Wednesday, November 16, 2011

DEVOTION: SPACIOUS PLACE...DON'T GET IT TWISTED

DEVOTION: Living in the Spacious Place-Don’t Get it Twisted
Written by Bro. Robert Goodwin
Edited by Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr., D.Min.

Luke 16: 19 – 31, 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

In 1997, Home Depot stocker Billie Bob Harrell, Jr. won a $31 million Texas jackpot. Living in a spacious place is not just about living in wealth… To the former Pentecostal preacher, $1.24 million per year was a gift from heaven. He bought a ranch, six homes for himself and family, and a bunch of new cars. After the initial glory subsided, however, Harrell found himself losing and loaning money at an alarming rate. Like many winners, he had trouble saying no to those who ask for his funds. As a result, Harrell’s life became too stressful to handle. He divorced his wife. Less than two years after hitting pay-dirt, he committed suicide.

“Winning the lottery is the worst thing that ever happened to me,” he is quoted as saying shortly before his suicide. (Source; Business Pundit)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11)

Because of his grace and because of his mercy, I’m grateful I can “count” my “Blessing” (per day) from Heaven.

“GOD” will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in “CHRIST JESUS”. (Philip. 4:19)

As the rich man made no cash advance into treasures of heaven and had nothing to draw-misplaced, misunderstood use of wealth today can have disastrous outcomes. Spacious Place-worry free not care free, don’t get it twisted.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for your thoughts! Come again soon!

Virtual Family Sunday Questions

What ways can we create community as a family? How has our viewership/church attendance enhanced or diminished our family covenant? What way...