Weekly Meditations

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Introduction

We live in a fast paced society. People seem to think if they slow down they will miss a special opportunity to move ahead. You have heard the saying, "don’t just stand there, do something." These weekly meditations ask you daily to stand or sit there and be quiet. Draw near to the Lord, and let Him speak into your life. Your are racing ahead and getting nowhere fast; right? Slow down, get into His word and start your day doing His will, not yours.

Meditations go beyond finance and stewardship to the heart of a personal relationship with Messiah. We pray they bless you.

January: Wisdom

Each of us needs to apply wisdom, (insight, good judgment under God’s direction) to life daily to do right in God’s eyes. So often we apply the best logic and common sense to our circumstances but the results turn out different from our expectations. Sometimes they surprise us; they even seem illogical. How does this happen in this sophisticated technology age when computers can model and ’predict’ results? Surely, we should expect greater predictability for daily routine events, especially those with which we are familiar, such as financial matters. Shouldn’t we?

As we start a New Year, let’s look at wisdom from God’s perspective, its source and uses, by focusing on these key topics throughout the month:

1 - January 1-7: Fear and Humility: The beginning of wisdom

In a dream, God invites Solomon, who had replaced his father, David, as King of Israel, to ask Him for whatever he wants.... Solomon’s first response to God’s question showed the humility Jesus emphasized to His disciples in Mark 10:15... Solomon acknowledged his need for and dependence on God. He understood that, in our own strength, not one of us can perform well in any relationship, much less govern God’s children....

2 - January 8-14: Our daily walk: Mimicking God’s wisdom in all relationships

If ever we needed to understand godly wisdom in our every day actions it is today. Worldly advice counsels us to look out for number one, stand up for our rights, be more assertive, and so on. Is this the advice you follow daily? When overlooked for that promotion you know you deserve, do you harbor bitter envy of your new boss, ten years younger, who did not deserve the promotion? That is the natural, human, fallen reaction. ...

3 -January 15-21: Wealth: Applying godly wisdom as stewards of God’s possessions

Worldly advice to gain and share material wealth often includes this statement: ’be wise and frugal handling finances.’ The answer is, ’sort of’ because the real issue is wisdom’s source. The Ninth Edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary defines wisdom as ’experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically.’ To be sure, feeding mathematical models with trends and other experiences coupled with practicing thrift may result in temporary financial gain without God’s peace and joy. ...

4 -January 22-31: Foolishness: Becoming foolish to become wise

Today, our wise secular intellectuals and growing numbers of church leaders reject the message of the cross. They do not teach the biblical truth that an individual is either on the way to heaven or on the way to hell--there is no fence position. To them, the message of the cross seems foolish, so they choose to carry out cafeteria-style Christianity by changing sections of the Bible into politically correct and inclusive dogma.
This state of affairs is similar to the circumstances that gave rise to prophet Isaiah’s quote in Isaiah 29:14 that Apostle Paul recounts in 1 Corinthians 1:19. Isaiah was speaking about the Israelites who were practicing religion--following rules--rather than worshipping God. They believed they could hide their plans from God. ...

February: Income Sources

Most folks would agree, usually there is only one primary income source--work, either self-employed or other. But people in several homes in North America gamble regularly on lotteries, football games, horse racing, and other events in an unsuccessful attempt to supplement household incomes. They hope to hit the jackpot and ’live happily ever after.’ But the few who win, do not find the happiness they seek.

This month, while confirming work as the valid income source, we review biblical aspects of gambling, borrowing, and other sources where many individuals turn, hoping to supplement or replace their incomes.

5 - February 1-7: February 1-7: Work - A gift from God

6 - February 8-14: Borrowing - Running ahead of God

7 - February 15-21: Gambling - Displacing God as the supplier of needs

8 - February 22-28: Inheritance - A blessing or a curse?

March: Triumphant In The Valley

In human terms, ’triumphant in the valley’ is contradictory although that’s where Messiah’s followers spend much time. Sadly, while there, we feel defeated and lost because we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on us. This month as we look at God’s Word, we will see Messiah Jesus calls His followers to live triumphant lives in the valley and on the mountaintop. Besides, we will see it is in the valley our faith grows as we learn to depend on Him. We will review these four topics:

9 - March 1-7: Trials - Prescriptions for growth

10 - March 8-14: Anxiety - The journey toward peace

11- March 15-21: Temptations - Choosing the way out

12 - March 22-31: Contentment - Resting in Him

April: Biblical Stewardship

Many pastors reserve a Sunday in January to preach on stewardship; some devote the entire month to this topic. Mostly, their messages remind us to present ’our tithes and offerings’ to the Lord. They ignore the stewardship of time, talents, and the environment, and they do not stress stewardship as a lifestyle. Each week this month, we will look at what it means to be God’s stewards under these headings:

13 - April 1-7 - Stewardship: In the beginning!

14 - April 8-14 - Time: Busy but standing still!

15- April 15- 21 - Money: What are you doing wit God’s 90%?

16 - April 22- 28 - Talents: How am I using my gifts?

April 29-30 - Accountability: In the end!

May: The Family

Despite persistent, vicious attacks on the traditional family by Governments and others in society, God’s ordained roles for the family and family members apply today. Stand firm; do not let Governments’ ill-conceived anti-traditional family policies deceive you. Always remember popular policies don’t equate with morally acceptable policies. God’s Word is the only authority for moral absolutes. This month, we will review God’s Word to learn about the traditional family under these headings:

17 - May 1-7 - The Husband: Servant Leader

18 - May 8-14 - The Wife: Partner and helper

19 - May 15-21 - The Parent and Child: Relationship building

20 - May 22-31 - The Family Council: Essential teaching and learning medium

June: Walking The Walk

21 - June 1-7: Faith & Hope

22 - June 8-14: Command & Assurances

23 - June 15-21: Forgive

24 - June 22-30: Happiness?

July: Money by The Book

25 - July 1-7: ABCs - What is Your Worldview?

26 - July 8-14: Saving For Retirement?

27 - July 15-21: Rich Man Poor Man

28 - July 22-31: Breaking The "Vase"?

August: Choices

29 - August 1-7: Heaven or Hell? Doing Nothing Is A Powerful decision

30 - August 8-14: Truth or “Tolerance” - High ground, easy out?

31 - August 15-21:Success or Failure - How high must I reach?

32 - August 22-31: Christianity or Religion - The Person or the rules?

September: Life Lessons

33 - September 1-7: Journey From Egypt to Canaan

As with all Scripture, we can learn a lot from Moses’ account of Israelites’ journey to Canaan; especially God’s commitment and faithfulness to His people. They turned away from Him several times but He was there always rescuing and providing for them. But still they bore their rebellion’s effects. Though He is faithful, God tells us we will bear the results of our disobedience.

34 - September 8-14: Journey From Moab to Jerusalem

Nestled between the Old Testament Books Judges and Samuel is Ruth, a Book with four chapters that abounds with life-lessons. As we look at two women on this week’s journey, Naomi and Ruth, again we see God’s faithfulness. Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, rather than trusting God to provide for his family’s needs during the famine in Israel, chose to seek ’greener pastures.’

35 - September 15-21: Journey From The Cistern To The Mansion

To put this journey in context, first we must look at Joseph’s rapport with his dad, Jacob, his mom Rachel, and his brothers. In Genesis 30:1, we read that Rachel could not have children but her sister Leah could. Rachel and Leah competed and encouraged Jacob to father children with their servants. Later, God allowed Rachel to bear a son, Joseph, Jacob and Rachel’s first son (Genesis 30:22-24). Jacob favored Joseph, which caused jealousy among his half brothers (Genesis 37:3). So, when he told them about his dream in which their sheaves bowed to his, their jealousy heightened.

36 - September 22-30: Journey From Shepherd To King

This week we take three lessons from the many in King David’s journey from nobody to somebody; more fittingly, from a shepherd boy to a king. In God’s Kingdom (1) He Nobody’s, (2) The battle is the Lord’s, and (3) God expects devotion--obedience--not perfection.

October: Satan Is Active

In the study, ’Church Lay Leaders Are Different From Followers’ dated June 26, 2000, the Barna Research Group Ltd., of Ventura, California reported that 39% of lay church leaders in the USA said there is no such thing as Satan. Yes, many folks will tell you Satan is not real. But, the Bible teaches differently. Satan is real; Satan is active! We will review these topics this month:

37 - October 1-7: The god Of This Age

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they can- not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). more...

38 - October 8-14: Dress Suitably

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (2 Corinthians 4:4). more...

39 - October 15-21: Wear Your Helmet-Use Your Sword

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6: 16-18). more...

40 - October 22-31: Walk In The Light

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1: 6-7). more...

November: Jesus Is Lord

This month’s theme stresses the reality many folks do not wish to confront: Jesus is Lord. We may surrender to His Lordship and allow Him to direct our paths, or we may not. But if we don’t, still He is Lord and rules the world. We will review these topics this month:

41 - November 1-7: The Bible is the Source of Truth

42 - November 8-14: Invest in His Kingdom

43 - November 15-21: Count the Cost

44 - November 22-30: Is Money His Competitor?

December: Goal’s And Plans

A New Year on the horizon, time for a fresh start. Do you want to start the year understanding what you should be doing and where you should be going? Better still, do you want to learn where God is working in your life, or where He wants you to be during the New Year? This month, let us explore the Bible to answer these questions about goal setting and planning under God’s direction. We will cover these topics:

45 - December 1-7: A Life Goal: Why am I here?

46 - December 8-14: His Goal or Mine: Why not Mine?

47 - December 15-21: Smoothing Peaks and Troughs: Saving and spending?

48 -December 22-25: God’s Perfect Plan: Available to me?

49 -December 26-31: Where is God: Where is my plan?