Living a 220 life

When life becomes too much

Have you ever found yourself is a spot where you just don’t know how you’re going to make it another day? Perhaps you’ve found yourself looking at a stack of bills while your empty bank account screams failure at you. Or maybe you’ve lost your job and you’re left wondering how in the world you’ll make it through the next month. My friend, if you haven’t faced a time like this let me assure you, it will come! Our Father in heaven will most certainly take you to the edge of human certainty where trust in your own strength falters. He’ll do this not because He enjoys watching you squirm, but because He enjoys watching you grow in faith.

In Mark 6:35-44 we have an amazing example of the Lord creating a situation that would make most people squirm. In verse 35 the disciples come to Jesus late in the afternoon and tell Him they need to send the crowd away to the nearby farms and villages. The disciples are making a very prudent recommendation to Jesus. They identify the need for the crowds to eat late in the evening and they also tell us there are villages and farms nearby. Certainly no emergency of starvation exists and the disciples are merely making an administrative recommendation. However, Jesus responds with, “You feed them.”

Now my friends, the disciples seemed to have a good plan and had things under control…until God created a problem with their plans. Jesus gives them directions that were very different from what the disciples had in mind. Have you ever felt like God is doing this in your life? Yep, Me too. The disciples respond to Him with the rational question, “With what?” They continue, “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” You see, what the disciples were doing at this point is they were searching their rational, human ability, data base to figure out how they were going to take care of this problem. Friends, we do this too. This seems to be our default setting however, this is where our stress comes from. You see, we can’t fix this problem, God creates the problem so we can’t do it.

We have a human paradigm, or a box of human abilities, that we use. This box holds all the possibilities our human strength can potentially muster. When we are faced with a problem in life we can go to this box and dig through it until we find the way we’re going to fix the problem. The longer we toss the God problem around in our human box the more we begin to get panicked because we can’t find a solution. Friends, it doesn’t exist! I’m telling you now; you won’t find the solution in your box! The disciples were searching their human abilities box when they asked Jesus how they were going to feed the masses.

Jesus encouraged them to search their human abilities box in verse 38 when He said, “How much bread do you have?” Then He says, “Go and find out.” Jesus wanted them to know exactly what was in their box. He wanted them to completely know they didn’t have the means necessary on their own. The disciples come back and report they had only five loaves and two fish. You can almost hear the desperation and frustration in their voices…Jesus, we only have a little bread and two fish, now let’s send them away. Jesus then gives direction that goes completely contrary to what the disciples were telling Him, “…have the people sit down.” You have to imagine the disciples were thinking, “ok, maybe He didn’t hear us clearly…Jesus, we don’t have any food!”

Jesus takes the small amount of food they had, blesses it, distributes it, and everyone ate as much as they wanted. The disciples even picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. My friends, Jesus allowed the disciples to worry a little while they searched their human box only so He could reveal the God box. When you’re faced with troubles in life do you search your human box or do you search your God box? You know, when you’re a believer in Jesus you’re given access to the God box for your problems. How foolish we are to continue using our own box when we have access to His. Why is it you continue using your own box? Do you not know you have access? Do you not trust that He’ll allow you access? Do you think your box is better? Do you enjoy worry and stress? What is it? Why do you do it?

My friends, if you desire a life filled with the peace of God, you must begin using His box for your life. Are you facing a trial right now? Are you short on money? Have you recently lost your job? Are you facing uncertainties that worry you? Search your God box for solutions and trust Him to fix the problem. He wants you to use your God box all the time and will feed the masses in your life in order to build your trust in Him. Friends, as you face your trial listen to His direction even if it makes no sense to you. Have the masses sit down and allow Him to multiply your loaves and fishes. When you do, get ready to have your world turned upside down; you’re no longer living in your human abilities box, you’re living in your God abilites box. AMEN!

The Prodigal Son (Part 4 of 4)

My friends, the final character we’ll look at isn’t actually in the story but rather is the story teller; Jesus. In part 1 we looked at the younger son who represents lost people through open disobedience to God. In part 2 we looked at the older son who represents lost people through self absorption over being “good” or “religious”. Remember, all people are born lost. We all fall into one of two categories: We either go to the left and live a life of open sin like the younger son or we go to the right and live a life trying to “earn” God’s love like the older son. Both are sin and both are lost. In part 3 we looked at the Father who represents our loving and Graceful God. Our God who reaches out to both sons in a symbolic effort to bring all mankind back into communion with Him. In part 4 we’re looking at the story teller and what He’s trying to accomplish through this story.

The first aspect about Jesus in this story we must understand is who He’s trying to reach and why. At the beginning of Luke 15 we see the Pharisees and scribes complaining about Jesus receiving tax collectors and sinners around Him. In response to this complaint 15:3 says, “So He spoke this parable to them”. Therefore, Jesus’s primary audience for this story isn’t the younger son but rather the older son. All too often the younger son gets the attention through this story because his sin is open to see and is rather blatent. The older son looks like the good son and so fly’s under the radar. The Pharisees and scribes were the very people the older son represents…Folks, many people in our churches today are the very people the older son represents. Jesus was telling this story for them. Jesus was trying to tell them they were lost and didn’t know it; they thought they were the good son who “earned” something from the Father. My friends, I beg you to look at your life and ask the Lord to reveal if you’re living an older son life. If you are, Jesus is telling this parable for YOU! Not to condemn you but to find you.

Jesus delivered this story to the religious elite about the religious elite. Think about what He’s saying and doing here. Jesus is addressing someone like a Billy Grahm or a Dr. Dobson here and telling him that he’s lost. (I’m not saying Billy Grahm or Dr. Dobson are lost, I don’t know them that well) That is huge. Jesus is telling him that noone is without need of the Father. My friends, unfortunately we can fall into the same trap as the Pharisees. As we grow in the church we can all too easily begin thinking we’ve got it all figured out. Usually this arrogance begins to creep in when we see younger sons but it creeps in none the less. We’ve become proficient at hiding this arrogance in false humility because we’ve learned through the church that we should be humble if we’re to be good “christians”. The lesson Jesus is teaching us in the parable is this: The most important aspect of life is close fellowship with the Father simply to be in His presence, not to get His inheritence. Close fellowship with the Father results in a deep love for people. (John 13:34-35) Do you love other people? Not just your friends and family but all people. Here’s a better question, Do other people think you love them? In other words, are you viewed in your community as a loving person? I’ve met a lot of good people in the church who really don’t enjoy other people, let alone love them. Folks, if you’re living a life void of joy, if you’re living a life void of love for others, you may be a lost older son.

Here’s the beauty of Jesus the story teller. Jesus told this particular crowd two stories prior to this one. He told them about the lost sheep and then the lost coin. In both stories someone went out in search for the lost item. This concept is carried over into the story of the lost sons. Folks, the Father is coming out to find us. Both sons had the Father come out to find them. If you’re living a life without close, deep, and intimate fellowship with the Father I’m telling you that He’s searching for you right now! If you aren’t experiencing a passionate relationship with God you’re lost. It’s ok to be lost as long as you realize you’re lost. The Father welcomes you back with open arms. Friends, I beg you, please, consider your current position and run to the Father. AMEN!

The Prodigal Son (Part 3 of 4)

In the first two posts of “The Prodigal Son” we looked at the two lost sons. Again, all of us fall into one of two catagories; either the younger son or the older son. There are certainly differing degrees for each, but we are all lost in one way or another. Since we are all lost in one way or another I believe it’s important to look at the Father in the story.

The father in the story represents our Heavenly Father, God. Much can be discerned about His nature from this story and I believe understanding Him better will change how we interact with Him. First, we must understand the historical context in which this image of the Father is being presented. The original hearers of the story understood a patriarichal society in which the father was to be reveared and respected. A child did not disrespect the father of the family and remain a member of the family. In essence, a child knew his/her place and it was subservient to the father who was the master of the family.

In this context the story begins with the younger son asking for his inheritance in Luke 15:12. In essence, the younger son lays all his cards on the table and tells the father that he only wants the material possessions and not a relationship with his father. Now this would be rude even in todays culture but it was unheard of then. The hearers would have expected the father to disown the son and potentially have him killed. This request by the younger son was incredibly disrespectful. BUT, the father in the story grants the request.

The granting of the request reveals our Heavenly Fathers willingness to give us all things out of His love for us. Though we act like rude and foolish children, our Father doesn’t disown us. He loves us enough to allow us the opportunity to make mistakes. He allows us the opportunity to get lost. Folks, this is important to understand. He doesn’t make us get lost, He allows us to get lost. One is hurtful, the other is loveing. If you’re lost now you must understand that you got there by your own doing. The Father IS NOT to blame! In fact, He was greatly disrespected by your choice to wander away yet still desires to find you. He is not the one to blame for your poor choices.

In verse 20 we find the Father running out to his wayward son come home. Understand, a dignified, respected father of the family would not run during this time. He would walk gracefully. And certainly, if a child who dishonored the family so greatly were to come back home the father would not be expected to accept the boy, let alone run to him. However, the picture of our Heavenly Father is one of Him running to us. He loves us despite our stupid mistakes. If you’re living away from the Father, please don’t fear returning to Him. You should expect your loving Father to come running and take you into His arms…no matter how dumb your mistakes were.

We see the Father in verse 28 coming out to the older son as well. The older son is upset about the party and remains outside. The Father comes out to get him as well. Again, the Father trades in His dignified position in order to meet His wayward son in an attempt to bring him back into community. If you’re currently living like an older son, please realize the Father has come out to you now. He’s come out of the party to meet you where you’re at. Stop trying to earn the Fathers love, accept His grace, and enter the party with Him. He loves you and has paid the price. All you need to do is focus on your relationship with Him, NOT on earning Him or His possessions.

Friends, the Father is magnificent and loves us despite our sin. No matter how lost you are; no matter which son you are, the Father is seeking you for a loving relationship with Him. Yes, the Father is a just God and should be respected above all things, but the Father is also a loving God who is to be loved above all things. Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, are you lost right now? Not sure? Are you currently basking in the presence of God daily? If not then you’re a lost son and don’t know it. The Father only wanted the two sons to be in communion with Him, therefore, if you’re not in constant communion with Him you’re lost. If you’re not in daily communion with God YOU’RE LOST! Turn back right now and beg the Father to enter His party. Friends, living with Him is the only life that will ever bring happiness and joy! AMEN!

The Prodigal Son (Part 2 of 4)

The parable of the prodigal son is also referred to as the parable of the lost son. However, a more accurate title would be the parable of the lost sons. You see, we discussed the younger son in part one but will discuss the older son, who is also lost, in part two. Though the younger son has attained more recognition in the parable I believe the older son was actually the character Jesus wished to highlight in the story.

First, we must understand the background of the story in which the older son is set. In Luke 15:12 we find the father dividing his inheritence between the two sons. Culturally, he would have divided everything he owned into thirds. The younger son would have received one-third and the older son two-thirds. The younger son took his third and went away to waste all he’d been given. The older son remained with the father and continued to work. We see the older son in verse 25 working in the field when he hears the sound of music and dancing.

The older son sends a servant to inquire what the music and dancing are for. He finds out his younger brother has returned and the father is throwing a party for him in honor of his return. Now understand, the father has already divided all the inheritance and the younger son spent all of his. Therefore, anything the father gives the younger son is coming from the perceived inheritance of the older son. Need less to say, the older son is not too happy about this. In fact, verse 28 says, “But he was angry and would not go in.”

Friends, I would imagine many of you can sympathize with the older son’s anger. However, let me lay out the facts: The father is throwing a feast and the older son refuses to come in. Compare this with Luke 14:18-24. Of the people who refused to come into the feast God says, “For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” (Luke 14:24), also, the son is upset because he believes he is due a certain amount of inheritance, and finally, the older son chooses to place his inheritance above his relationship with his father. Do you see that the younger son is lost but the older son is lost also?

The two sons represent the two ways we are lost from God. The younger son lived an open life of rebellion and only cared for the father based on the material things the father could give him. The older son lived a life of labor in the fathers field in an effort to attain the material things the father could give him. Do you see? Both sons only desired the things the father had to offer…neither desired the father for his relationship. The older son represents many in the church today.

Are you living a life of service just to get stuff from God? Are you trying to earn your way to heaven or even simply the approval of God? Look at the older son’s argument to the father, “Lo these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.”

Do you see the older son’s belief that he ‘earned’ something from the father through his righteous living? Have you spent many years laboring for the Lord and now believe God ‘owes’ you something? The older son represents a very dangerous place to be lost. All too often, the older sons in our churches today are blind to their lostness because they’re in the fathers field. Are you bitter at your lot in life? Do you wonder why others seem to be blessed by God while you’re not? Do you think you deserve more blessings from God based on the work you’ve done for Him?

Friends, I beg you to consider that the older son didn’t enter the fathers feast. Humble yourselves and understand that a relationship with the Father is to be desired above all else. Only when we seek to be in His Grace and understand we don’t earn anything can we rest in His presence and enjoy the fatted calf that has always been ours for the taking. The Father desires to lavish us with all His livelihood but when we seek to earn it we remove ourselves from the inheritance. Surrender your religious living today and humbly fall at His feet. Accept His Grace and give up your pursuit of a life that’s ‘good enough’. AMEN!

The Prodigal Son (Part 1 of 4)

Most of you have probably heard the parable of the prodigal son. Unfortunately, most of you have probably focused on only one of the characters in the story. As I was reading the parable in my quiet time a few days ago, the Lord took me on a journey in which He revealed 4 distinct characters involved in the story with 4 very special lessons. As an outpour of these lessons I’ll be putting 4 seperate posts on the blog; one for each character. We’ll begin with the younger son.

The younger son is typically the son referred to as the prodigal son in the parable and is the one who goes off and spends everything he has. We first see the younger son in Luke 15:12 when he is asking the father for his inheritence now. Understand, for him to ask such a request is incredibly rude and disrespectful to the father. The younger son is in essence saying, “I only want the material things you can offer me. I wish you were dead now so I could have my inheritence.” Culturally speaking, a son who would make such a request during Jesus’ time would probably have been disowned by the father and cut off from any possible inheritence. This obviously doesn’t happen in the story though.

The younger son is given his portion of the inheritence and he departs to a far away land where he lives a lavish life of sin and spends everything he’s been given. Once he’s expended all of his resources, the younger son begins to feel the pain and hunger. In Luke 15:17 we read, “But when he came to himself…”. Folks, the younger son hit rock bottom and then had a realization. It took him loosing all he had before he realized that being with his father was better than all the lavish living he could do. The son decides to go back to his father’s house and plead with him, to allow him to be but a servant in his father’s house. He understands that being even a servant in his father’s house is better than the sin on his own.

The son heads back home but before he can begin pleading with his father he is accepted back into the house as the son he is. The father won’t allow him to be a servant because he maintains him as his son. What amazing grace the father gives the younger son. My friends, the younger son represents one of two ways we rebel against the father. The younger son represents the open disobedience to the father. The younger son represents those of us who wish to waste the Lord’s gifts as we pursue the carnal pleasures of the world.

Friends, are you living your life simply for your own pleasure? Do you seek only those things that make you ‘happy‘? What is more important to you, your own pleasure and happiness or God’s Word enacted in your life? Would you rather be in God’s presence or would you rather live a lavish life of debauchery and sin? Do you love the Father for who He is or do you only want Him for what He can give you? Are you asking Him for your inheritance now? Friends, this is a question we MUST meditate on because all too often we’re actually seeking Him only for His resources and not for His relationship.

If you’re currently living in that far away land, wasting all the Father’s resources, I beg you, turn and run to the Father. He’s waiting for you with open arms and desires to return you to your position as His son or daughter. You haven’t sinned to greatly…you can’t out sin His Grace. Turn today and run back to your Father. He loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you. AMEN!