Luke 11:14-12:34
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Luke: Jesus' teaching in Luke chapter 11 verse 23 is so important for us to understand - "Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." How does this verse speak to you? For me it convicts me. Yeah, maybe for some of my time I am helping Jesus and the Kingdom of God, but I think there is a lot of time where I am not working with Jesus. I am maybe indulging in some seemingly harmless trivial pursuits or material pleasures - but they aren't really working with Jesus. And am I then, at those times, actually working against Jesus? I don't know. I want to pray on this more. I do know that we are called to rest & relaxation in our lives - a time of Sabbath rest each week. We don't have to be frantically seeking to "do" & serve Jesus 24 x 7. But, I do think it's possible that we can live our lives more "intentionally" - meaning, examine the intent of why we do what we do. And ultimately, is what we are doing with our time helping and working with Jesus? Or is it not? I think being intentional with our time and how we are spending our lives is so important... because time flies as we all know.
Jesus' teaching in Luke chapter 11 verse 36 is powerful for each of us to consider! "If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you." That second little clause there I think is key - with no dark corners. I'll admit that I have traveled through life with some dark corners. And it is no way to go. The dark corners do affect the Light really shining in you and through you - and the dark corners I believe can affect your relationship with God. I pray that if you know you have a dark corner in your life, confess it to God and Jesus. Pray for forgiveness and repent! God will fill you with light - a light that will penetrate and remove those dark corners in your life. But, you've gotta confess them & repent of them with God... You know it's worth it. To live a radiant life, as though a floodlight is shining on you is the only way to live!
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 11's readings today titled "Evidence that Produced Various Verdicts" is at this link.
Wow... Jesus goes after the Pharisees in Luke chapter 11 today... Verses 39 through 41 are powerful: "Then the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are still filthy--full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn't God make the inside as well as the outside? So give to the needy what you greedily possess, and you will be clean all over." I think these verses are important for us to meditate upon as well today. Are we clean inside? Or are we putting on a show and just cleaning up our external appearances for others? As we saw in Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew - God is very interested in the condition of our hearts. Our insides. Are our insides clean? Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org's great commentary on our Luke chapter 11 readings today titled "Fundamentalists in Formaldehyde" is at this link.
Jesus' teachings in Luke chapter 12 verses 2 through 3 are also important for us to reflect upon in our lives today - "The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!" I once heard a pastor say during a sermon - "nobody sins in a vacuum. Meaning, nobody's sin does not affect others. When we sin - even when we are "alone" - it affects our community in ways we do not fully realize." I think this is so true. When we sin - even what we have done or said in the "dark" - we hurt not only ourselves, but others. And God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, who is pure Light, have heard and know what we do in the dark. We cannot hide it from them. Better to confess it to God, repent, and be cleansed by the Light. Then, go, and sin no more. Plus - it's a darn scary thought to think that what we do in the dark might be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! :) Live your life such that no matter what you do or what you say, you wouldn't be embarrassed to read about it in tomorrow's papers...
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 12 readings today titled "The Hazard of Hypocrisy for Heralds of the Gospel" is at this link.
Today in Luke 12:25-26 we read: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" In regards to these verses I once heard someone say that worry is a form of "low-grade atheism." Which I think is brilliant! When we worry, we are in a sense doubting God. Doubting that God has the situation in control, no matter how dire it may seem. Do you worry much these days? Do you see how worry is in a sense a form of "low-grade atheism"?
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 12's readings today titled "Greed: The Affliction of the Affluent" is at this link and commentary titled "A Disciple's Perspective on Possessions" is at this link. Also, below is a brief commentary from Bible.org on the "Unpardonable Sin" from Luke 12:10, which can be found near the bottom of this link:
"At first appearance this text seems to be warning the disciple that he might lose his salvation by denying the Savior, by his hypocrisy. This is not the case, however. There are several reasons why this cannot be the case.
(1) Man’s salvation is not based upon his works, or his faithfulness, but on Christ’s shed blood and His faithfulness.
(2) The Scriptures consistently teach that man did not choose God but that He has chosen man, and that the one who is saved is eternally secure.
(3) In our text, there is a definite change from the second person (“you”) to the third person (“whoever,” “him,” “everyone”).
(4) The unpardonable sin, referred to in verse 10, is elsewhere clearly a sin which an unbeliever commits, which terminates any further opportunity to be saved."
Worship Video: Luke 12:2-3 reminds me of The Museum song "My Help Comes from the Lord:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ1CCaouSF0
Where does your help come from? Click here for help from the Lord!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: ""I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Luke 12:4-5 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will not be afraid of mere mortal men. Pray that you will only fear the Lord. Pray that you will learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom and righteousness.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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