvation.

    Compare that to trusting Him with just 10 percent of the money you've earned.

    Looking at debt, many "financial experts" instruct you to not pay off your mortgage for the tax break. The truth is your interest rate is not really the 3-7% advertised in the large print (unless you pay it off in one year) - for most it is actually in the 60-80% range. Just look at your amortization schedule, there you'll see how much is paid to interest (well over half) and how much to principal reduction each month (much less than half). Click on the archives section of this page to December 2020 "The Death Pledge" to see this in detail.

    These "financial experts" also advise you to simultaneously purchase their stocks and mutual funds while continuing to pay high interest rates in debt. Remember this, you will not receive a guaranteed rate of return for investing to outgain what you are paying in debt interest rates.  Think of it like having a hole in your bucket draining out faster than you can put in. The "expert", who receives a commission when you buy stocks and mutual funds from them will not get paid for that advice, will they?

    I am not trying to sell you anything... just presenting God's Word and the sound fundamentals that are evident from what is written there. And what is written there in Romans 13:8 encourages us to "owe no man any thing but to love one another", and also warns us in Proverbs 22:7 that "the borrower is slave to the lender". 

    This is another area we place our trust in God, following His Word rather than the world around us. It requires trust in Him to put down our flesh that wants to buy everything placed before it immediately. It requires trust in Him to have a more reasonable and modest home, cars, clothing or other things for a time rather than attempt to "keep up with the Joneses" or to try and impress those around us. The fact is most of those you may be trying to impress are deep in debt dealing with financial stress and trying to impress those around them.

    Looking to others in need, there may be times to trust in God, when giving generously. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah came upon a widow and her son, down to their last morsel and asked her to make a small portion for him. The widow obliged, and the Lord supernaturally multiplied their provisions until rain came to their land, and later restored life to her son, who had stopped breathing.

    We are also encouraged in Psalms 126:6 - "He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping (at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing) shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God promises to respond to those who trust Him, whether it is in giving to Him, following His ways for our finances, or in giving to others.

    Lastly, for 2023 carry with you this simple verse like you would a bill in your wallet to spend at the time needed:

    "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act" (Psalm 37:5)

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

Paul

    

To: Him

 

To: Him

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." (Romans 11:36)

    This verse - which is probably worthy of reflecting and pondering deeply as much as any in God's Word, speaks of how great God is, how long He has existed, and how worthy is He.

    Knowing what this verse simply says - that all things are His, points back to the concept of being good stewards of what God has given us.

    As many of us are engaging into this Christmas season, and giving gifts to our loved ones, I want to bring to your remembrance some fundamentals financially that will help to keep us in the right path to take.

    It can be very tempting to overspend on gifts... especially for our children. You may recall the verse from Matthew 7 when Jesus spoke about giving good gifts to your children, and how much more our Father will give what is good to those who ask Him. However, leaning back to what wisdom says... "to lend and not borrow" (Deuteronomy 28:12), and to "owe no many any thing but love" (Romans 13:8), we know there is a balance in this area to strive for.

    If you've arrived at gift ideas that may extend beyond your means this month, please seek God's peace regarding them, and ask for God's wisdom in managing your finances. 

    If you choose to go forward and make these purchases, set out now to plan for how to pay back any deficit from December as soon as possible - in January or February at the latest.

    Remember this post to seek balance as you turn the page into mid-2023 --- and to not encounter a repeat of going into debt with Christmas giving, but instead to plan ahead. Consider an old-fashioned concept that has helped people in this category... the Christmas Club Account. It is simply a type of savings account to make routine deposits throughout the year, with those savings available for the holiday season to have the funds for gift giving. If your bank does not offer one, set aside the funds in the same manner on your own.

    Next, let's look to another avenue how we can also be good stewards during this time of giving. We'll go through some excerpts from verses in Matthew 25:

"I was naked and you clothed Me"

"I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink"

"I was hungry and you gave me food"

There are many good organizations in our metro area serving those without, and serving them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to bring to your attention two of them:

Denver Rescue Mission - helping restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs and community outreach with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens. Their website is denverrescuemission.org.

Restoration Outreach Programs - serving the East Colfax Community, they develop redemptive relationships with teens and children, and provide resources that help individuals lead lives towards self-sufficiency and restore broken lives. Their website is ropserves.org.

    Going back to Matthew 25, the people the King spoke these words to had this response, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink, or naked and clothed You?"

    The King replied to them, "Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least of these My brethren, you did it for Me."

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

Paul

    

The Wise Answer

 

The Wise Answer

    "My son, be attentive to my Wisdom [godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you], That you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion and your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer [to temptation]."

    These two verses from the beginning of Proverbs 5 were targeted towards fidelity in marriage, but we can glean the life-giving words from them in respect to our finances and overspending as well.

    In the same manner that God declares He knows the end from the beginning in the macro-sense for all of history (Isaiah 46:10), He also knows what is result for us individually when we obey or disobey Him. That is why He can state that the wise person will have precious treasures in their dwelling place and the self-confident and foolish person will not, as they have wasted what they had. (Proverbs 21:20)

    The Amplified Bible illuminates it well in the beginning of the opening verse above, where it says "godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience". We can all relate to this in our past spending... when we, through early ignorance or not heeding wisdom, made costly mistakes with our finances. Perhaps we made a very large purchase without researching the value of it, jumped at a offer without reasoning inside if we really needed to have it, or through many undisciplined discretionary purchases over time plowed ourselves under into substantial debt.

    I experienced a reckoning with my gap in this area many years ago, and what broke the chain to overspending in certain areas resulted from a single Post-it Note. I wrote down every expense I made over the course of a couple weeks. When I looked back on that note it was like an X-ray that showed what was beneath the surface of my sight, for it showed exactly how much I really spent in those categories, not what I thought I did. I made some changes from that point forward that stuck and the result was not spending more than I made.

    But in the very next words of that verse, God shows us His path - "incline your ear to my understanding". What is God's understanding in this area? Spoken in Romans 13:8 for us to "Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another". His desire for us is to not suffer this stress of debt and to progressively shed our households of this burden.

    If you're serious about shedding your debts for good, I encourage you to take one of two steps - view the Debt-Free & Prosperous Living seminar that was recorded in July at the church when taught by my wife Karen and I, or sign up for a future class. This 3-hour class will be the best investment of your time you can make, as you will receive a proven path to removing your debts along with loads of encouragement and supporting scriptures. Please contact the church for either option.

    Now, looking to the last portion of the opening verses, "That you may exercise proper discrimination and discretion and your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer [to temptation]." There's two parts to reaping the good result of this, and we'll address it in opposite order.

    We can receive the wise answer to temptation from the Holy Spirit. In John 14, God's Holy Spirit is called our Counselor. He is ever present with you. When the noise is audible to buy something sizeable or enter into an agreement, turn your inner ear to the Holy Spirit, who will bring to remembrance all you have learned, He will always agree with the Word of God and His trademark is we will be led forth with peace.

    Having said that, what seems to be the most important piece to being enriched and benefitting from the Holy Spirit as mentioned above? 

The Word of God

    For Him to bring remembrance to what we learned, we must be learning... continually and on our own - not limited to just what is spoken to us in a sermon. As Pastor Aaron has mentioned, we need this "fuel" to sustain ourselves in the right path, this fuel is to be absorbed daily because the challenges of life come at us daily. We've never lived in a more advantageous time to receive God's Word in so many ways (print, audio, computer, device), it just requires our desire to have it.

    Even if you are not in a place to receive via print or technology, you can have what David wrote in Psalms 119:15... "I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways". From what we've read and learned, we can "reach out and borrow" them again and again to be enriched, enlightened and strengthened as we do. We can also ponder these words more carefully, allowing God to bring deeper revelations to us.

    And because the Spirit will always agree with the Word of God, we must have that Word in us to understand His voice properly. It is really like learning a new language, and to comprehend we need to get the "vocabulary" of it into our minds and hearts.

    In closing, be encouraged from the writings of Proverbs 24:13-14:

    My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. So shall you know skillful and godly Widsom to be thus in your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.

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

Paul

    

By Wise Counsel

 

By Wise Counsel

    In Proverbs 24:6 it is written, "For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety."

    This terrific verse plainly shows a path of wisdom that can be applied to many areas of our lives, and today let's see where it can be used in our finances and spending.

    First, I've long considered it as a battle we have with the marketplace and media - how so many people and businesses are trying to entice you into spending your hard-earned money on what they have to offer... whether you have that money available to spend or not.

    And second, we're currently experiencing high inflation, making even routine and necessary purchases something to be regarded more than before, as to whether we are receiving a good value in return.

    Let's look at the "battle" first, even though there is such a wide effort by others to get us to spend, and spend frivolously, our closest opponent is our own flesh. Our flesh tells us we will not be happy unless we buy that item, service or experience. Our flesh has no concern for what that purchase will do to our budget. Galatians 5:17 says the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are opposed to the flesh. Satan will try to tempt us through our flesh, which is why this must be recognized and put down.

    Where is our wise counsel in this area? The servants of God usually are, teachers and Pastors - like Pastor Aaron, will share from God's Word, which has both practical knowledge for finances along with instruction and encouragement for how to overcome the desires of the flesh. I am on your side. Each month this page will encourage you, with scriptures to reinforce God's will for your finances along with specific steps you can take.

    The Holy Spirit is described as our Counselor - shown in John 14. The Spirit is with us 24/7 and we can seek His input in an instant when we're in the marketplace or in front of the computer with a purchase decision. God's Word speaks of being led forth with peace by Him, which is a good test to use when considering a sizeable purchase.

    Next, in light of the rising prices of items, we live in the most advantageous time of human history to "receive counsel" and know the value of things. In past times, you had to travel to a competing store to see their prices - now at your fingertips you can instantly check multiple places... online only as well as brick-and-mortar, and see where your best value resides. 

    Before, people would do this for larger purchases, but with prices changing so much it can be very beneficial to compare groceries, health-and-beauty supplies, hardware and other categories. One of my favorite sites is GasBuddy - you just enter your location and instantly a map appears showing recent pricing for that area. Below is an example of pricing near our church:

    For major purchases like automobiles, appliances and electronics, we can find counsel at our fingertips as well. By digging into free product ratings and reviews online - you can also purchase a digital subscription to Consumer Reports for $39 annually, or go to your library to see their buying guides and archives for free (you've already paid for them with your tax dollars). The information will steer you to the most reliable brands and models, allowing these larger purchases to last longer.

    How about your savings and investing? In this information age, we have easily accessible data showing the track record of bonds, stocks, mutual and index funds. In the June 2021 post titled "Grow", we cover how index funds have shown for a very long time to be a successful, lower-risk and lower-cost method of investing. Click on the Archives section to the right of this page to access that post.

    It does not matter what era you are living in. God's Word has shown its perfection, truth and proven wisdom through the ages, and He encourages us to seek wise counsel. It sometimes requires us to accept some humility to acquire counsel, but Proverbs 15:22 says "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

    In closing, we'll look to two other verses from our original chapter of Proverbs 24, showing the promise to receive:

    "Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

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

Paul

Worse Than Inflation

 

Worse Than Inflation

"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalms 119:105).

    You may be feeling a pinch, even substantial difficulty financially with how inflation has risen in recent months. In 2021 U.S. inflation was measured at 7%, thus far in 2022 the calculation is at 8.5%. As you know, you can only do so much to lessen the effects of this. But there is likely an even greater factor affecting your budget.

    The average credit card interest rate is 16.6%. Let's repeat that... the average interest rate is 16.6%. That is twice the rate of inflation. 

    With the average card debt at over $6,500 - this calculates to over $90 per month being paid to the credit card company in interest alone.

    If now you are charging even more on your cards without paying them down each month, the effects of the interest rate at twice the rate of inflation make it even worse. 

    So what can we do? Let's always look to God's Word for the answer, because as was shown in our opening verse - His word is a lamp to our feet, providing direction where we previously could not see it. In Proverbs 22:7 it is written, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender". God clearly is opposed to our being in debt, so if we are sincere in wanting to be freed from it and looking to Him first, we can count on God to:

-Give you the desires of your heart as you delight yourself in the Lord (Psalms 37:3)

-Provide you with wisdom for your finances (James 1:5)

-Rebuke the devourer for your sakes, for those who tithe to Him (Malachi 3:11)

-Cause blessings to come upon you and overtake you (Deuteronomy 28:2)

    

    You are probably asking "But what can I do right now to make things better?" I encourage you to take the time to turn to the Blog Archive section on the right side of this page and view these past posts. I feel they will provide the necessary catalyst to moving in the right direction and give practical steps you can begin today that will help you reduce your credit card balance:

August 2015 - "Paying For Things". This post illustrates the 3 ways we can pay for things, helping to frame the cause against borrowing for them.

March 2017 - 'Wait and Move". Covering the connection of patience to making wise purchase decisions, and maintaining faith in them.

November 2019 - "Seeds from A to Z". You will find over 26 ideas to reduce spending that can be implemented immediately.

    In addition, if you are really looking to take on your debts and reduce them. We have a video recording of the 3-hour Debt-Free and Prosperous Living Class, recently taught at our church by my wife Karen and I. The class teaches a plan to eliminate all your debts including your mortgage, and provides numerous encouraging verses to keep you inspired. Please inquire with Pastor Aaron if you would like to view this seminar.

    Lastly, know that the Lord sees your circumstance and is mighty and willing to help you - "Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties; yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My right hand of rightness and justice." (Isaiah 41:10)

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

Paul