Read Luke 16:1-13
Jesus taught many parables. Each with significance about the Kingdom of God and each with significance for His followers to listen and learn. In this parable found in Luke 16 Jesus sums up everything with these last few verses saying whoever can be trusted with very little, can be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
The story goes there was a rich man whose manageer was accused of wasting his possessions. This manager is called to account and realizing he's going to lose his job decides to be prudent and collect what is owed his manager by negotiating down the amounts his master's debtors owed while at the same time gaining favor for himself with these debtors. He's thinking when I lose my job these people will welcome me into their homes.
While we may think this is dishonest, the master we're told in v. 8 commends this manager for acting shrewdly. He commends him for knowing how to be wise, using what he can in this world to gain friends for his support. Now we see that Jesus goes on to say use worldly wealth to gain friends so that when it is gone you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Jesus' closing point in this passage is that we can't serve two masters. We can't serve both God and Money. We will love one and hate the other. Jesus wants us to be faithful managers of what He's given us in this world for the benefit of our Master. Let's be people no matter if we have very little or if we have much who are always faithful, serving God with all we have.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Rebuilding
Read Ezra 3
After Israel had been in captivity and they were returning to Jerusalem, there was a rebuilding project taking place. First the altar was set up, the ancient sacrifices were restored and the foundations of the Temple were laid. All this was met by the Israelites with mixed emotions. First we're told in verse 3 the people were afraid of the peoples around them. Later we read as the Temple foundations were laid (v. 12) many of the older priests and Levites and family heads who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundations of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
Mixed emotions often come when we're faced with rebuilding in our lives. The Israelites fear was real. Those around them weren't happy to see their enemies, the Israelites, rebuilding Jerusalem. So Israel was right to express fear. However, the people understood as Ezra writes in verse 11 the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
Whenever we're faced with times when we have something happening in our lives where rebuilding is necessary, remember who God is. Remember He is good and His love endures forever. Why is this important? Because when we're in broken times, all we got is God. You see, who He is really is all we got anyway. Isn't that true?
When we read Old Testament stories like Ezra and realize the emotions they faced are emotions we face, we can understand what really matters in life is who we know. When we know God we can face our fears. Listen, fears come when opposition exists; but no opposition can withstand the goodness and love of God. With God all things are possible.
So no matter what needs rebuilding in your life, trust what we learn in Ezra. Build on the foundation of God's goodness and love - who He is. And let's give whatever needs rebuilding in our lives to this good and loving God.
After Israel had been in captivity and they were returning to Jerusalem, there was a rebuilding project taking place. First the altar was set up, the ancient sacrifices were restored and the foundations of the Temple were laid. All this was met by the Israelites with mixed emotions. First we're told in verse 3 the people were afraid of the peoples around them. Later we read as the Temple foundations were laid (v. 12) many of the older priests and Levites and family heads who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundations of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
Mixed emotions often come when we're faced with rebuilding in our lives. The Israelites fear was real. Those around them weren't happy to see their enemies, the Israelites, rebuilding Jerusalem. So Israel was right to express fear. However, the people understood as Ezra writes in verse 11 the Lord is good and His love endures forever.
Whenever we're faced with times when we have something happening in our lives where rebuilding is necessary, remember who God is. Remember He is good and His love endures forever. Why is this important? Because when we're in broken times, all we got is God. You see, who He is really is all we got anyway. Isn't that true?
When we read Old Testament stories like Ezra and realize the emotions they faced are emotions we face, we can understand what really matters in life is who we know. When we know God we can face our fears. Listen, fears come when opposition exists; but no opposition can withstand the goodness and love of God. With God all things are possible.
So no matter what needs rebuilding in your life, trust what we learn in Ezra. Build on the foundation of God's goodness and love - who He is. And let's give whatever needs rebuilding in our lives to this good and loving God.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A New Command
Read John 13:34-35
Recently I read an article by one of my favorite authors, Francis Chan. His article was all about how we treat one another. He asked the question - knowledge or love? And quoted 1 Corinthians 13:2 which says we can have the gift of prophecy, understand mysteries, have all sorts of knowledge and have faith that can move mountains but if we do not have love we are nothing. Chan summarizes, "you can be brilliant and worthless."
He goes on and raises the issue of how Christians treat one another. This made me think of Jesus' words in John 13. This world will know we are His disciples (followers) if we love one another. What happens in the family of God is often unfortunate. We take Jesus' love to the world and there's nothing unfortunate about that - in fact, God is pleased when we go to the world with His love. But what is unfortunate is when we fail to realize Jesus' command - Love one another - is given to His disciples; Jesus is saying believers love believers then this world will know you truly are my disciples.
Let's be different, let's love each other (men and women of Christ) so well that this world can't help but take notice that we are His!
Recently I read an article by one of my favorite authors, Francis Chan. His article was all about how we treat one another. He asked the question - knowledge or love? And quoted 1 Corinthians 13:2 which says we can have the gift of prophecy, understand mysteries, have all sorts of knowledge and have faith that can move mountains but if we do not have love we are nothing. Chan summarizes, "you can be brilliant and worthless."
He goes on and raises the issue of how Christians treat one another. This made me think of Jesus' words in John 13. This world will know we are His disciples (followers) if we love one another. What happens in the family of God is often unfortunate. We take Jesus' love to the world and there's nothing unfortunate about that - in fact, God is pleased when we go to the world with His love. But what is unfortunate is when we fail to realize Jesus' command - Love one another - is given to His disciples; Jesus is saying believers love believers then this world will know you truly are my disciples.
Let's be different, let's love each other (men and women of Christ) so well that this world can't help but take notice that we are His!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Moments in Time
Read John 10:1-21
There are certain moments in time we all remember because these moments are etched in our memories. These memories seem like they'll always be there but there are times when for one reason or another we tend to miss some of the specifics as we recall these amazing moments.
Unless that is we dwell on these moments. Do you know what I mean? My lovely wife and I went to the movies the other day (for Valentines Day) and saw the movie - The Vow. It was what's come to be known as a chick-flick - and you know what I'm ok with that. It was a great movie with a great message of how we all have moments in time and we think we'll always remember but what happens if/when we don't?
We tend to have faith moments in time. Times when we remember first understanding the story and life of Jesus; times when we remember hearing about His grace and mercy and kindness and goodness and truth and love; times when we realize His moment in time, when He went to the cross was about absolute and pure love for you and for me.
But we have good forgetters. We forget because we fail to reflect on these faith moments in time; times when Jesus stood for us because He knew we could never stand alone but only on His power, passion and purpose.
Remember this week the power of Jesus' words - "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". May our moments in time always be made by remembering this most important moment in time.
There are certain moments in time we all remember because these moments are etched in our memories. These memories seem like they'll always be there but there are times when for one reason or another we tend to miss some of the specifics as we recall these amazing moments.
Unless that is we dwell on these moments. Do you know what I mean? My lovely wife and I went to the movies the other day (for Valentines Day) and saw the movie - The Vow. It was what's come to be known as a chick-flick - and you know what I'm ok with that. It was a great movie with a great message of how we all have moments in time and we think we'll always remember but what happens if/when we don't?
We tend to have faith moments in time. Times when we remember first understanding the story and life of Jesus; times when we remember hearing about His grace and mercy and kindness and goodness and truth and love; times when we realize His moment in time, when He went to the cross was about absolute and pure love for you and for me.
But we have good forgetters. We forget because we fail to reflect on these faith moments in time; times when Jesus stood for us because He knew we could never stand alone but only on His power, passion and purpose.
Remember this week the power of Jesus' words - "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full". May our moments in time always be made by remembering this most important moment in time.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
How can He say that?
Read Matthew 5:20
Take a moment and read Matthew 5:20. Do you now understand the question - how can Jesus say that? For centuries the standard was set and during that entire time Israel, people everywhere continually failed to meet the standard. Now Jesus is raising the bar, raising it to an even higher level saying "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
He could do this because He believed in His own life. The greatness of the demands in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is only surpassed by the confidence Christ has in His life. And the life that is available within us is His life and that's enough to meet these demands because the resources He has given us. You see we have Christ and God does not command what He is unwilling or unable to perform. So what Jesus says and the life He lives changes the question from - How can He say that? to Why don't we live like we believe it?
Meditate on Jesus' words. God equips us to do what He's asked of us. Only when we lose sight of this and where our stregth and power come from are we unable to do God's work. Let's pray that His life, more than just His words, would live within us!
Take a moment and read Matthew 5:20. Do you now understand the question - how can Jesus say that? For centuries the standard was set and during that entire time Israel, people everywhere continually failed to meet the standard. Now Jesus is raising the bar, raising it to an even higher level saying "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
He could do this because He believed in His own life. The greatness of the demands in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 is only surpassed by the confidence Christ has in His life. And the life that is available within us is His life and that's enough to meet these demands because the resources He has given us. You see we have Christ and God does not command what He is unwilling or unable to perform. So what Jesus says and the life He lives changes the question from - How can He say that? to Why don't we live like we believe it?
Meditate on Jesus' words. God equips us to do what He's asked of us. Only when we lose sight of this and where our stregth and power come from are we unable to do God's work. Let's pray that His life, more than just His words, would live within us!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Justified Anger
Read Nehemiah 5:1-13
If we're honest, probably all of us at one time or another has had the experience where we've been angered by something or someone and we've felt that our anger was justified. Now truthfully while we may think our anger is more often than not justified - let's be honest, many times we are biased so we work hard at trying to justify our anger but the truth is our anger is wrong. But then there are times when we are absolutely right in our anger and it is justified. Nehemiah provides a fine example of justified anger.
He is helping lead the project to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after years of disgrace as the walls and gates had been burned and were lying in rubble. Here in Nehemiah 5 we find the people in Juday facing opposition to this rebuilding project but at the same time they were being opposed by their own countrymen. Read Nehemiah 5:1-13 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Since there was a famine going on the people needed grain, but they couldn't afford it so they had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on their fields and vineyards. Verse 6 tells us Nehemiah was angered by this. So he calls them out saying "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!"
Listen we are so accustomed in our culture to paying taxes and interest that many times we don't give it a second thought but here Nehemiah says this is wrong. In Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36 Israel is told if you lend money to someone in need do not charge interest and not to take interest of any kind. Now this throws a monkey wrench into our culture today doesn't it? What do we, today, do with this?
Honestly I don't know. But it appears Nehemiah got through to his countrymen and they agreed to give back (v. 12) what they had taken. What seems to be the point is when we borrow money we are slave to the one who lends us the money. Now people are within their legal rights to charge interest. But that doesn't mean we have to borrow from them. While many of us would not own our homes, cars or be able to afford college without interst bearing loans there is a warning in scripture to be wise. And it appears what was originally by God's design was that assisting a brother or sister in need meant lending money with the intent that what they pay back was the amount they borrowed.
So where does this leave us? With this thought - Nehemiah shows anger against the nobles and officials who were taking advantage of their countrymen. Let's not do this. But at the same time, let's be wise with what we ourselves are willing to borrow because we too must pay back what we have taken. Justified anger is based on what God says so listen to His word and know that we are to walk with our brothers and sisters in life helping and holding and not harming each other.
If we're honest, probably all of us at one time or another has had the experience where we've been angered by something or someone and we've felt that our anger was justified. Now truthfully while we may think our anger is more often than not justified - let's be honest, many times we are biased so we work hard at trying to justify our anger but the truth is our anger is wrong. But then there are times when we are absolutely right in our anger and it is justified. Nehemiah provides a fine example of justified anger.
He is helping lead the project to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after years of disgrace as the walls and gates had been burned and were lying in rubble. Here in Nehemiah 5 we find the people in Juday facing opposition to this rebuilding project but at the same time they were being opposed by their own countrymen. Read Nehemiah 5:1-13 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Since there was a famine going on the people needed grain, but they couldn't afford it so they had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on their fields and vineyards. Verse 6 tells us Nehemiah was angered by this. So he calls them out saying "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!"
Listen we are so accustomed in our culture to paying taxes and interest that many times we don't give it a second thought but here Nehemiah says this is wrong. In Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36 Israel is told if you lend money to someone in need do not charge interest and not to take interest of any kind. Now this throws a monkey wrench into our culture today doesn't it? What do we, today, do with this?
Honestly I don't know. But it appears Nehemiah got through to his countrymen and they agreed to give back (v. 12) what they had taken. What seems to be the point is when we borrow money we are slave to the one who lends us the money. Now people are within their legal rights to charge interest. But that doesn't mean we have to borrow from them. While many of us would not own our homes, cars or be able to afford college without interst bearing loans there is a warning in scripture to be wise. And it appears what was originally by God's design was that assisting a brother or sister in need meant lending money with the intent that what they pay back was the amount they borrowed.
So where does this leave us? With this thought - Nehemiah shows anger against the nobles and officials who were taking advantage of their countrymen. Let's not do this. But at the same time, let's be wise with what we ourselves are willing to borrow because we too must pay back what we have taken. Justified anger is based on what God says so listen to His word and know that we are to walk with our brothers and sisters in life helping and holding and not harming each other.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Let Faith Arise
Read Lamentations 3:22-24
If we spent any time thinking about it, Jeremiah isn't the type of guy most of us would want to be around. He was a man whose responsibility as a prophet was to share God's word and more often than not people disliked him because his words brought conviction in their hearts. Not only was Jeremiah as a prophet often a downer to people but he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is filled with laments. Now a lament is a song, poem, or piece of music that expresses grief, regret or mourning. So reading Lamentations isn't likely to pick up your spirits. Unless you realize within this work of literature includes Jermiah's faith and trust in God alone. When all else fails, just like Jeremiah says - Let Faith Arise.
We all know what it's like to know something but feel something totally opposite. When it comes to our faith - let's consider just because we know what is true, doesn't make it any easier when our hearts are heavy. And our hearts can be heavy for a lot of reasons. Personal pain is present in everyone's life. May we all be reminded the connection between head and heart comes when we refuse to lose God's perspective. Listen to this song we sang at Hope this past Sunday and may God strengthen and encourage you to Let Faith Arise one moment, one day at a time no matter what your personal pain may be.
If we spent any time thinking about it, Jeremiah isn't the type of guy most of us would want to be around. He was a man whose responsibility as a prophet was to share God's word and more often than not people disliked him because his words brought conviction in their hearts. Not only was Jeremiah as a prophet often a downer to people but he wrote the book of Lamentations. This book is filled with laments. Now a lament is a song, poem, or piece of music that expresses grief, regret or mourning. So reading Lamentations isn't likely to pick up your spirits. Unless you realize within this work of literature includes Jermiah's faith and trust in God alone. When all else fails, just like Jeremiah says - Let Faith Arise.
We all know what it's like to know something but feel something totally opposite. When it comes to our faith - let's consider just because we know what is true, doesn't make it any easier when our hearts are heavy. And our hearts can be heavy for a lot of reasons. Personal pain is present in everyone's life. May we all be reminded the connection between head and heart comes when we refuse to lose God's perspective. Listen to this song we sang at Hope this past Sunday and may God strengthen and encourage you to Let Faith Arise one moment, one day at a time no matter what your personal pain may be.
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