Just  a couple of chapters today: John 10, Luke 13:22-35, and Luke 14:1-24.  Jesus is such a master teacher – what are you learning today?  Let’s read and visit!

“strive to enter through the narrow gate” Luke 13:24 NKJV

Look at it in the Message translation:

“A bystander said, ‘Master, will only a few be saved?’ Jesus said, ‘Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you’ll sit down to God’s salvation banquet just because you’ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives’ ” Luke 13:23-24 

Even if it’s harder, do more than you have to do, do more than the minimum. Draw close to the Lord. 

“On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, ‘Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.’ And He said to them, ‘Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following’ ” Luke 13:31-33 NKJV

When Jesus called Herod a fox, it made me think of Song 2:15 – the fox wanted to destroy the tender grapes, before they’d had a chance to meet their purpose. Jesus had not reached His purpose at this point yet.

In Luke 14:1-6, Jesus makes the point about not leaving an animal over the Sabbath – an easy example to understand and straight to the point, as Jesus always was.  What a great Teacher!

 Today we are reading Luke 12:35-39, Luke 13:1-21, and John 9.  Though I always recommend the book of John to someone who feels “new” to the Bible and to Jesus, I love the detail that Luke the physician gives to us.  The Word is so rich!  What’s your highlight today?  Come on back and let’s chat!

“Keep your shirts on; keep the lights on! Be like house servants waiting for their master to come back from his honeymoon, awake and ready to open the door when he arrives and knocks. Lucky the servants whom the master finds on watch! He’ll put on an apron, sit them at the table, and serve them a meal, sharing his wedding feast with them. It doesn’t matter what time of the night he arrives; they’re awake—and so blessed! You know that if the house owner had known what night the burglar was coming, he wouldn’t have stayed out late and left the place unlocked. So don’t you be slovenly and careless. Just when you don’t expect him, the Son of Man will show up.” Luke 12:35-39 MSG

That couldn’t be more clear, could it? We should be ready at all times.  Live as if there are no secrets.  Live as if someone is watching at all times.  Let the person you are in private match the person you are in public.

In Luke 13:10-13, I notice that Jesus wasn’t ashamed of the woman and her infirmity. He wasn’t ashamed to call her in front of the synagogue, not ashamed of her or her weaknesses, not ashamed to tend to her needs on the Sabbath or any other day.  (Jesus isn’t ashamed of your infirmities or weaknesses either – allow Him to take care of you!). When the ruler of the synagogue was upset because Jesus was “working” on the Sabbath, I love Jesus’ response:

“The Lord then answered him and said, ‘Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?  So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?’  And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.” Luke 13:15-17

The law is not to be made more important than seeing people’s needs be met.  Love is the more excellent way!

All in Luke today, not too bad! 🙂 Please read Luke 11:14-54 and Luke 12:1-34. Everything Jesus has to say is so valuable – it’s hard to highlight only one or two! What were your take-a-ways? Did you and I highlight any of the same things?  Read and come on back – let’s visit!

“Jesus commented, ‘Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!’ ” Luke 11:28 MSG

There is a blessing in keeping the Word of God. We must KNOW the Word, keep it in our hearts, treat it as precious.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 NKJV

We are so valuable to God.  When someone loves you so much, it ought to inspire love in return ❤ (I tried to go MSG with that verse, but it’s too familiar! I love the NKJV!)

Luke 12:8-12 – Jesus warns again of offenses. Offenses will stop your spiritual growth.  Offense, anger, bitterness – they’re so heavy, and you are moving too fast for that! Let it go!

Luke 12:16-21 makes it seems as if searching for worldly riches and searching for spiritual riches is an either/or proposition. If we concentrate on spiritual richness, God will provide our physical needs. Don’t be distracted by physical needs to the point of losing spiritual focus. 

Today, we are reading John 8:21-59, Luke 10, and Luke 11:1-13.  What stands out to you? 

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ”John 8:31-32

Please don’t overlook the conditions: If you keep His Word, you are his disciples. If you know the truth, you will be set free.  If you are not staying true to Jesus’ direction, you are not truly following Him or representing Him well in the world. If you do not know the truth, you do not know how to access the benefits available to you through salvation.  It seems backwards to us, but the way to true personal freedom is submission to the Lord.

“When he [Satan] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” John 8:44

Satan has a condition too – he lives and speaks out of his limited resources. It is not necessary for you to accept the enemy’s lies – read the Word and find out what Jesus has to say about you!

So many favorites today – its so hard to pick out one or two!  The parable of the good samaritan in Luke 10 is such a powerful story – Jesus knows how to get to the heart of the matter every time: who was this man’s neighbor? The one who showed mercy.  Let’s be generous in mercy to the people in our sphere of influence…

“one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part” Luke 10:42

We can’t finish today without at least mentioning Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha’s preparations had to be made, but these distracted her to the point of losing her focus.  One thing was (and still is) essential: worshipping Jesus.

p.s. I’m out of time, but can we go ahead and highlight ALL of Luke 11:1-13?  Jesus teaching us to pray, how to persist, how to trust…. precious ❤

Today, we’ll read John 7:1-9, Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:57-62, John 7:10-53, and John 8:1-20.  We are busy here in the New Testament – 

Look at the boldness that Jesus encourages:

“This isn’t My time. It’s your time—it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose.” John 7:6 MSG

Jesus’ brothers are wanting Him to “go public”, but Jesus know it is not His time.  I think the words He gives His brothers could apply to us right now: it is always our time.  It is always time to bring Jesus into our conversations, integrate Him so completely into our lives that the world would have a witness of Christ even by our every day living.

I love the account of Jesus and the adulterous woman.  She was surrounded by accusers, BUT Jesus…. 

“When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’ ” John 8:10-11

 He does not condemn her, but He did teach her right from wrong.  Guilt can lead us to forgiveness and temptation – condemnation from the enemy only pushes you further away. Jesus didn’t take on the anger of the crowd, but He loved the woman herself. The point is always restoration.  The point is always right relationship.  The point is always love.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ ‘ John 8:12 NKJV

The goal is always restoration.  The goal is always right relationship.  The goal is always love. What the enemy meant to drive this dear one further into darkness, Jesus used to lead her to the light of life.  Do you notice: Jesus was not concerned with her circumstances or her sin – He was concerned with her soul and restoration.  It doesn’t matter where we are, what choices we have made – God wants us closer.

What would it look like if we adopted Jesus’ goals as our own?

Please read Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 9:37-43, Mark 9:30-32, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 9:43-45, Matthew 17:24-27, Mark 9:33-37, Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 9:46-48, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50, Mark 9:42-50, and Matthew 18:7-35.  So much is happening today, not possible to hit it all in a short post…. Though much will be familiar, take your time and take it in!  What did you underline today?  What do you want to remember and apply to life today?

Mark 9:22-23, “if you have compassion” and “if you can believe” – we have to partner with Jesus in the reality of all things being possible. We have a part to play.

In Matthew 17:21, Jesus reminds the disciples that some things only come out by prayer and fasting.  Fasting is such an important discipline, not be overlooked.

Matthew 9:49-50 – salt without taste is worthless, amen.  Simple and straightforward.

I like Matthew 18:7: “offenses must come, but woe to the man by whom the offense comes”. Don’t be the reason someone else is offended, and don’t take up offense yourself. It reminds me of Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (sorry – I memorized that one so long ago, it was King James!). Jesus always agrees with the Word of God.

Today, we’ll read Mark 8:22-30, Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-20, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 9:1, Matthew 16:21-28, Luke 9:21-27, Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, and Luke 9:28-36.  It’s a hard day for me – it seems as if we only got Jesus just now, spent so much time in the Old Testament, and now He is teaching and performing miracles and telling His disciples what will happen next….. What stands out to you today?

“He then began explaining things to them: ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.’ He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.” Mark 8:31-32 MSG

In the midst of performing miracles, Jesus is helping His disciples understand that the crucifixion and resurrection are coming.  They won’t understand it, of course – how could they?  They protest now, but they’ll remember His words later.  Like a child – they don’t always understand instruction given, but they remember their parents’ words when instruction and experience meet.

I like how Jesus asks Peter, in the hearing of others, “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:21, Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29).  Say it again, say it out loud, tuck it in a pocket close to your heart and remember it when darker days come:

“You are the Christ, the Messiah.” Mark 8:29

“You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

“The Messiah of God.” Luke 9:21

And confirmed by the Father Himself:

“Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: ‘This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to Him.’ The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.” Mark 9:7-8

Seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.  Let’s tuck this in our pockets today, so we remember in these dark times, rubbing our eyes and looking around at the upside-down-ness of the world. Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is our great Intercessor.  Jesus never leaves us.

Nothing but Jesus, only Jesus. ❤

Today we are reading Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 8:1-10, Matthew 15:32-39, Matthew 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-21, and Matthew 16:5-12. What stands out to you today?  Let’s read and come back together:

“He does all things well” Mark 7:37

Amen. All things well, what a beautiful and comforting description of Jesus’ heart and intentions and actions and decisions…. and He is ever on our side!  What a gift to us!

“Jesus asked, ‘How much bread do you have?’ ‘Seven loaves,’ they said, ‘plus a few fish.’ At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted.” Matthew 15:34-36 MSG

What I love about this miracle is that “everyone ate” and “had all they wanted”. We’ve visited before about our faith being an important determining factor, about the Lord acting at times “according to our faith”, but here is another important perspective to consider: everyone ate.  Everyone had all they wanted.  Notice: it does not say that everyone had the same, nor does it say that all was equal.

All may not have been the same, but all were satisfied fully. Sometimes we can get distracted by looking at the lives of others or get caught in the trap of comparison. Look to God to supply your needs, not to make things look “fair” or “equal” in your limited judgement.  God is good, all the time, to all of us!

The reading is a little shorter today 🙂 Here we go!  Please read John  6:22-71, Mark 7:1-23, and Matthew 15:1-20.  What stands out to you?  Let’s allow iron to sharpen iron and learn something together!

“For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.’ He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition’ ” (Mark 6:7-9)

Jesus warns us not to “pick and choose” which laws to keep.  Don’t make God’s Word void through elevating your own traditions.  It must all be true, or it must all be untrue.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God – we must act accordingly.

“He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs. And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ ” (Matthew 15:26-27)

A funny answer for the Lord to give a woman who was seeking healing – calling her a dog?  I hope we learned enough from the Old Testament to seek out the motive behind the action.  Jesus was not being unkind to this dear one, He loved her. Jesus didn’t answer her at first, but this was a delay, not a denial. He was revealing her heart – and aren’t we all richer for the knowledge of it?

“I am the bread of life” John 6:35

Jesus is our daily bread, always given to us in perfect accord with what we need.  Daily dependence is meant to teach us to be relational.  What a gift!

I love today.  Let’s read Luke 9:7-9, Mark 6:14-29, Matthew 14:1-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:1017, John 6:1-15, Mark 6:45-52, Matthew 14:22-33, John 6:16-21, Mark 6:53-56, and Matthew 14:34-36.  What are you thinking about?  Ask the Lord to reveal a new truth to you. 

“when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” Matthew 14:14

Jesus is always moved with compassion when He sees us in distress.  Let me re-state, without the qualifier: Jesus is always moved with compassion when He sees us.  And Jesus always sees us.

Did you know that the feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded ball 4 Gospels?  Must be a great significance, must have made great impact on the disciples.  We sometimes skim over, overlook what is so familiar.  Somehow, we allow what is precious to become common.  How about we read it again, take it in anew this morning? So many people hurting, so many people healed.  That can never be common.

Hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus went straight to serving (Mark 6:14-29).  That makes the timing of this particular miracle even more remarkable.  He was in mourning, and He turned His emotion into energy to serve.  Could we do this?

“it is I, don’t be afraid” John 6:20

We never need to fear with Jesus.  Our best interests are always in His heart.