Securities, Stocks, and Bonds

I’m taking an on-line course in managing my financial future. Although no one can actually secure a future, because it’s unknown, the instructor has given “definitions and instructions for you to better understand how to go into your economic future with confidence” (His words, not mine.) Well, not really confidence but maybe a hedge against making a really, really big mistake that affects my future financial well-being. Before this course I might have ignorantly gone to the really, really big mistake area. Now I can confidently say that if I go into the really, really big mistake zone it won’t be out of complete ignorance. I’m not so sure this is advantageous but "knowledge is power" (they say.) The instructor has already commented in one of his lessons that, “A little knowledge is dangerous when it comes to investments.” So now I’m pretty confident that I’ll make a mistake, just maybe not a really, really big one.

 Anyway, here are some terms and definitions I've learned thus far:

Security – anything that belongs to you

Stock – investment in something

Bond – holding part of a debt

Yes, I know these are very simplistic definitions. But remember, I’m used to teaching first graders and always have to get down to the lowest level of understanding to be successful. In other words, I have to understand it before I can use it. It’s taken me 7 weeks to get this far. What can I say? I’m a slow financial learner.

I’m also taking an in-heart course in Ephesians (my Bible study currently) and it seems to be about managing my future too. This book also gives definitions and instructions to better understand how to go into my spiritual future with confidence. In fact, I can have and should have more certainty in my spiritual future than my financial future. And the way things are so unpredictable in in the NYSE and NASDAQ I’m better off having that ultimate security in Christ. Whew, that’s how to spell c-o-n-f-i-d-e-n-c-e.

Ephesians 1:11-14 states (I’ll make my notations as I go):

In Him (God our Creator) we have we have obtained an inheritance; (This is our security. It belongs to us, How’s that for being in the will? This is the ultimate insurance. We don’t have to worry about changes in the market affecting our spiritual retirement plan. We don’t have to make contributions to it. It is an established legacy. ) having been predestined (selected by God Himself) according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will; (This is part of our stock portfolio. God has a proven blue chip investment in us. It is a long term grade A stock that is guaranteed to increase in value as we go through life. Wall Street brokers can’t even compete with this!) In Him you also, when you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit; (This is part of our bond holdings. Christ holds the debt we could never pay through His salvation of us. The Holy Spirit in us is the assurer that the debt has been and is being paid daily for our sin.) He is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, (Hey, I didn't make this up. God says He, the triune God, is the irrefutable warranty that our securities are secure now and in the future, past our retirement and into forever.) to the praise of His glory. (How’s this for the ultimate securities portfolio? The world has nothing better to offer as our present and future protection plan. And we can praise Him and glorify Him and rest confidently in Him.)

   

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Supports me in the whelming flood.

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

                        (Edward Mote)    

While I might be a little unsure about my financial holdings

 I’m very confident in my spiritual holdings.

Jude, a Blast from the Past

Didn't it always just frustrate you when your father was correcting you and said, “This hurts me more than it hurts you”? And I would think “How is that possible? I’m getting the punishment.” It wasn't until we grew up that we got the full meaning of our dad’s saying. When you put your heart and soul into showing someone the right way to live and he/she rejects it and lives the opposite way it does hurt.

That’s how Jude in the Bible must have felt. He had to warn and reprimand people that were dear to him and that should have known better. Jude, the half-brother of Jesus Christ himself, did not even give this as his credential. He just said he was a servant of Christ. He submitted to Christ as his supreme authority. And he expected other Christians to be able to do the same. He prayed that the Christians to whom he was writing would have multiplied mercy, peace, and love. Then, verse 3, WHAM, he gets super serious.

 I used to wonder why I had to be exposed to all of his fussing to these unknown Christians until I studied it recently. It was like he was lecturing me.  I had to hang my head and wait until the preaching was over then say, “I’m sorry” and change my actions.

And what was all the fussing about? We have strayed from not only living like Christians but actually defending our faith. We let the ungodly that totally reject God’s truth into our churches, homes, and lives. And we just let them in without even putting up our Word of God shield and without even challenging what they say. Who are these “they” that Jude was talking about? They are some of our peers and by the pressure of society tell us what we are to accept, what is politically correct, and what is supposed to be morally acceptable now even when it is in opposition to the Word of God. And it’s getting harder and harder to spot them. They put some truth in with what they say so that when they actually profane scripture we don’t notice so much. Or they make us feel guilty for standing with scripture as our model. Jude said that we are letting them in and celebrating their immorality with them. It’s amazing that what was going on in the early church is still going on today. You’d think Satan would try something new but he doesn't have to when this is still working so well for him.

Now I’m not saying that “they” are all around us and we should make our own little hideaway cult. I’m saying we have to decide whether we actually believe scripture and are willing to contend for this belief in our culture. Jude brings you and me to this “line drawn in the sand” moment. He confronts and makes us decide if we are submitted to follow Christ even if it means discomfort or going against a new society norm.

                                           Keep Yourselves in the Love of God – Jude 17-25

    17But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,18that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”19These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.20But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.22And have mercy on some, who are doubting;23save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 Whew, the lecture is over. I am chastised and convicted. I’m sorry for not always standing vocally for my faith. I’m sorry I have not taken the eternal lives of others more seriously.

I have been thoroughly blasted by Jude

and my Heavenly Father.

And it does hurt the name of Christ and all He died for more than it hurts me.

Our Nation’s Song

What does March 3, 1931 have to do with baseball, Fort McHenry, and President Herbert Hoover? It is the date that the congressional resolution was signed by the then president to make The Star Spangled Banner our national anthem. 

Oh, it was written as the poem, Defense of Fort McHenry, by Francis Scott Key in 1814 and put to music the same year. It was a popular song for Fourth of July events as early as 1889. It was officially played at baseball games in 1918. But it wasn't until 1931 that President Herbert Hoover made this our official national song.

It took us a long time of mulling it over to make this the authorized song to represent our country. We fought a lot of wars, even world wars, as we were deciding. And wouldn't you know it is one of the hardest songs to sing with a range of an octave and a half? You'd think the tune could have been changed to make it easier for the citizens. But then again the freedom we sing about has never come easily.

Famous Americans have been known to forget the words during performance and even make fun of the singing of the song. But still we stand, remove our hats, and some of us even put a hand over our hearts. It’s our song. All of us who call ourselves citizens of The United States of America have this as our defining melody.

O say does that star spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Yes, it does.

Francis Scott Key’s fourth and final verse of his poem is hardly known or sung but it strikes a chord in the hearts of all Americans who truly know why we are who we are:

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the Star - Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

We are who we are because of the established core values that make the roots of our United States. Whether we still hold to those core values or not, our nation was built by Americans who trusted in God. No matter how far we stray away from our roots, they still remain part of our unchangeable history.

Praise the Power that made and preserves our nation.

In God we still trust.

So we celebrate our trust in God as we sing our national anthem at ballgames, and special patriotic events, and on every Fourth of July..

We've been trusting in God from the beginning of the formation of our nation.

We've been known as singing about our national trust in God since 1814.

Sing it proudly Americans.

And sing it humbly for our future.

Handing Out Gifts

I love to get presents. Who doesn't? I really like the unexpected “just because” gifts. I have a friend, Vanessa (you know who you are,) who gives those kinds of gifts. She gives the “I saw this and thought of you” kind of prizes. They are always unpredictable and so much fun to receive.

Well, to my amazement, I found out Paul gave out such presents.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-12

The words “Spiritual gift” comes from the literal translation “grace gift.” Paul wanted to come to the Romans and, SURPRISE, he wanted to give them a grace gift. Now I’m not taking anything away from the theologians and linguistics who have translated this like theologians or a linguistics would. But I think the Romans of the churches that received this letter got a little excited. I think they understood it to mean…Paul wanted to come to them and give out grace gifts. And who wouldn't want to get in line for those kinds of presents?

We need to give out grace gifts too. You know that unexpected note or card, or that hug of friendship when we’re not coming in or going out, or that “yay” with those who celebrate, or the “I’m praying for you” to those who are struggling, or celebrating with our brothers or sisters in Christ when they have a spiritual victory. Those are the kinds of spiritual presents we can give and should give. Those are the kind of gifts that we need to receive from each other. Those encouragements are gifts we can give because of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

Oh, and I like that Paul realized that the giving of grace gifts would not be one sided. He said when he got together with the Christians in Rome that he wanted it to be a grace prize giving party. Well, he didn't say it in those words. He said he would encourage them and they would encourage him.

I can just picture their joyous meeting. I can just imagine the exchange of “God was there” stories. I can pretend to hear all of the answers to prayer testimonies. There would be excitement together and crying together and laughing together as they encouraged each other.

So let’s have a grace gift giving party.

You are invited.

And I will be handing out presents!

You are. You Really Are.

…through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6

I like the way Paul starts a letter. Wouldn't you feel special if you got a letter that started like this?

You are favored by Jesus, Himself (received grace).

 

You have been especially chosen by Christ for a specific job (apostleship.)

You cause others to want to follow Christ (bring about the obedience of the faith.)

You are accepted into an otherwise closed circle of family because of the authority of Christ (among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake.)

You have been invited by Jesus to this extraordinary place in this fellowship (you are also called of Jesus Christ.)

You are personally loved by God (all who are beloved of God.)

You are different from everyone else because you are like Christ (called as saints.)

You are one of God’s favorite (grace to you.)

You are an integral part of this family of God and because of you it is whole and brings a feeling of completeness (and peace.)

Well, we have received this letter so these words are implied as for us too. You are special in God’s eyes. He has a wonderful plan just for you. Jesus Christ through Paul’s letter speaks to us individually not just to the whole group but directly to you and me. This is what God thinks about me. This is what God thinks about you.

There are just some times in our lives we need to be reminded of the special place we have in God’s heart. Thanks to Paul we have this as our starting reference point.

Wow, what a way to comfort and encourage someone. It reminds me of that quote from the book, The Help, when the help is reassuring the child in her care: “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” (Kathryn Stockett)

God says to you and me, “You are loved. You are chosen. You are my favorite.”

You are. You really are.

Only Believe

During our past Vacation Bible School a mom asked me how a parent knows when their little one is capable of understanding Jesus’ substitutionary death for sin. And when is the child ready to commit his/her life to accept Him and believe in Him. Well, she didn't say it in those words. She said, “How do you know when children are ready to ask Jesus into their heart?”

Well the simple answers are:

1.       Are they asking questions about their relationship with Christ?

2.       Are they aware that their disobedience is sin?

3.       Do they know the only way to heaven is through Christ?

These kinds of discussions with parents are an indication that the child understands the salvation concept.

I told the mom that I, myself, accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of about six years old. My mom and dad having been saved as young adults didn't know that they were supposed to write the date down in my Bible. In fact they weren't sure that it was even possible that a child could understand. But I believed and it has stuck all these many years. Did I understand everything about Jesus at that time? No. (I still don’t.) Did I believe as I learned more about Him? Yes. (I still do.)

But I did caution the mom that as the child gets older he/she may forget some of the exact events of their faith moment. And that is natural and OK. Because salvation is not based on what we remember it’s based on belief in what Jesus did not what we did and do.

 It’s a gift of God not by our own works…Ephesians 2:8. 

As I get on my soapbox now, I think some children and adults get confused by us older Christians because if we’re not careful we will add stuff to the salvation requirements. And if we are not careful we will be the direct cause of them doubting their salvation.

Requirement 1. If we agree and acknowledge with our speech that Jesus is the Son of God and our means for salvation from our sins. If we believe and entrust our now and future with all our mind, emotion, and will that God the creator of all things raised Christ from the dead as our substitute for sin then we are saved from the consequences of our sinful nature. We are saved and rescued from the power and the consequence of sin in our lives forever. Romans 10:9

Requirement 2. There are no other requirements.

At the age of 14 when I was told by well-meaning Sunday School teachers and pastors and visiting evangelists that:

 If you don’t remember the exact date of your salvation you probably aren't…If you don’t remember the exact words you prayed to accept Christ you probably didn't… You can be saved in your head and not your heart…If you didn't cry because of your realization of your sinfulness you probably weren't serious…If you didn't come forward in church and talk to the pastor it’s probably not real….etc.…

That was a little confusing to a teenager who asked Jesus in their heart at 6 years of age. I didn't know the date as I said earlier.  My mom didn't write it in my Bible and I didn't know I was supposed to recall the date just that I did have a moment. I didn't remember the exact words just the intent of my heart. I didn't realize that you could believe with only your head and not your heart because I lumped it all together with my belief. I didn't cry I just trusted and believed. I didn't go forward in church. My mother led me in a simple prayer at home. I wasn't fitting their plan of salvation so I was feeling doubtful. Until a Godly visiting missionary asked me what I believed to be true about Christ. I told him I believed that Jesus was God’s son come to earth. He died on a cross to forgive my sins. He was buried but actually rose from the dead and went to heaven to sit by God the Father. And that He would return to collect His children and take them to heaven to be with Him forever. Then the wise old missionary asked me the one question that my soul needed to hear, 

                                                 “What more do you need to be saved?”

Nothing

Even if I don’t fit other Christian’s definition of how one comes to belief. I just have to fit Christ’s definition.

If I forget everything, my salvation is not based on my memories but on Christ’s promise.

       I only have to believe. 

Only believe.

We’re Just a Bunch of Comfort Carrying Christians

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Has a person just come to your mind out of the blue and you know God has put them on your heart to pray for them? Well, that happened to me this week.

Let me go back in time and set the scene. When I was young and innocent and ignorant I knew of another girl who was young and innocent and ignorant. She was a blond darling and everyone loved her and she was one of the churches’ and society’s “chosen” ones. I watched her and thought, “Wow, she’s got it all!”

Well, we grew up in separate circles but I happened upon a recent picture of her all grown up. Tears came to my eyes to see the person she had become. She couldn't even smile for the camera. Even on my darkest days I can summon up a “cheese” when a camera is pointed in my direction. When I looked into her eyes it was like staring into pain. God thumped my heart and said, “Pray for her. Carry her burden with her for a while. Pass on a little of the comfort I've given to you.” It’s not like I can call her up and say, “Hey, thinkin about you today…so how you dooooin?” She didn't know me then and she won’t know me now. But I will secretly walk with her and carry her burden for a while.

And I thought, that’s what we do as Christians; we walk with those who need us and carry their burdens for a time. Then God brings another person to mind and we exchange one person for another, one’s burden for another’s burden. And on and on….. That’s just what we do. We exchange our comfort for their burden. We pass on the strength from God we found through difficulties.

So even though she may never know she was on my heart and mind, I will silently walk beside her and carry some of her pain. I will pray that God will comfort her.

That’s what I will do.

That’s what someone will do for me.

We’re just a bunch of comfort carrying Christians.