Jesus Doesn’t Need Permission….

When Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees about His authoritive teaching, the question they ask doesn’t make sense. “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave you the right?” Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and teaching truth needs permission to do? If God grants the power to heal, who else can do this? Why would Satan heal? Wouldn’t he destroy? Didn’t they already accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Satan’s power, and were embarrassed when Jesus rebuked them for their misrepresentation of the situation? Someone has to grant us the right to do good? And when He did good, they wanted to kill Him for it. This just shows us how blind they really were, or better yet how hateful (self-centered) they really were. Jesus, Himself called them “blind guides”. If someone is doing good, why criticize? Isn’t that what their religion promoted? Just not on the Sabbath. Just one more example of people either being comfortable in their blindness, or flat out rebellion being under the disguise of religious righteousness. I guess when you don’t know Who God is, you pretend through religious practices, only leading you into more and more deception. Jesus doesn’t need permission to do anything. It’s the pretender who thinks he can outwit God, that really needs his eyes opened. He’s the one that needs to ask God permission to open his eyes spiritually in order to know Who Jesus really is.

1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to Him. 2 They demanded, “By what authority are You doing all these things? Who gave You the right?”3 “Let Me ask you a question first,” He replied. 4 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”5 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, He will ask why we didn’t believe John. 6 But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” 7 So they finally replied that they didn’t know.8 And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8

Rejecting God Leads To…..

The greatest tragedy in life is when people refuse God’s free offer of grace. There’s nothing worse than slapping away the hand that feeds you. It doesn’t make sense. It goes against every fiber in our being. Rejecting God leads to our own demise. It couldn’t be more clear than here in Luke chapter 19. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. His grace was rejected by the very ones whom He chose as His special possession. When the opportunity comes for salvation, take it, embrace it, or your future will be filled with misery. Why do you think Jesus wept? Love always gives us a choice, and a chance at redemption. Don’t let it pass you by.

41 But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side.44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.” Luke 19:41-44

Never Silence Him….

We might be able to deny God in our heart, and even pretend He’s not real, but we will never be able to silence Him. Creation has a way of honoring Him, even if we refuse to.

36 As He rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of Him. 37 When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke Your followers for saying things like that!”40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Luke 19:36-40

Not Good At Giving Advice….

The reason some people are not good at giving advice and helping those in need is because they have no wisdom to give. Fools can’t give what they don’t possess.

7 The lips of the wise give good advice;the heart of a fool has none to give. Proverbs 15:7

Gratitude Starts In The Heart….

True gratitude starts in the heart. Adversity drives the urge to continue on when circumstances get rough. It can make you bitter or better. It all depends on how you see yourself. When you know God, He has a way of giving us the proper perspective. Deep down inside, we all know we are accountable to Him. We know our sinful state. And we know we are in need of rescue. It’s not until we submit to Him that gratitude takes on an entire new meaning. That one act of grace changes everything instantly. And it’s that pursuit of the Author of grace that continues to help us keep this fresh perspective. Grace has a way of leading us to repentance, and it’s sustaining power has no equal. The greatest thing about God is His generosity in giving it to all. His liberal selection policy gives us all hope. Ruth was a Moabite. According to Jewish customs she would have never been allowed into their practices or society. Yet her willingness to follow Naomi and serve God, allowed the grace extended to her to become the great-grandmother of King David, and one of the mothers in the lineage of Jesus. All because of God’s grace. Extend His grace to someone in need today. You just might be surprised by the outcome.

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more. Ruth 1:16-18

10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” Ruth 2:10

Our Words Matter….

Our words matter, more than you know. No matter what society wants you to think (that our opinion matters and needs to be expressed), we need to think before we speak. The outcome may contend on the words we choose to use in our conversations. You can either be a blessing or a curse in the words you choose today. Choose wisely.

1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Proverbs 15:1-2

We Can’t Hide….

Even though we try in many different ways, we can’t hide or run to where God cannot find us or not see our behavior. Save yourself some pain, stop trying.

3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Regardless What Haters Say….

Regardless what the critics, haters, false-accusers, and evil people say, God is just, loving, and quick to forgive when we come to Him with contrite hearts.

17 The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalms 51:17

Keeping It From Us….

Is it possible the reason we don’t understand is because God is keeping it from being revealed to us until the right time? Keep this in mind; it will allow your faith to grow.

34 But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of His words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what He was talking about. Luke 18:34

No Reward In Heaven…

In today’s world surrender is a four-letter Word. It’s a concept that most people don’t understand, and see in a negative way. Biblical surrender is necessary for salvation. In God’s economy “to give up” means to gain. Surrender means win, spiritually speaking. We are to surrender to God First. Until we do this, there will be no reward in Heaven, because we won’t be going there.

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God,30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” Luke 18:29-30

Greatness Starts With Godliness….

If I could solve America’s problems, I’d start with this proverb. Greatness starts with Godliness. It’s as simple as that.

34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Right In Our Own Eyes…..

I’m not a formerly educated theologian. I’ve never even taken a class on the Bible. I’m a self-taught, God-inspired, Truth-seeking, Jesus follower. So when I read Judges chapter 17, I can’t help but scratch my head. Why is this even in the Bible? What’s the point? Am I missing something? I just don’t get why it’s here; why God put it there. Then I step back, and reread verse 6. One possible answer to my dilemma is exactly what it says, “...all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Micah did what he thought was right in his own eyes. His mother cursed him, for stealing her money, so he confessed to her. She made him an idol from some of the stolen-then-returned-money. He worshipped the idol. He even hired a Levite to be a priest for him. This just goes to show us that without God in our lives, we will still worship. We worship because it’s built into our DNA. If it’s not God, it will be something else. We want to justify our actions, so we try to convolute God’s way with our way. We try to make ourselves “feel” better by creating a pseudo-similar practice. We want to get the approval of others in order to “feel” legitimized. We do what seems right in our own eyes. The problem with this is we don’t know what is right without God. He sets the standard. When we try to step into God’s role, by determining what is right, we fail miserably. And the saddest part is we drag others down with us in our own misery in the process. Just think how society continues to do this, all the agendas out there that go against God’s way. Trying to legitimize behaviors that go against biology, against science, against morality, and even against common sense, will never make the person “feel” legitimized. Yet people still try. If they get a law passed in support of their views, it still doesn’t bring them the significance or justification they are wanting. Why? Because it goes against the created order that God has established. Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. And right will always be right even if no one is doing it. Truth has a way of proving itself over time. The only problem with this is it takes time for people to accept it (some never will), and in that time severe damage is done. Save yourself and others some pain, seek out God today. His way is the best way. You’ll find this to be true, even if you do whatever seems right in your own eyes.

6 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Judges 17:6

Where True Peace Is Found…

A true sinner’s prayer. You can’t get it more right or more authentic than this. When we are honest with ourselves we truly understand our dilemma. It’s not until we confess and ask God that God forgives and restores our soul. There’s no other way To a restored relationship with God, other than through repentance. This passage in Psalm 51 is truly a sinner’s prayer. Read it, memorize it, and put it into practice when you need to be restored. God provides a way, and shows us through His Word. David was known as a man after God’s own heart for a reason. Seeing sin for what it is, and having contrition, realigns our heart with His. That is where true peace is found.

  Have mercy on me, O God,because of Your unfailing love.Because of Your great compassion,blot out the stain of my sins.2 Wash me clean from my guilt.Purify me from my sin.3 For I recognize my rebellion;it haunts me day and night.4 Against You, and You alone, have I sinned;I have done what is evil in Your sight.You will be proved right in what You say,and Your judgment against me is just.5 For I was born a sinner–yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.6 But You desire honesty from the womb,teaching me wisdom even there. 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Oh, give me back my joy again;You have broken me–now let me rejoice.9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.Remove the stain of my guilt.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.Renew a loyal spirit within me.11 Do not banish me from Your presence,and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,and make me willing to obey You.13 Then I will teach Your ways to rebels,and they will return to You.14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;then I will joyfully sing of Your forgiveness.15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,that my mouth may praise You. 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.You do not want a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit.You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then You will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit–with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.Then bulls will again be sacrificed on Your altar. Psalms 51

Don’t Neglect Your Spiritual Side….

The unseen but very real spiritual realm has a great effect on people, more than they realize. A peaceful heart helps produce a healthy body. Whereas a jealous heart produces sickness in the body. When I taught health in school, the first lesson we covered was about lifestyle diseases. How we live our lives determines (most of the time) our lifespan. Worry, stress, anxiety, jealousy, covetousness, slander, gluttony, and the list goes on, has a greater impact on us than we think. Never addressing the spiritual side of things leads to confusion, and more anxiety, and thus more physical health issues. Neglecting our spiritual side is one of the biggest causes of all the problems in the world. And it’s not until we realize this, that anything will change. Peace only comes from God, when we are spiritually made right with Him, and that’s only possible through faith in Jesus. The Bible clearly states this. As long as people ignore their spiritual sides, or attempt to address them with false methods, the need for health care will only increase. I’m not saying being spiritually sound guarantees a long healthy life. What I’m saying is, what life we do have, will be greatly enhanced when we pursue God and make right with Him the problem of our sin. Yes, we may still die of cancer or some other disease, but we will do it knowing the destination that awaits us will be far better than anything we’ve ever imagined. It will be paradise (as Jesus called it). And we can trust the One in Charge of our Souls, in the process. Now that’s real peace, peace that the real world can’t give. Don’t neglect your spiritual side, it has greater value and will impact your life, more than you realize.

30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Sometimes God Withdrawals…

Sometimes God withdrawals from a life, He purposely stays away, for our own benefit. He did so with the Israelites in order not to destroy them because of their fickleness. If God seems distant, one reason may be it’s because your behavior isn’t God-honoring.

3 Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.”4 When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes. 5 For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” 6 So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes. Exodus 33:3-6

Beyond Measure….

We all do it, take God for granted. I think it’s part of our selfish, sinful nature. That’s why it’s paramount to trust God. To place our faith in Jesus. By doing so we are constantly reminded by the Holy Spirit of all that He did, does, and continues to do for us. With that in mind, it’s so much easier to be grateful; thanking Him daily. Without God on our mind, it’s nearly impossible to be thankful in our heart. Only one out of ten of the healed lepers came back to thank Jesus after He healed them, 1 out of 10. All I know is that I want to be the one who came back. The one who thanked Him. Just one more reason to stay connected in the vine. The benefits of knowing God and pursuing Him, cannot be fully explained. But when it’s lived out, nothing compares to the peace, joy, and satisfaction it brings. Be thankful today for all He’s done for you. It’s beyond measure.

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As He entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” Luke 17:11-19

The MILLSTONE Road….

In Luke chapter 17 Jesus talks about temptation to sin. He tells us there will always be temptation to sin. That should tell us something. It should tell us we must always be aware. We should always be connected to God, for He alone is the remedy to sin. He talks about the sorrow that awaits those who do the tempting. I’m not sure if He is referring to Satan or people here, but I think it could be both. We all know Satan’s fate. But how often do we think of our own? For the believer, Heaven awaits. If a believer falls, straying away from the faith, he may start to believe that something isn’t as bad as it really is. If he does, and starts to encourage others to participate in this sinful behavior, he must be lovingly taken aside and rebuked. If he listens, he will repent. If he doesn’t, maybe he’s not really a believer to begin with. Either way there are consequences. Any time we cause someone to stumble, to distort their view of God, we are not participating in the will of God. And the worst part about it is we are tarnishing God’s reputation. Jesus said it would be better for a person who does this to be dropped in the ocean with a weight around their neck. In other words dead. It would be better to be dead, than to lead another human being into thinking sin is okay. Think about all the “issues” that are prevalent today: same sex marriage, transgenderism, abortion, people’s definition of love, all the “Christian” faiths, and on and on. All I know is that I never want to be in that position, so I pursue God daily, asking Him for help. Learning to live independently dependent upon God is the key, for He is the only One capable of keeping us from committing this unworthy practice. Ask Him today to search your heart, and clear up any misconceptions you may have that would lead you down this “millstone” road.

One day Jesus said to His disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.3 So watch yourselves! Luke 17:1-3a

Our Compass In Life….

The foundation of our faith is established by what God has done for us. Our only right response is to be grateful to Him. Our thankfulness is our sacrifice, not the blood of bulls. We do this by being a man of his word. When we say we will do something, do it. When we make a promise to God, hold true to it, even if it means suffering to keep it. Placing God in the center of our life balances it out. Keeping our eyes on Him helps us maintain the right perspective. He is our Regulator, our Thermostat, our Confidence and Compass in life. Without Him, life doesn’t make sense. We are lost without Him, in so many ways we don’t even realize. Some think of “being lost” as an eternal thing (and it is for sure), but the lostness the Bible talks about has everything to do with living here on earth as well. Seek Him today. Seek Him everyday. When your heart is right with God, He makes right all that is important to you, and your priorities become His priorities. The end result is His glory.

14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,and keep the vows you made to the Most High.15 Then call on Me when you are in trouble,and I will rescue you,and you will give Me glory.” Psalms 50:14-15

If Wealth Collected Itself….

Wealth, why do we strive to attain it? Will it add years to our lives? Heal the sick of cancer? Save our soul? Jesus here in Luke chapter 16 gives a clear picture of what we are supposed to do with our resources. We are to use our worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. If we are faithful with little, we will be faithful with more. The same is true of the opposite: if we are dishonest with small things, we will be dishonest with greater responsibility. We can’t serve two masters. We will either serve God, or not serve Him by serving other gods. It’s not possible to serve both simultaneously. Wealth isn’t something we should pursue. We would be better off pursuing the Creator of all that is valuable. That way, our actions won’t agree with the world, which is detestable to God, and if wealth collected itself in our favor, we’d know what to do with it.

9 Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at Him. 15 Then He said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. Luke 16:9-15

Our Soul Focus….

Speaking truth and being honest matters. It saves lives and helps escape the snares of death. Integrity has no holiday. God is the center of our lives, our sole (soul) focus.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,but a false witness is a traitor. 26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;He will be a refuge for their children. 27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:25-27

There Is A Constant Call….

There is a constant call to bring to God those who are and will be faithful to Him. When you hear it, don’t delay. Respond to it by giving Him your heart. You’ll never regret your allegiance to God. Never.

He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of His people.5 “Bring My faithful people to Me–those who made a covenant with Me by giving sacrifices.” 6 Then let the heavens proclaim His justice, for God Himself will be the judge. Psalms 50:4-6a

The World Cannot Hold Our Attention When ……

It’s one of the shortest sections in the NT. The widows offering is a tiny snippet of the “bigger picture” of what it means to have faith. One Sunday our pastor made an illustrative point about our faith that will stick with me for life. He had another person stand about 3 feet from him. He took out a sword, and pointed right at the observer’s chest. He then said, “this is exactly what happens to us when we make a commitment to follow Christ”. The closer you get it feels like you are dying, like a sword piercing your heart. The death of things follow. We feel like we are dying. Dying in the sense of all the things we used to love have fallen by the wayside in comparison to Jesus. At first it’s painful, but the closer you draw to God, the pain gets lighter and lighter. This is because the satisfaction of knowing you are “dying to self” in order to serve God takes away the allure of worldly things. Nothing can compare to the riches in Christ. The widow knew this, that’s why she gave it all. She knew God would provide for her. Jesus’ acknowledgement of her seemingly insignificant sacrifice shows us that when we are willing to give up the very thing that sustains us on earth (in this case money), there is a greater reward God grants us, eternal life. And that’s way more than we think, it involves treasures here in earth as well. Treasures without measure. Treasures money can’t buy. Treasures that are indescribable. Treasures that have no rival. They say the man who needs nothing is invincible, well, the man that dies to self for Jesus’ sake (to serve Him) is filled with such significance and duty, the world cannot hold his attention for very long. It’s part of the effect of receiving this indescribable gift of Christ. Don’t you want that gift? Then give God your best. It’s what He’s been asking of us since the beginning. When you give God your best, you live with no regrets. It’s a win-win every single time.

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, He watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4

Never Worth The Exchange…

There is one truth that always rings true in life: when you abandon God, He allows the consequences of your abandonment to fully reign in your life. Here in Judges chapter 10 we see this played out. The Israelites abandoned God for the local gods of the land they inhabited. They were being oppressed, they cried out to God and God responded with, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them rescue you in your hour of distress”. When we abandon God, there will always be consequences. Sometimes, they are eternally determined with no hope of rescue. This doesn’t mean all instances are permanent (although many are), there is still hope of redemption when true repentance is your response. But that is God’s decision, not ours. Sometimes our decisions are so decisive, we don’t get second chances. Don’t chance your faith with a temporary fix of pleasure; it’s never worth the exchange.

The Israelites were in great distress. 10 Finally, they cried out to the Lord for help, saying, “We have sinned against You because we have abandoned You as our God and have served the images of Baal.”11 The Lord replied, “Did I not rescue you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, 12 the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites? When they oppressed you, you cried out to Me for help, and I rescued you. 13 Yet you have abandoned Me and served other gods. So I will not rescue you anymore. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!”15 But the Israelites pleaded with the Lord and said, “We have sinned. Punish us as You see fit, only rescue us today from our enemies.” 16 Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord. And he was grieved by their misery. Judges 10:9c-16

Which One Are You?

There comes a time in everyone’s life when we come to our senses. That may be early in one’s life or at the end of one’s life. But either way we are given a choice: do the right thing, or refuse to do the right thing. The choice is ours. When that day comes, when you look yourself in the mirror and see who you really are for the first time, you will know what to do. The question then really becomes, “WILL YOU DO IT?” Making right what you’ve wronged is the only way of gaining true peace with God. That moment will be the turning point in your life, but will it be for good? Or will it be a curse for you? What will you do when you see yourself in the right reflection in the mirror for the first time? Returning to the Father isn’t easy, it takes swallowing your pride, but it sure beats the alternative. In the story of the prodigal son, there are two sons. Which one are you?

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on.27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ” Luke 15:11-32

Grave Clothes Have No Pockets….

In the book of Job it says, “naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return”. This shows us that we come into this world with nothing, and we cannot take anything with us when we leave it. We cannot take our wealth, our possessions, or anything else when we die. If this is true, why do we spend our entire lives trying to gather these things in truck loads? I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer behind it. And just to let you know, the clothes they bury people in, don’t have pockets in them. Kinda reminds me of the story of a man who begged God to let him take his gold bricks with him when he died. He put them in a duffle bag. When he arrived in Heaven he saw all the valuable jewels and precious metals that were used in designing the structures there. An angel asked the man what he had in the bag. He replied, “my treasure.” The angel replied when he looked into the man’s bag, “you treasure asphalt? The roads here are all paved with gold”. You can’t take it with you when you go, but you can certainly send it ahead by investing in eternal things in people.

16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow richand their homes become ever more splendid.17 For when they die, they take nothing with them.Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. Psalms 49:16-17

Selfish Living Guarantees….

Selfish living guarantees only one thing: when you die, you will be forgotten. Selfish living is for nothing, no one is remembered. Why waste your time on things that won’t last or won’t bring lasting satisfaction? Why not spend your life on investing in eternal things, things that will last, things that you will get to see again? On this earth, once you are gone, you will be forgotten. This should be motivation to set your perspective on the proper priorities.

33 As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34 They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 35 Nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he had done for Israel. Judges 8:33-35

10 Those who are wise must finally die,just like the foolish and senseless,leaving all their wealth behind.11 The grave is their eternal home,where they will stay forever.They may name their estates after themselves,12 but their fame will not last.They will die, just like animals. Psalms 49:10-12

The Ability To Make Angels Celebrate….

The key to salvation and God’s heart is accepting truth, acknowledging sin, and agreeing with God. And to think, we get to participate in this process daily when we share the Good News with lost Sheep. It makes Heaven rejoice every single time one is found. Make that your goal today; to lead one lost sheep back to the fold. You will find no greater joy. And Heaven will rejoice. Imagine, we have the ability to make angels celebrate in Heaven. No that’s real significance.

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that He was associating with such sinful people–even eating with them!3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:1-7

Salvation Is Free, But Comes At A Cost…

When will people understand you can’t buy salvation. No amount of money can earn you the ability to live forever. There is no fountain of youth. God has determined the length of our days and the only thing we can do is live them out His way. Salvation is free and cannot be earned. That’s the beauty of the Gospel. It’s level ground at the foot of the cross. Their is no pride or prejudice there. It’s what the world longs for, fights for, and seeks to gain, but without Christ, it’s not attainable. And the best news is that it’s a free gift from God. The only thing we have to do is ask. For some, that costs them their pride. For others, those that never ask, it costs them everything.

6 They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.8 Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough 9 to live forever and never see the grave. Psalms 49:6-9

The Motive Behind Testing…..

Gideon tested God when he was told to go to war with the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the East. His faith wavered, so he asked for a sign. Some people would question Gideon’s actions. Did he have weak faith or was he just being human? I think the answer is both. God said it’s okay to test Him; it’s the only way to know if our faith is real. Just know that if you put God to the test, His response will be determined by your willingness to accept His response. If your testing is genuine, He will respond with a comprehensive answer. If your testing comes from the wrong motive, your answer may not be what you’re looking for. Gideon’s Heart was in the right place when he asked God for a sign, using the fleece as the determining agent. Once God answered him, he did great things for his people. His genuine response to God’s answer solidified his faith. This allowed him to become the leader (Judge) Israel needed to deliver them from their enemies. Do you ever ask God for a sign? Do you get answers? If you don’t, do you ever examine your motives? The times you get answers, is it because your willingness to be faithful regardless of the cost? Think about that for minute. Now take the time to examine your faith; think about how it developed. I’ll bet your progress was due to your heart being in the right place.

33 Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. 35 He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.36 Then Gideon said to God, “If You are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as You promised, 37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to help me rescue Israel as You promised.” 38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” 40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:33-40