Cheyenne Vineyard

Preparing for Promotion

Bride Made Ready - Living as if Jesus is the way

Live life as if Jesus is the way.
 
Two weeks ago, we talked about the Bride Made Ready in Matthew 16:23.  Last week we were in Luke 12 and John 17 talking about how Jesus warned the disciples to abandon things. Life doesn't consist of or is not defined by possessions as the world would have us believe.

Many of have the mistaken view that the Bible (word of God) is our Map in life and that is not true.  It is a guide of truth.  Is is the infallible, inspired word of God.  We need to know it, because it is the record of God's dealings with so many people over such a long period that there is Great Instruction for us.  But it is not the map for you.

Who is your guide in life, Man or Jesus?
John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 17:3   Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Deception:  The terrible thing about deception is that you don't know you're in a deception because you're deceived. 

There are parallels between Luke 12:31 and Revelation 3:14 (concerning the church in Laodicea).

Luke 12:31 - ...seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail

Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

We are in serious times and serious times require serious measures.

Trevail - Allow God to share his heart with us.  This may hurt, but be prepared to have our hearts broken as His heart is broken.

Bride Made Ready: Part 1

What does your life consist of?  What defines your life?  Do you find that the things of your life (your job, your possessions) determine your status or well being?

Luke 12:13-21... Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.

Ambrose, a fourth century theologian wrote that the things that we cannot take with us are not truly ours.   Augustine wrote, that the bellies of the poor are safer storehouses than barns.

So, what do we do with the extra stuff? We should be positioning ourselves for those in need.

What makes you restless?  Are you searching for more, better, higher... or ... hunger for God?

John 17:1-4   "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come.  Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal lif to all those you have given him.  Now this is eternal life:  that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."

So, Jesus is saying that life for us consists of knowing God.

There are higher desires, higher pleasures, higher purposes for humans.  That's us.

Ecclesiastes 2:18-19  " I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.  And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?  Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun.  This too is meaningless."

The higher plan of God for us is:

Luke 12:22 ... do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.  29)   And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying.30)  For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows what you need these things.  31) But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you.  32)Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.  33) Sell your possessions and give to the poor, make yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.  34) Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. ... 39) And be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  40)  You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.