Luke 12:22-34

This pretty much sums it up! SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD and all things will be taken care of. Worry accomplishes nothing but our actions do.  

What does our Father expect from us? Micah 6:8

Be fair by seeking justice for all people

forgive quickly and easily so that hatred or discord has no hold on you

Remain humble because it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with giving God the glory He deserves for all that He has given you!

Luke appropriately connects Jesus’ parable about greed with His teaching on anxiety over material provisions. The parable, it seems, is directed toward the rich, whereas this section addresses the impoverished. The point is that material possessions can overcome the faith of both those who have much and those who have little—both types of people need to seek God and trust him with the outcome. Lexham Press.

What is clear is that worry is utterly useless and shows a lack of faith in God’s plan for our lives. We can trust God to provide for us because God knows precisely what we need.What people consider valuable is where their energy will be spent. Knowing God and investing in His purposes should be the treasure we seek. The NKJ Study Bible

Luke 12:22–34 (NKJV)

²² Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. ²⁴ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

²⁹ “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. ³¹ But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

³² “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

LUKE 17:20-21

Christ within is our only hope. Wherever His disciples go… He goes also.

Unless we are born again and baptized in the HOLY  SPIRIT we will not see salvation. Unless we accept our inability to save ourself we will be lost. 

It is in giving our life away and to God that we live.

The power of God is shown now in the distribution and work of the Holy Spirit. One day, however, Jesus will rule over all, and He will share that rule with His people.

The kingdom of God is among earthly kingdoms today; but one day the kingdom of God will swallow up all rival kingdoms (see Rev. 11:15). Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom has two phases—one now and one to come. In the beginning of His kingdom on earth, God first prepares a King to rule; then He gathers a people for Him to rule over; then He gives the Ruler a realm in which to reign. The kingdom of God is not the same as the church, though the church is a part of the kingdom. The kingdom now is the presence of God alongside earthly kingdoms.NKJ Study Bible

Luke 17:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17

Jesus came to this earth to save man.

JESUS is the only SAVIOR and He came to give life to all men. We study HIS WORD to learn the ways of GOD through the direction of the HOLY SPIRIT that He gives us. He will never leave us nor turn us away when we seek the truth of HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. 

The Father doesn’t want anyone to perish but all of His creation to have eternal life with Him through the salvation of the Cross.

Savior of all men describes God as the One who gives life, breath, and existence to all. Especially of those who believe draws a contrast between God’s common grace to all and His special saving grace to those who trust Him as their Savior. NKJ Study Bible

1 Timothy 4:10–13 (NKJV)

¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach.¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Titus 2:7-8

The reason why “we both (‘both’ is omitted in the oldest manuscripts) labor (endure hardship) and suffer reproach (some oldest manuscripts read ‘strive’) is because we have rested, and do rest our hope, on the living God.” Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997).

Luke 11:28

We need to be doers not just hearers of GOD’S word. In an age of hatred and violence the BODY OF CHRIST should be a banner of His love and an open invitation to all who will enter in.

We are the hands and feet of Christ Jesus led by the Holy Spirit we will accomplish God’s will for His Church.

It is easy to allow traditional practices to take the place of the authority of the Scriptures. Jesus offers His blessing to those who respond concretely to God’s will as expressed in the Bible. NKJ Study Bible

Luke 11:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

Psalm 119:2

²⁶ And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matthew 7:26

²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 1:25

Hebrews 4:9-10

Blessed assurance. 

Blessed rest in the arms of our Savior. 

There is a time in our walk with GOD when swaddled in His agape love  we realize we are safe and protected from the evil of this world. Until HE comes again in glory we reside, we abide, in this state of faith.

The Greek word used here, sabbatismos, stresses the celebratory nature of rest.God rested after He created the world, implying that His creative work is complete and He now rules over it.

Hebrews 4:9–10 (NKJV)

⁹ There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. ¹⁰ For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Acts 2: 9-11

Sometimes it takes being struck by lightning for the almighty God to get our attention. He will do whatever it takes to bring us into the fullness of the salvation that He alone offers to mankind. We are to use everything that He has given us…money, talent, our voice, to bring others to the same truth… that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Some things are for meant for us alone.

The men who had accompanied Paul heard the sound but could not understand the words that were being spoken to Paul. We are not told why they could not understand the sound they heard.

Acts 22: 9–11 (NKJV)

⁹ “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. ¹⁰ So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

⁷ And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 9:7

 ⁷ And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves

Daniel  10:7

Isaiah 52:13-15

Christ is risen. One day we will see Him returning in His glory. Every heart will melt and every eye shall see the majesty of the King. He will rule over heaven and earth and of His Kingdom there will be no end!

People would be horrified at the Servant’s appearance; He would be so disfigured that He would no longer look human. Exalted and extolled and be very high may refer to three successive events, describing the Servant’s resurrection, ascension, and glorification (Rom. 4:24, 25). Or the three phrases might simply emphasize the great exaltation of the Lord’s servant (Phil. 2:9–11).

The nations are represented by their rulers.

Isaiah 52:13-15

¹³ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. ¹⁴ As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵ So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. The NKJ STUDY BIBLE.

³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mt 24:36

 ³² But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ³³ Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mk 13:31–33

Esther 10:1-3

Mordecai in the Old Testament has been likened to the  HOLY SPIRIT  who guides and protects the believers of JESUS CHRIST actively until He delivers them safely, raised from the dead, into the Kingdom of GOD.

The Book of Esther concludes with high praise of Mordecai, whose deeds were recorded in the official chronicles of the Persian Empire. Mordecai held the second highest rank in the land, a note that recalls Joseph’s ascendancy in Egypt.

Esther 10:1-3

¹ And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. ² And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? ³ For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. 

Mark 6:1-3

Many times we are too close to our relatives and friends with our shared pasts and we are unable to reach them. They may think that because of our love  we go easy on them preaching the overwhelming grace given in Jesus Christ or just the opposite and they believe we to closely adhere to the letter of the Law and its condemnation. 

Pray for others who can share the salvation of Jesus the Christ to enter the lives of our loved ones and see the power of the Gospel change hearts and minds. In the mean time be an example of His deep love and capability to change any man who believes in Him.

Mark mentions Jesus’ four brothers by name as well as His sisters. One brother, James, did not trust Christ prior to His crucifixion, but seems to have come to faith after Jesus’ resurrection. He later became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote the Epistle of James. Judas later authored the Book of Jude. NKJ Study Bible

Mark 6:1–3 (NKJV)

6 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. ² And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! ³ Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

⁶ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 

Matthew 11:6

John 2:23-25

God sees the heart of a man. He knows that man can do the right thing for the wrong reason, the wrong thing for the right reason and every so often if he listens closely to the direction of the Holy Spirit within… he can do the right thing for the right reason. 

David, a man after the very heart of the Father, sinned often and made some very bad choices in his life. The difference between David and Saul was the intent of their heart. God sees this and even though there were grave consequences to David’s actions He was never forsaken because of His great love for God.

The whole of our life is open and transparent to the Trinity there is nothing we can hide.

These individuals trusted JESUS, but JESUS did not entrust Himself to them. JESUS fully understood the depth of trust of those who were following Him; some would stay, but many would fall away. 

The NKJ Study Bible

John 2:23–25 (NKJV)

²³ Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. ²⁴ But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, ²⁵ and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

⁴ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 

Matthew 9:4

²³ I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 

Revelation 2:23

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, ^k“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

1 Samuel 16:7

⁹ “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 

1 Chronicles 28:9

²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 

Acts 1:24

⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 

John 6:64

Ephesians 5:1-2

No one will ever love us like God…no one! 

We are only able to grasp the concept of unconditional love because He first loved us. He created us to abide with Him and in Him in unity. My prayer is that we will filter our opinions and actions based on His Word. He gave us the teachings of the Christ for a reason….to guide us into eternity with the Godhead.

unconditional |ˌənkənˈdiSH(ə)n(ə)l|

adjective

not subject to any conditions

We are the representatives of Christ to those who believe and especially to those who do not. May we show His love for them every where we go!

Believers are to follow the example of GOD’S actions. He loved us when we were still His enemies. As imitators, believers should demonstrate that type of self-sacrificial love. The NKJ study bible

Ephesians 5:1–2 (NKJV)

5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 

Luke 6:36

⁹ But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 

1 Thessalonians 4:9

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

John 15:9

¹⁶ By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

1 John 3:16

¹⁴ Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 

2 Corinthians 2:14

Ezekiel 22:29-31

You can whine about the poor taking advantage of government programs. You can say the bottom line and your profit margin justifies the means of getting there. You can want the wall built to keep everyone out of the country. But none of that is Biblical.

GOD has very high standards for those who call on Him in truth. He says it is WRONG. If He says it is wrong guess what…I BELIEVE HIM.

We will learn our lessons one way or another…our own hard headed human way or the way of Christ using the fruit of the Holy Spirit as our guide. You choose who you will serve.

As go the leaders so go the followers.

Ezekiel 22:29–31 (NKJV)

²⁹ The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. ³⁰ So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. ³¹ Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 

Exodus 23:9

^16vHe saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. 

Isaiah 59:16

5 “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; And seek in her open places If you can find a man, If there is anyone who executes judgment, Who seeks the truth, And I will pardon her. 

Jeremiah 5:1

²² As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.’ ” 

Ezekiel 22:22

⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 

Romans 2:8

Titus

When we become followers of JESUS CHRIST inwardly we are changed. We no longer consider only ourselves but others also wanting for them the very best that GOD has to offer. We were created for good works that GOD knew beforehand. To show our love for and our gratitude for our salvation the HOLY SPIRIT places HIS fruit into our core and enables us to carry them out in HIS love.

Titus 2:14 

¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 

Titus 3:8 

⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

Titus 3:14 

¹⁴ And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. 

Paul beautifully describes the Savior’s redemptive work on our behalf: Jesus is the One “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works”. 

Certainly Titus got the message.

 The letter to Titus emphasizes good works. There were influential people in the church who were motivated by personal interest and selfish gain. In his letter, Paul exposes the ways this was affecting the doctrine and practice of the church and urges Titus to champion purity, service, and kindness toward others. Paul reminds Titus that salvation is not based on our own “works of righteousness” but rather is the result of God’s work of kindness and love toward us. We are unable to do good works in our disobedient and selfish state. Salvation in Christ frees us to do good works, and the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” enables us.

In his letter, Paul exhorts the believers at Crete to display the testimony of good works to outsiders. While good works are a Christian duty, they are also a gift from God. Through justification in Christ, God declares us righteous. We must have this legal standing in order to qualify before God to do good works. 

Redemption removes us from the jurisdiction of Satan by paying the debt incurred by our sins. At the same time, it places us in the family of God so that we might be “His own special people, zealous for good works”.

The NKJ Study Bible

Ephesians 2:4-10

For GOD so loved the world that He created that He gave up the life of His only Son, CHRIST JESUS, all God-all man, to die in our place. He paid for our sins so that we could share in His glory. We are the hands and feet of our glorious SAVIOR designed to spread His love with our actions. 

We can never earn salvation but we can darn sure show this gift that we have been given to a dying world.

Go out and DO good in His name!

God desires to demonstrate His kindness throughout eternity through Christ Jesus His Son. This has nothing to do with our own merit. It is only because He is merciful and kind that He reaches out to save us. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. 

Even our belief in God does not originate in ourselves. This too is a gift. The NKJ Study Bible

Ephesians 2:4–10 (NKJV)

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 

Psalm 103:8–11

¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 

Romans 10:12

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16

⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 

1 John 4:9

¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

1 John 4:10

⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 

2 Timothy 1:9

⁵ But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 

Romans 4:5

⁶ And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 

Romans 11:6