A Chicago lawyer was trying to find a young woman who had inherited a fortune. He had traced her to Los Angeles where the trail went cold. He hired a detective agency to find her. An investigator with a great record was assigned to the case. After a few weeks, he called the lawyer. “I found her", he told the lawyer. “Where is she?” the lawyer asked. “In Las Vegas with me...we are celebrating our honeymoon!"
After decades of ministry, I have encountered the question concerning resources the most. From Believer and unbeliever. Whether the god is God, or some other created deity or the “person in the mirror”, every person I have met, except individuals that are contemplating suicide. (sadly, they have given up on themselves, which the our adversary desires) To be frank, this would be one of the top five questions in my life.
“Purpose” is a major issue in human life, we all focus on that and if we give up then we surrender our will to live. This is why it is essential that we remain connected to our Creator and seek His direction. He alone knows what we were created for and what our purpose can be.
The “adversary” works hard to destroy that because he hates what God loves! Jesus did many things to show us we need not expend our energy worrying over this. Here are just three:
Luke 5: 4-7
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
John 6:8-13 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Matthew 17:24-27 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
I believe these passages speak for themselves – no commentary needed…except don’t go fishing planning to pay the IRS!
The “So What”: Where do you look for supplying your needs? A job, a relative, the lottery? Where do you invest most of your energy and time, getting close to money, getting close to someone with money, or staying close to God? When I had to leave the mission field due to health, I took my eyes off of the Lord and fretted about “Now What?” That was a huge mistake, and I suffered for that. Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you the way he deceived me – focus on staying close to God, allow Him be concerned about your needs!
No comments:
Post a Comment