Time To Refocus?

 

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”    Luke 13:6-9 (ESV) We have a purpose in life. The nutrients we take in physically and spiritually have a purpose. If we do not achieve this purpose, we waste the resources that have been entrusted to us.   Fruit is a direct result of absorption. If we are in the right environment, absorbing the right “stuff,” then fruit is a natural byproduct. However, if we are in the right environment and are not absorbing the available nutrients, for whatever reason, there is a major problem. Nutrients need to be used by an organism that will benefit from them or they are wasted. Farmers make sure the crop they are harvesting has little competition in that weeds are continually destroyed. In being diligent, they have abundant fruit to harvest. Those of us who live in the United States of America have an abundance of “nutrients.” There is no reason to be physically or spiritual hungry. Yet, even in a place where there has been and is an abundance, it seems as if we lack fruit. This is not a good thing. Perhaps there is time for us to refocus. God is patient, but not tolerant. For now, the choice is mine.

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The majority opinion is just that...

 

“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”    Luke 12:57-59 (ESV) God has revealed truth, in everything that actually matters, in His Word. Those who love Him and abide by His Word do not use the world’s standards to judge themselves or others .If we get in the habit of judging ourselves or those around us according to a Godless standard, we open ourselves to being manipulated by political rhetoric designed to create a “truth” by a “mob mindframe.” The majority opinion is just that, an opinion. God has no opinions, and we would be wise to allow His Word to be our standard. Until we choose to do this, we will confused, manipulated, and hopeless.

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Time Is Short

 

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"    Luke 12:54-56 (ESV) I often know more about things I really do not need to know about. Yet, somehow, the important things in life, that are clearly outlined in the Scriptures, are not known. I know that time is short, the days are evil, and that God alone can rescue our nation, yet I often live as if tomorrow is certain, the days are tolerable, and perhaps our nation will work out its issues on its own. The “times” are indicating that we are quickly approaching the end of history. If not the end of history for the world, it is forecasting the end of history of the greatness of the United States of America. A great nation chooses to know, love, and serve God. A nation that becomes an asterisk of history is one who ignores God, loves itself, and serves themselves. For now, the choice is mine.

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We do not like being called wrong!

 

I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”    Luke 12:49-53 (ESV) The Gospel message cannot be ignored, and when understood, it destroys all humanistic thinking. As Jesus declares that He, alone, is the way, the truth, and the life, He also declares that all who do not believe Him are wrong. We do not like being called wrong. There are many who have invested their lives convincing those around them that wrong is right, and when they are challenged, things can get uncomfortable. There are no two ways to be right in Jesus’ statements, and the only way to achieve unity is to agree that God is right and to live as if God is right. Apart from God, we have no context for life, and become meaningless creatures living in the byproduct of some accidental cosmic explosion. This makes people live as if the survival of the fittest is the only guideline, and might often takes over for right, leaving us in a constant state of anger, disappointment, and hopelessness.  Hence, there is no peace, and without God, there is no way to ever experience peace in this life.

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On Guard Lifestyle

 

"If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”    Luke 12:38-40 (ESV) “A great commander was engaged in besieging a strongly fortified city. After a while he concentrated his forces at a point where the fortifications were stronger than at any other, and at 2 p.m., under a bright sun and a clear sky, ordered an assault. When expostulated with by an under officer, the commander replied, 'At this point such a general is in command. At this hour of the day he is invariably accustomed to retire for a long sleep. When informed of our approach he will deny the fact, and send a messenger for information. Before the messenger returns we shall gain possession of the fortress.' The facts turned out exactly as predicted. 'Yonder weak point,' said the commander, ‘is held by General—There is no use in attempting to surprise him; he is never for a moment off his guard.'" (Biblical Illustrator) Jesus made it clear. He is returning. Therefore, He will return. Are we ready and waiting? Learn More at Relate365.com

Stay dressed for action.....

 

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”    Luke 12:35-40 (ESV) ”Our dear friend, Mr. James Smith, whom some of you remember as preaching the Word at Park Street, and afterwards at Cheltenham, when I saw him, some little while before his departure, described himself thus:’“You have seen a passenger that has gone to the station, taken his ticket, all his luggage brought in, all packed up, strapped, directed; and you have seen him sitting with his ticket in his hand, waiting till the train comes up. That,' said he,’“is exactly my condition. I am ready to go as soon as my Heavenly Father pleases to come for me.' And is not that how we should always live—waiting for the Lord’s appearing? Mr. Whitefield used to say, of his well-known order and regularity,’“I like to go to bed feeling that if I were to die to-night, there is not so much as a pair of my gloves out of their proper place.'" (C. H. Spurgeon)

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The world will end....

 

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”    Luke 12:35-40 (ESV) The Bible makes clear the fact that the world will end, that Jesus will return, and that no man knows the exact time this will happen. We are told this so that we will not be surprised when it happens.  In fact, we are told the whole story. We know that in the beginning was God, and in the end, God wins. Those who are wise, align with what is certain, not what they think, hope, or feel will happen. It may seem to many that Christ’s return was talked about so much that, instead of the boy who cried “Wolf!” it has become the preacher who preached the imminent return of Christ is deemed likewise. However, the difference is that God is the one who told us to be ready, not the preachers. We would be wise to set up our lives in accordance with what He has clearly stated. Really, there is no valid debate.

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Treasures Purpose

 "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys."    Luke 12:33 (ESV)

“Your business—you cannot neglect that. Call to mind the story of the rich English merchant to whom Elizabeth gave some commission of importance, and he demurred to undertake it, saying, 'Please your Majesty, if I obey your behest, what will become of these affairs of mine?’ And his monarch answered,’“Leave those things to me, when you are employed in my service, I will take charge of your business.' So will it be with you. Do but surrender yourself to Christ, and He, of His own free will, takes in hand all your affairs.” (C. H.Spurgeon)

I have nothing that God did not give me. I cannot sustain life. I do not choose the day of my death. I will one day stand before God and give an account for my life, and I will not be able to sway His thoughts. I did not choose my parents, my ethnicity, or the time in history in which I was born.

I am rather meaningless--except for the fact that the creator and sustainer of life loves me, and wants me, and desires to demonstrate His love to me and through me. That fact changes everything, unless I ignore it, of course. For now, the choice is mine.

Treasure

 

"Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’"   Luke 12:31-34 (ESV) What is the treasure in heaven that does not fail? It is not money. Money is something that will fail, it will remain here after we leave, it is something to use and not to love. Money can destroy as easily as it can build. Those who treasure money will be miserable over the long haul, for they will find that they have treasured the wrong thing. Those who treasure what is right, treasure things that can be taken with them into eternity, and the only thing that can be taken into eternity is people. It is true that where our treasure is, our heart is. However, if our treasure is something that is temporal, we are a most miserable people.

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If we chase the wind, we just might catch it.

 

"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."    Luke 12:29-31 (ESV) “Our Lord here crushes a whole world of meaning into a single word, which, as we study it, resolves itself into a bright, impressive picture or parable.  The phrase really comes to this: 'Do not toss about in the windy offing, when you may ride safely in the sheltered haven.' And if we take it in connection with what goes before and what comes after, we find that the complete parable runs thus: 'Do not toss about on the wide dangerous sea of Care, on which so many make shipwreck, but rather take shelter in the safe and tranquil harbour of Trust in God.'"  (S. Cox, D. D.) What is that which we seek? What if we actually find it? Those who chase the wind might actually catch it, and then what will they have? The world’s pundits will wax eloquently with empty words that maximize the human experience and minimize our accountability to God. We remain safe and cared for if we choose to ignore the pundits and enjoy our Father. In doing so, we live life as it was intended. Life can be good.

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Anxiousness is the fruit of faithlessness that grows in the soil of ignorance

 "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!"    Luke 12:25-28 (ESV)

Being anxious is a waste of time. It is needless, fruitless, heathenish, and brutish. Being anxious robs us of enjoying life’s little pleasures that God has given us today, and it blinds us to His provision in the future.

Anxiousness is the fruit of faithlessness that grows in the soil of ignorance.

Anxiousness is curable if we want it cured, for we are anxious when we do not know God. If we do not know God, we cannot trust Him or rest in Him. Those who rest in Him are not anxious.

As usual, the key to a healthy life is knowing God. For now, the choice is mine.

Ideas have consequences

 

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!"   Luke 12:22-24 (ESV) If God is our Father, then He will care for us. If we stop recognizing and enjoying the creation around us, we lose a great example of God’s creativity and sustaining power, and we all become accidental blobs of protoplasm needing to fend for ourselves. Accidental protoplasm needing to care for itself will do whatever it takes to sustain self. Since our nation’s educational system has minimized or eliminated creation from our schools, our children have become helpless and hopeless. They are helpless in the fact that they are dependent upon accidental factors, and hopeless because they have no real purpose. It is no wonder that this generation struggles with significance, is fixated on the moment, and has no answers for the future. Our answers are not found in modern science, but in God, for true science is based on honest inquiry and discovery, and those who practice such will eventually see God. Ideas have consequences, and the idea of evolution has had and is having a drastic effect that for some is irreversible. We need to talk more about “In the beginning God...”  in order to offer help, healing, and hope to our nation.

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Moment of Truth

 

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”   Luke 12:16-21 (ESV) It seems as if Jesus is describing the American Dream. Many work and get paid more than they need, and store it away in hopes of one day being able to do whatever they want and to answer to no one. Yet God, in this case, calls the one who does this a fool. Perhaps one is called foolish because of the narrowness of his focus, or because he trusted his wealth, or because his excess was used for his own self-indulgence. Whatever the reason, he is a fool because God calls him one. Many workers in the United States make more than they need. One day, we will all stand before God and find out what He saw when He looked at us. Will we be wise or foolish? That moment will be a moment of truth.

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Danger Danger!

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”   Luke 12:15 (ESV) Covetousness is one of the cornerstones of a dissatisfied life. An enemy who would desire to destroy us would be smart to work at creating an atmosphere riddled with opportunities to covet. Covetousness makes us dissatisfied with our lives and judgmental to others. It robs us of seeing the blessings God has given and what a blessing it really is to not have what He has not given. Those who covet become consumed with social media in order to see that of which they are missing out, and as a way to measure the value of their own lives. It is not a sin to be poor or rich. It is a sin to covet. Whatever in life encourages such behavior is dangerous, and it should be recognized and eliminated before it has a chance to destroy our lives. We all must be susceptible to coveting or we would not be warned about its dangers. The wise will take note and adjust.

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Purpose of Plans

 

"And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”  Luke 12:11-12 (ESV) Perhaps we become too anxious because we try to plan, when planning is impossible. I think the Scriptures encourage us to plan, yet we are never encouraged to trust our plans. We are to save for the future, yet we are to never trust our savings. We are to live as if we will be here tomorrow, yet no one is promised tomorrow. God is the only one who knows the future, and He loves us and has a plan for us, so we need to act in accordance with this fact. When we pray, we usually end our prayers with some acknowledgement that He has a will, and we want to submit to His will, even though we gave Him a plan. It is normal and right to plan, to submit our plan, and then to trust God with the plan and the actual implementation of that plan. As we do so, He will lead and guide, and we will clearly see Him.

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The unpardonable sin.

 

"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."   Luke 12:10 (ESV) This is serious, and it is the only place that speaks so directly to an “unpardonable” sin. Why would Jesus, who is merciful, kind, and gracious, use such language? “It showed, in this particular case, a total disregard of truth, It indicated a high degree of depravity, a complete want of principle, no fear of God, and a contempt for supernatural evidence, though of the strongest kind. In fine, it proved that their minds were closed against conviction; and that no proof, however powerful, nor means of improvement, however perfect, would be effectual. But the strongest reason which can be given for declaring blasphemy against the Holy Ghost to be unpardonable, is, that it seems to be a crime for which there is no repentance.” (J. Thomson, D. D.) Mercy can be denied or ignored, and if we will not accept the truth, we have no hope. Jesus is stating the obvious here. If we deny God, the Holy Spirit in particular, we have nowhere to go, we have nothing in which to hope, and we have nothing but what our fellow sinful man can offer us. It is not God’s desire that man be separated from Him for eternity, yet those who reject His offer will be separated, and His offer is given through His Holy Spirit.

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All of our ways...

 

And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God."    Luke 12:8-9 (ESV) Ignoring God is foolish and will lead to a time of great regret. One day, the only thing that will matter will be hearing the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” However, God will only say those words to those to whom it actually applies, for He never lies. How is it that we acknowledge God in our lives? Certainly, we acknowledge Him with our words, but we also acknowledge him in our actions, attitudes, and lifestyle. Those who acknowledge God live as if He is God, as if He does love them, and as if they will give an account to Him, because they know that He does love them, and that they will give an account to Him. We are told this in Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” We are now told, by Jesus, in Luke 12, of the importance of such a lifestyle. For now, we have the choice as to who or what it is for which we live, and some day we will see if we made the “right” choice.

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How Much?

 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."    Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)

“We talk about God’s remembering us, as if it were a special effort, a laying hold by His great mind of something outside of Himself, which He determined to remember. But if we could only know how truly we belong to God it would be different.” (Victor Hugo)

God created us, sustains us, and loves us. Because He is love, He allows us choice, which opens the door for Satan to try to mess with the obvious.

Anything that begins to turn our mind away from God’s provision and love is evil, for it is  in God, alone, that we find our identity, purpose, sustenance, and hope.

It is clear how much He loves us, and we can ignore or humbly accept this truth. When we truly accept this, our lives will be dramatically different, and we will be free indeed.

The Gift Of Life

 

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do."   Luke 12:4 (ESV) "'They can but kill the body,' that is, they can only injure the worst and least considerable part of us. ‘They can but kill the body'; and what argument of power is this, to be able to kill that which is mortal? as if you should say, 'They can break a glass; they can throw down that which is falling.'" (Archbishop Tillotson) Killing something or destroying something does not take skill, for destruction is something that happens with minimal effort, and those who specialize in such things are rightly described as thugs. In God’s sight, the death of His people allows them to escape the craziness of this sin- filled world and enter into the perfect relationship He created them for in the first place. Giving, creating, and sustaining life is an impressive feat, whereas destroying life is Satanic. When Jesus spoke of why He came to earth, He said this in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Many think that Jesus came to save us from Hell, and that is true, however, He really came to give us life, abundant life. There is one who destroys life, and one who gives life. For now, the choice is ours. Learn More at Relate365.com

Private Moments?

 

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops."    Luke 12:1-3 (ESV) We have no private moments. We have no private thoughts. Those who understand this and live in its context are truly free. It is astounding that God knows everything about us and still loves us. Once again, this demonstrates what love is all about. Love is a choice, not a feeling. Love is something we do. It is active, and therefore it describes who we are. We mess things up when it becomes about what we do in public, while in private we are all about ourselves. Love is not about me. It is not about meeting my needs. Those who love are always looking to use whatever they have in time, talent, and resources to demonstrate obedience to God and help others succeed. We can say the right words in public, make certain all people think well of us, and still fail, for God examines our heart, our reason for doing and being. May we adjust our lives accordingly while we still have time.

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Lecturing the Lecturers

 

The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”  Luke 11:38-44 (ESV) Jesus seemed to know what buttons He needed to push in order to get the Pharisees to question Him and think about their lives. Rules do not ensure healthy relationships, yet, healthy relationships require rules. If we teach people rules apart from the context of healthy relationships, they will always have the appearances of relationships, while lacking the substance of relationships. Jesus was lecturing the lecturers. He called those who consider themselves wise, fools. He rightfully accused them of being hypocrites. Nobody can fix what is broken without first acknowledging the fact that something is broken, and then, know what must be done to fix the problem. Jesus tells us what the problem is and that He is the only solution. For now, the choice remains ours.

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