Friday Focus #42

Get Near to Jesus

There was so much power in the physical touch of Jesus as he was God in the flesh. He could touch you and heal you. He could speak to you and heal you of an ailment that has plagued you for decades. There was nothing that he couldn't heal. In Luke 6:17-19, Jesus ministered to a bunch of people. The first thing he did was he stood on a level area (verse 17). That could just be a simple way of saying so he was balanced in a place where there was not much balance to be found (mountainous or hilly area). But you can metaphorically connect it to mean when you are going to do some preaching and teaching and ministering, make sure that your life is in balance, not imbalanced. Imagine watching someone stand in an area that was unstable. You could get distracted by watching them try to keep their balance. The same way we need to keep our balance with God's word and managing what we allow in our lives from the cultures that we live in. My second point is contained in verses 18-19 which show how people from various areas knew of Jesus and wanted to hear him speak and have him heal their illnesses. Those who had unclean spirits and were troubled sought to be healed by Jesus. They wanted to be healed by him because they knew he had power. Just getting near to Jesus can be healing. You must have faith to even believe that he can heal. If they didn't believe that he could heal, would they have gotten near to him or tried to hear him speak. Get near to Jesus.

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Friday Focus #34

Stop Making Excuses

I have heard people say that when they are done living whatever lifestyle they are living or when life calms down then they will go to church, get right with God, read the Bible, etc. I think to myself, why wait? If you really want to do something you will make time for it regardless of what else is going on. People who love to work out will work out. People who love to plant and garden will plant flowers and tend to their garden. If you like working on cars, then you will make time for that. But as for God, many will say it just isn't the right time. There is no good reason as to why you need to wait to reconnect with God. Stop making excuses.

If we don't want to go to church, read the Bible, etc then just say that instead of there is no time for it. We all have 24 hours a day and chose to spend it doing what we want and what are also priorities. If you do not add time with God to your schedule then there will be something else that will come into the mix later and keep you from making time. Some people have said that they will wake up earlier or spend part of their lunch hour reading the Bible. Others listen to sermons while driving to and from work. There is always time, but your choice is has been to do something else.

Do you remember when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha? Read through Luke 10:38-42 and see how Martha was so distracted doing so many things that that when she realized she was not getting help from her sister, she complained to Jesus who told Martha that Mary had chosen to spend time with him rather than run around doing other "stuff" that was not as important. What ever is important to you will show not just by your words, but also by your actions.

 

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Friday Focus #32

A Miracle for the Empty (Inspired by Kerry Shook)

There are relationships out there (my favorite topic) that are suffering. They are hurting. They are empty. They need healing and hope. There has been damage done and the damage needs to be repaired. How does that repair get started? Focus on being loving like Jesus. This is not conditional love that says I will love you if you will love me. It is not "I will be loving only if you reciprocate." This is the same love Christ has for us as he died for our sins. It was not I will die for you if you all follow me. It is "I am dying for you to be reunited with God."
 

In Luke 5:1-11 we have Jesus calling (claiming) his first disciples. He sits in Simon's boat and teaches the word of God to people and then tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon says that they had worked all night and were tired from catching nothing but he listened to Jesus anyway. That sounds like those times in relationships where you have been doing your part and are exhausted and have been getting ready to "hang it up." You have stopped being loving, caring and nurturing. But Jesus says "give it another shot." When Simon gave it another shot he caught so many fish he needed help bringing them all in. This sounds like when the lull in the relationship is over and you and/or your friend, spouse, significant other both are seeking to be loving again despite being exhausted.

This is what our Christian walk is. It is still seeking to honor God and loving people selflessly even when we are not "feeling up to it." When we still do what God wants from us He will bless us. It may not come as immediately as in this retelling of Jesus and the disciples. But the interesting thing is there is no timetable in the story as to how long it took Simon Peter to catch all of those fish. It could have been 5 seconds or 5 hours. Will you endure and be patient awaiting the blessing while still doing what honors God? Or will you do what you want to get the results you wants faster? It's all up to you. But if you want stronger relationships, follow God's will. 

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Wednesday Wake Up #32

The Accusers

There will be people in your life, when you are doing God's will, that will tell you that you are doing the wrong thing. They will tell you what they think and hold you accountable to their views that you do not subscribe to. Many of us will take these situations and get angry and want to defend ourselves. You don't have to do that. Doing so turns the focus from you doing God's will to protecting your image. If you are doing God's will then their attacks are irrelevant. 

Take Jesus for example. Have you read the story about the man with the withered hand in Luke 6:6-11? Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on a Sabbath and the Pharisees were waiting to see if he would heal the man in the synagogue that had a withered hand. They wanted to accuse him of not doing what was right according to the law as it is written, not in the spirit of the law. The Spirit is what leads you do what is right in God's name. The "rule" or "law" says one thing and the Spirit of the law is do things with love for God and then for others. The accusers will try to tell you to follow the law (don't work on the Sabbath) and ignore the Spirit of the law (do things that honor God at all times).

We read in Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." That means it serves you well in God's eyes to do what is right in God's eyes as you withstand the accusers that tell you that you are not doing. When they tell you that you are wrong for something, look to God's will to validate what you do as the words of men will try to cut you down. 

 
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Wednesday Wake Up #31

Keeping the Word of God

There is a time when we can lose focus as believers. We do things and say things with great intentions, but it completely overshoots the depth of the meaning of Christ's life. A woman, who it can be understood saw Christ's significance, once said to Jesus in Luke 11:27, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" While trying to be respectful to Jesus and his mother, he corrects her. In verse 28 Jesus responds with "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Are you keeping the word of God?

First, are you reading the Bible? Are you understanding what you are reading? I have heard people say that the love Jesus and are Christians, but then they follow that up with the Bible is misinterpreted and wrong and blah blah blah. But if the Bible is wrong then how do you know about Jesus? What is it that you know about him? Where did you learn that? If the source that educates you is flawed in your mind then your beliefs may be flawed as well. Read about Jesus in the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read about why he did what he did. Understand him. But in order to do that, you have to read.

And second, are you keeping his commands. Yes there are the 10 commandments, but also the spirit of the 10 are condensed in Matthew 22:36-40. Love God first and then because you love God, you love people. This is not just love like a fluffy Valentine's Day love, but like I will sacrifice for someone I do not know kind of love the way you sacrifice for someone you do know. That kind of love is how you know if you have Christ working through you. Keep the word of God by reading it, understanding and accepting Christ and follow the spirit of the commands.

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Wednesday Wake Up #29

Attacking Worry

Recently, a friend of mine exposed me to the word "ruminate." I had no idea what it meant but as we discussed the word I understood it to simple mean worry. An expanded understanding is to think about something over and over and over again- like chewing gum (I'm chewing gum right now). After a while, chewing gum, while initially enjoyable, becomes annoying. the gum loses flavor and your jaw can become sore. It no longer serves the purpose. That can be the same thing as dealing with an issue and not coming to a conclusion. It can keep you up at night. All the possible ways things could go and there ends up being no conclusion. Let's look at how to deal with that.

It is one thing to try to figure out a problem, but it is another to just worry about it. What does worry do for you? Initially one may think it is doing them some good and they will quote some scientific journal about hwy worry is good. But, is worry Godly? It might show you that you care, but then when does worry stop? What else will you worry about? Worry creates anxiety for you to the point where you may need to think about something else or do something else in order to stop worrying. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that anxiety weighs a person's heart down. Good words and words of encouragement make them glad. When you see yourself worrying, change your mind. Do something else. Give your nerves a break.
 

When you worry, I give you a new challenge, seek God's direction. Jesus wants to give us peace and does not want our hearts troubled (John 14:27). God will guide you if you ask Him (Psalm 32:8). God will give you wisdom, if you ask Him (Luke 21:15). We have to be humble enough (Proverbs 22:4) to even want to seek Him. We think we can figure it out on our own and think that we are actually tuned in to God, but we are just trying to figure it out ourselves. We need to unite with the Lord and seek his will for our life in all aspects, not just the one's we choose.
 

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Wednesday Wake Up #28

How Strong Are You?

How strong are you? I don't mean physically, but emotionally. How much can you endure? How much can you handle? How strong are you spiritually? In class last night, we discussed forgiveness and it made me think of how people will forgive an egregious sin or wrong doing done to them and people may say to them "You're so strong" and "I could never forgive that." But, it makes me think, is it really us individuals who are so strong and so awesome, or is it God working through us to make us and shape us to be who we become?

Pride makes us believe that we are so awesome and can do anything on our own apart from God. But that will make us stumble (Proverbs 16:18). That could be working through forgiveness, powering through a project, or anything. People apart from the Lord will say it is all you and you can do anything. But, for those of us that have accepted Christ and seek God's will in their life over anything else, we know that apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). Do you want a healthier marriage and stronger bond? Use God's strength! Do you want to forgive who hurt you? Use God's strength! Admit that you cannot do it on your own as the false prophets would say and preach. We have to stay connected to the true vine which is Christ and through him we are connected to God in order to live, think and operate in honor of God.

If we need an example of looking to strength that is beyond humanly possible, look at the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus tells a parable of a father who gives one of his two sons the inheritance/property that was entitled to him. He wanted it before the time he was to have. The father gave it to the son who then squandered it, realized his mistake and had to return home starving and humbled. The father gladly accepted the son back into his arms and was joyful to see his son alive. He treated him well when he returned and did not shame him, but loved him. This is not a man who was operating out of his own power. This is a father who was infused with the Holy Spirit to forgive and not hold a grudge. He was happy to see his child alive. And that is how God sees us. He wants us to see that we need Him and can do nothing apart from Him. We walk away from God when we let our pride control our emotions. The strength it takes to overlook the wrong someone has done takes God strength, not our own apart from Him.

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Friday Focus #18

What is Keeping You from Following Christ?

In our last 2 Wednesday and Friday posts, we have covered the young rich man and his willing inability to sell his possessions and follow Jesus. We also covered that just because you are rich it doesn't mean that you cannot follow Jesus. If the thinking says that you cannot be rich and be a man of God or follow Christ then I ask those people to look at the lives of Solomon, Abraham and others (click here to read more). But, outside of money, what are some things in our lives that keep us from seeing God's blessings in our lives. What are some things that draw your attention away from Jesus and keep you distracted?

For starters, maybe it is work. Have you ever heard of the term "workaholic"? This is person who works far too often. One might think that they enjoy that work, but sometimes workaholics feel compelled to do that. But, if you are constantly working, how can you have a Sabbath? That is just one of the commandments we need to adhere to. We need rest. We need to take that time away from everything else and just leave ourselves a day to reconnect with God and recharge our physical and spiritual batteries. Remember Luke 10:38-42 when Mary and Martha were hosting for Jesus's visit? Martha was upset with Mary who had sat to listen to Jesus's teachings. Martha had been so busy serving that she didn't stop to listen to the man that she was preparing for. We have to remember it isn't about everything we do, it is about our relationship with Jesus.

Another possible thing that keeps us from following Christ is our way of thinking. We have lived and believed a certain way for as long as we can remember, but that way of thinking is blocking the ability to see Jesus. It is blocking our ability to willfully follow Jesus. People conform to the patterns of the world and cannot see what is the will of God because they do not know enough about what is written in Scripture to test what is the will of God and what is not (Romans 12:2). People know of Jesus and his life and resurrection, but do they actually care about it? Scripture gets quoted out of context but the whole passage or the whole chapter is never read. T-shirts and hats are worn referring to Jesus as a homeboy, but there is no submission in the soul to do God's will and follow Christ. Is Jesus your homeboy or the Lord of your life? When the world is guiding you it makes it that much more difficult to be transformed by following Christ. Something's gotta give.
 

No matter what it is that is blocking our submission to God's will, it must go. If you want to have an abundant life in Christ then that will take a step on your part to not use will power but God's power to further your walk. You can make a bunch of decisions to stop watching ungodly films and listening to ungodly music, but why are you doing it? In relationships, do you stay faithful and not cheat because it is wrong or because you are committed and dedicated to the other person? Rituals and religion or relationship with Christ? The choice is yours!

To read more about what distracts us from God please click here.

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Acts 7:60- Stephen's Last Words

Stephen's Last Words

Stephen's was arrested in Acts 6 for spreading the word of Christ. They brought false witnesses against him and claimed he was doing things that Jesus did when he was accused by Pilate.

Stephen retells the stories of Joseph and Moses and explains afterwards how they always resisted the Holy Spirit. At this time, full of the holy Spirit, Stephen was able to see into heaven and see Jesus seated at the right hand of God. They didn't want to hear what Stephen saw when he began to see them. Many people would crack under pressure in situations like this. Many would denounce Jesus on the spot, but Stephen continued to speak of God and speak through the Holy Spirit.


In verses 59-60, Stephen does something amazing to me. Now, he is being stoned to death for his "crimes" and his last words before he died were "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit...Lord, do not hold this sin against them." This is very similar to what Christ said as he was dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus said Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." I admire Stephen's obedience to God and will to not denounce Jesus in the face of adversity. He sought to be Christ like and spirit filled regardless of the circumstance.

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Acts 6- Obedience and Changing Customs

Obedience and Changing Customs

As the church was growing and the disciples were growing in number and the priests were growing, they were not just becoming members and being stagnant in their faith. They did not just claim to have a faith, but there is a key word that describes their commitment to the faith. The word is obedient. We see this in Acts 6:7 that the priests became obedient to the faith. That means not succumbing to culture and the ways of tradition, unless they were done in accordance with God's will. 

In Acts 6:1-6, being obedient also meant praying for one another. There were 7 chosen men who had good reputations, and were full of the Spirit and wisdom. These men's roles were to help the disciples (the 12) and help spread the gospel of Christ. It wasn't just anyone, there were specifications needed for new men to be selected to assist the 12. These men were selected and prayed for. It really looks like a team working together in unity for a common goal.

One of the seven chosen (Stephen) served as a martyr for the gospel of Christ. He was arrested. False witnesses were brought against Stephen in order to stop him and God's work. His charges were stirring up the people (just like Jesus in Luke 23:1-5). They were afraid to change customs (Acts 6:14) and so they tried to stop someone seeking to do God's will. It takes a strong person to do God's will in the face of adversity. Would you be able to do what Stephen did?

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Wednesday Wake Up #11

Righteous Judgement

Many people say "don't judge" or "judge not lest thee be judged." They take a Bible verse and misinterpret it by not reading the whole context of the verse, the section of the chapter or the Bible as a whole. The words they quote are from Jesus, but how it is often understood is different than how it is used.

Jesus saw that many judged based on appearance and not on what was the below the surface truth. Have you ever seen a homeless person and thought that they must have done that to themselves? People jump to conclusions and think the person must be a drunk or drug addict. They don't know that there are people with mental issues that have been left to fend for themselves. God knows the context for all of our situations. Just because you see someone at one moment it does not mean that the person is that person overall. We don't need condemnation for our mess ups, we need compassion. Christ was full of compassion whether you were blind (John 9:1-7), and adulterer (John 8:1-11) or a tax collector who was known for taxing too much (Luke 19:1-10).

Jesus was known to also respond accordingly when God's house was disrespected (Matthew 21:12-13) or religious leaders were misleading people (Matthew 23). We cannot judge on appearance and what we think unless it is in line with what God wants from us. We are not judging on personality and fashion sense and character. We don't know why people do what they do. Maybe they weren't raised well? Maybe they were abused? Do you really want to condemn an adult who may have been abused? We don't know motives. We don't have the full picture. I make mistakes and bad decisions just like you do. We can love each other through our sin and help one another with mercy and compassion, or we can condemn and keep reminding people of what they have done wrong. I don't need all of my sins brought up over and over again just like you don't.

It is okay to evaluate and confront a sinful brother/sister in Christ. That takes a judgment. It is a judgment call. We must use proper judgment when seeing who are the false teachers and false messiahs. We must use right judgment in order to serve God and encourage others, lovingly.

To hear a sermon on righteous judgment click here for John MacArthur

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Friday Focus #10

We Do Not Have to Fall to Temptation

Life is full of temptations. We are tempted to do many things from act out on our aggression, lie on our taxes, cheat on spouses, look at adult oriented imagery, have too much alcohol to drink or over eat. Some of these temptations are so a part of our culture that we have accepted them as part of our life and acceptable. But, it isn't about what is culturally acceptable. Culture changes every so often, but God's Word stays the same. That is the measuring stick by which we live life, not what people think we should do or what we think we should do.

In James 1:13-15 we have to recognize that temptation is not coming from God. God doesn't tempt us He directs us. Satan tempts us by what our desires are. I do not have the temptation to get drunk, but someone else does. Others don't have the temptation to over eat or eat the wrong things, but I do. When we give into temptation is when it turns into sin and when sin is full grown it becomes death. Not physical death, but a spiritual one in that area that can spread to other areas of our lives.

How do you fight against the temptation to go against God's will? Well, after recognizing that you are being tempted you can immediately go to God. Ask God to cover and protect you as you face this temptation (Luke 22:40). You don't have to go at it alone. Not only can you talk to God, but you can also tell another believer. Do you have an older person to confide or a friend that also follows Christ? Tell them what you are struggling with. I would hate to struggle in an area and not be able to open up to another believer (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Two people + God = a three fold chord that is not easily broken.

 Remember too, that whatever you deal with, is something that someone else has already gone through. Someone else has had the same temptations you have already had (1 Corinthians 10:13). God provides a way out and will not let you be tempted past what you can deal with. Follow His path.

Facing Temptation- Open Bible verses

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Luke 24:46-47- The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies

The Resurrection Fulfills Prophecies 

When you seek to understand the life of Christ and why he was the Messiah (proof) you will need to not only study the New Testament but the Old Testament as well.

In Luke 24:46-47, Jesus reminds the disciples of what was said in Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. When he does this, he puts the pieces of the puzzle together. 

For instance, Mosiac Law is seen as the 10 Commandments. When you break down each commandment from putting God first and honoring the Sabbath to not bearing false witness and not murdering, we are to do all of this because we are with Christ and seeking to be more like him. Since he was able to fulfill these laws (or even guidelines) and not sin, then the law is fulfilled.

One verse in Psalm 41:9, David references Jesus (before Jesus was born) being betrayed by Judas. 

We do not live by blind faith in Jesus and just accept things as they are because someone told us that is the truth. That is how you can be tricked and fooled if you do not investigate on your own. I am still learning and seeking various tools to assist in my knowledge of Christ and growth in him. 

If you seek knowledge and evidence please feel free to use 100 Prophecies and Got Questions. These two sites have helped me and will continue to do so as I strive to bring you meat and not just milk on a daily basis.

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Luke 23:5- He Stirs Up the People

He Stirs Up the People 

As Jesus was bought before Pilate, Pilate could not see why the people wanted him crucified. Their reasoning was that Jesus "stirs up the people" with teaching in various places. They didn't say he was wrong. They didn't say that he lied. They said that he stirs up the people. Is that really a crime?

People were so concerned with keeping things the way they were (afraid to change, much?) that they would rather have a murdered named Barabbas released to them rather than be "stirred." They felt more comfortable with someone who was guilty of murder than they were around Jesus. Jesus made them think. He challenged the culture. He challenged their traditions and their beliefs. He challenged their connection to and understanding of God. Jesus was God in the flesh and that scared people so much that they would rather have him killed than be challenged.

This leads me to ask the only question I can think of; what are you allowing in your life that is taking priority over Jesus? Yes, we all slip up from time to time and make mistakes, but to me there is a difference between slipping up and living a lifestyle that is not Christ-like. Please remember, just because you are "stirred up" does not mean that it is a bad thing. It takes a clam to be irritated in order to create a pearl. Let Jesus "irritate you" to show you the pearl you can be with him.

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Luke 22:19- And when he had given thanks

And when he had given thanks...

Sometimes we can over look something so simple and easy. It may sound silly but when I come home late and there is a good parking spot in front of my house, I thank Jesus. When I make it home safely and pray before bed, I thank Jesus for my safety. I give thanks. In Luke 22:19, it is literally right in front our faces and we overlook because it is not a major part of the story, but still gives insight into who Jesus was and how we can interact with God.

During the Lord's Supper as he takes his bread, Jesus says thanks. It's just a piece of bread. Nothing major, but still food to eat and something that Jesus gives thanks to God for. Pretty simple and insignificant for some people. But for me, it shows how even in the small things, we can be thankful.

The small thing of giving thanks before eating the bread shows how Jesus could be thankful for something seemingly insignificant and small. remember Luke 16:10, "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." If Jesus were the type to over look even the smallest of things to be thankful for and to be faithful in such as giving thanks and his personal prayer life, then that would be evidence to show him to not be the Messiah.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus knew his body would be broken and his blood would be spilled but still gave thanks to God anyway before telling the disciples about the upcoming events. Give thanks.

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Luke 20:9-19- Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

When Jesus tells a parable it is for the purpose of teaching some kind of lesson. With the Pharisees there seems to be lessons aimed specifically at them that in regular language they would ignore.

In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Luke 20:9-19), Jesus compares God to a man who planted a vineyard. The vineyard was leased while the vineyard owner went to another country for while. The vineyard owner sent servants to get some fruit. He sent three different servants and each was beaten or wounded and sent away empty handed. This was the way to explain how God has sent prophets to deliver a message that not only was rejected, but the messengers Jeremiah, John the Baptist, as well as others were stoned, harmed or killed (Got Questions- Parable of the Tenants). 

Finally, the vineyard owner (God) sends His son (Jesus), who the tenants saw as a threat. They though of the son was being sent then the owner must be dead and the son, if killed, would no longer be heir to the vineyard and the tenants could keep the vineyard.

The tenants in the parable are to be the religious leaders and various people who rejected every messenger of God. Jesus references Psalm 118:22 when he said, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" when he closes out the teaching of the parable. Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. Without Jesus's life, miracles, death and resurrection, and his fulfilling of the prophecies, following Christ would be flawed.

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Luke 19:8- Jesus and Zacchaeus

Jesus and Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus may not be a name that you have heard of before. He isn't Moses, Abraham or John the Baptist, but we can definitely learn from him in verses 1-10. 

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector and was rich. In verse 3 it states, "And he was seeking to see who Jesus was." That statement alone shows how Zacchaeus' desire was to seek Jesus. Seeking takes effort on your own. In verse 4 he ran up in a tree so he could see Jesus since Zacchaeus was too short to see him as he passed. That verse also shows Zacchaeus'desire to seek and then to go above and beyond to ensure that he could see Jesus.

Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree and said that he must stay at Zacchaeus' home. Jesus saw Zacchaeus' effort and knew who Zacchaeus was. He was humbled by this and seeing how Jesus accepted him he said "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."

He could have just accepted Jesus and not wanted to repay for the wrongs he had done as tax collectors were known to cheat people. Zacchaeus turned his life around and did not hang on to the selfishness that separated him from Jesus. We can do the same. We can be freed from who we were and seek Jesus and receive his salvation.

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Luke 17:1-4- Temptation and Forgiveness

Temptation and Forgiveness

Temptation is an issue everyone is going to deal with. Whether the temptation is sexual, financial, or even violent, we all have temptations. One of my biggest temptations is food. I like sweet food. I have had a sweet tooth for a long time and find it very hard to stop. But, my will power isn't strong enough to change that (Philippians 4:13).

In Luke 17:1-2, Jesus shows that it would be better to have a stone around our necks and be thrown into the sea than to cause a child to sin. So, even if we mess up, that stinks, but to cause a child to sin is even greater in God's eyes. Children depend on us to teach them what is right and wrong from God's perspective. If we stray off of God's path and teach a child to fight and resort to violence, is that setting them on the path to being Christ like? What about our words? How do we talk about people we are not fans of? Do we make fun of them and call them names? Kids pick up on things that we don't always think we are teaching them. A parent may not teach a child to drink underage but the parent could have a very liberal system at home that allows for the children to be influenced by the parents usage of alcohol. We have to watch ourselves.

As a matter of fact, the next thing Jesus says in (verses 3-4) is to "pay attention" to ourselves. Not just pay attention to who we are and how we are around children, but also how we are when people come to us and seek forgiveness from us. He tells us that if our brother sins, we rebuke him (expression of sharp disapproval or criticism). And if he repents we forgive him. We cannot hang on to the past hurt and not forgive. If we do that then that is like saying God shouldn't forgive us for our trespasses against Him and no one else should forgive our sins against them. Jesus is speaking about a community here. We are not just individuals with no affect on each other. We are all connected which is part of why we are commanded to love one another.

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Luke 15:8-10- Lost and Found

Lost and Found

Just like the scribes and Pharisees who scoffed at many things Jesus did, we can get caught up serving the perceptions of others and even fall victim to assessing the actions of others based on our own beliefs. Now what does that mean? It means that just because others see it as wrong or just because we think it is wrong, it doesn't mean that God thinks it is wrong. How do we know what God thinks? We go to His word.
 
In Luke 15:2, The Pharisees and scribes were mocking what Jesus was doing. He ate with those who were lost. He ate with those who sinned. Pharisees stayed away from those that were seen as unholy. So, for Jesus to sit with these people, accept them as sinners and eat with them, was taking a shot at how the Pharisees lived and believed.

This is where Jesus comes into our own lives and shows us how we think and how we believe and act is not always in tune with what God wants from us. In verses 8-10, Jesus tells of the parable of the lost coin and a woman who celebrates finding her lost coin. She does not just say "Forget it. It's only one coin." She lights a lamp and looks for that coin until it is found and rejoices in its being found. Isn't that what God does with us? He looks for us until we are found. How many people do you know have a story to tell of how they were lost and then found which includes testimony of how "circumstances and coincidences" came to lead them to Christ? I know a few. I am one of them. I walked away from Jesus years ago and kept getting reminded of him time after time again by family members, classmates, and friends. God was sending messages to me through others in order to bring me a, a lost coin, back to his coin collection.

God cares for us and values us more than birds (Matthew 6:25-26). Since He values us that much, then how can anyone ever think that they don't matter. GOD LOVES YOU! He wants you in His family. Those coincidences are God speaking to you. 

If you are lost, you can be found again.

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Luke 13:24- The Narrow Door

The Narrow Door

Jesus was asked a question regarding how many people will be saved. Jesus answers this person, not with an exact number, but how someone should approach being saved. Jesus saw that many would think that they had picked the right way, but the "narrow door" was not the option that was chosen (See Luke 13:22-30).

The Narrow Door does not provide a lot of options to walk through. It takes hard work to enter through it. This is not in regard to physical size of the one trying to walk through the door, but in regard to the hard work that it takes to get through that door. It does not leave space for other religions, gods and deities. The narrow door does not leave space for our old life and our past ways (see Isaiah 43:18-19).

The answer Jesus gave also focuses on the salvation of yourself. He does not give an actual number as to how many people will be saved, but he draws the attention from others to just the individual. We are not to be concerned with everyone else's salvation and figuring out if they are saved or not. That doesn't mean you can't share the gospel still and talk about how God has worked in your life, but we are not the judge to determine who is going to heaven and who is not.

Jesus wants us to work hard to enter through that narrow door. He doesn't want us to get prideful and think that we have it down pat. We don't. We are imperfect people who need Christ moment by moment. In a real world example, how important is the gym, eating healthy, being well read or well traveled to you? In comparison, how important is your walk with Christ and seeking to understand his teachings? Make sense?

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