In
the following passage, Jesus warns us that the world will hate us
because of who we are in Christ. You see in our world, it is easier for
people to hate that which they don't understand, which is sad because
they may never hear God's call on their heart through the din of the
world's noise, and if they do may still reject it because of the lies of
the world.
Even though He tells us we will be hated, He gives us assurance of the hope, and strength, we will have through, The Holy Spirit.
When it feels like the world, and its pressures, are too much to take,
think back to the garden of Gethsemane, and the burden of what Jesus was
wrestling with, and realize that the Advocate, our comforter, The Holy
Spirit, is there to bring to remembrance, all things that Jesus did for
us.
John 15:18-26
18 “If the world hates you, remember that
it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you
belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to
come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told
you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me,
naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they
would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for
they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I
had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their
sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done
such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would
not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they
still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their
Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
26 “But I will send
you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the
Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about
me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Do you know Jesus? No I mean do you really know Jesus?
Do you know Jesus? No I mean do you really know Jesus? His disciples, even though they had been with Him throughout His ministry, seen Him heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons, questioned Him about the Way, and who He truly was.
Do you find yourself questioning some of the things Jesus has promised us?
It is easy to find ourselves falling into the same situation as Thomas and Philip, not just doubting, but just not holding onto who Jesus told us He was, and the things He promised.
When you feel the questions coming to mind, remember who He is and who He said we are through Him.
John 14:1-11
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
Do you find yourself questioning some of the things Jesus has promised us?
It is easy to find ourselves falling into the same situation as Thomas and Philip, not just doubting, but just not holding onto who Jesus told us He was, and the things He promised.
When you feel the questions coming to mind, remember who He is and who He said we are through Him.
John 14:1-11
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Are you willing to be His donkey?
Are you willing to be His donkey?
God uses the least of all things, to do the most for His kingdom. Jesus didn't come riding into Jerusalem on a white horse, or in a gold covered chariot, He came riding on a donkey, the least of all the horses.
We are much the same as the donkey, God uses the least of us to bring glory to His kingdom.
The following passage tells of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem, during the Passover. Jesus wasn't who the world thought He would be, as they interpreted scripture. Today many people
still fail to see Him for who He is, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 21: 1-11
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the
Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will
immediately let you take them.”4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and
threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
God uses the least of all things, to do the most for His kingdom. Jesus didn't come riding into Jerusalem on a white horse, or in a gold covered chariot, He came riding on a donkey, the least of all the horses.
We are much the same as the donkey, God uses the least of us to bring glory to His kingdom.
The following passage tells of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem, during the Passover. Jesus wasn't who the world thought He would be, as they interpreted scripture. Today many people
still fail to see Him for who He is, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 21: 1-11
1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the
Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will
immediately let you take them.”4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and
threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Teachings from the book of John
John 11:33-44
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazar...us from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
There are two things that caught my attention in this passage. One was that Jesus showed His emotions by being angry at those who had gathered.
The second is that those who had seen Him heal the lame and give the blind sight doubted His authority. You notice Jesus didn't ask the Father to heal him, He knew He had been given the authority to do the works. He thanked God, and said you always hear me, then commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
Born again Christians today have the same unbelief as Mary, Martha, and those that had gathered. We pray and beg for God to heal us, yet we don't even stand on the power and authority that has been given to us. We should thank God for what He has given us, through the Holy Spirit in us, then stand on the promises and authority, without the unbelief.
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazar...us from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
There are two things that caught my attention in this passage. One was that Jesus showed His emotions by being angry at those who had gathered.
The second is that those who had seen Him heal the lame and give the blind sight doubted His authority. You notice Jesus didn't ask the Father to heal him, He knew He had been given the authority to do the works. He thanked God, and said you always hear me, then commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
Born again Christians today have the same unbelief as Mary, Martha, and those that had gathered. We pray and beg for God to heal us, yet we don't even stand on the power and authority that has been given to us. We should thank God for what He has given us, through the Holy Spirit in us, then stand on the promises and authority, without the unbelief.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
I set out on a great adventure!
Psalms 43:3,4
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
I know many of you know the story of how Stream of life ministry got started, but for those of you that haven't, I wanted to revisit just how we got where we are now.
On March 10th of this year, it had been four years since my Dad passed away. He was the reason this email ministry was started. In July of 2009 he was taken to the hospital where they found a spot on his lung. After all the testing, and an operation, which we thought had cured him, we were told it was terminal. I knew my Dad had been saved after a bad truck wreck in 1969, but I didn't think he understood, nor did I at the time, what God's grace was all about.
I thought, he thought the way I had, you see even though I was saved in 1991, I thought if I messed up after confessing my sins and opening my heart to the Holy Spirit, I had blown it. Religious society has taught much of the world in a wrong manner. A lot of churches do not teach the grace of God, but instead, teach that you have to earn your way into heaven. They have done more damage to the hearts and minds of seeking believers than you can imagine.
At the time that my Dad was diagnosed, we had just started attending Discovery Church, a church that believed in teaching about God's love and grace, not just God's wrath and punishment, that I had been taught while growing up.
I owe a lot to the pastors at Discovery as I wouldn't be in the place I am today, without being taught about grace by Pastor Mark, and then an even deeper understanding, by Pastor Kevin.
Looking back on the last four years and how far God has brought me, reminds me of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Long Way Home, that refers to God's calling in our lives, as a great adventure that we all get to go on. I would have never thought of this adventure 5 years ago, but now am looking forward to seeing just where He will lead me.
Stay tuned because like the song says in the bridge, And even on our best days remember were not home yet, So don't get too comfortable 'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through.
I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
He said there's gonna be some mountains to climb
and some valleys we're gonna go throughBut I had no way of knowing
just how hard this journey could be
Cause the valleys are deeper and the mountains are steeper
Than I ever would've dreamed
I know we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna get there soon
I know sometimes it feels like we are going the wrong way
It's just a long way home
I got some rocks in my shoes, fears I wish I could lose
It makes the mountains so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes
And there's a bag of regrets
My should've beens and not yets
I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay it all down
Well I know that day is coming
I know its gonna to be here soon
And I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
'Cause it's just a long way home
And when we can't take another step
Our Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days He says to remember we're not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through
Well I know we're gonna make it
And I know we're gonna get there soon
So I'll keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say
'Cause our God has made a promise
And i know that everything He says is true
And I know wherever we go
He will never leave us
'Cause He's gonna lead us home
Every single step of the long way home
Keep on we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna make it
We're just taking the long way home
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.
I know many of you know the story of how Stream of life ministry got started, but for those of you that haven't, I wanted to revisit just how we got where we are now.
On March 10th of this year, it had been four years since my Dad passed away. He was the reason this email ministry was started. In July of 2009 he was taken to the hospital where they found a spot on his lung. After all the testing, and an operation, which we thought had cured him, we were told it was terminal. I knew my Dad had been saved after a bad truck wreck in 1969, but I didn't think he understood, nor did I at the time, what God's grace was all about.
I thought, he thought the way I had, you see even though I was saved in 1991, I thought if I messed up after confessing my sins and opening my heart to the Holy Spirit, I had blown it. Religious society has taught much of the world in a wrong manner. A lot of churches do not teach the grace of God, but instead, teach that you have to earn your way into heaven. They have done more damage to the hearts and minds of seeking believers than you can imagine.
At the time that my Dad was diagnosed, we had just started attending Discovery Church, a church that believed in teaching about God's love and grace, not just God's wrath and punishment, that I had been taught while growing up.
I owe a lot to the pastors at Discovery as I wouldn't be in the place I am today, without being taught about grace by Pastor Mark, and then an even deeper understanding, by Pastor Kevin.
Looking back on the last four years and how far God has brought me, reminds me of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called Long Way Home, that refers to God's calling in our lives, as a great adventure that we all get to go on. I would have never thought of this adventure 5 years ago, but now am looking forward to seeing just where He will lead me.
Stay tuned because like the song says in the bridge, And even on our best days remember were not home yet, So don't get too comfortable 'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through.
I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
He said there's gonna be some mountains to climb
and some valleys we're gonna go throughBut I had no way of knowing
just how hard this journey could be
Cause the valleys are deeper and the mountains are steeper
Than I ever would've dreamed
I know we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna get there soon
I know sometimes it feels like we are going the wrong way
It's just a long way home
I got some rocks in my shoes, fears I wish I could lose
It makes the mountains so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes
And there's a bag of regrets
My should've beens and not yets
I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay it all down
Well I know that day is coming
I know its gonna to be here soon
And I won't turn back even if the whole world says I'm going the wrong way
'Cause it's just a long way home
And when we can't take another step
Our Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days He says to remember we're not home yet
So don't get too comfortable
'Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through
Well I know we're gonna make it
And I know we're gonna get there soon
So I'll keep on singing and believing
What all of my songs say
'Cause our God has made a promise
And i know that everything He says is true
And I know wherever we go
He will never leave us
'Cause He's gonna lead us home
Every single step of the long way home
Keep on we're gonna make it
I know we're gonna make it
We're just taking the long way home
Monday, February 10, 2014
Bigger than the Beatles!
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I found it only fitting that 50 years after the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan show that I point out that Jesus is not only bigger than the Beatles, but above any name that can be named.
I know when John Lennon made the comment "we are bigger than Jesus" he was taken out of context, and was speaking of their popularity in England, just making the statement that
The Beatles meant more to the kids than Jesus. But at the time The Beatles were seen as controversial because of their appearance and the media went crazy with the statement. Today most people won't even think twice of the statement, or the bands appearance, as they have seen and heard far worse. None the less one should watch what statements we make, as out of context or not, the words are still ringing.
James 3:3-5
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole
body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they
are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
While watching the 50 year tribute program it got me thinking, have we made entertainment our God?
Do our favorite bands, actors, and sports teams mean more to us than our faith in God and the plans he has for us?
If you were to go out on the street and start asking people questions about bands, actors, or sports teams you would get all the pertinent statistics and answers. But if you asked the same questions about the Bible or Jesus you would get some blank stares.
Here is one question I have seen over and over this past week, and as the program was airing, where were you when The Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show? I have seen
many answers to this question with most giving complete details.
Now let's try this with a different question, where were you when you first found out about Jesus Christ? Caught some of you off-guard didn't I, don't worry I would say most have a hard time answering this question. I myself can tell you where I was, and what year I got saved, but couldn't describe all the details I have seen in the answers to the Beatles question.
Trust me I don't think it is wrong for us to enjoy music, movies, or sports, but when we make them more important than the God that created us, then we need to take a harder look at our priorities, myself included.
One last question, Is Jesus bigger than the Beatles in your life?
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I found it only fitting that 50 years after the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan show that I point out that Jesus is not only bigger than the Beatles, but above any name that can be named.
I know when John Lennon made the comment "we are bigger than Jesus" he was taken out of context, and was speaking of their popularity in England, just making the statement that
The Beatles meant more to the kids than Jesus. But at the time The Beatles were seen as controversial because of their appearance and the media went crazy with the statement. Today most people won't even think twice of the statement, or the bands appearance, as they have seen and heard far worse. None the less one should watch what statements we make, as out of context or not, the words are still ringing.
James 3:3-5
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole
body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they
are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
While watching the 50 year tribute program it got me thinking, have we made entertainment our God?
Do our favorite bands, actors, and sports teams mean more to us than our faith in God and the plans he has for us?
If you were to go out on the street and start asking people questions about bands, actors, or sports teams you would get all the pertinent statistics and answers. But if you asked the same questions about the Bible or Jesus you would get some blank stares.
Here is one question I have seen over and over this past week, and as the program was airing, where were you when The Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show? I have seen
many answers to this question with most giving complete details.
Now let's try this with a different question, where were you when you first found out about Jesus Christ? Caught some of you off-guard didn't I, don't worry I would say most have a hard time answering this question. I myself can tell you where I was, and what year I got saved, but couldn't describe all the details I have seen in the answers to the Beatles question.
Trust me I don't think it is wrong for us to enjoy music, movies, or sports, but when we make them more important than the God that created us, then we need to take a harder look at our priorities, myself included.
One last question, Is Jesus bigger than the Beatles in your life?
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Value your time, and use it wisely!
As most of you know from last weeks writing, my family and I went on a
vacation that could have gone so much better in our minds than the way
it turned out. It ceases to amaze me how God will use one situation, to
continue to talk to us in ways we can only fully comprehend through
reflection, this example is no exception.
I came away last week focusing on the childlike contentment that was shown through our children. After further reflection, and a few things that have happened since we returned, it is evident that God had a much deeper insight for me to see.
You see the weeks before our vacation my wife and I were both praying and struggling with the question of our time, and are we using it to fulfill what God has planned for our lives. It didn't truly hit me until yesterday that the message we were meant to receive was about our time. We had planned a perfect vacation, that was to be a seven day sun and fun filled adventure, that got shrunk down to the last two days. On Sunday, the first day of our vacation, our kids were wanting to do everything possible, we kept telling them we are here for a week we will get to do all of the things you are wanting to do.
Yesterday I realized that in life we say the exact same thing, "we have our whole life ahead of us we can play catch, have a tea party, or spread the gospel tomorrow". The truth is we are only given so much time, and what we do with it gets more important as each day goes by. You can make more money, build new houses, buy more material things, but time is the real commodity.
Matthew 24:42-44
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Ecclesiastes 9: 9-12
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
11 I returned and saw under the sun that--
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
12 For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.
I have come away from our vacation renewed, inspired, and ready to serve God.
I came away last week focusing on the childlike contentment that was shown through our children. After further reflection, and a few things that have happened since we returned, it is evident that God had a much deeper insight for me to see.
You see the weeks before our vacation my wife and I were both praying and struggling with the question of our time, and are we using it to fulfill what God has planned for our lives. It didn't truly hit me until yesterday that the message we were meant to receive was about our time. We had planned a perfect vacation, that was to be a seven day sun and fun filled adventure, that got shrunk down to the last two days. On Sunday, the first day of our vacation, our kids were wanting to do everything possible, we kept telling them we are here for a week we will get to do all of the things you are wanting to do.
Yesterday I realized that in life we say the exact same thing, "we have our whole life ahead of us we can play catch, have a tea party, or spread the gospel tomorrow". The truth is we are only given so much time, and what we do with it gets more important as each day goes by. You can make more money, build new houses, buy more material things, but time is the real commodity.
Matthew 24:42-44
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Ecclesiastes 9: 9-12
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
11 I returned and saw under the sun that--
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.
12 For man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.
I have come away from our vacation renewed, inspired, and ready to serve God.
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