Improving Your Finances

Most people are concerned about their finances. We all want a good income because that gives us much more freedom than poverty would. Still, it seems most people will not take the actions needed to improve their financial situation. Young people especially tend to leave hard work and preparation for the future on the back burner while they have "fun." It seems a person has to experience a measure of poverty before he or she will take steps to get out of it (Proverbs 24:33-34).

Training and education demand effort, time and money. We may lose a small income now in order to prepare for a greater one later. You've probably heard the saying, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." There is wisdom in these words.

Ignorance is a roadblock to a happy life: get rid of it!

Thoughts, Temper and Tongue

When we are alone, we have our thoughts to control. When we are with our family, we have our tempers to watch. When in society, it's often our tongues that we must be concerned about.

Right thoughts can help make us the people we ought to be and influence our actions (Proverbs 12:5). An out-of-control temper can cause hurts that heal very slowly (Proverbs 18:19). Our tongues can spread both good and evil, and they seem to require more control than we can humanly muster (James 3:8-10).

God is willing to help us control our thoughts, and when we do that, we can control everything else. Paul strongly recommended filling our minds with the things that lead to godliness. When we focus on God's ways, laws and the Word He wrote for us, our lives are enriched and we can become a blessing to others (Philippians 4:8-9).

Career Preparation

How can young people prepare for successful careers? It takes planning. According to an old expression, "People don't plan to fail; they fail to plan."

Think of what you would really enjoy doing as a profession. Take an aptitude test. Is college for you? Would learning a trade or a vocational school be better for you? Once you have discovered your life’s goal, "do it with your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Plan for change as well. In the future, you could need retraining since the fund of knowledge increases so quickly. Also consider two other professions on which to fall back should the job market change drastically.

Having a career plan will help you avoid drifting aimlessly. A potential employer likes to see steady experience indicated on your resume. Job-hopping, which indicates instability, is not looked on favorably by head hunters.

Being Successfully Employed

How can we be successful on our jobs? Here are some tips. Be punctual, neat and focused. Maintain a positive attitude about everything. Get along well with your superiors and colleagues. Work to the best of your ability. If in doubt, ask questions, rather than make a mistake. Be eager to finish an urgent project at the end of the day rather than let it wait until morning.

Ten traits employers love include: Honest, loyal, team player, committed to excellence in all tasks and personal endeavors, accountable, efficient, organized, shows initiative, creative, self-starter and high energy.

Be prepared for emergencies. Have a sufficient cash flow available to last you for six months to a year, in case you suddenly become unemployed. Live within your means, limit your use of credit cards and avoid debt.

Always thank God for your talents and abilities (Psalm 118:1). Put Him first in your life with daily prayer and Bible study.

Smile!

As I was looking at pictures of Queen Elizabeth, I noticed that, when she smiled, her smile went all the way to her eyes. Her eyes smiled too! Her smile was so sincere, you knew it was genuine. It didn't matter who she was looking at or talking to, you could see the smile in her eyes.

Do you know how important your smile is? Do you know how a single smile can lift someone's spirits? A smile can make all the difference in the world.

Have you noticed how people respond to smiles? It's hard keeping a grim look on your face when someone is smiling at you. Even the most grumpy person might be tempted to at least return a little grin.

And have you ever noticed how much better you feel when you smile? The world just seems so much brighter. And the great thing is, you can never give them all away!

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day"

Sleep: What a Wonderful Thing!

Do we get enough sleep? Sleep is so important for health and well-being. God gives His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). He says our sleep will be sweet if we apply wisdom in our lives (Proverbs 3:24).

As a child, when I had a problem, I remember my mother saying, "Things will be better in the morning." Sometimes problems just seem insurmountable when you're tired. But after a good night's sleep, you can cope and better see solutions. Things really do look better after a good rest.

Sleep is needed for good health, a sound mind and to repair body cells. Adequate sleep boosts your memory, helps keep your heart healthy and reduces stress. Lack of sleep can lead to many different kinds of physical and mental health problems. Sleep deprivation has been used as a means of breaking people down. And a total lack of sleep can eventually lead to death.

Sleep is very important and is God's gift to daily rejuvenate our minds and bodies.

Loving Communication

Paul describes an amazing power that can spiritually transform us:

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:12-14).

Putting on God’s love can change everything.

Favorite Scriptures to Fight Fear

We humans are weak and face fearful situations. But our God is all powerful, and He encourages us with scriptures such as these:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1).

"Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you'" (Isaiah 35:4).

"For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Few Words

"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive" (Proverbs 17:28).

Why? "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19).

Enough said.

Times of Refreshing

People had gathered around Peter because of an amazing miracle God had done. God healed a man who couldn't walk from birth, and now the man was running and jumping and praising God! That was the setting for one of Peter’s inspiring prophecies of the Kingdom of God:

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21).

This whole world needs to be refreshed. Many people are physically thirsty and hungry. But even more are spiritually in need of the refreshing that God gives our hearts and minds.

Let's practice refreshing others now as we prepare for the best time of refreshing ever: God's Kingdom!

Spiritual but Not Religious

"In 1998, 9 percent of American adults told the General Social Survey they were spiritual but not religious. By 2008, it had risen to 14 percent. Among those ages 18 to 39, the increase was even more dramatic, and 18 percent now say they are spiritual but not religious" (Christianity Today, September 2010, p. 74).

Spiritual sounds more sexy and religion sounds too structured, stale and demanding to today’s searchers. But pure religion, as defined by the Bible, is truly personal, real and spiritual.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and following His example of service to those in need is anything but stale and meaningless. But it is demanding, and fulfilling!

Faith and Faithfulness

Prayer is more effective than positive thinking in preventing infidelity, according to a study reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The study by Frank Fincham at Florida State University showed that those who were asked to pray for their partners lowered their "infidelity ratings" from 3.5 to 2.4. Those instructed to think positively of their partners actually went up a little from 3.5 to 3.9.

"Dr. Fincham suspects that the act of praying about a romantic partner leads people to view their relationships as something sacred and not to be damaged," reported The Economist (Aug. 28, 2010, p. 71).

Understanding God’s view of the sanctity of marriage and involving Him in our marriages is even more powerful in preventing cheating and promoting the true intimacy God intended (Matthew 19:4-6).

The Seasons of Parenting

Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says, "To everything there is a season," psychologist John Rosemond observes: "There are three seasons in raising children, and one final season that is our goal. Each season is a phase where a child needs a certain type of parenting.

"SEASON 1 is from age 0-2. During this season, the child is the center of the universe around which the parent orbits and the mother is the child's servant. The father generally stays on the sidelines.

"SEASON 2 is from age 3 to 13. The child will be less the center of the universe. [The] parent is in the role of authority and leadership. It is a period of discipleship, where you lead where [the] child will follow you.

"SEASON 3 is from age 14 on. This is the mentoring phase which prepares the child for becoming an adult. It is a [rite] of passage. The goal is for the child to self lead and the parent to be the mentor.

"SEASON 4 is adulthood for the child. You are no longer parenting but [are] your child’s friend" (Parents Council of Washington Lecture, Oct. 25, 2004).

In explaining the seasons, Rosemond advises parents to focus on the proper season. Regrettably, many parents stay mired in season one (being a servant) when they should be teaching their children to take responsibility themselves. Another mistake is trying to be your children's friend before the appropriate season.

Presenteeism?

The Economist magazine reported: "American research suggests that 'presenteeism' (whereby the walking wounded turn up to work without contributing) costs twice as much as absenteeism" (July 10, 2010, p. 65).

Many employers understand the value of working with employees facing difficult challenges such as death in the family, divorce or major illness. But employers expect employees to seek help and to strive to work hard through whatever daily difficulties they face.

Paul encouraged Christian employees to work as if they were working for God. "Servants, in all things do the orders of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men, but with all your heart, fearing the Lord: Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:22-23, Bible in Basic English).

In other words, bosses shouldn't have to worry about "presenteeism" from their Christian employees.