Category: Luke

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Better Than Sacrifice

How hard is it for you to forgive? Sounds like a loaded question doesn’t it?

Last week Dave and I heard a heart-stirring message on forgiveness. I think I do a good job not holding a grudge or offense. It seems to be easy to forgive, for the most part. But then an old memory comes to mind and I get all churned up inside. I go to the Lord and lay it at his feet, again.

When we look at forgiveness from a strictly personal, human perspective it can seem almost impossible to forgive some and easy to forgive others. It all depends on how deeply we have been hurt or wronged.

Forgiveness seems to be based on our feelings and we often don’t want to take responsibility for letting them go.

In this morning’s reading Jesus was teaching on this very thing.

“Jesus said to his disciples: There will always be something that causes people to sin. But anyone who causes them to sin is in for trouble. A person who causes even one of my little followers to sin would be better off thrown into the ocean with a heavy stone tied around their neck. 3 So be careful what you do. Correct any followers of mine who sin, and forgive the ones who say they are sorry. 4 Even if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, “I am sorry,” you should still forgive that person.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Make our faith stronger!’

6 Jesus replied: If you had faith no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would! 7 If your servant comes in from plowing or from taking care of the sheep, would you say, “Welcome! Come on in and have something to eat”? 8 No, you wouldn’t say that. You would say, “Fix me something to eat. Get ready to serve me, so I can have my meal. Then later on you can eat and drink.” 9 Servants don’t deserve special thanks for doing what they are supposed to do. 10 And that’s how it should be with you. When you’ve done all you should, then say, “We are merely servants, and we have simply done our duty.” Luke 17:1-10 CEV

Jesus talked to his disciples about forgiveness. They tried to make it a “faith” issue. Jesus quickly refuted that and told them they didn’t need more faith – even a small amount of faith was sufficient to make earth moving changes.

What he did talk to them about was their obedience. Verses 1 through 5 don’t seem to tie together with verses 6 through 10 but read it again and you will see the correlation. Jesus starts in verse 6 telling them their faith is sufficient and then immediately goes into a teaching on obedience, the obedience of a servant.

The disciples, servants of Jesus, are being challenged to obey what the Master has said. Forgive!

Take forgiveness out of the realm of feelings and place it where it belongs – it is an act of obedience! We don’t need to struggle with doing something we are commanded to do. Just obey!

“ But Samuel answered, “Which pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the Lord than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams” I Samuel 15:22 ERV

Obey because it’s what the Father has instructed us to do. Obey and know that we have done our duty as a servant of the most high God.

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Refreshed – The Good Part

You all know how much I love to sit in the morning quiet and spend time with the Father. This morning is no different than the others. But I am finding such a refreshing for my soul.

We had a wonderful 4th weekend. It was filled with friends. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we had some business to take care of, and we just enjoyed the contact with family.

As I came to my morning quiet time today, I am finding the Father here to restore my soul. I’m feeling refreshed, encouraged and energized!

“Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. 2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures, he leads me by quiet water, 3 he restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.” Psalm 23:1-3 CJB Complete Jewish Bible.

I feel so blessed to know that the Father knows what I need when I need it!

He loved spending time with His friends and ministering to the needs of those who followed Him. Jesus also knew the importance of pulling away and spending time with the Father. It was in those times that He was refreshed.

I think that’s why He told Martha that she was “cumbered about with much serving”. Jesus made himself a servant to all so He knew the responsibility of meeting the needs of others. And like Mary, He knew when it was time to “Choose the good part” and listen to the Father.

“While Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

It seems all too often we get caught up doing too many things and we get upset and anxious, we lose our joy. BUT GOD, wants us to focus on the “one thing” that will restore our soul and bring us peace. He wants us to follow Him to green pastures and feed on His word.

Thank you Father for restoring and refreshing. Thank you for friends and family who fill my home with so much love. Thank you for reminding me to choose the good part!

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At Peace in the World

There is unrest all around us but that doesn’t mean we have to be anxious or fearful.

Jesus told his disciples of a time when there would be wars and rumors of wars, pestilence and famine. A time when the hearts of men will fail them because of fear. But the message didn’t stop there. Jesus went on to say, Stand strong!

“Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won’t know what to do. 26 People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26 CEV

Jesus message to us is never one of fear – it always focuses on faith and peace. The night before His arrest these were the words to His disciples.

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.'” John 14:1 CEV

Throughout the evening He continued to speak hope, peace and faith to them. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew it would be frightening and unnerving.

“  I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 CEV

What Jesus was sharing with His disciples wasn’t a “head in the sand” mentality. Quite the opposite. A head in the sand outlook ignores what’s happening, a head in the world sees what’s happening and feels hopeless and helpless. But a head in God’s word sees what God says to do in turbulent times – fear not, have faith, be at peace.

“ I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” John 16:33 CEV

Jesus spent His last night, the last supper, telling His disciples about the Father. His message to them was one of God’s goodness.

In His final hour before arrest, Jesus spent His time telling the Father about His disciples. His final prayer was for us to know the Father’s love.

“ I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me… 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me…25 Good Father, the people of this world don’t know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.” John 17:24-26 CEV

When fear strikes your heart, listen to the Holy Spirit. He will remind you to “be at peace, Christ has overcome the world”.

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Mighty Warrior

Those words are meant to describe each one of us. Retired or student, homemaker or executive, tall or short, degree or GED – our personal accomplishments or lack thereof are not what qualify us as mighty warriors.

Gideon was a man of no acclaim. Society didn’t recognize him as someone who was most likely to succeed or lead in local government. In fact, his family was the least important in his village and he was the last son of the last son on his family tree.

The Israelites had been under attack from the Midianites. At harvest, the Midianites would sweep in and steal their wheat crop, leaving them to starve. But God…

Gideon was threshing wheat in a pit when the Lord came to him. He was trying to conceal his actions from the Midianites. He was hiding. Not quite the actions you would expect to be taken by a mighty man of valor.

“The Midianites took almost everything that belonged to the Israelites, and the Israelites begged the Lord for help…One day an angel from the Lord went to the town of Ophrah and sat down under the big tree that belonged to Joash, a member of the Abiezer clan. Joash’s son Gideon was nearby, threshing grain in a shallow pit, where he could not be seen by the Midianites. 12 The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, ‘The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.’” Judges 6:6-12 CEV

The Father sees all of us where we are, looks at our hearts and calls us to be courageous. It’s not by our own efforts or talents but by His ability. He simply wants us to be available to do what He asks.

“ Gideon answered, ‘Please don’t take this wrong, but if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened? We’ve heard how the Lord performed miracles and rescued our ancestors from Egypt. But those things happened long ago. Now the Lord has abandoned us to the Midianites.’

14 Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.'” Judges 6:13-14 CEV

Please note, the Lord didn’t chastise Gideon for asking questions. Instead, He reaffirmed His plan.

The Lord says the same thing to us.

“ Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 CEV

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

“ God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 CEV

Whether you are putting on your work boots and jeans, or flip flops and shorts you are a mighty warrior. Our heavenly Father has called each of us to a specific purpose, He will not abandon or desert us.

Get going mighty warrior, face the day and let God provide you with power!

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Waiting With Open Arms

As I was finishing up yesterday’s blog the last words of the song “Welcome to My World” recreated a vivid memory.

“I’ll be waiting there, with my arms unfurled

Waiting just for you, Welcome to my world.”

I saw the Father in the story of the prodigal son, watching and waiting for his son to return.

“The son got up and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to the workmen he owned, ‘Hurry! Get the best coat and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23 Bring the calf that is fat and kill it. Let us eat and be glad. 24 For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’” Luke 15:20-24 NLV

It’s hard to think of a day in my life without the Lord. Almost impossible! Even during the days when I wasn’t serving Him, when I was being the prodigal – I knew He was there!

He let me do things my way, but trying to find the “best” way without Him only brought frustration and disappointment. Maybe you’ve been there or maybe you’re there now.

You think you’ve gone too far in living life on your own. Can God really love you? Does He really care?

It’s hard to be the prodigal. Everything depends on you and your own efforts. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. God never intended for you to do that.

“Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. 2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God.” Isaiah 43:1-3 ERV

We have His promise that He will not abandon us; He will never leave us or desert us.

“Lord, teach me your ways, and I will live and obey your truths. Help me make worshiping your name the most important thing in my life. 12 My Lord God, I praise you with all my heart. I will honor your name forever! 13 You have such great love for me. You save me from the place of death.” Psalm 86:11-13 ERV

Today I can see how He always brought me around. I’ve heard the words of the Father “ For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.”

He’s waiting just for you, welcoming you home!

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Welcome to My World

Last night we were having dinner with a group of friends and somehow the conversation turned to country music. We talked about those we felt were great songwriters and recording artists.

I was asked who my country western artist was. I only had to think for a minute because I have several who share the top spot for me but then I answered Eddy Arnold. He was Country Music Entertainer of the Year for several years, had a smooth voice and a kind smile.

But what’s all that have to do with this morning’s blog? I’m glad you asked.

One of the songs I remember hearing most often was “Welcome to My World”. Those lyrics were running through my mind this morning as I sat quietly, lifting my prayers to the Lord.

“Welcome to my world won’t you come on in
Miracles I guess still happen now and then
Step into my heart leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world built with you in mind

Knock and the door will open seek and you will find
Ask and you’ll be given the key to this world of mine
I’ll be waiting here with my arms unfurled
Waiting just for you welcome to my world”

This of course is a love song and as I hummed the melody and allowed the lyrics to flow through my mind it became a love song to me from my heavenly Father.

He invites us to leave our cares behind. He planned our world for us before it was created. He told us to ask, knock and seek; He’s waiting with outstretched arms.

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.” Ephesians 1:3-4 CEV

“So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. 10 Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks.” Luke 11:9-10 CEV

“The Lord God is waiting to show how kind he is and to have pity on you. The Lord always does right; he blesses those who trust him.” Isaiah 30:18 CEV

You see, even a country-western song can convey the message of God’s faithfulness and love.

Welcome to my World!

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Break Every Chain

I just read and heard a young woman’s prayer at her high school graduation. It was a prayer of power for her fellow students, faculty, parents and friends.

It was a prayer of power for their futures, breaking addiction, depression, oppression, and setting them on a path of knowing God deeply and walking in His presence. It is a prayer that I said a heartfelt AMEN to, praying those words with her over my family, friends and co-workers.

It was the words of Jesus, words that are filled with truth and power. Words that bring about that change we were talking about yesterday.

Jesus knew the power of God’s word. He returned the from desert where He had been tempted by Satan. Satan tempted Him with power, possessions and position. Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written”.

“ Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue as he always did. He stood up to read. 17 The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. He opened the book and found the place where this is written:

18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor.
He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.‘

20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. As everyone in the synagogue watched him closely, 21 he began to speak to them. He said, “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true!” Luke 4:16-21 ERV

Jesus brought that same power that He had used to defeat Satan to the people in the synagogue. “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true”!

While you read these words, this very minute, they are coming true for you! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The words He spoke to them, He also speaks over us. The freedom and the power that infused the word of God then is the same for today.

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 ERV

There’s a song that is filling my heart as I finish this writing. It is my prayer for you. “I Speak Jesus”

“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire”

I tell you today that Jesus paid the price and broke the chains that imprisoned you!

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Mighty to Change

Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see.

That’s the start of a children’s action song that we sang when I was a little girl in Sunday School. It started a train of thoughts this morning about God’s ability to bring about mighty changes in our lives.

“The Changed Life of Zaccheus

19 Jesus went on to the city of Jericho and was passing through it. 2 There was a rich man named Zaccheus. He was a leader of those who gathered taxes. 3 Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus but he could not because so many people were there and he was a short man. 4 He ran ahead and got up into a sycamore tree to see Him. Jesus was going by that way.

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw Zaccheus. He said, “Zaccheus, come down at once. I must stay in your house today.” 6 At once he came down and was glad to have Jesus come to his house. 7 When the people saw it, they began to complain among themselves. They said, “He is going to stay with a man who is known to be a sinner.”

8 Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord, “Lord, see! Half of what I own I will give to poor people. And if I have taken money from anyone in a wrong way, I will pay him back four times as much.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today, a person has been saved in this house. This man is a Jew also. 10 For the Son of Man came to look for and to save from the punishment of sin those who are lost.” Luke 19:1-9 NLV

Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus – everyone had but he hadn’t seen Him. He was curious, he wanted to see what this teacher and miracle worker looked like. I don’t think he went thinking that Jesus would change his life. The woman with the issue of blood did that; she knew she needed to touch Jesus to receive her healing. The man with the daughter on the verge of death knew he needed to get Jesus to come to his house and touch his daughter or she would die. But Zacchaeus just wanted to see Jesus, who was this man?

However, being face-to-face with Jesus, eating with Him, talking with Him effected a marvelous change. A once greedy and dishonest man went through a complete metamorphosis in one afternoon.

Jesus didn’t demand that Zaccheus give back money he had taken wrongfully. We don’t have any evidence that Jesus even mentioned his shady business dealings. Yet, it happened.

“For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun.” II Corinthians 5:17 NLV

Belonging to Christ brings change. Change in our attitudes, change in our perspective, change in our character and in our lifestyle. Greed is replaced by gratitude, fear gives place to faith. Kindness occupies the space that cruelty had dominated. Love lives where self-centeredness stayed.

Like a caterpillar our lives are transformed by the power of God’s love!

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Make A List

I sit here thinking about eternity…eternity! That’s a very long time, I said to myself with a smile.

But what I thought about the most was those who will be in the Father’s eternal heaven. Think about this for a moment. Make a list of twenty people who you would want to join you on an island retreat – not like survivor – but a nice retreat. There would be no TV, internet or computers. Just good old-fashioned conversation and friendship. Being with them for a week or two is one thing but what about eternity.

Now think about God and the fact that He has invited us to spend eternity with Him. (Let that sink in.)

Eternity.

His perfect love – mercy – grace, perfect God invited us to live in His presence for eternity.

He made His list and it included all of our names. We’ve been invited but sadly, not everyone will accept His invitation. Some will reject His invitation, but He has made it open ended.

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

“Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.” I John 2:2 CEV

King David thought about this when he wrote:

“ You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.” Psalm 23:5-6 NLV

Jesus said to the thief who was on the cross next to His:

“Jesus said to him, “For sure, I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 NLV

God the Father made His list of those He would like to spend eternity with and all of our names were on it.

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:29-30 NLT

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” Ephesians 1:4-6 NLT

Some of you who are reading this I have never met before, but I am excited to think that I will get to spend time in eternity getting to know you.

I’m so glad the Father put us on His list!

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Promised Peace

Yesterday a friend and I began a time of Bible study. The Lord led me to begin a verse by verse study of Colossians. I love that book!

I honestly know that there isn’t a wasted word in the Bible. All scripture is God inspired and given to help us grow, to correct and instruct us so that we will be thoroughly furnished for every good work.

I spent a lot of time just on verse 2.

“To the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father.” Colossians 1:2 ERV

This is not a generic “hi, how ya doing” greeting. Paul wanted this message to permeate all he was about to say. He was under house arrest in Rome. He was no longer able to meet with these young believers personally. He wanted their lives to be guided by peace and filled with grace.

God wants that for every believer. Grace – the forgiveness and restitution of our lives to relationship with the Father. Peace – the absence of fear, doubt and stress.

We spent a good deal of time right there. God gives us promised peace. Jesus said to his disciples:

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27 ERV

He said knowing He would be crucified in the next few hours. If ever there was a time for peace it was then. Jesus was reassuring them that everything would be ok. That promise is good for us too.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

Slow down enough to let that sink in. God gives true peace to those who trust Him – so trust Him always! That’s how we live in peace – trusting the Lord. He is our place of safety.

Remember the message of the angels as they announced the birth of Christ?

“Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.” Luke 2:14 ERV

Peace on earth came through Jesus. This was God’s plan from the beginning. He wanted the relationship He had with Adam and Eve in the garden to be restored. Jesus came to fulfill that plan.

“And through him, God was happy to bring all things back to himself again— things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace by using the blood sacrifice of his Son on the cross.” Colossians 1:20 ERV

God has promised us peace. Emotional peace, internal peace and spiritual peace. I am certain of this when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Peace comes to those who trust so…trust Him always!

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