Category: Uncategorized

Luke 15:31-32

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

Encouraging Words

The parable of the prodigal son is such a beautiful picture of a father’s love for his sons. This picture is an image of Gods love for His children, both those who have wandered away from Him and those who have stayed close to Him. All of humankind throughout all of history have been recipients of His love. And yet there are those who still reject Him. That does not mean that He loves them any less. Our lesson in this passage is that if we have not left God, if we are the older brother, then we should not be jealous of our prodigal brothers and sisters that return to our family. We should celebrate as the angels do and embrace the returning lost sheep in arms of love. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Luke 14:11

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Personal Challenges

Many of the teaching of Christ, appear to be upside down compared to the teachings of the world. This makes sense when you acknowledge that our enemy, Satan, has one goal in mind, to keep as many people away from God as possible. In the world, people who push their way to the top, irregardless of how many people they impact along the, are the ones that are glorified and idolized. In God’s perspective, however, He wants the opposite. He wants us to humble ourselves and put others first. If we view this through our temporal, worldly eyes, then it looks ludicrous. But in the greater scheme of eternity it is laying up our rewards in heaven and helping those around us in this life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Luke 12:48b

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Personal Challenge

God has a much different way of looking at things than we do. He is, and sees, eternally. He gives to us abundantly, expecting us to be good stewards with those gifts. We need to be aware that the more that we are given, the more is expected of us to use that gift wisely. If we receive wealth we are to use it to help those who don’t have it. If we receive time, we are to use it for His work. If we are blessed with leadership roles in His body and in our work, then we will be held accountable for how well we administered the authority that comes with that leadership for the edification of the people that we are leading. In essence, everything that we have, every breath that we take, every beat of our heart, is a gift from God. What are we doing with that gift that glorifies Him. Glory be to God!

Luke 12:35-36

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.”

Personal Challenge

Do we as modern Christians live our lives in a constant state of readiness for the return of our Lord? I don’t think so. We are so caught up in the moment, so focused on meeting the needs, or actually in most cases, the desires that we have, that we forget to look to our Lord who may be coming any moment. Are we at a place in our lives where we could drop, even abandon, everything and answer His call? I know that I am not. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Personal Challenge

What really is our treasure? Is it the money that we earn and have saved up for our future? Is it the stuff that we have bought with some of that money? Is it our time? Is it certain people that we put above all others? We all have things in our lives that we value higher than everything else. It is important to do an inventory every once in a while to take stock of what has become important in our lives and make sure that we are prioritizing in such a way to put the treasures of God, the treasures that really matter, at the top of the list. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Luke 12:32-33

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.”

Personal Challenge

“Life is short, live it with gusto.” “He who dies with the most toys, wins.” This is the sentiment that this would, and the enemy who reigns in this world, wants us to believe. But God tells us differently. If we are members of His flock, we have the true treasures of eternity being laid up for us in the heavenly realm where there is no thief, moth, or decay. If we can truly embrace this belief, then it becomes so much easier to loosen our gripe on the things of this world and give alms to those in need. We can live our lives knowing that no one or no thing can take our heavenly treasures away from us. Glory be to God!

Luke 12:29-31

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Encouraging Words

Have you ever been in a situation where you are putting all of your focus into something that you are seeking that every­thing else becomes a blur? It might be that special item that you have lost or misplaced. Or it might be some treasure that you are trying to find. You are so intent on finding what you are seeking and everything else just seems to blur into nothingness. There is joy in the hunt but there is great joy when you finally find what you are looking for. This is what Jesus is encouraging us to do, seek after God and His Kingdom as if your life depends on it (which it does), and He will give it to you. Glory be to God!

Luke 12:22-23

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”

Encouraging Words

Sometimes life can press in on us and we begin to feel alone. Sometimes things happen in life where we begin to get worried that we will not make it and be able to meet the needs of our loved ones or ourselves. These times are real and the feelings are deep. Jesus reminds us that we are His children and that He will take care of us. That care may not always be in the format that we expect or desire but it is still there. He knows our true needs, including what we need to learn in the midst of our trial, and He will fulfill those needs. Our prayer should be that our eyes be open to His handiwork. Our prayer should also be that He will use us at He sees fit in the lives of those around us who have needs that are lacking so that we can be part of their journey through their trials in a positive, Christ-illumining way. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Luke 12:8-9

“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”

Personal Challenge

What does Jesus want us to do when it comes to confessing Him before men? He wants us to be willing to live our lives in such a way that people see Him in us. He wants our actions to match our words, “I am a Christian.”. We cannot be His representatives if we do not follow in His footsteps and do what He has asked us to do. Confession of Christ before men is much more than mere words. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!