A Morning Cup of Tea: The Parable of the Rich Man and His Barns

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Good morning and happy Wednesday! Counting today there are four more shopping days till Christmas. That term, shopping days gets my goat, really. We hear it on commercials and the radio, and even sometimes see signs in stores reminding us to buy buy buy! Even some restaurants get into the act, with ornaments, books, tee shirts, etc that you can buy for your loved ones. It happens year round, actually, but it seems much more aggressive this time of year. 
    While there is nothing wrong with giving gifts, sometimes I think too much emphasis is on that particular part of the holiday. It's fun to give; I love finding or making just the right thing for my loved ones. I like getting things as well. When someone asks What do you want I can easily come up with a list as long as my arm of items I could use or really want. It is entirely too easy to get the Greedy Gimme's this time of year. While we tend to pin that fault on children (as well as try to curb that impulse, sometimes we adults face it as well, yours truly included. (I know, truly shocking, right? Yup, I fall prey to the Greedy Gimme's at times.)
   I had to smile when I read today's passage in Luke, chapter twelve verses 13 through 40.  Jesus was asked by a follower to step in and settle a dispute between the man and his brother over an inheritance. He wanted his brother to share.
  14. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
 Jesus then spoke quite a bit about covetousness. 
  15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware  of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
  The next few verses Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and his barns. This man had worked hard and his land had produced much. His first thought was wow, look at all this stuff! (Greatly paraphrasing here) My barns are all full to bursting so where am I going to put all this stuff? Then he decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. He thought he had plenty for the next several years so he could afford to sit back and relax for awhile. Eat, drink and be merry. But God had different ideas. 
 20. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul will be required of thee; then whose shall these things be, which thou hast provided?
  Ouch. The man was so busy gathering for himself he had taken no thought for others who could benefit from his excess, or even of his soul apparently. His only concern in life was to have more and more for himself, but a dead man cannot enjoy the things we collect here on earth. 
  While it is essential that we have jobs so that our families are fed and clothed and have a roof over their heads, sometimes a little too much emphasis is put on our material wants and needs. 
   22. And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, whate ye shall put on.
   23. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
  Jesus knew that we worry over the things we need sometimes. But what can we change by worrying? God cares for the birds and the flowers of the field; how much more then does he love us, whom he created in his own image? While we may not get that snazzy new sports car or a large dream home that is custom built, we will have our needs met. It's okay to have some nice things, but it shouldn't be the end of the world when a beloved object breaks. We shouldn't worry so much when the cupboard is nearly empty and the wallet is even barer. God will provide if we trust him. Sometimes that means swallowing pride and asking for help. There will be times when others will need our help and we can pay it forward.
  If we lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven rather than here on earth (verse33) then we can better watch for when Jesus will return. No thief has ever called to let the homeowner know when to expect him; otherwise the owner will be up waiting and protecting his home. Instead the home owner (hopefully) keeps an eye on his household and is mindful to keep his family safe. We should be watchful and ready when Jesus comes.      

A Morning Cup of Tea: God Takes Care of Us

  Good morning! I'm so glad you've taken the time to sit back with a cup of hot tea or maybe some hot chocolate on this cool morning! Or maybe it's warm where you live and you prefer something cool to drink. It's so nice to have a few minutes of time to savor God's word. 
   Today's reading is Luke 12:1-12. Actually this passage has a few lessons Jesus is teaching here. In the first few verses Jesus is warning the disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees --don't get caught up in false teachings. 
  Also, Jesus tells us in verses 4 and 5, don't be afraid of those who can kill us. We should fear and respect he who has the power to take our lives and also cast us into hell.  What can man do other than hurt us or take our life? It's a frightening thought, but losing my soul is a worse thought. 
  But God loves us and does not want anything bad for us. He knows even the number of hairs we have on our heads!  As much as we love our children I don't think any of us know exactly how many hairs are on their heads.  He loved us enough to send his Son to die for us so that we might live. That's a truly awesome love. 

A Morning Cup of Tea:

Good morning! I'm sorry I missed yesterday but I really felt lousy.Not a very good excuse, so I will try not to let that happen again.
  Today we are finishing up the twelfth chapter of Mark. Jesus has been teaching in the temple, and answering questions. Now  he is warning the people not to listen quite so much to the scribes who hold that position mostly for show. They liked to sit in the temples and at the feasts so they could be seen as important men, and for show they would give long prayers and wear long clothing, but they thought nothing of turning widows out of their homes. (Verses 35-40). Jesus was telling the people not to be like them.
  In the next instance in the temple, Jesus is observing the giving that people do. A widow came in and gave two mites, which was a farthing. It's not much, and wasn't very much even by the standards of the time but it was all she had and she willingly gave it.
 43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
 44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
 She did not have much, but she was willing to give all she had for the good of others. She knew that God would take care of her. She didn't do this for glory, like the scribes and the Pharisees and those of that ilk. She did it simply out of love for the Lord and for others. She was probably the type of woman who made sure you were fed if you visited her, gave clothing to those in need, was simply there to be a help where she could, not giving much thought to self.  This is very convicting to me, as I struggle at times with taking care of others versus making sure we have food in the house, or gas in the car.
Have a wonderful day. 

     

A Morning Cup of Tea: A Very Good Reason to Know the Scriptures

 Jesus is still in the temple at this time, teaching and answering questions that the Pharisees, elders and scribes and chief priests have brought him, trying to tempt him to answer in such a way they could get rid of him. This time it's the Sadducees who come up with a question, beginning in Mark 12:8.
  They give the hypothetical instance of a woman whose husband dies, leaving her childless. At this time Jewish custom was that in such a case, the man's brother would marry her and the children would be considered her first husband's offspring.  The second husband dies as the first did, and still no children. This pattern continues until the woman has married all 7 brothers, and dies still childless. The question brought to Jesus was, after the resurrection (which the Sadducees didnt even believe in) whose wife would she be, as she had married all of them at one time or another. 
 They thought surely this would stump him. But Jesus had an answer for them.
  Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? (v 24)
 Jesus went on to explain that after the resurrection there is no marriage. We are like the angels in heaven, having no need of such relationships. 
  One of the scribes had been listening quietly to all the questions being asked, and the answers that Jesus gave. He asked Jesus which was the first commandment?
 29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
 30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment.
 31. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
  The scribe was pleased, I think, with Jesus' answer. Jesus had quoted scripture in answering. The scribe acknowledged the answer given was correct, and himself confessed that there is one God (v32).  Jesus saw the earnestness of the man and told him "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (v34)
  Men who did not like what Jesus taught asked questions of him, as did a man who diligently and truly sought the truth. Jesus quoted scripture to answer and teach both. In today's world we too will sometimes have conversations with others concerning our beliefs. It is very important that we have scripture to back what we say.  And knowing the scripture, or at least knowing where to find what we are looking for, helps us to know if someone else is teaching scripturally. 
 Although we lead busy lives, we always find time for what we want to do. I myself am guilty of sometimes being able to quote scenes from favorite movies a bit more than memorizing scripture. It is something I need to work on. But  I'm not good at memorizing, some might say. There is a preacher I know. I've only been blessed to hear him a few times but my husband grew up with his preaching. This certain preacher could (and still does) quote large sections of scripture in his lessons. He has had a hard time memorizing, but he does it because he makes it a priority. He would practice quoting scripture while doing such things as mowing the lawn.   And when our hearts are full of scripture, it's less likely to find room for things that are not good.
  Have a great day.
   
 

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

Good morning! It's not quite so chilly this morning as it was yesterday. I have my buddy right beside me once again, rocking and singing. I love seeing how happy he is today.
  Today we begin chapter 12 of Mark.  Jesus is still in the temple, speaking. He told the people there a parable of a rich man who bought some land, set up a vineyard, and put managers in charge of it. He then went to a far off city. When the harvest time came, the man sent a servant to see about it. The managers beat him severely and sent him on his way. The vineyard owner sent other servants and they were either beaten severely or killed. Finally the man sent his only son. Surely they would reverence him. But the managers, thinking they would receive the inheritance if the son was gone, killed him also.  And what would the Vineyard owner do about this? He would come and destroy the managers and put others in charge of the vineyard.
  The chief priests and the elders knew that Jesus was speaking about them and they were not happy one bit. They wanted to do away with Jesus right then but they knew Jesus was well loved among the people. They feared what would happen should they try something at that point. They left him and went on their way. They weren't done yet, though. They sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to talk with him and try to see if he would say something they could pounce on. This group asked him, Is it lawful to give to Caesar? (Taxes). 
 Jesus knew what they were doing. He asked to see a penny, which they gave him. He asked whose picture and wording was on the coin. Of course, it was Caesar. Jesus gave them their answer: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's.
 The questioning is not over, as we shall see tomorrow, Lord willing, beginning in verse 18 when the Sadducees  discuss marriage and the afterlife. 
  Have a wonderful Lord's day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: Matthew 12: 14-30

 In today's passage the pharisees talked among themselves. The wanted to see Jesus totally destroyed. Jesus knew what they were up to and moved on. As in other places he had a great following, and Jesus healed them all (v15). He asked that they not tell everyone what happened but to keep it quiet.
  When he healed a deaf and blind man who was devil possessed, the pharisees once again said, he casts out devils by Beelzebub, prince of the devils.
 Jesus answered:  25. ... Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29. or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first  bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
In essence he was telling them, what good is it for the devil to give power to cast out devils? If he is against himself, he weakens himself. In order for a city or a home to stay strong it must be united. 
  Verse 25, I think can be applied to different situations. Abraham Lincoln quoted him in part during one of his speeches, saying a house divided against itself cannot stand. That statement is just as true today. 
  Evil cannot erase evil. Only good can do that.
   

A Morning Cup of Tea: Unlawful on the Sabbath

Today's scripture is Matthew 12: 1-12

As this chapter opens it is the Sabbath and Jesus and his followers are walking through corn fields. The disciples begin to get hungry so they pluck ears of corn and eat. The pharisees who are with him witness this, and are appalled.  This is not allowed on the Sabbath day!
  Jesus reminded them (v 3-5) that David, when he was being chased and had hidden in the  temple, ate the shewbread, which is for the priests. But he and his people were hungry, and they couldn't go back to the palace or anywhere else for that matter for food. God did not punish him for this.  Also, he reminded them that the priests profane the Sabbath all the time --by working--and are blameless.  It is their job, they have to do their work on that day.
  6. But I say unto you,  That in this place is one greater than the temple.
  7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
  8. For the Son of man is Lord even on the Sabbath day.
I think this last was a gentle rebuke, reminding the pharisees that if Jesus has no problem with what they are doing, they should not either.

That same day in the temple, the pharisees tried to trap Jesus into wrongdoing so they could accuse him and get him out of the way.  There is a man in the temple with a withered hand and they ask him, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
 11.  And he said unto them, What  man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out?
12. How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath.
13.  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like the other.

We no longer worship on the sabbath but on the first day of the week (Sunday). While it is true that work was forbidden on the sabbath, the pharisees by this time had become so legalistic they weren't allowing much at all to be done on that day. Jesus told them quite plainly here that it is okay to do good on the sabbath. You wouldn't leave a sheep in the ditch for a day because of not being able to work. The sheep would die. People are worth more than animals, Jesus said. We need to take care of one another.