7 Star Hotel & 40 Million Minutes Series

7 STAR HOTEL

When traveling, I, like you, click onto one of the many travel sites on the internet and begin to book my reservation. And though I want a clean room, a morning breakfast, and some amenities that include a coffee maker, I would technically settle for running water if the price is right, but that’s just me. Others I know look at the more distinguished places with large rooms, business suites, and breath-taking views, and for those who can afford to travel in some luxury, a three, four, or even a five star hotel may not be uncommon.

Have you ever heard of a seven star hotel? I surely hadn’t, but then I also had never heard of the Burj Al Arab Hotel located in Dubai—the only seven star rated hotel in the world.

Looking at pictures, this brilliantly lighted hotel raises up from the coastline in majestic fashion, resembling a massive sailing boat already put out to sea. With a private reception desk located on every floor, hundreds of professionally dressed butlers, and your very own chauffer driven Rolls Royce, saying the owner spared no expense is an understatement.

As the fourth tallest hotel in world history, the 2006 chef of the year owns and maintains a restaurant near the top that boasts a panoramic view of the waters and city below. Another restaurant, accessible only by submarine, holds a giant seawater aquarium with glass that is over 7 inches thick. Be careful before you book your reservation, rooms are full in numerous seasons during the year and the prices never seem to drop.

I don’t think I would ever be spending a night at this prestigious hotel. In fact, I know I won’t. But besides the historically high price tag preventing my family of seven from gracing the resort with our presence, I can’t sleep there because of a different reason. And that is when I lay my head down for the night on a pillow and drift off to sleep, all of the sudden, every hotel room in the world looks the same to me. And I would just assume sleep in Gulf Pearl Hotel located about two blocks a way for $53 than sleep in a sailboat that doesn’t even sail for twenty times that.

People spend a lot of money for short term pleasures. If we are honest, people spend a lot of money obtaining possessions that ultimately dust and decay. Though I completely understand living life to the fullest and enjoying the blessings that God has given to us, the truth is that when the game is over, everything goes back into the box.

The Bible says in the parable of the rich landowner in Luke 12: “Then someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator between you two?” Then he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourself from all types of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” He then told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”

Friends, while we live in America and indulge in our never-ceasing search for adventure and an abundant life, make absolutely sure you put the Lord Jesus Christ first. Otherwise, as scripture states, we are just a fool. Amen.

40 MILLION MINUTES

Mark 12:30 states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” After serving the Lord faithfully in ministry since 1993, and for over 8 years at my current church, the great body of Christ at First Baptist Church of Lake St. Louis, this statement still has me puzzled. Not that I don’t understand it, but that I see Christians blatantly not following it.

I mean, if we are to truly really love the Lord in this way, then why would curse words flow so readily from our mouths, why would be witness to others as little we do, why do we think so hard about missing worship when we are tired, why, why, why?