Category: Gospels
Rejoicing in heaven!
Scripture reading for July 18th: Luke 15, Psalm 142, Proverbs 18
Luke 15: 1-7 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.””
The proud religious leaders of Jesus’ day were always judging Him and in need of correction. Jesus patiently and kindly taught them in parables. The stories He told would help unlock the Truth of Scripture in a gentle manner, enabling repentance leading to eternal life. This parable of the ‘lost sheep’ was meant to instruct the judgmental Pharisees about God’s heart for the lost and hurting. What truly brings joy in heaven is God’s joy and heaven’s rejoicing over the lost finding salvation and restoration to the family of the Father. God sends true ‘shepherds’ out into the world to seek lost sheep and love them back into the family. This requires prayer and humility and a teachable heart.
Psalm 142:5-7 “I cry to You, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my Portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to Your name! For the righteous will surround me, for You will deal bountifully with me.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for bringing me out of my own prison of pride and lust for the things of this world. Thank You for sending true ‘shepherd’s to me who did not judge me, but kindly shared the Good News of Jesus’ love and sacrifice on the cross. You have dealt bountifully with me! Open doors for me to share Your message of grace by sending me to the lost and hurting, bringing rejoicing in heaven.
Proverbs 18:23 “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
Invited to the great banquet!
Scripture reading for July17th: Luke 14, Psalm 141, Proverbs 17
Luke 14:12-15 “He said also to the man who had invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” When one of those who reclined at table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.””
Jesus was invited to dinner on the Sabbath by a ruler of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were in attendance because they were watching Jesus for evil purposes. Jesus mildly rebuked the man with a word of instruction about giving banquets. He told the man not to invite to his dinner those who could or would invite him back and repay him. That system of favors was the way the world worked, but God’s kingdom was different. He was instructed to invite the poor, the crippled and the lame and blind. Honoring those who could not repay him would bring eternal commendation and reward at the resurrection of the just. God’s kingdom comes easy to those humble enough to receive grace. Those Pharisees there with evil motives were invited to the Great banquet in heaven, but they would never taste of the Bread of heaven!
Psalm 141:1-2 “O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for caring for the poor, the blind, the lame, and the hurting. Thank You for the gift of salvation for all those who humbly repent and call on You. Forgive me when I have mocked the poor and hurting rather than helping them. Fill me with compassion and love for those You invite to the Great Banquet honoring Your Son at the resurrection of the just!
Proverbs 17:5 “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.”
Those saved: Few? or many?
Scripture reading for July 14th: Luke 13, Psalm 140, Proverbs 16
Luke 13: 22-27 “He went on His way through the towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from, Depart from Me, all you workers of evil!'”
Because of a fear of punishment, man sometimes seeks to know the boundaries and plans of God. In this passage, a person asks Jesus about how many or few will be saved. Jesus had just told them that unless they repented that they would perish and used several illustrations of sudden deaths. These deaths had come from an accident and political persecution. Jesus answered them with careful instructions to enter God’s kingdom through the narrow door. Another time Jesus had taught that He was the ‘Door’ and still another ‘the Way’ to the Father’s house. Mere association and knowledge of Jesus would not be sufficient. They must have a personal relationship with Him and because of that, repented of evil.
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, You Alone are just and righteous. You give the gift of righteousness to those who by faith in Jesus Christ have repented of sin and asked You for mercy. The narrow “Door” of faith in Jesus Christ is my only hope of salvation. Although narrow, You have promised it is wide enough for all who will by faith and repentance call upon Jesus for mercy. Amen! Lord have mercy on me the needy one.
Proverbs 16:11 “A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.”
The Father’s priority for us
Scripture reading for July 13th: Luke 12, Psalm 139, Proverbs 15
Luke 12: 27-31 “”Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.””
Fear is a constant companion to those who are not born again. We worry about life and the provision that we need to live and do what we want. Our thoughts and senses tell us that we lack what we need or that we could easily lose even our life and health. Jesus reassures those who have come to Him. Our focus need not be on life’s essentials. Our Father in heaven knows our needs and like the Good Father He is, will supply. Our focus must be on seeking His kingdom and His righteousness. Life’s essentials of food, shelter, and clothing and a compelling vision of the future–eternity, will be given us! These are Jesus’ precious thoughts written down to encourage us on our journey to Father’s House!
Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You.”
Prayer: Father God, Your thoughts and Word is precious to me! Your Word expands my vision to see life from a new perspective, that of Your kingdom and rulership. It takes me away from sin and selfishness and fear or want. Help me to live freely trusting You for life’s essentials and generously towards those still living in fear. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as in heaven! Amen!
Proverbs 15:11 “Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man!”
The Good Heavenly Father!
Scripture reading for July 12th: Luke 11, Proverbs 138, Proverbs 14
Luke 11:9-13 “”And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.””
Jesus encouraged His followers to always ask, seek, and knock when faced with needs or difficulties or forces of evil. He pointed them to how earthly fathers would respond to their children when they asked them for food or provision. Even evil earthly fathers wouldn’t give dangerous gifts that might do harm to their children! How much more will our Good, Good Heavenly Father give good gifts to all who ask Him. His best Gift is the Holy Spirit, His own Nature and Character to dwell in His children. We must ask in faith, understanding the goodness of God our Father, not scoffing at His ability to hear and answer.
Psalm 138:2-3 “I bow down toward Your holy temple, and give thanks to Your Name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the Gift of Your Holy Spirit to live in me and lead and comfort me each day, assuring me of Your goodness and reminding me of Your Name and Word. Help me daily to submit to the Holy Spirit my mind and heart, body and soul, to be used to bring good to my neighbors and family. I ask You in the Name of Jesus Christ today, trusting Your great goodness!
Proverbs 14:6 “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.”
Powerful witnesses for Jesus!
Scripture reading for July 11th: Luke 10, Psalm 137, Proverbs 13
Luke 10:13-16 “”Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you, rejects Me., and the one who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me.”
Jesus was in the process of sending out the seventy-two witnesses into the countryside around Capernaum. As part of His sending, He pronounced ‘woes’ on Chorazin and Bethsaida as well as Capernaum. These cities had been where He had ministered in power and now these sent-out ones would also minister in power and share the Gospel of grace through believing in Jesus. Jesus told them that their witness was powerful. Those that would hear and heed, were hearing Him and those that heard and rejected them were really rejecting Him. Those that rejected Him were rejecting His Father Who sent Him and them! Like Babylon of old, who had the Jews in captivity for 70 years and destroyed Jerusalem and many residents, these cities and people would suffer for their own rejection of truth.
Psalm 137:8 “O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall He be who repays you with what you have done to us.”
Prayer: Father God, as Your people and Your sent-out witnesses, help us to understand the authority that we have to declare Your truth. As we sow Your Word of mercy through Jesus, open hearts of the lost and bring a revelation of Your love and grace through Jesus. Without You, they will perish and suffer for their own rebellion. We agree with You: You want none to perish but all to come to You in repentance. Amen!
Proverbs 13:5-6 “The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.”
Words that sink into ears!
Scripture reading for July 10th: Luke 9, Psalm 136, Proverbs 12
Luke 9: 43-48 “And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything He was doing, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by His side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My Name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him Who sent Me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.””
Jesus spoke plain truth to His disciples because He loved them and wanted the best for them. With all the miracles that Jesus was doing, the disciples were arguing among themselves about who might be the greatest of Jesus’ followers. Jesus began His rebuke by telling them to let His Word sink into their ears! Words can be heard but not allowed to sink in! The primary message was that Jesus was going to the cross. Events were coming that would test their faith! Second, Jesus knew their reasonings and used a child to illustrate His point. A child has simple trust in those older. The disciples must abide in Jesus and His Word must sink into their hearts producing saving faith. Greatness comes to the humble and dependent.
Psalm 136:23-24 “It is He Who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever; . . “
Prayer: Father God, thank You for remembering us in our low estate and speaking life-giving instruction to Your followers. Thank You for going to the cross for us and bearing the suffering of our evil in Your Son’s body. I receive the grace coming from Your sacrifice and ask You to speak Truth to me if I need correction. Thank You for Your steadfast love flowing eternally to all Your people!
Proverbs 12:1 “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
Watch your hearing!
Scripture reading for July 7th: Luke 8, Psalm 135, Proverbs 11
Luke 8:16-18 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Jesus had just taught His disciples the parable of the Sower. God is the actual ‘Sower’ of His Word. It is likened to ‘Good Seed’ that can produce an abundant crop in the right kind of soil. We receive God’s Word through hearing it preached, taught, or spoken or reading it. Care needs to be taken how we hear. We must be diligent to take His Word deep into our hearts and allow it to germinate and grow. If we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through repentance and faith we take the first step in proper hearing. Then more can be given to us. We must always remember that God knows everything about us, including our secrets and secret sins. Confessing them to Him and repentance brings righteousness.
Psalm 135:11-12 “Your Name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord throughout all ages. For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.”
Prayer: Father God, Your Name and renown endures forever! Through Jesus Christ, I have repented of living for me and now have received Christ’s gift of righteousness. I ask for continued healing of my ears to better hear Your Word and softening the soil of my heart to increase the capacity to receive Your Word and produce a crop for eternal life and proclaim Your Name to the ends of the earth!
Proverbs 11:4-5 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.”
Speech with authority!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Luke 7, Psalm 134, Proverbs 10
Luke 7:6-10 “And Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the Word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed Him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.”
A Gentile army commander sent word to Jesus that his servant was sick and near death. He humbly sent some elders to Jesus to ask for help. Upon hearing the request, Jesus went to help. On the way, the centurion sent other servants to plead with Jesus not to come, but to ‘just say the Word, and my servant will be healed.’ This statement of faith caused Jesus to marvel and commend the centurion for his understanding of authority and the power that comes from speaking truth. Believers have authority given to them by God through Jesus’ Name to speak healing, blessing, provision and life as directed by the Holy Spirit. We bless others and bless our Lord when we act and speak in faith!
Psalm 134:1-3 “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, He Who made heaven and earth!”
Prayer: Father God, we bless You today and lift up our hands to Your supreme authority! You have blessed us with authority through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and wisdom and direction to have faith like that centurion who trusted in the power of Your Word. Use my mouth to speak wisdom and what is right and bless Your Name. Let Your blessing flow to me from heaven!
Proverbs 10:31-32 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.”
God commands love for enemies!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Luke 6, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Luke 6: 27-31 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.”
The law of sowing and reaping says that we get back what we put out. Jesus, knowing this to be true, commanded His followers to show love for their enemies. God’s love does what is best for the other person, in order to see them converted. When we do good to our enemies, it opens up their lives to see and experience the grace of God and hopefully draws them to repentance and life. This can change them from being your enemy to being a brother or sister and dwelling in God’s unity of the Trinity. This is Wisdom speaking, as God’s Word and Jesus are Wisdom for us!
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are Love and Wisdom. Forgive me for at times ignoring this command to love my enemies. I would rather ignore them or get even. This is not like Jesus. Fill me with Your Love and remind me to show love to all You put in my life and path. I desire the good and pleasant peace of dwelling in unity with You and Your people.
Proverbs 9:12 “If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”