Luke 12:27-41

"[Jesus continued,] "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast......"

"[Jesus continued his teaching about not worrying:] "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all....."

"Dear Precious One, Yesterday, I spoke to you about fear. Today I want to talk to you about worry and sins that lie behind so many of your worries:..."

"Dear Disciple, As I will say in the verses below, what I am talking to you about today is a matter of urgency:I'm not just talking theory. There is....."

"And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so...."

"[Jesus continued,] "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get..."

When was the last time you got away with a friend and the Father? We all need to get away now and again and retreat into the quietness and grace of God for our renewal.

"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:28 NLT -- And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

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

Is that me among the death notices? I need to think about dying. Not in a scared way, nor some kind of morbid obsession. I need to remember that death is coming… and it's not the end. I need to prepare for my real retirement, the one that will last forever. All of the "busyness" that surrou

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger...."

Are you ready for the big wedding? Phil Ware concludes his series on Church to Kingdom, C2K, and reminds us that as Jesus' people, we are the bride of Christ and need to be ready for our wedding.

What would you take if our house were burning down, and, if everyone were already out of the house? Melissa Troyer reminds us that things are just things, but if we have people we love then we have what matters most!

"Peter asked, "Lord, is that illustration [about being ready] just for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "A faithful, sensible servant is...."

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself. Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

How in the world does having less mean having more? Rubel Shelly reminds us that even in a season when folks have less than they are used to having, if they look they will actually find that they have more.