Rich but poor

"Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”  Luke 12:15

Years ago,  multimillionaire John D. Rockefeller, was asked how much money does it take to make a man happy. His reply? "Just one dollar more." His answer came at the the peak of his wealth, Rockefeller had a net worth of about 1% of the entire US economy! 

As I was driving the other day, I was struck with the observation of how many storage facilities there were. We have so much, we don't have room to store it.  Apparently, we are like the rich farmer in Luke 12:18. He had an overabundance of crops that he didn't have room to store his present harvest. So, instead of giving the excess to the needy, he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger barns to hold it all for himself. He was not aware that he would die that very night. Jesus called this man a fool. "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” 

God isn't against having possessions but He is against things being more important than our relationship with God. 

"For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world at the price of his own soul? What could a man offer to buy back his soul once he had lost it?" Matthew 16:26

Being Tempted?

 

Every human being faces temptation at some time in their lives, You may be tempted to lie to protect your reputation. You may be tempted to cheat on a test to pass a subject in school. Everyone faces temptation but the good news is that God always provides a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of obedience to God. James 1:13 Temptation is not sinful because Jesus Himself was tempted. In Matthew 4, we read how Jesus faced temptation and was victorious. For 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus fasted in the wilderness AND He was being tempted by the devil, This is what Jesus was facing.

Jesus is faced with three temptations. These temptations are described as the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes. Today we'll look at the lust of the flesh. We all have times in our lives when the lust of the flesh tempts us. This temptation says I want it." After 40 days without food, the devil tempts Jesus to turn stones to bread. Matthew 4:3 Nothing wrong in satisfying your hunger unless it is outside the will of God. Sin is fulfilling a God-given desire in a way that God never intended.

Jesus overcame temptation by quoting Scripture and relying on the power of God. Instead of saying "I want it" let's say "I want God."

What Did You Expect?

I have found that when I am frustrated, angry, and depressed, many times the source of my dilemma is unfulfilled expectations. Things didn't turn out like I had anticipated. When your promotion did not come through. Your 'happily-ever-after' marriage ended not happily. You prayed earnestly but God did not answer me, at least not as you expected. 

Since God is in control of my life, I have to surrender my life and its expectations to Him. There is nothing wrong with making plans but ultimately God's will has to be considered.  James 4:13-17. After all, God loves us and only wants our best. 

Ultimately we must give our expectations to God and in doing so, we will have peace. 

" My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62: 

Infinite But Intimate

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 

The true God is truly infinite, meaning He is totally outside of our world. Only He has no source, no beginning, and no end. God needs nothing, depends on nothing, and owes nothing. The concept of time is totally foreign to Him. He is “holy, holy, holy” — perfect in every way. Simply put, God is God, and we are not. 

For some people, they cannot grasp the idea that this infinite God truly wants a relationship with them. Their lives have been filled with so much sin, how can a holy God even consider them? Psalm 8:4 But the Bible tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 None of us are deserving of His love and care. He loves us because we are His creation. 

Others have understood God's love for them and received His forgiveness, but they struggle with the fact that God is interested in their daily lives. After all, why would the God that controls the universe care about my job, my finances, my family? It's because He loves us as individuals and not just as a mass of people.  Abraham was called "the friend of God." Isaiah 41:8. Jesus called His disciples friends. 

And God wants to be YOUR friend. He desires a personal relationship with each of us no matter our race, social standing, or financial status. So, why don't you talk with your "friend" today and seek His direction for your life? 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

6 

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Lion and a Lamb

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

Years ago, many Christians wore bracelets that had the letters WWJD, this referred to What Would Jesus Do. The Bible clearly teaches us that Jesus is to be our example on how we should live. 

The Bible also uses the metaphor of Jesus being a lion and a lamb. Revelation 5:5-6. So, how should we live as a Lion and a Lamb? It means to be tough for and tender with others.  Jesus was tough and tender. He was tough for those religious hypocrites and tender with those caught in sin.  

Recently I heard a story of a Special Operations sniper who would be dropped behind enemy lines to "take out" a certain evil person. After accomplishing his mission, he would return home to his family which included his little daughter. His daughter had a ritual to celebrate her father's return. She would have a tea party for him. This included little teacups, lace, and a crown making her a princess. This sniper could be tough for her and tender with her. She was never afraid of him because she only knew his tender side.

A Christ-follower needs at times be tough and at times be tender. 

Who Am I?

 So, God created human beings in his image... Genesis 1:27 

According to Dr. Joe Rubino, approximately 85% of people worldwide have issues with self-esteem, so there is a good chance that you are struggling insecurity. I know I struggled with insecurity all my life. The day I was born, my mother delivered me in a small hospital. That particular day, there was no room available for her so, she was placed in the hall with a standup curtain for privacy and that is where I was born. (No wonder I had feelings of insecurity.) 

Insecurity can affect us in countless areas of our lives. Every person will notice their inner critic being more vocal in one area or another.  Old feelings that we are incompetent or that we will never be acknowledged or appreciated can send our insecurities through the roof. Some common critical inner voices about one’s career include:

No one appreciates you.

Who do you think you are? You’ll never be successful.

You’ll never get everything done. You’re so lazy.

My dad says I'm stupid, so I must be.

God created man perfect, but man fell from that state due to sin. Since than there has never been a perfect man since. (Except Jesus Christ) Security/Insecurity is all a manner of focus. If we look inward at Self we will always me insecure and disappointed. 

Man is primarily a spiritual being. To find peace and self-worth, you must have a personal relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. "It is through Him [Jesus] that we are able to live, to do what we do, and be who we are.." Acts 17:28 

Helpful quotes:

Not one drop of my self-worth depends on your acceptance of me.”

Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”

 

Life is a marathon

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,.. Hebrews 12:1

I remember well my first day of basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. All the new recruits we "chauffeured" in an air-conditioned bus to hear a welcome from the commanding general. After we heard what to expect in the next eight weeks, we were ushered back to the parking lot where we expected our bus to be waiting. Instead, we were introduced to our drill sergeant who informed us that there would be no bus, but we would have to run the two miles back to our barracks. And to make sure we didn't get lost; he would lead us lead - in his jeep. Needless to say, most of us didn't make it in the allotted time. 

Running became a regular routine each morning. We were started with a two-mile run, which was increased gradually. At the end of our eight weeks, we were running eight miles! To my surprise, I actually enjoyed those runs! (Truth) In the military, running was never about sprinting but endurance. 

Endurance implies that the Christian life is better compared to a marathon than a sprint. It is something that takes work, commitment, and fortitude. It can't be completed without preparation or practice—otherwise we will burn out in no time at all. Think about it: you would not run a marathon without any preparation. You don’t just show up the day of the race and expect to do well. Rather, you sign up months ahead, sometimes a year ahead.

Peter and John both exhort us: “do not be surprised” or "do not be caught off guard" at the race we must run 1Peter4:12 1 John 3:3

When we see the course that is set before us, we will not be surprised. We will be ready to run, come what may.