May 2021 Week 3
Friday
Valuation
One of the strategies to make money on in financial markets is to hold an asset that you believe is undervalued. Because you believe it is worth more than the market price you buy it with the intention of selling it when it realises its true value then you make a profit by selling it at a higher price. You can think of life like a market. Every day we are being sold on different ideas and we buy into what we find believe will give us good returns. We buy into an idea by believing in it and acting on it. We are rewarded for every good buy and make a loss for every bad purchase.
1 Peter 2 v 6: 6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen ([b]honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be [c]disappointed or put to shame.
The scripture above is giving us an assurance there is no disappointment or shame to those who believe in this Gospel. Making good judgement on the stock market will financial returns. Investing in the Gospel however will bring returns to every facets of your life. The Gospel can be thought of that asset that will bring profits to every area of your life, finances, marriage, relationships, career, and everything else you could ever desire. In Jesus there is no downside risk. If you’re wondering why this might not be the case for you right now just continue to believe and remember Isaiah 40 v 31.
Thought of the Day: Is the Gospel undervalued?
Thursday
Believe you’re loved
Today’s thought of the day is about love, more specifically how do you know that someone else loves you. I’ve always heard love is not love until you give it away. Meaning our actions can be evidence of love, giving someone something nice can be construed as an act of love. But people sometimes do superficially good things for the wrong reasons, con artists do that all the time. So not every good act is evidence of love. Growing up my parents chastised me in those moments I felt unloved but with age I learnt I was wrong. I believe knowing someone loves you is mostly just trusting they do. Actions alone don’t validate love were intentions are unknown.
1 Thessalonians 5 v 18: Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
If you can believe God loves you then no matter what circumstance you are in good or bad you always have a reason to be thankful. If you can believe Jeremiah 29 v 11 even when you get an undesirable outcome you always have something to be grateful for.
John 20 v 29: 29 Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and [c]to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.
Thought of the Day: Do you need to see to believe?
Wednesday
Ideals
It is my opinion that our growth as Christians is a necessity, absent of growth death is imminent. Death is to not have Jesus Christ in our hearts, for in Christ we live and have our being.
Romans 12 v 2:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
As we interact with the world we need to be careful who we learn from and what we learn. Our focus as Christians should be on things that are above not the things of this earth. Our attitudes and ideals should not be formed based on our culture or our opinions but rather on Christ. By meditating on the Word of God and fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, we are transformed and we flee death.
Thought of the Day: What do you value the most?
Tuesday May 18
Be Strong
Strength is a relative term, we are all strong enough to deal with some events. Physical and mental strength are things you can prepare for and you can usually see coming. Exercise and mentally challenging your self could help develop physical and mental strength. Life sometimes gets hard because we encounter difficult situations that require a lot of spiritual and emotional strength. We don’t see these situations coming and it is not always apparent that what we are going through is a test.
Joshua 1 v 9: 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
The strength referred to in the scripture above is what I am dubbing spiritual strength. It is the ability to withstand the pressure we are subjected to in life without wavering from our faith. Sometimes you can get a trusted friend or family member steer you wrong, a believer even. We see a biblical example of this from the book of Matthew 16 v 22-24 were Jesus Christ says get behind me satan to Peter. I am sure Peter meant well and so do our trusted friends who give us advice. Life’s challenge normally have an element of surprise. Unlike taking a test at school you don’t really know when the test is coming and no one announce the beginning of it or the end of it.
Thought of the Day: What is God saying or what did God say about the difficult situation I am facing?
Min Clarence
Monday May 17
The pursuit of success
As people we are all very different, and with our differences we are constantly trying to better each other. Success is in most cases doing better than our peers, hence we constantly try to equip ourselves with every resource that gives us an edge and hone our skills. This is apparent in most areas of our lives finances, sports, academia, etc.
Exodus 33 v 14-15: 15 And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!
16 For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?
In the scripture above we hear about Moses the leader of a people who had been enslaved for a very long time talking to God. Being led by God, Moses had taken Israel out of captivity and was about to lead them into the Promised Land. We hear Moses refusing to enter the Promised Land without the Presence of God.
Moses understood that Israel’s strength was not in their experience, nature, resilience nor was it ceasing the Promised Land. We also need to recognise as Christians that our strength is not in our experience, IQ, height or anything else that we may desire. Our strength is in the Lord, it is the presence of the Lord that sets us apart.
Thought of the Day: What is trying to separate you from the presence of God?
Min. Clarence