by George | May 4, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Possession Obsession
“Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
One of the most annoying things for someone who is addressing an audience is to have someone interupt them right in the middle of their speech. Even the most brilliant speaker could lose their train of thought.
This happened to Jesus, but it didn’t interupt His train of thought. Instead, He used it as a teaching opportunity.
Two men in the crowd were arguing over their inheritance. I can imagine one of them saying, “Oh yeah? Let’s see what the Teacher says about this! He’ll tell you to give me my fair share!”
So he yells out
“…Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
Luke 12:13
Jesus answers:
“… Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:14-15
Then Jesus elaborates further by using a parable.
“The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:16-21
Next, Jesus reminds the disciples not to worry because God is taking care of them.
Jesus then gives them the proper perspective about possessions:
“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:33-34
So, my question for you is not “What’s in your wallet?” My question is:
“Do you have possessions or do they have you?”
by George | Apr 26, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Rise and Shine
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60: 1
Have you ever been awakened by mom or dad saying “Wake up! Rise and shine!”?
What does”rise and shine” mean?
Idioms.com defines it several ways:
- To ask someone to wake up and become active in the daily chores
- Wake up with smile
- Getting out of the bed and starting the day
- Leave the bed and start the routine with energy
- To wake up positively
- To get up and do something nicely
- To ask someone to get out of bed
- To get someone to wake up
The origins of the phrase possibly go back to the 1800’s. Idioms.com explains:
“The phrase is said to have originated in the military operations where soldiers would be asked to wake up early and start their activities in an enthusiastic manner. It was almost a compulsion to be active since the day would be a long one every day and to start positively meant that it went on better.”
“The phrase originates from the rising and shining of the sun. When the sun is out, it is morning and everyone is expected to rise and shine with it to get along with their daily routines.”
Long before the 1800’s, God inspired Isaiah to tell the people “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60: 1
David Guzik explains:
“Arise, shine; for your light has come: After the thick and desperate darkness described in Isaiah 59:9-10, this is the glorious rescue from the Redeemer. Light has come – so God tells His people to respond to it, and to arise and shine.”
Israel had been through the ravages of war, and things looked hopeless.
But, just like the bright rays of the sun breaking through the clouds, God shines the light of His grace and hope.
Do things seem hopeless and impossible right now?
Keep praying, believing that God will answer your prayers.
“Rise and shine!” The light of God’s love, mercy and grace is shining down upon you!
by George | Apr 23, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Free the Animals
“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
Matthew 21:12-13
A co-worker showed me the “Holy Week” calendar her daughter got from school. (I was glad to find out that at least one school still taught about Jesus!)
What caught my eye was “Holy Monday,” the day Jesus “set the sacrificial animals free and cleansed the temple.”
I’ve always looked at this passage in the sense that the ones who were selling the animals shouldn’t do it in the temple, and I applied this to church.
Don’t sell stuff in the church.
Church should be a “House of prayer.”
The merchants operated kind of a “convenience store.” I can imagine a commercial for their services: “You have a long journey to the temple. It’s hot, the babies are crying and your wife is complaining. You don’t have time to keep up with your sacrificial animals. Leave that to us! We offer same day, in temple delivery.”
The idea that Jesus was setting the sacrificial animals free… This puts me in mind of Jesus’ once and for all sacrifice.
This is explained in Hebrews 10. Take a moment and read the whole chapter, but here’s a summary:
“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,”
Hebrews 10:11-12
Jesus took our place. He became sin for us.
So, the sacrificial animals, the ones being offered in place of us, were no longer needed.
He set them free!
Also, by faith in Jesus, we can be set free.
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36
Much like the sacrificial animals being let out of their cages, let us enjoy our freedom from sin today!
