Bible Chapter: Luke 21
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
A well known story - a poor widow giving all she had. This reveals the depth of her love for God. She was devoted to Him and gave generously. Her giving was not from excess, but from sacrifice. Her giving reflected her commitment to God. There are those who look at what they have as “mine” and think it either unnecessary or excessive to give generously or sacrificially to God. We see her heart in this offering.
Jesus also talked about judgement and the end times. We must stand firm in our commitment and relationship with Him. We must persevere in our faith with a firm devotion to Jesus. There will be those who persecute believers. They will do all they can to make them reject their relationship with the Savior. No matter what happens, those who hold on till the end will be victorious.
We don’t know the day when Jesus will come to take His followers to be with Him. We also don’t know the day when we will leave this earth through illness or accident. That is why we must stay close to Jesus. When we see Jesus, any sacrifice we have made will seem small compared to what we receive. Yes, the sacrifices we make are real. And, yes, they will be worth it when we see Jesus.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What is my attitude towards sacrifice? What is my attitude towards accumulation of stuff and ease of life? Where are my priorities? These are important questions to settle so I can apply the Bible to daily life.
If I am willing to sacrifice, then I can change eternity. If I am willing to give and not have to join the rat race of “he who dies with the most toys wins” mentality; if I can establish the priorities of eternity; then I will be able to accomplish God’s plan for my life. Only God knows when the end of all these earthly things as we know them will come. I need to live ready. I think of some I have met who respond that God is asking too much of them. They do what they want and spend time and money as it pleases them. By getting my focus on God’s way, I am so much farther ahead in the long run. I believe that the main point of this chapter is to help each of us to see an eternal perspective of life.
3. How can I help someone?
People need to understand that this life is not all there is. There is a future life after life. People can see how things are changing in the world. It is common to hear that things are getting worse and worse. They are talking about changes in nature. Nothing seems to be the same. All believers in Jesus must help people see the signs and point them to HIM.
I, and all of us, need to pray for God to speak to the hearts of people to recognize their need of salvation. The enemy has given out a wide variety of excuses. None of them are worth anything. Sadly, many people hold on to them and use them. They only make the gap between them and God wider.
Bible Chapter: Luke 20
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
One thought jumped out to me in how Jesus responded to the challenge, the question in verse 2. He didn’t answer their question, He responded with a question for them. Jesus knew that they were not interested in an answer, they didn’t care about an honest debate, but they were looking for a way to make Him look bad to the crowds. This was a trap.
He shows us an important principle here. We are not under obligation to try to answer every question posed to us. Because it was not a real discussion but a trick, He didn’t answer them. His question in return put them in a difficult situation and they wouldn’t answer. Jesus didn’t answer, either. We are to be ready to answer the questions about the hope we have in our hearts (and we have a genuine hope for eternity). We are to be ready to talk about Jesus, Who He is and what He has done in our lives. We are not under obligation to get trapped into discussions that will go nowhere.
Jesus also talked about being rejected. He would be rejected by many religious folk but would be revealed as the foundation for life. Those who reject Him will be judged and punished. I find an interesting sentence in the footnote of my Bible. “Those who do not accept Jesus will be broken to pieces, and those who fall under his judgement will be completely pulverized.” That’s a strong statement based on verse 18. The blessings of serving Jesus are amazing, and the consequences of rejecting Him are devastating.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Jesus was constantly being challenged by people hoping to make Him look foolish. A group of Sadducees tried to trap Him with a question about the resurrection and eternity in heaven. This is an encouraging passage, for it acknowledges the reality of the eternal home of believers in Jesus. Jesus said that there we will no longer face death. In this life death is an enemy, but it will be conquered. We will live in an amazing place in God’s presence. This is too great to miss. So, I must continue to live in such a way as to get as close to Jesus as I can and be ready to see Him some day. It is amazing to think of some day entering His presence. Anything necessary to get there is worth it. While salvation is a gift and I cannot earn it, I can and must be faithful and work for God while I can. As I have stood at the bedside of a believer leaving this earth, I have been reminded of the amazing journey they are taking. I have to admit to some jealousy of their seeing the Lord and entering their eternal reward.
3. How can I help someone?
Many people believe in some kind of life after life and hope they are on the right path. I remember talking with a guy at a funeral one time. He said he would like to know he had a ticket to heaven. I can help people by helping them understand that the ticket to heaven has already been paid for and all we have to do is accept it.
Bible Chapter: Luke 19
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Luke 19 starts out with one of the best known Bible stories that children learn in Sunday School. Jesus reached out to a man well-known as a sinner, Zacchaeus. This man was a swindler who made many suffer. When Jesus went to his house for a personal visit people reacted negatively. Jesus shouldn’t hang around with these sinners. But, this is exactly the kind of person Jesus came to find. He came to seek and find the lost. He responded to Divine guidance, a Divine Appointment, because Zacchaeus was ready to believe in Jesus. Believers must reach out to the undesirable people of the world, as well as the popular. Anyone without Jesus in their heart is lost.
As Jesus was entering Jerusalem, He looked over the city from a vantage point coming down from the Mount of Olives and wept deeply at what was going to happen to the city. He knew that judgement was coming and His heart broke. Jesus really cares about what will happen to people. His heart breaks when people reject what God has for them. When people refuse to repent, they are bringing eternal judgement on themselves. It was always God’s plan from the beginning that everyone would serve Him. He wept deeply at the realization that many would reject His great gift.
One of the first things Jesus did in His public ministry, and one of the last things He did was cleanse the temple of those who were using it for personal and greedy purposes. His house is to be clean. He said it is a house of prayer. God cares that His people are holy. They are not to use anything spiritual for personal gain. Nothing must degrade God’s work.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What is the local church for? What is my involvement? Is it only here for when it is convenient and I don’t have anything else to do? God has given us a house of prayer. Prayer is foundational to doing God’s work. The local church is where we gather to worship, learn, have fellowship and encouragement. It is a very important place. Believers must work hard to keep it a holy place, as well as a welcoming place where anyone can find the peace they need with Jesus.
This chapter also gives a good illustration of being a faithful steward of what God has invested in me. Jesus gave a parable of a king who went away for a time and gave ten servants some money to use while he was gone. When he returned he required an accounting of what they had done with it. This story tells us that Jesus expects us to use whatever it is we have responsibly and faithfully for HIS benefit. The faithful will receive a just reward in eternity. This reminds me of the importance of maintaining an eternal perspective in all I do here in this temporary place called earth.
3. How can I help someone?
One of Zacchaeus’s responses to the call of Jesus in his life was to make a commitment to help those in need. There are always people who have some kind of need. I can’t eradicate poverty, but I can help some. I can also remember the challenge of faithfully using what abilities and resources I have been given and use them for God’s glory.
Bible Chapter: Luke 18
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Why is it so hard to consistently pray and develop a powerful prayer life? I think that many Christians battle this. I believe the answer lies somewhere near the fact that prayer is so powerful and there is great temptation to put it off till a more convenient time. Teaching such as this parable comes from Jesus’ desire that we all understand the importance and power of prayer. The woman had a need and wasn’t going to give up. Perseverance in prayer is one of the keys to winning the battle. Never give up. We have an adversary who is mean. We have a Savior who is all powerful. Some have said that we shouldn’t persist in prayer, just pray once and forget it. That is not what Jesus taught. Keep focus on eternity and it will help keep focus on prayer.
The stronger our prayer life, the more we will be drawn close to Jesus. This will help us gain the victory necessary that we see through the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. One of the problems Jesus addressed was spiritual pride. “I’m really good and God is lucky to have me.” We must humbly acknowledge our need of forgiveness and actively pursue God’s power living through our lives.
Again Jesus talked about the importance of children. It is important to reach children with the message of the love of Jesus. We also see that children are a pawn in the enemy’s spiritual battle against God. More than ever children are being attacked and hurt. Jesus said we are to let the children come to Him, we are to encourage the children to come to Him. Make every effort to bring children to where they will know Jesus. Children need to grow up going to Sunday School, etc. If we don’t train them, the world will.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
There was a certain rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking Him the key question of life: what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus started His response with the reminder to obey God’s law. Then He challenged the man about his love for material gain. We all need to settle the question of priorities. Will we let anything become more important than God? The fact that this man was wealthy was not a problem. The problem was that his wealth was more important than accepting Jesus’ answer to his question.
Sadly, this man couldn’t put Jesus first. This section ends with an encouraging message from Jesus. With God, anything is possible. Put Jesus first. Strive to grow in Him and learn what He has for me to do. Then He will make possible what needs to be made possible. If necessary, God will allow the camel to go through the eye of the needle.
3. How can I help someone?
The world needs to see Christians who have the humility that honors God. They don’t need to see spiritual pride that makes me look good and them look bad. This doesn’t mean that I endorse sinful lifestyles. It means that I let Jesus shine through me that He gets the honor, and people are drawn to HIM.
Bible Chapter: Luke 17
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
A very interesting thought at the beginning, “Things that cause people to sin . . .” Jesus went on to say that it would be better to be drowned in the sea than to cause a child to sin. Sadly, our world today has a endless stream of examples of promoting the so-called pleasures of sin and denying any consequences. Sin will bring punishment, but the warning here is that there will be worse punishment for those who set an example that encourages others to sin.
Later in the chapter Jesus talked about what it will be like in the last days. He compares them to the times of Noah and Lot. People were actively pursuing their sinful pleasures and completely ignoring the impact of their actions and the coming judgement. Sudden judgement came and the people received the consequences of their actions. We live in days that reflect the wantonness of the days of Noah and Lot. Those who stand for biblical morality are attacked and vilified as ignorant. We need to follow the commands of Jesus no matter what anyone says.
Another part of this chapter talks about forgiving. This is one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can develop. Unforgiveness causes strife. It turns people against each other and they miss out on the blessings of their relationships. To forgive does not mean that we condone sin. We don’t continue to forgive to enable habitual sin. The purpose of forgiving is not to allow someone to continue to sin (repentance must include a desire to not repeat the sin), but to help the offender be set free. Sincere repentance must be involved so we can forgive. The purpose of offering forgiveness is not to allow someone to get away with something. If their repentance is fake, they will stand before God and give an account.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I need to think about influence and example. It is a scary concept to think of causing someone to sin. The human nature is always looking for permission to sin, always looking for an excuse or justification. A common statement is “But, look at _____________. They call themselves a Christian and look at what they do.” The tempter convinces people to look at life from a sliding scale, as if God grades on a curve. As long as someone else is worse than I am, I’m fine. That is simply not true. Each believer must be careful to be a good example.
Jesus also talked about being a good servant. We are called to serve. Serving often takes more effort than is comfortable. Jesus called that doing our duty. I need to continue to serve in every way possible.
3. How can I help someone?
Look for ways to be a servant. These opportunities can be small or large. Make an effort to help, remembering that they can sometimes be inconvenient. I can also help by being a good example so no one gets the idea that sinning is permissible.
Bible Chapter: Luke 16
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Verse 10 jumps out to me with a very interesting insight. If you can be trusted with a little, you can be trusted with lots. And, the opposite is true. There are some people who simply can’t be trusted. I see the confused thinking of our world today in something called compartmentalization. People see their lives as compartments. They can cheat and be dishonest here, while they think they can be honest and upright in other places. There are politicians who want us to believe they can be dishonest in their personal/marital relationships and yet we can trust them to do what is right in their political office. Many businesses have failed because someone thought they could cheat in their private life and they wouldn’t cheat in business.
A major factor in whether a person can be trusted is their opinion of money. Do they love it? It is not money, but the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil. A person in love with money has character issues. Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money. It is one or the other. These two are mutually exclusive. It is simple to get caught up with a love of money (material possessions). A person doesn’t have to be wealthy to be in love with things. A person in love with money loses the understanding of the value of human life. Money is temporary, for when a person dies it is all left behind.
This is all illustrated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This man lived in luxury and for luxury. He had no compassion on those with need. Lazarus lived a hard life but loved God. The rich man wouldn’t listen to those who spoke for God and his need to serve God. He only loved his excess and comfort. When he ended up in torment in hell, he begged for relief. Sadly, it was too late and it was his own fault.
This story ends up with a powerful insight. The rich man said that if someone came back from the dead and warn his brothers, they would believe and be spared the torment of hell. The response was that if they didn’t believe, they wouldn’t believe even if one came back from the dead. The free will of the human race can be very stubborn. Sadly, people use it to think they are smarter than God and they have to live life their own way.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I must continue to learn what honesty and integrity are, and strive to practice them more and more. This might sound like I have failed in this area. No, I have not. But, there is a necessary continual growth in life and in all good areas we must continue to grow. I must go forward and be careful to not be in love with money. God gives us resources to use them for good. He blesses those who use them for good. God wants us to use our resources to help people and advance His kingdom.
Never forget that it is in this lifetime that the decision to serve God must be made. There is a large chasm between heaven and hell and it cannot be crossed.
3. How can I help someone?
Ask God to guide in how to use my resources to impact eternity. There are more resources available than people think. If Christians would use them as God directs, we can work together and impact need.
Bible Chapter: Luke 15
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
What is the worth of one soul? How does God look at the eternal beings He created? He loves them with an amazing love and His deepest desire is that they will recognize their need of forgiveness and turn to Him. Here Jesus used three stories to teach the lesson of God’s perspective of the value of a soul.
When the lost is found there is great rejoicing. The word lost has some powerful implications when applied to a child missing from home. Large groups of strangers will volunteer their time to look for the lost one. Then, when the child is found safe and sound, they celebrate. It seems the church doesn’t use the word lost any more regarding people who don’t know Jesus, but, they really are lost in their journey through life. Terms are important. People without Jesus are lost.
In the parable of the lost son, commonly known as the Prodigal Son, we see part of the deception of sin. He took his resources and went away. Sin gives the deceptive idea that the best, most fun is always somewhere else. And, that the most fun always includes the things the Bible calls sin. “Real living” shows no restraint or care for God’s law. We can see a truth when we observe that the lost son lost all his wealth. Sin often leads to squandering what we have. Sin always costs more than we think it will, then there is nothing left.
God’s love is overwhelming. We see it in the father welcoming home the lost son. Yes, he wasted much, but he had come home. Jesus is anxious for us all to come home. He already bought the ticket.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
What is God’s attitude towards people lost in sin? He wants them to return. That needs to be my attitude, as well. God rejoices when one person repents. I need to rejoice as well. I need to find ways to spread the message of the love and joy found in Jesus.
3. How can I help someone?
Spread the message for all.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
