What is Superfluous in Your Life?

~~~ Romans 2:1-11 ~~~ Psalm 62 ~~~ Luke 11:42-46 ~~~

 

...the just judgment of God,
who will repay everyone according to his works...

 

The Pharisees were noted for their strict observance of the rules and the laws.

They appointed themselves as the judges and the jury of the Jewish people.

 

...affliction and distress will come upon everyone
who does evil...

The Pharisees buried themselves in the details.

They were so focused on the letter of the law that they

lost their way to God.

They became hideous in the eyes of Jesus.

Woe to you Pharisees! 

 

Superfluous!

The Pharisees were creating so many rules and laws

that they have missed the point.

They were so far away from reality.

They ignored the real issues of the people.

They were more concerned about those things that were non essential.

They bring the tiny fragrant sprigs of mint as their offering.

They glory in being seated in the places of honor.

 

Woe to you Pharisees!

 

Jesus tells them they are foul because they have confused the people.

They have led the people in the wrong direction.

They have not practiced nor taught the people how to love God.

 

 

 The Pharisees were puffed up with their own sense of righteousness.

They puffed up their own egos to the exclusion of really loving God.

None of this will impress God.

God sees through all exterior facades

right into their hearts and minds.

 

There is no partiality with God.

Nothing you say or do will impress God.

He sees all that is good and all that is bad in your life

and he alone will judge accordingly.

 

Blessings come in doing good toward all people.

God rewards those who live in love.

Dine with the Lord

 

~~~ Ephesians 6:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Luke 13: 22-30 ~~~

 

 "...slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men..."

 

No matter who you are or where you, you can decide in your heart

to willingly serve the Lord.

There is no one who can change your heart but you.

It does not matter if you are rich or poor

your heart can serve the Lord.

The desires of your heart can form your attitude

to give praise and glory to God

in all that you do.

 

"...both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality."

 

In the sight of the Lord we are all equal.

In our human weakness we create different altitudes for holiness.

In reality you are either living for the Lord or you are living for yourself.

 

If we are pretending to live for the Lord

when our hearts are living for ourselves;

we may be standing outside the door.

We may be among those whom the Lord claims not to remember...

not to even know.

 

 

"...And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God."

 

I am confident that I want to be among those

who come from all the ends of the earth.

I am confident that I want to recline at table with the Lord.

Therefore, I am compelled to live a life

worth being allowed entrance into the kingdom.

Mind you that I would never be worthy of my own accord;

only worthy because the Lord himself has given to me his invitation.

 

He has given to each of us his personal invitation

to dine with him in the kingdom.

 

Have you sent your RSVP?

Have you misplaced the invitation?

Have you deliberately disposed of the invitation?

Have you rejected his invitation?

 

The invitation to recline at the table with the Lord

is worth doing all that you can to attend.

There is no greater banquet,

than the heavenly banquet in the Kingdom of the Lord.

 

Hope to reunite with you when we get there!

He has prepared a place just for you.