The Wise & Foolish Builders ~
Look, Jesus is providing you with the tools to lead a safe & peaceful, not to mention joyful, life. If you listen to His Words & put them into practice you are living the good life. The storms WILL come, but with Jesus there is no need to fear them. He's got your back.
If you ignore the Words of Jesus, well then you're going to struggle. The storms WILL come & knock you down. Yuck.
So, peace or struggle, joy or depression, safety or danger. It's your choice. As for me & my house, we will choose the Lord.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Matthew 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45
Fruit in peoples lives ~
I get a very simple message from today's reading: your words & actions lay open your heart. How can you discern a person's heart? Watch what they say & do. Do they just talk the talk or do they walk the walk? Even more important: pay attention to what you say & do. Are your words full of life, grace, and joy? Or are you walking around like Eeyore? You know the donkey from Winnie the Pooh. Poor thing has no hope, no joy. His life is ho-hum. He could use a shot of the Holy Spirit, but since he is a fictional character - let's get back to you.
Spend today reflecting your fruit. Are you a good producer or are you just taking up space? If you need a shot of the Holy Spirit to revive your fruit - ask & you shall receive, seek & you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you.
I get a very simple message from today's reading: your words & actions lay open your heart. How can you discern a person's heart? Watch what they say & do. Do they just talk the talk or do they walk the walk? Even more important: pay attention to what you say & do. Are your words full of life, grace, and joy? Or are you walking around like Eeyore? You know the donkey from Winnie the Pooh. Poor thing has no hope, no joy. His life is ho-hum. He could use a shot of the Holy Spirit, but since he is a fictional character - let's get back to you.
Spend today reflecting your fruit. Are you a good producer or are you just taking up space? If you need a shot of the Holy Spirit to revive your fruit - ask & you shall receive, seek & you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Matthew 7:13-14
The Narrow & Wide Gates ~
How can two little verses pack such a punch? Look, there's A LOT out there - religions, entertainment, hobbies, activities. It's easy to get sucked into all this stuff. I myself am constantly saying how busy, busy, busy I am.
HOWEVER, eternity - that life that comes after this one - has only two options: God's way or man's way. As a culture full of options, we cry not fair! And that's why so many fail to find the path to God. We are looking at the world through spoiled brat goggles. I should get to pick, I should get to choose, I should be able to do what I want when I want. Well you do get to choose - you can choose God - the only way to eternal life. OR you can choose your way, whichever way you want your way to be & gain death. It's pretty simple.
Let's take off those spoiled-brat goggles & put on some corrective eye wear shall we? Instead of stamping your feet & screaming not fair, take a look at all that God has provided. Yes, the way is narrow - there is only one way, Jesus Christ. But, oh, that way brings joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, & self-control. Or you can spend your time doing things your way - how's that working out for you?
How can two little verses pack such a punch? Look, there's A LOT out there - religions, entertainment, hobbies, activities. It's easy to get sucked into all this stuff. I myself am constantly saying how busy, busy, busy I am.
HOWEVER, eternity - that life that comes after this one - has only two options: God's way or man's way. As a culture full of options, we cry not fair! And that's why so many fail to find the path to God. We are looking at the world through spoiled brat goggles. I should get to pick, I should get to choose, I should be able to do what I want when I want. Well you do get to choose - you can choose God - the only way to eternal life. OR you can choose your way, whichever way you want your way to be & gain death. It's pretty simple.
Let's take off those spoiled-brat goggles & put on some corrective eye wear shall we? Instead of stamping your feet & screaming not fair, take a look at all that God has provided. Yes, the way is narrow - there is only one way, Jesus Christ. But, oh, that way brings joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, & self-control. Or you can spend your time doing things your way - how's that working out for you?
Friday, September 7, 2012
Matthew 7:7-12
Ask, Seek, Knock ~
What is the Law? It is summed up by, "So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you." Basically, the Law tells us how to treat others - by putting their needs and feelings first.
The Lord does this for you. When you need, He supplies. When you ask, He responds. When you seek Him, He is there. So, seek Him out today & see what you find. I have a feeling you're going to find a loving Father who has been waiting for you with His arms open.
What is the Law? It is summed up by, "So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you." Basically, the Law tells us how to treat others - by putting their needs and feelings first.
The Lord does this for you. When you need, He supplies. When you ask, He responds. When you seek Him, He is there. So, seek Him out today & see what you find. I have a feeling you're going to find a loving Father who has been waiting for you with His arms open.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Matthew 7:1-6
Judging Others ~
Hmmm . . . we want God to forgive & accept us. And He does, in the same measure we judge others. Yikes! There's a lot of pot & kettle behavior going on out there. We want to do what we want to do, say what we want to say, & think what we want to think, but don't to call us on it. Yet, we have no problem calling every one else on their behavior.
Jesus tells us to focus on ourselves. What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What do we need to fix about ourselves? That's where our focus should be. As for others, well, treat them the way God treats you - with grace & kindness. And remember to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Hmmm . . . we want God to forgive & accept us. And He does, in the same measure we judge others. Yikes! There's a lot of pot & kettle behavior going on out there. We want to do what we want to do, say what we want to say, & think what we want to think, but don't to call us on it. Yet, we have no problem calling every one else on their behavior.
Jesus tells us to focus on ourselves. What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What do we need to fix about ourselves? That's where our focus should be. As for others, well, treat them the way God treats you - with grace & kindness. And remember to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Matthew 6:25-34
Worry ~
Worry, stress, anxiety - have become a huge multi-billion dollar industry in America. We spend so much time worrying about all our stuff, how we will spend our money, if we have enough money, what we will eat, what we will wear, what car to drive, what phone to buy . . .
Enough already. Do you really believe that God is in control? Do you absolutely trust that He will take care of you? If you do then stop all this worrying, it's not going to get you anywhere, it won't make your life longer or better.
As Jesus tells us - seek God, focus on your relationship with Him & all this worry will just fall away. As you learn to trust Him, to rely on Him, to focus on Him it's amazing how easy, peaceful, and content life becomes. God's grace will get you through anything - so seek Him out.
Worry, stress, anxiety - have become a huge multi-billion dollar industry in America. We spend so much time worrying about all our stuff, how we will spend our money, if we have enough money, what we will eat, what we will wear, what car to drive, what phone to buy . . .
Enough already. Do you really believe that God is in control? Do you absolutely trust that He will take care of you? If you do then stop all this worrying, it's not going to get you anywhere, it won't make your life longer or better.
As Jesus tells us - seek God, focus on your relationship with Him & all this worry will just fall away. As you learn to trust Him, to rely on Him, to focus on Him it's amazing how easy, peaceful, and content life becomes. God's grace will get you through anything - so seek Him out.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Matthew 6:19-24
Money ~
Ah money, it makes the world go round - right? Well actually, God makes the world go round & I think that's what Jesus is trying to point out here. It's very easy to be fixated on money; after all, there's so much to buy, so much we need, so many wonderful things we can do with money. It offers comfort, pleasure, and power. We spend a good deal of time working for it so we can afford the house we live in, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the entertainment & electronics we desire. But oh, how frivolous & exhausting the pursuit of money becomes. You see the more you have, the more you work. You work harder, you buy a bigger house, more cars, more stuff. Then when you're not working you're taking care of all that stuff & the work just piles up & piles up & piles up. Plus, all this stuff never really satisfies us. We think if we just had that car, that phone, that house, those clothes, if we went on that vacation - well then life will be wonderful & I will be happy, happy, happy. But that doesn't happen, now does it? Dreams are achieved, become memories, & a new dream just takes it's place. Plus in our world of advanced technology - that new smart phone doesn't stay smart for very long. There's always something bigger & better coming up around the corner.
So, what does Jesus tell us? Stop spending your time focused on money. It doesn't last. All those things you now own will deteriorate & become worthless. Why spend all your time & energy on them? Instead, let's focus on our relationship with God. You see, as I recently read, "we aren't physical beings having a spiritual experience - we are spiritual beings having a physical experience." The physical is going to end, there's no stopping it. Oh, but the spiritual - well that's eternal. So let's put our focus there. Because frankly, there is only so much time in a day, so many hours in our life & one master we can pursue at a time. One master cares about you, wants to bless you, & will always provide for you. The other master, well money is an inanimate object - it has no feelings or motivations.
Are you going to spend your time on that which is temporary or that which is eternal? Only one can bring true happiness. Quite frankly, all the money in the world can't buy what the Spirit gives us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Isn't that the treasure you're really seeking?
Ah money, it makes the world go round - right? Well actually, God makes the world go round & I think that's what Jesus is trying to point out here. It's very easy to be fixated on money; after all, there's so much to buy, so much we need, so many wonderful things we can do with money. It offers comfort, pleasure, and power. We spend a good deal of time working for it so we can afford the house we live in, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the entertainment & electronics we desire. But oh, how frivolous & exhausting the pursuit of money becomes. You see the more you have, the more you work. You work harder, you buy a bigger house, more cars, more stuff. Then when you're not working you're taking care of all that stuff & the work just piles up & piles up & piles up. Plus, all this stuff never really satisfies us. We think if we just had that car, that phone, that house, those clothes, if we went on that vacation - well then life will be wonderful & I will be happy, happy, happy. But that doesn't happen, now does it? Dreams are achieved, become memories, & a new dream just takes it's place. Plus in our world of advanced technology - that new smart phone doesn't stay smart for very long. There's always something bigger & better coming up around the corner.
So, what does Jesus tell us? Stop spending your time focused on money. It doesn't last. All those things you now own will deteriorate & become worthless. Why spend all your time & energy on them? Instead, let's focus on our relationship with God. You see, as I recently read, "we aren't physical beings having a spiritual experience - we are spiritual beings having a physical experience." The physical is going to end, there's no stopping it. Oh, but the spiritual - well that's eternal. So let's put our focus there. Because frankly, there is only so much time in a day, so many hours in our life & one master we can pursue at a time. One master cares about you, wants to bless you, & will always provide for you. The other master, well money is an inanimate object - it has no feelings or motivations.
Are you going to spend your time on that which is temporary or that which is eternal? Only one can bring true happiness. Quite frankly, all the money in the world can't buy what the Spirit gives us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Isn't that the treasure you're really seeking?
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