The motto of the boy scouts comes to mind when I look at the present circumstances in the middle east: "Be Prepared". I can't help but to see the proposed statehood of Palestine as a piece to the prophetic landscape setting for the end times. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is reaching a fevered pitch by the permanence of the proposal to the United Nations of an official "statehood" status of Israel's neighbor. What brings even more intensity to the situation is that Israel's neighbors (Syria, Jordan and Egypt) are increasingly unstable and seem ready to act on their threats towards Jerusalem. Of course, all of this conflict sets the stage for a prophetic peace treaty (Dan. 9:26-27) between Israel and her enemies by a man called "Antichrist" in Scripture. I believe, dear friends, that the time is drawing near (certainly nearer than when we first believed!) for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Whatever your eschatology, time is short. Now is the time to live for the Lord! Now is the time to declare His Gospel! Now is the time!
"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Revelation 22:7
Let me share something that I’ve been mulling over for several years--even decades--Christianity is more than what you say. Over the years I’ve heard many a man, woman, boy and girl say to me “I’ve sinned.” Please don’t misunderstand me, these words are powerful and can be the beginning of a wonderful life with God. However, these words alone, outside of a transformed heart and true repentance, can actually demonstrate a hard-hearted rejection of the Gospel. Let me illustrate this for a moment: Pharaoh, King Saul, and Judas Iscariot have all professed “I have sinned” (Exodus 9:27, 1 Sam. 15:24, Matt.27:4). The issue with all three of these men is that they wanted to escape the consequences of their sin instead of seeking God’s forgiveness and responding in true repentance. To say it another way, if all you have to your Christianity is what you say then it is empty and useless. The apostle Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” This is the principle that we see in the lives of David, Job, and story of the prodigal son. They were people who readily admitted that “I have sinned” but then surrendered to the power of God in repentance.
We have a saying where I grew up that says “Words are cheap”. Well dear friend, let me ask you honestly, how expensive is your Christianity? If all you have is words, I’m afraid that your faith is very cheap indeed. Today I pray that you make your profession your practice--matching what you say and believe to what you live.
Had a whale of a time fishing with Mark Hawkins this past Saturday morning. I caught lots of fish from a tree fish (actually the branch) and weeds to this HUGE bass. This fish was my first catch of the day and it was hidden within a clump of weeds. As I reached down to clear the weeds off my line--behold, a fish!
During my time with Mark and Dean I got to see the vast treasure of lures that both of these guys had--one for every situation--even a few for a novice like me! I loved the names for the lures--I used "The Creature" and caught a few fish but the one I had the best time with was called "Fat Albert".
These guys helped me get so good at fishing that at the end of the day I was yanking them out of the water without even setting the hook--and one just gave up and jumped into the boat (no joke!). Well, that's enough for the fish tales. Enjoy the picture!
Chocolate is a tempting thing, especially when it is in bite-sized pieces. Eating these smaller portions makes it ever so easy to eat more than a king size candy bar in no time! One little piece leads to another and to another—you get the idea. In the end it can lead you to a big stomach ache! You know, sin is a lot like that. Just as with the candy, the white-lies and other “bite-size” sins you indulge in can lead you to more than a stomach ache—it leads you to heartache, if you are not careful. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Those words are a clear warning for us as believers in Christ. Paul is saying that God refuses to allow people to “get away” with sin. Instead, because the Lord is the ultimate Father, He determines that sin will have its consequence in this life for His children. Wherever your life is invested, it will bring a cost—life to life, death to death. In other words, the little sins, without confession and repentance, can eventually add up to a life of pain and heartache. No matter how small or how big the sin is, if your heart repeatedly indulges in it, the result will only bring hurt—to you and to the heart of God. Beloved, I encourage you today to turn away from those “sample” sized-sins and trust Christ in those moments when you are tempted to taste a little rebellion. Say no to sin—regardless of what portion it comes to you in—small or large.
“Are you really my son Esau?’ he answered, ‘I am.’ Genesis 27:24
This quote is from Isaac while his son Jacob is deceiving him about his true identity. Isaac was looking for Esau to come in with a delicious dinner and then he was going to bestow a father’s blessing upon the oldest son. Instead, Jacob came in with Esau’s coat, dinner (with the help of mom) and hair pasted on his skin to assume the appearance of his brother and so steal the blessing of the firstborn from his father Isaac. The condition that allowed this deception to work was the bad eyesight of Isaac. He was not able to recognize his sons apart from voice, touch and smell. Because of this, Jacob was successful in snatching the blessing away from his brother Esau through deception. My friends, the Lord is not like Isaac. He is not fooled by our appearances or pretensions. God’s eyesight is perfect—even seeing into the heart of man. We would be foolish to think that we could come to God with our fake coverings of good works and the smell of religious attendance and still attain the blessing of the Almighty. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13). In other words, no one fools the Lord. He knows the depths of your heart. He sees your motivation. Don’t be misled, God knows completely and thoroughly your ways and thoughts. Today, I encourage you to come to the Lord with complete transparency, understanding that He is the God that saves sinners with His love and grace in Jesus Christ.
“17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17
We can all relate to the story of the stubborn prophet Jonah. He was a man called by God to proclaim the news of divine judgment to the city of Nineveh. Instead of obeying the Lord, Jonah decides to run in the opposite direction far away from Nineveh. Eventually, the Lord gets the prophet to turn around through a violent storm and a big fish. After being violently ejected from the mouth of the fish, the Lord comes again to Jonah and says, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” The will of God has not changed for Jonah. He is still called to obey the Lord and has a second opportunity to do the right thing by the grace of God. What strikes me as interesting when I read about Jonah is the extreme measures that the Lord takes in teaching the prophet some valuable lessons as well as the ministry to Nineveh. Don’t laugh at the storm, the fish, or the vomit on the shore because God just might have to bring us through some pretty crazy things to test and teach us the lessons of trust and obedience. Let’s just hope that He doesn’t have to use a fish to get us to follow Him.
As girls, we have a tendency to buy things we don’t need. I know for a fact that sometimes I look at my wardrobe and think “why did I even buy that, I never wear it”. I make myself feel better by saying; maybe I’ll wear it to a wedding knowing full well, I’m PROPER not going to wear it.
We impulse buy, lie that we’re window shopping (even though we fully brought our card out) and we’re tricked into buying things for 20% off not realizing that wisdom will tell you that 100% off is better. DON’T BUY IT ALL! Let’s face it girls, guys are better than us at saving money. As a woman of virtue and honour, a key aspect that you need to develop is how to budget and spend your money wisely.
Do not be conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewal of your minds. This bible verse is so well known but do people really know what this means? The mindset of the world will tell you to buy so you can save. But think about it; does that even make sense?
Spending your money wisely doesn’t mean behaving stingy or not buying anything at all; after all money’s there to be spent. But spending money wisely means buying things that you need and not want. It means saving your money for things you want instead of borrowing. It also means learning how to be independent and not rely on others for money.
So I have 7 quick tips that I feel will help your money go that extra bit further:
1. 1. I’m at university, so I know how it feels to borrow money for school fees, loan or whatever. In some circumstances borrowing is inevitable.
The bible teaches us how to handle our money wisely. In fact
5. Proverbs 22:7 tells us that
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender”
This is a figurative term meaning that when you borrow money you almost become a slave to the person who lent it to you as you must make efforts to give it back. We all know that feeling and it isn’t nice. Learn to borrow only in extreme circumstances. Even Romans 13:8 tells us “owe man nothing”
2. 2. Give to God Don’t expect God to help you if you refuse to bless him with a portion of your income. Whether that’s through the church you attend or through charity. Give to God. Proverbs 3: 9 tells us “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.”
3. 3. Be content with what you have. One of the main reasons we over spend or buy things we don’t need is because we don’t appreciate what we have right in front of us. We constantly have that “I want more” attitude. Which leads you into spending money you don’t have, for things you don’t need. Timothy 6:6 tells us But godliness with contentment is great gain.7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that”. We’re told to be content and glad with our current situation.
4. 4. Set priorities. If you have rent to pay, it isn’t wise to go and buy yourself a pair of Kurt Geiger heels instead. Of course, if you have money for both then by all means go ahead. But obviously there are things that are more important than others. This is where wisdom comes into play and plain old common sense. A new pair of heels or behind in rent payments?
5. 5. Create a savings account. Not only is this a wise way of piling your money up somewhere but is also a secure way of knowing that in case of emergencies you have some money that you can comfortable rely on. Proverbs 30:24 says that “there be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” God is saying the ants are wise because they prepare their meat in the summer ready for winter. If you know winter is expensive season for you; i.e a new winter coat, some new boots, or your mum’s birthday then start putting some money aside for it so that when the time comes, you are not suffering.
6. 6. Budget your income. Start shopping in places a little bit cheaper than usual. Markets are a great place to shop where you can look fashionable for half the price. The clothes I’m wearing right now are from a market warehouse where they sell clothes from high street shops, cut out the label and sell them as cheap as chips. Charity shops are cool as well because you can find vintage items as well as new season ‘must haves’. Sometimes as females, we want to look the best and can find ourselves in a competition to impress people who don’t even care about you.
7. 7. PRAY!! Your financial situation will not sort itself out. Things won’t just fall into place. If you need a job, start applying. If you need to apply for Student Finance, then do it. Too many people pray for ‘financial stability’. I can’t stand it when I hear that. STABILITY means not moving! Pray for financial momentum so that you have the ability to keep generating money. Know what youre praying for. “Dear God, help my financial situation. Amen” NO! Say “Dear God, I know I owe Sara £250 but I ask for you to open a way so that I can her back. Bless me with a job, bless me with the drive and determination to go and find one. When employers see me, let them see your glory shining through me. Amen.”
All these are tips that I’m still learning and putting into practice. It takes a lot of hard work to make sure your finances are in check but as I said, it is the sign of a wise woman. Summer is a time when we have so much free time, use this as an opportunity to draw up a financial plan to keep you in credit!
I pray anyone that was reading this is abundantly blessed. ANY questions; do not hesitate to contact us!!
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