Jesus and the StockMarket

Consider James 5:1-3

"1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

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and...Matthew 13:22

"Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful."

or Luke 12:33

"Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. "

I then ask, do you believe Jesus is concerned when Christians suffer loss in the stock market? In fact, may it be the case that when we lose things on this earth, Jesus uses that to help us to become free of earthly slavery, temporal treasures, trading them for eternal true riches? I think as believers we should be pretty non-affected by these types of things. God is our treasure, He is our portion. Our reward is in heavan, not on this earth. Earthly things only serve to slow us down. Money should be used to serve God and expand the kingdom, not serve our own comforts.

So, use your money, do not serve it. And give thanks to YHWH as the stock-market fails. He will never fail!

I Complain too much

Phillippians 2:14-15

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

This verse disturbs me. I have come to learn that I have the heart of a complainer. The Lord is not a complainer - what I mean is the Lord did all things on this earth without complaining or grumbling. He trusted His daddy enough to know that he ought not whine, disagree, grumble and dispute situations or their outcomes. In this verse Paul points out that when do complain and dispute our testimony in the world is damaged. Conversely, we want to "become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation."

Lord - I want to shine as a light in a dark world. Help me to hold my toungue tightly; not complaining about minor things, focused on my own comfort, and seeking my own desires. But rather, seeking your desires, placing others above me and accepting where I am - now.

Worship on the Run

Psalm 3 reads...

1 A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah 3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

David Truly knew how to take his thoughts captive and turn problems into praise. This brother was running for his life from his own Son, and yet He decides to Worship. He is no coward. He is running, but is not afraid. He seeks to escape persecution, but He states, I will not fear. Oh Lord, even when I am discouraged or in danger, please give me an attitude and the willingness to encourage myself in you and turn to Worship you!