Month: January 2024

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Wise Counsel about Truth and Hypocrisy

Luke 12 Jesus reveals the hypocrisy of the Pharisees to his disciples and provides warning signs that they, too, could become just as counterfeit in their faith. To remain pure and true, Jesus repeatedly says “do not and do” in light of how they are to walk and live in the world. Hypocrites say one thing but often do another. Jesus is warning the disciples against those who wore long robes and flowing tassels as evidence they were seeking God’s approval through works, not the heart. Jesus pointed to them and said: Be on guard!

Jesus also warned the disciples about denial. Don’t fear those who kill the body because, after death, they are powerless. Later, John the Apostle would write: “The one who kills you will think he is offering service to God.” [Jn 16:2] Therefore, prepare your mind not to be fearful knowing this truth: “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” [Ps 116:15]

If God came for your soul today, would you be found true and faithful or a hypocrite?

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“A Manual on Prayer”

Luke 11 Our greatest need is not “how” to pray but to pray. When asked, Jesus gave his followers a simple manual consisting of three essential elements of prayer followed by two parables to show the relevance of prayer and ended with these words: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”[vs 28]
First, begin at the beginning: Hallow the Father’s name, for he is holy and abides in heaven: “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” [Ps 11:4]
Secondly, seek God’s forgiveness for sins of omission and commission so that you can forgive others. “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.” [1Jn 1:9]
Lastly, we seek God’s protection and direction to remain faithful. Claim the promise that Jesus has “Disarm[ed] the rulers and authorities; he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” [Col 2:15]

We ask then how should we pray. Pray shamelessly and confidently: “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.”[Heb 4:16] for “we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness” [Eph 3:12]

Beloved, prayer is how we remove the barriers that keep us from true fellowship with God.

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“Mission Impossible? NEVER!”

Luke 10 Jesus appointed 72 to take his message of love and compassion “into every town and place where he was about to go.” He told them to carry his message of peace so that all would know that ‘The kingdom of God has come.’ This message would be seen as foolishness and hidden from the minds of the wise and intelligent but revealed to the little children who will be saved by the power of God, for “God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching.” [1Cor 1:21]

These 72 were blessed beyond measure because “many prophets and kings longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” [ Luk 10:24] Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit when they returned, yet He responded by saying, “Rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.”

Beloved Rejoice! Your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Your mission is possible, for we have all that we need, for …“his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence…” [2Pet 1:3]

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“Who is Your God?”

Ps 6-7 Many have the mistaken idea that we can only come to God when we are on good behavior, but the Psalmist shows us that we can come boldly before the throne of grace at any time. The religious leaders, the political leaders, and the followers of Jesus were asking, “Who is he?” The Psalmist knew the answer! He is “my” God, the One who is immutable; He is “the same yesterday and today and forever!” [Heb 13:8] We can say this whether at peace within ourselves or when we recognize sin, which needs confessing. The Psalmist could always say “O Lord “my” God”—-Jehovah, Elohim. God was his personal and close confidant to whom he could turn at all times and all seasons of life. He knew that God would be as close as a whispered prayer, song, or voice proclaimed loudly. Because of that, he was able to come to God asking to change him from within so he might live a righteous life, which should also be our goal. “The righteous by faith will live.” [Rom 1:17]

Stop and consider: can you say, like David, that God is “my” God in any circumstances?

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Seek and ye shall find…

Luke 9 Jesus called King Herod that old fox because he was known for his cruelty and at one point had John the Baptist beheaded. Now he hears news that some people were saying John had been raised from the dead. You wonder if his conscience began to bother him? God has a way of bringing things to our remembrance, so we might seek His answers for our questions. Herod, like many, are not moved by faith to go and seek the answers, but will remain perplexed. Herod is a picture of slothfulness; unwilling to step out and see for himself. How many people are just like that? They say they want to know but their behavior reveals only a surfaced desire. In reality they would rather someone else find the answer than do it for themselves. Herod would get an F in God’s grade book.

God has placed this story here to remind us that He alone has answers to our dilemmas but we are also responsible to seek them for ourselves and not leave that step to another.

Herod may be sitting in his courtroom wondering but in the meantime, the ministry of Jesus moves onward. The people’s questions were like Herod’s but instead of sitting and waiting, they welcomed Jesus and His teaching and there were about 5000 men. Jesus challenged the disciples to solve the problem of feeding such a large crowd. Again, Jesus is teaching us that He has the answers to all of life’s problems.

What problem are you facing and will you step up and search out the answers for yourself?

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The Sower and the Seeds

Luke 8: Dr. Luke takes us on a whirlwind tour of Israel and includes both men and women who brought blessings to our Lord. Some brought material blessings, and their names are written so we might see how God uses each person and their gifts for kingdom work. As he moves from one locale to another, He teaches the principles of what it means to be in and part of the kingdom. He sows the seed of the Word of God so that each one might understand the soil of their heart and choose to accept or reject the truth of His Word. 

Living in an agrarian society, people understood that although the sower had precious seeds, not all germinated. Just as the soil must be adequately prepared for germination, only the ready and prepared heart will accept what God requires.

Jesus has left us the Word of God, and we are now the sowers. Are we casting His Word to the lost? 

Photo courtesy of Redeeming God.

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What does your heart reveal?

Luke 7: Do you have a heart of compassion for the most needy among our society or do you wonder and think that there is no hope for them. Listen to the story Jesus has recorded for us about two individuals; one is a noted sinner and the other is one who feels or thinks he is the righteous one. The most “righteous” one says to himself, doesn’t he realize what kind of woman this is that has come uninvited to my home? How often do we too make judgments and we presume without the compassion of God? That was Simon, the Pharisee.

The scene is this: Simon invited Jesus to dinner and while dinner was being served, a woman of the streets crept in uninvited and lay down at the feet of Jesus. Scandalous! Doesn’t Jesus realize who she is? While this happening, Jesus tenderly turns to her as she lay weeping, wiping his feet with her tears and pronounces her faith and her forgiveness. Jesus then turns to Simon and in compassion asks him about who should be more forgiven, the one who has sinned much or the one who has sinned little. 

Jesus placed this story here to remind us that we quickly presume and often judge without compassion. We wonder if Simon learned that lesson that evening. We never know when Jesus will open our eyes to our sin and our lack of compassion. Be alert! We are not forgiven because of our many works but because our heart is open to His love. 

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Are you preparing for eternity?

Luke 6 How do you see and experience true wisdom and a life that produces rewards? Remember, what you have now is temporal, and if you have nothing but obedience, then that will be rewarded not here but in the afterlife. Jesus wanted the religious leaders to look around them. Did they see those who were poor, hungry, weeping, and hated by the establishment?  Jesus was the same; He left his heavenly home to live a life just as you. He had no place to lay his head, was hungry, and wept because of the inequities of this earthly life. Jesus was challenging the religious leaders to look and see and then do. He wanted them and us to love and trust Him, but they were more concerned about rules and traditions than obedience. He left them with this illustration.

Two men wanted to build a house. One chose the rocky high ground, and the task was tedious and lengthy. The other wanted his house done quickly, so he decided on the ground that was not firm. God sent storms into their lives to test them, but the one who had gathered promptly lost it when the storm of life came. The one who diligently worked at this task to build a sure foundation weathered that storm, and his house stood firm. 

Each should decide not to live life for the here and now but for the future. Each of the houses, land, and words of others will all pass into eternity, but the lasting things is obedience to His word. 

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What is your excuse?

God doesn't want excuses

Luke 5: Fishing takes patience, and sometimes you catch nothing, which was the case in this chapter. Peter and his companions had toiled all night but caught nothing. Jesus found them on the seashore, cleaning, repairing, and storing their nets for another day. How often is this precisely where He finds us and what we do when Jesus appears on the scene? He wants us to join Him in the work, but first, we must be willing to listen and obey just as Peter needed to do. Are you discouraged and use excuses why you can’t obey? Like Peter, we often say “but” before we follow. How patient is our Lord with our excuses. He waits and watches while we twiddle our thumbs and offer excuses why this or that cannot be accomplished. Then, He steps in to show us His power to overcome our excuses. The result is that He demonstrates His power and our excuses become as nothing. 

Where are you today in your thinking? Are you on the seashore mending your nets or out in the deep where Jesus can touch your heart for a new beginning? Will you now believe you can fish for men, not just fish? 

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God is our Protector and Vindicator

Psalm 3-5 Throughout the OT, we read of the enemies of God who seek to undermine and destroy His people. It is the same today as we have recently seen the enemies of Israel being killed by Hamas. As David noted in this psalm, these enemies say, “God will not deliver him.” The men in Babylon said the same about Daniel and his three Hebrew friends. The enemy says that, but they fail to realize that God is “a shield that protects.” That is why we can rest and continue our daily activities just as Daniel did. [See Daniel 6] So what principle can believers cling to in times of crisis?

First, do not be afraid. Elisha told his servant that our side outnumbers them. Secondly, do as Elisha did; pray that God closes the eyes of the enemy and opens our eyes so we can see God’s army. [2 Kings 6:16-17] Thirdly, trust God and do not rely on your own understanding as Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3. Lastly realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor. [Ps 4:3] Even with all these steps, we still need to cry to God for His help and then wait expectantly. [Ps 5:3]

How good are you at waiting? What fear has presented itself to you this day? Will you take these steps so you can rest in Him?

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