When It Comes To Claiming Fairness…

No matter what people say, or desire, or pursue when it comes to claiming fairness, it it God’s standard that matters. Most of us agree when someone does us an injustice, but that standard isn’t accepted when we do the injustice. God’s standards of fairness hold true regardless of what side of the offense we stand on.

11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; He sets the standards for fairness. Proverbs 16:11

I Deserve This….

Selfishness, the root of all evil, is the greatest problem we constantly face. It causes greediness, as seen here in today’s passage. Have you ever caught yourself having greedy, selfish thoughts? I sure have. It happens any time I find myself receiving a large sum of money, or am blessed with a gift from someone. Our nature (i.e. sinful nature), will always try to make us question things, focusing on the “I deserve this” attitude. What do we do when it happens? Do what David did. He found his strength in the Lord. He did what he knew what was right to do. God always rewards loyalty, and so should we. God always blesses integrity, and so should we. God always does the right thing, and so should we. We must always do what we know God wants us to do, regardless how we “feel” about it. Selfishness is a constant battle, but it’s rewards are worth fighting for. David wasn’t a perfect man, but he was known as a man after God’s own heart. Why? Because when he messed up, giving into his selfish desires, he realized it was wrong. When he realized his mistake, he did what was necessary to make things right (repented). He always worked on his relationship with God. It was his priority. In order to be a man/woman after God’s own heart, we have to be honest with ourselves, willing to accept truth regardless of the cost. And our relationship with God must be a priority. Is this your desire?

21 Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200  men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. 22 But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”23 But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike–those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” 25 From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today. 1 Samuel 30:21-25

It’s Not Pursued To Be Gained….

There are many ways to climb a mountain. You can use ropes, use a ladder, free climb, or even take stairs carved into its side. But what if there was an escalator? Would you waste time trying all the other avenues, or would you step on the escalator and enjoy the ride? It’s free, it doesn’t require a passport to get on, and it’s guaranteed to get you to the top. Jesus is the escalator to Heaven. He is the way to God, the only way. He’s free. And He’s paved the way by what He did on the cross and what followed is proof He is legit. Knowing this, why would you waste any effort trying to get to God? Why would you try to do it yourself? This is the dilemma of religion. It’s man’s attempt to earn Heaven (salvation). He feels that if he doesn’t put forth an effort to justifiably earn salvation, then it’s not worth it. It’s a pride thing. Christianity, on the other hand, is the direct opposite. You don’t have to earn your salvation, for its impossible. And on top of that, the only role pride plays in it is you have to give it up, die to self. You see Christianity is the opposite of religion (even though it’s classified in with all the religions). Think about it. It can’t be earned or won. It requires you give up your pride to get in. It’s not pursued to be gained, rather it’s lived out in gratitude because of what was already done. And it’s free and guaranteed. What more can you ask for? Jesus is the escalator to Heaven. Why try to do it yourself when Someone has already done it for us? Jesus is the way.

50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the One who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” John 1:50-51

Ingrownus Eyeballus….

All human beings suffer from a disorder called “ingrownus eyeballus”, otherwise known as self-centeredness. We tend to see ourselves as better than others. We see ourselves as good, especially when we start to compare. The only remedy for this universal disorder is humility. Sometimes it can be self-imposed, other times, we are given a large dose by God Himself. Either way it’s necessary. If you don’t like being humbled, don’t allow yourself to self-inflate.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2

Never Go “Out Of Style”….

When you become a Christian, your mind is filled with so many things that we never knew before. It can be overwhelming at times. As we grow in the Truth, it’s easy to lose sight of the basics of Christianity. I’ve studied photography for over 20+ years. And the one thing I’ve learned is that you never get away from the basic principles. It’s so easy to get caught up in the latest trends and techniques, but keeping abreast with the basics will always get you out of a complicated situation. It’s the fundamentals of our faith that never go “out of style”. It’s only when we allow ourselves to focus on other things we think are more important that we forget this. Jesus said it best, the core of our faith, the message that we are to proclaim to everyone, everywhere, is this: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent”. It’s that simple, that basic, and that true. It has little to do with us and everything to do with Him. It’s all about pointing others to God. Never allow yourself to forget this core truth. It will always help you out when things get complicated.

44 Then He said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And He said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’48 You are witnesses of all these things. Luke 24:44-48

Develop Thicker Skin…

If there could be one thing Americans could infuse themselves with that would change society (aside from the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit), it would be to develop thicker skin. Our society has passively grown into a “thin-skinned” group of people. I mean everyone can dish out their opinions, criticizing anyone for anything, but the second that criticism is turned back on them, they cry wolf. Let’s face it, human beings are fickle. We all are. It’s not until we realize this, that we are weak, fragile, and insecure, that we begin to process criticism and judging in the right manner. We all need to put on our “big boy/girl pants” everyday. That means we learn how to take criticism in the right light. The key is knowing who we are as people, knowing our place in the grand scheme of things, and seeing others as just as important, if not more important than we see ourselves. The only way this is possible is if we use God’s standards. We are all sinners. Some are redeemed by Jesus, while others are not. Being “saved” simply means you know your place; you know where your security comes from. You’ve humbled yourself, and have made a commitment to follow God regardless of the cost (not mentioning all that God has done for us). You see, the world and God have two different agendas vying for our attention. When criticism comes, we weigh the good and bad, applying what’s necessary and throwing out what’s not true. Having the Holy Spirit to guide us is key to handling criticism. As Jesus said, “the Truth shall set you free”. We are secure in Christ. We know our place in His agenda. We know how much we are loved by Him, by what He has done for us. And we know God honors those that honor Him. He’s got our back. Thicker skin that’s still sensitive, being insulated from the inside, helps us process the coldness our society has made itself accustomed. What a gift. And to think people shun Jesus and Christianity, for any excuse they can think of. They don’t realize what they are missing out on in this life, much less in the one to come. Thick skin is necessary in handling criticism. There’s only one place you can go to get the right kind of skin (that’s not insensitive and calloused), and that’s from our Maker. Any where else is just a cheap imitation that will breed false confidence, eventually harming ourselves, leaving us just as cold as the criticism so prominent in society today.

31 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. 32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. 33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 15:31-33

If The Heart Is To Be Guarded….

We’ve all heard the phrase, “you can’t judge a book by its cover”, and yet we still do it. We tend to look at people’s appearances rather than observe their character. God does just that. He looks at the heart of every man. He knows what’s there, what makes up his character. He knows that without His guidance man would destroy himself. Look at the world. There’s trouble every where you look. Why? Because man is wicked on his own. Some of the best truths in the Bible, come out of the book of Proverbs: “Guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life”. If the heart is to be guarded, it must be important. And if God uses the heart as His method of choosing people to serve Him, then maybe we should start doing the same. Examine your own heart before you want to judge someone else’s. You’ll do right when you apply this truth to your own life. There’s more to appearance than meets the eye, there’s an underlying deeper determiner of one’s character. It’s called the heart.

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

What It Looks Like To Have No Integrity….

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to have zero integrity, look no further than Pontius Pilate. He knew Jesus was innocent, unworthy of death, and yet he caved in to the relentless pressure of the Hebrew crowd. He states three times that Jesus was innocent, and yet conceded to the agenda of the religious leaders in putting Jesus to death. Pilate’s wife even came to him to tell him to leave Jesus alone. Not having convictions (or a backbone), guarantees the inability to stand tall in times of pressured adversity. We all have failed at one time or another when it comes to doing the right thing, but hopefully we learned from it. When you value truth, integrity, and God’s ways above your own, making these tough decisions aren’t so tough. You know regardless of the outcome, God will honor you when you honor Him. Integrity is just that. God is always watching, and His opinion matters more than any one else in the world, including your own.

1 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming He is the Messiah, a king.”3 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the king of the Jews?”Jesus replied, “You have said it.”4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”5 Then they became insistent. “But He is causing riots by His teaching wherever He goes–all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”6 “Oh, is He a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7 When they said that He was, Pilate sent Him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.8 Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about Him and had been hoping for a long time to see Him perform a miracle. 9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on Him and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing Him of leading a revolt. I have examined Him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find Him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent Him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have Him flogged, and then I will release Him.”17 18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill Him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has He committed? I have found no reason to sentence Him to death. So I will have Him flogged, and then I will release Him.”23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. Luke 23:1-25

They Answered Jesus With a Resounding “No”…,

God will always meet our needs. Needs are not wealth, riches, fame, power, luxury, pain-free living, or even none-stop-happiness. Those are wants, or better yet, deceptions the world wants us to believe and pursue. Needs are what help us get through the day. They are what’s necessary to accomplish God’s will in our lives. The notion of God wanting all of us to be wealthy, or better called the “prosperity gospel”, is a trap Satan sets for everyone to fall in to. Here is clear evidence of this truth. Jesus asks His disciples, when He sent them out to proclaim the Gospel, if they lacked anything? They didn’t take money with them, or extra clothes, or even a bag to carry anything with them. Yet they answered Jesus with a resounding “No”. They lacked nothing. This proves God provides believers with everything they need to accomplish the task set before them. The only problem the faithful believer might struggle with is his confusion of his needs with his wants. There’s a big difference. Knowing this is half the battle. The other half is letting go of those wants and staying focused on the task God wants us to accomplish. It’s not complicated, but it is a battle. It’s a battle we can win if we ask God to help us have the right attitude. It’s only one prayer away. Be consistent in prayer, and God will meet your every need.

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or extra clothing, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. Luke 22:35

The Right Attitude In This Life Is….

Here’s a truth for all of us to remember: the right attitude in life is more important than achieving great wealth. The more we own, the more it owns us. Look at all the celebrities that the world adores. The strife, the turmoil, and the unhappiness they have. And to think they’ve achieved what we think will make us happy. And yet they struggle to be happy and fulfilled. Why do we let our thoughts go there? Material things (including money) keep our eyes focused on material things, that are here today and gone tomorrow. The things of this world have an expiration date, and thus keep us from thinking about the eternal. The material blinds us to the spiritual things, the things that are eternal. And it’s the spiritual things we don’t see (tangibly), that make up the greatest rewards in this life. Building relationships, sharing memories, laughing together, and sharing sorrow and grief; these are the most important things in this life. Ask God to give you spiritual sight today. Reverence Him above all else, and inner turmoil will lose its grip on you, because you will treasure what’s truly valuable.

16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

A Man Who Is Sure Of God Is…..

A man who is sure of God is beyond fear. He is immortal doing God’s will, until he calls us home.

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalms 55:22

Success Isn’t Dependent On Their Receiving It….

Here’s a tiny tidbit, that if you weren’t paying close attention, you’d probably miss: when people reject you when witnessing the truth, it’s not you they are rejecting, it’s God. Never forget this. When you feel rejected after sharing Truth with people remember, it’s God’s words, His Truth, not yours. Your success isn’t dependent on their receiving it. Your duty is to present the truth to all people; pointing them to God. It’s not how they receive it; that’s God’s doing. Sure, we are to present it in the best way possible, but even then, their response is not up to us. Their rejection is proof of what we already know: some receive the Gospel with joy, while others oppose it with hostility. Jesus told us that. And even more important, when people reject the gospel, God reminds us that it’s our relationship with Him, that helps us get over the disappointment and thoughts of failure we might experience. I bet you never thought of that before, have you? Praise God for all that He does and continues to do. Without Him, where would we be?

4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”6 Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. 7 “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want Me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned Me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. 9 Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.” 1 Samuel 8:4-9

The Simple Factor Of Time…

Just reading this short paragraph about Samuel it’s clear that children don’t always follow the ways of their parents. Mothers and fathers are responsible for leading and teaching their children about God, truth, and life. But even then the children, when grown, must make their own path, own their own lives. So what is it that causes children to stray, to wander away from the ways of their parents? There are many answers to this question, but one thing contributes more than any other. If I could put one thing on the table, one thing that plays a much bigger role in this issue then most people think, I’d say it is the simple factor of time (paying attention to them). Spending time with your children is the #1 factor in passing on values, morals, and life lessons you’ve learned for yourself. Think about it: without time spent with your children, the way they learn, observe authenticity, is from other people. Opinions, inerrant facts, misrepresented stories, and even errors in their own interpretations of things are all without your guidance. Eli and Samuel both had these issues with their children, yet they were godly leaders of their people. Time is the most important factor in raising children. It’s a precious commodity. You only get it with them for a short while, so don’t waste it. Use it to build the kind of relationships God wants us all to have. I’ll guarantee, it won’t be wasted, and it’s something you won’t ever regret. It’s something, when done right, will be passed on from generation to generation. The world will benefit, and Heaven will Rejoice.

1 As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. 2 Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. 3 But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice.4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” 1 Samuel 8:1-5

A Limited Amount Of Time That God Extends His Grace….

Reading today’s scripture I can’t help but think of how many people seek peace through many avenues, but deny Jesus. Jesus’ words here couldn’t be more obvious in telling us the only way to true peace is through Him. God has made a way to be forgiven of our sin and be made right with Him. As it says, “you did not accept your opportunity for salvation”, telling us there’s a limited amount of time that God extends His grace to us. After that, we are at the mercy of our decision to pass up this “redemption”. I can’t tell you how many people die every day, young, healthy, and either in the prime of their life or have their entire life ahead of them. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so make the most of today. Today is the day of salvation. Don’t pass it up, for it might just be the last offer we’re going get. For those of us who have received this salvation and eternal peace, give God the credit for rescuing us for His glory. Salvation is evidence of a transformed heart. Live your life as evidence of this transformation to a dying, lost world, and God will be honored by those who see it.

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

Why People Don’t “Get God”….

Have you ever wondered why people don’t “get God”? I mean understand His words. It’s because the significance of His words have been hidden from them. God has a way of keeping His truth from people due to their lack of zeal for Him. I’m sure there are many other reasons, but keeping it hidden from people is something He still does to this day. That’s why we are to constantly be pursuing God (trying to know Him on a deeper level) every day. When we truly worship Him, I mean 100% sold out, not worrying about what others think, give up any pride we might have, kind of worship, God will reveal more of Himself to us. It’s a lifelong pursuit. It never stops, never ends, and the rewards are constantly being received throughout our lifetime. It’s not easy, but nothing that lasts ever really is, is it? Even a flower has to push through a little dirt, doesn’t it? The reason most people never get to experience God, realizing it is God actually blessing them with His presence, is due to the fact that they haven’t studied the Real Thing. Their lack of desire to know God has made them blind to the spiritual side of life. They are spiritually blind (or “spiritually dead” as the Bible actually calls the condition). Ask God today to reveal something about Himself that you didn’t know, then pursue Him with all of your heart. It’s the only way I know how to grow spiritually, and avoid the failure of not grasping His words.

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

Greatness, According To The Bible, Is….

Is America great? It once was Greater. Why do I ask this question? The answer can be found in answering this question: is America Godly, or is it godless? Greatness, according to the Bible, is determined by Who we pattern our lives after. Jesus or Jezebel?

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

Are You Willing To Get Dirty….

Do you want to honor God today? Go help someone in need. By doing so, you will honor God. It must come from your heart, otherwise, don’t do it. Every time we help those who are poor, we honor God. Regardless what our head says about it, it’s a pure heart that does the hard things. The homeless and beggars on the street may have caused their own grief, but that isn’t reason to drive by with our windows up and doors locked. Our attitude towards the poor is a sure sign of where our heart’s loyalty lies. You’re either for God, or 100% for yourself. The Bible says it is a sin to withhold from doing good, when it’s in your power to do so. Maybe the next time you see a person in need, it will be a test. A test that God gives you, revealing the condition of your heart. Are you willing to get dirty in order to show others what God’s love is really like?

31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors Him. Proverbs 14:31

From The Moment My Mother Conceived Me…

Here’s a simple, yet credible question: How can a blob of tissue be a sinner? How can David say this? The answer is simple, life begins at conception. In order for someone to be a sinner, they must be alive. And they must be a person. Plants don’t sin, do they? How about rocks? Animals? Only people sin. A woman becomes a mother from the moment she conceives. A man becomes a father at that same moment. A man and woman’s parents become grandparents at that same moment. If God desires honesty from the womb, life must begin at conception in the womb. Here is only one reference in the Bible that gives clear evidence of this truth. God knows when life begins, for He is the one that gives it. Who are we going to listen to when making up our own mind on the question of when life begins? The Author of life? Or someone who wants to justify their sexual freedom with no consequences? When a baby is developing in the womb, God is providing all that is necessary for that child to be who they individually are. Messing with that process is “Playing God”. It’s best to leave that role solely to Him, for we don’t have the power or ability to take over His job, do we?

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. Psalms 51:5-6

Make Thankfulness As Our Sacrifice…

When’s the last time you thanked God for something? Yesterday? Last week, month, year? God tells us to make thankfulness as our sacrifice. Think about it, sacrifice is uncomfortable, not fun, and not easy. So when life is not fun, not easy, and uncomfortable, we are still supposed to be thankful to God for all He has done. Even when we don’t “feel” like it, gratitude should be on our agenda. Make thankfulness part of your daily walk with God and your days will have more “Sonshine” than darkness.

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

23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me.If you keep to My path,I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23

Hell Is Not The Most Popular Topic….

Hell is not the most popular topic discussed in gatherings today. And as each day goes by, it loses any more and more importance it may have. In this story, Jesus tells the Pharisees about a rich man and a beggar. The beggar goes to Heaven, and the rich man goes to Hell. The point I want to make is “what we do in this life matters”. What we pursue matters. How we treat others matters. The key is how we see God. If we see Him as a fairy, grandfather type, we will only go to Him when trouble comes. If we see Him as the enemy, we won’t ever go to Him. It’s only when we see Him for Who He really is, the First Great Cause, the Author of life, the Alpha and Omega, the Lover of our souls, the Extender of Mercy and Grace, that we begin to really live. We see things from an eternal perspective that helps us focus on the truly important things. Our attitudes are of the utmost importance. Without God’s constant guidance, we will never be consistent in our behavior. And worst yet, without God’s grace, we will end up where the rich man didn’t want to be. A life lived in selfish pursuits guarantees a life of regret. A life lived pursuing God, doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride here on earth, but it does guarantee a life filled with hope that eventually ends with God in Heaven. If Hell wasn’t real, Jesus never would’ve mentioned it as much as He did, would He?

19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home.28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31

What The World Values Most, God Sees As….

Never forget, God’s ways are different from the world’s ways. What He holds in high esteem the world sees as unimportant. And what the world values most, God sees as misguided attempts to satisfy ourselves without Him. He knows our pursuits, and it’s effects on the human heart, and it’s detestable to Him. God made the earth and everything in it. What we value here on earth, can’t be taken with us beyond the grave. The true value of something is directly related to its ability to be transported beyond death. Eternal things are the most valuable. Live your life valuing what’s deserved of your full attention. Honor the Giver of the gifts more so than the gifts themselves. That way you’ll have the right perspective, and proper attitude to treat others the way God intends.

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

We Were All Lost Once, Right?

We serve the God of second chances. He is compassionate and loving. He is ready to forgive when we repent. Why aren’t we showing the world Who He is? Why are we not displaying His character qualities to a dying, deceived, and sick world? Maybe one answer is because we are the older brother in this story. Maybe we are just going through the motions. Maybe we have too much selfishness inside that we lost touch with Who God is. Maybe we are like Jonah, and not want others to be forgiven, and experience God’s Grace. God loves us. What does it take to realize this? A sledge hammer? A gentle nudge? Either way we need to open our eyes and get them focused back on Him. We were all lost once, right? What was it that brought us back? Whatever the answer is doesn’t matter. What matters is we are back, and God is rejoicing. Extend that same grace to someone today. It just may be a matter of life or death.

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

What We Value In This Life, Only Matters In This Life….

Fame and riches only last a short time. What people strive for and work so hard to achieve lasts only for a moment. Then it’s transferred to someone else. Look at pro athletes or movie stars. They do well for a season, earn a big contract, maybe win a championship or star in a blockbuster movie, then a few short years later are forgotten. Fame is only for one generation. If it lasts longer, it’s because the person died and the generation that idolized him/her, made it trendy to the next generation. What happens to all the money? It’s passed on to someone else to squander, not deserving it or earning it. What we value in this life only matters in this life. Only that which is eternal matters in the life to come. Being wealthy is just how you see it. Monetary wealth leads the mind to compare itself with others, which leads us to believe because we have more, it makes us better. That kind of attitude only leads to a life full of deception, a lot of pretending, and in the end, a life lived in vain. Invest in eternity, that way you’ll be able to experience all the treasures you built here on earth (people), when you get there.

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.18 In this life they consider themselves fortunateand are applauded for their success.19 But they will die like all before themand never again see the light of day.20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;they will die, just like animals. Psalms 49:16-20

Being Honest With Yourself….

The key to salvation and God’s heart is accepting truth, acknowledging our sin, and agreeing with God. It starts with being honest with yourself.

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

Never Meant To Give Us Life….

Here’s one truth that should help influence our view of the role money plays in this life. Money can’t buy salvation. It can’t make you right with God. It may be able to buy some friends. It may help you with treating some infirmities. It may even provide you with some fleeting comforts in life. But in the end, money is only meant to help us get through life. It was never meant to give us life. Yet there are so many people out there pursuing its possession, thinking, “if I only get more I’ll be happy, I’ll be content, I’ll arrive.” Don’t get me wrong, money is necessary to live, but it’s our attitude towards it that actually allows us to really live. If money can’t rescue us from death, or purchase our salvation, then why do we pursue it so fervently? Shouldn’t we pursue that which brings “True Life”? Shouldn’t we invest our time in things that will outlast this life (be eternal)? When we come to the understanding of the true purpose of money, we begin to see what’s truly worthy of our pursuits here on earth.

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 enough9 to live forever and never see the grave. Psalms 49:6-9

Where We Put It, Is Up To Us….

Faith is to be placed in God, and no where else. But in order for faith to be placed in Him, it first must be given to us to place. What I mean by that is God gives us faith, where we put it, is up to us. We ask God to prove Himself in order to give into our reservations of doubt. But think of it this way. God proves Himself over and over again, not that He has to, for He knows His abilities. He proves Himself to us so that we can learn about ourselves, our weaknesses and inabilities. God works miracles to show us where we stand in our abilities to trust Him. If a miracle doesn’t change you, what purpose did it serve? God doesn’t have to prove anything to Himself, He does it to prove us to ourselves. We are all weak, fragile, and insecure. And it takes God working in us, answering our prayers, allowing us to suffer, in order for us to see who we really are. Gideon witnessed God working three different times (twice here). Some, when they read this, will think, “Gideon has little faith”, but God knew exactly what needed to happen for Gideon to “get it”, to prove to himself, he was qualified to fight for his people. It’s called being human. So the next time you read a story or hear of someone asking God for a sign, know that’s part of being human, it’s necessary for those who don’t know themselves that well. It’s God’s way of showing us we can do it, proving it to ourselves. Gideon needed this boost of confidence. Look what he helped accomplish afterwards.

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

All Or Nothing Commitment…

The world has nothing but contempt for half-hearted Christians. Being a Christian is an all or nothing commitment. It can’t be explained any other way.

34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Luke 14:34-35

Don’t Have To Be Extremely Intelligent….

You don’t have to be extremely intelligent to figure things out. The only two requirements for wisdom is consistency and desire to know truth. When you have these two qualities, truth and wisdom will come. We live in a world full of sensationalized news. Everything we see and hear are polluted with opinions and are “feelings based”. Without truth and wisdom, these can lead us astray. With truth and wisdom applied, it will help us navigate through life by keeping us grounded and guarded from being deceived. Then, we can help others do the same. Examine what you see and hear. Apply truth to everything that filters through your head. Most of all, know God is in control and His will is for our best. That way you’ll be able to spot a counterfeit, because it can’t compare to the real thing. We were not meant to live deceived lives, wondering around, confused and lost. We were meant to know Truth, and be set free.

15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!The prudent carefully consider their steps. 16 The wise are cautious and avoid danger;fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Proverbs 14:15-16

Be Willing To Endure Opposition…

Why is it important to have great leaders? Because those leaders, who do the right thing, represent God. They are tangible examples we can touch, see with our eyes, and listen to that have our best interest at the front of their priorities. They represent an invisible God. They remind us that we have responsibilities to Him and others. They keep us in check. God establishes governments to serve the people, to protect the people, and to carry out His will. Without great leaders, every nation, organization, and family will fail, lose their way, or barely survive until another is brought up into an effective leadership position. Great leaders are necessary for truth to be passed on to the next generation. Why do we need great leaders? Because God uses them for our good. We need to appreciate all of those truth-seeking souls who take a stand, fighting the agenda of the God-haters, by doing the hard things, remaining true to their Maker. Any successful organization has great leaders. It’s God’s way. Acknowledge them, appreciate them, stand for them, and become one yourself. You don’t need to be the head of a large organization to become a great leader, you just have to stand with God, and be willing to endure opposition. Your consistency in that will shine in the lives of all who know you. God will use you greatly when you commit your service to Him.

18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, He was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on His people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Judges 2:18-19

When…All The Laughter Is Gone…

If you look at 99.9% of all comedians, they come from a troubled past. They've learned to use humor to deal with it. We all find ways to deal with our issues. But if you don’t have a sure-fire way that actually helps heal the pain, it’s just temporary. When all the jokes are said, and all the laughter is gone, the pain remains. Without forgiveness, pain never ceases. It may subside for a while, and even lessen, but it never goes away. Suppressing the pain only delays the potential for healing. Only Jesus can free us from our past. All the hurts, the shortcomings, and extreme failures can be dropped into the ocean never to be used to hurt us again. It’s what forgiveness is all about. And it’s the greatest gift God gives that displays His love for us. If Jesus can overcome death and the grave, He can certainly wipe away your sin, pain, grief, sadness, shame, and any other emotion that continues to weigh you down. Laughter is good medicine, but when it ceases, the only thing that can rescue us is the cure, forgiveness. And God is the only One capable of granting us that. Ask Him today to help you with your heavy heart. He won’t disappoint.

13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains. Proverbs 14:13