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Treasure in Heaven House of God! Trouble for Wages of the Wicked –– Wisdom Proverbs 15

15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

The Lord is watching everywhere,
    keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

Gentle words are a tree of life;
    a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
    whoever learns from correction is wise.

There is treasure in the house of the godly,
    but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

The lips of the wise give good advice;
    the heart of a fool has none to give.

References & Reflections

[1] www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15&version=NLT

Worth Your Salt — Lessons from Luke 14 — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:34-35 New International Version (NIV)

33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Reflections & References

[1] www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/are-you-worth-your-salt
[2] www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0909-wjd.html
[3]www.word-detective.com/2007/07/worth-ones-salt/
[4] www.dandelionchandelier.com/2019/09/15/luxury-salt/
[5] www.gotquestions.org/salt-and-light.html
[6] www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f-kGZ2u0qs
[7] www.youtube.com/watch?v=coZZnHuRZzs
[8] brandonsdesk.com/2015/02/06/youve-got-questions-what-does-jesus-mean-by-you-are-the-salt-of-the-earth-in-matt-513/

Count the Cost of Christ’s Discipleship — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry — Lessons from Luke 14

Luke 14:25-33 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Cost of Being a Disciple

25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 

27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

μισέω (miseó)

Verb[edit]

μῑσέω  (mīséō)

hate

As in “love less”

References & Reflections

[1] hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/19054/is-there-a-greek-word-matching-the-concept-of-hate-unlike-luke-14-26
[2] en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%BC%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%AD%CF%89#Ancient_Greek
[3] www.gotquestions.org/count-the-cost.html
[4] www.gotquestions.org/hate-father-mother.html

$1-2. “Lukewarm” and Lovin’ It! — Lessons from Luke, Revelation — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Luke 18:18-30 New International Version (NIV)

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The Lukewarm Church

Revelation 3:14-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 “And to the [a]angel of the church [b]of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [c]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[d] Therefore be [e]zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

References & Reflections

[1] slideplayer.com/slide/8138262/
[2] aspenpark.net/words/2018/4/30/the-lukewarm-church
[3] www.reenactingtheway.com/blog/i-wish-you-were-cold-or-hot-not-lukewarm-doesnt-mean-jesus-prefers-you-hate-him-instead-of-live-on-the-fence6135488
[4] www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/6/5/18650492/2019-poverty-2-dollar-a-day-edin-shaefer-meyer

$2 Bill. Money: Hardest Subject To Talk About In Church Today — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love — Lessons from Luke 18

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

Luke 18:18-30 New International Version (NIV)

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Who’s Your God: Gold, Oil, or Diamonds? Just Jesus Christ

28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Wisdom: Righteous Rewards! — Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13 English Standard Version (ESV)

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster[h] pursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[i]
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

References & Reflections

[1] https://slideplayer.com/slide/8472386/
[2] https://www.slideserve.com/beulah/proverbs-13

Come To Him Not Only Expecting To Receive, But To Give — Lessons from Luke 7 — Acts 20 — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

Luke 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.[h] 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”

“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver[i] to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”

50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

Acts 20:35 New Living Translation (NLT)

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Acts 17:25-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

26 From one man[a] he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.

Day of Your Birth is God’s Plan!

Footnotes:

  1. 17:26 Greek From one; other manuscripts read From one blood.

References & reflections

[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anointing_of_Jesus
[2] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Bethany
[3] www.gotquestions.org/anointed.html
[4] www.gotquestions.org/new-anointing.html
[5] www.gotquestions.org/life-Mary-Bethany.html
[6]www.cbeinternational.org/blogs/unnamed-woman-alabaster-jar
[7] motherofhealinglove.org/blog/2019/08/7-gospel-clues-that-mary-magdalene-is-mary-of-bethany/
[8] www.gotquestions.org/new-anointing.html
[9] www.gotquestions.org/life-Mary-Bethany.html
[10] www.gotquestions.org/life-Mary-Bethany.html
[11] www.gotquestions.org/anointed-priest.html
[12]www.stmichaelallangels.org.uk/sermon-for-passion-sunday/

Truth About Tax — Teachings of Jesus — Lessons from Luke 20

Caesar’s Coin, by Peter Paul Rubens (1612-1614)

Luke 20:19-26 New International Version (NIV)

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

23 and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. – Romans 1:23 NSRV

Related

[1] bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/03/14/truth-tax-collectors-and-prostitutes-parable-of-the-two-sons/
[2] bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/03/28/render-unto-caesar-free-from-tax-2/
[3] bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/04/16/parable-of-the-pharisee-and-the-publican-penitence-humility-virtue-teachings-of-truth-word-of-god-jesus-christ-lessons-from-luke-18/
[4] https://bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/03/27/tax-exemption-christs-children-free-from-tax-1/

References & Reflections

[1] poorerthanyou.com/2007/03/27/pay-taxes-on-imaginary-money
[2] schloss-post.com/on-the-imaginary-of-international-taxation
[3] www.repository.law.indiana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi
[4] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_in_the_fish%27s_mouth
[5] http://numismatics.org/pocketchange/fishsmouth/
[6] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-ons-are-free
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WAoqrJi1Sk
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1nOHXirbX8
[9] https://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/what-does-the-fish-with-the-coin-in-its-mouth-symbolize-in-matthew-17
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tribute_Money_(Masaccio)
[11] https://www.gotquestions.org/sign-of-Jonah.html
[12] http://blog.adw.org/2019/03/what-is-the-sign-of-jonah-2/

How to Be Rich — Francis Chan Christ’s Crazy Love Ministry

The Rich Young Man

Matthew 19:21 

20“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

1 Kings 3:1-15 (NIV)

Solomon Asks for Wisdom

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

References & Reflections

[1] https://slideplayer.com/slide/10987148/
[2] https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/treasury-of-david/psalms-116-15.html
[3] https://radicallychristian.com/psalm-11615-re-examined-is-death-precious-in-the-lords-sight
[4] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/116-15.htm
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle

Jesus and the Rich Man — Lessons from Luke 19

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”[5]

Luke 18:24-30

26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Luke 19:1-10 (NIV)

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

References & Reflections

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle
[2] https://media.ascensionpress.com/2017/10/18/was-john-the-baptist-a-reincarnation-of-elijah/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_will
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_rich_young_man
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/With_God,_all_things_are_possible