Miraculous Provision: WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

³⁷ But Jesus said, “You feed them.”  “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”  ³⁸ “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”

They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” Mark 6:37-38 

Funny isn't it......how when asked for or to do something how quickly we present with what we don't have.  This is not a healthy way of living.    Here the disciples are with JESUS CHRIST, answering Him (the one that KNOWS EVERYTHING) " With What?"  As if  He's oblivious to what they have and don't have.   The truth is we, do the same thing.    We have excuses for everything.   Why we aren't in Bible Study, Small Group, Why we miss Services,  Why we can't go, Why we "can't" give, why we can't join, why we can't________________________ you fill in the blank and Christ is asking WHAT DO YOU HAVE, not what you don't have....Uh....He's totally aware of that, actually He's FULLY AWARE of both.  This is why when He was inviting the people to the wedding feast, and in the parable people gave a variety of excuses....that only showed their hearts.

So as you prepare to say " Well God knows my heart....." I say unfortunately for you He knows it better than you....and it's probably clogged with selfishness that is keeping your from truly seeing Him work fully in your life.  

So let me switch gears to point out to you what you do have: 

1) You have the grace of God resting on you:  See this is His forgiveness of the excuses of yesterday.  He has given you:

2) TODAY, each of us that are reading this have TODAY (some the whole day, some others maybe not) to look at TODAY as an opportunity to offer it back to Him as you encounter people, how will you communicate His love.

3) You have His word.  Have you spent time reading or listening to a message to inspire you, equip you for today?  Remember you can't live by bread alone, so if you are hungry (physically or spiritually)....eat!

4) You have endless possibilities today, if you keep your focus on Him.  I like to believe when walking with CHRIST through the each day it is boobie-trapped with blessings.   Perspective is everything.  When they realized they had something.....then that was the beginning of the possibilities of a miracle.  Realize you have something, and give it to God!

This is not an exhaustive list, as there are many other things you have, a Pastor, a church family, family, co-workers, and we can include house, car, etc........but all of these are gifts, so in essence as you face today and the question for the days challenges: WHAT DO YOU HAVE?    Well you are more than equipped!   LGLP

Miraculous Provision: Concerned? Do Something!!!

³⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁵ Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. ³⁶ Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

³⁷ But Jesus said, “You feed them.” Mark 6: 34-37a

In the movie John Q, Denzel plays a distressed father, who benefits & hours were slashed at his work site, and his only son collapses during a little league ball game because he's suffering from an enlarged heart.  They discover he is unable to have corrective surgery due to the cost and his own health care coverage whoas.   In a moment of frustration, his spouse who's bedside with their son is told they can no longer stay at the hospital and they will be discharging them to go home, essentially to die, and the wife screams at John Q (played by Denzel Washington) to " do something!"  

Today we find  Jesus' bay side with His disciples and a crowd of people that are hungry for the WORD, and Jesus makes an observation that the people are like a sheep without a shepherd.  As He begins to shepherd them (through caring for them, giving them the WORD of life) and time is passing them by, the disciples notice it's late, and they need to send the people off so they can find food.  So they report to Jesus the observation, as if He didn't already know, and Jesus shocks them by telling them....."You feed them." It's essential that when we, you and I, make and observation that we don't attempt to pass the buck (let someone else take care of it), make excuses (why we can't do something), procrastinate (we are called to be reconcilers.....not waiters) and not waste time worrying about it......when we could be doing something about it.   Now, I say this knowing full well that you may be limited in some areas...but one of those areas shouldn't be prayer for......   We are the riches nation in the world, and surely you can cut out eating out for lunch to have finances for......, or you have an extra_______________ to give away to a family in need.

We are skilled at being critical & nosey.   We are constantly looking into the lives of others.  We judge the singers on the Voice, X Factor, American Idol.   We observe and criticize of how our Pastors or Worship team does on Sunday or Saturday.  We make observations about our neighbors.  We sit from a very low seat but feel empowered to criticize elected officials, while we don't have all the info needed to be critical.  It is said we are our harshest critics....but really......if it is true that when we make and observation, we now have an obligation....what are you doing?  Imagine had the discoverers of all of the things we now take for granted; penicillin, electricity, fossil fuels, etc had only observed and never did anything, where would we be as a civilization?  Jesus disciples wanted to send the people away, and He told them " you feed them.."   What are you doing about the lack of morals on your job?  Leaving....oh that should fix it, wrong!   What are you doing about the lack of organization  or programs at____________________?  Leaving....oh that too should fix, wrong!  Here's my all time favorite.....I don't feel like I'm being fed......so since you meet there once a week, I totally understand.....cause that tells me you are not feeding yourself Monday-Saturday.....I'd be hungry too!

Christ doesn't soft shoe the needs of the people, nor does He ignore it....but what He does do, He waits for and desires for Us to get involved.  So today IS YOUR DAY......as you make observations, you have an obligation, and I pray you are found......."feeding His sheep."  LGLP

Concerning Miracles: JESUS is Concerned About Our Simplest Needs

 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  Mark 6:30-32

Jesus is not a task master where all He cares about is us going to church, being out preaching the Good News, and doing mighty acts for His name's sake....but rather He is gentle, kind, compassionate and considerate.  We see that here because the disciples had been out doing ministry and as they reported to Him, He saw they needed to eat & get some rest.  So He invites them to come away with Him.  

1) Is Jesus calling you to rest (a break from it all) with Him?  He wanted to gather His disciples to himself to give them the rest and nourishment needed to continue, because there was more work to be done.  What about you?   Are you taking Jesus up on a Sabbath?  Have you allowed yourself time to wind down?  Take it from me....burnout is inevitable if you don't.  Turn off your cell for a day (tell those whom you love so they don't panic) and just take some time to clear your mind.

If Jesus wasn't concerned about you, He never would've said  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest " , see He wants you to look to Him for your rest and nourishment, like He invited the disciples to do.  Where is it that you are overworked?  Where is it that your mind is burdened?    Has life become TOO MUCH, and you need a break.....you won't get it if you don't take it.   Take it from me you don't want to be SAT DOWN against your will, so my encouragement to you is to TAKE some TIME to REST and allow CHRIST to nourish you with His presence.  LGLP 

SERIOUSLY WTH: THERE IS A JUDGMENT

²⁷ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27

³¹ “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

 
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’⁴¹ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. ⁴² For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ Matt. 25:31-36,41-43


Contrary to public opinion one doesn't just die and that's it.    Contrary to public opinion the truth is the scripture....it tells us that if you are living, then you will surely die and upon dying you have a judgment to face.    There is an evaluation and that evaluation is essentially a review of your life.    Now....as you see with the RICH MAN there was no pleading of one's case.   There is essentially no need for it.  I say that with grace, because the reality is the decisions you make today and everyday will speak for where you spend your eternity. 

Jesus told them that it will be a separation of the sheep and goats, and in case you didn't know....THEY ARE DIFFERENT.   Just like each of us are different.   Some of us take seriously serving in the church as well as serving as the church and some don't.    Some of us take prayer seriously and some of us don't.    Some of us see the homeless and respond (even if that response is only prayer...that's a response) while some of us we look right past them.   Some of care about the incarcerated, while others of us want them (lives that GOD created) to rot in their cells.    Some of us will volunteer our time and talents to the glory and purpose of the Kingdom while others of us can't get out of the church fast enough.   Some of us take being in a small group seriously, while others try to do things on our own.    See sheep and goats are different.  One is innocent and to a fault dumb, while the other is very independent and stubborn.   One does the will of the Father, and the other is only concerned with getting and themselves.

Which are you?  How will your decisions today communicate whether you are a sheep or goat.  Whether you will be on the left or the right?  My prayer is that how you treat those divine appointments will communicate God's love through you.  Make sure that it will be said of you.....that you loved God, and loved people!  LGLP

SERIOUSLY HELL IS LIKE..............FOR REAL!

^{.............}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.  Luke 16:23-26

Hollywood has served the agenda of Satan well.   We are so desensitized to the horrors of hell that we spend hard to come by and earned dollars to promote them making more media to feed our ignorant curiosity with the demonic world.   We go to great lengths to decorate our yards & homes for the Hollow season and often I wonder why?  Why are we fascinated with Satan, his demons, his world when the world we live in should be enough.  Are we not sick of seeing the news saturated with stories of murder and gruesome discoveries?  Many of us grew up hearing FIRE and BRIMSTONE preaching to which some of us, myself included, accepted Christ because if HELL is REAL, SERIOUSLY that is not a place I want to go.   So what about the place....is it what they depict it being.  Is it a big sadistic wanton party?   Is it a reunion of sinful friends?  Is Satan running around in a red jump suit with a pitch fork poking folks and laughing.........I should say not, and the Bible doesn't speak to this imagery.

What it does speak to is that it is PRISON.  Jesus tells the rich man, he cannot crossover from there nor can anyone crossover from heaven into there.  The verse informs us that the rich man is in ANGUISH....he is being tormented, eternally frustrated.....this doesn't sound like a party folks.  The bottom line is this FOLKS, if Jesus whole reason for coming was to save us from an eternity that in reality we deserved based on our thoughts, our words, and actions...then why wouldn't you, why wouldn't we take this offer?

It is said in death we will be made perfect, knowing all things......this must be true because the rich man never pleads his case for being there, he knew that the everyday decisions he made landed him there.  What about you?  Have you taken the bait of accepting Christ.....because without Him you are destined to live in an eternity reflective of the life you spent here without Him, without His love, His peace, His provision, His comfort?  I haven't been to Hell, nor do I plan to visit the place referred to as an abyss, a Lake of fire burning with sulphur, the place of the dead.....but what I do know is I've made a wise choice to spend this time Loving God, and Loving People...and prayerfully I'll love them out of the jaws of Hell, into the arms of Jesus Christ.  LGLP

SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES: HELL....A LOVING GOD...RIGHT

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.  Luke 16:21-24

HELL.... THE CHOICE OF A NEW GENERATION......c'mon Ray really?  I know that was borrowed from an old 80's Pepsi slogan, but the reality is.....I believe more people are choosing Hell.  Don't get me wrong I desire for people to choose differently and I'd much rather see people come to Christ, but as I look around many of us have the attitude of the rich man on this side of eternity.

Jesus reminds us (in Matthew 7:21) that only those that do the will of the Father will enter heaven, so while I can spend time questioning whether Hell is a real place or not, or would why would a loving God SEND someone to a place as torturous as Hell....I'd rather focus on our everyday choices that lead us into an eternity apart from God, versus a life that says I'm walking with God, and when I'm done walking with God through this life that walk will continue in the life to come.    See we read that the RICH MAN was RICH and he lived a luxurious life, knowing full well that there was a poor man laying outside of his gate at the least needing food, medical attention, and he needed clothes (or how else could the dogs lick his open sores) ultimately he needed care and he, the RICH MAN, did nothing.

So where is it that you see the needs of others and you do nothing?  Let's look and see what would Jesus have us to do.  CAN YOU DO SOMETHING/ANYTHING vs. NOTHING?  They need food.....can you spare a lunch or an extra lunch for them, prepare a dinner for a family that you know is in need?  They need medical attention....with the cost of healthcare can you get them to the free clinic or at least hand them a brochure about one?   With all the clothes you got.......surely no one should go naked.  Lastly do you even care.......the RICH MAN was too busy enjoying His wealth to take time out to care about Lazarus...and if Lazarus was there everyday, I'm sure the RICH MAN began to look past and over Lazarus.  Is that you....do you even see the poor in your path?  Do you even care about those in your neighborhood or your job that are the poor in.........__________________(fill in the blank)?   What about those in far away countries....do you go out of your way to help?  

You can approach this with a lowering buckets with food, clothing, medical supplies to the poor, or you can lower a ladder. Since the WORD of GOD is true that we will have the poor with us always......maybe that also means there is always WORK for US as the people of GOD to do................LGLP

SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES: SERIOUSLY MANY!!!!

Not everyone who calls out to me, "Lord, Lord!" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, " Lord, Lord!  We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name."  But I will reply, " I never knew you.  Get away from me, you who break God's laws.  Matthew 7:21-23

SAY WHAT?!?!?! Many.....maybe that was a typo.....no typo....and many don't mean a couple or a few...many means many...and if we really think about it....during that time if every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.....and you do the math that many of them will call/cry out.....and He will say depart from me........SERIOUSLY!  Where was Jesus at when He said this and who was He talking to?  Jesus was coming to a close of the famous Sermon on the Mount, so in the midst of His audience was a variety of people.  Of course the disciples were with Him, some curious listeners, some of the religious and gov't leaders and He wanted to communicate that there were false prophets as well as false believers that while they did "works" they never really had a truly repentant heart.  And because they hadn't truly repented (turned away, seriously changed direction, altered their life's trajectory) then they really never knew Him.  They didn't love Him, more than they did their sin.

So what is Jesus saying......I believe He is saying that truly knowing Him, coming in real contact with Him produces a serious change in one's life, in one's heart so much so that it's noticeable inside and out.  So what about you?  Since accepting Jesus as your personal LORD & SAVIOR have you seriously repented of______________________, so much so that you don't do that anymore?  Are you even getting help.....or have you deceived yourself as the "false prophets" have believing that you can rid yourself of drugs, alcohol, pornography, abuse, lying, cheating, you name it?  Don't mistake me for saying you become perfect...no as long as we are in the flesh we will sin to some degree.....but the question is are you so broken hearted over your sin, that you seek help from it daily because you take HEAVEN & HELL seriously?

There is an eternal destination....and based on GOD knowing your heart....and how everything you do from your heart communicates really, SERIOUSLY whether you truly KNOW JESUS.  My prayer is that you are honest with yourself and seek the help you need as you WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING (Phil.2:12) and focus on Loving God & Loving People (all people, not just those you personally like)!  LGLP

SERIOUS COVENANT: REMMARIAGE & RECONCILIATION

Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?

¹⁷ Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. ¹⁸ For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. ¹⁹ For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.

²⁰ Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you.  Cor. 7:16-20

Let us all be honest......we have all messed up this thing called Christianity!  I mean really that's what we, humans do.   We've misinterpreted and abused the word of God to permit us to doing what our wayward hearts have desired, much like what the Old Testament Israelites did time after time.  That being said reading and learning about God's original intent for marriage will break our hearts to realize where we could have really been a witness to our spouse, or to our kids, or our neighbors, and or even our own families of what it means to live in understanding ( 1Peter 3:7) with our spouse.

God's goal as I stated yesterday through His Word is oneness/holiness in our marital covenants.   Early on in 1 Cor.7 Paul reminds us of even reconciling when it at all possible.  Again, our Christian walk should be about reconciliation not just in marriage but with others as a whole, as this is what GOD is about.......constantly desiring us to be reconciled to Him.  But sometimes that is even difficult.   The EX has moved on.   The EX has been hurt so bad that you are "dead" to them.  There is serious emotional damage done...and this is why Paul says we should remain single....because the risk of carrying that into the next relationship and damaging another person's life is highly probable.  So what do you do if you now realize your miscues and you have a new spouse......KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS!

The reality is, once we've scrabbled an egg there is no way to undo it.  So in today's verse we discover Paul through the Holy Spirit's inspiration to continue in the situation you are now in KNOWING THE LORD's will, and desiring above all to fulfill it.   Can you imagine what it would be like if every second marriage immediately divorced because folks made a mistake and wanted to fix the first....how hurt the current spouse would be, how confused they would be and the kids......how if we  masked it religion how those would probably turn from and hate OUR GOD.......this is why as your heart may break for your previous marriage....that now you would desire GOD's Favor with your current and prayerfully COVENANT PARTNER til DEATH do you PART. 

What relationship can you be reconcile in?  If you can't think of one....let me help......the one with GOD.  Spend some time on the drive to work, or just alone repenting of how you abandoned Him.  How you cheated on Him...with ___________________________.  And be ye reconciled in your faithful commitment to LOVE HIM, and LOVE OTHERS.  GOD BLESS YOU....LGLP

SERIOUS COVENANT? WHAT''S YOUR GOAL?

Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?”they asked.  ⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. Matt. 19:7-8

Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. ¹³ And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. ¹⁴ For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage.  ¹⁶ Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you? 1 Cor. 7:12-14,16

I've been married 11 years and 5mos, and if I think back to the exact day that I stood before my peers with my beautiful bride, and ask myself what was my goal......I struggle with that.  Why?  Because at that time, during that moment I knew I was focused on doing the right thing, I knew that God spoke to me and told me that Cherilyn was my wife, and we both felt good about our decision, we loved each other.....but WHAT WAS OUR GOAL in getting married?  Was it to successfully raise kids and have a loving,comfortable, fruitful Christian married life? Maybe....maybe our personal goals were to feel fulfilled, completed, loved, respected.....etc, seriously?  We took traditional vows.......I know it said something about being loved, honored and cherished....but did it say anything about being fulfilled, respected, completed, or happy?

See in today's scriptures we see a few things: 

1) God's heart, His goal and purpose for marriage from the beginning was that this was a permanent union that would be an Earthly representation of His Holiness and Character through two people coming together as ONE, as He is ONE (with the Holy Spirit and Christ).  According to Ephesians 5: Holiness is the goal!

2) Divorce was created by MAN, because our hearts became hard towards one another & GOD (if we are honest)!  The hardening of our hearts make it SERIOUSLY difficult to love GOD (cause we question Him regarding our NEEDS not being met by our spouse) and our spouse because we are focused on ourselves.

3)  God's purpose is that all would come to know Him, repent, and love Him.   This is why INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT Paul wrote " this is not a direct command from the Lord" that an unsaved spouse possible ONLY hope of coming to KNOW the LORD, REPENT, and LOVE HIM maybe through the devotion of the believing spouse.

Tomorrow I'll address those that have been married, divorced, and remarried but today....no matter where you are......WHAT'S YOUR GOAL?  Do you even have a goal for your marriage?  If you do.....  DOES YOUR GOAL line up with GOD's, because if it doesn't that maybe the bulk of your struggle.   Is your goal that your marriage would tell the truth about GOD to your children, to the world?  Does your marriage show the LOVE, KINDNESS, MERCY, TENDERNESS, PATIENCE of GOD towards your spouse?  Because of YOUR DEVOTION do your kids talk about getting married, do they fantasize and dream about enjoying their own husband/wife and children?  Remember you marriage is a testimony.  I pray GOD's blessings be upon you..........LGLP

SERIOUS COVENANT: DIVORCE? SERIOUSLY?

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
⁴ “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” ⁵ And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ ⁶ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”  Matt. 19:3-6


Doesn't that cake just break your heart?  That something intended to be beautiful ends in pain, brokenness and tragedy.   Think about it.....Jesus is so committed to Marriage, that he doesn't even answer their question regarding divorce.   Divorce has become common.  It's the easy out.  

Anyone remember Krazy Glue?  How it was so strong that a guy could have on a hard hat attached to a support beam and it hold the weight of them.   Don't you wish husbands/wives were committed to that extent that absolutely nothing could separate them.  Nowadays we are more committed to our own agendas & expectations regarding marriage that when they aren't met we are out.  But what about God's expectations?  What about that HE said are no longer two, but one flesh?   What about what HE joins together let NO ONE split apart, or separate.   


That NO ONE, is you.  That NO ONE is your flirtatious co-worker/neighbor/stranger.   That NO ONE is the kids (biological, adopted, step...etc.) .  What is it that is stopping you from sticking it out with your mate?  If your answer begins with I, or the I is littered through your response, I challenge you to look at what God desires, and seek to please Him, in your marriage.  Over 90% of marriages are terminated because of selfishness....and I assure if humans are involved......they aren't one/lop sided.  JESUS WAS SERIOUS ABOUT MARRIAGE, so much so.....He avoided basing His response on divorce,  because divorces do serious damage....that we are currently paying for as individuals, a society and as a country.   LGLP

SERIOUS COVENANT: SERIOUS SIGN

Then God told Noah and his sons, ⁹ “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, ¹⁰ and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

¹² Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. ¹³ I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.  Genesis 9:8-13

We are all familiar with the creation story and how God instituted the first marriage ceremony and covenant with Adam and Eve, but as we continue to read we discover that they had issues.  Eve didn't really have the relationship with GOD that Adam did.  Adam knew what God said, and stood by in glorious stupor watching, listening to the serpent deceive her/them.  So sin enters the world, and then soon after the first murder occurs with who.....their children.  As Adam is fulfilling his role "replenishing the earth" sin is then multiplied only to bring God to a point of frustration with creation that He's had it! 

He informs Noah of what to do, because He's calling it a wash, literally.  He plans to flood the entire planet except for Noah's family and some animals.  Can you imagine being told by God, that THIS IS IT?  Kiss your neighbors goodbye.  That favorite trail....will be underwater.  Can you imagine wondering will this happen again, that God, His frustrations will lead to something as catastrophic as a flood.........?

God wanted Noah, and his family, and their descendants (us) to know that He would NEVER flood the Earth again, and as a sign He painted/provided the first rainbow.  God wanted to give a visible sign to the world of His faithfulness to us.  Now that sign has been used to create myths of pots of gold, as well as for the LGBT community....but despite whatever we attempted to twist and pervert it to mean.....it will always be GOD's sign of faithfulness to us.

Married couples covenant is marked by a ring, and depending on who you talk to that can be a SERIOUS SIGN, but for those that can't afford the 2+ carat variety, platinum jewels.....what's your sign?  If you are single, but devoted to God, what's your SERIOUS SIGN.  If you are truly a follower, a disciple, a doer of the WORD of GOD/CHRIST what's your sign that is visible to your spouse, your co-workers, your children, and your neighbors.  A covenant is not a conditional agreement.....it's a statement that says...no matter what I am committed to__________________.  SERIOUSLY?  SERIOUSLY!  LGLP (that's what I am committed to)

SERIOUS ACTION: 5 Steps to a Changed Life

So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eterna96l fire with both of your hands and feet. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.  Matt. 18:8-9

So it's FRIDAY!!!!  While we are at the end of another blogpost recapping this past Sunday's message on dealing with sin, have you done it?  You know........cut it off, or gouged it out?  See while doing nothing seals your fate, when you decide to take action....well that leads to a changed/better life.  There was this group in the mid-late 90's called Dru Hill from Baltimore that performed a song " 5 Steps (from Heaven) and I'd like to give you 5 Steps to having a better life due to dealing ruthlessly with your OWN SIN:

First you must FEAR APATHY:  Come to the reality that your sin issue is serious, and not down play it.  It's not OK...that you ___________________.  Just ask yourself " If eternity is really a long time.....is it worth me spending it in torment?" As a kid I remember not doing certain things simply because I feared my mom....that healthy fear (respect) kept me and my siblings out of trouble with the law.

Second STARVE WHAT FEEDS YOUR TEMPTATION:  the only way to beat sin, is to flee from it as we are instructed in 1Tim 6:11, 1 Cor. 10:13-14.  Fleeing from it doesn't mean you don't or won't crave it, but like in detox, you have to separate yourself from what has become and addiction and not only that....replace it with something that will fill that hole: Jesus!

Third, BET ON OBEDIENCE:  in scripture we are told 1Sam. 15:22 that OBEDIENCE is BETTER THAN SACRIFICE....so in other words, we all know if we would just do right, we'll reap RIGHTEOUS RESULTS.

Fourth, CRAVE BETTER:  I've seen it many of times...you can take the Israelites out of Egypt, but taking Egypt out of the Israelites is a wholly different subject.   Just look at pop culture...how kids given a golden ticket to a major University or to professional sports really struggle with leaving the ghetto in the ghetto.  Taste buds are really important, they lead to cravings when we taste something that is stimulating.  Taste of the LORD and see that He is good.....become stimulated to crave more of Him.

Lastly BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF/SOMEONE:  If you feel like you are spiritually stagnant.....others already know.   You just need to be real, and as James 5:16 encourages us to do CONFESS YOUR SINS ONE TO ANOTHER, PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER and be HEALED....see your healing hinges on your being REAL and TRANSPARENT. 

My prayer is that you will take the steps necessary to leading and living a life that brings righteousness to you and all those whom God has blessed you to be able to impact and influence.  Your ability to truly put feet to your faith is on WHO DO YOU LOVE?  If you really LOVE GOD, you'll take these FIVE STEPS, and you can't help but then LOVE PEOPLE!  Have a blessed weekend! LGLP

SERIOUS ACTION: We Try To Play With Sin

Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! ⁹ The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

¹⁰ Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) ¹¹ Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. ¹² So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. ¹³ But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.  Genesis 13:8-13

What about you?  Where would you have chosen to live?    We make choices everyday that either take us closer to God, or farther from Him.  Lot saw the fertility of the plains, the riverbed and the beauty of it all that reminded him of Egypt and the garden of the Lord and chose that.    Lot also knew that in Sodom and Gomorrah that the people there, well.....they were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against God, so why did he move close to that?  I believe, and this is my believe....that we like being close to sin.  We like to get close enough without actually doing it.   We are so much like our kids when we tell them not to do something, they figure out ways to try to do it without getting caught.  But we deceive ourselves and downplay the draw that sin has, so much so the flirting with sin, can often lead to committing to SIN.

We know that we have a past with alcohol but we try to manage it better, instead of staying completely away from it.   We know we have an affinity towards pornography but we will still get cable, DTV, DISH, internet, magazines so that we can get more of it.   We know that our faith is weak, but we keep our same friends and convince ourselves into believing we can save them, when we can't even save ourselves.   We choose comfort over challenge.  It's far more comfortable & insane for us to not give tithes/offering and trust ourselves than it is to trust God.  Lot by Chapter 14:12 of Genesis no longer resides outside Sodom and Gomorrah, but he now lives in town.  Sin is like a bag of tasty potato chips.  We know that eating the whole bag aint good for us.  We know it drives up cholesterol, it heightens our blood pressure, adds to our body weight, but we convince ourselves (in one sitting) a little bit at a time won't hurt, until the TV show ends and we are sitting with an empty bag of chips wondering how did we ever eat the whole bag.  It must have been the chip gnomes!  Sin is fun.  Sin does feel good.....but only temporarily!  Ask the those with diabetes (because of sinful over eating does that feel good).   Ask the children of divorced parents does it feel good knowing mom & dad had affairs?  Ask the struggling single mom or dad.......is raising kids alone fun.    Ask those who are caught in a financial scandal does it feel good to be unemployable?  Ask lifetime smokers with cancer now, were the cigarettes worth it.  Somethings (food) in moderation are fine, but SIN in moderation hurts over time.

In order to be rid of those things that really hinder our walk, we need to really, SERIOUSLY GET RID OF THEM.   If the music your are listening to causes arguments.....GET RID OF IT!   If the only movies or games  you can watch are ones that you have to wait for the kids to go to bed to watch (due to it's content) GET RID OF THEM! If the people you are hanging with don't help to sharpen your faith......you need to GET NEW FRIENDS!  Jesus tell us to cut it off, gouge it out.......what do you play with that needs to be cut off or gouged out?  LGLP

SERIOUS ACTION: Silence Isn't Always Golden......SERIOUSLY?!?!?!

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on  board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

⁴ But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. ⁵ Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.
But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. ⁶ So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”



¹⁰ The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. ¹¹ And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”
¹² “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” Jonah 1:3-6, 10-12

This week we will be wrestling to our responsiveness or lack thereof to SIN.  And how and why Jesus challenged us in Matthew 18 to SERIOUSLY DEAL WITH OUR SIN.  During today's culture and toxic political climate Christians all over feel the need to SPEAK UP and exercise their RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, in hopes to make, cause and spur change in the WHITE HOUSE, but what about THERE HOUSE?  Where is it that Satan has come onto your ship (Like Jonah did in direct disobedience to God's call) and intentionally went to sleep while chaos is occurring in your home?  Is it where the television is being worshipped more than the WORD?  Are the kids so brainwashed into believing THEY should have a boyfriend/girlfriend since everyone else does that has you at odds with one another?  Do you spend more time gossipping then spreading the gospel?  Does the American Dream have your pursuit, over the WILL of GOD? 

Jesus told us the gouge out the eye that is causing us to stumble, and cut off the hand/foot that is offending us.  Jonah knew he was the very reason for the anger of God fallen upon that ship and it's shipmates but he did nothing, except later instructed THEM to throw him overboard (not that him being willing to just jump off to save them).  Sin is willing to take you, and anyone else down with it.  Jesus and Jonah both suggested you do something about the SIN (the reason for the storms in your life)....the question is ARE YOU GONNA DO IT?  Sure silence is golden in the movie theatres....but is it really treasured when it comes to dealing WITH YOUR OWN SIN?  If your desire is to spend eternity with the FATHER...then deal with it!  OTHERWISE you have the RIGHT to remain silent regarding your own sins and spend eternity with the father of lies.

Unless your house is perfect....(He who is without sin....) I'd suggest you work on your own SIN (removing the beam out of your own eye), before you call on that of others, and try loving them into righteous living through your example, cause if you do it right they'll ask you....."Why, How is it you can _______________________ when all this is going on.....??????   LGLP

SERIOUS ACTION: CAUSING WHO TO STUMBLE?

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. ⁶ But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
⁷ “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.

This week we are confronting the problem with our response to sin, or our lack thereof.  This is not about us trying to fix the WHITE HOUSE but rather OUR HOUSE.  How serious was Jesus when he made the statement:  "It would be better for you to be drowned, or great sorrow awaits those who tempt people into sin?"
The truth is He was very serious.  As Christians we are sent into to world to be salt and light, we are suppose to be reflections of His love demonstrated through us, in the workplace, our home, our communities, and home.  People tend to hate and or mock Christians and Christianity because somehow we have gotten things turned around and believe we are to judge folks, so much so when you tell people you are a Christian....which I have yet to read WE NEED TO TELL THEM THAT WE ARE CHRISTIANS, they want nothing to do with you or your religion.  What I do read though is that THEY WILL KNOW CHRIST by OUR GREAT LOVE.....so instead of sharing our opinions which TRIP, CAUSING THEM TO STUMBLE which we are CAUTIONED NOT TO DO, or be SEEN DOING.....let's commit to sharing the LOVE of CHRIST to a world that doesn't quite get it, have it, and is deep need of it.  


Secondly and finally the world is full of temptations.....I know I  know......"this world is going to hell in a hand basket..." they say....but will it be because you flirt too much?  Will it be because you are sharing your "parental advisory" play list with someone that really don't need to hear that garbage?   Will it be because you invite people over to have a good time, and alcohol is the driver to folks you know can't handle the liquor?  Will it be because you know the BOOTLEG DVD  guy, and refers others to promote their thievery?  Will it be because you gossip to your co-workers/friends about your pastor, or your church that keeps them from ever coming to visit or get to know who Christ really is?  Will it be (FILL IN THE BLANK)............

Hey, folks everyone is being watched by someone...and the question is are you aware that if no one else...you should be performing for an audience of one, GOD.....cause if you life pleases Him, they won't stumble because of you, and they'll come to know HIM because of you!  LGLP

YOU ARE THE MAN (the Rich Young Ruler) SERIOUSLY!

When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²³ But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

²⁴ When Jesus saw this,^[b] he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! ²⁵ In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

²⁶ Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?”

Up to this point the rich young ruler had it going on, until Jesus pinpointed what it was that controlled him, and I feel it's necessary to now shed a little more light on the subject.  If you are reading this post.....YOU ARE RICH!   If you have recently cleaned out your refrigerator......YOU ARE RICH!  If you went out to eat recently......YOU ARE RICH!   If you didn't finish your meal...and through out the leftovers......YOU ARE RICH!  If you have a car....YOU ARE RICH!   If you have one television or more.....YOU ARE RICH!  If you have health insurance.....YOU ARE RICH!  If you live in the USA (forget your annual salary) ......YOU ARE RICH!  Folks I don't care what side of the political line you sit or side on......YOU ARE THE RICH!  You are far more wealthier than 85% of the rest of the WORLD!  So Jesus says....it's easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for (YOU) a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!

Really Ray....you think I'm rich?  I am behind on my bills, I'm losing or lost my house.....etc. UH YEAH!  When your decisions on whether or not to pay you cable bill or tithe...go figure.   When you have a retirement, 401k.....etc....GO FIGURE!  When you are planning your next vacation...while someone is dreaming about it......GO FIGURE!  Hey I'm not free from this...I have a retirement fund, I try to plan vacations (they don't happen all the time) and I have a cable bill too........but you know what I've been homeless too (twice) to be exact!  But none of my stuff own me.  I give my tithe and then some.  Many of my talents go to His Glory ( I say many because I'm sure I'm nowhere near perfect) so.....as I prepare to close....JESUS knows what it's like to be the RICH YOUNG RULER...He too was HEAVENLY & ETERNALLY rich and He left it to come LIVE AMONGST and DIE FOR US to GLORIFY GOD. 

What will your life be lived for?  Who will you have sacrificed for OUTSIDE of your home?  Is your goal in life to GLORIFY GOD while improving the quality of LIFE of others (in your home, neighborhood, and marketplace)?  There is an audience of folks watching you from above (Heavenly Hosts) and they see your checkbook and your calendar....and that will tell the truth about stewarded your riches...or misappropriated and hoarded.  LGLP