Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:  “I will sing of steadfast love and justice—to you O Lord I will make music.  I will ponder the way that is blameless.

(Oh, when will you come to me?)

• I will walk in with integrity of heart within my house;
• I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless;
• I hate the work of those who fall away—it shall not cling to me.
• A perverse heart shall be far from me;
• I will know nothing of evil.”  Ps 101:1-4

Observation:   Personal holiness: the Psalmist describes how he approaches it.

Application:    I couldn’t help but notice how varied the Psalmist’s response concerning personal holiness was.  Specifically, what does stand out are the self-intentional phrases “I will, I shall”, etc.

The whole journal experience is supposed to be one of personal reflection about how the Scriptures interact with me—what moves me; what makes my head cock to the side and say “huh?”  What crushes my heart when I reflect on what the Word says; what causes my heart to race in enthusiasm…

What got me this morning is how I read into how the Psalmist was saying?  I think not all of what the words say ONLY is the entirety.  How it is read (out loud is best) is important as well.

What I saw in this passage was the “Oh, when will you come to me?”—it seems out of place and out of rhythm with the rest of the verses before and following—sort of like the Psalmist was exercising discipline, talking truth to himself but, on another level, lamenting the lack of personal visitation by the Lord—there is a little empty feeling going on…

I can see that in a way.  How many times am I conducting myself “in faith”, not sensing the Presence?  It is not a place of unbelief—on the contrary, putting my foot one in front of the other while calling on the Name is a significant act of faith in God.

It is the lament of “I want to know You…I want to see You…” and more.  It is longing after Him to know him more.

If my speculation is sort of correct, I can see and understand the above.  “I will, I shall check off the list of things I want to honor you with—but oh, when will You come to me?  Nevertheless, I will sing…I will sing of steadfast love…I will sing of justice…to You O Lord I WILL make music and ponder (meditate, think, keep in my thoughts) the way that is blameless…”

Prayer:    Lord God, I so appreciate the Psalms.  The Psalmist writes from a heart that is wholly for You, speaks of your majesty, wonder, and power and speaks incessantly of the man in the mirror.  It is as real of a personal testimony that I think I can read.  Thank you for the Psalms.  I want to know You more.  AMEN.

 

 

 

Scripture

Psalm 97:10-12 – O you who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.  Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Observation

The Lord reigns and is sovereign over all of heaven and earth.  We, who love the Lord are to hate evil!  As we follow the Lord, he will protect us. When we walk in his light towards him, we will have his joy in our heart.

Application

To truly love the Lord and follow Him, I can’t love things that are evil.  Verse 10 does not say love the Lord and love evil.  I must receive the love of Christ in my heart, submit to Him and allow that to change me from the inside out.  My walk needs to follow his illuminated path for me towards him and away from the darkness which was commonplace in my life.  My response to the gospel should always be that of praise, thanksgiving and joy for my salvation!

Prayer

Father, Thank you for your love and sending Jesus to save me.  Help me to receive that love, follow your light away from darkness and share it with others.

Journal Luke 24 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:   “And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones—slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’

And, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, (Jesus) interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning him.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going.  (Jesus) acted as if he was going farther but they urged him strongly saying ‘Stay with us for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.’  So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at table with them he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them….And their eyes were opened and they recognized him.  And he vanished from their sight.

They said to each other ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road; while he opened to us the Scriptures?’” Luke 24:25-32

Observation:   The story about the road to Emmaus is fairly well known in the church.  Yet, what could be said was a mild rebuke from Jesus (O foolish ones…), turns out to be a sensation to be hoped and longed for…

Application:   “Did you feel it, too?  My heart burned in me while the Scriptures were unfolding…”

Man, it has been a while since I felt that.  It is a feeling like no other, a feeling of awesomeness and bursting from within.  Not my awesomeness, but somehow knowing that He spoke and I had a physical reaction.

That is the power of the Word of God; the physical sensation of Hebrews 4:12—“The Word of God is living and active…”

Of course, we don’t live for the sizzle and the fireworks to know that the Holy Spirit is working in me through the Word of God…but it is kind of cool, just the same.

Here we have a couple of guys on Emmaus Road—going home or maybe to their version of the Venue; beat’s me.  A stranger walks up, interrupts them asking “what’cha talking about?”

The walkers try to explain their conversation to the stranger.  At the end the stranger shakes his head: “Really guys?  Slow of heart and understanding concerning what the Prophets have spoken?”  The stranger goes on to explain all that happened concerning this Jesus in the last few days referencing the Scriptures from Moses through the Prophets.

The walkers were rapt; their attention was zeroed into the Stranger’s words.  They were gaining something exciting and it was affecting them: “Did your heart burn?  Mine did.”  “Yeah, mine did too.”

That is and can be the effect of the Word of God:  something different happens in the chest and between the ears—and, if kept, meditated upon, desired like a pearl, thirsted for like water in a dry land, first on the tongue when waking and last on the mind falling asleep—will produce riches beyond anything that can be imagined.  That is the Power of the Word of God.

Prayer:   Knowing You and the power of Your resurrection is what I long for, Lord.  How do I find it?  By immersing myself in Your Word.  Jeremiah described it as “sweeter than the honeycomb.”   The Psalmist described it as something to make him steadfast, keep his ways pure.

Please please please increase my desire for your Word for by it I know You more AMEN.

 

 

Scripture

Vs 1 … the whole company of them arose … 2 And they began to accuse (Jesus), Vs 5 … they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people …”

Vs 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him … he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

Vs 9 (Herod) questioned (Jesus) at some length, but (Jesus) made no answer.

Vs 18 … they all cried out together, “Away with this man …”

Vs 23 … they were urgent, demanding with loud cries … And their voices prevailed.

Vs 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Vs 48 And all the crowds … when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

Vs 50 Now there was a man named Joseph … a good and righteous man, Vs 51 … who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.

Observation

We have Luke’s telling of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.

Jesus is before Pilate and Herod, but it is all prompted by “the whole company”, who are the religious leaders, and “the crowd”, who are the people gathered to watch.

Vicious and hypocritical lies and accusations were made against Jesus.

Everyone had their own motivations for their interaction with Jesus.

The religious leaders wanted to keep power.

Pilate wanted to keep the peace and wash his hands of controversy and conflict.

Herod wanted a personal sign.

And the crowd wanted action … a response to their outrage, and they wanted it now!

Jesus gave none of them what they wanted … “he made no answer”.

But Jesus did offer them what they needed … “forgive them”.

One person is singularly pointed out, Joseph of Arimathea, as being good.

He did not consent to demands.

He was looking for the Kingdom of God.

Application

It’s easy to “prevail”.

This is the phrase that stands out to me this morning … “their voices prevailed”.

“Their voices prevailed.” … They got what they wanted and when they wanted it!

And I associate getting what you want, when you want it, as a victory.

This is a “win”! … I “prevailed” if I get what I want when I want it.

And this interaction gives the ingredients to supposedly “prevail”.

It’s almost formulaic …

“They all cried out together” … “they were urgent” … “they demanded with loud cries”!

Want to prevail with “the crowd”? … BE TOGETHER … BE URGENT …  BE LOUD!

This is the tyranny of the mob. … And the mob often gets its way.

Whether it’s townspeople with pitchforks and torches or social media trolls with clicks and comments … The mob often “prevails”.

But I cannot “prevail” in both the Kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God.

To “prevail” in the kingdom of man is to ultimately end up “returning home beating my breast”.

I am given, however, the ingredients of how to respond and act in the face of “the crowd”.

If the mob acts together, demands urgency, and cries the loudest, I must be willing to stand alone, see eternally, and remain quiet.

Joseph of Arimathea “did not consent” to the crowd.

Joseph “was looking for the Kingdom of God”.

And Jesus “made no answer” to the false accusations.

Jesus came saying the Kingdom was “at hand” and “near”.

His death and resurrection has ushered in the Kingdom.

It’s easy for me to “prevail” in man’s kingdom … find a mob and join it!

But I must resist the mob … and seek first the Kingdom of God.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your word

Help me see your Kingdom

Help me remain quiet when I should and speak when I should Help me resist the mod of man Open my mind and heart Holy Spirit In Jesus name Amen

Scripture:

[3] Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. [4] And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

[21] But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.

Observation:

Judas was open to Satan..

Although Judas Iscariot was close to Jesus as one of the original 12 disciples and followed Jesus for 3 years, he was still open to Satan.  It was more of an outward show of loyalty.  It seems like his heart was not totally changed.

What made Judas open to Satan?  Was it greed?  Based on the fact he went and asked how much they would pay, it probably was.

God allowed Satan to use Judas..

Satan used Judas but was playing right along with God’s plan and didn’t even know it.  Another prophecy was fulfilled..  “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9) Where King David wrote of being betrayed by one of his closest friends, now Jesus would be betrayed by on of his chosen 12 disciples.

Jesus knew and yet He loved..

Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he loved him and kept him close anyway.

Application:

Judas wasn’t the most upright person there was.  He managed the money and yet the others couldn’t trust him not to steal from it.  He had the same sin nature all of us have – he did things he knew was wrong.  And Jesus chose him and loved him anyway.  In fact, Jesus loved Judas knowing that He would ultimately be betrayed by him.

Just as He loved Judas, Jesus loves us no matter what.  There is nothing we can do to make Him love us less. Later Judas gave the money back and takes his own life without ever repenting to God of his sin.

We can be different from Judas though..

First, whether we’ve been following Jesus for a day or a lifetime, we need much more than an outward display of what we think others expect of Christians.  We need to allow our hearts to be truly changed.

Second, we need to constantly fight off Satan’s attempts to convince us to sin.  In Judas’ case it may have been greed.  We need to look deep and understand what our sin issues are and use the power of the Holy Spirit within us to fight off Satan’s attempt to turn them into actions.

Third, in our moments of weakness, when we do loose some control to evil, repent to our Lord and Savior knowing that he loves us through anything.

Prayer:

Lord I love You.  Thank You for choosing me.  Help me stay strong against evil influences and to always know that You love me as broken and as messy as I am.  In your powerful and loving name I pray, amen.

Journal Luke 21 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 Scripture:   “And (the Disciples) asked him, ‘Teacher, when will these things be and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?’  And he said, ‘See that you are not led astray…do not be terrified…Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer…

But watch yourselves [Pay attention] lest your hearts be weighted down with dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of this life and THAT DAY come upon you suddenly like a trap—for it will come upon all who swell on the face of the whole earth.

But stay awake [Be perceptive] at all times praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place AND to stand before the Son of Man.’” Excerpts from Luke 21:7-36

Observation:   The End Times; the End of all things; That Day: Important information leading to Jesus’ return.  And what does Jesus say about these things?  To Disciples He says: Do not be afraid, prepare, be aware—Rejoice for the King is coming!

Application:    Writing about That Day is not my most favorite thing to do.

Why is that?  It is because over my decades I have been exposed to so many excesses of interpretations, speculations, and inordinate focus on this one subject.  It is still embraced to excess among some—so much so that in my opinion these folks have lost the majesty of the Gospel.  Note: that is only my opinion; please forgive me if I offend.

All things leading to That Day, the return of the King, is part of the narrative of the Gospel—not the culmination, for the Gospel (I think) is the Jewel of God past the new heavens and the new earth and the embodiment in the Son.  After all, the inconceivable was made conceivable: the Trinity made a way for unholy, rebellious, traitorous Mankind to be redeemed and adopted to the Father.  Get used to throwing headgear at the feet of Jesus whenever you see Him in overwhelming wonder and praise.

Therefore, if I have this correctly, then the Gospel is more important than we could ever imagine.

The disciples ask a reasonable question, just like any of us would: Who, what, when, where, why?  When is the project over and how will I know it?  What is coming?  I want to recognize so I can be prepared…

So what does Jesus tell the disciples?  Note what is going on around you, but only note—do not be led astray.  Pay attention—do what I have instructed you in for your day to day living—Be perceptive—Stay alert.

How do I do these things?  Peter wrote about it: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore:

1. Be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers;
2. Keep loving one another earnestly;
3. Show hospitality without grumbling and complaining;
4. Be a good steward of God’s varied Grace using your gift to serve. (re: 1 Peter 4:7-9)

This is only a snippet of what His Word calls me to do–Easy peasy because it is a list of things.  Everybody likes check lists…

However, at the core of anything I am to do is pursuing Jesus and His Word (kind of He is the Word, you know?)

What is the Gospel?  Better yet, what is the narrative of the Gospel?  How well am I conversant with it?  Every day, I preach the Gospel to the face in the mirror and, by His magnificent Grace; will continue to That Day when sight will replace faith.

Prayer:   Lord, may your kingdom come, may your will be done.  Yes and AMEN.  Drive in me a considerate and intense love for the Doctrine of the Gospel.  Help me to understand, comprehend, or at least be able to talk about all the steps of the Gospel from the point before time began through That Day and beyond.  I want to walk worthy of the Gospel all my days and, at the end of them may it be said “He served the purpose of God in his generation.”  AMEN and AMEN.

 

Scripture–

Luke 20:46-47 – “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation.”

Observation–

Jesus is talking to the disciples and again issues a warning about the religious elite who feel justified because of their righteous actions. The scribes are displaying outward gestures to be seen seeking human approval. Yet, their hearts are not right and they do not care about the most vulnerable people. For this they will be judged even greater.

Application–

Jesus teaches/warns about the scribes and the Pharisees self righteous actions on many occasions. The scribes have a self awareness problem where they deem themselves righteous based on their outward appearance and love of human approval. God is concerned about our heart and the change that occurs when we respond to the love of the gospel from the inside out. There is a serious blind spot and reliance on religious activity if I think doing this or being seen there is the proper response to the gospel while ignoring the needs of someone. The gospel requires a relationship not religion where help/deeds are in response to the love of Christ.

Prayer –

Father, Thank you for your love and the truth in the gospel. Let me not be someone who wants to be seen and seeks approval of others. May your radical love continue to change my heart to love you and others to glorify you.

 

 

Scripture:

Luke 19:7 “and when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner”

Observations:

The first 6 verses leading up to this start off with a story about a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector, who heard Jesus was going to be in town and was determined to meet him. In fact, because of his height disadvantage, Zacchaeus was so determined that he climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus sees him and tells him he must come down so that He can stay at Zacch’s house. The crowds are angry that such a sinner could be chosen by Jesus to spend time with him.

Now, there’s a lot of attention drawn to Zacch in this story but we can’t miss the fact that a crowd of people missed the mission of Jesus. They missed the words he uttered back in Luke 5:30-31 “And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”

Applications:

1. Don’t be part of the crowd that misses the mission of Jesus
2. Admit you’re not well and remind yourself that Jesus heals in that moment!
3. Thank Him for the promise of salvation to all who call upon His name!
4. Rejoice, as a believer, that Jesus is calling people that seem like societal outcasts to be a member of His kingdom family!

Scripture

Vs 10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Vs 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

Vs 13 No servant can serve two masters … “You cannot serve God and money.”

Vs 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable about a servant’s loyalty.

But this person is loyal, or faithful, to his own wants over his master’s commands.

He reinforces that everyone will have an ultimate loyalty … a master.

And there is no such thing as a shared ultimate loyalty … or serving two masters.

Your master will be God … or something else, likely money, but not both.

The servant thinks they are making things right in their world by prioritizing their monetary wants.

Ultimately, they only have appearances of being right … “justified before men”.

And true loyalties will be revealed … “God knows the heart”.

Application

What do I prioritize?  … My external circumstances or my internal faithfulness?

What do I place higher value on? … “wealth” or “true riches”?

My day to day decisions will reveal this … Where is my faithfulness?

I’m fascinated by Jesus’ statement, “You cannot serve both God and money.”

It seems a bit of a disconnect at first.

The more likely way I would complete the statement would be …

“You cannot serve both God and the devil.”

Or, “you cannot serve both God and evil.”

Or, “You cannot serve both God and sin.”

But Jesus juxtaposes God and money!

This should be a stark warning to me of the extreme danger, risk, temptation that is money.

It can actually pull me away from God.

And Jesus teaches us to pray against temptation.

Yet, how easy it is to pray for better situational circumstances that I think will get better with … money.

And it’s so easy to think, once this situation is taken care of, then I can do that for God.

Or if only this wasn’t going on in my life, then I could serve God more.

What terrible thinking.

The very way I serve my Master is in the midst of the circumstances and situations that I may want to alleviate.

I will only do this, though, if my heart is right.

I can’t seek to make things look good circumstantially when I’m actually being unfaithful.

I can’t seek to look good “before men”, when “God knows the heart”.

I must be faithful now “with a little”, to be entrusted eternally with “true riches”.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your word

Help me see you as not only Lord and Master

But as true riches

Help me see with an eternal perspective

And convict me Holy Spirit when I am tempted

Lead me in faithfulness

In Jesus name

Amen

 

 

 

Scripture:

[4] “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Observation:

Wow, so much to take away from the parables in this chapter.

While it’s not the main point of this parable, I’m going to go with an observation regarding the 99 in the Parable of the Lost Sheep.

The shepherd left 99 sheep unattended while he went after the single lost sheep that was wandering aimlessly not able to find his way home.  This tells me that the 99 were safe – “..in the open country”.  The shepherd was confident with no worries of the sheep being scattered or attacked.  While pursuing the one lost sheep, the shepherd did not endanger any of the 99, did not risk loosing any of the 99, and did not sacrifice any of the 99.  They were safe.

Application:

Wandering aimlessly, unable to find our way to Him, Jesus chases after us as lost sheep.  He loves us and desires to have a relationship with us.

While Jesus pursues the lost, He leaves the saved in a safe place, filled with His Spirit to protect and guide us.  We are safe.  We are protected.  We are not endangered and he is not sacrificing a single one of as he gathers the lost.

I was that lost sheep.  I thank the Lord every day that he chased after me.  I was messy and broken and yet he pursued me!  And He did not risk even a single saved sole while pursuing me.  Knowing now that I’m no longer lost, I’m thankful He has left me in a safe place while He pursues others.

Prayer:

Thank you for pursuing a dirty, broken person like me Lord.  Use me an any way You chose to share the gospel and pursue the lost.  Thank you for the peace in knowing that, with the power of Your Spirit within me, I am in a safe place while You pursue the lost.  Amen.

Journal Luke 14 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:  Now great crowds accompanied (Jesus) and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost (whether or not he has enough to complete it)?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him saying: ‘this man began to build and not able to finish.’

Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down and deliberate whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him who comes against him with 20,000?  And, if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

So, therefore:  Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26-33

Observation:   Self-examination and evaluation against a standard.  What a difficult issue to tackle.  This may be the fertile ground to erect idols upon…just like Adam did.

Application:   I perk up when I encounter the word “therefore.”

When I see it my reflex is to analyze what it is there for.  Using the word therefore is like summarizing the statements previous in the text.

Sometimes the previous texts don’t quite make sense—like the sentences previous are referring to other passages, other principles, other non-related stories.  But, instead of bemoaning that “the scriptures isn’t clear; I wouldn’t have written them this way…” it is our privilege to dig into the Word and dig the meanings, direction, and references out.  Note: be aware that the Holy Spirit may not reveal or unfold things immediately.  Sometimes other precepts, principles, and doctrine have to be in place as a foundation.  Refer to Deut 29:29 for how the Trinity handles “secrets.”

The key in this section of scripture (Luke 14) is evident: “How can I be a disciple?”

The “therefore” tells me following Jesus and becoming a disciple

• Has to be more important than family;
• Has to bear a cross;
• Has to self-evaluate and count the cost;
• Has to see if the battle is worth it to engage in.

I can only think in a hushed voice: “Who then can be saved?”  Why do I think that?  Because each of these four points I can be in internal conflict with at many times during my life—scratch that: many times during the day.  Who, then, can be saved?  Or am I fooling myself and stomping around in self-righteous, self-justified, Pharisee-shoes?  What confession and repentance is adequate to handle this?

This is where the Gospel comes into play.  The good news of the Gospel is that everyone has sinned (in Sin) and everyone falls absolutely short of the Holiness of God.  Having a clear-eyed grip on what I deserve (my un-holiness vs. His Holiness) keeps it real—I deserve God’s Wrath.

Then acknowledging that the Son accepted, welcomed, endured God’s entire Wrath—meant for me—clears my head in a dumbfounded sort of way.  I should be stricken with tears and mouth shut in terror and awestruck joy (a dichotomy only found in the Bible I would bet).  Candidly I am not.  With shame I confess that I usually am numb to thinking and reacting this way due to the cares of the World.  Phooey.

But while I in faith acknowledge what He has done for me without one single iota of anything I could possibly contribute, being responsible I respond.  I press into the stuff Jesus calls me to.  When I fall down I get back up and try again—knowing that I am being powered by the Holy Spirit.

Pursuit.  Persevering to the End.  Persistence in chasing Jesus: these and other descriptors are there to describe disciples.  Take advantage of the gifts of Grace that God has given in His Word and in the local church.  The End of all things is at hand…

Prayer:   Father, thank You for loving me, caring for me—even when my warts are on full display.  I don’t want to be a Pharisee—keep me from this attitude and keep me on the narrow road of righteousness.  Help me avoid temptation.  Make the Gospel hammered in my mind.  AMEN.

 

 

Scripture-

Luke 13:5-9 – “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  And he told this parable:  “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit and he found none.  And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.  Cut it down.  Why should it use up the ground?’  And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.  Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”

 Observation-

Jesus begins by clarifying that bad things don’t happen only because of sin and that one sinner isn’t worse than another.  Jesus shares the gospel truth that everyone needs to repent from their sin and turn to God or all will die.  In the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus shows the love God has for us and his patience in us to follow him and bear fruit.

Application –

I must remember that we are all sinners dead without hope to save ourselves apart from the blood of Christ on the cross at Calvary.  This means I don’t have the right to rank order my sin as not as consequential as someone else’s sin.  What I do need to be thankful for is a loving God who is patient and gives us time to hear the message, repent to turn and follow Him.  God did not give us a one and done scenario in our ability to respond to the gospel.  I, in turn need to have patience with someone whom I am sharing the gospel and life with.  God will place things in our path and use them to draw near to Him.  My walk is not complete and I am to continue to follow Jesus daily.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to pay for my sins so I could repent and have a relationship with you.  Help me to have your patience for others as I share your love and gospel.

Journal Luke 11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 Scripture:   “And (Jesus) said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey and I have nothing to set before him.’  And he will answer from within ‘Do not bother me, the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed.  I cannot get up and give you anything.’

I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.  And I tell you: Ask and it will be given to your; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you….What father among you, if his son ask for an fish…will give him a serpent; or 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?”  Luke 11:5-13

Observation:   What kind of impudence do we need to exercise to persist in prayer?  What shall we ask for?  What should we avoid asking for?  What should be my expectation (if I am to have any expectation at all)?

Application:   Is this the flip side of “name it and claim it?  Is there any kind of justification that “name it and claim it” is a valid position?

Nope, sure isn’t.  But why isn’t it?

I am pretty sure the answer is found in the condition of a heart.  Is it a heart of humility or of pride?

First part of the story: There is a guy who has a predicament and he goes to his friend to ask for assistance.  The guy being asked is cranky and doesn’t want to get up and get the household opened up again.  But—because the first guy apparently doesn’t have another option he is insistent.  The second guy gets up and gives him what is asked for so that he will leave him alone.

Second part of the story: Making it real for the reader.  Here’s the comparison: Will you (the reader) be so callous as to substitute dangerous stuff for the stuff asked for?

The comparison continues: If you wouldn’t do that, why do you think God will do that?  So then: Ask, seek, knock and find the Goodness of God.

The stories then becomes about what we should think and do, not what God is supposed to do.

The “Name it/Claim it” error is rooted into assuming an obligation of God towards Man by His Word.  It is seen as a formula to take advantage of God.  “If Jesus is King, then I am a Prince.”  “If God owns everything, then as an adopted child, I own it as well.  I claim my inheritance…” and other such drivel.

I should ask in prayer.  But asking for stuff should not be the sum total of my correspondence with the Most High.  What should be my prayer life?  Practice not doing the above for one…

Prayer is hard.  Learning to pray and pray well is a lifetime of practice.  It is in the attitude of prayer where I have found that my Old Man, my sin nature, comes out in force.  How is it manifested?  By not having anything to say in my prayers other than “give me a fish and an egg please.”

James 4 tells me I ask and don’t receive because I ask wrongly.  It is not how I ask (the process) but how I ask in attitude (foolishness, coveting stuff, and pride).

How did I begin to change my ways?  One way recommended is pray through scripture.  Take Psalms for instance: As I read through Psalms out loud, I change reading what David wrote to reading like I wrote it—I personalize my reading.  Just a technique to change my sinful ways and to read life into my foolish heart.

James again: Humble yourself under the mighty Hand of God.  Good advice and here is a little more.  Humble yourself and try to get ahead of humble—you really don’t want God to humble you.   Learn to pray rightly.

Prayer:    Lord God: You see all my ways.  You see all my needs.  You also see all my wants.  You are without limits wiser than I am.  Please increase wisdom in me.  I ask for more of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

 

 

Scripture

Vs 1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 

vs 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

Vs 12 … the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away …”

Vs 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” 

Vs 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 

Vs 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

Vs 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Vs 46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side …

Vs 48 For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Vs 53 But the people did not receive him …

Vs 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

Vs 55 But he turned and rebuked them.

Vs 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Vs 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

Vs 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

 

Observation

This chapter ends the same way it begins … Jesus speaking about proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Under the overarching theme of Kingdom of God, we have two sub-themes  … Power … and Following.

Jesus sent the apostles out with Power … power to proclaim and power to heal.

They Followed His instructions.

Crowds then begin to follow Jesus. When it became an inconvenient nuisance, the apostles wanted to send the crowds away.

Jesus told the apostles to serve the crowd.

Jesus states emphatically that to follow Him would be to deny yourself.

But Jesus states just as emphatically that to NOT follow Him would be to forfeit yourself.

Ironically, the apostles then argue about elevating themselves … being the “greatest”.

Jesus then teaches with the illustration of a child … to be “great”, you must be the “least”.

The apostles still don’t get it.

When the crowds aren’t following Jesus, James and John want to use their power to “tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them”.

Jesus rebukes them for this … He had JUST told them how to handle people’s rejection … “shake the dust from your feet”.

Move on from the rejection and toward the mission.

Jesus then told a sequence of individuals with excuses for not following exactly how weak their excuses are compared to te3h Kingdom of God.

 

Application

Do I understand that I will either live my days for the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of me?

I can’t do both!

To live for the Kingdom of God is to deny myself.

To live for the Kingdom of me is to ultimately forfeit myself.

But I will follow one way or the other.

The apostles give me a couple of examples to learn from to see which way I am living. 

First, when Jesus sends me, do I go? The apostles got this one. The went out when Jesus sent them.

Second, do I see other people around me as a nuisance to send a way or an opportunity to serve?

The apostles didn’t get this. They want to send people away and didn’t trust the power of God in that moment.

Third, when I do get a glimpse of the power of God, am I inclined to elevate myself?

The apostles didn’t get this one either. The clamored to raise their own status, rather than deny themselves.

Fourth, do I want to see the enemies of God destroyed?

The apostles missed this one also. They wanted fire to consume those not following Jesus. Jesus rebuked them.

Jesus sent followers out with power to proclaim and to heal.

If I use power to destroy, or even want others destroyed, this is antithetical to the gospel.

I must keep my hand on the plow … pressing forward in mission of the Kingdom of God.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your grace.

You are so patient with me

Help me see others and treat them as you do me

Give me faith to follow you

The courage to deny myself

And the eyes to see your Kingdom

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

[28] When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

Observation:

These were evil spirits speaking through the man.  Satan and his demons know Jesus and who He really is – Son of the Most High God.  Saying Jesus’ full name like this was part of his intimidation strategy.  As if Satan were in control.

Scripture:

[29] For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.

Observation:

Even though the demons tried to appear in control, Satan and his demons know that God is always in control.  That Jesus had full control of the man and them as evil spirits within the man.  That Jesus could allow them to stay in the man or remove them – and torment them somehow as they had been tormenting the man.

Scripture:

[30] Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him.

Observation:

Seriously, the demons were trying to scare Jesus off?  They are like.. we are as many as a Roman legion, you’d better leave us alone Jesus.  Yeah, right.

Scripture:

[31] And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss.

Observation:

But wait.. intimidating Jesus with their sheer size and quantity may not work to scare him off so they try one last time to beg Jesus that they not be removed from the man and be sent to the abyss – a bottomless pit where evil spirits are confined. That would be their eternal torment.

Application:

The demon possessed man in this story was not yet a believer. As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and it is impossible for demons to cohabitate with Christ within us.  So, we, as true believers in Christ, we cannot have demons within us, but we are still influenced by our interactions with non-believers possessed by evil spirits or by other evil temptations of this world.

The devil is as real now as he was when Jesus was in human form and his evil spirits are at work in this world.  The stronger we are in our belief, the more we spread the Gospel, and the more we do as the Lord wills, the more of a prize we are for Satan, so the more we will be attacked. He will use any means necessary to get to us.

But we have the power of the Spirit living in us so, just as Jesus showed His control in this scripture, we have full control over being influenced by evil.  We have the power to remove satanic influences in our homes, in our work places, and in our families.  We have control to command demons just as Jesus did.

This control doesn’t mean God will keep us from being tempted to desire things that are not of Him.  He will in fact allow Satan to tempt us, not as a punishment or to defeat us, but to strengthen us.

So, as we certainly will be tempted, we should expect the temptations and the attacks.  We need to be prepared and stay alert.  Temptation works like this… thought leads to imagination, leads to desire, leads to decision. While God will allow us to be tempted by the devil, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure – He will always provide an escape. A Spirit controlled person has a choice at every step. We need to use the power of the Spirit within us to take control and stop before ungodly thoughts, however they were planted, become action.

Remember this (I think it came from Charles Stanley) – Satan won’t bother anybody who isn’t bothering Satin’s kingdom but will to anything to destroy those who do the works of God.  The more God uses you in your life, the more Satan will try to destroy you.

So, as a true believer working for God’d kingdom, expect to be tempted by evil.  Be prepared, take control with the power of the Holy Spirit, and overcome.

Prayer:

Lord thank You for filling me with Your Spirit.  I know that Your power lives within me and that I can use it to resist the evil influences in my life.  When I forget that, Lord remind me.  Keep me prepared and always alert.  I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name.  Amen.