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Showing posts with label Conviction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conviction. Show all posts

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Conviction



Conviction

     Convictions are an important component of your Christian faith. As you mature spiritually, you should develop convictions based on what you’ve learned in the Word of God. Today, examine your “convictions.” Re-evaluate them to see if there is opinion wrapped up in them or a strong Biblical foundation, having Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Entrepreneurial Vision


The Entrepreneurial Vision

    As Kevin Swanson said in one of his talks at a Homeschool conference, when a large number of successful businessmen where survey as to what attributed to their success it had nothing to do with their credentials or degrees but everything to do with their character. If you are a person of integrity, honest, hardworking, punctual, diligent, and trustable then you are more likely to succeed than those you are not.

 

Sluggard and Slothful

    Work hard. Here are a few Scriptural promises to solidify it:

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Prov 14:23 (KJV)

 

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Prov 20:4 (KJV)

 

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. Prov 19:24 (KJV)

 

Gold, Silver, and Precious Metals

        While it is not wise to put everything in precious metals, precious metals have always been a sign of riches. In the Bible we see this reflected through Job, David, Solomon and others. Historically, it is seen everywhere. It is wise to save some in precious metals for they are a currency that will stay valuable simply due to the value that is placed on them. Even if money is scarce, precious metals will still have value.

Reproducing Assets

         Animals are reproducing assets as are some investments, but the main point is to not simply hoard your resources. Be generous as well as wise. Save and use your resources (financial, assets, etc…) to grow more. The goal is not to have a mountain assets, but to be a faithful steward.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:14-30 (KJV)

 

Financial Instruments (IRA’s, Mutual Funds, etc…)

    If you choose financial instruments as one stream of income (it is not wise to put everything here as many do for their “investments”), it is important to remember to only invest in things that do not oppose Scripture. Many companies that are in stock portfolios, mutual funds and bonds contain pornographic, human cloning, abortion, homosexual, or alcoholic businesses or businesses that support them. Therefore, research the funds you choose. Why would God bless a financial instrument that funds sin?

     From my research and seeking counsel people have told me:

·         Get a Roth (it grows tax free)

·         Invest in Mutual funds

·         Keep your emergency funds in a money market

Websites that monitor for unbiblical companies and provide ideas/portfolios for investing without them:




 

Saving Tips

Tithe 10% to your local church & give above that to godly organizations and ministries

 

Save an Emergency fund—$1,000

 

Save 3-6 months worth of your needed living expenses in a liquid account--$10,000+

 

Save for “retirement”—simply old age, not to live a life of ease (Read Luke 12:13-21 very carefully)

 

Save to reach a giving goal that you have settled in your heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7)

 

For a house an land debt free

(Look into building your own dome home or a small cabin—it’s really cost effective)

Friday, April 5, 2013




“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV

 

      We must be careful how we live. If we live foolishly, spurning the laws of God, then we will reap destruction, hypocrisy, and eventually the rejection of the Lord and our salvation as we walk away from the faith. The Christian has a hard life some would say, but it actually is a very good life. Though we are persecuted, we can have the peace of God and the Holy Spirit comforting us. Though a week was hard to get through, we can come into the Lord’s presence on the Sabbath and be encouraged by the brethren. We must live wisely, not in the wisdom of the world, but in the wisdom of God that we acquire by fearing the Lord.

      Make the most of your opportunities, nothing happens by chance. The temptations you have are tests to see how you are progressing in your faith and how Jesus is becoming more integrated into your life. The days that we live in are evil. Hollow and deceptive philosophies and the teachings of demons are being proclaimed from some pulpits, most public schools, and the mainstream media. Everywhere we look we see evil, but we must stand against it: we must stand for the Lord. Amidst the overwhelming flood of voices screaming that we are stupid, baist crazies, racist or even insane radicals we must stand. In all the hardships, we are to endure because of Christ who set us the example by enduring the Cross for us, for the sake of His Gospel and the Gracious Gift of Salvation.

Jesus had and intimate communion with God despite all the hard times He went through and He died on the Cross, an extremely hard thing to do because of His love for us.

     As you go through this week, this life, this chapter of your eternal walk with the Lord: seek the Lord, make the most of the opportunities that you have, and allow Him to radiate His truth from your being. And above all else, seek Christ, standing firm against our evil flesh, the demonic powers in high places and the domain of Satan, the world.



 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thought 201: Follow HIS Leading from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts


Thought 201

Follow HIS Leading

 Read Mark 6:1-6

     IF God leads you to do something great for Him, your close family and friends might reject you. But will you still obey God, even if your loved ones spurn and reject you?

Do you know why you should stand for God?

Jesus was rejected by His own home town. He was as the prophet without honor. What does this mean to you?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan's devotional book series, Thoughts


Thought 157


Idols


         Anything that you put above God an idol. And those things cause you to miss more marks of living rightly every day are hinderances. That video game that you put above God and run to escape God’s conviction is sin. When that game is played you become desensitized like a drunken man. You “forget” your problems and use the game as an addictive drug. How do I know? Because I’ve been that video game crazed guy. Watching that movie you KNOW that you should not watch is sin. The soda, candy, girlfriend, etc . . . that you turn to when you want to sooth your conviction is a sin. Adultery, homosexuality, immorality, abortion, etc . . . are sin. Gossip, lying, cheating, stealing something “little”, etc . . . are all sin. Must I go on? When we put something above our omnipotent God we are making an idol of it. We truly need God’s forgiveness, and we need to repent.

Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines repentance as:

1.     . . . sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God . . . . This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Encouragement:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

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