Starting in Matthew 22 is the parable of the Wedding Feast. When I first read this parable if went right over my head. It is a very familiar passage but for some reason I couldn't quite grasp its true intention. So the next day I read it again and didn't come any closer to understanding it. So I prayed that God would reveal to me what he meant in the scripture and re-read it but still couldn't understand it. I took a day off from reading and thought about this scripture. So today I though I am going to re-read it but now I'm going to underline the key words. This time I believe I understand what it means by taking it part by part.
Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
:3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
:4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "see, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." '
:5 "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.
:6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
:7 But when the king heard about it he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
:8 Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy,
:9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding."
:10 "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found,
both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
:11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
:12 "So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
:13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
:14 For many are called, but few are chosen."
I am going to recap this scripture with what I feel God revealed to me.
First God calls his servants, to go spread his word and invite as many people as possible to partake in the blood sacrifice of his son for the forgiveness of our sins.
The first people invited were people known by the king, people with great influence in his kingdom but they were not willing to accept the invitation. He then sent other servants telling these guests all the blessing He has in store for them, Fatted calth and oxen and all things are ready come to the wedding. But they made light of it. And went their way back to their job and their house to continue their life as usual.
Some people rejected the invitation to the point they treated God's servants spitefully and killed them. At this point God is going to send his armies against them and destroy those murderers and burn up their existence.
The blessing has already been prepared, Jesus already sacrificed his life but the ones who the king knew wouldn't answer the call.
At this point God will call others and then some will come others will not. It says the they found both good and bad and the wedding hall was filled.
We then see in verse 12 it isn't good enough to accept the invitation and the call then show up. We need to prepare ourselves for the wedding so we are not thrown out.
And lastly, "For many are called but few are chosen." We need to prepare ourselves for the wedding day and answer the call so we are chosen. It isn't good enough to just show up, to just be there. If we are not prepared we will be cast out into outer darkness.
This is what I feel God revealed to me that in our own lives we are called and not everyone answers the call, a lot of people don't want to take time away from their every day lives to live for God. There will only be so long until God stops calling us because of our continual rejection and moves on else where. This isn't necessarily exclusively the meaning of this scripture, but it is what I feel God has shown me to answer his call and step away from my daily routine.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Is It Right To Get A Divorce?
The simplest way to answer that question is no. I will explain why not in this posting and under what circumstances a divorce may be allowable.
Matthew 19: 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female
:5 and said For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?
:6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
This was Jesus' answer when asked by the pharisees if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife.
They then responded and said but Mosses allowed it Jesus then said
:8 He said unto them "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
:9 And I say to you whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
If a situation arises and your spouse does commit sexual immorality, it may be better to forgive and work through it as long as they are remorseful and repentant. Remember God has a strong commandment to forgive one another
Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Also when asked by Peter how many times he must forgive someone who sins against him in a day Jesus replied
Matthew 18:22 Jesus said to him "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
So even if you have a situation where it may be OK to get a divorce you still have to forgive your spouse for what they did. God will hold you accountable for this on your day of judgment Read Matthew 18:23-35
In closing it is always good to return to one of the famous marriage scriptures in the bible
Ephesians 5:22 Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the lord.
:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
:28 Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
In a tough situation in marriage always put God first and seek his face, never make rash decisions or act on your emotions. Our emotions can change day to day based upon many circumstances so we should never decide we are not happy simply because we feel sad one day to the next.
Matthew 19: 4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female
:5 and said For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?
:6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
This was Jesus' answer when asked by the pharisees if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife.
They then responded and said but Mosses allowed it Jesus then said
:8 He said unto them "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
:9 And I say to you whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
If a situation arises and your spouse does commit sexual immorality, it may be better to forgive and work through it as long as they are remorseful and repentant. Remember God has a strong commandment to forgive one another
Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Also when asked by Peter how many times he must forgive someone who sins against him in a day Jesus replied
Matthew 18:22 Jesus said to him "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
So even if you have a situation where it may be OK to get a divorce you still have to forgive your spouse for what they did. God will hold you accountable for this on your day of judgment Read Matthew 18:23-35
In closing it is always good to return to one of the famous marriage scriptures in the bible
Ephesians 5:22 Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the lord.
:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
:28 Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
In a tough situation in marriage always put God first and seek his face, never make rash decisions or act on your emotions. Our emotions can change day to day based upon many circumstances so we should never decide we are not happy simply because we feel sad one day to the next.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Show Me The Money | An Interesting Perspective on Investing in His Kingdom
(Part 3 Final part)
After reviewing whether or not we should invest our money as Christians, I am going to go over a few investing tips and options for beginners.
1. Pray and seek God as to what you are suppose to do with your money.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.
:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you
:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
As God has said he has plans for his people to prosper, he has our best interest in mind so if we seek him he will listen and guide us towards his will.
2. Seek guidance from your spouse or parents if you are not married
Colossians 3:18 Wives submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord
This doesn't exclude husbands Paul also states in Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another in the fear of God. Jesus also said Matthew 12:25 "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand".
Concerning unmarried individuals Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. :2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise:
If you seek guidance from your parents or your spouse and they disagree with you, you need to consider their guidance and not dismiss it. If you go behind your spouse's back God will not put his blessing on your actions no matter what your intent. Both spouses need to be on the same field and work together. God has also placed parents in our lives to give us guidance, there were many times I thought my Dad was wrong but obeyed his guidance and avoided scams and fraud. If you absolutely feel the other person is wrong seek God and ask him to change their perspective if He wants you to go through with it.
3. Consider your investment options and pick the best fit for your situation.
I am going to list a few common investment options and explain them each in a short summary
1. Stocks.
A stock is a part ownership in a company and your liability to the company is limited to the amount of money you invested. Meaning worse case scenario you lose 100% of the money you invested. What I like about stocks is you have the potential to have far greater gains then any other investment dollar for dollar. Research should always be done carefully, seek advice from professional analysts if possible many reports can be obtained through yahoo finance or online brokerage services. Before selecting a stock or brokerage service be sure to know all the commission costs and trading cost. Some websites will charge a monthly fee for inactivity so be sure to know all the possible costs.
When deciding how much money to invest take the commission price for a buy and sell say $10 for each so a total of $20 then say you only want to invest $300 you divide the commission by the dollar amount
1. Pray and seek God as to what you are suppose to do with your money.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.
:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you
:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
As God has said he has plans for his people to prosper, he has our best interest in mind so if we seek him he will listen and guide us towards his will.
2. Seek guidance from your spouse or parents if you are not married
Colossians 3:18 Wives submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord
This doesn't exclude husbands Paul also states in Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another in the fear of God. Jesus also said Matthew 12:25 "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand".
Concerning unmarried individuals Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. :2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise:
If you seek guidance from your parents or your spouse and they disagree with you, you need to consider their guidance and not dismiss it. If you go behind your spouse's back God will not put his blessing on your actions no matter what your intent. Both spouses need to be on the same field and work together. God has also placed parents in our lives to give us guidance, there were many times I thought my Dad was wrong but obeyed his guidance and avoided scams and fraud. If you absolutely feel the other person is wrong seek God and ask him to change their perspective if He wants you to go through with it.
3. Consider your investment options and pick the best fit for your situation.
I am going to list a few common investment options and explain them each in a short summary
1. Stocks.
A stock is a part ownership in a company and your liability to the company is limited to the amount of money you invested. Meaning worse case scenario you lose 100% of the money you invested. What I like about stocks is you have the potential to have far greater gains then any other investment dollar for dollar. Research should always be done carefully, seek advice from professional analysts if possible many reports can be obtained through yahoo finance or online brokerage services. Before selecting a stock or brokerage service be sure to know all the commission costs and trading cost. Some websites will charge a monthly fee for inactivity so be sure to know all the possible costs.
When deciding how much money to invest take the commission price for a buy and sell say $10 for each so a total of $20 then say you only want to invest $300 you divide the commission by the dollar amount
Commission/Dollar amount = 20/300
= 0.067 or 6.7%
= 0.067 or 6.7%
This means you will have to have at least a 6.7% gain in value just to pay commission so unless you realistically feel you can achieve that you should consider investing more money in one stock
2. Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is a portfolio with a selection of stocks picked by professionals and managed. If you know nothing about the stock market and do not plan on learning this is your safest bet if you want to invest in stocks. I would recommend doing some research on the funds investment philosophy to insure they met your moral criteria for example as a Christian I would want to make sure they fund had a conservative or Christian investing style to avoid investment in the so called sin stocks, such as porn industry, tobacco, or alcohol companies. This can be done by searching the Mutual fund's name and looking for investment style or philosophy.
3. Bonds: Federal, State, Local and Corporate
A bond is basically a loan and you receive the interest payments as well as the final lump sum of the money you lended. There is less risk involved with this type of investment and you can receive monthly interest payments; but because of the less risk involved there is also less of a return say maybe only 4 or 5 percent. You may not always want to just pick a bond with a high interest rate because it may be adjusted for default risk. There are ratting systems for example AAA being the best and D being the worse. If the company defaults you could end up losing the majority of your money so if you want to take a riskier investment such as a B- you will want to research the company and determine if it has a chance of surviving.
4. Commodities
This is something that I am not as familiar with as others, but the general traded comodities are gold, silver, oil and wheat, corn or other grains. Then benefit of this is some may feel even if the value decreases the form of invest still holds some value. For example if the value of corn decreases 50% it can still be a valuable resource to a farmer even though he can now buy it half off. Gold has been very popular and has increased significantly over the last ten years but I generally being a contraian invester feel it may be overvalued.
5. Real Estate
Your house, land or rental properties are an investment. And many people have made a living out of investing in real estate. You have plenty of options and if ran properly owning rental properties can provide a high return or land or even your house. For example my parents bought a home for around $70,000 put around $30,000 into it and sold it for around $150,000 in 5 years they had a 50% return during those same 5 years the stock market was stagnent with only small returns. There is also a great risk to real estate investment because repairs and maintenance can quickly out weight your potential returns.
Each option has its pluses and minuses but if one of these stuck out to you more then the others do more research on it and decide which option suits you best. A lot of professional investors focus on two or three and sometimes all of these options. So you don't have to limit yourself to one.
2. Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is a portfolio with a selection of stocks picked by professionals and managed. If you know nothing about the stock market and do not plan on learning this is your safest bet if you want to invest in stocks. I would recommend doing some research on the funds investment philosophy to insure they met your moral criteria for example as a Christian I would want to make sure they fund had a conservative or Christian investing style to avoid investment in the so called sin stocks, such as porn industry, tobacco, or alcohol companies. This can be done by searching the Mutual fund's name and looking for investment style or philosophy.
3. Bonds: Federal, State, Local and Corporate
A bond is basically a loan and you receive the interest payments as well as the final lump sum of the money you lended. There is less risk involved with this type of investment and you can receive monthly interest payments; but because of the less risk involved there is also less of a return say maybe only 4 or 5 percent. You may not always want to just pick a bond with a high interest rate because it may be adjusted for default risk. There are ratting systems for example AAA being the best and D being the worse. If the company defaults you could end up losing the majority of your money so if you want to take a riskier investment such as a B- you will want to research the company and determine if it has a chance of surviving.
4. Commodities
This is something that I am not as familiar with as others, but the general traded comodities are gold, silver, oil and wheat, corn or other grains. Then benefit of this is some may feel even if the value decreases the form of invest still holds some value. For example if the value of corn decreases 50% it can still be a valuable resource to a farmer even though he can now buy it half off. Gold has been very popular and has increased significantly over the last ten years but I generally being a contraian invester feel it may be overvalued.
5. Real Estate
Your house, land or rental properties are an investment. And many people have made a living out of investing in real estate. You have plenty of options and if ran properly owning rental properties can provide a high return or land or even your house. For example my parents bought a home for around $70,000 put around $30,000 into it and sold it for around $150,000 in 5 years they had a 50% return during those same 5 years the stock market was stagnent with only small returns. There is also a great risk to real estate investment because repairs and maintenance can quickly out weight your potential returns.
Each option has its pluses and minuses but if one of these stuck out to you more then the others do more research on it and decide which option suits you best. A lot of professional investors focus on two or three and sometimes all of these options. So you don't have to limit yourself to one.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Show Me The Money | An Interesting Perspective on Investing in His Kingdom
(Part 2)
In part one I gave a brief outline of what happened in 2008 and the fact that people lost real money. A lot of people were planning on retiring and drawling out of their accounts. I also would not be surprised if some who have put money into the stock market and invested said that's it I'm not taking a chance like that again. In early May of this year I had a conversation with a young married man who had been storing up large sums of money in his retirement accounts and he said "what am I suppose to do when I lose almost 40% in one year, I'm thinking about taking all my money out and just holding it as cash in savings accounts." I plan to explore in this part what we are suppose to do with our money as Christians.
In Malachi 3:7 God is speaking about his people and he states that from the days of their fathers they have gone away from His ordinances; He then says "return to Me and I will return to you but you said in what way show we return to You."
Then reading into verse 8
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
:9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.
:10 Bring all tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this." Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."
It continues on so you can look it up and read the rest. As Christians our first responsibility is tithing, and the word tithe actually means a tenth or 10% so right away before we even think about what we are going to buy or how much we're going to invest we need to set aside 10% for God's kingdom.
Now concerning investing, I have heard it said before that as Christians we are not suppose to invest our money because this means we put our trust in the stock market and money instead of trusting God
"Words of Christ."
Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
:21 For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
As Christians our focus should never be self wealth, or riches. We are called to preach the gospel and spread the good news of Jesus. Our focus should always be to advance to kingdom of God on earth and we should spend our money accordingly. How much better would it be to die with nothing but to have blessed everyone who had needs rather to die with everything neglecting God's call in our life. If we decide to invest we need to follow a strategy if we lose everything it won't hurt us, and if we have great gains we will use some of that money for furthering the kingdom of God. Leave it up to God to show you how to use it and what amounts. Keep in mind God wants to bless his people and it isn't wrong to have money and be successful as long as we are not using this money for evil.
Should we or shouldn't we invest our money?
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
:16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
:17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
:18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money
:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them
:20 so he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying Lord you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.
:21 His lord said to him well done good and faithful servant you were faithful over a few things I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
:24 then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord I knew you had to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
:25 And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.
:26But his lord answered and said to him you wicked and lazy servant, you knew that i reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
:27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
:28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents...
It is God's desire to bless us as we bless others, it we do with our money as the servant with the one talent did we have no room for God's blessing in Ecclesiastes 11:1 it says "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." When God blesses us he wants us to take that blessing and have an increase so we can use our money to further his kingdom. Never put your trust in the stock market or your money and never let your money become to valuable to you that you cannot give any of it away. With finance being my profession, and being a God fearing Christian I believe God wants us to invest and invest wisely so we can have an increase and return advance his kingdom.
In part one I gave a brief outline of what happened in 2008 and the fact that people lost real money. A lot of people were planning on retiring and drawling out of their accounts. I also would not be surprised if some who have put money into the stock market and invested said that's it I'm not taking a chance like that again. In early May of this year I had a conversation with a young married man who had been storing up large sums of money in his retirement accounts and he said "what am I suppose to do when I lose almost 40% in one year, I'm thinking about taking all my money out and just holding it as cash in savings accounts." I plan to explore in this part what we are suppose to do with our money as Christians.
In Malachi 3:7 God is speaking about his people and he states that from the days of their fathers they have gone away from His ordinances; He then says "return to Me and I will return to you but you said in what way show we return to You."
Then reading into verse 8
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
:9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.
:10 Bring all tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this." Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."
It continues on so you can look it up and read the rest. As Christians our first responsibility is tithing, and the word tithe actually means a tenth or 10% so right away before we even think about what we are going to buy or how much we're going to invest we need to set aside 10% for God's kingdom.
Now concerning investing, I have heard it said before that as Christians we are not suppose to invest our money because this means we put our trust in the stock market and money instead of trusting God
"Words of Christ."
Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
:21 For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
As Christians our focus should never be self wealth, or riches. We are called to preach the gospel and spread the good news of Jesus. Our focus should always be to advance to kingdom of God on earth and we should spend our money accordingly. How much better would it be to die with nothing but to have blessed everyone who had needs rather to die with everything neglecting God's call in our life. If we decide to invest we need to follow a strategy if we lose everything it won't hurt us, and if we have great gains we will use some of that money for furthering the kingdom of God. Leave it up to God to show you how to use it and what amounts. Keep in mind God wants to bless his people and it isn't wrong to have money and be successful as long as we are not using this money for evil.
Should we or shouldn't we invest our money?
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
:16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
:17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
:18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money
:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them
:20 so he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying Lord you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.
:21 His lord said to him well done good and faithful servant you were faithful over a few things I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
:24 then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord I knew you had to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
:25 And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.
:26But his lord answered and said to him you wicked and lazy servant, you knew that i reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
:27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
:28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents...
It is God's desire to bless us as we bless others, it we do with our money as the servant with the one talent did we have no room for God's blessing in Ecclesiastes 11:1 it says "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." When God blesses us he wants us to take that blessing and have an increase so we can use our money to further his kingdom. Never put your trust in the stock market or your money and never let your money become to valuable to you that you cannot give any of it away. With finance being my profession, and being a God fearing Christian I believe God wants us to invest and invest wisely so we can have an increase and return advance his kingdom.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Show Me The Money | An Interesting Perspective on Investing in His Kingdom
(Part 1)
As many already know the entire world economy is having an economic meltdown. Businesses are closing, stocks are becoming worthless and the number of people unemployed is reaching unprecedented levels. Where does this leave us? I plan to evaluate the last year of economic activity, list several facts and then lead to a conclusion of what is to be done in the future as a God fearing Christian.
Looking at 2008 we saw in incredible loss of wealth in the US and also the world. Moving into the 21st century a trend began as people started investing more and more money into their retirement accounts which is usually comprised of mutual funds through 401K's According to the
Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) In 1980 only 16% of Employees invested in 401K plans this number rose to over 60% in the year 2000 and has maintained this high level.On average the American worker contributes 7.5% of their yearly earnings to their 401K
The average Household income in the USA is right around $50,000 this means on average a person puts $3,750 a year into their 401K
The stock market
On January 4th, 2008 the S&P 500 was worth $1,412 on December 31, 2008 $903
This was a 38.05% loss! to put it in perspective lets say you put $4,000 dollars in an account for 10 years starting in 1997 with a 10% return you would have built up around $46,000 and you say hey things are looking pretty good I have almost one year of income built up just in my retirement account. You then go into 2008 and lets say your retirement account outperforms the S&P 500 by 1% so you lose 37% which is $17,020 you now have just around $29,000
We started 2008 with $46,000 and ended it with $29,000. Lets say you were doing really well and could put $40,000 in per year. This changes your outcome to
We started 2008 with $460,000 and ended it with $290,000
This was a 38.05% loss! to put it in perspective lets say you put $4,000 dollars in an account for 10 years starting in 1997 with a 10% return you would have built up around $46,000 and you say hey things are looking pretty good I have almost one year of income built up just in my retirement account. You then go into 2008 and lets say your retirement account outperforms the S&P 500 by 1% so you lose 37% which is $17,020 you now have just around $29,000
We started 2008 with $46,000 and ended it with $29,000. Lets say you were doing really well and could put $40,000 in per year. This changes your outcome to
We started 2008 with $460,000 and ended it with $290,000
This is not a scenario, this actually happened in 2008 leaving a lot of soon to retire people with very sick feelings in their stomach. As well as new to the market people who were just starting out. The important thing to remember in these circumstances is to place your trust in God and seek his face. The next few days I will lay out ways to limit that sick feeling you get in your stomach once you see your 401K statement and what we should really be investing in.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What Truly Poisons a Man
As usual, the pharisees and scribes were trying to find fault with Jesus by attacking those closest to him, his disciples, but were surprised with his response when he pointed out they were the ones who needed correction.
Matthew 15:1 Then the scribes and pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying :2 Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
:3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
:4 For God commanded, saying, honor your father and your mother; and He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.
:5 But you say 'Whoever says to his father or mother "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"
:6 'Then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
The pharisees are saying if your parents have received any profit, or gifts from you it is a gift unto God and you no longer have to honor your father or mother because they have already profited from you. This was not the way God intended the commandment, He intended it to be used and followed throughout one's life to honor and respect those who brought life to you. And doing so you will receive a blessing
As stated in Ephesians 1:2-3 Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
The pharisees were telling Jesus 'Your disciples are defiled because they do not wash their hands before they eat bread.' After Jesus brought a counter claim against the pharisees he then added
Matthew 15:11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
:20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with un-washed hands does not defile a man.
The pharisees were more concerned with a man's outward appearance and the way he handled himself. They were very well mannered and behaved people who were at the top of the social class. But Jesus was not concerned with man's outward appearance but with his heart. He wanted to push the point mannerism is not righteousness but what comes out of a man determines if he is a righteous person.
Matthew 15:1 Then the scribes and pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying :2 Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
:3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
:4 For God commanded, saying, honor your father and your mother; and He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.
:5 But you say 'Whoever says to his father or mother "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"
:6 'Then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
The pharisees are saying if your parents have received any profit, or gifts from you it is a gift unto God and you no longer have to honor your father or mother because they have already profited from you. This was not the way God intended the commandment, He intended it to be used and followed throughout one's life to honor and respect those who brought life to you. And doing so you will receive a blessing
As stated in Ephesians 1:2-3 Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
The pharisees were telling Jesus 'Your disciples are defiled because they do not wash their hands before they eat bread.' After Jesus brought a counter claim against the pharisees he then added
Matthew 15:11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
:20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with un-washed hands does not defile a man.
The pharisees were more concerned with a man's outward appearance and the way he handled himself. They were very well mannered and behaved people who were at the top of the social class. But Jesus was not concerned with man's outward appearance but with his heart. He wanted to push the point mannerism is not righteousness but what comes out of a man determines if he is a righteous person.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
If Jonah Were Called to America
Reading through the book of Jonah I was surprised when I reached the end of the book and saw how a city of 120,000 people humbled themselves before God, repented and were saved from the wrath of God. I then compared the city of Nineveh to the current state of America and wondered what would happen if God called the prophet Jonah to America.
Most of us know the story of Jonah, he was called by God to go to Nineveh because of their great wickedness. But Jonah refused to go and instead fled from the presence of God. The Lord then sent out a great wind and storm against Jonah's ship until the other men on the boat were convinced by Jonah to throw him overboard. Jonah was then swallowed by a great fish where he repented and was spit up on land. He then traveled to Nineveh.
Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk, Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!"
:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
As I read on even the king heard the word of God and humbled himself with sackcloth and declared the entire city to be put on a fast with sackcloth even the cattle and animals. He then said
Jonah 3:9 "Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?"
:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
Going back to the beginning of the book of Jonah and changing the story to God called Jonah and said arise and go to America for their wickedness is great and has been brought up to me. Jonah would probably say they will never believe me and try to escape the presence of God but after God calls him he would eventually repent and head to the US.
Upon arrival Jonah begins declaring in forty days America will be destroyed unless they turn to God. He would get news coverage, be posted on the front page of many popular news papers across the nation and most likely the world but with many having humorous dialogue. Within one week the entire nation would have heard the news story.
Many Christians would discredit the prophecy believing this was just a crazy homeless person off of his rocker, Catholics would say if it doesn't come from the Pope we won't listen, many other religious denominations would discredit the prophet and probably say why didn't God speak to us. Atheists would say it is impossible there is no God and your violating my free right of speech by trying to push your religion on me. Physiologists and scientists would declare schizophrenia and lobby for detention in a mental institution. Economists would argue that detouring sin spending would have a detrimental effect on our ailing economy. Congress and the government would say there is a separation of Church and state so unless all religions agree and the ones with no religion we cannot do anything. Although separation of Church and state is non existent in the constitution.
Matthew 16:1-4 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Him and asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.
2: He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red; :3 and in the morning it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky but you cannot discern the signs of the times. :4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
The problem with our country is to many people view themselves more highly then they ought to. We are to educated and to informed to listen to a crazy person who wants to interfere with the daily routines of our society. Jonah would eventually leave and wait in Mexico as God grows a plant for him in the desert for shade and then watches as God brings down his wrath and destroys a nation to great to humble itself and repent.
Most of us know the story of Jonah, he was called by God to go to Nineveh because of their great wickedness. But Jonah refused to go and instead fled from the presence of God. The Lord then sent out a great wind and storm against Jonah's ship until the other men on the boat were convinced by Jonah to throw him overboard. Jonah was then swallowed by a great fish where he repented and was spit up on land. He then traveled to Nineveh.
Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk, Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!"
:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
As I read on even the king heard the word of God and humbled himself with sackcloth and declared the entire city to be put on a fast with sackcloth even the cattle and animals. He then said
Jonah 3:9 "Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?"
:10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
Going back to the beginning of the book of Jonah and changing the story to God called Jonah and said arise and go to America for their wickedness is great and has been brought up to me. Jonah would probably say they will never believe me and try to escape the presence of God but after God calls him he would eventually repent and head to the US.
Upon arrival Jonah begins declaring in forty days America will be destroyed unless they turn to God. He would get news coverage, be posted on the front page of many popular news papers across the nation and most likely the world but with many having humorous dialogue. Within one week the entire nation would have heard the news story.
Many Christians would discredit the prophecy believing this was just a crazy homeless person off of his rocker, Catholics would say if it doesn't come from the Pope we won't listen, many other religious denominations would discredit the prophet and probably say why didn't God speak to us. Atheists would say it is impossible there is no God and your violating my free right of speech by trying to push your religion on me. Physiologists and scientists would declare schizophrenia and lobby for detention in a mental institution. Economists would argue that detouring sin spending would have a detrimental effect on our ailing economy. Congress and the government would say there is a separation of Church and state so unless all religions agree and the ones with no religion we cannot do anything. Although separation of Church and state is non existent in the constitution.
Matthew 16:1-4 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Him and asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.
2: He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red; :3 and in the morning it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky but you cannot discern the signs of the times. :4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
The problem with our country is to many people view themselves more highly then they ought to. We are to educated and to informed to listen to a crazy person who wants to interfere with the daily routines of our society. Jonah would eventually leave and wait in Mexico as God grows a plant for him in the desert for shade and then watches as God brings down his wrath and destroys a nation to great to humble itself and repent.
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