Where You’re From Determines Where You’re Going

11 Thursday Aug 2011

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“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ ”  Luke 13:24-25

      The last words you ever want to hear God the Father say to you is, “I don’t know where you are from.”  The scenario Jesus paints is chilling.   Actually, the Father knows where each person is “from“.  Right?  He knows everything.  Then how come God doesn’t know where certain people are from in this story? 

      Jesus told this parable to make an impact upon those listening.  He seeks to draw people’s attention to the issues confronting them.  Lets state some of the obvious points. 

  1. Knowing about God is not really knowing Him personally, in an intimate way. 
  2. Knowing the location of the door is not the same as “striving” to enter it. 
  3. Even though we are all born of this world, Jesus affirms in another passage we must be “born again.” 
  4. In the end, many will regret not entering the door the Father provided. 

      God the Father is not going to deny Himself.  This is why all those who are “born again” are welcomed.  So the question remains, “Have you entered the narrow door and been born again?”  Where we are from (born) does determine where we ultimately go in the afterlife.  Do you know where you are from and where you are going?

Peace or Division?

10 Wednesday Aug 2011

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“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;”  Luke 12:51

      Why did Jesus say things like this about Himself?  We all grew up hearing the Christmas story.  The Christmas message reminds us of a sweet baby who was meek and mild.  There is a big difference in that story and Jesus’ statements here.  Jesus affirms here that He will split families in half.  How can both “peace” and “division” be true about Jesus? 

      Jesus didn’t stay wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.  He grew in favor with God and man.  At the right moment He presented Himself as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world.  He did not come to condemn us but to save us all. 

      So it is not the sweet baby that brings division, but the crucified King who continues to rule and reign that causes consternation in people.  Whether it was Jesus walking the earth 2000 years ago or currently living in believers today, He always brings division.  Every person born on earth must choose – “Will Jesus be my Savior, Lord and King?”  Jesus said it best, “He who is not for Me is against Me.”  There is no place to hide.  Jesus’ presence does not condemn but His presence causes all men to choose wrongly or rightly. 

       Division continues to be evidenced in our society today.  If Jesus is not the real Savior of mankind, then why are some so interested in removing Christmas from every county and courthouse in America.  If Christ is not real, then who cares if people speak His name in public.  If Jesus is not the real deal, no one would care if Christians prayed in school or at high school graduations.   But the truth is… people care immensely. 

     One of the reasons you can know for sure Jesus is Lord, is because of the division He causes.  Bottomline, if Jesus is not for real, people wouldn’t care.  But since there is a vehement outcry against Christ, it reveals the truth of His convicting power manifesting in every person’s life.  The next time you see an atheist file some frivolous law suit against Christianity, he is giving testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ. 

      Go ahead, take the name and presence of Christ with you today.  Start a fire and bring division upon your corner of the earth!  Jesus did.

How’s Your Ride?

09 Tuesday Aug 2011

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Jesus said, “I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.”  Luke 13:33

      It may surprise you, but from Heaven’s perspective you have spiritual transportation.  God views His children moving along, spiritually speaking, at certain speeds and conditions.  In order to communicate this, the Lord gives us a snap-shots of our current vehicle. Here is a short list of some of the ways the Lord has spoken to believers about their rides. 

  • Crawling, walking, running
  • Tricycle, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle
  • Sportscar, minivan
  • Hummer, RV, bus,
  • Plane, rocket  

      All of these are snapshots of how you are progressing or possibly regressing in your spiritual journey.  Obviously, moving in a car is better than walking.  Remember, the Lord wants us to know how we are progressing.  So, how is your ride?  Right now would be a great time to ask the Lord for a status update! 

      In this passage, the religious leaders were seeking to interrupt Jesus’ progress by claiming Herod was out to kill Him.  Jesus would have none of their interference.  How could He be so confident?  Jesus knew His destination and how He was going to get there.  Herod was not a part of the Father’s plan.  If Jesus had this confidence, so can we. 

     Today, ask the Father to give you a picture of your destiny and future.  Catch a vision of your destination and the spiritual transportation the Lord desires you to possess.  It just may change your life! 

     

Moving From Servants to Sons

08 Monday Aug 2011

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No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

      It is the Father’s heart for all believers to be sons and daughters inside and out.  When we first come into the Kingdom, we arrive as servants.  Practically speaking, this is how the Lord interacts with us.  We are told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.  This is best until our adoption as sons and daughters is complete.  This process takes years as the word of the Lord effectually changes us from our inner man out. 

       Eventually, if we stay in our process, we graduate into full sonship.  The line between the Lord interacting with us as servants or sons is not easily defined.  As we grow in Him, there will be some areas in which we thrive in growth.  There will be some areas in which we struggle to grow.  Regardless of where you are, stay in the process! 

      How about you, where are you on the road to sonship?  Does the Father interact with you more as a servant or friend?  It is imperative we locate those areas that need attention.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a picture of where you actually are on the road to sonship.

The Strait Gate

05 Friday Aug 2011

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And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”  Luke 13:23-24

      This verse highlights the truth of all ministry, including Jesus’.  When it is all said and done only a few want transformative salvation.  The crowds following Jesus were described as “throngs, myriads and multitudes.”  But in the end, “just a few” gave themselves to become true disciples.  Why?  Better yet, are you in the process of being saved or are you simply an observer from afar who never gets too close to the Lord?  Another way of asking this question is to use Jesus’ words, “Have you found the narrow path or the strait gate?” 

      Odd that Jesus puts the onus upon us to find and enter the narrow doorway.  Strive here is our English word for agonize.  Why would the Lord tell us we have to struggle and fight to enter into heaven?  It would appear we are missing something here! 

      Until we pass from this life, we will always battle our flesh and the ways of the world.  The natural way of life is to take the path of least resistance.  If we follow the path of least resistance we will never battle our flesh or agonize to enter the narrow door.  Jesus is asserting that those who follow Him will always be swimming upstream against the current.  This is why the way of righteousness is narrow and difficult. 

       Also, the rest of the world is taking the wide and easy road.  It is relatively easy to fall-in-line with everyone else, drift down the path, and forget the Lord’s directives. 

      The devil and his minions want you to miss the strait way as well.  He sets up roadblocks, provides hindrances and temptations all along life’s paths.  He is great at getting people sidetracked before they reach their destination. 

      Finding the strait way and entering the narrow door is a battle.  Have you had to fight to stay on the narrow path lately?  If not, you should.  It’s best to discover which path you’re on now before it’s too late to do anything about it! 

If you need a place to attend church this Sunday, please visit us at 10 am (CST) – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-church-of-providence#

What About the ________________?

04 Thursday Aug 2011

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“… unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3

      People have a lot of questions they desire to ask God.  They inquire:

  • What about the dinosaurs?
  • What about Cain’s wife?  Where did she come from in the first place?
  • How did all those animals know to come to Noah’s ark? 
  • What about all the hungry people around the world?  Isn’t God concerned about them?
  • What about UFO’s, ghosts, or scandals in the church? 

      Do you have a “what about” question?  If Jesus were standing here today, His answer to these questions would sound something like this; “Don’t be so concerned with the issues you don’t fully comprehend, but concern yourself with repentance and not perishing.”  His response would seem to be blunt to our ears.  It certainly was to the listeners of His day. 

      Unless we believe the Lord loves us and has our best interest at heart, we will view His words harshly.  Actually, Jesus is trying to save us from ourselves.  Most of the time when people ask “what about” questions, it is not out of genuine curiousity.  They ask these types of questions to justify themselves.  They desire to shield themselves from God’s word.  If they catch God in a theological dilemma, then they are freed from having to obey the rest of His word.   When you are seeking a “way out” of something, you will usually find it.    

      Notice, Jesus didn’t fall for this trap.  He directed those listening to a greater dilemma, perishing.  There is something worse here than dying.  It is being condemned in the afterlife. 

      For Jesus the answer is simple.  Repent and give your life back to God.  He will answer all your questions in due time.  When you love God, you hear His answers and receive them in truth.  What about it?

“Behold, I Come Quickly”

03 Wednesday Aug 2011

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12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Revelation 22:12-13

      One of the things that helps keep true believers alert is the knowledge of the Lord’s return.  Jesus spoke on numerous occasions about the need for everyone to be ready and to be watching and waiting for His imminent return.  Two thousand years seems to be a long time to wait, but as each day passes we are one day closer. 

      With this in mind, would you be ready to meet the Lord today?  It is easy to “fake believe” that you and the Lord are close.  No one knows the actual truth, but Jesus knows!  The truth is you can be just as close to the Lord right now as any other point in the past, present or future.  We all determine each day how close we desire to be to the Lord and how relevant He is to our lives.  I am reminded of a story by Max Lucado that illustrates the point that one day we will all give account of our lives. 

      Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China, although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living.  Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his solo performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music.”

      It is true, we all eventually “face the music.”  We may “fake the music” for a while, but the truth comes out in the end when we have to perform a solo.  Be ready for Jesus’ return now, so that whenever He appears, you are prepared. 

Has the Lord Given You the “Dung” Treatment Lately?

02 Tuesday Aug 2011

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 “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

All parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings. Here are the working parts of this parable: 

  • The Owner of the vineyard is God.
  • The fig tree is you.
  • Roots are all of your physical and spiritual senses which allow you to understand truth and growth.
  • Fertilizer is refuse, compost, and manure.  It is anything (good or bad) that comes into our life that stimulates real spiritual growth.   

      Just think, God loves you so much…He plants your life in the middle of manure to assure growth.  How do you smell today? 

      According to this parable, the Father is always searching for real fruit in our lives.  The first type of fruit He desires to see in us is repentance.  In short, repentance is the belief, confession, and outward evidence that you have turned from sin.  The angels rejoice when we repent.  There is no need for anyone to stay in sin.  Real repentance is a fruit we all should be consistently bearing. 

      If the Father doesn’t discover fruit in our lives, He takes this corresponding action:

  1. He tills around our roots and exposes them to water, air, and nutrients.  This may shock our system as it does most plants, but it is just what we need. 
  2. Next, the manure is piled on!  Nutrient rich and easily digested truth should bring growth to our lives.  Since our destiny is to produce fruit, this is just what we need.    

      Understand, God always approaches us privately about our sin and the need for repentance.  When this does not work, His confrontations become more public.  If you stink today from God’s dung treatment, it is not because the Lord wanted it this way.  He would rather you live fertilizer free. 

      Decide now to be quick in your obedience to the Lord.  Your spiritual growth and well-being depends upon it.  Smell well, my friend!

Be Ready!

01 Monday Aug 2011

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          “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps alight.”  Luke 12:35

      I had a dream about these verses.  My wife and I were dressed in wedding clothes waiting for a wedding ceremony.  The Lord has spoken to both of us numerous times to prepare ourselves.  This call was not just to simply be ready for the return of the Lord, but for the marriage of the church and Jesus Christ.  If you prepare yourself for the later, you will also be ready for His return. 

        I believe the Lord is giving His children the call to “ready themselves for Jesus’ return.”  Here are three steps to equip yourself: 

  1. Put on your wedding clothes.  These are your “robes of righteousness” the Father provides everyone who believes and confesses Jesus as Lord.  Make sure you possess the righteousness of Christ.  This assures you can stand before Him “without spot or wrinkle.” 
  2. Make sure your personal inward lamp is lit and you are on fire for the Lord.  Your heart must always be warm and soft towards Him in every way.  In addition, be filled with the Holy Spirit.  This assures your lamp will not go out before He returns. 
  3. Watch and Wait for the Lord’s return.  Know the Lord’s voice and presence now so that when He appears you will not be surprised or caught unaware.       

      Are you ready?  One of the saddest verses in scripture is found in I John 2:28  “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” 

      Plan now to be ready so that you will not be ashamed when He appears. 

 

What’s In Your Wallet?

29 Friday Jul 2011

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“…make yourselves money belts (purses/wallets) which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Luke 12:33-34

      In modern society men have wallets and women carry purses.  Strangely enough it is more about the style and outward appearance of your purse or wallet people notice, not what is inside. 

      Did you know that spiritually speaking we all possess a “heavenly purse?”  As you store up treasure in heaven, a heavenly purse is given to you.  It is eternal.  Jesus confirms it here. 

      My wife has had numerous dreams about purses.  God gives us dreams about purses/wallets to illustrate greater, spiritual truths.  In these dreams people have lost their purse, not valued it, and in some cases were given larger purses to hold greater treasure.  Maybe you have had a dream about a purse or wallet. 

      The question is not – Do you have a heavenly purse or wallet?  But like the commercial says, “What’s in your wallet?”  God wants you to understand the eternal truth of your purse and plan to store more in them every day.  God is more concerned about the content than the appearance. 

      The great tragedy of life is that we forget what is truly important.  Seeking first the Kingdom of God adds value to our present life and in the afterlife.  It is the daily anxieties and cares of life that trouble us and cause us to neglect kingdom truths. 

      Someone said, “Only one life, it will soon be passed.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”  Your heavenly purse awaits your eternal deposit today. 

If you need a place to attend church this Sunday, please visit us at 10 am (CST) – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-church-of-providence#