The One Eternally Reliable Father

You first experience love and guidance from your human parents. However, even the best parents fail their children on occasion, and some continually fail them. Most human parents do their best but Jesus says God is the one eternally reliable Father.  

Luke 11:11-13 (GNT) 11 Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? 12 Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  

10/31/2021

The Purpose of Church

 

There were differences of opinion in the early church about who could be a member. There still are. Paul said, “Welcome others as Christ has warmly welcomed you.” Jesus came to show that God is true to his promises and to help God’s chosen.  This defines a good church.

Romans 15:7-8 (TLB) 7 So warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ came to show that God is true to his promises and to help the Jews.

10/24/2021

The Great Banquet

 

This parable relates to the Jews (God’s chosen people) and the Gentiles (everyone else). Throughout their history, the Jews resisted God’s offers and promises, so God extended his invitation to be his chosen to the rest of mankind.  All are invited to his banquet. 

Luke 14:16-24 (NIV) 16 “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me. ’19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” 

10/17/2021

Praying on a Daily Basis

Jesus talked with God all the time, showing it is a most necessary part of the relationship. Talking to God on a daily basis develops faith, character and love. Your “knowing” increases and your desire to control others subsides as the Holy Spirit works in you each day.

Jude 20 (TLB) 20 But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

10/10/2021

Gouge Out your Right Eye

Where you have negativity and sin in your life, decisively cut them out of your thoughts and actions like you would gouge out your right eye or cut off your right hand. With God’s help, throw it all away and you will begin to live a completely different life.

Matthew 5:29-30 (NIV) 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

10/3/2021