Luke 18:9-14 The Exalted Shall Be Humbled

Luke 18:9-14 NIV
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled.... I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Sometimes, it seems, there are those who just think they have to put others down. They justify their own sins by blaming others or they switch the focus off of their own sins as they point out someone else's supposed or imagined sins. Those who do this; those who falsely accuse others so that they can look good; in the end, will be humbled. The truth will prevail. And.. as for those innocent children of God who are falsely accused, they will be exalted.

Therefore; don't think too highly of yourself. Rather, humble yourself and take care of your children and the children of others rather than persecute them. Pray, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" and He will answer.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 18:1-8 Persistent Prayer and Justice

Luke 18:1-8 NIV - Judge Delivers Justice...
LOL (laugh out loud)! I laugh because God is absolutely amazing! I have seen Him deliver up justice when none thought it possible. Surely, He answers the prayers of the faithful. He listens and He answers! Don't give up! Keep on praying for those in need. Keep on praying for justice and it will be given you.

Justice is definitely included in His will for mankind. If earthly judges will deliver it up; surely our God will deliver it. Blessed are those who believe this and woe to those who are the adversaries of justice. God is good. He will deliver you from your adversaries. But, it would be good to make sure that you are not the adversary that is trying to deny justice to one of his little ones...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 17:20-37 - Kingdom In Your Midst

Luke 17:20-37 NIV
Luke 17:20-21 was one of those "aha" moments for me. I first encountered it about 30 plus years ago.

"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

These two little verses changed my whole way of thinking about what the Kingdom of God is and when we actually enter into the Kingdom. This Kingdom is not a place far away. Through Jesus Christ, it has entered into this world. All who believe live in that Kingdom even now.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 17:11-19 - Whole?

Luke 17:11-19 NIV
God answers prayer and he answers it abundantly. In the story of Jesus cleansing the ten lepers only one was made only. His faith made him whole.

What have you been asking for? What have you been receiving? When God heals you or when you get exactly what you want; ask yourself this:  Have you actually received the whole blessing that God gave you or only that little portion that you wanted and asked for? Sometimes, I think, we truly don't want to be made whole in His sight. We only want what we want and we get it we go about our merry way satisfied with less than God would have us receive.

Give thanks to the LORD and receive and live in His abundant grace!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 17:5-10 Increase Our Faith

Luke 17:5-10 NIV
If we had the faith as small as a mustard seed, we could do anything!

So here is how it seems to go... We don't accomplish much for the Kingdom because we simply don't have enough faith. Since we lack faith; we don't even try. Yes, we do our duties. We show up in church on Sunday (sometimes). We make some offerings (sometimes). We try to feed the hungry - that is if we have enough left over after we've taken care of all of our wants as well as our needs.

We are like the unworthy servants who have only done only what is required of us as servants (sometimes). But, Christ came that we might be His brothers and sisters, that we might be reconciled to Him and to one another, in the Father's glorious Kingdom. We are heirs of that Kingdom! So, do we want to live like servants or heirs. Heirs will take care of the Kingdom. They will go the extra mile to grow that Kingdom. Do you believe that you are an heir of that eternal Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ? Do you have faith that the Kingdom is yours - to live in it, now?

Lord, increase our faith!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 17:1-4 Jesus' Way

Luke 17:1-4 NIV
Only four verses and so much in them!

Jesus warns the disciples and us that we are to be very cautious on how we treat others. We are not to cause any one to sin. In other words, don't be teaching others to sin, either by word or example. And, if someone sins against you, forgive them. Actually what Jesus says is: “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (vs 4)

Please note that Jesus does not tell us that we are to accept everything that everybody does. Everything is not ok or beneficial. Sin needs to be addressed in order for others to not stumble; in order for us not to stumble. Christians sometimes get accused of not being very Christ-like because they will not accept sin simply as an alternative and acceptable way to be. There is only "One Way" for the Christian. Jesus is "The Way." To teach or approve of any other way is to set up a stumbling block. To close our eyes to sin or say that there is no sin is setting up a stumbling block for ourselves as well as for others. The consequences will be devastating. But, if a brother sins against a Christian, the Christian will bring it to their attention and when they repent will forgive them in order that neither of them will suffer consequences worse than have a millstone tied around their necks and thrown into the sea.

I'm ok.
You're ok.
When Jesus is "The Way." 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Luke 16:19-31 NIV - Dire Straits

Luke 16:19-31 NIV
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the rich man had been provided every opportunity to reach out to Lazarus in brotherly love. He did not. Once the rich man died and found himself alone and in extreme distress, there was no one to reach out to him. How different it would have been if he had allowed that poor beggar into his life while he was still living! He would have a friend now. Maybe, he would not be in the dire straits he found himself in, now.

From Hades, he begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his family to warn them so they don't end up like he has. For some reason the rich man thinks his family might listen to Lazarus even though he, himself, had paid no heed to him while he was alive.

No, Father Abraham replies. Your brothers will not listen to Lazarus. They did not listen to Moses or the Prophets. They will not even listen if someone rises from the dead.

Sadly, that is the way it is for many. They will not take the time to pay heed to the stranger at the door, the hungry at our gates. They will not take the time to pay heed to the warnings of Moses or the prophets. They pay no attention to the one who has risen from the dead. Like the rich man, the lives of many are spent focusing on their worldly, day to day, pleasures as they pay no heed to the things that are really important; that will last for eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 16:16-18 Law and Kingdom

Luke 16:16-18 NIV
Until the time of John there was only the law and hope for salvation to come in the future. But, John brought more. He brought the Good News of the Kingdom at hand. Yes, it was still hope; but, the realization of the fulfillment of that hope was closer than ever before and the people were excited. Jesus was/is the fulfillment of that hope. No, not one law has disappeared from the books. But, it has been fulfilled in Jesus. The one without sin died for us sinners. He was the living sacrifice so that we might receive mercy through trusting that through Him we might receive forgiveness for the laws that we have broken.

After John the Baptist the good news of the Kingdom of God was preached. In Jesus Christ, it is definitely at hand. It has come near. Now, that is something to be excited about!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 16:1-15 Love of Money

Luke 16:1-15 NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (vs 13)

This is not to say that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. In fact, maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given use wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might glorify Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J