A LITTLE SLEEP, A LITTLE SLUMBER (12/13/16)

A LESSON FROM THE ANT

It's good to be back with you from my travels and look forward once more to our weekly blogs.  I encourage you to engage, share and comment so we can encourage and enlighten each other. 

The wise King Solomon encourages us to be wise and take a lesson from the ant.   We are told to watch closely, and it will teach a thing or two.  No one tells it what to do, but yet when summer comes it stores up food and stock up provisions at harvest time for the coming winter months.  

Are you a sluggard?

How prepared are you for the winter? 

Proverbs 6: 6-8

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

The provisions made avoid the ant from suffering through the winter. It prevents them from overworking in uncomfortable and unfavorable weather conditions because of their wisdom. 

Although there are many financial counselors and financial advisers, many people are still struggling in their winter years.  You find that most people in their 50's, 60's and 70's are now trying to settle down and trying to accomplish things that they could have done in their younger years. Not because they were constraints, but because they were lazy and chose to sleep rather than stocking up.  If an ant can do it with no guide, you too can by learning the lesson and asking God for wisdom to avoid unwanted permanent house guests.  

TODAY'S FOCUS:  A PERMANENT HOUSE GUEST

Today, laziness and procrastination is prevalent throughout humanity. Oversleeping has taken over overworking. Sadly, many have not prepared themselves for the winter of their lives or retirement.  Some are getting their first home through a mortgage in their late 60's; some are reluctant while others have no choice but to work well pass their retirement age.  

The BIG question is..... WHY?

Answer..... 

Because they have chosen to have "a nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there."  They sit back and take life easy and sleep the day away day in and day out.  Some don't even know the difference in day or night, it does not matter to them- sleep is all they do. 

But... 

What good is that to them? NOTHING

What comes next?  POVERTY

Certainly if you chose to sleep away in the summer of your life, inevitably your winter will result in poverty.  You will be a statistic of the many that are dependent on the system, family, friends and others, not through extenuating circumstances, but through negligence and the spirit of slumber. 

Don't be called a fool- Consider the ants.  Make provisions as the old adage says, "make hay while the sun shines."  It may rain tomorrow, and your chance to do it may not be possible.  

Reflection questions:

Am I sleeping my life away?

Am I being productive or procrastinating?

In what way can I be like the ant?

What do I need to store up for the winter?

How can I make the provisions?  

What steps I need to take immediately to avoid having the inevitable permanent house guest of poverty? (who, what, when, how)

Remember, make every day count.  Be productive in the summer so you can make your winter a lot more easier.  It's never too late to start.... Make the necessary changes to be comfortable in your winter years.  If you don't you are making provisions for poverty to become your permanent house guest.  DON'T NAP YOUR LIFE AWAY!

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel

HEAVENLY BANK

DEPOSITS - THE WAY IT WORKS 

As a former banker and financial adviser I know first hand that to make withdrawals you must make deposits.  As you continue to make deposits your balance grows. The more you put in the greater the interest amount.

  

The noun definition of the word deposit states that it is:

1. A sum of money placed or kept in a bank account, usually to gain interest
2. A sum payable as a first installment on the purchase of something or as a pledge for a contract

The verb definition is:

1. To put or set something or someone down in a specific place (unload rest...)
2. Store or entrust with someone for safekeeping

As you reflect on the definitions pay special attention to the importance of making the deposits.  Whether it is placing, paying or setting it down.  It is placed in a bank that enables it to grow.  It is paid as an installment that allows you the purchase of something or it is placed or set down in a specific place to be able to have something of tangible value at a latter time.  Deposits or retainers are kept in a bank or safe place for safekeeping.  

TODAY'S FOCUS:  DEPOSITING TREASURES 

Most people make deposits into their bank accounts to save for future needs or for a rainy day.  They make an earnest deposit on a piece of property to secure the purchase of a home.  Deposits are preserved for latter use. 

The bank would keep the money safe in a vault or through the financial system in their account until such time as they would require a withdrawal.  The real estate agent would also secure the initial deposit until such time as the contract is ready to be executed.  

People also place their treasures into safekeeping.  God has a bank where He stores your treasures. He collects  tears.  They are considered very valuable that he stores them up in the bank of heaven.  

Psalm 56: 8 (KJV)

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

He also collects and saves prayers.  He secures  the prayers of the saints, and secures them in a special golden vial.  The prayers of the saints fills up the bowls, and they become an aroma of sweet perfume incense to Him. 

Revelation 5:8 (KJV)

 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Remember, your tears and earnest prayers are important to God.  They go to His treasured collection in the bank of heaven.  They are reserved deposits for when you need a withdrawal.  Don't be afraid or ashamed to cry, and be fervent in prayer. To gain interest... Make regular deposits! 

God Bless you and Keep the Faith!  

Virtuous Jewel