Jesus said these words, I didn’t. Take them to heart; store them in the recesses of your soul. God is delighted to gives us His kingdom. Let that sink in. Here you have the King of the Universe happy to reward those faithful to Him, by giving them what He created. It’s a great privilege to be a participant in His Divine Will promoting His Kingdom. Now, to know it gives Him great pleasure to give it to us. Wow!!! If that does light your fire to do His will, then your wood must be wet.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Luke 12:32
An Ordinary Man's Pursuit of the Extraordinary God of the Bible. These are daily insights from reading the Bible from cover to cover yearly. It is intended to point others to the Truth, and inspire people to pursue the God of the Bible individually.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Sunday, October 6, 2019
True Friendships...
If there’s one truth in life, when it comes to relationships, it’s this: true friendships stick it out through the hard times. They are there to celebrate the good times too. A Swedish proverb sums it up best. “Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.” If your not the type of friend that is there during times of sorrow and tragedy, you won’t be invited to share in the joy when it’s celebrated either.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Proverbs 14:10
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. Proverbs 14:10
Saturday, October 5, 2019
A Great Tragedy...
I think one of the greatest tragedies on the Christian walk is not looking to God at all times. What I mean is Christians cry out to God in times of trouble. We pray more earnestly when calamity strikes. We focus on God more when sickness resides, no matter if it’s our own or a another we care for so deeply. When worry creeps in, we go to God for Hope. God tells us that He is here and ready for the “times of trouble”. But what about all the other times? When things are going good? When joy is abundant? When that sense of gratitude overwhelms us? When His Grace is sufficient? When we celebrate milestones? When we think deeply? When we laugh genuinely, at no one else’s expense? Why don’t we invite God into our lives in those times? Why does He only have to be our rescuer or healer? I think we are missing out, not experiencing all God has to offer, when we exclude Him from times other than pain, tragedy, and suffering. And that to me is a great tragedy.
1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1
1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1
Friday, October 4, 2019
The Status of Worry....
The more I read through the Bible, year after year, the more my vision and understanding expands. I used to question the status of “worry”. I didn’t think of it as a sin, at least not one that can wreck havoc on one’s life. Then I read these words of Jesus, and my biased view of “worry” was turned on it’s head. Worry, no matter how you look at it, is a direct insult to God. Jesus says don’t do it. It can’t even add a single minute to your life. It robs you of better thoughts. It wastes our time by focusing our attention on something, that most of the time is out of our control. We should give our “worries” to God, for He is the one in control, not us. In essence, when we worry, we remove God from His throne, and sit there ourselves. It’s if we say, “God, I know you are sovereign, but I’m gonna take this situation on, and even though I can’t fix it, I don’t need your help”. Sounds ridiculous to me, yet I do it just as you do. I need to hold my hand up to my face, and violently turn my face into my hand, then say, “wake up, Stupid”. We all need to take Biblical advice when it comes to “worry”, cast all our worries on God, For He cares for us. For only God has the power to control the outcome.
22 Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds!25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. Luke 12:22-31
22 Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds!25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. Luke 12:22-31
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Buying Into the Lies....
The older I get, the more I realize the depth of this statement made by Jesus. Our contentment and satisfaction with life doesn’t involve our possessions. Yes, they may add to our experiences, but they don’t deliver what we are promised by the advertisers and marketers say they will. Refuse to “buy into” the lies. Spend your time (which is more valuable than money) investing in eternal things. You’ll get to experience those investments forever.
15 Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15
16 Then He told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:16-21
15 Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15
16 Then He told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:16-21
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
A Humbling Statement...
Here’s a humbling statement made by Jesus, that either scares you or brings comfort. The way you interpret it determines how you live your life. It exposes your “world view”. It sets your priorities. It shows the flaws in your anti-God rhetoric. And most importantly it reminds you of the appointment you must keep one day, when your spirit separates from your temporary home. Man is only meant to fear One Person, God Himself, yet man gets more of our attention when it comes to adapting his behavior. Being ”politically correct” is proof this theory is alive and well in America today.
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the One to fear. Luke 12:4-5
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the One to fear. Luke 12:4-5
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Unsurpassed Understanding.....
Those who open their hearts to God and agree with His sovereign will, gain truth and wisdom that sets them free. Truth and wisdom leads the spirit into understanding that cannot be surpassed. It turns our confidence from being in people to an unwavering resolve in the One Who doesn’t change, which transforms us like nothing else can. It leaves us better, building a solid, immoveable foundation in which to stand.
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. Proverbs 14:6
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. Proverbs 14:6
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