The Parable of the Rich Fool

 ¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

 ¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

 ¹⁶ And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

   ¹⁸ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

   ²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

   ²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:13-21 NIV)

Thought:

The one with the most toys in the end wins right? Or do they? I know that sometimes there is something I want so badly I can almost taste it as the saying goes.    You hunger for it maybe you think you might even die if you don’t get it. You know your life will be perfect if you get it.  Just the right car, the right dress the right piece of jewellery, or maybe the game or TV.  If you could just get that, everything will be perfect but then when you get it what happens your happy for a while and then guess what? There is something new,  the upgrade, the new latest thing, and the wanting starts all over.  Do things fill that hole inside of you, no they are never enough.  This Christmas as we are looking under the tree and hoping for the perfect gift, remember that no matter what is there it will get used up, broken, obsolete and never be quite enough.  Presents are GREAT I love them but, they will not fix your life or fill the whole inside you.  There is only one thing that will fulfill that hunger or quench that thirst it’s Jesus.  He  will never get used up,  be obsolete, or broken, He never fades.  Turn to Him instead and watch as your need for things changes to a craving for more of Him.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NIV)

“The Rich and the Kingdom of God

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your father and mother.’^[a]”

²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

²⁴ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is^[b]to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:17-27 NIV)

“Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.”" (Acts 8:20-21 NIV)

Thought:

Let’s face it we want more! Is there anyone who thinks that they will be happy with less money not many. But as this story illustrates what really is the point. We think we will be happy by winning the lottery or getting a raise.  That hole inside us will be filled if we just have more money.  But will there ever be enough to fill the hole no.  You can’t put a square peg in to a round hole.  You can’t fill a hole left by God with more money only God can fill the hole. No matter how much money you accumulate you can’t take it with you when it is your turn for your body to die. No matter how much money you have you can’t buy a relationship with God or salvation.  But if you choose to accept God’s Gift of Love the hole in you will be filled and when your body dies you can take that gift with you. It will take you to the feet of Jesus.  This Season lets accept the gift that is worth more than gold. Let’s accept God’s Gift of Love.

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9 NIV)

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 NIV)

 Thought:  

Salvation isn’t given to the person who does the most good deeds because then we would be trying to earn it and we can’t. Salvation is a gift for the taking because we can’t earn it. No matter what we do, how many hours a day we spend helping others. There is always a way we could have done more and sometimes instead we chose to do something selfish OOPs! See you are not good enough.  We cannot make up for the sin in our lives. There is only one way to get salvation, by believing in Jesus and accepting His gift of life, through His love and mercy.  This Christmas season do your best for others but know that you can’t fix everything. You will not do everything perfectly and that is ok.  With God’s Gift of Love we are forgiven for our mistakes; you don’t have to be perfect. Jesus has already paid the price.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe

he Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (Deuteronomy 5:6-8)

Thought: 

OK I know for some people this is a contentious issue but I am sorry to say there is only one way to Heaven.  It is not Brahman, not Nature Gods, not Ahura Mazda, not The Tao,  not Mahavrira,  not Buddha, and  not Allah, these are created deities they are not the one and only God. We are to worship only the Creator God. There is only one God and one way to Salvation.  You have the right to believe anything you want but only God and His gift of His Son dying in our place will get us to heaven, the rest ore just attempts at avoiding the truth, satan’s way of trying to keep us from the truth.  Sorry if this upsets you but all you have to do is look at the facts to see the truth.  There is more proof the Bible is true than any other ancient document I suggest you spend so time researching it.  You can find the facts in books by Josh Mcdowell or  Lee Strobel, to name two, both men set out to prove the Bible wrong only to find it has to be right. They are now strong believers. This Christmas let’s celebrate, the one and only God, and His Gift of Love, at Christmas, His one and only Son  who became a man to die in our place. Thank You God!!!

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself a ransom for all …” (1Timothy 2:5)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”  John 3:16

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent and we will be lighting the third candle to remind us Whoever Believes in Him Shall not Perish.    Holy Moly!!!!!!! The gifts continue All those wonderful gifts: His gift of love, His Son, Redemption, Forgiveness, Grace, Relationship, His Spirit, Healing and Peace are not all, now God is saying that He wants to make it so our spirits never die.  Remember last week we talked about the fact that because sin entered the world we all had to die? Well now that Jesus has died in our place we don’t have to. WOW!!!!

All these gifts we have talked about are available to everyone no exceptions. If you want God’s Gift of Love  this Christmas it is yours for the taking that is why the word “whoever” is used, that is you and me. These gifts though still come with the choice God offered us at the beginning.  They are not forced on us because that does not create relationship that is a robot.  Yes these gifts are available to you but first before you get them you need to believe in the gift.  That is the only way you can receive God’s Gift of Love. Now please keep in mind that the word believe in this verse means more than just knowing God’s exists even satan knows that (James 2: 19) in order to receive God’s gift, just like any gift we will receive this Christmas, we also have to accept it, we have to choose to take it, not just leave it where it is. It is still our choice whether or not to accept God’s Gift of Love that is the hard part.

Some of us will choose to not take this precious gift we will try to find another way to fill the hole in us that was left when man choose sin over God.  Some will try money, possessions, being good, other religions, and anything else they can think of, but they don’t work –  the hole remains only God can fill it (John 14:6) .  Some people will choose to stay in sin and live without  God’s Gift of Love that is a choice that breaks God’s heart but it is the right that God has given us (John 8:24). We will look at some of these ways people try it on their own this week.

As you wrap your gifts to give this Christmas remember God’s Gift of Love  and the decision  that is yours to make. This Advent season will you choose to believe and accept God’s Gift of Love or will you remain in sin without God?   Will His gift just remain under the tree or will you open it and live it?  If you choose God’s Gift of Love all you have to do is ask Him for it in a simple prayer and the gift is yours. (I put a prayer you can use if you don’t know what to say at the end of this devotion.)

Today is the third Sunday of Advent and we light the Third candle to remind us of God’s Gift of Love: Whoever Believes in Him shall not Perish

Dear God

 I know that I have made mistakes and I am sorry. I cannot fix things on my own. I believe in the gift You gave of Your Son to die in my place I accept this gift. I choose to have a relationship with you.  I choose to live for You.

 Thank You God for your gift of love.

Amen

If you prayed this prayer your Spirit will never die and you will receive another gift that we will talk about next week.  But until then please contact me and let me know that you have prayed the prayer.  Then ask God to help you find a church you can be a part of to find out more about God’s Gift of Love and how to live in relationship with Him. May God Bless you as you step out in this new life.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.(John 14:27)

Thought:

This is supposed to be a season of Peace but often it is so hectic, stressful and crazy that peace gets lost.  God’s gift to you is Peace look to Him and watch as the stresses of Life fade and the joy of the season take their place. His peace is eternal and you can rest in it as the world goes crazy.  I’m not saying that your circumstances will change, although they might, but your attitude towards they will. May God’s “Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance..” (Jude1:2) this Christmas season and Remember God’s Gift of Love:

“For God So Loved The World That He Gave Is One And Only Son”

So we can be Redeemed and Forgiven by Grace, becoming His Children,

filled with His Spirit, Well and at Peace

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Thought:

Are you hurting? Jesus understands whatever your pain is and He was willing to suffer so you wouldn’t have to.  Jesus is willing to dry you tears, strengthen you and bare your pain for you and with His wounds He will heal you.  Turn to Him and He will help you through. Remember God’s Gift of Love:

“For God So Loved The World That He Gave Is One And Only Son”

So we can be Redeemed and Forgiven by Grace, becoming His Children,

filled with His Spirit, Well

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”(Galatians 4:6)

Thought:

As cool as it is to be a child of God, God has given us another gift that makes living in this world easier, He gave us His Spirit to live in us. That is right His Spirit dwells in us. The Bible says we are His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB) That means you are never alone He is with you, teaching you, guiding you, comforting you, strengthening you, and supplying you with the wisdom you need in the midst of life.

This Advent Season as you try to do things God’s way instead of your own, Stop, look inside yourself for the flow of the Spirit then ask Him for what you need. He will be there He will not let you down. Remember God’s Gift of Love:

“ For God So Loved The World That He Gave Is One And Only Son”

So we can be Redeemed and Forgiven by Grace, becoming His Children, filled with His Spirit

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12 NIV)

Thought:

Look at this!!  Because of God’s Gift of Love we can now have the relationship with God that we all want.  There is no need for the wall between us and God.  We can once again walk with Him and talk with Him as we were created to do and as man did live in the garden of Eden before sin entered the world. But more than just a relationship now we can be a child of God with all the privileges and freedoms that come with it. We can now walk into the Throne room of God and talk to Him anytime we want we can ask the God of the universe for wisdom and understanding, guidance and strength. We can even sit on His lap and have Him just hold us for a while, because we are His children, PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

This Advent Season let‘s not forget this privilege.  Let’s make sure even when things are hectic to find time to spend with our Father God. Remember  God’s Gift of Love:

“ For God So Loved The World That He Gave Is One And Only Son”

So we can be Redeemed and Forgiven by Grace, becoming His Children

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.(Romans 3:23-24 NIV)

Thought:

Grace what an awesome gift, it means that we received redemption and forgiveness not because we deserve them but because God want us to have them.  He know that we can never measure up to His standards but He loves us so much that He still gives them to us.  WOW!!!!

This season as we look to buy presents for our loved ones let us not give what they deserve ( maybe coal) but show them how much we and God love them by giving a gift filled with Grace. This does not mean we have to spend more just chose something from the heart, even if at times they don’t deserve it.  None of us deserved our gift either.  Remember God’s Gift of Love:

“ For God So Loved The World That He Gave Is One And Only Son”

So we can be Redeemed and Forgiven by Grace