Author Gina Valdez shares part 9 of How To Be Used For The Glory Of God.
How To Be Used For The Glory Of God (Part 9)
This video is the first teaching on speaking in tongues. Here is the scripture reference for the lesson. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:5, I Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:1-3, Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20, 1 Corinthians 14:5-6, Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:23.
Verses Below:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)
(T)o another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:10)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. (1 Cor. 14:1-3)
And these signswill accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;they will speak in new tongues; (Mark 16:17)
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. (1 Cor. 14:4)
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit… (Jude 20)
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? (1 Cor. 14:5-6)
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)
So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. (1 Cor. 14:12)
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? (1 Cor. 14:23)
Author Gina Valdez shares part 8 of How To Be Used For The Glory Of God
How To Be Used For The Glory Of God (Part 8)
Continuation of How To Be Used For The Glory Of God, this is the second teaching on the Holy Spirit. Make sure you watch How To Be Used For The Glory Of God Part 7 for the first teaching. Here are the scripture references for the lesson. Luke 11:9-13, Mark 16:15-18, Genesis 1:2, John 16:7-11, John 16:13-14, John 14:10-12, Mark 1:8, Acts 2:17-18, Ezekiel 36:27, John 14:13-21, John 14:26, Psalm 143:10.
Verses Provided:
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.And these signswill accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons;they will speak in new tongues;they will pick up snakeswith their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands onsick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Gen. 1:2)
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16:7-11)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. (John 16:13-14)
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:10-12)
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)
And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ez. 36:27)
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:13-21)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. (Ps. 143:10)
We make our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work.
We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.
We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).
What does- We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts”- mean? Patriarch is the male head of the family and matriarch is the female head of the family.
A man should work. The first thing God did with Man (Adam) was put him to work.
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Gen. 2:15)
Don’t get me wrong. When a woman wants to work, what should stop her? And if a man wants to stay home and take care of the kids, what should stop him? But a man should not “require mothers to work ‘double shifts'” if you are able to work.
The BLM Nuclear Family Confusion
What does- We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure- mean? The “Western-prescribed nuclear family” is a father, a mother and children.
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. (Gen. 2:24, 4:1)
Actually, with this verse, we see that it’s not a “Western-prescribed nuclear family structure”, it’s a Biblical, Middle-Eastern prescribed nuclear family.
“the tight grip of heteronormative thinking”
I know that this thought might get a lot of flack as it addresses the view of homosexuality, but men are valuable. Black, white, whatever your skin tone, you are valuable to the family unit.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church… husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Eph. 5:25, 28)
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4)
The Spiritual Side
In this video, one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement shares the spiritual side of the movement:
How Should Christians Respond?
With Love. Allow me to explain: A whole race of people are being fed news that they are being hunted down. In much that we are all told to be terrified of the Covid-19 (despite a small fraction of deaths), people are told to be frightened that they are going to be killed (despite a small fraction of 259/38,800,000 in 2019).
This doesn’t mean that the 259 lives are unimportant, or invaluable. Jesus Christ died for all of us, and a lost soul is a lost soul. Let people know that their lives do matter.
There will be arguments to be made. I know. I’ve simply shared with you where the Bible disagrees with the foundation of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Please, be informed.
And, Christians, please recognize that there is a lot more going on in the spiritual realm and we can only fight it with love.
Author Gina Valdez shares part 7 of her series, How To Be Used For The Glory Of God
Training classes: How to be used for the Glory of God (Part 7)
In this lesson of How To Be Used For The Glory Of God, I will teach on the Holy Spirit. Here is the scriptures’ reference. Acts 1:2-5, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:5-6, Acts 2:13-18, Acts 2:36-41, Acts 19:1-6, Luke 3:16.
Verses Provided:
(U)ntil the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:2-5)
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. (Acts 2:5-6)
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:13-18)
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:36-41)
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16)
As is often the case, when I read a Psalm, I find that the words relate to a situation that concerns me. As I recently read Psalm 144, I found a verse that seemed to refer to looting and shouting in the streets. It grabbed my attention, so I wondered if it offered solutions to the riots that have been happening around the USA and in other parts of the world.
… that there be no breaking in or going out…That there be no outcry in our streets (Psalm 144:14b)
This made me look more closely at the chapter to see if it offered keys to bring a stop to looting and angry cries.
We Live in Distressing Times.
We watched in anguish the killing of George Floyd by police officers. Along with millions of others, my heart, was disturbed and broken. I know that this has especially distressed my friends of color, for it is a stark reminder to them of times when they and others they know have been mistreated.
People are taking to the streets with shouting, accusations, and demands. Their anger toward racial discrimination, mistreatment, and unfair treatment in the criminal justice system is understandable.
However, in many cases these demonstrations have resulted in mounting anger, violence, and rioting. Obscenities are being shouted. Many police officers have been shot or have had objects thrown at them.. Businesses have been vandalized and looted.
Much of the looting has happened in low income neighborhoods and has hurt and even closed businesses which were hoping to recover as quarantines from COVID-19 are lifted. The loss of these businesses will likely lead to even more poverty in these neighborhoods.
Sometimes it’s hard to find words to convey and express grief and concern about all this without entering into words of anger. Those of us who know and follow Jesus must express caring and concern, while giving a listening ear to those who are dealing with raw emotions.
In our distress, we are looking for answers.
What Is The Solution?
As I have been crying out to God to heal our land and bring peace to our streets, I have wondered how we can see changes in a nation that is so torn apart right now.
I realize that many want to take extreme measures in a physical and political sense. But the true solution to evil in the world is for hearts to soften and change. Psalm 144 reveals a process that happens supernaturally – not by man-made means.
Spiritual Warfare
The Psalm begins by saying that God trains us for war. This training is for spiritual warfare. In the New Testament, we are shown that we are in a spiritual war that can’t be won by fighting and opposing people. We are fighting against unseen powers of darkness which do their best to influence people and nations.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)
We fight an ongoing spiritual battle through prayer, speaking God’s Word, and binding and breaking the power of these demonic spirits. Only God can train us for this warfare. We can’t fight it in our own strength, but find victory through the power of the blood of Jesus.
In any war there are times in which the warriors need protection and rest. In Psalm 144:2 we are told that God Himself is our fortress, high tower, deliverer, and shield. We run to Him for strength, protection, and His leadership.
Prayer for Deliverance from Lying Words
Prayer, in the name of Jesus, is a powerful weapon against the attempts of the enemy to put divisions and hatred between individuals and groups of people.
A prayer in the middle of Psalm 144 gives insight into one important thing that we should pray for. It is a direct prayer for deliverance from deceivers and liars who are not of God’s kingdom. Satan is the father of lies, so it makes sense that he influences people to lie and to believe lies.
As we listen to those in the news media and to politicians, it is easy to be deceived. It’s hard to know who or what to believe, for leaders and journalists use persuasive words to sway us in the direction they want us to go.
Therefore it is important to seek God to make clear to us what is true and what is false. In my own prayers, I also ask God to remove the veil of deceit that blinds us and others to truth, and that He will reveal truth in our society. As He shines His light into our nation, He can make the truth come out, regardless of how much people try to hide it.
Numbers 32:23 warns, “Be sure, your sin will find you out.”
Praying for truth to be revealed is an important part of our spiritual warfare. I have found that when I try to question lies that people believe, my words to them do not cause them to change or to see the light. It is only the power of God working in them that will reveal this. My prayers for them are more important than my words to those who are deceived.
I must do this with a spirit of self examination as well, asking God to show me if I am believing something that is not true and is not from Him.
Praise and Worship Bring Change.
Psalm 144:9-10 shows us another important factor in doing spiritual battle. To the natural mind, spending time in praise and worship doesn’t seem to have anything to do with seeing changes in society or seeing riots stop. But God’s ways are not something we fathom with our natural minds. We can only understand His ways through the Holy Spirit living in us and revealing them.
These verses reveal that lifting our voices and musical instruments in praise to the Lord brought protection to David, the writer of this Psalm. It also brings us into to blessings of God.
True worship is more than just making music. It is lifting our spirits to God and allowing Him to work in us as we worship. In a way that we can’t quite comprehend, the work that He does within us, as we worship, flows out to others. And it brings changes even into our communities and nation.
Our praises change the spiritual atmosphere. Thirty or forty minutes of worship time once a week at church may not be enough to bring huge changes. We need to regularly spend time in personal worship and in group worship. The more we praise and worship Jesus, the more we will see God do.
We Receive Blessings Through Spiritual Warfare and Worship.
By entering into the spiritual war through prayer, proclaiming God’s Word, by running to God, and through worship, we enter into His blessings. The rest of this Psalm lets us know that abundance is the reward. Jesus said He wants to give us an abundant life.
The abundant blessings mentioned in Psalm 144 are these:
Prosperity
Seeing our children being blessed
Living without fear of looters coming into our homes
Having peaceful streets.
The Psalm concludes with a simple, but profound statement in verse 15:
It seems to me that this Psalm is saying that believers doing spiritual warfare, praying for truth to be revealed, and truly worshiping, reap a harvest of blessings from God, including peace and happiness.
This was posted by Karen Roberts’ Daily-devotionals.com on June 8, 2020.
In Part 6 of Michael & The Devil, Michael addresses how to handle the hard button issue of homosexuality. Providing personal stories and the importance of showing love and grace to people, but not contradicting scripture.
In this video, author Michael Furlonger shares that, as Christians, we have to stand on biblical truths. In this video, he shares his response to a friend on Facebook on the topic of homosexuality. Furthermore, he shares on the importance of holding God’s Word as sovereign.
Part 6 is the last video on the “Michael And The Devil” series. In the next series, Michael will be raising scripture against scripture.
Verses Provided:
Matthew 19:4-6, 11-12 reads, “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Matt. 19:4-6, 11-12)
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:26-27)
We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine… (1 Tim. 1:9-10)
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men. (1 Cor. 6:9)
Compassion
In the video, Michael shares on the importance of showing love without compromising the Word of God. He shared an example of a young boy coming up to him concerned of his salvation and God’s love because of his sexual desire. This is a perfect example of being loving and gentle, but holding to the Truth.
In Part 5, Gina Valdez Shares How To Be Used For The Glory Of God
How To Be Used For The Glory Of God Part 5
This lesson is on, Are you serving the right Jesus?
The Lord gave me this message to warn you to exam yourselves to see which Jesus you are serving. If you are one of them that is serving the false Jesus you will have an opportunity to know the truth after watching this video and make a swift to the real Jesus and be qualified to make it to eternal life. If you have the real Jesus you won’t be living in the flesh and worldly, if you are then you have the false Jesus.
Verses Include:
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
In the last days, there will be the coming of the lawless one which is Satan working with all power, signs, and lying wonders. There will be another Jesus being preached in the last days to deceive many. This Jesus will promote lawlessness and images and idols of Jesus. Some will claim to see Jesus make sure they are not preaching a different Jesus and make sure their beliefs are from the word of God.
Verses Include:
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders. And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
“For false Christs! And false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted–you may well put up with it. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)
There are some people that call themselves Christian and they have a false Jesus too. There are two kinds of Christians also, there is the religious one that doesn’t live or serve the Lord, they are the lukewarm ones, and living in the flesh, world and for themselves and haven’t died to self. The Lord is going to vomit them out of His mouth because they are not hot and on fire for Him.
Verses Include:
“I know your works, that you neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)
There is also another group that follows the false Jesus. There is a Jesus that the Catholic likes to worship. That Jesus comes in the form of an image and statue, which is idolatry. A person that has idols is considered idolaters. According to the dictionary definition, idolatry– the worship of idols, images, or anything which is not God; the worship of false gods.
Verses Include:
‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 26:1)
Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods, I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:4)
God does not want us to have any gods before Him, we should not make ourselves a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or any images of any form at all, not a form of females or males, that includes Jesus too.
Verses Include:
“Lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female. (Deuteronomy 4:16)
‘You shall have no other gods before Me. ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Deuteronomy 5:7-8)
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14)
The Bible informs us to repent and turn away from idols otherwise we will end up in the lake of fire.
Verses Include:
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, “Thus says the Lord God: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all abominations. (Ezekiel 14:6)
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderer, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Michael And The Devil shares his thoughts on abortion.
In this video, author Michael Furlonger shares his view on abortion while in the car with his brother. Although they both grew up in the church, his brother has developed a strong political world view. While Michael has developed a strong biblical world view. And his brother asked, “What are your thoughts on abortion?”
Michael shares on three verses that shape his views on abortion.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)
David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Sam. 12:19-23)
And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 4:2-1)
The other day I was driving with my brother. He invests (long-term) in the stock market, and he asked me something. How can I, as a Christian, can take part in the penny stocks market? Should there be a special Christian morality with penny stocks?
There are certainly biblical verses to consider. Jesus’ teaching on the bags of gold (Matt. 25:14-30) or Paul’s letter to Timothy, “Anyone who doesn’t provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
In this post, I want to share three details on how the market works and allow for you to consider.
Christian Morality Of The Penny Stocks
Terms:
What Is A Penny Stock?
You can find different terms for penny stocks. Some believe that a penny stock is a stock trading under $1. Others believe that a penny stocks is a stock trading under $5. And some believe that it is a stock trading under $20. Go HERE for more info.
A Pump N’ Dump vs. Insider Trading?
A Pump N’ Dump has been confused with illegal Insider Trading. Insider Trading is when trades aren’t made on public knowledge. Insider Trading is illegal. A Pump N’ Dump, however, is an overall explosion of promotional news. Newsletters are sent out, blogs are posted, social media gets blasted with news that company XYZ is the next big thing. For it to be a genuine Pump N’ Dump, the news is paid for buy the company. This pumps up the stock price, and while the market price is being pumped up, the majority share holders (CEO, CFO, etc) sell their shares. After the people who pumped up the market with news have sold their shares, they dump the promotional ads. Hence, the term, Pump N’ (and) Dump. This is legal, because the buying or selling is based on the same available news article(s).
What Is Swing Trading?
Swing Trading, simply put, is trading a stock based on its movement. I think of it like the game Frogger. For example, in February 2020, many stock prices dropped due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, today (August 2020) the economy is going back to a level of normalcy and the market is reacting with an optimistic uptrend. Swing trading is not a long term investment. You buy a stock (a portion of a company), you hold for a time (day, week, month) and you sell when you so desire. It isn’t because I believe that the company is going to crash, but because I want to put my money in something moving faster. Go HERE for more info.
Morality of Stock Trading
What my brother said really got me wondering. Can I, as a Christian, support penny stocks? Simple answer, yes.
The stock market exists to help grow an economy. Like I mentioned in my first post, companies like McDonald’s would likely never have gone beyond the local marketplace had it not been for the stock market.
Should I feel guilty for buying a stock when it’s moving well and sell when it’s slow? No. The fact is that when you have a small account, it’s not logical to hold for a long time.
A friend of mine has a lot of money. He can give his 6 figure account to a hedge fund and they do all of the investment work for him. In 10 or 20 years, he can take his 6 figures that has moved over 100% over the decade or two and live on it.
However, I have a $500 savings bond with my bank. In the past 5 years, the interest has raised the account gone up to $47.56. A grand total of $547.56. It’s a safe way to save, but it’s less than 10%.
Morally Opposed?
A friend on social media asked, “How can I know if the company I invest in is a supporter of Israel, anti-abortion, etc?” This person is asking specifically how to know that you are supporting a company that agrees with you morally.
This is why I share the details above.
A company, by law, has to share their information, although not specifically, “I support Israel”. Check out a company’s SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) filings. The SEC was essentially created to protect you, the investor.
If you are curious about a company, do the research.
Amoral?
Off topic, the word amoral means that you don’t have any moral convictions on a topic. As it pertains to the stock market, you’re buying the stock, not the product.
For example, maybe you have strong convictions regarding smoking marijuana (I personally oppose, even though it’s legal). But you hear of a company that is doing great work with medicinal marijuana. So while you don’t condone the smoking of marijuana to get high, the company uses the medical properties for good. But your convictions may prevent you from supporting it.
Another example, less controversial, is Apple (ticker symbol AAPL) or Tesla Motors (ticker symbol TSLA). Both are doing very well in the current market. But, I personally, don’t like Apple Computers or iPhone (albeit, I own one), and I don’t drive a Tesla car. Should this prevent me from buying the stock?
Again, this is your decision.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned, I traded stocks because I wanted to learn something new. So be careful as you enter the market place. There’s a saying from the movie The Patriot “Aim small, miss small.” All I’m saying is that if you are interested in the market, feel free to put in a small account of $500 or $1000. The potential gains are small, but so are the losses.
Timothy Sykes– Tim Sykes got me started with a lot of the learning and how it all works with his videos and weekly stock picks.
Paul (Superman)– I followed Paul’s stock picks as he was more focused on the uptrend of the stocks, as opposed to Tim who, at the time, was a Short Trader.
Analyze Your Trades– This third option may interest you if you are interested in the simple learning of the market.
The links above are affiliate links of which I earn a commission. However, I have experience with both Tim Sykes and Superman’s programs., as well as Questrade. My wife is currently a student of Tim Sykes’ challenge.
