Gen 13:13
13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD. (NKJV)
- We, or I, tend to think of my sin as wrong, selfish, and sometimes against other people, but here, it says their sin was against the Lord. Prov 28:4; Rom 3:23; I am in a war, regardless of whether I want to be or not 1 Peter 5:8. My choices are for or against you. Lord, help me to honor you in the choices that I make.
Eccl 12:1
12:1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. NLT
-While there is still time. Joel 2:12;
Eccl 12:2
2 It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. NLT
-There is a “too late”. Your window to acknowledge and turn to your Creator is limited. What are you doing with the time that you have been given? Have you turned to God or are you waiting? If you are waiting, what are you waiting for? James 4:14 tells us that our life is but a mist, here for a moment and then it is gone. Heb 9:27 tells us it is appointed once to die and then judgment. Have you turned to God while you have time?
Luke 2:50-51
50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ESV
- Sometimes parents don’t understand. This has become one of the most commonly mentioned excuses for kids to do what they want, instead of honoring their parents. Most of the time the parents actually understand more then kids. However, kids doesn’t see the big picture, even when parents don’t understand, it isn’t an excuse to do your own thing. Jesus’ parents truly didn’t understand, yet He was submissive anyway. We need to have the same attitude that Jesus had. Eph 6:1-2;
Mark 5:15
15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. ESV
- They weren’t sure about Jesus. They just knew that it was a lot of power to set a man free and they were afraid. They were robbed by fear. 2 Tim 1:7. Jesus would have brought healing there, as He had elsewhere, but they rejected what God had for them out of fear. Jesus honored their request (in verse 17) and left. How often do Christians today miss out on what God has for us out of fear of what we don’t understand? If we say we don’t want any part of what God is doing he will honor our request. God have your way in me, don’t let my comfort zone stop your work in or through me.
Matt 13:44-46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJV
-These two parables communicate the same thought. The kingdom is not something you do half way. When someone wants to be apart of the kingdom it cost them everything. The man in both stories gives up everything he has for something he views as more valuable. Have you given up everything to follow Jesus? Has He become your hearts number one desire? Matt 6:24 says that you cannot have two masters.
-God help me to set you first above everything else. I want to honor you with all my heart. I want to honor you with everything I do.
-Sam told this parable really well. As the little boy that found buried money and learned that he who owns the land owns whatever he finds in it. He went home and stared selling everything…. Everything… working… trying to get the money to buy the land… No one understood why he was living like this, why all the sacrifice. He was living for something they didn’t know about. ARE you living for something that nonbelievers don’t know about? Your life should be so different they wonder why you live this way, because they don’t know about the treasure that lies on the other side.
- Heb 13:6; Ps 118:6; Prov 29:25;
Luke 23:34
4 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. ESV
- They don’t know what they are doing. What am I doing? What are you doing? Do we know? Here they were legally committing a horrible crime. As ordered they were crucifying the Lord. Am I just marching through life blindly unaware of the crimes I am committing? God help me to see what I am doing and to live for you. I want my every choice to bring you honor.
Ps 50:10
$ 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. ESV
- All is the Lord’s. We give not because he is in need but as an act of love, honor and thanks.
Prov 29:12
12 If a ruler honors liars, all his advisers will be wicked. NLT
- Your life will attract the people you honor. You will find yourself surrounded by the people you listen to. What kind of people are around you. Are you honoring the right people. If we honor the wrong people they will fill and can ruin our lives.
- Honor Prov 26:8
