BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2015

  • Confident in your own righteousness?

    Scripture reading for March 27th:  Luke 18

    “To some who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood up and prayer about himself:  ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men–robbers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”  But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”  (Luke 18:9-13)

    Jesus had a way about telling stories that got a hold of the hearts of people.  As we listen to the story, we can identify with the characters in the story and the story ends up reading us!  This is the nature of Jesus’ parables.  Jesus had noted that some ‘religious’ folks were not coming to the temple before God with the right attitude.  Some felt that they were doing God a favor and boasting that they did not do some of the bad things that they knew the Law of God commanded.  Religion always likes to do works and boast about it, But God looks at the heart.  Pride in our accomplishment leads to self-righteousness and a judgmental attitude that holds us in sin.

    Jesus pointed out that the tax collector went home justified in God’s eyes.  “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Luke 18:14) The person who humbles himself before God ends up being justified by his faith in God’s mercy. (2nd Corinthians 5:21)   The one who exalts himself gets no reward!  Lord, help me to stay humble!

  • Watch yourselves!

    Scripture reading for March 26th:  Luke 17

    “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.  It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  So watch yourselves.”  (Luke 17:1-3)  Jesus was concerned for His disciples and their walk with their fellow men.  People have strong opinions and often get into conflicts with one another or offend each other.  Offense is Satan’s trap to divide people from God and His grace.  Disciples of Jesus must be watchful for each other concerning offenses.

    “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.  If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”  “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  (Luke 17:3-4)  Jesus knew the hearts of men.  Offense often causes thoughts of revenge and avoidance of the offender.  Gossip about the offense causes more troubles and leads to people stumbling into Satan’s trap of offense.  Jesus taught open confrontation of the offender by the one offended.  This was among brothers in the faith.  This gives the opportunity for the offender to repent and ask for mercy.  If there is humility and mercy is sought, believers always forgive, even seven times in a single day by the same person!

    The disciples were aware of how difficult this teaching was to put into practice!  They asked Jesus to increase their faith!  Jesus replied that if they had only a mustard seed of faith, they could move a mulberry tree!  This was to be normal kingdom living for those with faith in Jesus!  Lord Jesus, help me to be watchful!

  • God’s value system

    Scripture reading for March 25th:  Luke 16

    “No servant can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.”  “Now the Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.  He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts.  What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”  (Luke 16:13-15)

    The world’s values are different than God’s!  Money can easily take first place in the life of a person, rich or poor.  Jesus taught that no servant could successfully serve two masters.  His teaching brought mockery from the religious community leaders who really loved money.  They believed in a type of ‘prosperity’ gospel that said those who had money were favored by God.  Jesus did not appear to have much, living off the land without a place to lay His head.  (Luke 9:58)  To them, poor people were under God’s curse.

    Jesus told them a story about two real people. (Luke 16:19-31)  There was a rich man who lived in luxury and had plenty of everything but failed to help his poor neighbor, Lazarus, who was covered with sores.  Both these men died but there was a great reversal!  The rich man ended up in Hades, the place of torment and the poor beggar went to Abraham’s bosom to be comforted and cared for.  Though both died, they were alive in the next world and had feelings and could express desires.  The rich man wanted Lazarus to come and bring him a small drink to cool his tongue.  Father Abraham explained this was not possible.   Money is worthless in the place of torment!

  • Lost and found!

    Scripture reading for March 24th:  Luke 15

    Jesus loved to tell stories that had practical basis in everyday life but spoke to the spiritual life of individuals as well.  We call these ‘parables’.  Luke 15 contains three ‘lost and found’ parables that Jesus used to respond to the religious leaders who mocked Him for spending time eating with ‘sinners’.

     

    The first story Jesus told was about a shepherd with 100 sheep.  One sheep was lost, so the shepherd left the 99 and searched until he found the lost sheep.  He carried the sheep back and called his friends for a celebration!  “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who don’t need to repent.”  (Luke 15:7)

    The next story involved a woman who had ten silver coins and lost one in her house.  She searches for the lost coin until it is located and calls her neighbors for a celebration!  “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  (Luke 15:10)

    The last story involved a man with two sons.  The younger son asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left home to end up wasting the money.  The older son stayed home and worked.  When all was lost, the younger son repented and decided to return to his father and ask for mercy.  The father saw the boy coming, and was filled with compassion and ran to meet him.  His son confessed his sin and asked for mercy.  The father restored the boy and called for a feast.  “For this son of mine was dead and is now alive again; he was lost and now is found.”  (Luke 15:24)

  • Blessed are those who will eat!

    Scripture reading for March 23rd:  Luke 14

    Jesus was invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee for a meal on a Sabbath day.  Luke states that Jesus was being closely watched and He took the opportunity to stir up controversy by healing a man there with dropsy.  These religious people had nothing to say but were sure thinking!

    But Jesus was also watching those in attendance.  When He noticed the guests trying to pick places of honor next to the host,  Jesus told them a story, “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “‘Give this man your seat.’ Then humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  . . .”For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Luke 14:8-9, 11)

    In response, another guest spoke to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 14:15)  Jesus told another story about a man who was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  When the final call went out to come, his guests began to make excuses.  One had bought a field and needed to see it.  Another had bought oxen he wanted to try.  Another had just gotten married.  The owner of the house got angry and instructed his servants to go into the streets and towns and bring the crippled, the lame, the poor and needy.  The servants were to compel whoever would to come in!  In conclusion Jesus said, “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”  (Luke 14:24)

     

  • Will only a few be saved?

    Scripture reading for March 20th:  Luke 13

    Jesus was asked some direct questions and gave some revealing answers!  On His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover, a man came and asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”   “He said to them, “Make every effort to enter the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and not be able to.  Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’  “But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’”  (Luke 13:23-25)  

    Jesus didn’t answer the question about a few being saved, but He did emphasize that many who wanted to enter would not be able to.  It was important to enter through the narrow door.  Jesus had proclaimed that He alone was the door or gate that men could enter.  (John 10:7) He alone was the way, truth, and life.  (John 14:6)  He emphasized that many would knock on the door after it was closed and the door would not be opened to them because the Master did not know them.

    “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and You taught in our streets.’  But He will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.  Away from Me you evildoers!’  There will be weeping there and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”  (Luke 13:26-28)  Many religious people expected to enter the kingdom, but because they rejected Jesus Christ, they would be thrown out!  Knowing about Jesus and even observing Him would not get them in!  Only a few will be saved through the ‘Narrow Door’!

  • Don’t be a hypocrite!

    Scripture reading for March 19th:  Luke 12

    “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”  (Luke 12:1-3)  Jesus was concerned for His disciples.  The example of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time was one of proclaiming to be righteous but in reality still being bound by sin and uncleanness.  The Pharisees were always judging others, but failed to see their own sin.

    Hypocrisy is like putting on a show or play-acting to fit each situation you are in.  Jesus wanted disciples who would be true to Him and God all the time.  He warned them that living a lie would be exposed and would bring ultimate humiliation and condemnation by God.  “I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”  (Luke 12:4-5)  Hypocrites lack a true fear of God and instead fear men and act to please those they are around.

    “I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.  But he who disowns Me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”  (Luke 12:8-9)  Followers of Jesus must stay true to Jesus!  There is great reward for the faithful and loss for the hypocrite!

     

  • The light inside!

    Scripture reading for March 18th:  Luke 11

    “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will  be hidden, or under a bowl.  Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.  Your eye is the lamp of your body.  When your eyes are good, your whole bod also is full of light.  But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.  See to it then, that the light within you is not darkness.”  (Luke 11:33-35)  Jesus had declared that He was the ‘Light of the World’ and that those who listened to Him would not walk in darkness but have the light of life.  (John 8:12)

    In order to have light in our bodies, we must have eyes that can see.  Jesus declared that the eye was the lamp of the body.  A lamp brings light when it is allowed to illuminate an area.  Taking a lamp and hiding it under a bowl would do no good!  The lamp must be placed in a prominent place where it’s light would drive out darkness.  Likewise, bad eyes fill the body with darkness.

    Jesus used this simple teaching to illustrate our need to place Jesus in a prominent place in our vision.  Jesus alone can bring light to our lives and illuminate our eyes and our whole body.  Jesus warned those who heard him about the possibility that the ‘light within’ could really be darkness. This speaks of our understanding of who Jesus is.  If we relegate Jesus to being just a good man or a teacher or even a prophet, the light in us is still darkness.  He alone is the Son of God and Light of the world!

  • “Follow Me!”

    Scripture reading for March 16th:  Luke 9

     “As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”  Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”  (Luke 9:57-58)  Many people think that following Jesus will be a power trip of miracles, signs, and wonders.  At the height of Jesus’ popularity, many were crowding around Jesus and like this man, vowed to follow Him.  Jesus did not let this man off easily.  He warned him about the road He would travel.  Each person must count the cost!

    “He (Jesus) said to another man, “Follow Me!”  But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”   Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9:59-60)  This man had a direct invitation from Jesus to become a disciple.  He had concerns about His own father and possible inheritance at his death.  Jesus rebuked him and gave a specific command to go and preach the kingdom of God.  We have no indication of whether or not he obeyed.

    Another man proclaimed his willingness to foll0w Jesus but wanted to go say ‘goodbye’ to his family.  “Jesus replied, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”   (Luke 9:62)   Following Jesus involves full commitment  and sacrifice.  Serving Jesus means putting Him first above personal desires and family responsibilities.  Are you willing to follow Jesus?   It is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are out of this world!