“A Feast Fit for an Outcast” – Luke 14:13-14

Luke 14:13-14
 
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
 
In this passage, Jesus continues his discussion on generosity, specifically in the area of hospitality. First among considerations when planning the perfect party needs to be the invite list. Normally when someone considers who to invite, the usual suspects immediately rise to the surface – friends, family or co-workers. The list might include those we feel obligated to invite, or those we’re trying to impress or ingratiate. As with many things, we tend to be motivated in our invite list to consider those who’s attendance might somehow benefit us – the old, “what’s in it for me?” factor. 
 
But according to Jesus, the perfect invite list includes the socially outcast, those in Jesus’ day who were considered suffering externally for the sin in their lives. These were the people that NO ONE wanted at their party. What would it benefit the host? Think of the scandal! 
 
Who would be on such a list?!!! 
 
Well, we would. We were on God’s invite list when He planned out His future feast. He thought of us even when we were at our worst – broken, crooked, selfish and cruel. We have no way to repay God for the invitation that He has sent us. We can only accept and anticipate the celebration. And in the meantime, as we live and love like Jesus, that is the very attitude we are to have. Consider a generous life of hospitality to those who could never pay you back, a reminder of what He’s done for you. Consider it a model to others of His love. Consider it a party gift for the Lord of Hosts when you one day walk into His presence.  
 

While using the HEAR method for the passage above, consider the following opportunities to invite the down and out to your party: 

  • This Sunday – Dollar on the Pew (bring a dollar or more for Good Samaritan’s annual gift to those in the community who need help this winter with their gas bill.)
  • December 25 – Christmas Lunch for the Community – Help the Fire Department and Belmont serve and deliver meals to those in need around Calhoun. (at Belmont)
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price
 
Photo by Tim Cooper on Unsplash

 

 
 

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“Investment Strategy” – Luke 12:33-34

Luke 12:33-34

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
 
Do a quick search on Youtube on “what to invest in” and the opinions and advice runs on page after page, from folks you’ve heard of (Warren Buffet, Dave Ramsey) and folks that no one has heard of, no pedigree or experience required. 
 
“Invest in the stock market”
“Hoard gold and silver”
“Start buying Bitcoin” 
“Real Estate is where it’s at”
 
The advice is endless and all over the map. We don’t want to miss out on the next great opportunity. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) creates an anxiety in us in an already anxious time. And this FOMO typically drives the market – and on more than one occasion, it drives it right…into…the…ground. 
 
While most of us right now are tightening our belts and trying to figure out how to have a little more stability and security, the wise look to the scriptures. But the advice that Jesus gives goes in an entirely different direction. He explains that our portfolio should be heavy in eternal commodities. Like the Youtube gurus, Jesus tells us to sell all we have to invest in this wonderful new opportunity. But again He zigs when the others zag. His advice? “Sell all you have and give to the needy.” (insert record needle scratch here).
 
Now I have to be honest. I’ve sold things I’ve had (whether through garage sales, eBay or FB Marketplace) to pay off some debt or get something that I really, really wanted. But I can’t recall a time that I sold anything so I could give to the needy. The needy get my leftovers, the change in my pocket (if I don’t have need of it). But Jesus is calling us to the long game. And eternal investments call for a shift in perspective. This perspective is woven throughout the whole of Jesus’ teachings and it effects us in all areas of our life. You ready? You’ve heard it before. Here goes. 
 
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about Him. 
 
When we live with this understanding, we live in generosity. With live “others focused” to glorify our Heavenly Father. We look for ways to skimp and save so we can invest in the things that truly matter. And what better guarantee can we get than from the King of Kings that this investment will have a payout that we can’t imagine. 
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • Have you ever experienced FOMO about an opportunity? How did you react? What was the result? 
  • Why would giving to the needy be an investment in the eternal? 
  • What are some reasons that some might hesitate at this advice?   
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price
Photo by Nick Chong on Unsplash

 

 

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“Talented” – Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
This week we will be focusing on how we invest our resources. But as believers, the first step in this conversation is the understanding that all we have has been handed to us by God. We are simply His stewards. If you want to get people passionate, start talking about money. The argument, “the church just wants my money!” tips the hand of the one complaining. “Our money” is not ours. It’s His, and He is interested in How we steward it. As we look at several verses this week on the subject of stewardship and investing, pray that God opens you up to a new or renewed perspective on what you have been given and how God might bless you through it!
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following question:
  • What is your current view on money and the resources you have been given?
  • Talents and resources go beyond finances. What other ‘talents’ do you have that you might not be investing wisely, or simply burying in the ground?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you?
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
 

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A Week on Mission

We’re back in Georgia after a wonderful trip to Solola, Guatemala. At the outset however, we were a little concerned. We were a small group getting smaller as a couple of our folks needed to drop out of the trip. We were also looking at COVID health issues and restrictions, not to mention the impending hurricane Iota. The weather forecast for the week was bleak. But as with any mission trip, we were ready to be flexible whatever came up. 

The purpose of our trip was to encourage the pastor and his family along with the rest of the congregation, hand out food and witness to the unchurched in the area. One of the first things we did once we got to the church was to make food bags. We put together 50 bags containing bags of rice, black beans, sugar, oil, flour, and other items. Throughout the week we made approximately 100 bags, each weighing about 25 lbs. 

We then split into teams carrying the bags to different families in the community. We walked over 15 VERY steep miles during the trip with the bags in our arms or backpacks. It was worth every step. Pastor Walter shared with us that there were about 35 evangelical churches in the area but they were one of the very few who were actually going out and visiting people in their homes and helping to take care of their needs. We were able to share the love of Christ, encourage them and pray with them. Each afternoon we came together as a group and shared what God had allowed us to experience. There are too many wonderful stories to share here, but one example is of a woman and her children. She said that a few nights earlier she had dreamt that the pastor’s wife, Ingrid, had come to her house with help. She had tears in her eyes as she thanked those of us in the room (Ingrid included) for the food that we brought, as well as the encouragement and prayer. It was a sweet visit and only one of many. 

On Sunday we had a wonderful time of worship at the church. It was the second week that they had worshipped together in person. We sang together in two languages but with one voice. It was powerfully moving. Macon preached an encouraging gospel message. And we met a woman and her daughter who had just joined the church and had taken the bus an hour and a half to get there. 

Several people accepted Christ during our visit. Some were reconnected with a caring church after being away for years. And some who had been faithful received encouragement from their brothers and sisters from the United States. We had a great time working with Pastor Walter and his family and with the E3 trip coordinators and translators. We were the only church group to come down to the area since COVID began, so people were so thankful. 

With all that could have gone wrong on this trip, it turned out better than we could have imagined. The weather was beautiful, our accommodations and food were not your typical “mission trip experience,”  everyone remained well and we even had a pleasant flight back home – arriving early, zipping through customs and getting our bags before we were even expected to land!

It was an incredible experience and it was evident throughout the trip that God was with us preparing, protecting and providing. It was an opportunity to represent the Kingdom by living and loving like Jesus. Thank you Belmont community for your prayers and for investing in missions in the community and around the world. 


















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“But Lord…” – Luke 10:1-2

Luke 10:1-2

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

I write this as I am preparing for my first mission out of the country. The Bible tells us it’s important,  imperative even. But how does this happen on a personal level? The idea of going on a mission trip and making disciples has intimidated and scared me – yet gnawed at me for a long time. Opportunities have come up in the past, but the “human“ in me has talked myself out of them every time. 

“I have a family to take care of.”
“I have a business I can’t be away from.”
“Our calendar is too busy during that time.”
“I’ve only been a Christian a short while and I won’t know what to say.”

These excuses are still valid today, but why am I going now? Why this time? Prayer is why! In the passage above, the Lord appointed 72 to go. When I prayed about my constant desire to go on mission, the Lord gave me the clarity I needed. The Lord helped me put aside these excuses when I saw how he could grow my faith through it. 

When COVID canceled our original trip, I was sad. But when we were told we were rescheduling for November, all the human thoughts and double guessing went back into overdrive. I prayed “earnestly to the Lord” as verse 2 commands, in order for the clarity to come again. He answered every excuse I had.

“But Lord, I have a family to take care of.” — “Your wife is more than capable of taking care of the family while you’re gone. And she also supports missions.” 

“I have a business I can’t be away from.” — “Your staff is trained and the business will be OK.” 

“But my busy schedule – November is basketball season! I will have both a high schooler and middle schooler playing basketball and I will be coaching my son’s team and…” — “There is never a good time according to YOUR schedule. Your experience from this trip will help you in your local mission field on your return.” 

Luke 10 says that the “harvest is plentiful.” This isn’t talking about corn or wheat, but people – spreading God’s word and leading people to Christ. But just how plentiful are we talking? How many are ignorant of Jesus’s love and forgiveness? If the internet is correct (I checked several sources) about 31% of the worlds population claim to be Christian. With the world’s population estimated at 7 1/2 billion people, that means about 5.25 billion are not Christians. That is indeed a very plentiful harvest!!! So we just need to keep witnessing to others and spreading the word to everyone who doesn’t know him. We need to keep on and on and on. 

With all this knowledge, why are the laborers few?!?! For me, as it may be for many, it was because of my listening to myself and not the Lord. It was making excuses as to “why not” instead of praying to the Lord about His will. Again we are all different and I know not all are ready to go on a mission in another country but the only way to know for sure is to pray about it. 

As members of Belmont we all support missions when we support our church. Look at our budget. We give money to missions both near and far from Calhoun. We recite the great commission each Sunday at the end of each service to remind ourselves of the need to disciple and reach others. And we know there are many local missions as well as foreign missions we can support when the Lord is guiding us.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • What does Jesus say about the harvest? About the laborers?
  • What excuses typically pop up for you when faced with the opportunity to do something for God’s Kingdom? 
  • What role does prayer have in terms of becoming a laborer?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

A big thanks to Jeff Viktora (on mission this week in Solola, Guatemala) for today’s devotional thought! 

 Photo by David Becker on Unsplash



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“Signs of the End of the Age” – Matthew 24:14

Matthew 24:14

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The title of this passage in my Bible in Matthew 24 is called “Signs of the End of the Age.” The disciples came to Jesus asking what the world will look like when the end is approaching. In verses 5-12, Jesus said that they would know his second coming was near when nations would rise against each other, famines and earthquakes would take place, believers face hatred, false prophets rise, and lawlessness be rampant. Sounds awful, right? How could we possibly be encouraged by this? 

In Matthew 24:14, at the end of the passage, Jesus states that the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world before the end comes. He doesn’t state that everyone will be accepting of the message, just that it will be proclaimed until the end. As Christians, we should press on to share Jesus to the world even with the hope that just one soul is to be saved. The verse is a promise that the gospel will be preached through whatever means, no matter what. I don’t know about you, but that is something I want to be a part of! 

Jesus paints a dark picture around what is to come, yet he ends with a statement that brings hope for us. Jesus wants us to understand that God is still sovereign. Matthew 24:14 shows that God is not giving up on us. He doesn’t stop pursuing. He doesn’t stop being faithful. God doesn’t stop offering His love even to the very last millisecond, at the very end. 

I pray that my heart is in alignment with His will, that I am guided by Him, and that I am usable by Him to complete His work.  

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • Many are quick to point out the signs of the times today, but are we doing our part by proclaiming the message? 
  • Who can you share the good news with and provide hope in dark days? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 

A big thanks to Elise Jones (on mission this week in Solola, Guatemala) for today’s devotional thought! 

Photo by Duncan Kidd on Unsplash



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