UNEXPECTED GUEST

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ZACCHAEUS

Read: Luke 19:1-10

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5 NKJV

* * *

Zacchaeus was a man who was small in stature, but a big shot in his position as tax collector for the Roman government. The price for his dishonest position of wealth was contempt by his own people.

* * *

Unlike many who stood by, Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner and believed that Jesus could forgive him. He also knew what he had to do next: He said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (19:8 NIV)

* * *

Jesus never did anything the way the leaders expected. To call a tax collector down from a tree and announce that He was going to his house; that was unprecedented behavior. But Jesus did things purposefully for eternal results, not human applause.

* * *

Lord, I want to live for You in a way that pleases You, not just as others expect. I want to teach my children to seek Your will in their lives, not the applause of the world.

* * *

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:9-10 NKJV

HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE

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* * *
THE PHARISEE AND TAX COLLECTOR
* * *
Read: Luke 18:9-14
* * *

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,’God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. Luke 18:11 NKJV

* * *

     This religious leader may have had much to be proud of in avoiding gross sin, but he missed the fact that he was still a sinner. Salvation comes through repentance, and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The tax collector, so despised for his sin, had it right. He, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ (18:13)

     The Pharisee was like the rich young ruler who thought he could gain eternal life by doing good works. We must all come by way of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. Only then can we do genuinely good works, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

* * *

     Lord, forgive me when I am guilty of looking down on someone I judge to be more sinful than I. As You have extended mercy to me, I must desire mercy for others. You look beyond the outward appearance and see our hearts. Help me to discern the heart attitudes of my children and teach them humility by example.

* * *

“. . . everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 NKJV

Thoughts On Blogging

I have been looking through my personal journal over the past few months, since I have entered the world of blogging. Certainly it has been a blessing, far beyond anything I expected, and it has also been a challenge as I have interacted with those who oppose the message of God’s Word.

I thought I would share some of my entries in the hope that it may encourage other Christians to step out and share their faith. Some of these entries are direct from Scripture on a day when I needed it, and some are from writings by Oswald Chambers.

• Jeremiah 20:9 “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I was weary of holding it back and I could not.”
• 2 Timothy 1:2 “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
• Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
• Oswald Chambers – “There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.”
• Oswald Chambers – “God engineers everything; wherever He puts us our one great aim is to pour out our whole hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.”
• Oswald Chambers – “Spiritually we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us; and we cannot measure that at all.”
• Acts 18:10 – The Lord said to Paul, “Dismiss your fears; go on speaking and do not give up, I am with you and no one shall attack you or injure you; for I have many people in this city.”
• Acts 11:23 – About Barnabas - “He encouraged them all to remain with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.”
• Acts 4:20b Weymouth – “As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about.”

THANKFULNESS

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TEN LEPERS CLEANSED

Read Luke 17:11-19

            …There met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.  And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!“  Luke 17:12-13 NKJV

* * *

            There were many in Israel willing to be healed of their diseases, to be fed with free bread and be part of an adoring crowd. But there were few who were willing to accept Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God, and commit their lives to Him. In the case of these ten very sick men, only one came back to give glory to God for his healing. In spite of the fact that ten were cleansed of leprosy, to only one he said, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (17:19)

 

            There is a sickness of the soul that is far worse than leprosy and that is sin. Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can heal us of that disease.

* * *

            Thank You Lord, that You were willing to cleanse me from sin, just as You cleansed those men from their leprosy. Forgive me when I go day after day without remembering to stop and say thank You.  Help me to teach my children to be thankful as well.

* * *

            So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-18 NKJV

THE PRODIGAL SON

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JESUS SEEKS THE LOST

Read: Luke 15

            I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.  Luke 15:7 NKJV

* * *

            It was an affront to the religious leaders when Jesus spent time with “tax collectors and sinners.” The parables in this passage were a message to these Pharisees and teachers of the law. He told the story of three lost things: a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son.

            Those Pharisees who complained were like the older brother of the prodigal son who said, “…All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders…But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!‘ (15:29-30 NIV)

* * *

            Our role here on earth as Christians is not to congratulate ourselves on how good we have been. Our lives should so shine as to draw lost people to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord, make our home a lighthouse so that those who are lost on the sea of life will find their way to shore.  Give us a heart to love and disciple those who were lost and are found.

* * *

            “…we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”  Luke 15:32 NKJV

A MILESTONE

This weekend was definitely a milestone for us. The oldest son of our firstborn daughter graduated from high school. This was a momentous occasion, not only for Daniel, but also for his parents who have home schooled him since Kindergarten. My husband Ron, Daniel’s grandpa, taught him his advanced Math courses and Physics these past two years.

In our area, the Torrey Academy, under the auspices of Biola University, offers classes for home schooled teens. Last night was their first formal graduation ceremony.  Was I ever impressed!  These kids have a foundation that will serve them well as they walk out into a sometimes hostile culture. 

They have participated in study of classic literature, the writings of our country’s founders, and of the early church fathers. They have learned to express their thoughts in writing and oral debate, defend their positions, and examine their own beliefs - all in an atmosphere of fellow Christians - though from different church backgrounds and levels of maturity.

Our grandson Daniel has benefited greatly in his writing, speaking and general confidence. This summer he will be working at a Camp in Austria, and then he will start at our local community college for two years before he goes on to university. We are very proud of him, and of our daughter who has invested her time and energy into the education of three fine sons.

TAKE THE LOWLY PLACE

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Read Luke 14:1–24

            So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, Luke 14:7 NKJV

* * *

            Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He was being carefully watched. They were hoping to find something against him, but what they didn’t realize was that Jesus was watching them. What He saw was how the guests picked the places of honor at the table. (14:7 NIV) In His quiet and straightforward way, Jesus said, “When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.” (14:10 NIV) One of those at the table said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.“ 

* * *

            Jesus went on to tell a story about all those who would make excuses not to come to that feast. The host in the story said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes… that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’’” (14:21b–24 NIV)

* * *

            Lord, thank You for inviting us to the feast You have prepared for us.  Help us to give the invitation to everyone we know, regardless of their excuses. Perhaps some will believe and come.

* * *

            For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 14:11 NKJV

 

THE RICH FOOL

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Read Luke 12:13–34

            “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Luke 12:15 NIV

 

* * *

            It is a natural instinct to want to add to our possessions. The reasons are many–including the desire for security or just the pleasure of owning beautiful things. God does not condemn financial planning; in fact he condemns those who neglect their responsibilities. But this story of the rich fool, as told by Jesus, is about greed or excessive worry over money. No matter how much we own, we will leave it all behind, either in a natural disaster or at the end of life. The important issue is to be “rich toward God.”

* * *

            Heavenly Father, Thank You for all You have provided for our family. Forgive me when I worry about money, for You have said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?“  (12:25-26)

* * *

            “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:20-21 NIV

 

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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JESUS TEACHES HOW TO PRAY

Read Luke 11:1–13; John 14:13–14

            “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.“  Luke 11:9 NKJV

* * *

            Most of us are familiar with the “Lord’s Prayer” in this passage.  Actually, this was a model prayer for us to follow.  Jesus goes on to teach more about how to pray. We should pray to the Father in Jesus name–for our daily needs, for forgiveness, for protection from temptation and deliverance from the evil one. Jesus said we should ask with persistence, because, “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!” (Luke 11:13 NKJV)

* * *

            Lord, I cannot help but notice that asking for our daily needs results in the priceless gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said, “He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:27 NIV) So I need not worry about asking for the wrong thing. If the Holy Spirit is praying for me, the result will be according to God’s perfect plan. Thank You, Jesus!

* * *

            …We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  Romans 8:26 NIV

SONS OF THUNDER

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GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand and the other on the left, in your kingdom.” Matthew 20:21 NKJV

* * *

This was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one!  An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17: When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder. Truly, they were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn:

“…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:26-28]

* * *

Lord, help me to teach my children the principles of servanthood, even as I train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

* * *

“… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28