A man who bought a brand new Mercedes and got out on the interstate. It was a convertible and the top was down, the breeze was blowing through his hair, and he decided he would open it up to see what it could do. The needle hit 80 miles an hour, then 90, then 100, then 110, then 120, even 130. All of the sudden, he looked up in his rearview mirror and there was that flashing red and blue light right behind him.
He said to himself, “They can’t catch this Mercedes.” He got it up to 150 mph, but the lights were still behind him. He thought to himself, “I’m going to be in big trouble if I don’t pull over.” So he did.
Well, the police officer came up to him, took his license without saying a word, examined it, looked at the car and then said, ‘Mister, I’ve been working all night and this is my last pullover, and I’m exhausted. I don’t feel like filling out more paperwork, so I’m going to make you an offer. If you can give me an excuse for driving the way you were driving that I have never heard in my 27 year career, I’ll let you go.”
The man thought fast and said, “Well, officer, last week my wife ran off with a police officer, and I was afraid that it was you trying to give her back!” The officer said, “Have a nice night.”
Luke 14:18-20-But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’
Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
Three things that hinder people from following God.
I have bought a piece of ground, I must needs go see it... MATERIALISM
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz , the creator of the ’Peanuts’ comic strip.
You don’t have to actually answer the questions below. Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of Miss America .
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier? The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .
I have bought 5 yoke of oxen....BUSINESS/PLEASURE (Oxen were used for work and to pull a wagon to carry the family)
Genesis 6:2-that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
People had become self-seeking, self-pleasing, chasing after pleasure.
Things haven’t changed, we go after pleasure - whatever we choose, not what God has for us
Satan’s Approach To Eve:
Genesis 3:4-6-And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
That’s how fast food restaurants have made a billion dollars, when they say, "Would You Like To Supersize That".
They know that something inside of us will say, "Bigger Must Be Better".
We have to quit saying "What Do I Want!" and start saying, "What Does God Want To Do In And Through My Life?"
I have married a wife.... RELATIONSHIPS
Matthew 10:37-39-He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
As the elderly man lay dying in his bed, death’s agony was suddenly pushed aside as he smelled the aroma of his favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs.
Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with intense concentration, supported himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. In labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing wide-eyed into the kitchen. There, spread out on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies! Was it heaven or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture, one hand on the edge of the table. The aged and withered hand quiveringly made its way to a cookie near the edge of the table; feeling the warm soft dough actually made the pain of his bones subside for a moment. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth, seemingly bringing him back to life.
All at once he felt a sting on his hand. He looked up to see his wife, still holding the spatula she had just used to smack his hand, saying: "Stay out of those! They’re for the funeral."
