The Bottom Line

Any complete analysis ultimately comes down to a bottom line. In loan analysis, the bottom line always involves cash. Sufficient cash for a down payment, sufficient cash to start a business, sufficient cash to make the payments. Any way you slice it, the bottom line comes back to cash.

In our last component, I think we’ve found the bottom line of our analysis. E² lives do not happen without love; accepting God’s love, returning God’s love and sharing God’s love. Any way you slice it, the bottom line comes back to love. This is the message of I Corinthians 13, ,“the greatest of these is love”. If that is not sufficient evidence to support my analysis, let’s look at Jesus’ reply when asked for the “bottom line” in Mark, chapter 12.

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! (don’t forget to put your name in for Israel) The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12: 29-31 (NLT)

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Kindness + Love = Effective and Efficient Living.

It all begins with our acceptance of his love for us. A love that makes it possible for us to participate in the divine and avoid the corrupt.

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life (divine) through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins (corrupt). I John 4:9-10 (NLT)

A love that makes it possible for us to help others know the divine and avoid the corrupt.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John 4:11 -12 (NLT)

My younger brother sang a song when we were younger that said it this way; I am loved, you are loved, I can risk loving you, for the one who knows me best, loves me most. That’s the bottom line!

Love is the best motivator. The days I love my job and the people with whom I work have are by far the most effective and efficient, productive and useful days.

When I first starting studying financial spreads, I was not aware of the practice of dropping the last three digits of the numbers in most printed spreads. Recognizing this practice completely changed what I was looking at; $100,000 is completely different than $100. Love is the most powerful element of our formula. It is like adding zeros to a number; it completely changes the result!

This verse from Romans, chapter 12 sums up the bottom line like this. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically .”

　

E² version
Honestly love each other. Hate the corrupt. Hold tightly to the divine. Love each other with brotherly kindness. Never be useless and unproductive, but work effectively and efficiently and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Love that “E” word. It makes me think of when my mom would tell my brother to do something with a twinkle in his eye. E cubed, maybe? living effectively, efficiently, with enthusiasm. It’s a thought.

　

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

　

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:18-20 (NLT)

　

I hope you'll join me next week for a summary analysis of E² living. We'll take a look at an analytical tool for measuring substainable growth. 　

Kindness

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Kindness + love = Effective and Efficient Living.

My first banking job was a teller position at Interfirst Bank located downtown Dallas. The ladies I worked with at the mini-bank on the corner of 4th & Akard were very kind. They taught me everything I needed to know, not just the teller stuff, but how to be safe in the parking garage, where to get the best deals on shoes and how not to wear them out walking on the concrete! They shared with me the things I needed to know about our regular customers, especially the gentlemen who gave great tips! I always thought it kind of them to share who got to wait on him, rather than fight over it. Our little team of 4 was a very effective & efficient group. We often won the awards for accuracy and customer service. Later I worked as a utility teller and would move around to different locations. That’s when I began to see why our team was so often the top ranged group. Other groups were not as kind. They fought over lunch times and other silly things. They never helped each other find mistakes. As a result, both employees’ and customers’ experiences were less satisfying. I learned that some of our regulars at 4^th and Akard walked extra blocks and waited in line just to come to our location.

Kindness definitely has an impact of the effectiveness & efficiency of a group. It inspires us to participate in the divine. On the other hand, the absence of kindness generally yields quarrelling, outbursts of anger, and selfish ambition; all on the list of the corrupt.

I believe this is exactly what scripture is teaching us in Ephesians 4. The entire chapter is about living in unity as children of the light. God wanted us to know that to operate effectively as a family, his children, we would need to be kind to one another.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31 & 32 (NLT) Another good list of things to avoid and things to embrace!

In every version I’ve read, there is an adjective in front of kindness in our formula - brotherly. For me this adjective adds depth to the component of kindness. I have 3 brothers and there is nothing I would not do for them. The kindness called for here is more than stopping to help a stranger along the way. It’s more than being nice and extending common courtesies to our co-workers. It’s about showing genuine care to those with whom we share life. Why? Because it conforms to the wishes of the One who has given us great and precious promises. The One who is our sufficient source for living. According to our key verses in 2 Peter 1, to do less would be shortsighted, forgetting the kindness He has shown us.

Last week I mentioned the hymn, “Rescue the Pershing”, the last stanza of the hymn offers further insight into the role of kindness in our E² formula.

“Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.” Kindness can indeed inspire the divine, when we are willing to touch others.

At the beginning of our analysis I proposed the desired result of his divine power, glory and goodness in our lives to be participation in the divine and avoidance of the corrupt. I propose we add to our purpose, helping others to participate in the divine and avoid the corrupt.

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

　

“I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.”

                                                                        Mother Teresa

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read."

                                                                        Mark Twain

　

　

　

　

　

Rules and Wishes

The bookshelf in my office is full of books of rules: Employee Handbooks, Loan Policies, Compliance Manuals and volumes of Government Regulations. Employee handbooks to outline the wishes of management for employee conduct. Loan policies to enforce the wishes of the board of directors for risk tolerance. Compliance manuals to interpret the wishes of those who wrote the volumes of regulations! I am not a rules oriented person. I wish everyone would just do the right thing. Ironically, much of my career has found me in the role of the rule enforcer.

My goal is always to help an employee or a client understand the purpose of the rule, rather than simply demand adherence to the rule. I know it doesn’t always work out that way, but when it does I find I have an employee who is sync with the purpose of our work and capable of exercising judgment in carrying out their work. In short, an E² employee.

The rules are important, but understanding the wishes of the ones who wrote the rules is critical to following the rules.

This brings us to our next component,

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Kindness + love = Effective and Efficient Living.

Godliness is defined as conforming to the rules and wishes of God.

Scripture is full of rules. The Old Testament contains rules for seemingly everything under the sun, how to prepare sacrifices, how the priest were to dress, what to eat and not eat and of course the Ten Commandments. In our study, we’ve looked at list from the New Testament of things to participate in and things to avoid. There is no doubt there is a need for rules. However, it is critical that we understand the wishes of the one who wrote the rules.

Each time Jesus is asked for the most important rule, His answers consistently come down to two things, Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor. I think in these responses we find clues into the wishes of God. When we conform to his wishes, conformity to his rules is a natural result. If we love our neighbor, we won’t lie, cheat and steal from him.

It seems we often get confused and think conforming to his rules is his wish for us. This is nothing new. In Isaiah, chapter 58, the prophet is dealing with a similar problem with the children of Israel. (As you read this, remember our trick about substituting our name for Israel.)
 “They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’ ”

Don’t we sound this way sometimes! I’ve done everything right, God, and you don’t even notice it. Sounds a lot like an employee who thinks they merit a promotion or a raise because they showed up on time everyday and didn’t even use all their sick days! Here was the problem the Lord pointed out.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. Do you really think this will please the Lord? (Ouch!)

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” ( Sounds a lot like, Love your neighbor!)

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

These verses draw a picture of what it means to love our neighbor. Lighten the load of others by offering assistance, support and encouragement. Free the oppressed and remove fears and addictions that bind people by showing them Jesus and offering forgiveness. Don’t be afraid to get involved. Be a reflection of the light! Help those in trouble and do not hide from them, even your relatives!

Living this way is how we help others to participate in the divine and avoid the corrupt. Your godliness (conformity to his wishes) will lead you forward and bring healing! Looking for direction in a situation? Act in conformity to his wishes.

I have an employee who has worked for me for several years. The longer she has worked with me the more we sound alike, write alike, and think alike. It is not that she has memorized all of the policies and regulations. It is that she understands the purpose of our work and she knows my wishes. She knows I hate all caps and prefer complete sentences to bulleted list. More importantly she knows that behind every financial statement we analyze there is a person. Because we are in sync, she is a “go to” person. One I trust completely to do the right thing, rules or no rules.

I want to be a “go to” person. One who knows and conforms to the wishes of the Father. One who can be trusted to do the right thing. In short, an E² follower.

Thanks for listening,
See you next Sunday,
Ronda

When I was a Missionette one of the steps included learning about the hymns and the authors. Fannie Crosby was one of favorites. I think in this hymn is captured a glimpse of the wishes of God in this song.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Never give up!

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Kindness + love = Effective and Efficient Living.

We ended our last session with the question, are you making good use of your source? This week’s component definitely requires we focus on our source! Just reading the definitions of some the words used in various translations for this component makes me tired or weary as my mother would say.

Perseverance - steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Patient - bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without complaint or anger

Endurance - the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions

When managing a problem loan, there are two choices, often referred to as an exit strategy or a rehab strategy. The exit strategy is the plan that gets the problem out of the bank the fastest. The exit strategy follows the philosophy that the earlier you call it, the less you lose. But an exit strategy almost always involves loss for both parties. But when all parties are willing to hang in there and work through a defined action plan to reach a mutual purpose, there is possibility that no one will lose. While it takes more time and effort, it is the most rewarding.

I think those two strategies are applicable to most problems situations. The choice to “exit”, walk away and give up is often tempting, but deciding to work through difficulties is the most rewarding. Exhausting, aggravating, at times painful, but always the most rewarding.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) I think I see another formula!

We rejoice because we know that our faith, our source for perseverance and all the other E² elements, will not disappoint us. We can choose a rehab strategy and know that despite obstacles, discouragement, annoyance, delay, pain, and stress, we will not lose!

Let’s look at Hebrews, chapter 12.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

E² version - Let us avoid, strip away, the corrupt and participate, with endurance in the divine, keeping our eyes on the source of faith.

“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

That is perseverance! That is a Savior who stayed focused on his purpose and endured! When we think of all that He has done, we can’t give up!

Growing up with my mother, “shut up” and “give up” were not in our vocabulary. She thought "shut up" was rude and she did not believe in giving up. Whatever the task, she would find fun and often animated ways to help us through any assignment. She once chased me around the house making the sound of a mighty rushing wind and setting “flames” on my head. Yes, I was memorizing Acts, chapter 2. And I never forgot it!

Years later when I was a young adult she taught me a lesson in perseverance. And I have never forgot it! Our family was experiencing one of those trails that bring pain and discouragement. I was ready for her to give up. I couldn’t take seeing her in pain. But she reminded me of another verse she had helped me memorize, I Corinthians 13. Sitting at my dining room table, she said, love always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Some women may be Proverbs 31 women, my mother is a I Corinthians 13 woman. She knows her source and she uses it well, despite difficulties.

In Galatians, chapter 6 we are encouraged not to grow weary in well doing because at the right time we will reap the reward. To me this says, don’t give up on participating in the divine even when the divine seems out of sight!

In Matthew, chapter 11 we have another promise that carries us through the rough places. Jesus says, come to me, all of you who are weary and I will give you rest, rest for you souls. Another gift from the one who has given us great and precious promises.

Whatever is weighing you down, making it difficult to even see the divine, let alone participate in it, don’t settle for an “exit” strategy. Find rest, rehab for your soul, keep your eyes on Jesus and you will find hope to persevere in all things!

Thanks for listening
See you next Sunday,
Ronda

　

　

　

Killer Toys

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-Control + Perseverance + Godliness + Kindness + love = Effective and Efficient Living.

The joke among bankers in western Kansas when I was learning credit was you can always tell when it’s been a good year for the farmers by the number of new pickups at the donut shop. When I attended Agricultural lending school, the instructor called these “killer toys“. Killer toys were all the things, including new pickups, that farmers tended to believe they “needed” or deserved when production and prices were good. His theory was the farmer with the fewest toys was the one who had the discipline to succeed in the years when production and/or prices were not so good.

That principal was a good one to learn early in my career. It’s one of the first things I analyze when looking at a new request. What have they done with their cash in the past? Has there success resulted in a growth in net worth? (Net worth = assets - liabilities or as one of my favorite mentors would say, stuff - bills.) Over the years I have seen it proven over and over again as the borrowers who lack the discipline to resist the killer toys are the ones who end up on the bank‘s “Problem list”. (And it’s not an affliction unique to farmers.)

If we are honest, we all have killer toys. Things, habits or attitudes that pull us off track and interfere with our growth. Most of mine hang in my closet, some of them at the back waiting for me to drop a few pounds. (At least the ones I’m willing to acknowledge in writing!)

When I read Romans 8:13, it is abundantly clear that our inability to control ourselves is nothing new. In fact, it is the very reason Christ came.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” Because we could not control ourselves, Christ came to make it possible for us to live E² lives. That is a good God! That is knowledge that gives us hope! And should inform our actions.

In Galatians, chapter 5, Paul is speaking to the Galatians about their freedom from the Law. He says to them that if they are trying to make themselves right or find favor with God by keeping the Law, they have forgotten the message of grace. The message of Romans 8:3. This sounds like the same thing Peter said in our primary text about those who fail to grow according to the 2 Peter formula. They are shortsighted and have forgotten they have been cleansed from their sin. So perhaps, one key to self control is keeping our eye on our Source! That sounds familiar.

Let’s look at verse 16, “let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil” In the context of our formula we might say, the sinful nature wants to participate in the corrupt. Paul talks about the fighting within ourselves; fighting to avoid the corrupt or working to achieve the divine. Neither can be done absent the guidance of his Spirit.

The good news is not only did he come to end sin’s control, he left his Spirit to produce results in us. One of which is self control. (verse 23)

Self control, alone, will not make us right or win us favor with God. But knowing His goodness, mercy and compassion; we place our confidence in Him and He provides his Spirit to assist us in our pursuit of E² lives. Lives that are not shortsighted or controlled by the corrupt, but productive, useful lives that reflect His goodness.

On those days when the “killer toys” are pulling our hearts and minds off track, let’s not give into being shortsighted. When you find angry words or clever lies on the tip of tongue, remember the message of grace. Let’s make good use of our knowledge of Him and replace anger with mercy, selfish ambition with compassion, greed with generosity, arrogance with humility … . I’ll let you finish the list, you know your killer toys better than me.

I challenge you to do a little self analysis this week. Are you making good use of your sources; his grace, his spirit, his word? Are you growing in your desire to live a useful life? Can it be seen in your actions?

Thanks for listening,

See you next week,

Ronda

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."  Galatians 5:25

　

Knowledge = informed actions

Faith + goodness + knowledge + self-control + perseverance + godliness + kindness + love = Effective & Efficient Living!

Two weeks ago we wrote a formula to measure the sufficiency of our source; Faith in the One / the requirements of E² living. We determined that our source is abundantly adequate to meet the requirements.

I mentioned that in credit analysis it is critical to accurately identify the source of repayment. Here’s what I didn’t tell you, that’s not as simple it might sound. The obvious answer is cash. In fact, cash is always the correct answer. But the analysis requires that you gain more knowledge about the source. How does the borrower generate cash? Do they sell a service or a product? If a product, do they make it or purchase it? How long does it take to sell the item and recover their cost? Do they sell on account? If so, how long does it take to collect on the account? The answers to these questions help to a gain a more complete understanding of the borrower’s flow of cash or source.

If we are going to live E² lives, we need to go further than identifying our source, we need a more complete knowledge of our source.

Just a few verses below our key passage, we find this advise from Peter on one way we increase our knowledge.

You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place (corrupt) —until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts (divine). 2 Peter 1:19 NLT Sounds a lot like my dad saying, “you’ve got to pay attention”!

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he is encouraging Timothy to be a good (E²) worker. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true (divine) and to make us realize what is wrong (corrupt) in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong (corrupt) and teaches us to do what is right (divine). God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 16 &17. (By the way, Paul’s letters to Timothy are an excellent reminder of the things we seek to participate in and to avoid.)

The reason we must pay close attention to His word, is as the Psalmist wrote, it is the light that shines on our path showing us what is divine and what is corrupt. Without knowledge of His word, we don’t know what to participate in and what to avoid. Knowledge of His word equips us to live (action verb!) E² lives!

One of the other elements of analyzing a loan request is to evaluate management. An important question is, do they have the knowledge or know-how, as my dad would say, to achieve the desired result. This is best measured by actions and decisions previously made.

The entire premise of our E² formula begins with our knowledge of him and ends with our effectiveness in living in our knowledge of him. Our level of knowledge is demonstrated in our actions, which we begin looking at next week.

We must be careful to remember that the reason we add knowledge is to inform our actions. Just as goodness is not possible without faith, knowledge is not productive without goodness.

The end of our key passage reads this way in the NLT, “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful (E²) you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Thanks for listening

See you next Sunday,

Ronda

A few favorite Proverbs about knowledge

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (18:15 NLT)

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge. (19:27 NLT)

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (9:10 NLT)

The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. (24:5 NLT)

　
　
　
　

Be good!

Faith + goodness + knowledge + self-control + perseverance + godliness + kindness + love = Effective & Efficient Living!

We’ve been told all our lives to be good. When my mom told us to be good at church, it meant sit still, be quiet and listen. When she told us to be good at school it meant, obey the rules, listen to the teacher and be nice to the other kids. When she told me to be good when I went on a date, it meant … well I’ll let you fill in the blanks on that one. Today, when I leave for work and my husband says, be good, it means be quiet, listen and be nice to the other kids! Just kidding, it means do the right things today.

So what does it mean when Peter says, to add goodness to our faith. I think it means more than sit still, be quiet and play nice.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve discussed our need and hopefully kindled our desire to live E² lives. Lives seeking to achieve a purpose, which we’ve analyzed to be participating in the divine and avoiding the corrupt. Last week we calculated that faith is a sufficient source for the life we desire. With our eye on that source, let’s begin our discussion of goodness.

“You are … God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness (corrupt) and into his wonderful light (divine).” 1 Peter 2:9 (Parenthetical words are mine, not Peter’s.)

Logic requires that if we are going to show his goodness to others, we need to understand his goodness. One definition offered by Webster for goodness is the best part of anything, the essence. As in the essence of my job is the people. The essence of anything is that which defines its. Look at these verses with me and let’s see what we can learn about the goodness of God.

In the story of the Israelites, God’s people and God Himself often refer to God’s goodness. In Exodus, chapter 33 Moses asked God to show him his ways so that he might understand him more fully, to go with them and to show him His glorious presence. The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, …. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” God was choosing to show mercy and compassion despite the sin of the people. He would go with them as Moses had asked.

Generations later, in Nehemiah, chapter 9, the people are recounting the history of their ancestors. Again and again, they rehearse the mercy and compassion shown by their God. In verse 35, they make this statement, “Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you, though you showered your goodness on them.”

In Acts, chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas were sharing the Good News about the living God and they said, “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of his goodness.”

The Psalmist was confident he would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) He was confident goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life. (Psalm 23:6)

Over and over in the story of God and his people, his goodness is connected to his mercy and compassion. In the passage in Exodus, one of Moses’ requests was that God show him his ways so that he might understand him better. God responded by showing his mercy and compassion. This strongly suggest that the essence or goodness of God is his mercy and compassion. Indeed, we would have no good news without his mercy and compassion!

Think of some of the good people in your life. Are mercy and compassion on the list of things that define them? I would venture the majority of you would say, yes. We know goodness when we experience it. So do the people you interact with every day.

Add to your faith, goodness …

Thanks for listening,

See you next Sunday

Ronda

Several weeks ago we talked about a Sunday school teacher who would have us put our name in every time we Israel in a verse, try this one that way! It will motivate you to be good!

“I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love.
I will praise the Lord for all he has done.
I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,
which he has granted according to his mercy and love.”
Isaiah 63:7 NLT

Is it Possible?

Is it possible? We ended last week with this question. Am I crazy to believe that it is possible to actually avoid quarrelling, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, arrogance and greed - just to name a few corrupt behaviors. Seriously, in my world these are frequently touted as how you get things done, keep people in line and protect your interest.

Is a life lived with honest words, honorable plans, right decisions, pure motives, lovely thoughts, admirable actions, excellent and praise worthy work a doable thing?

Before we start breaking down the formula, let's make sure we’re on the same page. Participating in the divine and avoiding the corrupt is not about avoiding people and things we have judged to be corrupt - actually that judging thing needs to go. Nor is it about only hanging out at church or with our church buddies 24/7. Nope, not at all. E² living is a life fully engaged with everyone and every responsibility God has placed in our life. The participation and the avoidance is about our hearts and our actions. As for me, this raises the question, is this possible to another level!

When I was little kid, my mother was the youth leader at our home church which meant I attended youth rallies and parties long before I was a teenager. Shortly after my dad had become a Christian we attended a youth rally at a church in a neighboring town. The special music guests that night were a group led by a man my dad had worked with years before at a plant in Texas. My dad had been a foreman with a reputation for making life difficult for the bible school students that worked under him. So much so that they referred to him as a bible character, a “donkey” from a particular story.

That night when we walked in the church was the first time this man had seen my dad since those days. He literally feel to his knees in shock when my dad walked in the church. Based on his experience, he must have thought it impossible, at best highly unlikely that he would ever see my dad at a church youth rally. But then he didn’t know about my mother’s faith. Faith that knelt each night to pray for her husband’s salvation. And he didn’t know the faith and perseverance of Walter Helms, who prayed, visited and loved my father all the way to the altar.

Is it possible? The answer lies in the first component of our formula, faith! It is more than interesting that the first component is not self-control, knowledge or perseverance. The first component has nothing to do with effort and everything to do with confidence. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

To complete any assignment, effectively and efficiently, we first must understand the purpose and second we must believe it is possible. This is a true principal in our homes, our churches and our offices. The moment we lose confidence in a person, a company, or a process we become ineffective. We may complete tasks, but we will not fully achieve the desired result.

So how do we find this assurance of things we can not yet see? I suggest that understanding our source is what gives us faith that a desired result is possible.

In credit analysis, second to understanding the purpose of a loan request is understanding the source of repayment. You can’t have confidence that a loan will be repaid if you can’t accurately identify the source repayment. Where will the borrower get the cash to repay the loan? Has it been sufficient in the past? Is it likely to continue?

So, what is our source for an E² life? Has it been sufficient in the past? Is it likely to continue?

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Yes, it has been sufficient in the past and it’s the only thing we can know will continue to be sufficient in the future!

“It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27 NLT) I have often heard the term “blind faith”. I propose that faith is not blind, it is keeping our eyes wide open and focused on our source. We may not see what lies ahead, but we see the source that is sufficient for whatever, whenever, where ever!

A debt service coverage ratio states the number of times the available source covers the required debt payments. A DSCR of 2x simply means a borrower has $2 available for $1 in required payments.

So let’s set up a coverage ratio for E² living:

Available Source = Faith in the One who has given us great and precious promises

Requirements of E² living = goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love

Source / Requirements = A zillion, billion, million:1

It is sufficient! As one of my friends says, eyes on Jesus, Ronda, eyes on Jesus!

Thanks for listening

See you next Sunday,

Ronda