Luke 11:24-26
24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
If we are not with God in Christ, then we are overpowered and overtaken by unseen evil; our fleeting good works cannot secure us from the evil one if we are apart from Jesus. If we are in Christ then we must still put on godliness after putting off sinful habits in word, deed, and thoughts. For if we only stop doing wrong and neglect to fill the void with good, we are overtaken by sin yet again.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
With the Finger of God
Luke 11:20-23
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
When Jesus did impossible things to show the kingdom of God was there in Himself, He was accused of doing the devil's work. Jesus explained that He had taken away the given authority of Satan because He did God's work - and action was required to stand with Him against the evil. Inaction of belief is opposition to Jesus and the kingdom of God, and scatters the ones not in union with Him.
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
When Jesus did impossible things to show the kingdom of God was there in Himself, He was accused of doing the devil's work. Jesus explained that He had taken away the given authority of Satan because He did God's work - and action was required to stand with Him against the evil. Inaction of belief is opposition to Jesus and the kingdom of God, and scatters the ones not in union with Him.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Ask, Seek, Knock (A.S.K.)
Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Persistence in prayer leads ultimately to being reborn, renewed with God living in us as a new heart was told of by Ezekiel. Persistence leads us to an open door, grace received, and what we look for to be found. So we continue to ask, seek, and knock for each day's grace as well. God is a good Father, and does not answer with lesser gifts.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Persistence in prayer leads ultimately to being reborn, renewed with God living in us as a new heart was told of by Ezekiel. Persistence leads us to an open door, grace received, and what we look for to be found. So we continue to ask, seek, and knock for each day's grace as well. God is a good Father, and does not answer with lesser gifts.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Persistence
Luke 11:5-8
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, “Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Friendship may not motivate us to inconvenience ourselves to help, but persistence can influence us to help as we see the need must be real and pressing. So God teaches us to persist in prayer, asking and not giving up. If the need is real, He knows, and answers when seeing our persistent pleading relies on His grace for fulfillment.
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, “Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Friendship may not motivate us to inconvenience ourselves to help, but persistence can influence us to help as we see the need must be real and pressing. So God teaches us to persist in prayer, asking and not giving up. If the need is real, He knows, and answers when seeing our persistent pleading relies on His grace for fulfillment.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Ask and Trust God
Luke 11:3-4
3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
We should both ask and trust God to provide what we really need (essentials) every day. And before we begin asking forgiveness from Him, we need to clear the slate with others, not holding grudges or retaliating in words or actions. How do we want God to deal with us? And we pray for guidance away from what tempts us, yet do our part to avoid the obvious traps set by our adversary. So should we pray.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
We should both ask and trust God to provide what we really need (essentials) every day. And before we begin asking forgiveness from Him, we need to clear the slate with others, not holding grudges or retaliating in words or actions. How do we want God to deal with us? And we pray for guidance away from what tempts us, yet do our part to avoid the obvious traps set by our adversary. So should we pray.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Pattern of Prayer that Glorifies
Luke 11:2
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is to our Father in heaven - we must know Him through the Son first to have the required relationship to have a listening ear. We who are His should begin with acknowledging His holiness and glorify Him. Then we should ask for His will, not our desires, to come to pass. Then His sovereign reign and coming kingdom where sin is punished and grace is given in a renewed creation.
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer is to our Father in heaven - we must know Him through the Son first to have the required relationship to have a listening ear. We who are His should begin with acknowledging His holiness and glorify Him. Then we should ask for His will, not our desires, to come to pass. Then His sovereign reign and coming kingdom where sin is punished and grace is given in a renewed creation.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Teach Us To Pray, Lord
Luke 11:1
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
How did John teach his disciples to pray? There is no record of it, but what John taught was to point others to Jesus. So John may have taught them to pray for forgiveness in a repentant spirit and to be ready for the Messiah. But Jesus then taught them to address God as their Father as well, and to honor and glorify Him in trust and obedience out of love. This was not as John taught, yet it was a fulfillment of all Scripture and what John looked forward to. So Jesus taught us how (not the exact words of 'what') to speak with God.
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
How did John teach his disciples to pray? There is no record of it, but what John taught was to point others to Jesus. So John may have taught them to pray for forgiveness in a repentant spirit and to be ready for the Messiah. But Jesus then taught them to address God as their Father as well, and to honor and glorify Him in trust and obedience out of love. This was not as John taught, yet it was a fulfillment of all Scripture and what John looked forward to. So Jesus taught us how (not the exact words of 'what') to speak with God.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Choose to Hear God
Luke 10:39-42
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Do we take time to build on what lasts forever, hearing and taking heed to all God says? Or are we caught up in doing good for works' sake alone or in part? We serve God first by knowing Him and then what we should do and how we must live - from His word. The daily sitting at our Lord's feet while we read, study, memorize, and meditate on all He told us is the foundation of our eternity.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Do we take time to build on what lasts forever, hearing and taking heed to all God says? Or are we caught up in doing good for works' sake alone or in part? We serve God first by knowing Him and then what we should do and how we must live - from His word. The daily sitting at our Lord's feet while we read, study, memorize, and meditate on all He told us is the foundation of our eternity.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Who is My Neighbor?
Luke 10:29-37
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Our example here is to love our neighbor by action, helping those in need. We do not need to justify inaction by judgement or prejudice, but see the real need and do what we are able in order to show mercy and grace. This is especially true of victims as in this passage. May God help us to go and do likewise, and not avoid by walking hurriedly away from a safe distance on the other side of the road of life.
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Our example here is to love our neighbor by action, helping those in need. We do not need to justify inaction by judgement or prejudice, but see the real need and do what we are able in order to show mercy and grace. This is especially true of victims as in this passage. May God help us to go and do likewise, and not avoid by walking hurriedly away from a safe distance on the other side of the road of life.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Do This and Live
Luke 10:25-28
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
These two commands would lead to eternal life if it was possible to love both God and man completely. Unfortunately, we all are born with sin running in our veins that has been passed down like spiritual DNA, and so all fall short of God's standard of perfection. But Jesus Christ did live perfectly and did love absolutely because He was God and man. Thus He took our sentence for sin and was tried and put to death on our behalf - and rose from death to life. By accepting these truths we come to Him for new and eternal life. This is Easter's good news.
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
These two commands would lead to eternal life if it was possible to love both God and man completely. Unfortunately, we all are born with sin running in our veins that has been passed down like spiritual DNA, and so all fall short of God's standard of perfection. But Jesus Christ did live perfectly and did love absolutely because He was God and man. Thus He took our sentence for sin and was tried and put to death on our behalf - and rose from death to life. By accepting these truths we come to Him for new and eternal life. This is Easter's good news.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Regenerating Faith is Gift
Luke 10:21-24
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” 23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
The things revealed in a new birth are like a new set of eyes; our wisdom and learning always fall short, and as little children eager to hear we come through God's Son to see His face. God chose the foolishness of the cross to put our sin to death and give us life now and forever with His very presence within - so we see what rulers and religious leaders alike long to glimpse. This is grace in mercy, acquitted and given a gift undeserved with punishment taken for us - the good news.
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” 23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
The things revealed in a new birth are like a new set of eyes; our wisdom and learning always fall short, and as little children eager to hear we come through God's Son to see His face. God chose the foolishness of the cross to put our sin to death and give us life now and forever with His very presence within - so we see what rulers and religious leaders alike long to glimpse. This is grace in mercy, acquitted and given a gift undeserved with punishment taken for us - the good news.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Names Written in Heaven
Luke 10:17-20
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Rejoicing in Christ is being eternally grateful for our reconciliation to our Father through the unwarranted and undeserved punishment to death of His Son for us. Because my name is written in His book, I rejoice, no matter what things I am able to do in His strength and in His name here.
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Rejoicing in Christ is being eternally grateful for our reconciliation to our Father through the unwarranted and undeserved punishment to death of His Son for us. Because my name is written in His book, I rejoice, no matter what things I am able to do in His strength and in His name here.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Salvation Only Through Christ
Luke 10:13-16
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
Many will hear or see what God can do as Christ, yet still reject Him, choosing their own faulty reasoning and desires over their creator. Many are called, few chosen, and the heart of man without God's work in the heart will remain set on self accomplishment and self reliance. Until we rely on God and trust He has done it all, we cannot and will not find reconciliation with Him and peace in our eternal souls.
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
Many will hear or see what God can do as Christ, yet still reject Him, choosing their own faulty reasoning and desires over their creator. Many are called, few chosen, and the heart of man without God's work in the heart will remain set on self accomplishment and self reliance. Until we rely on God and trust He has done it all, we cannot and will not find reconciliation with Him and peace in our eternal souls.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Wipe off Dust of Rejection
Luke 10:9-12
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
This may not be our approach to those who refuse to listen to the gospel, but important principles apply. There is a point at which their refusal leads us to move on to those who have an ear to hear, for we cannot force the truth where no work of God is active in the listener. They individually are held accountable on the day they stand before our God, and our responsibility is to bear witness of the truth and allow God to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
This may not be our approach to those who refuse to listen to the gospel, but important principles apply. There is a point at which their refusal leads us to move on to those who have an ear to hear, for we cannot force the truth where no work of God is active in the listener. They individually are held accountable on the day they stand before our God, and our responsibility is to bear witness of the truth and allow God to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Lambs among Wolves
Luke 10:3-6
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
We should not be out for gain from the gospel, but trust God to use others to meet our needs as Paul also wrote about. If they will not feed and shelter the ones bringing life's sustenance in spiritual things, whether traveling or in one then will peace be among them? This is not a mandate, but a good example to follow.
3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
We should not be out for gain from the gospel, but trust God to use others to meet our needs as Paul also wrote about. If they will not feed and shelter the ones bringing life's sustenance in spiritual things, whether traveling or in one then will peace be among them? This is not a mandate, but a good example to follow.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Laborers in Great Harvest
Luke 10:1-2
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
After Jesus told those who wanted to follow Him to first count the cost of it, He sent out the disciples to labor in the fields with the news of the kingdom. They were told a rich harvest needed men to venture forth into the people to begin reaping. We now have the gospel since Jesus fulfilled all and it has been laid out more fully to know and make Him known. So we pray for workers to plant, water, and harvest, and do so ourselves.
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
After Jesus told those who wanted to follow Him to first count the cost of it, He sent out the disciples to labor in the fields with the news of the kingdom. They were told a rich harvest needed men to venture forth into the people to begin reaping. We now have the gospel since Jesus fulfilled all and it has been laid out more fully to know and make Him known. So we pray for workers to plant, water, and harvest, and do so ourselves.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Don't Look Back!
Luke 9:61-62
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Another aspect of following Christ is that we must always look forward, not back at either past failures or successes, except to be humbled by and learn from them. Once we begin God's work in following to be conformed to Christ, we cannot but move forward. That is where we aim toward and walk or run on to, His kingdom. This one thing I do...
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Another aspect of following Christ is that we must always look forward, not back at either past failures or successes, except to be humbled by and learn from them. Once we begin God's work in following to be conformed to Christ, we cannot but move forward. That is where we aim toward and walk or run on to, His kingdom. This one thing I do...
Friday, March 11, 2016
Go and Preach the Gospel!
Luke 9:57-60
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
When we are drawn to follow Jesus, are we ready for the possibility of not having a house over our head or a permanent address? Could we be so about God's work that we miss taking care of elderly parents or even being unable to attend a funeral? We may not face these choices, but if we did, would we choose Jesus over comfort or family as many missionaries have over the years? Do we follow with that mindset?
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
When we are drawn to follow Jesus, are we ready for the possibility of not having a house over our head or a permanent address? Could we be so about God's work that we miss taking care of elderly parents or even being unable to attend a funeral? We may not face these choices, but if we did, would we choose Jesus over comfort or family as many missionaries have over the years? Do we follow with that mindset?
Thursday, March 10, 2016
To Save, Not Destroy
Luke 9:54-56
54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
When people reject Jesus and the gospel, we must not think they should get God's judgment immediately upon their heads. No, since we all are under His judgement already, we should care enough to let God continue to work in them to save them from that state and know His love in the mercy of the work done on the cross. Jesus came to bring life out of death, not death.
54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
When people reject Jesus and the gospel, we must not think they should get God's judgment immediately upon their heads. No, since we all are under His judgement already, we should care enough to let God continue to work in them to save them from that state and know His love in the mercy of the work done on the cross. Jesus came to bring life out of death, not death.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Face Set Like a Flint
Luke 9:51-53
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
Jesus had a plan to fulfill, so even the decision of a Samaritan town to reject Him was so He could keep moving to Jerusalem. He did not stop because there was a different destination, not because He was rejected. When God has a purpose, His sovereign will simply makes it happen no matter how we reason otherwise. As we follow Him, we must keep our face set to run that race to the goal while trusting Him for every twist and turn on the course.
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
Jesus had a plan to fulfill, so even the decision of a Samaritan town to reject Him was so He could keep moving to Jerusalem. He did not stop because there was a different destination, not because He was rejected. When God has a purpose, His sovereign will simply makes it happen no matter how we reason otherwise. As we follow Him, we must keep our face set to run that race to the goal while trusting Him for every twist and turn on the course.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Many On God's Side
Luke 9:49-50
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
Just because someone does not attend the same church that we do, as long as they are following Jesus Christ in sound teaching and from a repentant and regenerated heart, we must not speak against the work they do for Him. Many of our different church bodies perform similar but different roles - as long as essential doctrines of God, Christ, the Spirit, man, and salvation align with the Bible, we work together.
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
Just because someone does not attend the same church that we do, as long as they are following Jesus Christ in sound teaching and from a repentant and regenerated heart, we must not speak against the work they do for Him. Many of our different church bodies perform similar but different roles - as long as essential doctrines of God, Christ, the Spirit, man, and salvation align with the Bible, we work together.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Greatness in Receiving the Lowly
Luke 9:46-48
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Greatness in God's eyes is not about self, but serving others and their importance. Just as children were insignificant in Jesus' time, so He said to show them as valuable was to see His value. We serve God in serving others, seeing their value as God does. This servant humility is true greatness, not accolades from others.
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Greatness in God's eyes is not about self, but serving others and their importance. Just as children were insignificant in Jesus' time, so He said to show them as valuable was to see His value. We serve God in serving others, seeing their value as God does. This servant humility is true greatness, not accolades from others.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Hidden and Revealed Majesty
Luke 9:43-45
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
God's work can cause astonishment, but the hard parts are easy to gloss over as we either refuse to hear, or because some are beyond our growth (sanctification) at the time and may be missed. The disciples were told plainly that Jesus was about to be betrayed as the people around marveled at His work. How could this crowd do such things? So they could not grasp what they were told. Do we not grasp our own call to suffer and be rejected as His, focusing on the wonders He does in our lives instead?
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
God's work can cause astonishment, but the hard parts are easy to gloss over as we either refuse to hear, or because some are beyond our growth (sanctification) at the time and may be missed. The disciples were told plainly that Jesus was about to be betrayed as the people around marveled at His work. How could this crowd do such things? So they could not grasp what they were told. Do we not grasp our own call to suffer and be rejected as His, focusing on the wonders He does in our lives instead?
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Faithless?
Luke 9:38-42
38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
God took time to heal a man's only son when nobody could or believed it could be done. They did not have trusting belief, faith, that Jesus could - but the father did. So the Heavenly Father gave up and then raised up His only Son when we did not believe - and now opens our eyes to believe, trust His word and work, and be given new life in Christ. We are faithless but He is faithful!
38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
God took time to heal a man's only son when nobody could or believed it could be done. They did not have trusting belief, faith, that Jesus could - but the father did. So the Heavenly Father gave up and then raised up His only Son when we did not believe - and now opens our eyes to believe, trust His word and work, and be given new life in Christ. We are faithless but He is faithful!
Friday, March 4, 2016
Beholding His Glory
Luke 9:29-32
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
While praying with three trusted disciples, Jesus showed some of God's glory while they slept and He talked with dead prophets about His own death coming soon on a cross. When the disciples awoke, they fearfully spoke of setting up shrines to worship Him or commemorate the event. They missed the part of His suffering and death in our place. It is not the miracles or wonders of what Christ did, but in His glory what He did in our place on the cross, dying in our place to bring us to God and giving life in place of and out of death.
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
While praying with three trusted disciples, Jesus showed some of God's glory while they slept and He talked with dead prophets about His own death coming soon on a cross. When the disciples awoke, they fearfully spoke of setting up shrines to worship Him or commemorate the event. They missed the part of His suffering and death in our place. It is not the miracles or wonders of what Christ did, but in His glory what He did in our place on the cross, dying in our place to bring us to God and giving life in place of and out of death.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Lose Your Life to Find it
Luke 9:24-27
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
What is more important to gain than finding life unending in God's Son? How can we count our life and goals more important than the one who gives life to us? So we who are His can never be ashamed of that good news, never keeping quiet over what God said, and waiting in forgiven hope for Him to come back. Some disciples saw Jesus after this on the mountain, and they saw him rise from death. There was no shame after He gave them life and began living in them (as He now does with all who are reborn now).
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
What is more important to gain than finding life unending in God's Son? How can we count our life and goals more important than the one who gives life to us? So we who are His can never be ashamed of that good news, never keeping quiet over what God said, and waiting in forgiven hope for Him to come back. Some disciples saw Jesus after this on the mountain, and they saw him rise from death. There was no shame after He gave them life and began living in them (as He now does with all who are reborn now).
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Rejected and Raised to Follow
Luke 9:21-23
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Being the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus said He would suffer, be rejected by religious leaders, be killed (on a cross), and then come back to life from death. If we are to follow Him, we go where He went. This means we suffer and are rejected for the truth as we head toward willing sacrificial death for His sake - but also partake of life unending beginning now and into eternity. Truly the sufferings of the present are as nothing than the far greater to come. So we deny satisfying what we want from life to lay it down for Him and others to know.
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Being the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus said He would suffer, be rejected by religious leaders, be killed (on a cross), and then come back to life from death. If we are to follow Him, we go where He went. This means we suffer and are rejected for the truth as we head toward willing sacrificial death for His sake - but also partake of life unending beginning now and into eternity. Truly the sufferings of the present are as nothing than the far greater to come. So we deny satisfying what we want from life to lay it down for Him and others to know.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Who Do You Say I Am?
Luke 9:18-20
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
What matters above all else is that we have to see clearly who Jesus is. If He is just a prophet as Islam says, or just a good man or teacher as many others would like to believe, then we are still in God's justice to be judged and fairly sentenced. If however we see Him as the one from God among us, chosen before time to call us out as only God can, then we can find the certain hope for reconciliation in unearned mercy, forgiveness, and hope forever.
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
What matters above all else is that we have to see clearly who Jesus is. If He is just a prophet as Islam says, or just a good man or teacher as many others would like to believe, then we are still in God's justice to be judged and fairly sentenced. If however we see Him as the one from God among us, chosen before time to call us out as only God can, then we can find the certain hope for reconciliation in unearned mercy, forgiveness, and hope forever.
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