But I went to Church

Luke 13: ²² And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”

And He said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ ²⁶ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’²⁸ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. ²⁹ They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.³⁰ And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

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Returning back to church was a serious mind-shift. A taste of the “good life” made me want more. When I went, I could feel a bit of a conflict. I enjoyed the sin I was doing and figured I could balance the sin by attending church. I mean, everybody’s a sinner, right?

• There were times when I sought to be at “church” instead of seeking GOD.
• There were times when I did “churchy” stuff instead of seeking GOD.
• There were times when I listened to sermons instead of seeking GOD.

JESUS says the most frightening words in the Bible to me. HE says there are plenty of people who claim to be with HIM yet HE will say “Depart from ME, for I do not know you.” The argument will be, “But we ate the bread and drank the juice of communion and listened to countless sermons.”

JESUS then insisted that people from all over would enter HIS kingdom, but those who sought to be first would not.

• GOD says to me “Seek MY kingdom even when it is not popular.”
• GOD says to me “Stop playing “church” and truly seek MY face.”
• GOD says to me “People are far more important to me than jobs, houses, cars, vacations and worldly pleasure.”

The world says “obtain a lot, eat a lot and pleasure yourself a lot.” Then the world lies and says It’s alright to join the crowd. BUT GOD says, “Seek MY kingdom first.” Each day, I should look for the person GOD has sent to me. If no one is there then I should ask “Who do YOU want me to go to?”

Living for GOD is a very “narrow” decision. It is not gimmicky, nor is it manipulative. GOD wants me to truly give and that doesn’t always mean giving to support salaries. HE wants me to pray and not always for buildings. GOD wants me to seek those who reject HIM. This is a very narrow path. I am grateful for GOD.

• Are you going to church as a habit or to seek GOD?
• When you attend church is it to seek the “brand” or to seek the lost?
• Is GOD asking you to step up to do something entirely different for HIM, yet you are refusing HIS calling?

Filled Up

Luke 13: ²⁰ And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? ²¹ It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”

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In a hurry, I placed the gas container in the back seat of my car. Unfortunately the rubber gasket was missing which left the top loose and a little spilled out as I turned the corner sharply. Those few drops made the entire car smell.

• Sometimes a little can be a lot.
• Sometimes it only takes a little of something to take over everything.
• Sometimes just a tiny amount matters.

JESUS says a rather confusing analogy about the kingdom of GOD. HE compares it to leaven or yeast, that a woman baking bread, places in the mixture. Only three measures were used to permeate the entire batch. What does HIS analogy have to do with me and my problems?

• GOD says to me “The kingdom of heaven grows because of ME.”
• GOD says to me “Once MY presence enters you, I will fill you up.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the great I AM who is made of the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT, three in one.”

Such few words describe so much. GOD’s kingdom is growing exponentially in spite of any force trying to stop it. HIS kingdom cannot be yielded in any way. HIS presence inside of me saves me eternally. That cannot be changed. When I ask for more of HIS kingdom, HE give it to me generously.

• Are you seeking the world’s kingdom or GOD’s kingdom?
• What is permeating your thoughts and actions?
• Are you bearing fruit for GOD or does your mind get torn apart with the today’s problems?
• Can you allow a little of GOD to permeate your entire life by letting go of your worries today?

Growing

Luke 13: ¹⁸ Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

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Furious, I stormed into the grocery store. I grabbed whatever I was purchasing and went to the counter. The cashier looked at my face and did not bother to say anything but the amount owed. Silently I paid and left.

• There are times when I show my anger to many people.
• There are times when I show my disappointment to many people.
• There are times when I show my hatred, fear, lust, prejudice and greed to many people.

JESUS describes the kingdom of GOD as a mustard seed planted in a garden. This seed grew and became a large tree for which many birds nested in its branches. How does a seed parable apply to me?

• GOD says to me “Each day you plant something whether you like it or not.”
• GOD says to me “You can sow seeds for MY kingdom or sow seeds for yours every day.”
• GOD says to me “You are MY seed and I plant you where I need you, for the time I need you, and I will grow you into a large tree.”

Each and every day I have a choice to make. I can make people miserable and adversarial or I can choose to be with people and show them GOD is in control in spite of my problems. Even my absence speaks volumes and plants a seed. Once I realize GOD has placed me somewhere for HIS purpose, it makes me think differently.

Wicked people aren’t as wicked and the argument I was about to jump into doesn’t seem worth winning when I choose GOD. Showing GOD’s love is important to HIM. When I choose to do so, especially when I don’t feel like it, HE grows me beyond my belief.

• What seeds are you growing?
• Are you making many people miserable around you?
• Can you choose to have GOD grow you to a point where you are growing other people for HIS purpose on a daily basis?

Control Freak

Luke 13: ¹⁴ But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

¹⁵ The Lord then answered him and said,  “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶ So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

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“Look at the people singing the song wrong. Some people aren’t even singing. Why are we singing this song anyway. I wonder if I should put in a few suggestions for some “better” songs” were the flood of thoughts at the beginning of the church service.

• There are times when I think I have all the answers.
• There are times when I think I know better than those around me.
• There are times when I am distracted by “form.”

One of the church leaders barked out a rebuke towards JESUS for healing on the Sabbath. JESUS immediately calls him a hypocrite and had to show how ludicrous his thinking was. Should “form” be placed over following the SPIRIT? This was the gist of JESUS’ reply.

• GOD wants me to bring others to HIM and so they can have their own relationship with GOD.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to control people into how they serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to grow people so they can see HIS marvelous power.

Worshiping, learning and serving are all extremely important to GOD, but not as important as I can sometimes emphasize to others. When I get to the point where I am criticizing how much or little someone prays then I suddenly fall into the hypocrite category JESUS spoke of.

GOD is the only ONE who can see if someone is truly worshiping HIM or not. HE would rather have me praying for the population who is rejecting HIM all together than focusing on correcting a believer’s pattern of church attendance. GOD gives grace, not control. HE allows me to be as wild as a tornado without sending me straight to hell. I am grateful GOD guides others and me.

• Is someone worshiping GOD wrong?
• Do you notice what others are doing wrong when they are supposedly serving GOD?
• Can you reduce your judgment on others and allow GOD to lead you to people who really need HIS live today?

GOD’s Timing

Luke 13: ¹⁰ Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹ And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. ¹² But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” ¹³ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

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Day after day, the problem still persisted. “Is GOD even listening?” I asked. I mean it has been years and it seemed like the problem would not subside. “What are YOU waiting on?” I said.

• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was even with me.
• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was too busy punishing me to listen to my prayers.
• There have been many days when I wondered if GOD was being sadistic, withholding HIS mighty power from me because of my many sins.

The woman with a “spirit of infirmity” could in no way “raise herself up.” She tried everything in her might to unbend herself for eighteen years. Eighteen years! JESUS saw her, called her over, touched her and healed her from the crippling spirit. She praised GOD.

• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM even when my problem has not ended.
• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM because HIS timing is perfect.
• GOD wants me to practice praising HIM through difficult times because HE can use me to show others, who are in the same situation, that HE is powerful, even in my weakness.

GOD doesn’t gloat at my pain and to the contrary of my thinking, HE is not always trying to punish me. In fact I believe GOD feels the pain I’m going through, only more intensely. My faith is not based on if GOD will clear up my problems as soon as they appear. GOD wants me to have faith for the long-haul.

HE wants me to see that at the end of every problem, HE is the solution. HIS love never fails and HIS grace for me is sufficient. I believe through my problems that GOD is always with me.

• Are you waiting on something?
• Do you think GOD is withholding a blessing from you because you are not trying hard enough?
• Can you stop trying to control the situation and believe GOD has a solid purpose for your trial and HE will use this time to bring many people to HIM through you?

Patient to a Point

Luke 13: ⁶ He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ ⁸ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹ And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

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“Get rid of that person” were the words I feared as I stumbled to find my way on my first job. I did not know how complicated everything was and my direct boss was definitely of no assistance. His boss, however, was patient with me and decided to give me a little space to “study” my way into the position.

• There were times when I patient people watching over me.
• There were times when I was the one who was messing up but someone gave me grace.
• There were times when I had no direction so I needed an extra dose of forgiveness.

JESUS tells the parable of the barren fig tree. He explains the expectation of the tree is to bear fruit. If the tree does not bear fruit then it should be cut down. HE then takes a turn in the story by saying, the gardener begged to show the fruitless tree some mercy but to a point.

• The HOLY SPIRIT begs for forgiveness daily on my behalf.
• The HOLY SPIRIT has patience with me and shows me mercy daily.
• The HOLY SPIRIT wants me to bear fruit and shows me the way to true life.

GOD wants me to be successful and the HOLY SPIRIT cares for me. BUT GOD has an expectation that at some point I bear fruit. If my world only consists of “me” then I will not bear the fruit GOD expects. HE provides fertile ground and brings many people to me in expectation that I speak about the HOLY ONE, who is the CHRIST.

My silence equals barren fruit and while GOD is patient, HE could someday say “enough.” HE holds death in HIS hands and once HE provides it, there is no return. I am glad GOD has patience with me.

• Do you feel you are messing up?
• Do you feel lost and without direction?
• Can you believe GOD has patience with you and wants you to succeed?
• Will you ask GOD how HE wants you to bear fruit for HIM today in spite of your situation?

Not Your Fault

Luke 13: There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

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“Why me?” was my question many times when it came to a painful situation. I mean, why do “bad” things happen to “good” people? I questioned. As I faced, what I thought< was yet another difficult situation, I was in a panic with nowhere to turn. “I wonder if I should turn to sin for a little relief of the pressure” I said to myself.

• Life can be difficult at times.
• Life can dish out some very tough situations.
• Life can be very scary and make me want to do anything for a little relief from the problems.

Some people came to JESUS in a panic over those in charge of the government. They told HIM about the murders that were happening by the decree of the reigning leaders. They sounded like they had nowhere to turn. BUT JESUS replied with some strange words that would make them whole.

• JESUS wants me to face difficult situations with HIS power, not mine.
• JESUS wants me to rely on HIS timing especially when I am panicked.
• JESUS wants me to know HIS way is still better than the world’s way.

Turning to sin only makes my situation worse. When I lose my faith in GOD and I panic, the world sees my defeat and rejoices. BUT GOD picks me up and protects me anyway. HE wants me to succeed and says “I have you in MY hand. No one can pluck you out.”

GOD wants me to look forward instead of trying to figure out which sin caused the consequence I feel I go through at times. HE wants me to stop trying to be the captain of my destiny and allow HIM to guide me through places only HE can take me through. Life can still be difficult but I place my faith in HIM.

• Where are you turning?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you allow your current situation to defeat you or will you allow GOD to defeat your situation so you can praise HIM?