The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day seven)

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” Luke  12:19

It is easy to read this passage and think that God doesn’t want us to prepare for the future, but that is not the message of this parable, nor the message across the Bible.

 Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Genesis 41:49

What makes Jospeh different from the rich man? Both saw an opportunity to capitalize on a season of abundance. One wanted it for pleasure. The other wanted it for security. One wanted to be able to stop working now. The other wanted to work hard now so they could survive the years where working was not possible. God honors wise planning, but selfishness destroys hard work.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day six)

I find myself thinking about money a lot. Mostly out of necessity, I guess, mixed with a smattering of anxiety and insecurity. I imagine greed is always  lurking just around the bend. Isn’t that true of all of us? Or is it just me?

The stuff we have, whether in abundance or not, is where are hearts are most inclined to get dirty (greed has no prejudice):

I wonder what it would be like to never worry about bills, debt, security funds, college tuition, retirement? What if I just had store houses full of cash? Or just 0.00001 percent of Jeff Bezo’s wealth? I would never have a care in the world. I could rest secure; take care of all my needs, and do whatever I pleased.

That’s precisely why Jesus says, “Watch out for every kind of greed!” It will swallow you hole if you are not careful.

Here’s the thing, Jesus cares little about how much money I have, but cares a lot about what I treasure. Our treasure is a matter of life and death. For me, because I have to think about money so often, I also have to seriously consider what I treasure most…all the time. Isn’t that true of all of us? Or is it just me?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day five)

Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”

Seemingly in the middle of teaching about the Kingdom of God, Jesus is interrupted. This man wanted to change the subject and ask about what is on his heart- that is money and greed (covetousness). Watch what Jesus does. He hears the outward complaint and request, and turns the conversation to a spiritual conversation about the Kingdom of God.

I usually don’t make New Year’s Resolutions- hope that improvements and  new patterns last longer than a year. However, as the new year begins, I usually pause to take a self-inventory and ask the Lord where I can make progress. One of the places He pressed on my heart last week, was to begin and build on relationships to influence and leverage faith in order to witness. Here, we have Jesus doing that. Listening. Sensing what was really in the man’s heart. Then speaking Biblical Principles that point to the kingdom of God. I have taken note. I seek to do the same thing. Intentionally use moments and conversations (even interruptions) to point people to the Kingdom of God and share my faith. Will you listen and look to do the same?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day four)

Rabbis were often called upon to settle minor conflicts to avoid going before a judge.  Jesus refused to be drawn in to this family squabble.  He recognized that there was no legal settlement that could occur unless both brothers dealt with their underlying character flaw of greed.  Both brothers were demonstrating this errant character quality.  Thinking only of the benefit to yourself rather than what God would want or what might benefit others is a fatal flaw of character.

Jesus spoke of being “rich toward God”…what does that mean?  How can we be rich toward God?  What can we do to build a strong, stable foundation of Christ-like character?  Seeking the mind of Christ…putting others before yourself…spending time in God’s Word…faithful and consistent prayer…giving generously to the needs of others…seeking first the Kingdom of God…all of these can lead to true riches.  Lasting riches that bear fruit for eternity should be each of our goal!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day three)

“Man, who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

Question: How do you navigate an inheritance dispute with a family member?

Response: What’s at stake in an inheritance dispute?

Let every reader note that Jesus does not engage in conflict shaming here. He certainly knew firsthand about family conflict; his public actions and life’s work placed him at odds with his own family. Indeed, Jesus’s response to the man in the crowd communicated the importance of doing the hard work required by conflict, engaging family members instead of looking for someone to take that hard work off one’s hands. That hard work, Jesus says, always involves the inner inventory of the heart: What am I willing to burn to gain wealth? Such fires have a way of becoming uncontrollable, endangering even your own ability to seek the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day two)

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ ²¹ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” vs. 20-21

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21

Two sides of the same coin. The old adage states that you can’t take it with you, and if you look only at the passage from Luke, it holds true. If, however, you look to Matthew’s words there is a different message. It comes down to what “it” is. Money, real estate, possessions – things things will all disappear. The business of heaven deals with how you have invested in Kingdom work. How have you loved well? This will carry a heavenly reward. How have you ministered to the needy, the lost, the widow, and orphan? This will be measured against a life, and celebrated. Invest well.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 11:5-13  (day seven)

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” vs 9

Nowhere in scripture can you find a verse that says, “If you become a Christian, your life will be easy. You will be given blessings just for being a Christ follower.” Most committed Christians would argue that this life takes sacrifice and work, but unbeknownst to us, this message of easy living gets passed down in evangelism as we attempt to sway people into Christianity. This is what happens when we prioritize converts over disciples. In discipleship, new believers get to see a participatory faith. They get to see that life does become easier, but only after things got harder first. They do receive blessings, but they are not materialistic. When we our faith becomes participatory (asking, seeking, knocking), we will see how God is working and how that work is always for our good!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 11:5-13  (day six)

If you have checked theeverydayprayer.com more than once this morning for my blog post, then I think that qualifies as persistent. Being the kind of person that I am, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you or allow your persistence to go unrewarded.

Each time you checked you came with expectation, I’m sure. Along with a sincere desire for spiritual encouragement, a little spiritual nudge as you start your day.

For many of you, an early Saturday morning read of the every day prayer blog is part of a consistent pattern or rhythm in your life. An effort to connect to the heart and purpose of God through the musings of one of your pastors.

Some Saturdays are better than others I’m sure! But today, today your persistence pays off, because I too value the blog, and the small part it plays in your life; not to mention I feel a sense of obligation. It is here though, on this digital page, that I can give, whether at midnight, or 5 am, or even 9:15 (or later of course).

As you persist, may you receive. It is with God, as it is with me.

Oh, and Happy New Year!

Re:Verse passage – Luke 11:5-13  (day five)

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  

Bold promises given by Jesus at the end of the parable. We understand these verses are not a blank check to ask for whatever we want.  They are an invitation to an honest dialogue within a vibrant and growing relationship with the Lord.

Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves’”.

The persistence described in this parable is no doubt the result from previous encounters and experiences between the two “friends”. There was familiarity, “You know me. You know my heart”.  There was certainty, “I know you have what I need”. There was honesty and vulnerability, “This is why I am asking, I have nothing to give”.

The end of the year provides a good time to evaluate our relationship with God. Is our relationship with the Lord vibrant and growing?  Is there familiarity between us and the Lord?  Byproduct of time spent together. Is there certainty?  What do we know and understand about the Lord and His character and nature?  Is there vulnerability? Confession and repentance are crucial.

Lord, help us have that kind of relationship with You!!  Let’s be persistent in that kind of prayer!