Love

This week is Valentine's week. So, everyone seems to be thinking about love. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus tells us that love is very important. In fact, He tells us that the most important commandment is to love God. The second is like it: love your neighbor. So, what kind of love is Jesus talking about? Is this the love the gives flowers on Valentine's Day? Is this the love that comes out on birthdays and anniversaries? I think not. This is true sacrificial love. This is love in action. This kind of love does the dishes even though you're feeling tired. This kind of love rocks the baby when your wife is feeling sick. True love reaches out to the homeless person and gives them a meal. Christian loves shares the Gospel even when you feel like you don't have time. True love for God is a life dedicated to His service. This kind of love flows out into every area of our lives and blesses the lives of those around us, and that may mean getting flowers for your wife on Valentine's day, but it's much more than that. It's a daily experience. It's a selflessness and a willingness to help and support each other.

 
 

Lord, help me to live a life of love. Help me to have a true, deep love for You and for my friends and neighbors. Help me to be willing to sacrifice for the good of those around me. Help me not to be selfish. Help me to live a life that honors You in every way.

Should We Pay Our Taxes?

The Pharisees were constantly trying to trap Jesus in His words. So, they sent their disciples to ask Jesus yet another controversial question: Is it lawful to pay tax to Caesar? Jesus, knowing their deceitfulness, deftly handled the question. He told them to bring him a piece of money. Then, He asked them whose picture was on the coin. They answered, "Caesar's." He said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." In another passage, we have Jesus example of paying His taxes.

 
 

Christians should willingly and gladly pay their taxes even if they feel they are unfair. We are not to be part of the government. Yet, it is our duty to pay our taxes. It is not our responsibility to see that the taxes are used wisely, only to pay willingly. Jesus lived under the Roman empire and that was a corrupt heathen government. Yet, He still directed the people of His time to pay their taxes. We can take from that a directive to pay our taxes today.

Joining the Next Generation

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH13B.mp3

Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen

Next, Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. When all was prepared , he sent his servants to call the guests, but the guests made light of it. They continued going about their work and even killed some of the servants that had been sent to call them. When the king heard that, he burned the city of the those people. Then he sent his servants out to find people in the highways and byways to fill his tables.

 
 

So, what can we learn from this parable? Many of us are just like those people who have been called. We have Christian parents and churches. Everything has been done so that we can be a part of the kingdom of heaven. Yet, sometimes we make light of it. We are too busy with our work, family, or recreation to give our lives completely to God's service. Let's not be like these people that despised the King's invitation. Let's gladly answer His invitation and give our lives in His service.

Rendering Fruit to God

Following this, Jesus told another parable with a similar meaning: a man had a vineyard and he hired people to take care of it. Then, he went a way. When the time of fruit came, he sent servants to bring him some of his fruit, but these men repeatedly beat or killed the servants he sent. Eventually, he sent his son thinking that they would regard him. Instead they killed him, hoping that they could then receive the inheritance. Of course, when the man returned, he got rid of those men and hired others.

 
 

Jesus reproved the Pharisees for disregarding the messengers that God had sent to them. But, we can be just like those people if we are not careful. God has given us much. Are we giving back to God. We are so blessed. Are we hoarding all the blessing or are we sharing with those around us? Are we giving praise to God for all He has done for us? Is God receiving the fruit of His vineyard, or are we stingy with what is not even ours in the first place? Lord, help me to willingly give back to You in gratefulness for all You have given me. Help me not to be selfish. Help me to generously give to others whenever I have an opportunity. Help me to live a life that bears good fruit for You.

 

P.S.

I apologize for not keeping up with my posting. We had a baby four weeks ago. So, life has been a little more hectic. I'll try to keep up with my normal six days a week from here on.

The Parable of the Two Sons

Jesus spoke this parable in relation to the Pharisees. They were the religious elite of the day, but yet they were hypocrites. They said one thing and did another. This parable is very applicable to us today. We are Christians who have had Bible training since we were young. Which son are we like?

 
 

A man had two sons. He told each of them to go work in his field. The first son refused to go, but later reconsidered and went after all. The second son willingly consented to go work, but he never actually went. Obviously, the first son was the one who obeyed his father.

 
 

We, too, can be like the second son. We know how to say the right things and look right to those around us. Yet, how often do we not live up to what we say. May the Lord give us grace and strength to overcome this temptation.

Godly Men Have Radiant Wives

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH13A.mp3