1 Timothy 6 - Love of Money

1 Timothy 6 NIV

Seek not the pot of gold at the end of
the rainbow; rather, receive the Tree of Life,
who is Jesus the Christ.

It is not money that is the root of all evil; rather, as Paul puts it, "...the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (vs 10) God has indeed blessed many of the faithful with riches in this world. We are not to disrespect those whom God has so blessed. They are faithful in using their blessings to bless others and to glorify God. They are not arrogantly serving themselves. And, if they are then we might want to discern whether they really serve God or themselves before we listen to them.

We should not so desire wealth in this world that it detracts us from the love of God. There are many false prophets in this world who would tell us that if we just do this or that God will bless us. There are many who would teach that godliness  is a means to gain.

I received one of those letters the other day encouraging me "to plant a seed" and God will make me rich. If you receive letters like this, I encourage you to destroy them immediately. Have nothing to do with these false prophets. Those letters are not being sent to help you get rich. They are being sent so that the senders may prosper even more. It is for their own wealth that they are concerned. They have little knowledge of the true riches of God. They use the name of God for their own glory here in this world. They do not seek the kingdom of God; but, riches in this world which are very temporary.

Money can be used for good purposes by the faithful. But, be careful that your love for it does not trump your love for God who was willing to die for you. The love of money can bring great destruction to a person; to a community; to the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 17:5-10 Increase Our Faith

Luke 17:5-10 NIV
If we had the faith as small as a mustard seed, we could do anything!

So here is how it seems to go... We don't accomplish much for the Kingdom because we simply don't have enough faith. Since we lack faith; we don't even try. Yes, we do our duties. We show up in church on Sunday (sometimes). We make some offerings (sometimes). We try to feed the hungry - that is if we have enough left over after we've taken care of all of our wants as well as our needs.

We are like the unworthy servants who have only done only what is required of us as servants (sometimes). But, Christ came that we might be His brothers and sisters, that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another, in the Father's glorious Kingdom. We are heirs of that Kingdom! So, do we want to live like servants or heirs. Heirs will take care of the Kingdom. They will go the extra mile to grow that Kingdom. Do you believe that you are an heir of that eternal Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ? Do you have faith that the Kingdom is yours - to live in it, now?

Lord, increase our faith!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 13:18-21 Seeds Planted

Luke 13:18-21 NIV
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. It is like yeast mixed into flour. It becomes something other; something greater, than it was. It grows.

The Word of God is the seed which is planted in the hearts of man. As it is planted, the Kingdom grows. Likewise, when seeds which are not the Word of God are planted, they will probably grow. Be careful then what kind of seeds are being planted within your hearts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 4:21-34 How Does Your Garden Grow

How does your garden grow? With light... It needs sunlight.

It has been a very long, cold winter here in the U.P.. Most days we've seen below 0 (F) temperatures and there have been very few days that have been above freezing. We have spent a lot of time indoors staying warm so we have not had the benefit of much sunlight. Many of us are feeling the result of that. Each day we grow in some direction; but, without the benefit of the light of the sun or Son in which direction are we growing?

Do not hide the light which is needed for fruitful growth. Rather, let the light of Christ shine on and in and through you, so that the Body of Christ, here in this place, might grow like the mustard seed "when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” (Mark 4:32 NIV)

Do not hide the light under a bowl or a bed; but, let it shine! And, may the light of Christ shine upon you and all of your neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 17:14-26 - Mustard Seed

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20-21 NIV)

It is almost unbelievable to me that we do not have the faith of a mustard seed. I said, almost. The evidence is there. No mountains have been moved that I know about, lately. There are plenty of sick people to be healed, hungry to be fed, and a world full of lonely people who know no peace.

But, again, I said "almost unbelievable." Remember the story of the mustard tree? "Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.'” (Luke 13:18-19)

The mustard seed does not miraculously grow into a tree overnight. It takes times. It is more of a process.  A seed is planted. It is watered and fertilized. The mustard seed actually has to do nothing to make itself grow. It grows because that is in the nature of the mustard seed. Such is the Kingdom of God. All our hard work at trying to fix things and create a utopia here on earth amounts to nothing without faith in the One who provides the increase. It is God who provides the blessings.

Indeed, I have seen some pretty miraculous healings in my lifetime. I have seen things accomplished for the good of man that many would have thought were not possible. But, like the mustard seed growing into a full blown tree that will feed the multitudes of birds, so the Kingdom of God is growing. Slowly (at least according to our reckoning of time), but surely it is advancing bringing with it wholeness and peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 17 - Promises and Treaties

Ezekiel uses a parable of two eagles and the shoot of the cedar tree for his prophecy today. It is reminiscent of the parable Jesus told of the seeds being sown on a path, in thistles, on rocky ground or in good soil. (Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8)

But, unlike the parable Jesus told, the vine that was planted in Ezekiel's parable in good soil, may grow, but it will be uprooted. It has been given all the good gifts so that it may thrive. It is planted in good soil by an abundance of water. But, it will be uprooted. "Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it—wither away in the plot where it grew?" (Ezek 17:10 NIV)

Israel was struck from the east. They were uprooted by the King of Babylon for their unfaithfulness to the covenant they had made with God. To make matters even worse (if they can be worse), Israel's King breaks a treaty with Babylon, thinking that the King of Egypt is going to be able to help them. He can't. What God ordains, God ordains and God is not happy with these covenant breakers.

When one gives his word, when he makes a covenant with God or another, he would be wise to keep it. He would be better off not making a treaty than to make one and break it. A man's (or woman's) word ought to be trustworthy.

Unfortunately, we all make promises that we do not keep from time to time. I have tried to get in the habit of not making promises to my grandchildren. I can tell them I will do this or that for them on a certain day or a certain time. But, it doesn't always happen that way. Things come up. Emergencies come up. Somebody throws another iron into the fire. The grandchildren pressure me to make promises to them. If I must promise, I can only promise to try, with the help of God. I do not know what tomorrow may bring.

Humankind is a pretty untrustworthy lot. Sadly, promises and treaties are broken all the time. But, God promises to make a new covenant, a new treaty.

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish." (Ezekiel 17:22-24 NIV)

Ezekiel, chapter 17, ends with these words: “I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.” Unlike humankind, God does not go back on His Word, on His treaties. Thanks be to God for the prophecy of Good News has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our LORD!

God's Peace - Pr. J