The Omnipresent Omniscient God
The Omnipresent Omniscient God 1/27/19
Attributes (and names) of God…
Omnipresent: Everywhere all the time
Omniscient: Knowing Everything
Psalm 139:1-18 NAS For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. 2 Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. 3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, And art intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, Thou dost know it all. 5 Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, And laid Thy hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. 7 Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Thy hand will lead me, And Thy right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12 Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee.
13 For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. 16 Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with Thee.
David had an understanding of God that we need to learn for our own wellbeing.
My understanding of what David was saying: God you have searched me and you know me. You know me inside, out. You know everything I do all the time and you know why I do what I do. You know what I think even before I think it. You know what I do all day long and even when I lie down to sleep. You know ever personal detail of my being with all knowledge of what I will speak before I think or speak it. You know all about me for you have me totally surrounded so that I am always enclosed with your hand on and around me, past, present and future.
I am overcome with awe of your detailed knowledge and constant care of me.
I cannot be anywhere you are not, whether I’m in the highest of heavens or the lowest of hell, you are with me. Whether I am in the brightest of daylight or the darkest of night, there is no absence of you or hindrance to your watchful care. No, nothing prevents you. Even when I was being conceived, you were there detailing me with amazing intricate specifics. I will give thanks to you for You did a wonderful and amazing work when made me, all of me, inside out. You numbered and knew my days and all the details within them even before the first day began. How vast, meticulous and intimate are your thoughts of me. I am humbled and in awe before you because of your precious, loving and continually thoughts about me; your thoughts are more in sum than each grain of sea sand. The great love you have lavished on me is overwhelming. Even when I awake from sleep you are still there with me.
God Was, God Is, and God always will be. HE is the “I Am”. There has never nor will ever be a time or place where God is not.
God sees all.
God knows all.
God is everywhere all the time.
God knows our past, present and out future. There are NO surprises to God.
God knew us when we were being conceived in our mother’s womb. God fashioned us while we were in our mother’s womb. God’s work is good and he made us skillfully and amazingly beautiful! God made us inside and out.
Every day of our life was recorded even before the first day took place. He knew and He still loved!
God’s many thoughts (more than the sand of the sea) concerning us are precious!
In difficult circumstances, sometimes it doesn’t appear or feel like God sees, cares or loves us. He sees the little sparrow and numbers even the hair of your head…
Hagar was a servant of Sarai, Abraham’s wife. You probably know the story, Abraham and Sarai were promised by God to have a son together and now they were very old. Sarai was past the natural age to bear a child.
Sarai took her servant girl Hagar and gave her to Abraham to be his wife. Sarai wanted a son so badly; she (like many of us at times have been), was tired of waiting on God to help her conceive a child. Sarai took matters into her own hands and made a plan for her servant Hagar be a segregate mother to have her a son. After Sarai saw that Hagar had conceived, she despised her. (When we take matters in our own hands, we make a painful and big mess.)
God sees: Genesis 16:6-16 Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence. 7 Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And he said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?" And she said, "I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai." 9 Then the angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority." 10 Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they shall be too many to count." 11 The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. 12 "And he will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers." 13 Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "Thou art a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.
Hagar’s allowed her feelings and her limited perspective to lead her the wrong and dangerous place. Are you doing the same?
Perhaps Hagar felt unimportant, used, despised, perhaps she like a sex slave or a common possession maybe she even felt abandoned by God (If God really loves me, why would he let this happen?)
She was at her “wits-end” and “dead-end”. One might say, “She was at the “end-of- her- rope.” She either forgot or didn’t know that God saw past her “DEAD- END”. God really cared for and loved Hagar too! God had plans past her DEAD-END. He knew what was in Hagar that she didn’t even know. He knew the plans and purposes He had in mind for both her and her child/children. God always sees beyond “your moment.” When you cannot see God, change your focus. Fill your mind with his Words.
Hagar thought she was ready to die, but she was really ready to give life. Life was growing in her but it didn’t feel like it. She couldn’t see past her pain UNTIL God gave her a WORD AND SIGHT!
***Sarai would have been around 76 and Abraham 86 when Ishmael was born. Sarai she was age 90-91 when Issac was born and Abraham was age 100. (Genesis 17)***
(Psalm 139 — David wasn’t the only one who learned that God is a God who sees, loves compassionately and cares deeply, Hagar was shown God’s love and watchful eye upon her too. She said, You are a God who sees me.)
INSITE & WORD: Perhaps some of you have suffered such devastating circumstances, you are where Hagar was; you are at your dead-end and ready to “throw-in-the-towel” and give up. I want to tell you, it’s not time for you to die and God has something beyond what you see right now. You have life in you, focus on life, and not death!
Hagar thought she was all alone in the wilderness as she cried, but God was with her, watching her, thinking about her the entire time. God had sent his angel to bring her a message of comfort and instruction.
INSITE & WORD: God is a God who sees you, past, present and future. He knows every detail about you inside and out. He knows what you are feeling and the despair you feel in your situation(s). You are weary, you are tired of it all, you feel unloved and unseen. Your feelings are not reality.
Reality Is: God has a plan and you don’t need to go beyond God’s plan and make things worse for yourself. Wait on God, stay the course and although it’s a hard time and situation right now, you will get through this. God will be with you in the storm. He will bear you up though it all and you will survive! God hasn’t taken his eyes off you and there are no accidents in God. Trust and believe!
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…
Just because Hagar felt no hope, did not mean hope was not there:
Never judge your future just by your present.
Hagar was about to make a huge mistake but God met her. God assures Hagar of protection of her son. God knew the child in his present as well as all of his future. God instructed Hagar to do what was hard. When God instructs you to do what is very hard, He is likely trying to save you from something that is harder!
God never sleeps or slumbers: Psalm 121:2-5 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
Believe God’s promises! Be of Good Cheer, It shall be as God says.
Hagar needed to allow God to direct her steps to a sure and better place: God told Hagar to go back home and submit to her mistress. God knew what was best for both Hagar and her unborn child.
Go Home and Live!
The Best or safest places are not always the easiest places, God sees all the details of the future, God knows the thoughts and makeup of our person, He knows what is best all the way around. We must trust and follow Him.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
God knows all the details about you: Matthew 10:30-31 … the very hairs of your head are all numbered. "Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Hagar learns and accepts God as her God. She has her own personal relationship with God…Genesis 16:13-16 Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "Thou art a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" (Awe of his Holiness) 14 Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.
Take God’s hand even as Hagar and the many other followers of God have and walk through life’s good times and bad times together!
He is the God who See’s All and Knows All! Psalm 139:1-18 ….It’s true! You are always on God’s mind, always in his view, always in his love. Go rest in Him and his love.
The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-24 And He said, "A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he divided his wealth between them. "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need. "And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' "And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be merry.
This son was a discontented and was lured by the glamor of the world and his lust for pleasure. He failed to recognize the blessings of his father, the family and the home. The son in this parable really did not know how good he had it. He took for granted the really good things in life that matter most. Instead of family and home looking good to him, he was filling the pull of the world “out there,” the temporary pleasures it offers and mostly what he could see the temporary, not what it would really cost him. His youth and naivety was not in his favor. One thing was strongly in his favor; He knew his father was merciful and good… and that served to later promote a good decision.
A Discontent, Ungrateful, and Spoiled Son:
No matter what the son had to enjoy, the young son was unappreciative and discontented. He had the unconditional and unmerited love of his father; he was secure and treasured within the family home. He was lavished upon by every possible good and reasonable thing to make a boy healthy, wealthy, successful and wise; everything that is, except hardship and painful lessons that would serve to teach him the things necessary for his maturing.
The father and his provision had always been available, the boy had continuously been protected and the father’s love was lavished on him. The son took for granted and demeaned the great affection and provision his father had given him.
The good and gracious father provided unlimited benefits to his son! Those many blessings were not earned, deserved and most times not even recognized. The spoiled son thought his worth was based in his own goodness but his arrogance was prideful and assuming. This son’s ungrateful attitude actually bred his very own discontentment!
The Wayward Son’s Takes His Inheritance and Demands His Freedom: The son had the freedom to either enjoy or discount his father’s love. The son had the freedom to leave his father’s home and presence. The son had the freedom to consume and squander the gifts he had been given. He had the freedom to disrespectfully walk away with his entire inheritance and dismiss his father and his love as “worthless”.
The Son Leaves Home In Arrogance and Ignorance:
The son did not know or care what his blessings cost his father.
The son did not know or care what the enormous value of the father’s care and provision.
The son took-for-granted and assumed that he must have deserve and earned the blessings and benefits that were given him.
He was prideful, ungrateful and cocky as he received his inheritance prior to its proper time.
When he asked for his inheritance, it was like saying, “I wish you were dead.” His request was not sandwiched with gratitude, wisdom or zeal to make gain. Instead, he wanted to rowdy up and live a wild party lifestyle while spending his father’s savings on a riotous and disorderly excursion that was filled with sin’s pleasure.
Truths
Perhaps he did not plan to spend every cent. Perhaps he thought to only examine the pleasures of life for a short while and THEN return to a civil lifestyle.
Most often one doesn’t plan for sin and foolishness to take them as far as it does; however when sin is indulged, one doesn’t control sin but sin controls those who indulge its pleasures.
Sin takes its occasion and ravishes our body, our family, our stuff, our being, and our time until we end up broken, pained and famished by its hellish grasps. This brokenness leaves us ravaged, ashamed and depleted of power to revive ourselves.
It is in that humility that we can recognize we truly are beggars in need of a father who will forgive us, clean us up, pick us up, hold us, kiss us and put a robe on our back, a ring on or finger, shoes on our feet, kill the fatted calf and call for the household and servants to party and celebrate the home coming of another son.
What this wayward son did not consider was the costly love his father had showered upon him.
He did not know what he had until he lost it. Someone has said, “You never miss the water until the well runs dry.”
When the son had spent all his inheritance, he began to suffer great hardship. He was so hungry he could have eaten the food that was reserved for the pigs! How far he had fallen! It was during his suffering that he began to remember how good he had it at home.
He remembered the warm house, the soft bed, the table spread with good food and more than enough for everyone.
He remembered that even servants were treated with dignity, respect and did not suffer lack but ate of the provisions from his father.
No doubt he remembered his father’s love.
Now he recognized that he had “taken-for-granted” all of those things, not to mention his disdain for his father’s goodness.
He remembered his demeaning words to his father; “Give me my inheritance.” Perhaps he also remembered his father say something that is not recorded in Scriptures, “Son, when you have a change of heart, you can come back home.”
This son was sick, sick of this foolish living, sick of the shame, sick of smelling the swine’s filth and sick of feeling as low as the most disgusting animal to the Jew.
The Son Come to His Senses and Embraced Truth:
He was sorry, sorry for the wrong desire, the wrong decision and sick of the direction where he was headed!
He wanted to come home! He didn’t care what he had to do.
He wanted to be with his father and live near him.
He concluded that he was unworthy to be called the son of his father.
He chose to no longer expect or demand anything.
He remembered his father’s love and compassion.
He made a decision to head for home to see his father.
He would be happy to work and live in the servants’ quarters.
Too often it takes the “feeling pain, experiencing loss and often some time” to learn and appreciate the blessing and worth of true love.
The Son a change of attitude! He enjoyed the attitude of Gratitude: The prodigal son was returning with an entirely different perspective and attitude.
True gratitude doesn’t have an “entitlement mentality”.
True gratitude takes into account the sacrifices, love and often mercies, from the person giving the gift.
True gratitude changes the speech as well as the behavior.
True gratitude brings an inward happiness and contentment.
True gratitude brings a positive outlook, a cheerful attitude and shows benevolent servanthood.
This son was indeed a changed man. He had learned a “life lesson” and would never be the same again.
He had learned a valuable lesson and would not ever take the benefits of his father’s love and provision for granted.
The Forgiving, Loving and Generous Father:
He imagined what it would be like to have his son home, safe and full of contentment and laughter.
Upon the son’s retuning, the father stood looking over the meadow and prayed for his son to come to his senses and return to him.
As the father was watching, he saw his boy running toward him and he went to embrace his son.
The father girded his robe and readied himself for the run; not worrying about those who were watching. He embraced his wayward son with kisses of love and acceptance.
The father’s love for his son was as strong for his boy when he returned as it was before he rebelled and left.
Since the father’s love is based on himself and not the son; his love is unrestricted, unearned, immeasurable and nothing can change that love.
The Son Repented and forgiveness was given and restoration was happening.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be merry
The Party began — There was great rejoicing!
You can come home too. If you are estranged from your family-Make your way back home!
You may be separated from your Heavenly Father. You can come home to Him.
He is wants you and is waiting for you to come.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. While we are still sinners and living in rebellion, loves us.
Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
If you are away from the Lord Jesus Christ, He longs for you to come to Him and receive forgiveness of your sins. He desires to fellowship with you and welcome you home. He wants you to have sweet fellowship with his family. You can pray this prayer and if you are sorry for your sins and sincere in your prayer of faith, He will forgive your of all your sins and receive you into his eternal kingdom.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I have broken your spiritual laws and I am deeply sorry. I ask you to forgive me for all my sin. I believe in Jesus Christ, his love for me that was proved when He died on the cross to pay for my sin debt. I believe He is alive and I ask you to be my Savior and Lord from this day forward. I renounce my sins and sincerely want to follow You in the true path. Amen
If you need spiritual help, please contact us.
The Greatest Dinner is Yet To Be Had And You Are Invited!
Luke 14:15-24 And when one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is everyone who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 But He said to him, "A certain man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; 17 and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' 19 "And another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' 20 "And another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' 21 "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'’
Do you want to be blessed?
Do you want to help give others opportunity to be blessed?
Blessed is everyone who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
God so loved the world…John 3:16 Whosoever will…It is not God’s will that any should perish but have everlasting life.
A certain man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many.
The invitation is given, the dinner hour is upon us, it is imminent!
Are you a servant of God? Are you going out and spreading his invitation to all the who-so-evers you can?
At the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.'
Our responsibility is to give the invitation to share the good news of the greatest banquet dinner ever served and offered to all, no matter color, social status, race, or any other difference or similarity.
We must not become disheartened because of all the excuses. Not all will accept, but whosoever will accept will have eternal life and abundant life here! Don’t be surprised, discouraged, delayed or offended by all the excuses!
They all alike began to make excuses, petty excuses. We do our part to speak the truth in love, give the true message of the good news of Jesus Christ. When we are insulted, mocked, rejected, criticized, ignored, lied on, jailed or killed for his sake we tell God and he rises to take care of us and his Word will not return void.
The slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry. God will have a people who love and serve him. God is not prejudice like many people. He doesn’t care about some of the things people value. He takes the worse of the worse, those who are tossed the rubbish heap of society and he cleans them and fills them up with his Word and they become trophies of his grace. He lifts them to highest heights and takes pleasure in their company. He takes the rag-tags of this world, who are many of us and puts us in heavenly places!!! Perhaps some of you are of that number!!! Praise the Lord. 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame. There is always room.
This still has to do with bringing everyone who will come…All who is thirsty. 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges. We are to urge/compel them, to show the beauty of, to explain the winning choice! Share the Good News as it is the good news! Who doesn’t need good news?
God wants a full house! God should have a full house. compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Unless one believes in the only begotten Son of God, he cannot be saved! He must prepare to to be received into the wedding.
First one accepts the invitation…NO EXCUSES. none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'’
Rest of story found in…Matthew 22:10-14 "And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And he was speechless. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." We must have on the wedding garment!
The wedding garment must be HIS garment!
Priorities to Live By 8/26/18
We live in a culture where the human physique is almost worshipped. We continually hear of the many ways to strengthen and preserve the human body. While we recognize that our body is the temple of God, we also remember that our body will return to the dust from where it was taken.
Compared to the emphasis that is placed on the body, there is a lack of emphasis placed on the eternal spirit of humankind. The fact that our spirit will have an eternal abode, either in heaven or hell should alert and alarm each one of us to the reality and lead to spiritual health emphasis.
One tactic of our adversary continually works toward us to refocus our priorities on the lesser good. While bodily exercise profits a little, spiritual alertness and health is of the utmost importance. One may be able to get along in this world at least to some extent without proper focus, truth and discipline, but unless we are groomed for eternity we will come up woefully lacking. What a horrible crime against our own person and our God. What horrible repercussions for those who focus their greatest priority on their flesh that will eventually go back to the dust without putting proper emphasis on the soul of man that never dies.
The call goes out to one and all for preparation to be made so that we ready ourselves for our eternity. Let not our eternal obituary read; “Died without knowing and surrendering to the Creator and God who gave his Son so that all humankind could have eternal life.” What a sad commentary for the many in this world who are rejecting the free gift of God which is eternal life in Christ Jesus as well as the abundant life and peace which is offered through Him who loved us the most, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus indeed is the greatest friend of sinners. It is scarce that one will die for a good man; some might even die for a righteous man, but Christ Jesus the Lord died for us while we were yet his enemy and sinners. Our Eternal Creator gave his life freely while we were yet sinners so that we could be saved from the punishment which will come on all who do not know God as their Savior and Lord.
God’s will does not keep good from us but rather, freely bring good gifts and eternal life to us.
Are you in line to receive the greatest gift ever given? Jesus Christ, our Savior is the greatest gift one can receive! The Scripture asks a question; “how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” The Scripture also teaches that the greatest sin is the sin of unbelief against God; that unbelief is demonstrated by refusal to accept Jesus Christ as your own Savior and Lord.
Where is your beliefs and confidence? Is it in your own self, your own will and wisdom? If you continue in this path you will come up woefully short and eternal life will only be as a dream for you.
Instead of seeking to have a buff body with great emphasis on energy, looks and physical health, why not put your greatest emphasis where it belongs?
It is often when we take care of the greatest needs that our lesser needs are most sure to be met. If one lives 100 years, if one gains the whole world and loses his own soul, what profit is it to him? The rich young ruler was instructed to sell all he had and give it to the poor and come follow Jesus. Yet he held on to his stuff, trying to preserve everything for himself. It is to one’s own regret, for in the end, a person who places greater emphasis on himself and his personal stuff will ultimately be lost and doomed. This man is like the man who built his house on a sandy foundation. Every house will experience the storm and challenges of turmoil and eventually death, yet the wisdom of God is to teach us to prepare for that day. Unlike the rich man’s decision and priority, you can prepare and be ready. Even if we are like Lazarus, the poor beggar who pleaded for crumbs from the rich man’s table. Scripture tells us that he died and was taken to a place of eternal comfort, joy and rewards.
Why would one be so foolish to trade an eternity with thousands and millions of years of peace, rest, rewards and great joy for only a few years here with trouble?
Every one of us should live our lives and make our decisions based on the truth of God‘s eternal Word that is given to us for wisdom and knowledge so that we can gain abundant life here as well as eternal life with our Lord and Savior forever and ever.
What is your choice? Your soul is in your own hands.
The Greatest Dinner is Yet To Be Had....You Are Invited! 8/22/18
Luke 14:15-24 And when one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is everyone who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 But He said to him, "A certain man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; 17 and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' 19 "And another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' 20 "And another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' 21 "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 "And the slave said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 "And the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'’
Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to help give others opportunity to be blessed? Blessed is everyone who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
God so loved the world…John 3:16 Whosoever will…Not God’s will that any should perish but have everlasting life. A certain man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many.
The invitation is given, the dinner hour is upon us, it is imminent! Are you a slave/servant of God? Are you going out and spreading his invitation to all the who-so-evers you can? …at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.'
Our responsibility is to give the invitation. To share the good news of the greatest banquet dinner ever served and offered to all, no matter color, social status, race, or any other difference or similarity. We must not become disheartened because of all the excuses. Not all will accept, but whosoever will accept will have eternal life and abundant life here! Don’t be surprised, discouraged, delayed or offended by all the excuses! …they all alike began to make excuses, petty excuses.
We do our part to speak the truth in love, give the true message of the good news of Jesus Christ. When we are insulted, mocked, rejected, criticized, ignored, lied on, jailed or killed for his sake we tell God and he rises to take care of us and his Word will not return void.
The slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry.
God will have a people who love and serve him. God is not prejudice like many people. He doesn’t care about some of the things people value. He takes the worst of the worst, those who are tossed to the rubbish heap of society and he cleans them and fills them up with his Word and they become trophies of his grace. He lifts them to highest heights and takes pleasure in their company. He takes the rag-tags of this world, who are many of us and puts us in heavenly places!!! Perhaps some of you are of that number!!! Praise the Lord. 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.
There is always room ….room for all.
Still there is room…
This still has to do with bringing everyone who will come…All who is thirsty.
'Go out into the highways and along the hedges.
We are to urge/compel them, to show the beauty of, to explain the winning choice! Share the Good News as though it is good news! Who doesn’t need good news? God wants a full house! God should have a full house.
Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Unless one believes in the only begotten Son of God, he cannot be saved! He must prepare to be received into the wedding. First one accepts the invitation…NO EXCUSES.
None of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.'’
Rest of story found in…Matthew 22:10-14 "And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And he was speechless. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
We must have on the wedding garment! That wedding garments must HIS garment!
