Life guide to youngsters

Life is about balance. Without balance, things quicky start to go wrong. And balance is about priorities. This is however easier said than done, especially if you do not have a solid framework to work from. According to me, the following framework can be used as a good starting point to develop your own one, since each person is different and God has a different purpose for each person. If you start with the following, it might not be perfect for you yet, but it is better than having no anchor at all:
Priorites for life in order of importance:
1. God
2. Family
3. Health
4. Work

Measure eaverything you do or plan to do against these anchors. If you have a decision to make, first ask yourself if it helps or violates your priorities:
1. Does it help me to love and serve God with all your heart, soul and might (Deut 6:5)? Is it within His will?
2. Does it help me to love and serve my family? Will it bring us closer together? Is it good for our family?
3. Is it good for my health? Will it help me living a better, healthier life?
4. Will it help me in my work? Will it help me to earn more?

These four priorites can be supllimented by your own personal goals, such as earning a university degree, being debt-free at a specific age, earning a specific amount by a specific date etc. etc. etc.

Speaking of earnings - here is another good financial principle to follow from a very early age:
Whenever you earn money (pocket money, payment for work done, profit from selling goods etc.), the following rule applies:
1. Pay yourself first (10% to spend on yourself on something you want (spoiling yourself))
2. 10% goes to God as recognition that what we have comes from Him - I sometimes split this as 3.3% to my church, 3.3% to a specific charity(s), 3.3% to people in need (e.g. poor women and children on street)
3. Invest 10% - this becomes capital - e.g. money you never use to pay for expenses - only to invest in assets (something that earns you money over time).
4. 70% towards daily expenses (food, clothes, etc. etc. etc....)

If this practice is started from a young age, where 30% of R10 for a week's allowance is only R3 - R1 for yourself (sweets), R1 for church, R1 in the piggy-bank - it becomes a lot easier when the principle is suddenly applied to a salary of R100 000 per month which sees R10 000 going to church, R10 000 in investments and R10 000 to spoil yourself with.

Please feel free to comment on the above if it will help our youth to get a better anchor in life.

God will be praised for what he has done!

Isa 61:1 The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.
Isa 61:2 He has sent me to proclaim That the time has come When the LORD will save his people And defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,
Isa 61:3 To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Do not get weary

Isa 40:26 Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great--- not one of them is ever missing!
Isa 40:27 Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn't know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice?
Isa 40:28 Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts.
Isa 40:29 He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
Isa 40:30 Even those who are young grow weak; young people can fall exhausted.
Isa 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Rain is so good - it can only come from God

This morning, without even having to ask for it, it started raining. What a wonderful blessing. God is so good to us - He gives us more than we need (or deserve). Without His caring hand, where would we be?
This evening it started to rain again - a gentle, soft rain - as if He is telling us how much He loves us.
Glory be to God!

God keeps us in His hands

No matter how bad things seem to be going according to our earthly measurements, if we trust in God, He always cares for us. We must keep on seeking His will in our live instead of our own will.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time.
1Pe 5:7 Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.