Showing Off My New Clothes at Church

And as they heard these things, He added and spake a parable, because He was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.  He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.  But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us.  And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.  And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.  And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.  And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.  And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou did not sow.  And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant.  Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money unto the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?  And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.  (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)  For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.  But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  Luke, Chapter 19, verses 11-27.

Jesus may say on the Last Day, “You were all given the same task to be examples of how I work in your lives and to share your love of Me with others.  Did you do it?  When you had problems you turned to Me but when I solved those problems for you, you didn’t even take the time to thank Me.  You just turned back to your life like I didn’t exist until the next problem or religious holiday came around.  Then, you were so focused on showing off your new clothes at church that you didn’t even pay attention to Me and the real reason for the season.  Sorry, Charlie, you’re not making it to heaven!”


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

An Opportunity to Befriend the Undesirable

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.  And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  And Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  And Jesus said unto him, This day is Salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  Luke, Chapter 19, verses 1-10.

I remember hearing about a church group talking among themselves saying something about not associating with sinners.  That rushed through my mind when I saw a display outside a church that said, “Sinners Welcome!”  Jesus didn’t give His life to save those who are perfect.  (That would mean He had given His life to save Himself since Jesus is the only perfect person.  Now that doesn’t even make sense!)
Jesus died and rose to save sinners like you and me.  He gave His life for those people who were judgmental of others and the people they thought were unworthy of their association.  If Jesus can turn the life of Zacchaeus around who was a self-serving tax collector, then who is to say that He can’t turn around the lives of those people deemed unfit?
If no one invites or welcomes these people into church, how will they be saved?  Do you want it on your shoulders that you had the opportunity to befriend one of these “undesirable” people by being an example of how God works in your life, but you ignored that responsibility because you decided that those people didn’t deserve it?  Something I wouldn’t want to have to explain to God on Judgment Day!
Here is a related passage:
*And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?  But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 11-13.


Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

Jesus Takes the Time to be there for Me

And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.  And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.  And he cried, saying, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.  And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when he was come near, He asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?  And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.  And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people when they saw it, gave praise unto God.  Luke, Chapter 18, verses 35-43.

Jesus is on His way to His crucifixion knowing full well what terrible things are going to happen to Him, but Jesus still takes time out to heal this blind man despite all He is about to go through.  It reinforces how Jesus takes time to be there for me and my very trivial concerns.  I’m so fortunate to have Jesus as my Savior!!!


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie




This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

Jesus Was Willing to be Humilitated to Save Us

Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished.  For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again.  Luke, Chapter 18, verses 31-33.

This passage is soooooo amazing!  Jesus knows how terribly they are going to treat Him, how they are going to mock Him, spit on Him and crucify Him.  Yet Jesus is still willing to go through all that utter humiliation to save us from our sins.  Now a parent might possibly be willing to go through all of that to save the life of their child, but would they be willing to go through all of that for complete strangers, for people who are hateful and rude to them?  No way!!!  Jesus gave His life for us knowing in advance how terribly humiliating it would be, because He loves us that much!
Jesus told the disciples about what was going to happen to Him in advance.  He wanted them to remember what He had told them as another proof that Jesus is the One True Savior of all.  It’s sad that Jesus can be willing to give His life for us, and we need ALL this proof first before we are willing to believe in Him.


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

I Need to be an "Uncorrupted Christian"

And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.  Luke, Chapter 18, verses 15-17.

As an elementary school teacher, it never ceases to amaze me how sweet, trusting and honest little children are.  It seems some get corrupted as they grow up and become cynical by the ways of the world, media and life, in general. 
In the early grades the children would play with almost any other person that was willing to play with them.  They generally got along well with everyone except for little squabbles, regardless of ethnicity or any other factor.  Nearing the intermediate grades, these same groups of children would no longer associate with some of the children that they used to consider their best friends.  They seemed to group themselves by ethnicity and other factors like income.  I think Jesus wants us to be “Uncorrupted Christians” who generally get along well with others, regardless of ethnicity or any other factor.
Here is a related passage:
*Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them, But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  And He laid His hands on them and departed thence.  Matthew, Chapter 19, verses 13-15.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages. Debbie 


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

I Get Caught Up in the Egotistical Part

And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  Luke, Chapter 18, verses 9-14.

This passage is kind of like Biblical irony.  The Pharisee with the higher status, self-righteous attitude and brags about all the wonderful things he has done for others, isn’t justified.  The humble man with the low status, who states how unworthy he is, is justified.
It really opens my eyes.  Sometimes I become very self-righteous like the Pharisee, boasting to myself about all the good things I’ve done.  (Actually it wasn’t me doing them in the first place.  God gave me the instincts to do those things, but I was taking credit for them while boasting.)  I need to be much more humble and not get so caught up in the egotistical part.  That’s how Satan sneaks in and leads Christians astray!


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

Not Wasting My Time Arguing Over How and When I'm Going to Heaven

Luke, Chapter 17, verses 34-37, is very controversial.  I have heard many different opinions from supposed authorities on these passages.  I decided years ago that it’s more important for me to continue to focus on my relationship with God.  Spending my time arguing over how and when I am going to heaven is time wasted, in my opinion, when I could have spent the time being a better example of Jesus’ influence on my life. 
I don’t have to spend years trying to figure out whose interpretation of this Bible passage is correct.  My Salvation is guaranteed through Jesus’ death and Resurrection as long as I continue to love Him as my Lord and Savior and try to lead a life that reflects my faith in Him.  If I do these, I will have Salvation at the time and in the manner that God deems is best.  I think God has other things He would like me to focus on, like reading the Bible rather than worrying about the details of how and when this is all going to happen.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages. Debbie

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

Putting Jesus on the Back Shelf Until Needed

And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.  And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed?  but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.  Luke, Chapter 17, verses 11-19.

I pray to God about things that concern me in my everyday life.  Do I stop and thank Him for resolving all these issues?  Not for the most part!  My life runs smoothly because the problem has been resolved and I go on with my life, putting Jesus back on the shelf until I need him again.
After I read this passage, I thought about how ungrateful the nine healed lepers were.  Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing when I don’t take the time to thank God for resolving the issues in my life?

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections

I'm a "Focused on Other Things Christian"

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.  Luke, Chapter 17, verses 5-6.

This passage seems especially appropriate since I’m a “Focused on Other Things Christian,” thinking about selling my house, finding a job and buying another house.  If I were really paying attention to what I’m writing, I would realize my faith is weak, because I am worrying and having sleepless nights.
I need to focus on God and things will fall into place.  He works everything out so beautifully in timing, if I have the patience to let Him...and He did, because I originally wrote this a couple of years ago.
Here are some related passages:
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Luke, Chapter 12, verses 6-7.
*Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?  And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 29-31.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of these passagse. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections