Heart of Gold

 

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table ; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom ; and the rich man also died and was buried.  "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things ; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Luke 16: 19-26

In the above passage from Luke 16, Jesus shared a story of a rich man who lived only for himself, paying no attention to poor man that begged for the crumbs that fell from his table.  The rich man died and was eternally separated from God, while the poor man died and went to heaven.  The rich man was not separated from the Lord because he harmed other people, or overlooked those in need, it was because he spent his life taking care of his himself, but doing nothing for his soul.

The ‘norm’ in our culture is to acquire as many material possessions as we can, satisfying ourselves-focusing on our wants instead of our needs.  I honestly had to re-read this scripture a few times before I discovered the underlying theme.  If we are focused on our self, we are missing the point of our existence.

You see, life is not about us.  However, it’s all about Jesus.  It’s simple and often times overlooked, but those of us who choose to have a relationship with the Lord will live eternally with Him in heaven.  Those who reject Christ will pay the ultimate price-separation from God for all of eternity.  Seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul!

Heart of Gold

 

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table ; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom ; and the rich man also died and was buried.  "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things ; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Luke 16: 19-26

In the above passage from Luke 16, Jesus shared a story of a rich man who lived only for himself, paying no attention to poor man that begged for the crumbs that fell from his table.  The rich man died and was eternally separated from God, while the poor man died and went to heaven.  The rich man was not separated from the Lord because he harmed other people, or overlooked those in need, it was because he spent his life taking care of his himself, but doing nothing for his soul.

The ‘norm’ in our culture is to acquire as many material possessions as we can, satisfying ourselves-focusing on our wants instead of our needs.  I honestly had to re-read this scripture a few times before I discovered the underlying theme.  If we are focused on our self, we are missing the point of our existence.

You see, life is not about us.  However, it’s all about Jesus.  It’s simple and often times overlooked, but those of us who choose to have a relationship with the Lord will live eternally with Him in heaven.  Those who reject Christ will pay the ultimate price-separation from God for all of eternity.  Seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul!

Heart of Gold

 

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table ; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom ; and the rich man also died and was buried.  "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things ; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Luke 16: 19-26

In the above passage from Luke 16, Jesus shared a story of a rich man who lived only for himself, paying no attention to poor man that begged for the crumbs that fell from his table.  The rich man died and was eternally separated from God, while the poor man died and went to heaven.  The rich man was not separated from the Lord because he harmed other people, or overlooked those in need, it was because he spent his life taking care of his himself, but doing nothing for his soul.

The ‘norm’ in our culture is to acquire as many material possessions as we can, satisfying ourselves-focusing on our wants instead of our needs.  I honestly had to re-read this scripture a few times before I discovered the underlying theme.  If we are focused on our self, we are missing the point of our existence.

You see, life is not about us.  However, it’s all about Jesus.  It’s simple and often times overlooked, but those of us who choose to have a relationship with the Lord will live eternally with Him in heaven.  Those who reject Christ will pay the ultimate price-separation from God for all of eternity.  Seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul!

Heart of Gold

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table ; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom ; and the rich man also died and was buried.  "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things ; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Luke 16: 19-26

In the above passage from Luke 16, Jesus shared a story of a rich man who lived only for himself, paying no attention to poor man that begged for the crumbs that fell from his table.  The rich man died and was eternally separated from God, while the poor man died and went to heaven.  The rich man was not separated from the Lord because he harmed other people, or overlooked those in need, it was because he spent his life taking care of his himself, but doing nothing for his soul.

The ‘norm’ in our culture is to acquire as many material possessions as we can, satisfying ourselves-focusing on our wants instead of our needs.  I honestly had to re-read this scripture a few times before I discovered the underlying theme.  If we are focused on our self, we are missing the point of our existence.

You see, life is not about us.  However, it’s all about Jesus.  It’s simple and often times overlooked, but those of us who choose to have a relationship with the Lord will live eternally with Him in heaven.  Those who reject Christ will pay the ultimate price-separation from God for all of eternity.  Seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul!

Heart of Gold

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  "And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table ; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. "Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom ; and the rich man also died and was buried.  "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'  "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things ; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Luke 16: 19-26

In the above passage from Luke 16, Jesus shared a story of a rich man who lived only for himself, paying no attention to poor man that begged for the crumbs that fell from his table.  The rich man died and was eternally separated from God, while the poor man died and went to heaven.  The rich man was not separated from the Lord because he harmed other people, or overlooked those in need, it was because he spent his life taking care of his himself, but doing nothing for his soul.

The ‘norm’ in our culture is to acquire as many material possessions as we can, satisfying ourselves-focusing on our wants instead of our needs.  I honestly had to re-read this scripture a few times before I discovered the underlying theme.  If we are focused on our self, we are missing the point of our existence.

You see, life is not about us.  However, it’s all about Jesus.  It’s simple and often times overlooked, but those of us who choose to have a relationship with the Lord will live eternally with Him in heaven.  Those who reject Christ will pay the ultimate price-separation from God for all of eternity.  Seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul!

Give A Little Bit

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:4

Watching our two boys grow up is such a blessing.  When I see our oldest son bickering about having to share his precious toys with his little brother, it reminds me of how possessive of my toys I was with my little sister when we were both children. Ever since I can remember, our parents worked hard to teach us the value of sharing.

For most of us, as grown adults, sharing is still a hard concept for many of us to understand. I believe it is due to our fallen and sinful nature that we prefer to receive rather than to give and our thirst to accumulate rather than relinquish.

As followers of Christ, we are called to share everything-our love, time, faith, resources, talents, possessions,  and money with others.  People who share and give are promised the benefits of being generous, which are far greater than the fleeting moments of receiving.

When you realize how much God has shared and given to you, it's hard not to want to go and give and share with others in return.

This Christmas season, think of what you have that you can generously share with others...

Give

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:4

Well, our annual Life Group ‘White Elephant Gift Exchange’ was another success despite another minor dispute between our two boys about whose gift belongs to who… Elliott, our oldest, opened one of the last gifts of the night and struck gold when he selected the gift bag containing a battery-operated chicken that danced to the classic and yet annoying 'Chicken Dance.'  Of course, Elijah really wanted the chicken and for one of the first times that I can recall, the boys peacefully traded their gifts with one another. This was a pretty big deal to witness as they are always bickering about which toy belongs to who and so on...

For most of us as grown adults, sharing is still a hard concept to grasp. I believe it is due to our fallen and sinful nature to get rather than give and our thirst to accumulate rather than relinquish. As followers of Christ, we are called to share our love, time, faith, resources, talents, and money with others. People who do share and give are promised the benefits of being generous, which are far greater than the fleeting moments of receiving.

When you realize how much God has shared and given to you, it's hard not to want to go and give and share with others in return.

This Christmas season, think of what you have that you can generously share or give to others...

Until The Whole World Hears

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:4

Watching our two boys grow up is such a blessing and when our oldest son bickers about sharing his toys with his curious little brother, it reminds me of how I treated my little sister when we were children. Ever since I can remember, our parents taught us to share.

For most of us as grown adults, sharing is still a hard concept to grasp. I believe it is due to our fallen and sinful nature to get rather than give and our thirst to accumulate rather than relinquish. As followers of Christ, we are called to share our love, time, faith, resources, talents, and money with others. People who do share and give are promised the benefits of being generous, which are far greater than the fleeting moments of receiving.

When you realize how much God has shared and given to you, it's hard not to want to go and give and share with others in return.

This Christmas season, think of what you have that you can generously share with others...

Give A Little Bit

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:4

Watching our two boys grow up is such a blessing.  When I see our oldest son bickering about having to share his precious toys with his little brother, it reminds me of how I treated/mistreated my little sister when we were children. Ever since I can remember, our parents worked hard to teach us the value of sharing.

For most of us, as grown adults, sharing is still a hard concept for many of us to understand. I believe it is due to our fallen and sinful nature that we prefer to receive rather than to give and our thirst to accumulate rather than relinquish.

As followers of Christ, we are called to share everything-our love, time, faith, resources, talents, possessions,  and money with others.  People who share and give are promised the benefits of being generous, which are far greater than the fleeting moments of receiving.

When you realize how much God has shared and given to you, it's hard not to want to go and give and share with others in return.

This Christmas season, think of what you have that you can generously share with others...