Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12:32-40

Scripture

“Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

Observation

The Father delights to give us the Kingdom. We need to sell our possessions and give them to those in need in order to store up treasures in heaven.

Like servants awaiting the return of their master from a wedding, we need to be ready the moment Christ returns. He will reward those who are ready by Himself serving them.

If a home owner knew when the burglar was coming he would not let the robber in. We must also be prepared for the Son of Man.

Application

The work of the Kingdom of God must always be our first priority. If possessions are a distraction we must get rid of them in order to invest in God’s kingdom.

Jesus could turn up at any time for a surprise inspection! What will He find when He checks on my life?

This is not supposed to fill us with dread. If Jesus checks in with me today and finds I am serving His purposes then He will reward me- perhaps serving my needs.

This is a mystery of the Kingdom. We work hard to serve the Lord, but along the way we find such fellowship with Him that He is blessing us. The task we thought we had to do becomes joy.

Prayer

Lord you always turn my expectations over. Help me to seek your purposes and to serve your Kingdom. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11.1-13

Scripture

“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.”

Observation

After Jesus finishes praying on one occasion, the disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus responds by giving them the prayer we now call the Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus goes on to give an example of going to a friend in the middle of the night to ask for some bread to feed an unexpected guest. If you are persistent, the friend will give you what you ask for.

We must ask and it will be given, search and we will find, keep on knocking and the door will be opened.

Earthly fathers give their children good things, How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to His children.

Application

Jesus teaches that words are not so important in prayer as our trust in the goodness of God. For many people the Lord’s Prayer is a collection of words that we must say. Jesus intended that the words should be taken as a template for prayer, a framework on which build a life of conversation and dependence on God.

If we pray without ceasing, trusting that God is indeed good, we will see remarkable, supernatural, astounding answers.

Prayer

Thank you God for your love for me. Than you that you do answer my prayers. Help me to look to you each day and to trust you for everything. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.38-42

Scripture

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her.”

Observation

Jesus and the disciples arrive at the village where Mary and Martha live. Martha is distracted by all the tasks which need to be done, but Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening to His teaching.

Finally Martha tells Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the work. Jesus tells her that Mary has chosen the better option.

Application

Those who are called to serve can often become frustrated by those who lack any sense of needing to help. It’s all very well having the visiting ministry but somebody has to make lunch and wash the dishes. It is very frustrating when people who are capable of helping ignore the need right in front of them. The spiritual gifts of emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the toilets are very rare in most churches.

What Jesus is doing in these situations is exposing our heart attitudes and our motivations. Am I doing this thing to serve the Lord? Am I seeking some kind of recognition? So I do it from a reluctant sense of duty? Do I rejoice at serving God’s work?

Of course it is not just serving that faces these challenges. Every God-given calling will challenge our heart in order to purify us and make us holy.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for the place you have called me to be. Expose my bad attitudes and poor motivations that do not come from you. Purify my heart and make me more like you. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.25-37

Scripture

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

Observation

An expert in the Law asks Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus says to him, “You tell me. What does the Law say?” The man replies that the commandment is to love the Lord and to love your neighbour as yourself.

Jesus tells him that if he does this he will have eternal life. But the man wants to justify himself so he asks “Who is my neighbour?”

Jesus then tells the well-known story of the Good Samaritan to explain that the neighbour is everyone we might see in need. Jesus tells the man to do the same as the Samaritan.

Application

The lawyer’s root problem is that he wanted to justify himself, and Jesus would not allow this. He will not allow us to justify ourselves precisely because this covers up our sinful nature which must be brought to Christ for crucifixion.

In the story it is not the religious men who are justified, but the despised Samaritan who shows compassion to a robbery victim.

Good deeds do not make us right with God. However selfless love is a sign that we have moved from a place of self-righteousness to a position of God-righteousness.

While ever we are in a state of wanting to justify ourselves we can never be in a place where God is able to justify us.

Prayer

Father I confess my tendency to want to justify myself. I confess that this is sin and I ask you to grant me the grace to repent of this in order to receive your justification. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.1-20

Scripture

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation

Jesus appoints seventy disciples, sending them out to in pairs. He instructs them to stay in one place in any town where they are welcomed. They are to preach the kingdom and heal the sick.

If any town rejects them they are to shake the dust off their sandals and move on. Jesus goes on to pronounce curses on various town for rejecting Him and therefore the Father.

The seventy return rejoicing for even the demons submitted to them. Jesus tells them not to rejoice in this but to celebrate that their names are written in heaven.

Application

Jesus tells us to “go” with the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. This may involve physically travelling from town to town or staying and engaging with our neighbours.

Healings and miracles are more commonly seen in the context of evangelism than in the comfort and safety of church meetings. The Lord’s commandment is to go ourselves and to also pray for the Lord to send more workers.

We might rejoice in our power over evil spirits and the gifts which the Holy Spirit equips us with, Our attention must never drift from the celebration of salvation- the greatest miracle of all.

Prayer

Lord Jesus you died to give me life, I thank you that my name is written in the book of life. Help me to share this Good News with my friends. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9:51-62

Scripture

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Observation

Jesus sets His face towards Jerusalem. He sends messengers ahead to prepare the way, but one village refuses tor receive Him. His disciples ask Him if they should command fire to come down to destroy the village, but He rebukes them.

Jesus calls people to follow Him, but they have excuses. He make sit clear that following Him must come first.

Application

People have all sorts of excuses for refusing to follow Jesus. It might be family commitments or the ties of home. For some, following Jesus conflicts with their career aspirations.

Jesus is clear- He must come first.

This might seem harsh and “unloving.” Jesus gave everything for us. He laid down His life to rescue us from sin/

Should He not expect the same from us?

Everything for Jesus, all surrendered to Him. This is the only reasonable response.

Prayer

Jesus you gave up everything for me. Please help me to receive you in my heart and give myself entirely to you. Amen.