How in the world can money lie to us? What money seems to be promising us is happiness, a sense of fulfillment, success and the ability to handle any situation life throws our way. But Jesus said that money is deceitful which means that those claims are not true.
Then why in our society do we feel that money can do all these things? One reason is because we live in a capitalistic society. This system of commerce is based on the concepts of buying and selling. If I own a business, I can only stay in business and make a profit by selling my product, which means you have to buy my product. For you to buy a product you have to believe/think one of two things: either that you really, really want this product, or you really, really need this product. Therefore, every advertisement and commercial created to sell this product is designed to make you think that you need this one item to be successful, happy, fulfilled, respected, loved, or the center of attention.
Today’s marketing executives are experts at playing on and manipulating our emotions. Did you ever see a sad person driving a new car? (Even though they may have just gone into $40,000 worth of debt to get that car) Watch closely at how commercials subtly make you think you’ll be loved, respected and the center of attention if you just have/use their product. To buy these products guess what you need? Money! Therefore, money is the instrument that ultimately brings us love, respect, success and fulfillment
However, Jesus said that money could never make good on all of these unspoken promises and in turn will choke and kill the one thing that can bring these things into your life. Was Jesus right? Go to a garage sale and see all those items marked for a dime and a quarter that at one time someone thought they couldn’t live without.
More next time

7. No matter how famous or wealthy one may be living a life without restraint is dangerous. Proverbs 25:28, “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.” NLT

8. It is important to tell those we love how much they mean to us, before the opportunity is
lost. Proverbs16:24 “Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”NLT.

9. Accepting advice from those we know and trust can bring much benefit. Proverbs 13:13-14, “ People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble; those who respect it will succeed. The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. NLT

10. Riches, fame, popularity and an abundance of power or possessions cannot stop death from touching us. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” KJV

Someday you may write a little essay: All I Really Need To Know I Learned From Sister Jane’s Blogs

Years ago a man by the name of Robert Fulghum wrote a short little essay entitled: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. His observations were short and insightful. His work inspired others to compose concise essays along the lines of: All I Really Need to Know I Learned from My Dog, or All I Really Need to Know I Learned From A Snowman, etc.
Recently with the deaths of so many celebrities many of the basic truths of the Bible have been reinforced in my life. God’s Word is unadulterated wisdom and no matter what scientists uncover, no matter what circumstances the news may report it all just reinforces the truths our Heavenly Father has set forth in His Word.

 
So here goes my rendition of:
All I Really Need to Know I Learned From the Death of Celebrities

 
1. Rest is priceless and it is birthed from a sense of peace. No matter how rich or famous one might be, they can never buy real rest. There is only thing that insures rest: Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. “

2. Change comes from the inside out. Multiple plastic surgeries and physical alterations on the outside can never change one’s self image. Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” NLT

3. A true friend loves you for who you are and not for what you have. No matter how popular you may or may not be they remain in your corner. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times…”KJV

4. There are always two sides to every story and rushing to quick judgment will result in error. Proverbs 18:17, “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.”NIV

5. Only an idiot thinks he is always right and shuts out or keeps at arms lengths those with differing opinions. Proverbs 12:15, “ Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.”

To Be Continued….Stay Tuned

Graduation time is over and it’s amazing how many people knew my address when inviting me to their graduation ceremony or party, but must have lost it when wanting to send me their thanks.

My mother was a big one when it came to training me about the importance of conveying my gratitude. At Christmas or birthday time it didn’t matter what ugly or useless item I received; I still had to say or write a thank you note. Looking back, what she taught me was a valuable lesson about appreciation. Today, finding thankful people can be like finding hen’s teeth!

If you really want to thank someone for something they have done, or for what they mean to you; I’m sure you want your words to have an impact and the time and effort you put forth to be meaningful. May I suggest you follow a couple of simple guidelines?

Be as specific as possible.
To tell someone you appreciate them makes for an “all right” thank you or compliment. However, to specifically mention to someone a particular act of thoughtfulness such as, always opening a door for you or having your morning coffee ready for you when you come to work makes for a “great” thank you. The more detail you include shows you truly notice and they really do make a difference.

Explain why what they did mattered or is important.
You could simply thank someone for attending your mother’s funeral, which is good. Or you could take the extra step and explained to them, that just having them there, during your time of loss made you feel so much less alone and empty. The difference between the first and the second is the difference between a note that will probably end up in the trash bin, and a note that might be kept to be re-read.

We all like to be appreciated and I’m sure we want it to be meaningful both when we give and receive those words of gratitude. Let me know what you think. You can e-mail me your thoughts via our VCF web page.

Be honest now – don’t you just love receiving a gift? Most of us would say we do. However, have you ever received a gift and thought to yourself (at least I hope you didn’t say this out loud), “What in the world were they thinking??? Yuck with a capital Y!” Immediately that thing went to the back of the closet, the trash bin, or the Goodwill store.

However, before you fault the gift giver, let me share something with you that I’ve learned in my life experiences. The way I see it, there are three types of gift givers. Let me describe each one to you.

(1) Some people like to give other people things that they themselves like.
(2) Some individuals like to give other people gifts that they think the recipient would most enjoy receiving.
(3) Some folks feel that as long as they are giving someone something that is all that matters.

If you really desire to impact someone’s life with your gift; then you need to discover (just ask) what mindset is the person you wish to bless with a gift. For example, if the person you’re giving to is thrilled to receive anything, because in their mind, a gift is a gift, then that’s great. For this person you have free reign to get them just about anything.

The bottom line is take the time, and make the effort, to find out what would mean the most to the person you wish to bless. After all, don’t you desire to be the biggest blessing you can be to those you love?

What type of gift recipient is our Heavenly Father? Next time you see me; let me know what you think!

At this point, if you don’t know what a dorc is then please read the previous blogs about a disciple by the name of Dorcas. If you don’t know why you’d want to be a dorc then read on. There’s a verse in II Corinthians that perfectly describes God’s attitude toward giving, generous disciples such as Dorcas. 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. AMP

Check that out! It says that God prizes above other things and is unwilling to abandon or to do without a cheerful, joyous, prompt to do it giver. Perhaps this is exactly why God had Peter positioned near the city of Joppa. God wanted someone near who would have the faith to pray for disciple Dorcas to be brought back to life. It was obvious the people felt they needed Dorcas in their midst and it seemed as if God felt the same way.

If God were to examine our lives today, would He say we were a vitally needed part of the church, our community and our society? While the Marines are always looking for a few good men; I think our God is always looking for a few good dorcs!

If you are unsure whether you’re a Dorc, then please check out the account of a disciple by the name of Dorcas found in Acts 9:36-42. This woman was such a giver that when, in the midst of her ministry, she died, the early church took action and she was raised from the dead. One of the major aspects of this lady’s life that set her apart from a lot of folks today is found in Acts 9:39(b) “…the room was filled with weeping widows who were showing one another the coats and other garments Dorcas had made for them”. TLB

The room was filled with people who had been on the receiving end of this woman’s generous heart. I obviously do not know the dimensions of this room, but it is evident that this woman didn’t just minister to her immediate family; her kindness was extended to a large number of folks. Too many Christians today typify the saying Brother Hagin used to share about the selfish mindset of certain folks: “My four and no more”. For these individuals their charity didn’t extend any farther than their immediate family. However, Dorcas’ generosity reached far beyond the walls of her own home.

Secondly, Dorcas was a disciple who had more than just good intentions. In other words, Dorcas did more than just talk, think, and plan to do good. Dorcas did good. Dorcas gave. The people who were touched by this disciple had something they could hold in their hands to show that this disciple did more than just talk the talk.

In God’s Kingdom, are you a Dorc? Have you blessed or done anything for someone beyond your own four walls or family? Has any aspect of the God’s kingdom been tangibly enriched, because of you? If so – you’re a true blue Dorc.

Are you a Dorc? (See my previous blog for the Biblical definition of dorc.) As Christians, if we really want and intend to impact our world we should be more like a disciple in the early church named Dorcas. Her story is outlined in Acts chapter 9:36-42

Check this out: because this disciple fervently served and blessed others (sowed) when she died there were those whose fervent prayer life brought her back to life (talk about a rich harvest time). If we were to die, in the midst of our ministry, I wonder if anyone would fervently pray for us to be brought back to life. Is that really possible Sister Jane? Well I guess that depends on whether you believe James 5:16b which states, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”AMP Has your life impacted someone else’s to the point where they and God would think, “You know, the planet earth still needs them and their ministry.”?

Take a moment to think about your sowing record.