“…for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.” (Luke 16:8)

            We are wildly creative when it comes to getting what we want.  When you want to get your coworker to take your shift, suddenly you become a fantastic negotiator.  When it comes to getting what we want, even the drug addict finds a way to get their next hit.  People are creative when it comes to this life – we know how to get that raise, haggle that car price down, argue our case with family and friends, or find the pathway to chase our dreams.  We know how to be shrewd when we need to be.

            Yet, when it comes to spiritual things, we often give up too easily.  We don’t translate that shrewdness to evangelism, or personal growth, or storing treasures in heaven.  We find excuses instead of solutions.

            Don’t accept that sort of behavior from yourself.  Be creative, be savvy, and be intentional about your life as a child of light.  Your soul depends on it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live and was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:32)

            When a soul repents – God requires celebration!  There is no greater joy to be found in all the heavenly realms than the lost sinner being found.  We often see in repentance all the difficult things.  We connect repentance with shame, humiliation, and brokenness.

            Yet, God constantly tells us of the joy that our repentance brings.  Celebration is required because repentance brings life, the removal of shame, and the soul being made whole again.  Do not allow the devil to rob you of the joy repentance brings.

            When we mourn over sin, God celebrates the new life.  Saying, “I’m sorry” won’t kill you, but it might just save your life.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“So, then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33)

            When Jesus says all, He means it.  Christianity requires all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your strength, and all of your stuff.  When we become servants of Christ, we deed to Him all of our worldly possessions, and they become His possessions, and we become merely stewards.  It’s His house, His car, and they are His groceries… they are just on loan to you.

            Jesus’ expectation is that we would take all that these things and use them for kingdom work.  When we marshal all of “our” stuff and use it for His purposes, our discipleship is full.  A soul who can empty her heart of all covetousness and with open hands serve God with all she is and has fully owned her Lord.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” (Luke 13:23)

            Jesus answered this question with a warning that the door is narrow and many won’t enter it.  There are few who are saved because few care enough about being saved until it is too late.

            Don’t be the guy who buys the security system after he is robbed.  There is no negotiating for your soul on the Judgment Day – find the Way now and don’t wait.

            Jesus didn’t offer a comforting answer to this man’s question.  Perhaps it is because we ought to feel a sense of urgency, not ease, when contemplating our salvation.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

            Wealth is never a replacement for identity.  You could own all the world’s possessions, and yet, those goods would never be you.  In fact, many wealthy people find it quite frustrating when they realize that others no longer see them as people – they just see their money.

            Who you are is not your stuff.  Who you are is your soul, and no increase (or decrease) of possessions will ever alter that.  Your soul needs to be cultivated, cared for, fed, and exercised because that is what matters.  Be very intentional to not confuse acquisition of goods with value of person.  Who you are is what matters, and that is found in your connection to God through Christ and the Christ-like character you cultivate.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“…yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” (Luke 11:8b)

            Our Father rewards persistence.  He is impressed when His children don’t give up and show the maturity to endure – even when that endurance is shown in asking Him for something.  Our prayers are meant to leave room for His will (see James 4:13-15), but we are also allowed to continue to petition Him until a clear answer has been shown.  God does not mind hearing from us again and again.

            Do you give up too easily in your prayers?  Do you pray once or twice and then stop?  God recognizes when something is only “kinda” important to us.  Tepid commitment sometimes receives a tepid response.  Be diligent and committed in your prayers.  The Lord rewards the bold in faith.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” (Luke 10:3)

            This verse sounds like a terrible idea.  Lambs versus wolves? That never ends well for the lamb!  Why would Jesus do that?  Why would He compare evangelism to the idea of sending sheep out amongst ferocious predators?

            Perhaps He used the analogy because that is exactly what sharing the message of Jesus is like – we are entering hostile territory, and we aren’t allowed to be hostile back.  The fear of persecution, verbal assault, and personal loss is a very real deterrent for all of us.

            However, the sheep must remember they aren’t alone amongst the wolves.  The Shepherd is with us, just as the Shepherd was with the apostles.  His rod and staff comfort us and protect us from the hungry wolves and predators.  We are lambs, but He is the wolf-slayer.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.” (Luke 9:43)

The crowds watched a young boy with an incurable ailment.  The demon threw him on the ground in convulsions, left him screaming in pain, and his body mauled by its possession.  The crowds knew this boy, and anyone with any heart would have been touched by his predicament.  Likely all of them felt some level of sympathy, but they couldn’t do anything but stand by helplessly.

Jesus wasn’t helpless, though.   When Jesus rebuked the demon, the people witnessed the power, mercy, love, and grace of God melded together in one act of healing.  The miracles of Jesus don’t just show us His strength – they show us His character.  The same Jesus who healed that boy can redeem you, too.

We may be helpless without Him, but through Him, all things are possible.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39a)

            When Jesus healed the man called ‘Legion’, the man begged for the right to be with Jesus right then and never leave Him.  Jesus rejected that request but instead gave Him the command you see above.  The time was not right for this man to be at home with Jesus – instead, it was time for him to go back to his house and tell them about Jesus.

            Folks, that’s us.  Someday, we will be with Jesus… but not today.  Today, we must return to our houses, return to our quiet lives, and describe to those around us what great things God has done for us.  We must speak a word on behalf of our Lord.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

“But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves…” (Luke 7:30)

            God has plans for you, but He will not force those plans upon you.  Our lives are intended to be one gigantic trust fall – a series of cascading events guided by the hand of God who lands us gently and intentionally in the direction and purpose He has for us.

            Unfortunately, many of us fight those plans.  God leads, but He will not drive us into His purpose against our own will.  We must give ourselves up to His will.  He will woo, but He will not coerce.

            Ask yourself today – is my life falling into His pattern and purpose, or am I rejecting His plans because they do not match my own?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites