The Bible teaches that it’s possible to wisely save and invest for the future while also being rich toward God by storing up treasures in heaven. Saving and investing honours God because it rightly values money as a gift that He has given to us.
If we are to live the abundant life in our finances and manage money like grownups, we must first be honest with ourselves. Are we driven by fear, that leads to control or neglect? This will never lead to the abundant life. We must anchor ourselves in the Biblical truths that shape our understanding about money and God.
HEBREWS 6:9-20 (CSB) After giving three stern warnings the author of Hebrews begins to encourage the people of God, reminding them that God – who makes a promise and swears an oath – cannot lie! Therefore we can take Him at His word.
HEBREWS 5:11-6:8 (CSB) The author of Hebrews gives some strong warnings that we should listen to. Be careful of immaturity, ambiguity and forgery that leads to apostasy.
HEBREWS 4:14-5:10 (CSB) Jesus, is the ultimate High Priest – He is our ultimate High Priest, therefore we can boldly approach the throne of grace, so we can receive mercy and find grace.
HEBREWS 4:12-13 (CSB) We are devoted to God’s Word because of what it is - it’s GOD’S WORD, - and because of what it does: it pierces, and divides, and discerns, and exposes, But we especially love it because, GOD’S WORD, shows us the Father!
HEBREWS 4:1-11(CSB) Entering God’s rest should be a priority for God’s people. It brings us away from a slave-like relationship with God and into one that responds to His grace. It brings us past dead religion and into full life and joy with Him. It brings us away from fear and worries, and into a trust which is free in His love. It takes us past self-effort and self-righteousness into running in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
We were never ready for the COVID-19 pandemic. But are we ready for the ultimate unexpected global event? As we emerge from the pandemic let's re-evaluate our lives through the lens of scripture and a correct understanding of the time we live in. Let's do everything needed to be ready.
For many of us, all the worrying from the pandemic has caused us to get into some bad habits, and in some situations its caused us to fixate on the concerns of this world and to latch onto things whilst holding back from joyfully participating in the kingdom of God. In Luke 12:13-34 (CSB), Jesus has some encouraging words. Don't Worry!
It’s time to check in… How are we doing in light of the pandemic?
Jesus makes us Alive.
HEBREWS 3:1-19(CSB) The hardening of hearts haunts the writer of Hebrews. His worry is that the fate of the generation of the Exodus will be repeated by the Jewish Christians – our concern should be, could this happen to us? Many of our spiritual exoduses had been beautiful – story after story of what God did, but the question is - when hardships come, will we finish well?
Hebrews 2:5-18 (CSB) We are now presented with the humanity of Jesus, but nothing being taken away from His deity. Jesus is both fully God and fully human - two things necessary for the salvation of the world.
The writer of Hebrews warns us to pay attention to all that Jesus has said lest we drift away and find ourselves in dark dangerous waters. ARE YOU LISTENING?
Jesus is superior to all things hence we can trust Him for all things. Hebrews 1:1-14
John 2:1-11 (CSB) More than just a party trick! Jesus reveals Himself as the True Bridegroom and foreshadows how He will make provision for the wedding supper of the Lamb.
John 11 (ESV) The suffering in our lives could be the thing God uses to reveal more of Himself to us and make Himself known to others. We should not waste our suffering.
Revelation 19:1-10 (CSB) A foretaste of the heavenly banquet that God will host to celebrate the union of Christ and the church.
Luke 7:36-50 (CSB) Our response to God in love doesn’t depend on how sinful we actually are, but rather on how sinful we think we are.
Luke 5:27-39 The table matters! In fact, it matters so much that we decided to devote an entire series to it, upfront, nearer the beginning of the year, in light of the #More season that we believe God is calling us to as a local family of believers. In Luke 5:27-39 we learn that Jesus dines with Tax collectors like Levi and other sinners who are poor in Spirit. He meets them where they are and calls them to follow Him.
Acts 16 (CSB) Sometimes we can get overwhelmed with thinking about reaching our city, our province, our country with the good news of Jesus. However often times it’s not about the massive crusade - it’s about the ONE MORE. The neighbour, the colleague, the friend, the family member. Starting with one and trusting God for more. Are you willing to take a step of faith and be obedient to the great commission for your one more.
2 Samuel 9:1-13 (CSB) To be in fellowship with Jesus is to be in fellowship with the Church. The Gospel calls us to sit at the table with the King and feast with Him. At the table we fellowship and feast with Jesus and we fellowship and feast with one another.
John 15:8 (CSB) God has given us - His children - the ability to be fruitful, to enjoy fruitfulness, and to increase in fruitfulness.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (CSB) God calls His children to a life of MORE. MORE of His Presence, MORE of His power and MORE of His promises. This MORE is to be experienced in our personal lives, in our community living and in our mission to advance the kingdom of God.
This child, born to us, This Son, given to us - is the official, the authority, the one in charge of all shalom. He is sar-shalom – The Prince of Peace. The Prince of Wholeness, The Prince of All Well-being. And so if you really want PEACE in your life , then you must come to Jesus, for He is the one divinely ordained to give it.
Jesus is the Father of Eternity. Father of Eternity means eternity exists because Jesus Christ exists. Father of Eternity means that time, matter and space is possible only because Jesus Christ exists. If Jesus Christ were to cease to exist, then all of that we know, all of life would cease to exist.
Jesus is our God Warrior – He has fought the greatest battle ever and has ransomed us from the clutches of sin, death and Satan AND He continues to fight our battles as our God Warrior – meaning we can trust Him for both this life and the next.
Jesus doesn’t just give good advice, but rather He counsels us in such a way that the results of obedience to Him will far exceed our expectations - far above all that we could ask or think.
The more in awe we become of the triune God, the more deeply we can surrender, love and worship Him - Father, Son and Spirit.
Don’t be the one who diligently studies the Scriptures and walks away knowing about Jesus but never really knowing Jesus.
