Party Mind

Luke 12: ¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

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Thursday was my “Friday” when it cam to this particular job. When I got off work I was finally free from the shackles and I could do what “I” wanted to do. I made a few calls and said “The party starts at 12:34 AM. I’m barbequing! Bring your own bottle!”

• “Living life” once meant what type of vacation could I go on.
• “Living life” once meant how many people could I cram into my party.
• “Living life” once meant spending valuable time showing people “my” stuff so “I” could be admired.

JESUS used the parable of the wealthy man to illustrate the fact that human pride mixed with greed is blinding. Instead of sharing the wealth that obviously came from GOD, the man had plans to keep his wealth to himself and then party. JESUS used this to moment to discuss true treasure.

• GOD wants me to invest some of my time thinking of others rather than only thinking of myself.
• GOD wants me to reduce my “party, vacation” mindset to increase helping my neighbor.
• GOD wants me to see the needs of those around me so I can share my time, wealth and belief in JESUS.

Purpose was lacking in the wealthy man in the parable and sometimes it is lacking in me. When I seek “my” pleasure, I can blame others for not allowing me to have “my” way. Either with lack of money or lack of time, I can grouse over not having the ability to vacation or party or buy something new.

BUT GOD wants me to grow up. HE does not mind me having friends over nor does HE mind me being wealthy. HE does mind when my entire purpose is to only enjoy life, passing up opportunities to help others. Constantly seeking to enjoy life will only bear fruit that is temporary. GOD’s fruit lasts forever. I want GOD’s fruit.

• Are you constantly seeking to buy new stuff?
• Do you think by having more stuff or better vacations, your life would be better?
• Can you change your mindset and see the value of serving people the way GOD wants you to so you can store up treasure in heaven today?

More or Less

Luke 12: ¹³ Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

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“Try this on” the salesperson persuadably said.  When I put the garments on, I felt rich. I stared in the mirror and imagined scenarios of popularity and pride. “How much?” I asked. “Oh, about half a month of your salary.” “Hmm, I really want this” I battled. “I’ll take it.”

• Envy can make me want what others have.
• Greed can make me want more, even when I have enough.
• Pride can make me feel less than adequate even when I have plenty.

JESUS addresses possessions directly when a brother was fighting a brother over money.  “Life is more than materialism” JESUS said. But what does this have to do with me?

• GOD says to me, “I will give you abundant life.”
• GOD says to me, “Your life is extremely valuable to ME.”
• GOD says to me, “People are MY treasure, therefore go and bring ME back the treasure that is lost.”

When I believed that I needed JESUS as my Savior, the angels rejoiced. GOD wants me to bring HIM more and more people not just possessions as people think. GOD wants my message to be about HIS SON but sometimes money gets mixed into the message.

GOD wants me to let go of needing to have the latest thing or be styled in the nicest garments. HE wants me to focus people on HIS majesty so they will be taken care of by HIM. HE is what I desire.

• Do you want more than you have?
• Do you feel inadequate because you don’t have enough?
• Will you stop relying on the possessions you have as a basis of “who you are” and focus on what GOD declared “who you are” today?

Speaking With Purpose

Luke 12: ⁸ “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

¹⁰ “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

¹¹ “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

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Feeling lonely, I listened to how others spoke. I wanted to “fit in” so I began to mimic how others spoke to one another, no matter how different the words were from my values. Soon I was in the in-crowd enjoying life to its fullest. My calendar filled up with events. Funny, the in-crowd did not have much time for GOD.

• Life only has so many seconds for me to spend my time.
• Life only has a finite period for me to speak.
• Life only has so many moments for me to choose between what I want or what GOD wants.

JESUS says something truly exciting. “Whoever confesses ME before men, HIM the SON of Man also will confess before the angels of GOD.” I can only imagine the excitement on HIS face when HE says, “That’s one of MINE!”

• GOD wants me to spend some of my time speaking about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to confess to people that JESUS saves me.
• GOD wants me to tell people about HIS SON, in word and in examples.

There is only a short period of time that I have on this earth and it is up to me to decide what to do with it. I can fill up my time with events, politics, hatred or just being foolish BUT GOD wants me to think about how I use my time. HE wants me to take only a short period out of my day to confess that JESUS is the CHRIST who is my savior.

This is not hard, nor does it prevent me from doing other things. HE simply wants me to enjoy my relationship with HIM by sharing it with others. JESUS is my LORD.

• Are you too busy to speak about JESUS?
• How much time do you spend speaking about things that repel people from GOD?
• Can you take only a short period of time this week to speak about GOD’s love? 

Strength Training

Luke 12: ⁴ “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

⁶ “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. ⁷ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

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Sitting at my desk, I thought of different ways to exit the building. A bully had threatened to beat me up at 3:15 PM and I could not tell anyone otherwise it would truly cause the fight to happen. I could only think about the bully.

• In the past I have been filled with fear.
• There were moments when I was scared of a particular person.
• Several times I got worried about what humans would do to me so I sought to protect myself.

JESUS tells an innumerable crowd about depending on GOD. HE summed up life in a few short statements. “There will always be another bully that will fight you in all aspects in life, so do not fear them. BUT fear not doing what GOD says to do.

• GOD wants me to fear what HE will do to me for not proclaiming that HIS SON is my savior.
• GOD wants me to fear NOT depending on HIM.
• GOD wants me to fear eternal separation from HIS love.

“Fear HIM who has the power to cast you into hell after death” was JESUS’s statement, but HE wasn’t finished. HE also said BUT GOD cares for you as HE has a plan for every hair on your head. HE cares for birds and other animals, HE can certainly care for you.

GOD’s power is infinite and I should fear not serving HIM daily. HE protects me from bullies of all sorts, especially those who desire to control me. GOD wants my passion and HE will take out those who try to snuff my passion for HIM. HIS protection is invaluable and gives me strength.

• Are you getting worn down by someone?
• Are you trying to control someone?
• Will you stop looking at other people and focus your path to GOD?
• Will you get your strength from GOD instead of allowing humans to put you in a fearful mood?

Said and Done

Luke 12: In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. ³ Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

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Having the title of a church leader was quite an honor. I mean now I had to step up my game when it came to being “good.” I dressed in the nicest suits and upon entering the building, I kept my dirty mouth outside. Everyone who saw me thought I was doing great at this “GOD thing.”

• There have been many times when I looked clean on the outside and was dirty on the inside.
• There have been many times when I wanted to look holier than I was acting.
• There have been many times when I desired to be revered more than simply following GOD.

JESUS points to the hypocrisy of the church leaders. They could say scripture, attend church regularly and give a lot but were also great at hiding their sin and making others admit theirs. JESUS tore through their charade and says, everything said and done will be proclaimed.

• GOD says to me “Admit your sins so they will have no hold on you.”
• GOD says to me “Acknowledge MY power to forgive sins so you can be free indeed.”
• GOD says to me “Avoid hiding sins too deeply by admitting them to yourself and to ME.”

Maturity means being truthful with myself. It is the understanding that sin has consequence and I need to admit, I have sinned a lot. From lying, to lust, from hatred to hypocrisy, from greed to gross behavior, I have done it all. BUT GOD did something fantastic.

HE saw that I admitted my downfalls to HIM and gave me the ability to speak freely about my sins. HE is the only one who cleans me up and HE can do the same for anyone who comes to HIM. I live defiled, BUT GOD is my savior.

• What sins are you hiding from yourself?
• Are you scared of admitting even you are a sinner?
• Can you stop thinking lowly of others and start admitting your need for GOD on a daily basis?
• Will you open your mouth and admit sins so others can be loosed from their hidden sins today?

Easy to Believe

Luke 11: ⁴⁵ Then one of the lawyers answered and said to Him, “Teacher, by saying these things You reproach us also.”

⁴⁶ And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. ⁴⁷ Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. ⁴⁸ In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.

⁵² “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

⁵³ And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, ⁵⁴ lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

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“All you need to do is believe that JESUS died for your sins and is raised from the dead” someone told me. It was very exciting to hear. I was so excited that I wanted to do more. I read about GOD, sang about HIM and attended gatherings about HIM regularly.

But when it was my turn to tell someone about HIM I gave them my list. “Go to church, give when it hurts, stop sinning and study only the Bible.”

• There were times when I added hurdles to getting to GOD.
• There were times when I added steps to getting to GOD.
• There were times when I had people do things I could not even accomplish.

JESUS blasts the lawyers of the church for holding people to a standard they could not keep. HE saw through their controlling methods that forced people to look at GOD as impossible to please. HE said the blood of the prophets will fall on those who hinder the kingdom.

• GOD wants me to know that a relationship with GOD is “free” in spite of what blind greedy people will say.
• GOD wants me to know HE took care of everything in spite of the messages that make people “try harder.”
• GOD wants me to know that HIS power is permanent in spite of my thoughts that my sin is greater than HIS grace.

Adding burdens to JESUS’s salvation is probably one of the largest crimes GOD will remember. HE wants me to give a simple message that HE loves HIS creation and the worthiness of the relationship comes from HIM. Since HE said “MY grace is sufficient” then is all I need.

• What burdens are you putting on others in order for them to “believe” in GOD?
• Do you think your rigor is a standard for which others should meet?
• Can you stop adding “your” burdens on others and give them a simple message of HIS love today?

Both Sides

Luke 11: ³⁷ And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat. ³⁸ When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.

³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰ Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

⁴² “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. ⁴³ Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴ Woe to you, ^[n]scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”

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Mimicking was my form of learning. I mean I had no mentor to navigate me through this new stage of life. I looked at some very successful people and I started to dress like them, go to the same places they went and talk like them, no matter how crass. I wanted success so much that I was willing to lose “me.”

• There were times when I wanted to be on top.
• There were times when I wanted to be revered.
• There were times when my outside looked better than the inside.

JESUS speaks to the Pharisees after being criticized for not washing HIS hands. The criticism was more about “ritual cleanliness” than germ removal. HE saw their judgmental hearts and let them know about the CREATOR.

• GOD made my body and spirit.
• GOD wants me to be brave enough to have character even when those around me do not.
• GOD looks at what is inside of me and is more concerned with growing my spirit than my ego.

Power was my primary pursuit and I did not even know it. I wanted control of my life and, in some respect, control over other folks lives. By being “successful” then I would amass a huge following. BUT GOD wanted something different.

GOD wants me to amass a huge following, but not for me, rather for HIM. HE wants my inside to shine rather than squash. The less powerful I am the more powerful HE is. HE carries me to wonderful places and adorns me with HIS love. HE cleans my inside with HIS SPIRIT.

• Are you trying to make yourself look good in front of a group of humans?
• Do you think your success is more important than GOD’s path?
• Will you ask GOD to clean your inside of bitterness, greed, control, lust, jealousy and hatred today?
• Will you also ask GOD to fill you with love, mercy, kindness, faith and grace?