By Francis Frangipane
It was not a dream. It was simply a thought in the middle of the night that roused me from my sleep. It said, "He keeps two sets of books: one is exact and the other forgiving."
I barely had time to wonder "who" kept the two sets of books when Jesus' story of the rich man and his wasteful steward surfaced in my mind. The parable, which comes from Luke, chapter 16, tells of a manager who was soon to be dismissed for squandering his employer's wealth. "What shall I do," the steward pondered, "since my master is taking the management away from me?" (v. 3).
To secure his future, he shrewdly contacted his employer's debtors. To the one who owed 100 measures of oil he said, "Write fifty" (v.6). He reduced another's debt from 100 measures of wheat to eighty. So clever was his plan that even the steward's master praised him for his wisdom and prudence (v. 8).
"This Time I Will Praise the Lord"
By Francis Frangipane
I’m all for fulfilling personal quests in life, but I am also aware that personal fulfillment can actually become an idol. Our ambitions can develop into such an obsession that we are living for selfish goals rather than living for God. Thus, part of our salvation includes having our desires prioritized by Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord put it this way:
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself " (Matt. 6:33-34). God intends to satisfy us beyond our dreams, but not before He is first in our hearts.
I’m all for fulfilling personal quests in life, but I am also aware that personal fulfillment can actually become an idol. Our ambitions can develop into such an obsession that we are living for selfish goals rather than living for God. Thus, part of our salvation includes having our desires prioritized by Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord put it this way:
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself " (Matt. 6:33-34). God intends to satisfy us beyond our dreams, but not before He is first in our hearts.
Where a Desolate Soul Finds God
By Francis Frangipane
In spite of breakthroughs in several regions, many Christians have grown weary. Their love is growing cold; their passions, lukewarm. The prophet Daniel warned of a time when the enemy would "…wear down the saints of the Highest One” (Dan. 7:25). To emerge victorious in this day, we must climb into the reality given to us by God in Psalm 91. There is a place of replenishing life, a fountain of light, wherein we can abide. The Bible calls this place the shelter of the Most High.
Elijah: A Man Like Us
Elijah was a man with passions like ours, and he fought in a spiritual war similar to ours. In his battle for the soul of Israel, he stood against the wiles of Jezebel and her husband, King Ahab. Yet his most intense battle was not against visible foes but against personal discouragement.
"With the Glance of Your Eyes"
By Francis Frangipane
"Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?" ---Song of Solomon 6:10
We were created for more than just having a religion. Indeed, in regards to satisfying our deeper longings, a time will come when we realize that religion is not enough. It satisfies neither us nor Christ. God's Word reveals that Christ wants to actually, personally, know us (Matt. 7: 22-23).
You say, "But He does know us!" In His omniscience, He knows everything. But in His love He seeks to know us as His bride, where we live in unbroken union with Him. Because He purchased us with His blood, He has the right to our souls, our secrets, and our dreams. He wants the person we are when no one else is looking. Yet He will not force Himself upon us. This is not the way of love.
"Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?" ---Song of Solomon 6:10
We were created for more than just having a religion. Indeed, in regards to satisfying our deeper longings, a time will come when we realize that religion is not enough. It satisfies neither us nor Christ. God's Word reveals that Christ wants to actually, personally, know us (Matt. 7: 22-23).
You say, "But He does know us!" In His omniscience, He knows everything. But in His love He seeks to know us as His bride, where we live in unbroken union with Him. Because He purchased us with His blood, He has the right to our souls, our secrets, and our dreams. He wants the person we are when no one else is looking. Yet He will not force Himself upon us. This is not the way of love.
Manifested in Our Mortal Flesh
By Francis Frangipane
What did Jesus have in mind for His followers when His ministry began? What was His holy objective? I am absolutely convinced that Christ not only came to seek and save the lost, but at the highest levels came to replicate Himself in those He saved. And whether we are just beginning our spiritual journey or we are seasoned servants of many years, true Christianity is nothing less than the living manifestation of Christ in and through us (Gal. 2:20).
Indeed, our destiny does not find sure footing until the actual life of Christ emerges through us.
Tomorrows Leaders, Today's Sacrifice
By Francis Frangipane
The oak tree grows out of the grave of the acorn.
Return to the Cross
Those who will be tomorrow's leaders will pay God's price today. Other Christians may seem to be enjoying the benefits of Christ's blessings while doing little to obtain them. You who have answered Jesus' command, "Follow Me," will find no easy path before you. Yet, it is written, if we "suffer with Him" we shall also be "glorified with Him" (Rom 8:17).
How does a disciple actually suffer with Christ? At the core of our existence, we choose to let the way of Christ guide us rather than the way of man. The cross is the cost we pay so Christ's redemption will succeed.
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