The right "stuff" ...

"Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" - Luke 12:15

In 2011 our family sold the home my in-laws lived in for a good many years. This was a major down sizing and we ended up renting a dumpster to achieve the goal. At first we thought the rental unit would be too large, but by the time we were done it was overflowing. The truth is; abundance of possessions isn't always a good thing.

Whether we are greedy or just hoarders, having too much of a good thing is just that; too much. This mindset can rob you of satisfaction and the pleasure of eternal values. Jesus gave a clear warning ... "Watch out! Be on your guard" Your life consists of far more important treasures than the "stuff" you accumulate.

Paul gave us considerable food for thought in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy."  It's not about abundance of possessions my friend, it's all about people. How many people are you accumulating for Jesus?

Good Hands ...

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” -- John 10:27-30

The well known insurance company slogan "You're in good hands with Allstate" has been around since 1950. The original thought originated from the company commitment to the insured individual. The safety and welfare of clients was of utmost importance to Allstate. Where else can we find such security today?

Security is a very significant word that springs from this passage. Jesus wanted to convey to his followers the thought of protection and provision for all eternity. Like sheep who rest in the ever faithful and watchful care of their shepherd, Jesus carries his flock in his powerful, yet gentle hands... hands that were pierced for them.

How is it possible for you to be fearful in the face of eternity? If you belong to the Good Shepherd, you are someone for whom he laid his life down. Since his hands were pierced for you and still took death by the throat in victory, are they not sufficient to hold you firmly forever? Be secure my friend... be eternally secure!

Great light...

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” - Luke 11:33-36

One year we traveled north for the holidays, through a heavy snow storm. Since our trip was made at night, every now and then we had to stop to clean the snow and ice off the headlights. Within a few miles the lights were once again reduced to a very dim condition. We had power and we had bulbs, but we had little light.

In the same way, when we travel through the storms of life we need good eyes. We need eyes that provide the body with light so we can shine in the darkness and not be filled with darkness. The light of Jesus brings us all the light we could ever need. The more we learn from the Lord the more light shines within. But, while we can have the availability of light, if we don't focus our eyes on Jesus, we have little light.

Simply put, the more time you spend with Jesus, the more light you will have. Do you want to shine for the Lord today? Remember that you can only shine with the light that he gives. It's what you choose to read and watch that really makes your eyes good. If you take in too much "snow" your eyes and life will be dim. But if you take in the Word and things that are worthy, your eyes will be good. Your whole life will shine in the darkness for Jesus, because you have great light.

You have to choose...

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Luke 11:23

On the field of play the team distinction is quite simple. There are those on one team and those who are not. On the field of battle the distinction is the same. There are those who are patriots and those who are not. Apart from horseshoes, there are very few situations in life where "almost" is accepted.

As Jesus points out, spiritual matters are the very same way. No one can be on both teams or in both armies at the same time. If you are not with the Lord, you have chosen to stand against Him. If you are not gathering for the kingdom, you have chosen to scatter. When it comes to eternity, "almost" doesn't exist.

The world in which you live would like to be "gray" and ride the fence my friend. But the Lord is looking for those who will choose Him above all else. It is so stated in Ezekiel 22:30, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land..." The Lord desires those who will stand in the gap with Him. All others are not almost, they are simple against Him. The choice is yours... but you have to choose.

Context...

"Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come... And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" - Luke 11:2, 9

Context! Our constitution provides us with freedom of speech. Yet, we can find ourselves in court for the crime of slander. We have the right to speak our heart whenever and wherever, but we have other laws that call for certain veracity in our claims and accusations. This is simply freedom in context.

Jesus invited us to ask, seek and knock. He promised that our requests would be granted. But we find that things don't always go the exact way that we pray. We often wonder why this occurs. The answer is found in one word... "context". When the heart is in tune with our heavenly Father and we desire nothing less than His holiness and kingdom work, our requests are made with greater precision. Then it will be given, found and opened. This is simply prayer in context.

As you begin each day my friend, take time to be tuned to your heavenly Father's heart. Make your one and foremost desire to live for the holiness and kingdom work of God. Then as the needs arise, ask, seek and knock with confidence. When Biblical truth is practiced in context, great blessing will always follow.

One thing ...

"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:41-42

Every season has the potential to overwhelm a person with stress. Particularly on Easter, many families will come from miles around for food and fellowship. In addition to this, special programs will often be planned at church or school. As the calendar begins to fill up, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours and days to get it all done. If we're not very careful, we will become "anxious and troubled about many things."

When the above words of counsel were given, do you think that Jesus was suggesting that food was not necessary? Or was He encouraging Martha to slow down and follow the example of Mary? Being sure that we have quality time to sit at the feet of Jesus makes every day so much easier. When we put the Lord first, everything else falls in place in just the right way.

"One thing is necessary"! In simple words my friend, let's keep the main thing, the main thing. Martin Luther put it this way, "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day." Life must go on... but it always goes best when we start with Jesus.

What really matters...

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20

Have you ever noticed when a NASCAR race is won the driver is given the greatest attention? The car may be a superior vehicle with a well built engine. The tires may be the finest make available and the pit crew highly skilled. But at the end of the day, it's simply the name of the driver that really matters.  

In a way, our spiritual life is very much the same. We might have a super gifted life with ministry skills galore. Our accomplishments may fill a list a mile long, but the real issue is who and whose we are. The famous and not so famous still face the same question: Is your name written in heaven?

Be careful not to put so much importance on your accomplishments my friend. The most important day in your life was when you became a child of the King. And the next most important day will be when you shall see Him face to face because your name is written in heaven. Sometimes life is just that simple.