Spiritual

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT…


Spiritual Blog - Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-7:28

What have we missed in relegating it to small portions rather than looking at the whole and in context?  That is a question that has led to a challenge that the Holy Spirit has presented to me to research and study.  I’ve already seen several things with just a cursory reading of it and realizing that most of the time what has been called the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ is not the entire message of our Lord that day.

It beings in Chapter Five and frequently many stop at verse eleven but Jesus did not stop speaking then and it is an interesting endeavor to do somewhat of an outline of His message that day.

Matthew 5:1-12 – – Jesus identifies the ‘Blessed’ in contrasting and identifying human conditions.  He identifies and tells us the blessing to the Poor in spirit. (v. 3) Those who mourn. (v.4) The gentle. (v.5) Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (v.6) The merciful. (v.7) The pure in heart. (v.8) The peacemakers. (v.9) The persecuted for righteousness. (v.10) The falsely accused and ridiculed. (v.11)

He then transitions to identifying who we are, as believers and how we should live in Matthew 5:13-20. We are salt which is a preservative as well as a condiment for seasoning or giving flavor to food.  We are light and our light will be seen either for good or bad.  He identifies what our relationship with God’s Law and our personal and individual righteousness or piety is to be

In keeping with that from Matthew 5:21-6:1 Jesus breaks down how His Gospel and the New Covenant will go beyond the Mosaic Law.  He identifies how it will go beyond being a rigid ‘letter of the law’ to one that deals with the condition of the heart.  In Matthew 5:21-26 we find His discourse on the condition of the heart with regard to another human being and God expects and how to resolve conflicts.

In Matthew 5:27-30 we have His treatise on purity.  In Matthew 5:21-32 and that overlaps into verses 33-37, to a degree, which deals with marriage and sexual purity.  In Matthew 33:37 the vows’ are connected to marriage be Jesus expands it to all of life and our relationship with God.  He identifies the importance of ‘oath keeping’ and being people of our word.  In Matthew 5:38-48 we find Jesus destroying the Old Testament judgment that permitted revenge and expands it to a new heart in which we focus on redemption, Christian charity and love, and the forbidding of showing partiality.  In verse one of the next Chapter, we find the continuation that warns of doing what we do for the accolades of man.

In Matthew 6:1-4 we find the message of Jesus regarding the poor, philanthropy, and anonymity in giving or at least doing so without fanfare.  He identifies that if you give to be noticed you have received all the reward you are ever going to get.

In Matthew 6:5-14 we cannot disassociate it from the previous instruction regarding giving because God is saying, “If you give in secret, God will reward you openly.”  He also identifies that if we ‘pray in secret’ without trumpeting our time, frequency, etc. of prayer God will honor that and the reward will be visible for all to see.  Simply you do not need to nor is it God’s desire that you toot your own horn.  The powerful instruction on personal private prayer is so enlightening and liberating that were we to implement it into our lives we would immediately be transformed into a different person altogether.  We are warned in verse 14 that if we refuse to forgive we have blocked forgiveness for ourselves and there are no loopholes in this, it covers everything and every situation.

He transitions or expands His message in Matthew 6:18-34 to cover fasting, money, life, and faith.  He gives us the recipe for the Victorious Abundant Life and it is climaxed in verse 33.  Jesus does not lay out a retirement plan but gives us an eternal plan for our provision in life.  He dispels worry and fear.  He wipes out the fears from a bad economy and a dead-end job that has no benefits.

He destroys the concern of only being able to live from payday to payday and the normal fear that comes with planning for our golden years.  If you, question it verses 25-33 are connected to the previous verses notice how He beings verse 25 – “For this reason….” What reason?  The reason just mentioned regarding serving two masters, laying up earthly treasures, and the need to have a clear mind and heart regarding this world’s goods as is described in verses 22-23.

Then we come to another expansion of all that He has been teaching as Matthew 7 begins.  Judging is more than rendering a verdict as to what you think of someone or their actions it also addresses the previous verses and thoughts.  What is your judgment on giving, forgiving, the poor, laying up earthly treasures, marriage, sexual purity or impurity, and personal relationships?  You cannot make this a standalone passage because the context will not permit it.

From Matthew 7:1-28 we find His finale or conclusion which ties it all together.  He brings to light our own imperfection and the fact that condition must be taken into consideration when we view others in theirs.  He warns about trying to give the holy and pure truth to those hearts are filled with darkness and reject Christ and the things of God.  That is not saying we do not witness to them, but you cannot maintain the same relationship with them as with those of the household of faith.

The clear message is that we are to treat EVERYONE the way we desire to be treated even those who are the aforementioned and walk in total darkness.  Does that guarantee they will treat us with kindness and respect?  No, but it sows seeds before them and in them that will follow them into eternity.  He identifies that this lifestyle is not only difficult but one that few will be able to or willing to follow and practice.  He identifies that in following this lifestyle we will be able to recognize the false and counterfeit.

That is very sketchy but a brief overview of the “Sermon on the Mount” and how I believe it should be studied.  Each new thought or seemingly new thought is tied to the previous and if studied in its connection to the previous we will glean new insight into that new thought.  Remember that chapters and verses were not part of the original text but are a man-made insertion to help us identify and locate passages.  It would do us well to read the Bible without any consciousness of chapters and verses and read paragraphs not just chapters.

I love the way Matthew concludes in Matthew 7:28 – “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for Hew as teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”  In East Texas vernacular, “His preaching was not all foam and no beer, all hat and no cattle, all hammer and no nail, all shot and no powder, or all sizzle and no steak.”   He spoke with authority and power rather than just reciting the words.  My cry to God is Lord let me be a voice, not an echo.  Let me speak with Heavenly authority having experienced the Word not just reciting the words.  Let me demonstrate the message not just refer to it.

May you enjoy God’s richest and best this day and begin your week with a powerful sense of His Presence.  Blessings!

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ANOTHER LOOK AT SERVICE…


Spiritual Blog - Volunteer

Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  NASU

In this passage, Isaiah begins by informing us that King Uzziah had passed away and that was a troubling event for Isaiah.  It was at that time that the prophet saw a vision that rocked him to his core.  He saw the Lord enthroned on majesty!  He saw the Seraphim having six wings and he used two to cover his face, two to cover his feet, and with two he flew crying “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”  That caused Isaiah to see his own sinfulness and he lamented, “I am ruined because I’m unclean and the people I dwell among are unclean.”  He understood that Nothing was hidden from the eyes of the Lord.  Then he saw the Seraphim flying toward him with a lump of burning coal he had taken from the altar and he took that coal and touched Isaiah’s mouth declaring, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sins are forgiven.” 

After this, Isaiah heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  Isaiah had been prepared for service by cleansing and with a renewed heart he cried out, “Here am I. Send me!”  It was at that point the Lord said, “Go, and tell this people…”  God gave him a message and a purpose.  None of that would have any meaning had Isaiah not Volunteered for service.  God will not force us into service but will open the door of opportunity for us to serve.

That is true in our lives overall and true in our church life.  We may see the need, be convicted of our condition, receive the cleansing and preparation of the Lord But until we volunteer it means nothing.  I’ve observed churches through the years that labor feverishly to press people into service that have not volunteered although greatly qualified.  My attitude has always been that I would rather have a person with lesser qualification who really wanted to serve than someone with impeccable credentials who did not.  One will invest the time, the energy, the prayer and God will produce the results, the other will simply go through the motions based on their wealth of knowledge or ability and little will be truly accomplished lastingly for the Kingdom.

I’ve heard preachers and churches lament they do not have workers for a particular program and my response has usually been, “If there is not one to perform the task or carry on the program maybe God doesn’t want the program.”  I believe that God provides for that which He desires whether that is money, people, or opportunity.  Therefore, if the Holy Spirit has touched your heart and quickened you with regard to the need you see – Volunteer!  You may only be the intermediary until the one that God has designed and prepared for the task is ready or arrives but you just might be that one.  You will never know until you respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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YOU WILL BE GOVERNED…


Spiritual Blog - Governed

Genesis 2:15-17 – “Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”  NASU

 

If you refuse to be self-governed you virtually ask to become a slave.   Robert C. Winthrop (1852) said, “Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.”  I believe it is God’s desire that we follow Biblical Self-Government in all aspects of our lives.  What is Biblical Self-Government you might ask?  Simply it is the desire and ability to willingly submit to God-given authority without being forced, coerced, or constantly reminded to do so.

I believe this is evidenced in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  Their refusal to be self-governed by what God said to them resulted in their being expelled from the Garden.  Remember God placed no fence or guard at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but simply gave a prohibition to Adam not to eat from it.  The temptation and deception of Eve and subsequently Adam resulted in their expulsion from the Garden and God placed a guard at the gate with a flaming sword to prevent them from entering again.  Since Adam demonstrated he could not be trusted God set up a means to restrain him.

When Israel came into the Promised Land they had no king, no parliament, no president, and no emperor to rule them only the Law of God.  They had been systematically taught the Law by Moses and those he trained and appointed to teach them.  They understood the principles and rules of how to deal justly with others in personal, private, social, business, and religious dealings.  Yet, later under the Judges they rejected God’s way and wanted the way of the world in seeking to have a king appointed over them.  God gave them a stern warning and appealed to them to return to allowing Him to govern them, through self-government but they refused and we know the heartaches that transpired and the history.

If we fail to allow the Holy Spirit to instill in our hearts the Law of Life from God’s Word we will never be able to live truly free and be governed by God in self-government.  We will find that the tug of the world will override the principles of the Bible and moral rightness.  In that situation, you will be governed but not by God or internally, it will be by external power and force that may or may not follow or recognize God.  As for me and my house, we desire to be ruled by the Word and Law of God and thereby able to live peaceably in a Free Society pursuing the Purposes of God and His Peace!

God bless you as you go through your day!

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WHY ASK THE QUESTION THREE TIMES LORD?


Spiritual Blog - Love

John 21:15-17 – “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”  16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”  17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”  NASU

I’ve heard some powerful explanations and etymological explanations of this passage and the words or phrases used and although that is not what I want to focus on here, I do want to address it briefly.  In the first question, the original is a bit ambiguous and could have been referring to inanimate objects.  Jesus could have been asking Peter if he was willing to forsake all those things for Him (Jesus).  But more likely He was asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than the other disciples.  Peter had suffered the shame of his rejection of Jesus would make no pretense of loving more than others.  He rolled it all on the Lord’s Omniscience and said, “Lord You know.”

My focus is not what words Jesus used in either asking the question or in reference to caring for His church but in the heart and mind of Peter.  Peter had abandoned the Lord after making his bold claim that he would never do so and was willing and ready to die for the Lord.  Peter had made the decision to ‘go fishing’ that was not for recreation but to return to his old life as a fisherman.  He felt unworthy and he was.  He felt the shame of his rejection and abandonment of Jesus and he should.  He had been quick to speak his grandiose claim of his bravery, commitment, and faith and it all came crashing down on him.

I can only imagine how Peter felt as he now stood face to face with His Lord.  He needed to be reassured and needed to do some deep personal soul searching and that is what Jesus is doing, at least that is my view.  The Lord wanted to strip from Peter the brashness of making claims that he could not back up and bring him to an awareness of how much he must and should depend upon Jesus for everything.  It is in this place and state of mind that Peter could become the mighty warrior for the kingdom that he became.

If you question what I’m saying about Peter’s mindset go back and read what the angel said in Mark 16 when the women came to the tomb and found it empty – “go tell His disciples and Peter.” Why specifically identify Peter?  Because of what I’ve just said!  Peter was in such a dejected state of mind that he was in danger of being lost to the kingdom and the Lord did not want that and prepared to prevent that.

Peter was being transformed from being brash, rash, and boastful to a committed and calculated disciple of Jesus.  He moved from dejection to a boldness of faith that caused him to stand before the crowd on the Day of Pentecost and proclaim a message that could possibly get him killed.  He was transitioning from self-sufficiency to Christ-sufficiency!  He stood before the Sanhedrin and was unmoved by their threats and he could face the lame man at the Gate Beautiful and with the risk of ridicule and charge of abusing a cripple, he declared his faith and acted upon it.  Peter became what Jesus saw in him when he called him to discipleship.  He saw a Rock and that reed was now becoming a Rock in Jesus!

I want you to grasp the reality that the times of failing and stumbling that you have or may encounter are not evidence that God has rejected you.  Realize that when He comes and turns up the heat and you squirm it is not to bring you pain but to enhance that which He has seen in you and make you what He declared you to be.

God be with you as you go through your day!

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THE FINALE IS APPROACHING RAPIDLY…


Spiritual Blog - Grand Finale

Luke 21:25-28 – “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  27 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.  28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” NASU

 

Many of us have heard most of our lives that this is the generation that will see the Lord return.  Well, let me say, I believe that the finale is rapidly approaching and the predictions of the Bible are rapidly coming to pass.  The one thing that stands out in this passage other than the return of Jesus, which is obviously the most important, is that there will be a time when men faint from fear due to what they see coming on the world.

We have had it relatively easy in America compared to some parts of the world.  This is especially true with regard to our faith and freedom.  We have been able to worship as we desire with little hindrance from the government and have lived relatively free lives in comparison to many in other parts of the world.  That, I believe is about to change, and everything that can be shaken will be shaken.  We are nearing a time when fear and dread of what is coming will be the prevailing mindset among multiplied millions.

The encouragement I can give is verse 28 – “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  The finale is coming and coming soon!  Oh, things may get worse and will but we have something upon which we base our confidence and hope that is not of this world.  We have hope and expectation beyond this life.  We have liberty and freedom that is not man given and cannot be taken by man.  They may place us in chains, restrict our physical movement but they cannot take our true freedom that comes from God!

Instead of dreading what might be coming, turn your eyes upon Jesus!  Instead of fearing what might happen, turn your eyes upon Jesus!  Instead of wringing your hands and contemplating throwing in the towel in the concession of defeat, turn your eyes upon Jesus!  He is the author and finisher of our faith and He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  The finale is not a bad thing if you are in the family of God.  It is a promotion to the next and eternal phase of our lives.  It is simply relocation from this present world to that eternal world where we will spend eternity with the Lord!

As you go through this day go in hope and confidence!  Banish fear Oh Lord, banish fear from our lives! 

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TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES?


Spiritual Blog - Victory

1 John 5:4 – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.”  NASU

I am a literalist especially when it comes to the promises and declarations of Scripture about those who believe.  If we are born-again, washed in the Blood of Jesus, forgiven of our sins and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life we are, according to God’s declaration Victorious.  Unfortunately, too many times we live and act and even believe that we are not what He has said we are.

I believe that it is imperative that we bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  In that declaration, I believe that it is necessary that we learn to think of ourselves and view ourselves as God sees us and has declared us to be in His Word.  In this verse, the writer under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declares a truth that needs to be embraced by every believer today.  He declares that if we are born-again we overcome the world through faith or through our trust and reliance on Jesus.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had someone tell me about their circumstances and relate the defeats they have suffered at the hands of the devil.  Yes, we all have times when we have been overrun and overcome but that is not who we are.  I’ve had people describe the attacks of the devil in such a manner as to make it appear that the devil is equal to God in power and authority.  That is not what the Bible says about us or about the devil.

Every time I hear a believer, almost praising the devil through their acknowledgment of his work against them I want to weep.  I confess I have had times when it seemed that all of hell was attacking me and God was nowhere to be found.  In those times, my mind and my flesh wanted to wave the white flag of surrender and admit defeat, but I couldn’t.  Why?  Colossians 2:15 kept echoing in my mind regarding what Jesus has done to the devil.  Paul is using a Roman military and political custom to describe what Jesus did to the devil.  When a Roman General won a victory that was significant the Senate would vote him a triumph.  He would be placed in a special chariot and paraded through the streets of Rome with the conquered following behind him in chains.  There would be evidence of the spoils of war on display and the shaming of those conquered demonstrating their utter and complete defeat.

That’s what Colossians 2:15 says that Jesus did to the devil.  Read it with me, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  That’s what God has done to the devil!  The devil has been marched through the streets of heaven DEFEATED and SHAMED!  Hallelujah!  The apostle John tells us in our text verse that we are doing the same thing as we enforce the victory of Calvary and embrace the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in us.  We are Conquerors!  We are Victors!  We are not cowering in the corner and trying to hold the fort until the rescue team arrives, He has arrived and is In Us Now!

It is time that you and I, the Body of Christ, begin to see ourselves as God declares we are and see Jesus as He is!  It is time that we begin to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and do more than recite the “Lord’s Prayer.”  We need to make Matthew 6:33 a cornerstone of our lives and our faith and expect Him to demonstrate His Power in us and through us as we seek Him first and foremost.  We need to tell the devil that he is a liar when he tells us that we’ve failed, done too much, and God cannot use us.  God says, “Forgiven!”  When He says, “Forgiven!”  He also says, “Go into all the world and go with my Spirit and Power backing you up.”  We are Overcomers so let’s start living like it is a reality because God says it is.  Never, never, never allow a setback or even a roadblock to prevent you from pressing into the fullness of His Promises in this world.  You need that, I need that, and the world needs us to be that!

God bless you and I pray you will have a victorious day enforcing the Victory of Calvary!

 

 

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SECURE OR EXPOSED – Your Choice…


Spiritual Blog - Integrity

Proverbs 10:9 – “He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” NASU

The old saying, “Everything that goes around comes around,” is applicable here.  The writer of Proverbs is assuring us that if we maintain Integrity we will find God’s defense, protection, and leading.  However, if we do not we will be exposed for the entire world to see.  Which do you choose?

I know that often we are perplexed as to how and why those who walk in wickedness and deception escape without any visible evidence that they are being penalized for their ways and often those who seek to walk uprightly suffer.  That is not ours to be concerned with as it will only lead to doubt, question, and anger.  Instead, we should walk knowing that there will be Pay Day Someday and that whatever is done in secret will be exposed to the light.  It may not be in this world but it will happen.  That being said, I’ve observed that frequently those who walk a perverted path are exposed in time.  Sooner or later their deviousness is brought to light and they are exposed to the light of critical examination.

We should all desire to walk in the Security that God affords and to do so we must maintain Integrity at all times and in all things.  There cannot be lapses or exceptions to that rule.  Tragically, I know people who believe that they have a business life, a social life, a personal life, a religious life, etc.  They compartmentalize their lives into segments as though they were totally separate and unconnected.   We do not have lives we have A Life!  You cannot be lacking in Integrity in business and be a person of Integrity in Church.  It doesn’t work that way.  You either have Integrity or you do not and if you do not in one place you do not in any place.

I can hear someone saying, “Wait, Roy, what about lapses or stumbling.”  I have no problem with the idea that a person might have a momentary lapse and fall short of walking in Integrity but what they do after that lapse is what determines if they maintain Integrity or not.  Do they excuse it, hide it, or do they immediately take it to the Cross confessing their sin and receiving the forgiveness of God.  If others were wounded do they go to them and ask forgiveness?  Integrity is not whimsical or fleeting.  It is a rock-solid anchor of life and we either have it, demonstrate it or we do not.  If we do then the promise of God is that our way will be Secure.  If we do not God’s promise is we will be Exposed!

So, as you face situations today that give you the opportunity to either manifest Integrity or not, carefully weigh what is happening and choose the way of Security in Integrity!

God bless you as you go through this day!

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GOD’S TREES ARE NOT ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS…


Spiritual Blog - Trees

Luke 13:6-9 – “And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.  7 “And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’  8 “And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.'” NASU

 

This is somewhat of a difficult passage for most people to fully wrap their minds around and accept.  The reason I say that is if you fully examine the message it suggests that there can and will come a time when God through the Holy Spirit will deem that a person has become nothing more than an ornamental shrub rather than a fruit tree in the Kingdom.  Two possibilities can be arrived at in this.  One is that if you fail to produce fruit in your life through relationship and obedience to God, He may choose to remove you from the earthly orchard and take you home.  A second is that failure to produce fruit separates you from God and that is seen in the words “cut it down.”

No matter which interpretation you choose the fact is clear that God is not desirous of ornamental shrubs in his garden He wants trees that bear fruit.  The kingdom is not enhanced by fruitlessness.  Lives are not touched by fruitlessness.  If we are nothing more than an ornamental shrub in the garden of God we have little functional value.  I do not mean to suggest that you have to be a pulpit preacher or doing great exploits for the Kingdom simply that you are doing what the Holy Spirit has and does give you to do and being faithful in that.  If you do that you will Bear Fruit, the fruit God chooses not the fruit man deems valuable.  Our lives should be trees that the lost can come to and be introduced to the life-changing fruit of salvation.  Our lives should be trees that the saved can come to and receive the life-enhancing fruit of wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, and brotherhood.

We are to be Trees of Righteousness and those trees bear fruit.  If you want to know how Jesus feels about fruitlessness reexamine his reaction to the Fig Tree that had leaves indicating fruit but no figs.  That will move you to serious thought and hopefully such self-examination that you will turn to Him and call out for His mercy and pray like David, “Renew in me a right spirit, create in me a clean heart, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.” 

We have been equipped, commissioned, and commanded to Bear Fruit!  Examine your heart and life and if you are fruitless it is time to run to the Throne Room of prayer and cry out for renewal and restoration in an attitude of repentance.  I encourage you to pursue the Fruit of Righteousness in your life.  You can be a Tree of Righteousness.  God says we are, so let’s become what He says we are!

God bless you as you go through your day!

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SOME THINGS CANNOT BE BOUGHT WITH MONEY…


Spiritual Blog - Money

Luke 12:15-21 – “Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”  16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.  17 “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’  18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  19’And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”‘  20 “But God said to him, ‘ You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’  21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  NASU

Jesus made it incredibly clear that greed is a vice or character trait to be avoided.  He didn’t differentiate between different types of greed or covetousness but addressed every form of greed.  Your Life is not based upon or defined by your Possessions, it is your Relationship with God!  He gave a parable of the rich man that was very successful and the fallacy in the man’s thinking regarding life.  The rich man settled back, looked on his accomplishments, made plans to increase more and more and said, “Now I can relax and enjoy my possessions.”  GOD said, “No, tonight you will enter into eternity.”  What you have achieved will be enjoyed by another not yourself.  If you have diligently made preparation for this life but have not prepared for the next you have made a tragic mistake.  I commend your diligence and success but I question the wisdom of investing your life into this world’s possessions while failing to invest in the Eternal Kingdom of God.

Your money cannot buy you God’s Love or God’s Favor.  Your money will not satisfy the demands of divine justice when you stand before God.  Only the Blood of Jesus shed for your sins will satisfy that requirement.  Only your repentance and acceptance of that sacrifice will open the door to God’s Eternal Kingdom for you.  You can’t purchase a ticket with money, possessions, or earthly accomplishments.  As the Beetles song, “Can’t buy me, love.”  God says to us, “You cannot Earn your way into My family” you enter by adoption through grace.  Jesus is the only door.”

If you are spending all your time and energy in setting aside possessions for this life and neglecting the Eternal Kingdom of God I urge you to rethink your actions.  I urge you to change your focus and instead of seeking things that you ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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WHAT THE, THEREFORE, IS THERE FOR…


Spiritual Blog - Therefore

Colossians 3:1-4 – “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  NASU

 

I love it when the Bible says ‘therefore’ because if you will continue reading or read the previous you will find out what the, therefore, is there for.  Here the apostle Paul is teaching about the New Self and as he begins his discourse in this passage, he says, THEREFORE…  Therefore what?

  1. IF you have been RAISED up with Christ.

That is a conditional statement that renders the remainder null and void if the answer to that assertion is in the negative.  This only applies to those who have been raised up with Christ in the New Birth.  It only applies to those who have been grafted into the true vine, adopted into the Family of God, and have their names written in the Book of Life.  It is not speaking to everyone but has a specific audience in mind – Believers!

  1. IF that is your condition THEN keep seeking the things above.

If you are born again by the blood of Jesus then make it a daily and continual practice in your life to SEEK the things of God, those things where Jesus resides at the Right Hand of the Father.

  1. IF that is your condition SET your mind on the things above not on the things of the earth.

Your focus, loyalty, and desire are to be spiritual things, not earthly things.  That should be the overriding characteristic of your life. 

WHY?  Because you have ‘died and your life is hidden with Christ’.  Because when Christ is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory.  You are just a sojourner in this world.  You are just passing through.  Your ultimate citizenship is not this world but God’s Eternal World.  You are looking for the City whose builder and maker is God.  Your desire is God above all else.  You have been transferred or translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Light.  You are Born Again!  Therefore…

The ‘therefore’ is there for you to know what you have and where you are headed as well as to give you guidance on How to Live while you make your journey from this natural world to God’s eternal spiritual world – Heaven!  You have an assignment, responsibility, and opportunity but your ultimate objective and goal – – Eternity!

God bless you as you go through your day!

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