"When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and
hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, "none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Luke 14:15-25 (ESV)
I have been thinking a lot lately about Time Management. My oldest son David, recently finished up Cross Country, and is now on the High School Swim Team. My middle son Nathan is playing Middle School Basketball. My daughter Hannah has been practicing for the Christmas Musical at church. Needless to say we are very busy running here, there, and everywhere. This is on top of the fact that my wife and I both work. One week had me conducting an Audit in Cincinnati, OH on one day, to just turn around and fly the next day to Washington, D.C. My point is that the Jacobs family leads busy lives.
I like to ask men in my church how their Bible Study and prayer time has been through the week. Quite frequently I get the common excuse: "Not very good, as I have been very busy." I don't know of too many people with busier lifestyles then mine with church, sports, and my travel schedule. This is why I say: STOP MAKING EXCUSES!" This morning I was reminded of the Luke passage listed above. It is so easy to make excuses for not spending time with God. However, my experience has shown me that it is not just busyness that stands in the way, but Complacency and Apathy as well. There have been a few weeks where I have been in town and not travelling for busines, that I take a look back and wonder where my week has gone. Sometimes I fail to spend time in His Word, and on my knees as well. Not because of busyness, but because of lazyness.
So you can see that it is a decision that we have to make. I choose to accept the Invitation granted to us to come to the Lord's Table and dine. I choose to stop making excuses about how busy it is during the Holiday Season, or any other time of the year. If I am not Deliberate about spending time with the Lord, then chances are it won't happen.
I would like to challenge you to start today. I hate New Years resolutions, as 99% of the time, they are a fad and are never maintained. I have lost 50 pounds this year, not from dieting, but from a Deliberate Lifestyle change. I choose to spend more time in exercise, and less time picking up a fork. Will you join me in leading a Disciplined lifestyle of growing closer to the Lord?
"And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:9 (ESV)
hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, "none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Luke 14:15-25 (ESV)
I have been thinking a lot lately about Time Management. My oldest son David, recently finished up Cross Country, and is now on the High School Swim Team. My middle son Nathan is playing Middle School Basketball. My daughter Hannah has been practicing for the Christmas Musical at church. Needless to say we are very busy running here, there, and everywhere. This is on top of the fact that my wife and I both work. One week had me conducting an Audit in Cincinnati, OH on one day, to just turn around and fly the next day to Washington, D.C. My point is that the Jacobs family leads busy lives.
I like to ask men in my church how their Bible Study and prayer time has been through the week. Quite frequently I get the common excuse: "Not very good, as I have been very busy." I don't know of too many people with busier lifestyles then mine with church, sports, and my travel schedule. This is why I say: STOP MAKING EXCUSES!" This morning I was reminded of the Luke passage listed above. It is so easy to make excuses for not spending time with God. However, my experience has shown me that it is not just busyness that stands in the way, but Complacency and Apathy as well. There have been a few weeks where I have been in town and not travelling for busines, that I take a look back and wonder where my week has gone. Sometimes I fail to spend time in His Word, and on my knees as well. Not because of busyness, but because of lazyness.
So you can see that it is a decision that we have to make. I choose to accept the Invitation granted to us to come to the Lord's Table and dine. I choose to stop making excuses about how busy it is during the Holiday Season, or any other time of the year. If I am not Deliberate about spending time with the Lord, then chances are it won't happen.
I would like to challenge you to start today. I hate New Years resolutions, as 99% of the time, they are a fad and are never maintained. I have lost 50 pounds this year, not from dieting, but from a Deliberate Lifestyle change. I choose to spend more time in exercise, and less time picking up a fork. Will you join me in leading a Disciplined lifestyle of growing closer to the Lord?
"And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 19:9 (ESV)
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