“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything right side up!” ~Jesus

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Authority, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 12, Obedient, Radical, Servant

Jesus is radical.

• Jesus is the ultimate change agent. Jesus is the ultimate disruptor. Jesus upsets relationships. Jesus doesn’t make everything nice. Jesus will confront us. There will be conflict between what we want and what Jesus wants. Others may not like the change.
• This is always His pattern. Jesus is not Mr. Rogers with a beard. 
• Yes, Jesus is radical. And, He calls for us to be radical for Him. Have I set something on fire for Him today? Have I challenged something for Him today? Will I challenge myself today to follow Him and be His servant?

Here is the mandate from Jesus.

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything right side up! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be— three against two, and two against three; Father against son, and son against father; Mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; Mother-in-law against bride, and bride against mother-in-law.” ~~Jesus (Luke 12)

Radical Sayings of Jesus

“So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk.” ~Jesus

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Bully, God is Good, Jesus, Luke 12, Religious

Bully

The religious bullies want to intimidate us into silence. Nothing would please them more.

Jesus challenges us to speak up about who is in charge and what our mission is as a result of that.

God will take care of us. We don’t need to worry. I am very valuable to God. Jesus wants me to succeed.

Luke 12:6-7 The Message (MSG)

I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.

Source: Luke 12:6-7 MSG – “What’s the price of two or three – Bible Gateway

 

“I’m speaking to you as dear friends.” ~Jesus

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Bully, Friend, Insincerity, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 12, Silence, Soul

Heartfelt experience with Jesus

Jesus considers us friends. Jesus wants to confide with me. Jesus has some things he wants me to know. Jesus cares about me immensely. Nothing is too small for him. I can share with him anything. Jesus did not come to judge me but to put me in right standing with God so I don’t miss his goal for my life.

In the face of religious bullies, it is easy just to shut down and become silent. I do this at times. The more I am criticized, the quieter I become. Sometimes it seems to stop the attack. It does take two to argue.

Worse than being silent, however, is being insincere. I soften the message. I become more subtle. I try not to offend.

Jesus challenges me not to be afraid of the bully. They can’t touch my soul. They can’t hurt who I am in Jesus.

The person I need to be concerned about is God. God is in control of everything about me. God is God. My present and my future are all in his hands. I need to be concerned about pleasing God.

I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

Jesus – Source: Luke 12:4-5 (The Message Bible)

Does God need a bailout?

Tags

401K, Bank, Invest, Jesus, Luke 12, Treasure

Jesus paints an amazing contrast on priorities. Most of us are worried about our 401k. Our treasure is in our retirement fund. Our perspective is how the stock market is fairing.

Jesus demands we invest in God’s Kingdom not our 401k. Our retirement is in heaven with Jesus. God doesn’t need a bailout.

God’s goal for us is that we invest everything we have, but most importantly our heart and soul, in His world not this world.

“Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bank robbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” ~Jesus (Luke 12)