by David Brenneman
"Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away." Matthew 22:15-22.
How often do you really stop to think about why you do what you do? What's the 'why' behind the things of this world that have your mind and in many ways your heart?
Does the God of Heaven come into the picture of your life outside of remembering to ask Him to bless the food you're about to eat and heal those you know at dinner time?
Are you in a relationship with Jesus to which your prayers are heartfelt or are you updating Jesus on what He already knows like a business meeting?
Is spending time with Jesus something you look forward to or is it a chore that you're afraid to call a chore because of who it is?
Are you more than happy spending time elsewhere rather than in your Bible? Can give yourself hours of television, movie or game time, but the idea of a half hour with Jesus seems like a drag?
Jesus whom took on the sins of all mankind in our place and paid the penalty for our sins so that we might become the righteousness of God to spend eternity with Him...yes that Jesus.
What do your days look like? How much of it is really you trying to fill in the day to keep from thinking?
How does Jesus really fit into your life?
Do you really live for Jesus and are seeking to grow in Christ or are you treating Him like a book on a shelf you sometimes remember is there?
What you render unto God will be shown when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him. Jesus eluded to the truth that great shame will envelop many many people on that day. Will you be one of those people?
I started into this year wanting more. As the hymn says so became my thoughts. "More About Jesus" E. E. Hewitt 1887.
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in ev'ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom's sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace.
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Will the account given of your life be filled with emptiness? Fluff that is consumed by the fires of truth?
People these days are consumed with bigger better. Bigger better televisions. Bigger better game systems. Bigger better sports teams. Anything to keep the dollars that go with the interest of people.
When will God, in Christ Jesus, get your bigger better? When will you find yourself adding more time with Jesus rather than less?
My challenge to myself on January 1st was to read 2 different Study Bibles. From reputable Godly Men of course. In this last few weeks that more than doubled. I am now reading 4 Bibles and all their study notes. It's been an amazing thing!
The MacArthur Study Bible, the David Jeremiah Study Bible, the Life Principles Study Bible of Dr. Charles Stanley, and the Spurgeon Study Bible with notes from Alistair Begg.
I'm not saying this to brag but rather to merely say that more indeed is better. I read the same chapters in all 4 which helps me think about them more as well as all the notes.
Praying on my way to work is an always thing for me too. Thanking God for getting me through my day at the end of work as well.
No this isn't bragging it's merely showing what my priorities are.
Do you like hearing someone telling you "Well done!"? That's what I am hoping to hear from Jesus when it's my turn to give an account of my life before Him.
I don't always get life right but His promises say to me that He's still there to help me work on it...to try to get it right.
There's no mediator between a Believer and Jesus. Our hearts can be poured out right there in His Throne Room. Right at His feet.
Are the things of your life about you or about Jesus? Is He getting the best of you or less than the leftovers?
What's that? What about all the stuff you accumulated that goes with what you've been really doing? Get rid of it. The Biblical response was and is to cast it away from you.
So what hundreds or thousands of dollars were spent on those things. Do you not think the blessings of God can't take care of that? Many Kings of the Old Testament took those things that would draw people from the Lord and ground them into a powder. Whatever you need to do just do it. Selling it isn't necessarily the right thing when the Spirit says to get rid of it.
Render unto God the things that are God’s. Get rid of whatever has really been keeping you from the true blessings of God in Christ.
In reality all of you belongs to God. All your heart, all your soul and all your mind...and everything you own.
What is your account of your life going to reveal? Ashes or a crown of righteousness? Your choices decide which it will be.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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