155. LEARN AND GROW. Ecclesiastes 2:13.

The most important skill you can acquire in life is Learning to learn. Gifted people can act as though they know it all, which makes it hard for them to keep growing, teachability is not so much about competence and one’s mental capacity as it is about attitude, it’s an innate hunger to know and grow. It’s a willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn. The world famous foot ball coach John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” It’s only as you remain teachable will you keep growing and continue to make an impact on the world. Lifelong learning is a lifelong ongoing daily pursuit which will ultimately lead you to wisdom. The Roman scholar Plato, started studying Greek at the age of 80, when asked why he was taking on such a difficult task at his age, he replied, ” It’s the earliest age I have left” Many people regard learning as an event, not a lifelong process. It’s estimated that only one third of adults read an entire book after leaving school. Why? Because they view education as a period in life, not a way of life, science confirms that while your physical body may atrophy, your mind retains much of its capacity for continued growth. Every stage of life presents lessons to be learned. You and I can choose to be teachable and keep on learning, or close our minds and stop growing. Try this simple experiment for a week; Ask others for advice… While deliberately withholding the advice you would normally give and at the end of each day write down what you have learned by being attentive. You will be amazed. To keep learning and growing, you need to recognise that; 1. Successful people view learning differently from unsuccessful people. Joshua learned from Moses,Timothy learned from Paul. Who have you chosen to learn from? Author Sydney J. Harris wrote; “A winner knows how much he still has to learn, even when he is considered an expert by others. A loser wants to be considered an expert by others before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.” You see, it’s all a matter of attitude. It’s remarkable how much a person has to learn before He/She realises just how little they really know. 2. Nothing is interesting if you are not interested. In “Quality Is free” Phillip B Crosby wrote; There is a theory of human behaviour that says some people subconsciously retard their own intellectual growth. they come to rely on cliches and habits. Once they reach the age of personal comfort with the world, they stop learning and their mind runs on idle for the rest of their days. They may progress organisationally, they may be ambitious and eager, and even work night and day but they don’t learn any more. However, It should work this way particularly for a Christian. If you are comfortable where you are, you are in the wrong place; If you are not making a difference for Christ in at least one person’s life, what are you doing there? We as Christians have been told (not asked) to “Go and make disciples.” If you and I are not doing that, we are sinning by our disobedience. A life for Jesus was never meant to be comfortable or easy, Jesus’ life was never that way and as followers of Him we should expect no less. Just look at all that Jesus has done for you and me, Not only the Cross and the forgiveness that entailed which is so much more than we deserve, but, that Death, that Resurrection and that Assension facilitated the coming of The Holy Spirit who embarks every area of our lives (if we allow Him to) with His gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding not only in Spiritual matters and situations, but also in our natural world. His is the little voice we hear saying in our minds “Don’t say that, Don”t do that, Don’t go there” etc. He is the One that speaks God’s Word in our hearts. That is what Jesus meant when He said on many occasions “If you have ears to hear, listen to what The Spirit says.” So, are you listening to what The Spirit Says? n (Luke 2:52) The Bible says “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.” He didn’t just grow physically, He grew spiritually, mentally and emotionally as well. It’s a tragedy when someone gets in to a rut and never climbs out of it; They miss out on the best God has to offer. By contrast, teachable people are completely engaged in life. They are enthusiastic about things. They are interested in discovering, discussing applying and increasing in all areas of life. So never stop learning and growing. In Scripture, we are constantly encouraged to “Know God”, Of course we will never get to know God completely in this life; because He is Spirit and manifests Himself to us primarily by faith than any other way. But, the more we learn about God, His absolute wisdom, unique power and unrivalled authority, the stronger and deeper our faith becomes. The word of God is the only true record of authority we have, it is the only true source from beginning to end of God’s intentions and Will for every living creature on earth including Human beings which He chose to make in His own image and likeness. He put those intentions in to action as recorded in the book of Genesis, and as we thumb through the pages of The Bible we are able to see how those same intentions came to fruition by just the word of His mouth. And so with Jesus,The only begotten (Unique) Son of God did exactly the same when He began His Ministry here on earth. He spoke to the people in Parables of realistic times and events that took place right there at that time, so they could understand exactly what He was talking about. He never missed an opportunity to relate these parables or stories to the everyday lives of His audience who were sheep farmers, vine dressers and gardeners, tax collectors, teachers of the law, fisherman or whoever. and addressed them to their own particular environments and occupations, thus each person could have a picture in their own head and envisage their own surroundings applying the lessons they learned to themselves. That is how one can learn through self application of the subject. We say to ourselves “Does this story apply to me? in what way? What can I do about it? And how do I do it? “ All these questions are addressed in each of Jesus’ Parables, look,learn and apply them to your life and you will soon realise you are following Jesus and His teachings. Do you really want to be more like Jesus? Then read John’s gospels slowly, quietly, daily and see the changes Jesus will make in your life. We all want to live a long life, and to do that we must learn to keep up with technology and as many of life’s changes as possible, let me tell you from my standpoint of ninety years that is very difficult when your body is telling you “You are too old and ought to stop” I have to reply “Stop and do what.” I figure, if I stop thinking, learning and using my brain, it will keep slowing down until it comes to a standstill and that in my book is called Brain-dead. Don’t let that happen to you, keep those marbles rolling for Jesus, and you wont be brain dead when you meet Him. Thank you for reading this word on learning and growing, it will keep you spiritually, mentally and emotionally alert eager and holy for Jesus and you will enjoy the rest of your life.’ God Bless Phaline. --------------------------

154. THE BIBLE ON MONEY Psalm 62:10.

Let us settle this once and for all. If you are a committed Christian, you should know and understand that everything you have has come from God, Not as a gift that you can do whatever you like with, but as a loan from God to a trusted borrower to be used as He directs. These are gifts, or blessings and come with certain conditions Here are some of His directives. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11) –Paul says “Remember this, A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get only a small crop. But the one who plants generously, will get a generous crop’. Now, that’s pretty basic to understand, So what Paul is saying I believe is this; If God is trusting you with a small amount, He will only expect a small amount from you, this is our first testing ground; Will we give God any, out of the little we have or will we say ‘This is hardly enough for me let alone give some away’ Five small loves and a few fish were never going to be enough to feed five thousand people. But when they were offered up to God, He multiplied it. Two pennies from a destitute woman were not going to buy any oil for the temple lamps or feed the number of poor in Jerusalem, yet Jesus said of her “That widow woman has given more than anyone else.” We are not told, but we can be sure that when God saw she had given all she had He blessed her abundantly. Why? Because she knew God wouldn’t let her down. The Roman tax wasn’t going to be paid from Jesus’ empty pockets. No! It came out of the mouth of a fish at the word of God. Not until what we have gets into God’s hands can He multiply it. This is one of the first practical tests we must pass in our Christian walk. (Faith and Trust) To do business with God, He has to see your sincerity, words are not enough; actions prove your sincerity. You and I are the ones who have to get out of the boat, we have to be prepared to give our last dollar, before we see God at work. we Have to open our mouths and speak the words of Scripture so that The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. It is for us to know God’s attitude regards money, clothes, food, houses and stuff which are only commodities they have no life or value in themselves, but in God’s hands and with Jesus’ prayer they become a blessing. When we give what we treasure to Him God uses it for His purposes. God doesn’t need our treasures or money and miracles are His forte so why all this fuss about money and stuff? Answer, Because it’s the number one thing that takes us away from God. Satan has convinced us that if we have enough of the good things of life, we wont need God. But I challenge you to find just one person who thinks they have enough of those good things. No! Satan uses money and stuff as a lure, or an enticement to get us away from God, by enticing us to imagine that if we have enough we wont have a need for our Creator God. But, he doesn’t tell us that we will never have enough Therefore striving to have “Whatever you absolutely must have” for your retirement for your children, for your satisfaction whatever it may be, becomes a must have Idol. While God is saying… “I have loved you with an everlasting love. Neither you nor your children have lacked in food, clothing, footwear or anything, yet you don’t trust me. Are we building “bigger barns”? If we are, we can expect the same words from The Lord “Thou Fool, this day…” Idolatry was the problem in the Old Testament and it’s no different today, Don’t think it wont happen to me or you, better people than us have fallen victim to Satan and his wilds. learn to practise trust in God and reap the reward. So Paul continues “You must each decide in your own heart how much to give., and don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure for God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will provide generously all you require. Then, you will have all you need and plenty left over to share with others as the scripture says ‘ they share freely and give generously to the poor and their good deeds will be remembered forever’ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer. In the same way He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.” God will see what you can be trusted with, starting with small things, and slowly He will increase His blessings as He sees your trust in His increase. But these blessings come with certain conditions (Deuteronomy 8:17-19) Tells us, “Don’t try to claim the credit:-:- God told the Israelites,”You may say to yourself… ‘My hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember The Lord...For it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.. If you ever forget...You will surely be destroyed.” (2 Don’t Forget others:- In (1Timothy 6:17-19) The Bible COMMANDS “Those who are rich in this present world… to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. COMMANDS (Not an option) them to do good, to be rich in good deeds...generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves.” (3) Don’t become arrogant :- Jeremiah admonishes us in ( Jeremiah 9:23-24) “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong of their strength... or the rich… of their riches. But let the one who boasts, boast of this that they have the understanding to know me, that I am The Lord,” (4) Don’t allow any person place or thing to take God’s place in your life:- (Proverbs 30:8-9) “Give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread, otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say ‘Who is the Lord.” Remember this, You don’t own anything (nothing) you are just an administrator of God’s estate and an executer of His will, it’s a responsibility, so do your best job. One day you will definitely be asked to give an account not only for how you have spent the Kings money, but also for all that He has so freely bestowed upon you. Think very seriously about this. Matter, Life is short. (Psalm 62:10) Gives us another condition or serious warning, “Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the centre of your life.” this verse means if we are seeking God’s blessings in our finances we must be truthful with God, generous with the poor, and honest in our financial dealings with everyone, from the tax Dept. to the local garage sale. And when God blesses you, remember the times when you were poor, and needed help, God blessed you. So give someone a helping hand even if it costs you, Then you will see God generously bless you. Be generous with your time, energy and food. Having had a big family, I remember just how much I appreciated it when someone offered to babysit for us, or take the younger children off my hands for an afternoon so I could have a rest or go shopping without them. Or when John was away a neighbour would offer to mow the lawn or do a bit of gardening, and the times when someone else offered to give me a ride to church on a Sunday I was so grateful. Also when John was in hospital with his heart condition, so many people came round with meals and baking for me and my family. I will never forget the kindness of so many friends and neighbours and I’m sure God doesn’t either. I often pray their blessings will be enhanced. There is one other way we can share our blessings with others, It’s by praying for them. Even though we may not have a personal relationship with them. They may go to the same Church, Supermarket or Library as you do, I believe, If God has put them in your sights it’s for a reason, so say a prayer for them, just maybe, they have a need, that only God in His Grace and Mercy can meet, a prayer never gets ignored or wasted. Thank you for reading these few words on The money, goods and time we have been entrusted with. Remember one day we will be asked to give an account for how we used God’s blessings. God Bless and keep us in His love. Phaline. ---------------------------