Wealth Management

S - Scripture     

Matthew 19 v. 23  And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 

 

O - Observation    

Hard. Spiritual Battles. That's what this verse is all about. The key word in this passage is Hard. Notice Jesus did not say impossible. Because, later on in verse 26, Jesus says with God, All things are possible.  But why is it so hard? Quite simple. Money is power. Money can inflate a person's self opinion. Money makes it easier to have other God's before God; things, self pride, more money. Proverbs 23 v. 4 Do not toil to acquire wealth, be wise enough to desist. And... back in Matthew 6 v, 24b. You can't serve God and Money.  So, is Money, wealth, Bad? No. But we need to recognize that its a blessing from God. And remember, to whom much is given, much is required.

 

A - Application  

How do I look at my wealth? What's driving me?      

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Love Will.  

Dispel the common misconception!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 19 v. 16  And behold, one came up to him saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" 

O - Observation    

Common Misconception. Nothing changes. Back then people were trying to earn their way into Heaven. Today, people are still trying to earn there way to Heaven. That is the beauty of the TRUTH.  We don't have to do good deeds, we don't have to earn our way to Heaven. Jesus already "bought" the ticket for us. It sounds too good to be true, but it is. God is Love. Reminds me of the saying from my Mission Trip: God Loved. God Gave. We Believe, We Receive. However, having such an awesome gift should compel us to live our lives for Jesus, its such a great way to say thanks!!!   

A - Application

Am I helping to dispel the common misconception?

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thank you for such an awesome gift. Love Will.  

Image by Harry Strauss from Pixabay 

 

Generosity’s Source

by guest blogger Gary Riedel

Scripture:

1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.

Observation: 

This comes from the prayer of David when he lead his people in the donation of resources for the temple soon to be built by his son Solomon. I like this passage because it so clearly spells out the source of whatever blessings we have received. That source is of course the hand of our very generous God!

Application: 

When I think about how generously God has blessed our church, and my family, my heart fills to 

overflowing! Hearts that are full, long to share the blessings God gives. The last phrase of 2 Corinthians 9:7 “for God loves a cheerful giver!” See how the circle continues, from God to us, we to God , and He back to us again. It’s about being faithful with His gifts to us. A faithful heart is a generous heart!

Prayer: 

Gracious Father, help us learn to be generous just as You are to us. In Jesus Name, Amen 

Don't forget - Loyality and Respect

S - Scripture     

Matthew 19 v. 12  For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

O - Observation    

Loyalty. Respect. This verse is all about, respect of God, ones self and women. Its also about being loyal to your station in life, regarding sexual relations. Jesus points out that people who are eunuchs since birth, which, to me, speaks to those that say they were born with homosexual tendencies. God still wants those people to be loyal to his word. May be hard to do. The man made eunuchs, (ouch!!!) still kept the harem, and all the girls. I'm sure the temptation is still there, even if they can't deliver the goods. But still they must be loyal to the King. Not easy. So it is for those that chose abstinence. It requires a commitment to God and Loyalty.

 

A - Application  

How about marriage? Am I a eunuch for my wife only? Do I give her Loyalty and Respect?      

P - Prayer      

Jesus, continue to bless my marriage. Help me to be there for my wife. Love Will.  

Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay 

What marriage really means

S - Scripture     

Matthew 19 v. 6  So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder. 

O - Observation    

Model. I think that God created the institution of marriage for us to get a better understanding of God's relationship with us. Marriage is based on Love. 1st Corinthians 13, 4-7 rattles off what love is. Patient, kind and what is not, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable or resentful. I know that sometimes I'm not those things to my wife. And visa versa. Makes me think about Jesus love for everybody, how patient he is. What a great role model. I also think about how when things are working in my marriage, its simply incredible. Same holds true when things are working between God and me.  

A - Application  

Am I striving to achieve the Model of love that Jesus has shown me?     

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me, bless me to have an awesome marriage. Love Will.  

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Relinquish control

S - Scripture     

Matthew  19 v. 3  And the Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?" 

O - Observation    

Pride. That's what this verse is all about. The Pharisees were pushing Jesus on a Worldly interpretation of the word of God, an interpretation that fit their needs, verses the Holy interpretation, the one intended by God for us. Why do we (the world) rationalize God's word to fit our needs? I have read recently in a commentary that the Bible is irrelevant now. They simply don't like the rules, it doesn't fit our culture. But the reality is the Bible is even more Relevant today, because its not about the rules,, its about the Gospel. Its about how Jesus laid down his life for us. All we have to do is give up our Selfish Pride, and recognize who's in control.

A - Application  

Am I able to relinquish control? Have I prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into my life?      

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Send your Holy Spirit into my life. Love Will.  

Photo by Dave Lowe on Unsplash

Forgive from the Heart

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 35  So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your Heart.

O - Observation    

Forgiveness.  This is Jesus concluding remark after the parable of a man who owed a ton of money, had his debt forgiven, but would NOT forgive the debt (a very small one) that someone owed him.  Because of that, once the guy who he owed money to found out, he put him in jail until he could pay back what was owed to him. Which, the last time I checked, you don't make much if any money while in jail. So Jesus used this parable to help us in our lives. Jesus forgives the sins we do, but out of sheer appreciation, we should forgive the sins that people do to us. But it can't be lip service. Jesus says that is should be from the Heart. Jesus knows that forgiveness is liberating, if you truly forgive from the Heart, then there will be no baggage to carry.  

A - Application  

Am I forgiving people from the Heart?     

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to forgive from the Heart. Love Will.  

Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash

Plug into the Power

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 20  For where  two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.

O - Observation    

Presence.  I love this verse. When we get together in Jesus name. He's there. At Church, he's there. (duh!!!) But at home, when you having devotions, he's there. When you’re snuggling with your kids and saying prayers, he's there. When you’re at work and school and you share your faith, he's there. Also, its great to note, he's in the midst, or middle of the group. He's not watching from above, or separate like a clinical trial, no he's in the midst.  The center. What a great source of Power. 2nd Timothy 1 v. 7, "For God did NOT give us a spirit of timidy, but a Spirit of Power, love and Self Control. 

A - Application  

So.... Am I plugging into the Power, the center? Do I recognize his presence in Corporate and Private times? 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Be my center, be my guide, help me to recognize you.   Love Will.  

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Make strong bonds

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 18  Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.

O - Observation    

Relationship for Eternal Life.  This is Jesus’ closing statements in his discussion on how to approach reconciling a problem with another person. We have been created to be relational,. Methinks that the friends that we have here on earth will be carried forward in Heaven. I think that Heaven will give us enough time to invest in everybody.  It is to our advantage to build relationships with as many people as possible. But they can’t be superficial, they have to be true and deep. They must be bound together. But bound with what? We need to intertwine our lives with Jesus and each other. That will be a strong bond.

A - Application  

What am I binding today? Am I binding it with God's love?     

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to be a skilled knots man to make strong bonds.  Love Will.  

 

Persevere & Confess

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

Scripture:

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him!

Observation: 

Standing fast, resisting temptation, living as God desires and receiving the Crown of Life is the

ideal life of God’s Children. But what if you’re like me and are far from perfect? 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! You see, we are not thrown on the trash heap but have another and numerous chances to persevere every day. Because of Jesus we always get another chance to do better 

when we confess our mistakes! How very gracious God is!

Application: 

This does not mean I deliberately sin so that I can receive grace , but rather when I in my

striving to persevere, fall short, I confess my sin and the blood of Jesus makes me whole, and ready to receive the crown of Life!

Prayer:

Father, You have conceived such a great plan, I pray that all of Your people would embrace it and that Heaven would rejoice at the numbers therein!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Image by James Chan from Pixabay 

How to build relationships for life

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 15  If your Brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. 

O - Observation    

Reconciliation.  This is the beginning of a section of verses that Jesus gives GREAT guidance on how to deal with conflict. This is the first step. Its so simple but hard to do. Go and talk to that person. Don't go and tell 10 other people about that person. Don't gossip, no go and tell that person that they have done you wrong.  Its about the Relationship.  God has built us to be relational, with others and with him.  Hmmm... Do you think God follows this approach with me? Sure, my conscience tells me when I have done something wrong. Is it possible that this is God's first step towards reconciliation?

A - Application  

Am I following Jesus’ prescribed method for resolving conflict?     

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to build relationships for life.  Love Will.  

Photo by Frank Busch on Unsplash

Jesus is pursuing you

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 12  What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does not he leave the ninety nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?   

O - Observation    

Unity and Pursuit. This verse is all about unity and pursuit. Jesus is clearly using this metaphor to describe his life mission. Which is to take care of the flock. Everyone is important!! Even the one that wanders away. He longs for EVERYONE to be saved. He longs for complete UNITY. He longs for obedience to his word, since he is there to protect them. The good news is, that God will pursue us. Sometimes we may realize that we’re lost (He's pursing us!!!) sometimes we may not YET realize that were lost (He's pursing us!!!)

A - Application  

Do I recognize when God is pursuing me? Am I running to his arms or still wandering?    

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Pursue me, catch me, provide UNITY, Love me.  Love Will.  

Image by David Mark from Pixabay 

Be Childlike!!!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 18 v. 3  and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

O - Observation    

Childlike. This is Jesus response to the disciples question on who's the greatest in Heaven. He goes on in verse 4 to say, "Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in Heaven." So what are traits of Children? 1) Complete trust in their Father. We must recognize that God is Soveriegn. He's in control, not us. Humble. 2) Hang on to every word of their Father. So must we. We need to study God's word daily. 3) Total Respect of the Father. A kid knows he will get punished if he does something wrong. So must we. The Fear (Respect) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  4) Joyful. Kids are naturally happy since they don't have the cares of this world. So must we. We should not get caught up in Earthly desires. 

A - Application

Am I humbling myself to be like a Child?

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to live my life as a Child of God. Love Will.  

Be thankful for your work

S - Scripture     

Matthew 17 v. 27  However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.  

O - Observation    

Proper Respect. Jesus and Peter were asked to pay the tax in Capernaum. So Jesus in only a way God could, gave Peter the instructions on how to get the money to pay the tax. Ever wonder why Jesus just didn’t say "poof" here's the money? Its because Jesus had a lesson to teach us. First - Work. Jesus asked Peter to fish for the coin. That was Peter’s vocation. He had to work to get the coin. Second - God Provides. I think this is important. In our job, God provides for us. He blesses us with our salary. Third - Proper Respect. Pay the tax, don't try to cheat or get away. But pay the bill. Render to Caesar what is Caesars.

A - Application  

Am I thankful for the blessings of Work?   

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thank you for providing for me such a wonderful job.  Love Will. 

Photo by Greysen Johnson on Unsplash

Remember you are a Child of God

S - Scripture     

Matthew 17 v. 25b-26   What do you think Simeon?  For whom do Kings of the earth take their tribute? From their sons or from others?  And he said, "From others", Jesus said to him, "Then the Son's are free."  

O - Observation    

Freedom. I love that last sentence. Then the Son's are free. Think about it, Jesus constantly refers to us (believers in him) as his family. As his children. And, oh yea!!, our gifts are free!!! Our Gift is eternal life. Our gift is a place where there is no weeping or sorrow. Forever. Life.  1 Corinthians 2 v. 9 No eye has seen, no MIND has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. All this for Free. Jesus paid the price for us by his bitter suffering and death and RESURRECTION.

A - Application  

Have I thought recently about what it really means to be a Child of God? Have I thanked him for this?    

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thank you for the amazing gift. Thanks for having me in your family. Love Will. 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Ask for faith

S - Scripture     

Matthew 17 v. 20  He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move! and nothing will be impossible to you.”

O - Observation    

Super Powers. Avengers, X-men, League of Justice. Have you really dwelt on what this verse says? If you have faith, even the most tiniest, nothing will be impossible to you. Throughout the Bible God has taken the non prominent, and used them to be awesome. How do you get this faith? Ask (pray), Seek (Be in the word daily) Knock (meditate on the word). But what is your motivation for the super power? That's the key. For to whom much is given, much is expected. Whether or not you ever have to use your super power, this knowledge offers freedom from the worries of this world.

A - Application  

Am I asking for faith? Am I trusting in you Lord Jesus?    

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Remind me of my faith. Increase it. Help me to use it to expand your kingdom.  Love Will.