What is your life built on? Is it the bed-rock of Jesus, or something else? When our purpose and source is the foundation of Christ no storm of life can move us…for we are firmly established in Him.
Tag: Luke
Luke 2:4 ” So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Caesar Augustus had decreed a census of the entire Roman world…and so everyone had to travel to their home town to register. If it hadn’t been for that, Joseph probably wouldn’t have subjected his very pregnant wife, Mary, to the long, hard journey on bumpy roads. But God used a godless Roman King to fulfill His ultimate purpose and plan. What we see as just common, ordinary, unrelated threads in our life, God is using to weave a tapestry of unbelievable beauty according to His will.
Luke 15:17 ” When he came to his senses…”
The prodigal son had squandered all his wealth and was left destitute. While sitting alone in the middle of a pig pen he realized how stupidly he’d behaved. Those “aha” moments can hit like a lightening bolt of frank truth…piquing our conscience and making us very aware of just how brainless we had acted.
Luke 9: 61-62 ” Still another said, ‘ I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘ No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ “
The man was making excuses for delaying Jesus’ call in his life…But how many times do we do the very same thing. I’ll follow You Lord, but first I must do this, or I’ll follow you Lord, but this must happen first. We want to feel in control, but sometimes God wants us to take that leap of faith without reservations, all the while demanding that our priorities be in perfect alignment with His.
Luke 9: 59-60 ” He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘ Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.’ “
At first glance, Jesus would seem cold and uncaring to this grieving man who had just lost his father. But Jesus’ vision was eternal…His focus far-reaching. Jesus was calling this man to greater things…things everlasting and imperishable.
Luke 9:57-58 ” As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, ‘ I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus replied, ‘ Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’ “
Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem for the final time when a Teacher of the Law approached Him professing his faith. The crowds followed Jesus to watch the miracles and listen to His parables. The Disciples followed Jesus because they had been called by Him. But others followed Him because they were seeking the Messiah.
Luke 6: 27-28 ” But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
How can we best reveal God’s love? To speak well of others…even if we feel otherwise. To wish others well… even when we feel quite the opposite. Finally, to show love and compassion…even if none has been shown to us. By demonstrating God’s love to the unlovable, we reveal His love for them.
Luke 21:33 ” Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.”
Everything, and every person, has an expiration date stamped on them. Nothing lasts forever, and eventually the world as we know it will even end. But God’s omnipotent Voice…His divine revelations and declarations will never, ever fade away from view. His Words were before time, and will still be there when time is no more.
Luke 2:9 ” An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”
As the shepherds were gathered around the campfire that miraculous Christmas night, suddenly the skies filled with a blinding luminous radiance as God’s glory…His Shekinah presence… came down to Earth. They were frozen not only with fear, but with utter astonishment and amazement as they witnessed His glory in full display.
Luke 18:16-17 ” Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
A small child is trusting and readily accepts things as true. A baby isn’t cynical or showing contempt towards those in authority. But sadly with age comes all the negative emotions and attitudes of this broken world…our heart of stone must become a heart of flesh again… that the kingdom of God may dwell within.
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