Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, "What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.' Then he said, "I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I'll sit back and say to myself, "My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"' "But God said to him, "You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?' "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." -- Luke 12: 16-21 (NLT)
Jesus said that we run around worrying about things we should have faith the Father will provide. Seek first the
The third regret from those who were near their end was " I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings." The explanation for this contained the consensus opinion that people suppressed feelings to keep the peace and ended up bitter and resentful because of it. I am sure we all know people like this. People who are free in Christ except for that thing that happened when they were 20 years old. But now they are 40 and still circling the same mountain, time after time, gaining no victory and walking in none of the power Christ appropriated for them on
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? -- Jeremiah 17: 9 (NLT)
whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. -- 1John 3: 20 (NIV)
He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. -- Proverbs 28: 26 (NIV)
Clearly, the Bible is instructing us to not lean to our own understanding or how we might "feel." The world sells us on the notion that if we are right; we need to stand up for ourselves! We need to not let anyone walk all over us! This worldly thinking has seeped into the church where Christians are typically more self righteous than they are humble. This is despite what Jesus taught us:
"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. "You have heard the law that says, "Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. -- Matthew 5: 38-48 (NLT)
