"Light of the World"

August 31, 2013

“Light of the World”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 8:12-20

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The Religionists were furious.
They continue to be so.

Many Religionists of our time state that there are “many ways to heaven”.
Such is not true.

Jesus clearly states that He is the Light.
Any other way is the path of darkness.

Note the conflict.

The Religionists were seeking to attack Jesus by using the Law that the Lord gave.
They said that He “testified of Himself”...that there was a need for two or more to testify.
Jesus says “OK”...the Father testifies of my too.

Well, that just did it.

Who is His Father?

Jesus would not play the game.
They did not know Him.
They could not know Father.

Do you want to be in correct relationship with Father?
Such is only available through the Son.

Not through an organization.
Not through knowledge.
Not through the patterns and plans of man.

Only through the Son.

Examine yourself.
See if you are of the faith.

"A Place to Begin Again"

August 30, 2013

“A Place to Begin Again”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:53-8:11

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Another personal favorite of the varied encounters Jesus had with people.

Here is the bottom-line.

Jesus gave the woman a “place to begin again.”

He will do the same for us.

He did not condone her sin.
He did not execute judgment.

He gave a her a place to begin again.

The Scribes and Pharisees were certain that they had Jesus trapped.
The woman had been caught “in the very act”...I suspect with a Scribe/Pharisee that “stepped up for the cause.”
Where is the man that was caught in the act?
The act was not the issue?
Entrapment of Jesus was.

The Religionists - the Scribes/Pharisees - quoted Scripture at Jesus.
Their attitude was “now, what are ya gonna do”.
They were testing Him.

Jesus, at first, responded in silence.
The Religionists thought they had Him...they persisted. They pressured for a response.

Jesus responded.
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus returned to silence.

The accusers slowly left...beginning with the older.

Jesus then spoke to the woman.
“Where are your accusers?”
“Do they condemn you?”
No.
“Neither do I”
“Go, sin no more.”

Jesus gives us a place to begin again.
Repent.
Go.
Sin no more.
Rejoice in new beginnings.

"Defensive Pharisees"

August 29, 2013

“Defensive Pharisees”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:40-52

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Jesus caused division.

Some division was “innocent”…
  • is He a prophet?
  • is He the Christ?
  • but He is from Galilee...is not the Christ to come from Bethlehem?
  • is not the Christ a descendent of David?

Some division malicious…
  • some wanted to seize Him

But no one laid hands on Him.
It was not the time.

We saw yesterday that the Pharisees had sent to have Jesus seized/arrested.
The officers sent for the duty returned, empty handed.
The chief priests and Pharisees wanted to know why?

I love this answer.

The officers said, “never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.”

Can you imagine the reaction of the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were the professional teachers/speakers/interpreters of the Law.
And to have a group of officers state that they had never heard anyone speak like Jesus… It was an unintended word of condemnation of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees response was quick, defensive and full of accusation.

“Have you been led astray”?

“None of the rulers or Pharisees have believed in HIm, has he”?
Therefore, why are you even considering His words?

“This crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.”
The Pharisees were the ones who were to teach the Law, to impart the Law to the people.
The true nature of their heart was revealed.
How readily they spoke cursing over the people of the Lord!

Nicodemus sought to bring a corrective word to his fellow Pharisees.
They attacked him.
No prophet comes from Galilee!

This is the heart of the Religionists.
Defensive of denominational posture.
Defensive of power and esteem.
Unconcerned for the people.
Blind to the Truth.

Be not a Religionists.

"Feast Teaching"

August 28, 2013

“Feast Teaching”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:14-39

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Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast.

When the feast was half over He began teaching in the Temple.

The Jews were astonished.
They were amazed at the learning Jesus had without being “educated.”

Jesus tells them that His teaching is not from Himself, but from Father.
If one is willing to do His will, he will know the teaching.

If one speaks of himself, then he is seeking his own glory.
If he is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Jesus’ times of teaching often had intense moments of confrontation.

Jesus confronted them with their lacking of keeping the Law.
Jesus confronted them with their desire to kill Him.
Jesus confronted them about their lack of righteous judgment.

Jesus cried out in the Temple…
“You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

They sought to seize Him.
No man laid his hand on Him for His hour had not come.

Many of the crowd believed in Him.
Most of the Religionists...Jewish leaders...did not.

The Pharisees sent to arrest Him.
They could not.
They were confounded by His words.

On the last day, Jesus cried out again…
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

All this was stated and done publicly.
All this was done loudly, unhidden.

Are you thirsty?
Have you drunk deeply from Him?

"Where Is He?"

August 27, 2013

“Where Is He?”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:10-13

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Yesterday we saw that Jesus’ brothers went to the Feast, but Jesus stayed back because it was not time for Him to go...in the manner that His brothers wanted.

Jesus now goes to the feast.
Secretly.
Not publicly.

The Jews were Feasting and wondering where Jesus was.
Some were grumbling concerning Him…
“He is a good man.”
“No, he leads the people astray.”

Yet, no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

They feared the Jewish religious leadership.

Such is today.

So few speak openly of the Lord.

They fear ridicule.
They fear belittlement.

The time is upon us when speaking of Jesus will cost.

Are you empowered to pay the cost?

"Booths"

August 26, 2013

“Booths”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:1-9


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Too often we “think” that Jesus’ “ministry” on earth was a time of joy and frolic, teaching and eating.

Such was not the case.

There was joy.
There was communion.
There was family and friends.

There was also conflict.
Conflict that would ultimately lead to His death.

Jesus walked in wisdom.
He knew the Jews were seeking to kill Him, so he avoided Judea until such time as Father led Him.

Jesus’ earthly brothers were encouraging Him to go to Judea to show the works that He did.

We can question their motivation.

They did not believe in Him.
They did not believe He was Messiah.

Jesus dealt with them forthrightly.
His time to go had not come.
Their motivation was that of the world.
The world did not hate them because they behaved as the world.
The world hated Jesus because He testified of their evil deeds.

Jesus tells them to go the Feast...the Feasts of Booths...one of the seven feasts of the Lord that God gave to Israel to be celebrated every year.

Jesus stayed behind.

But, not for long…

"Contemptible Righteousness"

August 25, 2013

“Contemptible Righteousness”

Blessings Folk!

Luke 18:9-14


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Jesus tells another parable.
Luke tells us the exact purpose of the parable.
Jesus told it to some people “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt”. We see from the context and characters in the parable that They were the religious rulers. The Religionists.

Sad.

Sadder still is the fact...yep, the fact based upon my experience…that such people are still prevalent and prominent within the professing church today.

They trust in themselves that they are righteous.
They trust in their ability to do good works.
They trust in their goodness.
They trust these unto salvation.
Such will be surprised at judgment time.

They exalt themselves and their works.
They tear down others.
They view others with contempt.
This reveals that they are not truly saved.

Seek the mercy of God.
Humble yourself before God.
Be not as the deceived Religionists trusting in your own righteousness.
If you are a Religionist, repent, confess, call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

"Will Faith Be Found"

August 24, 2013

“Will Faith Be Found?”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 18:1-8
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Jesus had purpose in telling parables.
We see it very clearly in this example.

The judge that feared not God nor respected people.
The woman was respectful and persistent.
Jesus told the parable to show people that they should always pray and not lose heart.

Again, this was to encourage us to always pray and not lose heart.
Be persistent in petition.
Be persistent in faith.

Trust in the timing of the Lord.
Be one in whom faith is found at the coming of the Lord.

"The Day - Wrath/Rescue"

August 23, 2013

“The Day - Wrath/Rescue”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 24
Mark 13:19-23
Luke 17:22-37



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Today’s reading in the New Testament Synopsis is very fragmented and confusing.
Such important info.

Read all of Matthew 24.

Here are the truths.
  • Jesus is returning.
  • The Church, the Body of Christ, will undergo the “great tribulation”. The Word is clear about this. The wrath of Satan through the Man of Lawlessness/Antichrist will be poured out on Israel/Jews and her offspring/those who adhere to the testimony of Jesus.

Jesus is very clear about this.
Clear about the events.
Clear about the timing.

Sadly, man has twisted the Word for their own understanding.

Are you ready?
Do you know what is to occur?

The Lord has told us.
Learn.

"Kingdom of God…"

August 22, 2013

“Kingdom of God…”

Blessings Saints!

Today’s reading:

Luke 17:20-21


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Religionists always want a sign before they believe.

Here, the Pharisees queried Jesus as to when the Kingdom of God was coming.

Apparently they were seeking a sign.

Jesus gave a profound response.

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is in your midst.”

What must the religionists have thought?
We know that their anger and hatred of Jesus increased.

I suspect this fueled their emotions.

"Lepers"

August 21, 2013

“Lepers”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 17:11-19
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Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem.
As He entered a village a group of 10 lepers met him, standing at a distance.
Lepers were required keep distance from people.
They were required to shout forth their affliction, “unclean, unclean”!

They cried to Jesus asking Him to have mercy on them.
They were asking for healing.

Jesus told them to “go and show yourselves to the priests.”
This was the practice provided by The Law to prove that healing had occurred.
They did.
They were healed.

Note that the healing took place “as they went along.”
By faith...in going to the priests...they were healed.

But, only one gave thanks.

The one returned to thank the Lord.
A Samaritan.
Fell at the feet of the Lord - worshipped - and gave thanks.

Jesus inquired as to where the others were.

Jesus told the man to get up and go. Your faith has made you well.

Do you walk in faith?
Do you give thanks?
Do you believe?

"Duty"

August 20, 2012

“Duty”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 17:7-10

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Here is a passage your rarely, if ever, hear preached or taught.

We have so much in the Lord.
Yes. All is true.

But, we must remember that we are servants of the Most High.
We are His slaves.

We deserved nothing of the grace and mercy that He has chosen to pour forth upon us.

This parable moment with the Savior brings out this truth.
We are undeserving of special praise.
As servants, we are simply doing what is our duty to do.

Each believer has a calling, a purpose, a position and function within the Kingdom.

Live it.
Do it.
It is our duty.

"Faith"

August 19, 2013

“Faith”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 17:19-21
Mark 9:28-29
Luke 17:5-6

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The disciples had been unable to drive out a demon from an individual.
Jesus did.
They wanted to know “why?”

Jesus told them it was due to the littleness of their faith.
They simply did not have the faith required.
They did not believe.

Such is the state of the church today.
We do not believe.
We give lip-service.
We claim to believe.
We claim to have faith.

But, where is the evidence?

We see some healing.
We see some deliverance from the demonic.

But, where is faith being manifested in each Believer?

How different things would be...

"Forgiveness"

August 18, 2013

“Forgiveness”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 18:15-22
Luke 17:3-4

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I believe that one of the more prominent sins of the contemporary church is the refusal to forgive.

Jesus declares that we are to forgive.

Note how He commands it - “Watch yourselves”.

If your brother sins, rebuke him.
The goal of the rebuke is that he will repent before God, not before us.

If he repents, we are then commanded to forgive him.
Without limit.
Without qualification.
Forgive.

Unforgiving is the root of much evil.
I believe it is the root of many physical maladies.
It is a stronghold that the enemy uses...especially against believers.

1 John had much to say about this.
Simply put, if we do not forgive we are not saved.
If we do not forgive and love, yet claim to love God, we are liars.

Forgive in abundance.

For more insight, read RT’s book… “Total Forgiveness”

"Stumbling Blocks"

August 17, 2013

“Stumbling Blocks”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 18:6-7
Mark 9:42
Luke 17:1-3

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Jesus gives a direct command.

He warns us about stumbling blocks.
Those who cause believers in Jesus to sin…to stumble.
Jesus tells us that stumbling blocks are inevitable.
They will come.
But, woe to them.
It is better that they be tied to a millstone and drowned in the depth of the sea rather than causing one who believes to sin, especially little ones.

There is a picture of children, but “Little Ones” is not limited to chronological age.

Therefore, Jesus commands.
Be on your guard. NASB
Watch yourself. NET
Take heed to yourselves. KJV

We see that we have a responsibility to be certain that we do not become a stumbling block.

We also have a role in watching for one another.
If your brother sins, rebuke him. Notice the KJV states “if thy brother trespass against thee…”
If your brother repents, forgive him.

Again:
Be on your guard.
Watch yourselves.
Take heed to yourself.
Do not be a stumbling block.
If your brother sins agains you, rebuke him.
If your brother repents, forgive him.

"Men: Rich/Poor"

August 16, 2013

“Men: Rich/Poor”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 16:19-31

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To me, this is one of the more intriguing of the stories/parables that Jesus tells.

You likely know the story and the cast of characters.

A rich man.
  • Full of “life”
  • Abundance of stuff
  • Joyously living in splendor every day.

A poor man.
  • We are given his name, Lazarus.
  • Grievously ill...sores
  • He hungered...begging for bread
  • Dogs ministered to him

They both die.

Lazarus believed.
He was carried away by angels!
He was gathered to what is referred to as the “bosom of Abraham”. (The place where believers in Messiah to come went upon death).

The rich man receive his reward.
He is described as dying.
He was taken to Hades.
Tormented by fire.
He begged Abraham to send the poor man with a fingertip of water.

The rich man receive good things in this life.
Now torment.

Lazarus endured hard things in life.
Now peace, comfort.

Then, something surprising.
The rich man realized this his situation was beyond change.
But, he was concerned for his brothers.
He begged Abraham to send someone to warn them.
Abraham stated they have someone to warn them - Moses and the Prophets. The Word of God.
The rich man says “no”...they would not believe Moses and the Prophets, but they would believe is someone came from the dead.

Abraham tells him that if will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. A clear reference to Jesus’ impending resurrection.

We must believe the Word.
We must believe the Lord crucified and resurrected.

"Divorce"

August 15, 2013

“Divorce”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 19:9
Mark 10:11-12
Luke 16:18

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God does not like divorce.
He designed marriage - the coming together of a man and woman in covenant under God - to be a lifetime event.

Jesus was stating the truth of the Lord.
Whoever divorces his wife...except for immorality...and marries another woman commits adultery.

Moses/the Law “allowed” divorce due to the hardness of the heart of the people.

The Lord is telling us to not divorce.

The “exception clause” is not a “get outta jail free” card.

Many people treat it that way.
They refuse to forgive, rather playing the religious martyr since they have “Scriptural cause.”

The Lord desires that we not divorce.
The Lord desires that we forgive.

Forgive one another that divorce may be avoided.
Forgive those who are divorced.

The Lord does give a place to begin again.

"The Word…Never to Pass Away"

August 14, 2013

“The Word...Never to Pass Away”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 11:12-13
Luke 16:16-17

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Some clear, important teachings here.

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John (the Baptist).
John and Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God.

People were trying to force their way into the Kingdom.
People had no concept of what the Kingdom was.
They were searching for a political resolution to the issues of the day.
Such is the same today.

We see that the Law does not pass away.

The Law is fulfilled/manifest/experienced/etc. in the Lord Jesus.

Jesus tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

We must know the Word of the Lord all of it.

Far too many of the professing church gives heed to only a limited portion of the Word, usually just the New Testament.

One cannot understand the New Testament without the Old Testament.
Nor can one understand the Old Testament without the New Testament.

Give heed to the Word of the Lord.
The Law.
The Prophets.
The Writings.
The New.

"Scoffers"

August 13, 2013

“Scoffers”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading…

Luke 16:14-15

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The Pharisees heard what Jesus said.
How did they respond?
They ridiculed Him.
They scoffed at Him.

“Pharisees” do the same today.
Yes. They may give lip-service to obedience to the Lord, but their actions are nothing but scoffing ridicule in their refusal to live as He instructs.

We learn something else about the Pharisees of old...and today.
The Word describes them as “lovers of money.”

Remember, Jesus had just told them that one cannot serve God and money.

This is what they were ridiculing.
This is what they were scoffing.

We like to thing we are not like that.
But, if one simply stands aside and observes, it becomes apparent that “lover of money” is deep within the professing church.

What/Who do you love?
Who/what do you serve?
Do you ridicule/scoff?

"2 Masters?"

August 12, 2013

“2 Masters?”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 6:24
Luke 16:13


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We saw yesterday that Jesus calls us to faithfulness.
But, faithful to what? To Whom?

Jesus tells us.

One cannot serve two masters.
Only one can truly be master.

In this case Jesus is teaching this truth in the context of possessions.
He tells us forthrightly.

You cannot serve God and money.

Most people serve money/possessions.
Many who profess to be Believers serve money in the name of God.

Think about that.

Where are the resources of the Kingdom going?

What shall we do?

Who do you serve?

"Faithfulness"

August 11, 2013

“Faithfulness”

Blessings Folk!!

Today’s reading:

Luke 16:10-12

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Are you faithful?

So many claim to desire to do great things for the Kingdom of God, yet they are not faithful in the small things that train us.

We want to skip the small stuff and move to what we consider to be the “big stuff.”

God does not do things that way.

He looks for faithfulness in the little.

Faithful in little?
Faithful in much.

Unrighteous in a very little thing?
Unrighteous in much.

Unfaithful in “unrighteous wealth”...money?
Then why do you expect to be entrusted with true riches?

Unfaithful in using what is another’s?
Who will give you that which is your own?

Do not be deceived.
Faithfulness is required.

"Shrewd Squanderer"

August 10, 2013

“Shrewd Squanderer”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 16:1-9

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Jesus tells another story.
Another example.

A rich man’s manager had been squandering his employer’s possessions.

He was demoted/fired.
The boss demanded an accounting of the funds.

The manager then went to those who owed the boss money.
He cut deals with them.

Discounted settlement for payment today.
Nothing new about that.

When the boss heard, he praised the manager for being shrewd.

The manager’s motivation was not to recover the boss’ accounts.
No.
The manager wanted to be remembered favorably among people lest he need help in the future. He was too weak to dig, to proud to beg.

Jesus said that the “sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.”

What does this mean?

The men of the world...unsaved...know how to do business, how to handle situations, etc. with fellow unbelievers. The manager knew that he would find favor among the clients and some favor with the boss.

The sons of light are believers.
We should know how to “deal with our own kind”. Be certain to read several translations. There are some nuances…

Jesus was saying this to believers.
Use the “wealth of unrighteousness”...the money of the world...the resources we have...to “make friends for yourself”. Not in the way that the shrewd manager did, but to the work of the Kingdom, so that “they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

“Eternal dwellings”?

Yes.

Jesus is pointing to being received into glory.

We should use that which we have so that we will find favor with those who will receive us into the eternal dwellings.

Do we?

"Sons"

August 9, 2013

“Sons”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 15:11-32

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Jesus continues His teaching related to “the lost”.

A familiar account.
Let not a spirit of “familiarity” rob you of truths.
Read carefully.

Pay attention to the characters:
The young son.
The older son.
The father.

The young son took his inheritance and left.
He squandered his estate with loose living.
He spent everything.
Upon finding himself at the bottom, he realizes his foolishness and goes home to serve his father.
Not as a son.
As a servant.

The father.
Upon seeing his son from a distant the father felt compassion, ran to him, embraced him, restored him with great joy and celebration.
Best robe.
Ring.
Sandals.
Best calf.
That which was “dead” is now alive.
Celebrate!
Rejoice!

The older son.
Upon returning from working in the field he hears the party...the music.
He sees the dancing.
Upon hearing the news of the younger’s return, the older is angry.
I suspect we all can relate.
No. It was not “fair”.
Yes. The older son had remained. He had toiled.
Yes. The older son’s “attitude” was not correct.
Yes. The older son confronted the father with creative account…” this son of yours came, who devoured your wealth with prostitutes”...nothing was said of prostitutes. Also, the wealth had been transferred to the younger. It was his.

The father spoke in wisdom.
“Son, you have always been with me”.
“All that is mine is yours.”
“But, we had to celebrate”
What was dead is alive.
What was lost is found.

For us.
Do not do as the younger.
Do not sin.
Do as the younger.
Repent. Seek forgiveness.

Love as the father.
Forgive as the father.
Restore as the father.

Do not be as the older.
Hold not a grudge.
Repent.
Be not resent-filled at the restoration of others.

"Joy/Lost Coin"

August 8, 2013

“Joy/Lost Coin”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 15:8-10

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Jesus continues with His thought that we saw yesterday.

Here we have the example of the missing coin.

The woman searched the house for the missing coin.
Upon finding it she rejoiced.
She told her neighbors.
They rejoiced with her.

So it is with the angels.
When one sinner repents there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.

Often it is stated that there is joy in heaven.
True.

But here, it is stated “joy in the presence of the angels of God…”

Angels in heaven.
Angels here.
Rejoice at repentance.

Speak the gospel.
Rejoice with the angels as folk repent.

"Lost Sheep"

August 7, 2013

“Lost Sheep”

Blessings Folk!

Todays reading:

Matthew 18:12-14
Luke 15:1-7
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It is not the will of God in heaven that any of these little ones should perish.

According to this parable, He will leave the 99 safe, then will pursue the one.

The repentance of a sinner brings joy in heaven.
Repentance brings joy to Father.

Note, it is a “lost sheep”.
A member of the fold...sheep.
Yet lost.

Father is seeking.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Light.

Have you been found?

"Salt"

August 6, 2013

“Salt”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:
Matthew 5:13
Mark 9:49-50
Luke 14:34-35

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Here is a simple, profound truth that reveals the glory of the Lord and His ways.

If you are true believer, then you are the salt of the earth.

God designed such.

Salt purifies.
Salt preserves.
Salt flavors.
Salt has a medicinal function.

We are to be used by the Most High as His salt.

Be warned.

Do not lose your flavor, your saltiness.

What good is salt that has lost its flavor?
Only to be thrown out and trampled upon...made into roads?

Have salt within yourself.
Remain salty or you will be useless.
Be at peace with one another.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

"Count the Cost"

August 5, 2013

“Count the Cost”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 10:37-38
Luke 14:25-33

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You do not hear this taught too often.
Rarely do you hear it preached.
Especially the ramifications.

There is cost involved in being a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
We are told to count the cost.

What are we to consider?
What are we to do?

It is simple.

We are to love the Lord.
Love with abandon.
Love above all other loves.

Our love for the Lord should be so great that the love we have for father/mother/children/brothers/sisters will pale in comparison. The other loves will look like “hate” compared to the love we have for the Lord.

This love will have deeds.

We will “hate” all other things.
We will carry our own cross.
We will follow the Lord.
We will renounce all of our own possessions.

All the actions point back to the love we have for the Lord.

Do you love the Lord?
How?
With all your heart, mind, soul and strength?
Are you entangled in the cares and concerns of the world?
Are you anxious over stuff?

Be not.

Lastly, do not confuse religious activity for love of the Lord...

"Called. Unwilling to Come"

August 4, 2013

“Called. Unwilling to Come”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 22:1-14
Luke 14:15-24


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Another Kingdom parable.
The kingdom may be compared…

Do take time to read the passages…a couple of times through.

There is so much here...actually beyond the scope of this format.

Note these…

The King gave a wedding feast for his son.
The King called those who had been invited.
The invited refused to come.

The Called refused to come.

The King then sends more servants to invited the Called...explains all the preparation.

The Called…
  • paid no attention
  • went their way
    • one to his farm
    • another to his business
  • the rest seized the King’s slaves and mistreated and killed them.
  • made excuses
    • just bought land
    • just bought oxen
    • just married a wife

The King was furious.
He sent other slaves to invite the unworthy...to compel them.
The wedding hall was filled.

The King comes.
But, there is a man without wedding dress.
The man not dressed in wedding clothes had no response.

Are you clothed in the righteousness of Christ?
Are you clothed in the Blood?

What say you?

Lastly, the called refused to come.

Jesus says, many are called, but few chosen.

Hummmm….

"Recline in Last Place..."

August 3, 2013

“Recline in Last Place…”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Matthew 23:13
Luke 14:7-14



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Jesus is always an example for how we are to live.
He models the pattern of life.

We have a case in point here.

There was a gathering. A wedding feast?
Invited guests at a table.
A meal I assume.

Jesus noticed how people were jockeying to be seated in a place of honor.

Several things to note here.

  1. Jesus used day-to-day occurrences to speak the truths of the Kingdom.
  2. Jesus often used parables in these moments.
  3. In the Luke passage, Jesus taught on humility.

We are not to exalt ourselves.
We are to humble ourselves...not to be exalted.
We are to manifest true humility, trusting the Lord will exalt us in His time.
Oh that religious rulers would do this.
Recline, rest in the last place.

We are to reach out to those who cannot reciprocate.
To the poor.
To the cripple.
To the lame.
To the blind.
To those who have no means to repay.

We will be repaid.
When?
At the resurrection of the righteous!
Forget this not.

So, walk in humility.
Host in love.

"Dropsy Healed"

August 2, 2013

“Dropsy Healed”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Luke 14:1-6

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Jesus ate with sinners.
Jesus ate with Pharisees.
Jesus ate with all of mankind.

One day while eating at the house of a leader of the Pharisees...on the Sabbath...He was being watched closely by the Pharisees.

A man who suffered from dropsy was in front of Jesus.

Jesus initiated the encounter.

He asked the lawyers and Pharisees a question.

“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”

They kept silent.

Jesus then took hold of the man and healed him.

To the lawyers and Pharisees He stated “Which one of you will have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”

They did not reply.

Jesus is showing that it is not the religious adherence to code and regulation that we find power in the Kingdom.

It is in giving heed to the leading of Father.
It is abiding in the Blood of the Lord Jesus.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem…"

August 1, 2013

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…”

Blessings Folk!

Matthew 23:37-39
Luke 13:34-35


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We see an interesting historical fact here.
We see the heart of the Savior.

Jerusalem killed the prophets.
Jerusalem stoned those who were sent to her.

Not the town/city itself, but the folk of the city, especially the leadership.
God did/will hold them accountable.

Jesus desired to gather His people, to comfort them, to rescue them, to provide for them.

He is the Way of salvation.

But, they rejected Him.

Therefore, He tells them that their house will now be desolate.
They would not see Him until they said, “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Some would do that in a few days.
It is yet to come for others.

What say you?
Have you rejected?
Do you declare “Blessed is He…”?