Not Keeping Silent When Suffering

Not Keeping Silent When Suffering

• Luke 23:26 (NLT)

---

I am one who deals with pain or trouble through silent reflection. This can be good, but there often is a message to be spread in the midst of our darkest hour. It is a great witness of the love we have for God and others when we put them before ourselves even while suffering. Words have the most impact when they are heart felt so speaking during crisis can bring out our conviction in a way that others can truly feel.

Jesus while being crucified, the most painful suffering one can imagine, was more concerned with those around Him and what they needed to hear than His own affliction.

Women were following Jesus weeping, He described to them which was not comforting how things are going to get worse for Jerusalem. This was a warning to prepare their hearts for what was to come. Jesus spoke to the Father as people were mocking Him, "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." One of the two criminals being crucified says to Jesus to remember Him in paradise and Jesus assures Him He will.

So looking at death Jesus was still bringing life, preparing others for what was to come, praying to the Father to forgive wrong doers and assuring salvation to a sinner who put His faith in Him.

Why doesn't God always heal, why does he allow bad things to happen to good people? Not every question can be answered or at least the way we want to be, but in all things if we acknowledge God He will respond, lessons will be learned, and we can comfort others as we have been comforted. We may not always handle difficulty well but if we are transparent by being open and honest we will be received well by others for they can relate and identify with us. Helping others does not mean we have all the answers, listening and sharing our own similar experiences is the best way to be supportive to someone in need.

Jesus Christ came to the world not for Himself but for others, He suffered beyond what anyone has ever felt, yet He never lost focus, He lived, suffered, and died for the sake of us all. The same Spirit within Him that allowed Him to overcome His emotions, stay obedient, even to the point of the cross, is in us, and therefore through Him we can do the same. So let us be bold like a lion even when facing the most challenging circumstances knowing that God uses all things for good to those that love Him.

---

Our Life On Trial (Luke 23:1-25)

Our Life On Trial

• Luke 23:1 (NLT)

---

Have you ever felt that you were on trial? People questioning the motives behind you're every move. Do you feel that some people are just out to get you, always looking for evidence to prove that you have done something wrong, even falsely accusing you.

People don't like change, they don't like facing their wrongs, they like to keep things in the dark. Leaders who are change agents will be strongly opposed. If you are a leader and everybody seems to like you, you're not really leading but following. Yes we want to lead in a way as Plato suggested in the "Republic" for the good of all, but people often don't know what is best for them, so a godly leader isn't moved by popular opinion but by the will of God.

Jesus in Luke 23 is on Trial. Jesus did not respond to being questioned, Truth is Truth, enough said! Some people don't want to believe the truth so they will try to twist the truth into a lie, but bottom line the truth either sets you free or through denial binds you up. We should not have to prove our innocence, our life should speak for itself. We often say too much, trapping ourselves with a loose tongue, a wise person speaks little.

Spiritual discernment is given to see the intent of another, some people set judgment and their view cannot be swayed, so we might as well shut up, bear the insults and move on, for the bible says "not to cast our pearls upon swine." Most people are moved by the majority, so like Herod, they might not like what they are doing but do it anyway to please the popular demand. Living right is not popular and we can expect even those whom we think would support us to turn on us and like Herod leave us to be crucified by the world. Yet, this is our call, to take up the cross daily, and follow Him.

Just because we are innocent does not mean we will not suffer. The world has enmity against God, we must expect therefore to be treated unfairly and falsely accused. The Devil did not just roll over and die, He is trying to prolong the end, and therefore if we fight in the flesh, defeat will follow, but if we fight in the spirit, victory is ours no matter how things appear naturally. The devil thought he had the victory with the crucifixion but it was what had to be done for death could not hold an innocent man and therefore resurrection followed to bring the hope that all who call on the name of Jesus would be saved.

Suffering is opportunity for old things to die and new things to come alive!

Our life in Christ is on trial, people are watching, scrutinizing our every move, examining us with the hope that our life denies the existence of Jesus Christ, yet some will flip from unbelief to faith by the proof we present through the living testimony of what only God could do in and through our lives.

Betrayal & Rejection (Luke 22:45-71)

Betrayal & Rejection

• Luke 22:47 (NLT)

---

Most people are betrayed behind their back but have you ever been betrayed right in your face, where the individual greets you nicely and then suddenly turns against you?

That is what happened to Jesus as Judas his disciple approached him with a kiss, with the temple guard behind him. Jesus was like Judas are you really going to betray me with a kiss?

Most often our reaction to opposition make matters worse because we were caught off guard and react abruptly without forethought. Jesus had warned the disciples to pray so they don't fall into temptation, He knew what was about to come, yet they chose rather to sleep. 

What type of reaction do you have to a negative situation when you are woken from sleep?

So the disciples wanted to fight, they were outnumbered by men with weapons, not very smart, also they had no clue why this was taking place, for they didn't spend time in prayer. Our perspective on something means everything. When we pray we have foresight when we don't we are nearsighted. It is important to be able to see ahead and see what is before you, so you know how to handle the temporary in regard to the eternal.

So the disciples asked Jesus if they should fight but yet fought anyway, cutting off a guards ear before Jesus could even respond. I once responded to someone who was being rude and domineering towards my wife at our business, I choked him and pushed him against a wall, in which I was almost arrested. I came into the situation asking God how to respond but I had really made up my mind that I was going to be aggressive, to show my wife that I am her protector. It may sound like the right thing to do but I knew my heart was not right and I did not really wait on God's counsel.

Jesus was like enough of this, He knew this was part of God's plan, so He told His disciples to back off. Without prayer we can never understand how a bad thing can be turned around for good, and will always react negatively. God wants to prepare us for the challenges ahead but are we in position to gain His perspective? 

A team's success is determined in practice for it is what prepares them for the game. They are challenged with drills of situations that may come up in a game and they go over their playbook so they can counter what their opponent throws at them. We are prepared for life's challenges through prayer and the study of God's word. 

We need to ask ourselves daily, am I spiritually ready to face life's challenges in a godly way?

Jesus questions the guards, why now, and why in such a fashion? He says it is because now is the time that darkness is allowed to have it's way. 

Have you ever asked the questions; Of all times, why do I have to go through this now? God's eternal plan is much bigger than our temporary circumstances. Satan thinks he actually is in control, yet God uses him for His divine purposes. We must choose to trust God, despite how things seem to appear, for what Satan meant for bad God will turn around for good, when we put our trust in Him.

Have you ever tried to outrun or hide from your problems, or just live in self-denial? 

The disciples did not just back off from the guards, they fled, like, "man overboard, we are not going down with the ship." 

Have you ever been close to someone with major problems that you didn't want nothing to do with? You were like not me, this is on you. 

Peter we see in verses 54-65 gets to the point of denying three times when confronted by bystanders that he even knows Christ, just as had been foretold. Jesus was not just betrayed by Judas but rejected by the majority of his friends. So when Jesus was brought before the Council and false witness was presented He had nobody to speak up for Him. Not that it would have done any good, but it would have been for moral support, that Jesus friends were there for Him during His darkest time.

Now let's do a little self-examination. It is easy to look at others but how about ourselves. How have we betrayed and rejected Christ? Having surrendered our lives to the Lord and having the power to overcome our sinful nature through the Holy Spirit do we still sin right in the Lord's face, since he sees and knows all? Does our lifestyle sometimes deny that we are disciples of Jesus Christ? The majority of us can say yes, so let us repent, receive God's mercy, and yield more to the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Facing Difficulty God's Way

Facing Difficulty God's Way

• Luke 22:39 (NIV)

---

Jesus had a usual spot He went to hear and gain strength from His heavenly Father, the garden of Gethsemane. The key to being a strong Christian is having a secret place, intimacy and Godly authority go hand in hand. 

When you are about to face something real difficult is it much easier having the support of others than being on your own? 

So, Jesus facing his soon coming betrayal, crucifixion, and death brought some of his disciples to pray along with him. Friends and family are not always the best support as would be expected. What we have to face might be beyond what they can handle, and instead of helping the matter they make it worse. Jesus warned His disciples to pray so they don't fall into temptation. When we are tested our flesh will not like it and sin is knocking on the door. Our only hope is prayer for the spirit of God can help us overcome how we feel so we do what is right. 

Have you ever wanted to just go off but something kept you in check?

Jesus went slightly away from the disciples and began to pray. Praying with others is good but somethings can only be said in private, Jesus knowing the limited understanding the disciples had about what was about to happen needed to hear from the Father Himself. 
Jesus here showed how human He really was, He asked the Father that if what was about to be done could be done another way, please do so.

Why do you think we have such a hard time facing difficulties knowing in the end it is for our benefit and the benefit of others?

Feelings and faith collide durring trying times. We know what we should do but we don't feel like doing it. Following our feelings will often lead us away from God's will. When we are young under the care of others we can often get away with being feeling led. As a adult if one can not move beyond their feelings they will be crippled from being responsible and life will not take them far. 

Do you know any adult that still behaves like a child, who cannot hold on to a job, a wife, raising children, simply because they are feeling driven?

Jesus, for the sake of us having eternal salvation, though He wished their was another way, said "nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done."

Bottom line: Are we living for ourselves or for Jesus? Jesus did nothing without the Father leading Him. So the question is, who is leading us? Our Feelings or our Heavenly Father?

Have you ever had an unlikely person help you through a difficult time?

God sent an angel to strengthen His Son, while He was in complete anguish to the point of sweating blood. Facing Betrayal, Rejection, and Death is not an easy thing, not even for the Son of God. Some people use Religion as a crutch, another way to Heaven, than through the cross. Where they are justified by their church attendance, tithing, program involvement, etc. Jesus said one must deny themselves in order to follow Him. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, only by following Him can we have eternal life. So no matter how we feel we have no other choice, it is either His way or the highway.

Think of a time when you accomplished something great even though you had not felt like it. How did that feel? Now imagine that being your daily lifestyle. That is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

When Jesus got up from prayer the disciples were sleeping. Trying times can be the most tiring times, it's called emotional exhaustion. We would love to sleep through our pain hoping that when we wake up and it has disappeared. 

If one stayed home and slept every time their was a test at school, would they ever pass? 

If you don't pass you don't advance, and are held back. Many of us are being held back because we are not willing to face the trials of life, we are spiritually asleep. God is saying wake up, sleepy heads, I want you to experience the abundance of my life, yes it comes with a price, but the reward is so much worth it. Each test passed bring promotion, God wants to promote us but it takes walking by faith, being led by the Spirit, crucifying our flesh.

Jesus warned the disciples for the second time "get up and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation." Falling does not just mean gross sin, it is whenever we choose not to obey God at His word. He told His disciples that they must deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Him. 

When was the last time we sought the will of God? Do we live for ourselves, while God is just a crutch to lean on when in need of help? Do we acknowledge God in all our ways so that He can direct out path?

Beyond Judgment (Luke 22:7-38)

Passover

• Luke 22:7 (NIV)

---

Have you ever experienced a close one, like where you could of, or should of, been hurt, but somehow, someway (God), it didn't happen? 

Yet, sometimes we can't avoid being hurt, but suffering for righteousness compared to wickedness is two different stories.

Communion is the symbolic celebration of the passover, that the body and the blood of the lamb separates those who are in relationship with God from judgment. If we can learn to partake of the Lord daily, we can overcome our sinful nature, and judgment can passover, continually. 

Here in Luke 22:7-38 we have the story of the Last Supper. The passover celebration at this time was going to be seen from another view point, no longer symbolic of what was to come, but experienced in Christ as the fulfillment of what has come. 

Communion is just a religious observance if not experienced in life relationship with God. He is our passover when we abide in Him. How though do we remain in Christ? We see in the passage that Jesus gave the disciples instructions on preparing the way for Him. No matter how small the task is, when we follow through He is present, and His perfect will is the safest place we can be. This again does not mean we are void of suffering, it means we are free from judgment. Meaning we are free from the consequences of our past, generational curses, and judgment on those around us.

Jesus spoke that one of his disciples (Judas) would betray him. It is hard to imagine anyone that close to Jesus betraying him. Yet we are the very body of Christ, His chosen bride, and yet we commune with Him one moment and betray Him the next. How do we betray Him? When we are ashamed of Him before others and compromise our beliefs so not to offend anyone. If someone was married to someone and nobody else knew, what sense does that make, yet who else knows that we are married to Christ. If we are passionately in love with Jesus we should not be able to hold it within. When I feel in love with my wife, everyone knew, ever strangers, for I would tell all my customers at the restaurant I worked. When we make promises to Christ and don't follow through with them that is betrayal. We play the modern role of Judas, thank God for His unconditional love and mercy, that judgment doesn't fall when it should.

We next see in this passage the disciples disputing whom is greatest. Jesus explains that the greatest becomes the least, for a follower of Jesus is humble, and leads through service not by force. When we operate in a worldly manner we can expect worldly results. The way of the Kingdom of God is upside down compared to this world. Only when being separate from the world are we separate from the suffering of the world. We will suffer in this life by the world but not from judgment from being of the world. 

Jesus now tells Peter that he will betray Him by denying Him three times. Fear of rejection and suffering can change a man's path rather quickly. Peter told Jesus He would go to jail and even die for Him, we all say a lot when emotional that we don't have the guts to follow through with.  If I have given my life to Jesus Christ but I am not in communion, I betray Him as Peter did for I deny His existence through the lack of His presence in my life.

As we will soon see Jesus did not forsake Peter, He did not even condemn Him, He restored Him, and so He does with us today, we forsake Him but He never forsakes us. So let us this day commune with Him and let judgment pass over.

From Good To Evil (Luke 22:1-6)

From Good to Evil

• Luke 22:1 (NLT)

---

Have you ever known someone who seemed like a good person do something really wrong? How about ourselves, we want to do what is right yet often do the exact opposite. What is wrong? Romans chapter six describes the battle we have with our sinful nature and chapter eight describes the hope we have through the power of the Holy Spirit. So what is wrong is we were born into sin but what is right is that deliverance comes through Jesus Christ 

Here In Luke 22:1-6, we see Judas a disciple being used by Satan to betray Jesus. The bible describes Satan as a "roaring lion seeking whom he can devour." Just like God needs our obedience through the Holy Spirit to accomplish His will so does Satan use people by demonic spirits to accomplish his will. Satan looks for the closest person to us who he can use. It is one thing for a stranger to do me wrong, but when someone whom I thought was a good friend or close family member does me wrong, it hurts much greater. Now if we look at Judas though he was close to Jesus he was disgruntled or had disagreed on a few occasions, such as Jesus allowing a prostitute to pour expensive perfume on his feet or when Jesus said you must "eat his bread and drink his blood to have eternal life," many people stopped following him and some of the disciples themselves and I expect chiefly Judas said "this is hard to understand, how can anyone accept it." (John 6:54-60) Take heed to the reactions of our so called friends around us when we make decisions, they might seem to still be in favor of us, but they might become candidates for the Devil to use to bring harm into our lives.

In this case Satan actually entered into Judas to accomplish His will. How does one come to that state where Satan can actually take full control of them? It doesn't happen all at once, most people don't want to do evil. It is a gradual work of opening the door a little at a time until it is wide open and their is full access to their lives. Many of us struggle with temptation daily but we don't give in, we may sin but it is not part of our lifestyle, it's not habitual sin. Now Judas became possessed with the Devil, but I don't believe Christians can be possessed. This happened before the Holy Spirit indwelling into the heart of believers. The Holy Spirit and Demonic spirit's are not going to be cohabitant, the two don't mix. The bible says we must choose whom we are going to serve, we cannot have it two ways. Now this does not mean the Devil just leaves us alone he will continue to try to harass us and tempt us away from the Holy Spirit, it is a constant tug-a-war. Since Satan does not have direct access into our lives, he will find others whom do to get to us. Often those we would never expect, some people actually believe they are Christians but have never been born-again and are therefore prime target's for Satan and his evil plots.

Life on earth is like one giant chess game, good vs. evil, where we are the pieces used to advance whatever side we are on. In sports some fans are faithful to support their team no matter if they lose or win, not me, I support whatever team I think is really going to win. Call me a traitor but it is more fun to win than to lose. In the end God wins, so no matter how difficult it is to follow Him, I've chosen to leave the losing squad, and be on the winner's squad to the end. I know the eternal reward is worth whatever temporary sacrifice.

True Value!

What determines value? Longevity, how long something lasts, right! We see ancient artifacts that have maintained close to their original appearance are rare and therefore priceless. Many people though are caught up in the temporary, with things that have little significant value. When people have little that is valuable, they feel they have little worth.  When one does not have worth they feel unimportant and make careless destructive decisions.

In Luke 20:46-47 Jesus speaks to His disciples about religious leaders who try so hard to be important by their outward dress and behavior, placing themselves in places of honor.    They do shameless things in private yet make long religious prayers in public.  Positions and titles may impress man but they don't impress God!  What matters to God is the state of our heart.  The bible says what pleases God is our faith.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1)

In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus is at church watching people give financially.  He sees the rich dropping their gifts in the collection box, then a poor widow give two small coins.  Jesus seeing another opportunity to teach the disciples on true value as they probably thought o themselves about the widows offering "what good is that going to do," teaches that the poor widow gave more than the rich because she gave all she had while the rich gave out of their surplus.

To give all that you got takes faith.  This is not a message about giving money, it is about giving your heart.  For many money is their God and whatever you serve is your master.  So if you run out of money all your hope is gone.  Those who trust in the Lord depend on Him and as He takes care of the sparrow, they know He takes care of them.  It is easy to feel good by being religious and helping somebody out but God knows our heart, He knows if we are genuine and truly giving with the right motive.

I just recently loss my mother due to a tragic car accident.  She was riding with her drug providers when they crashed into a car and into the side of a building.  She was in a coma for a month before passing away.  Now my mother had no identification when she was taken out of the car by the jaws of life, she was designated "Mary Doe,"  see she was homeless, Schizophrenic and had full blown aids.  Now despite all these issues as I met her case workers this is what I discovered about her, she cared about people, she had a gentle spirit, and she would give whatever little she had to help someone else.  This is a picture of the widow who gave all she had.  Despite her issues, despite her loss, she put her faith in Christ, which is what Jesus was teaching his disciples on true value.

If our hope is in money no matter how much we have, it's never enough, and we are bound to earth's predicaments.  Meaning if natural disaster comes, and we lose all we have, it is devastating, for our life is based on temporary things . If our hope is in God, our life is based on eternal things, and we are complete in Christ alone.  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.

The rest of Luke 21 foretells the signs of the times leading to the return of Christ.  What took place with Hurricane Sandy was expected.  Natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, are taking place all over the world.  I know numerous credible individuals who had dreams and visions of Atlantic Cities streets being flooded with water.  I was part of a movement called God Belongs In My City, we met from May to August praying on the boardwalk every Saturday from 5am to 6am and on August 25th we had a prayer walk with over 300 people marching through the streets of the city, as a warning and preparation for such this time.

God wants to pour out His spirit upon all flesh, not religious hypocrites but on those with sincere hearts whom choose to put their faith in Him.  You might naturally have nothing but if you put your faith in Christ you have everything.  The bible says "you can do all things through Christ,"  It also says that "all your needs are met through Him."

What has value?  That which lasts!  Those whom repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ have eternal life, and therefore are of greatest value.  Choose today eternal life!

Heavenly Perspective (Luke 20:27-40)

Heavenly Perspective

• Luke 20:27 (NLT)

---

We could get smart with our criticizers as my last devotion stated by answering a question with a question, or we could just simply ignore them, and stay focused with our assignment at hand. But, here in Luke 20:27-40 as the Sadducees tried to discredit Jesus (for they did not believe in the resurrection), he responded to them by answering their question about marriage, not for the sake of the Sadducees who were blinded to the truth through their traditions but for His disciples and the others who may needed that question answered, before it became a stumbling block. 

We must remember that natural minded people will never be able to grasp spiritual things, but those who have ears to hear will listen and receive spiritual truth. So in each conflict we must be aware of those around us so that our response though it may not make any sense to the one we are in conflict with yet it is transforming to it's bystanders.

The relationship between husband and wife and with their children is to model the relationship God desires to have with mankind. It is a tool to draw people closer to Him. In Heaven everything has become perfected, complete, lacking nothing. On earth we only know in part, in heaven we will know fully. Nothing will be the same! Our satisfaction will come through our Heavenly Father alone. We are now married to the lamb of God. All our relationships will be different. 

What we experience on earth is just a foretaste of what we experience in Heaven. Somethings we just cannot fully grasp yet it's beyond our imagination, they are God's mysteries yet to be revealed. I love surprising my son's with the desires of their hearts going even beyond what they expected. Just celebrating Elisha's birthday I secretly put together a ping pong table in the basement and just couldn't wait until he had his cake, finished opening the gifts he expected and then brought him downstairs to show him the big surprise. The look on his face does such joy to my heart. I delight in blessing him! 
This is how our God is regarding heaven, "eyes have not seen nor ears have heard what He has planned for us, His beloved."

Will we still be with our spouse in Heaven as a married couple? What if we have had more than one wife Marriage is about two becoming one, it is about our rib returning to our body as our very own. How that looks in heaven I can't even imagine, yet I know how good my God is, and that their will be no disappointments, we will be fulfilled, and as joyful beyond what we could ever think

Critical Response (Luke 20:20-26)

Critical Response

• Luke 20:20 (NLT)

---

This week's Presidential debate was heated. If you don't like criticism, politics is not for you! For one person to get the advantage over the other they scrutinize every word and action their opponent makes with the hope that they find a flaw and can discredit them.

Luke 20:20-26 actually deals with politics for Jesus is asked about taxes, which was a big part of the debates discussion. Now understand that as Christians we have no choice but to vote. God is the author of government and we need to vote for the individual that leans most towards biblical principles. We cannot just vote for a political party, for we are not of the elephant or the donkey but of the Lion and the Lamb. I prayed to the Lord about this election and He told me to vote for Family and for Life.

This message though is not really about politics as neither was the question the religious leaders asked Jesus. It is all about how we respond to criticism, for the enemy's agenda is to discredit and destroy us, that is where politicians and Christians have much in common. The rate this nation is going with special interest groups pushing their agenda the more criticism we are going to continue to face. The sad thing as Jesus experienced is some of the heaviest criticizers are those you would expect are on the same side, like family, friends, other Christians.

There are a lot more critics in the world than encouraging people, even in the church. We have all been criticized and we have all responded in a way that we are not proud of. I know Christians who cannot hold a job simply because they can't deal with criticism. We got to understand that we can't make everyone like us, and because Jesus is in us, we are an enemy to the world. It never feels good to be criticized whether justly or unjustly but it is a tool that either makes us or breaks us.

Jesus teaches us as His followers in this chapter how to respond to criticism?

1. When responding to judgmental individuals it is best to ans `wer a question with a question.

We must beware of the motive behind people when they ask us a question so we can respond appropriately.

There are people around us waiting for us to say the wrong thing, or words that they can twist to give us a bad name.

2. Don't let critical people distract us, stay focused and continue with our God given assignment. If they move us the enemy now has a foothold.

3. We must not take it personal, Jesus get's in people's way so they must find a way to get Him out of the way, it is not about us, it is the one within.

4. Understand whom are enemy is, so we are not ignorant of His devices.

Jesus greatest enemies were those who you would think would be his greatest allies.
The counterfeit, (those whom have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof), oppose the genuine, they are too proud to admit their lack of credibility and instead criticize and appoint judgment when in fact they are jealous.

5. It is best to take a step back and reconnect with the Holy Spirit when necessary. 

We have been given the Holy Spirit whom will give us the words we need when we need them. It is vital that we stay sensitive to the promptings and the still small voice within. Unnecessary trouble can come when we respond in the wrong manner.

Wisdom as it is says in Proverbs is always within our grasp if we are listening. When in the heat of a conversation it is easy to get in the flesh but only in the Spirit does wisdom come. A harsh response will get a harsh reaction. A wise response will silence those whom oppose us. 

What level we are at will determine our outcome, if we are in the flesh we are grounded and Satan has the high ground, if we are in the Spirit, we have the upper hand, and are not ignorant of His devices and fly above His scheme not snared in His trap.

Another major issue discussed at the debate was oil, the prices continue to go up, and it is effecting gas, electricity, food, etc. Who has the best plan to lower the gas prices? 

The reason we as Christians respond to criticism in a worldly manner is because we are out of gas. We are not filled up! The price of gas is too much. Is there a price? Yes, our lives! What does that mean? Daily we must empty ourselves before Him and He will respond by filling us up. We cannot face the enemy if we don't have on the face of God.

Weeping and Yelling! (Luke 19:41-48)

         I wish I could force people to change but I cannot, each person has a free will, all I can do is lead by example and hope they will follow. It is so hard to witness someone you love choose to go down the path of destruction. Sometimes learning the hard way is the only option. All I can do is pray and hope that when destruction comes they will truly surrender to God so He can help them recover.

Jesus in Luke 19:41-44 weeps over the city of Jerusalem. The people refused to receive it's Savior for they would not accept the package He came in. They wanted outward peace while He came to give them inward peace.

If we had a friend or family member who kept getting beat up fighting we would want to help them out, but if we realized they were the cause of the fight would it be just to fight with them when they are in the wrong.  It is hard to see loved ones beat up but only when they get beat up bad enough will they eventually surrender.  So sometimes letting God have His way is letting the devil have his way (so he thinks) for a time being.  

Jesus in Luke 19:45-48 goes from weeping to yelling as He sees the temple being used as a market rather than a place of prayer.  The reason for destruction as we see above is from separation from God.  Jerusalem had religion but without any power for there was no prayer.  People often use church for their own gain, as a marketing scheme for self-promotion.  When the church is praying community transformation follows.  We see so many communities with churches on every corner yet sinful activity prevails.  Believers gathering together for whatever reason means nothing without the primary reason being prayer.  Looking religious does not impress God.  The bible says our faith is what pleases God.  Faith is a verb meaning action, so prayer, responding in action is what impresses God.  Christ the head brings forth His will to the body by prayer and moves as we respond in obedience.

Would Jesus respond the same way in our church today is the question we must ask, would He go around kicking over the useless self promoting junk we fill our churches with?  Is communicating with Jesus the main object of our church commitment?   The Pharisees response to Jesus was to kill Him.  How many church leaders today do the same regarding the Holy Spirit because they have their own agenda in God's place?

Because the Lord has need of it?

Because the Lord has need of it?

• Luke 19:28

---

Do we truly understand that all we have is not our own? Everything we have should be available for the Master's use when He needs it, including our spouse, children, material possessions, money, etc. This is the case here in Luke 19:28-40, Jesus Triumphant Entry. When the disciples began to untie the colt, the owners asked what they are doing, in which they said the Master has use for it, enough said!

Walking out our salvation means to live a surrendered life. We no longer have any rights, so we cannot base our decisions on how we feel but by the word of God in faith. This means that everything we are and own, we surrender.

As a colt was set apart for the Master's use, so have we been set apart for His use. We may feel insignificant, our life wasted, but despite how we feel, God sees us fit for His use. As a child feels so special when their Father needs their help so let us feel the honor of being the Lord's chosen vessel.

As the colt was loosed by it's owners let us be loosed from whomever and whatever has tried to own us apart from our God. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, death on the cross, He found us that worth it. He believes in us so let us believe in Him, if He finds us worth saving then we know He finds us worth using.

He rode the colt to get from point A to point B, but with us we are made His permanent dwelling place through the Holy Spirit. We are His entry into the world to establish His eternal victory. We are His body and without our obedience His power is limited. So let us like this wild independent colt allow Jesus to take full reign and be the ones who carry His presence into the world.

Greatest Investment

Greatest Investment

• Luke 19:11
• Luke 19:12
• Luke 19:13
• Luke 19:14
• Luke 19:15
• Luke 19:16
• Luke 19:17
• Luke 19:18
• Luke 19:19
• Luke 19:20
• Luke 19:21
• Luke 19:22
• Luke 19:23
• Luke 19:24
• Luke 19:25
• Luke 19:26
• Luke 19:27

---

I don't know much about the stock market, but I know it is best to invest in what you believe will bring the best results. If you invest too wide, in too much, very little profit follows. It is best to invest much in little for the greatest payoff. Now it just takes good discernment to realize what to put that investment in.

God has recently taken me to a place of brokenness realizing that I have been investing too thin. I have placed my interests in too many directions and therefore I am not seeing the results that should be expected. I no longer possess anything, I am in Christ, I am just a stewards of what is His. Therefore, He is my Shepherd, my guiding force, and as His sheep, I just follow. 

God has given us field's, first of all our own heart, then our immediate family, extended family, spiritual family, and those in our neighborhood, work, school, etc. He commands us to bear fruit. We are only capable of cultivating just so much. When we overextend ourselves the proper care that each plant in each field needs is neglected and weeds grow choking out the seeds resulting in fruitlessness. When fruitfulness comes, multiplication follows, but it comes as each plant grows and blossoms and as fruit abounds, seeds spread, and other plants develop.

We change the world by making one disciple at a time who makes other disciples. The question is are we investing enough into those whom God has put before us. When we are too busy we don't have time for the relationship factor that is truly needed for discipleship to develop.

We see this teaching in the Parable of the Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-27). Jesus gives this parable to help His followers understand that our time on earth is all about investing into the future. Taking what He gives us and planting it into whom He gives us. Not just being idle while waiting around for His return or pursuing fruitless gain but making the most of what He has given.

Good servant are ones who are faithful in what little that has been given to them and therefore He promises much will come in return. The question I have been asking myself is will God say to me, "well done good and faithful servant." It would be sad if I was one who would say I did this and I did that in your name, and He tell me depart from me you worker of iniquity.

What we do does not matter unless He is the one doing it. If He is not abiding in me then fruit can never follow. Only in obedience is His presence.