April 14, 2014: We are NOT Getting It!!!

Luke 12:32-59

Amplified Bible (AMP)

32 Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!

33 Sell what you possess and give donations to the poor; provide yourselves with purses and handbags that do not grow old, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning,

36 And be like men who are waiting for their master to return home from the marriage feast, so that when he returns from the wedding and comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.

37 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those servants whom the master finds awake and alert and watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself and have them recline at table and will come and serve them!

38 If he comes in the second watch (before midnight) or the third watch (after midnight), and finds them so, blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those servants!

39 But of this be assured: if the householder had known at what time the burglar was coming, he would have been awake and alert and watching and would not have permitted his house to be dug through and broken into.

40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it.

41 Peter said, Lord, are You telling this parable for us, or for all alike?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time?

43 Blessed (happy and to be envied) is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.

44 Truly I tell you, he will set him in charge over all his possessions.

45 But if that servant says in his heart, My master is late in coming, and begins to strike the menservants and the maids and to eat and drink and get drunk,

46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he does not know, and will punish him and cut him off and assign his lot with the unfaithful.

47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act as he would wish him to act shall be beaten with many [lashes].

48 But he who did not know and did things worthy of a beating shall be beaten with few [lashes]. For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required; and of him to whom men entrust much, they will require and demand all the more.

49 I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled!

50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and how greatly and sorely I am urged on (impelled, constrained) until it is accomplished!

51 Do you suppose that I have come to give peace upon earth? No, I say to you, but rather division;

52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided [among themselves], three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

54 He also said to the crowds of people, When you see a cloud rising in the west, at once you say, It is going to rain! And so it does.

55 And when [you see that] a south wind is blowing, you say, There will be severe heat! And it occurs.

56 You playactors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discernand interpret and apply the proof to this present time?

57 And why do you not judge what is just and personally decide what is right?

58 Then as you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make a diligent effort to settle and be quit (free) of him, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.

59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last [fraction of a] cent.

Okay. We are NOT getting it. The day is coming when we WILL receive our reward. Depending on our faithfulness, a good reward or a bad reward. 

We are so caught up in living our lives. We are caught up in our selfish desires. Seriously. This passage is piercing my heart today! It's a no brainer, folks! 

First of all, don't be afraid. This is the most important instruction. Jesus is NOT a control freak waiting to pounce if we make a mistake; excitedly waiting for the moment He can cast us into the lake of fire.

However, we MUST be alert and watchful for His return! He could come at any second! Whenever we least expect Him! 

What if you found out an important guest was coming to stay in your home for a week? Let's say this guest was a spiritual mentor. Okay, for me it would be Vesta Mangun. I would take the next month off and clean everything. Closets, drawers, windows, everything. Inside and outside. And then I would paint and do some decorating. And I would definitely enlist the help of Scott and Dayn to majorly spruce up the yard. And plant flowers everywhere. And then I would find out exactly what she likes to eat, and cook like crazy. For our family, a visit from this incredible lady would be epic. 

Hey!!! Jesus Christ is coming! He's coming back for His bride! When we least expect Him! Am I spotless??? Am I ready for His return??? Have I been a faithful servant?

I will be rewarded accordingly. A good reward or a bad reward. 

"Jesus! My heart is pierced! I MUST take heed to Your word today! I must be constantly preparing! Cleansing my heart, making things right in my life, giving to the poor, spreading the gospel, making disciples, caring for the orphans and widows. I must keep my morning appointment with You! Every day! Because it is here You give me my instructions for the day! Please forgive me for not getting it. Please forgive me for getting it and then forgetting it. I am so grateful for Your neverending love and patience towards me. I worship You. I pray all these things in Your precious name, Jesus, AMEN."