Luke 8:2 I'm so surprised to hear that Herod's manager's wife, Joanna, was in the company of women who followed Jesus. That was a bold move for her.
The context of these verses is the verse we read yesterday---are you ready for the Truth? God, would you somehow make these truths invade our hearts. Everyone says they want to follow you but what comes from their heart is doing all the right things. May your truth sink deep into our hearts (Psalm 51:6). Ready for some truth?
Be a good-heart who seizes the Word and holds on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest (8:15).
Don't forget Who is in the boat with you. "Why can't you trust Me (8:25)? It's not just about knowing that God is with you. It is all about trusting the God Who walks with you every day.
Take a risk like the woman bleeding for 12 years who interrupted Jesus speaking to the centurion whose daughter just died. Jesus said to her in 8:48---- "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!"
No need to bother the Teacher (8:49). No need to bother your neighbor. Your daughter is dead.
Jesus overhears and says: Just trust Me. Keep on believing. They had no idea what Jesus would do but they walked with the One Who walked with them. And they walked in faith. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."
Follow Me. You can't put God's Kingdom off til tomorrow (9:49). Seize the day. Carpe Deim.
Luke 6:25 – “Then he said to his disciples, "Why can't you trust me?"And Luke 8:37 -“Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave—too much change, too fast, and they were scared.” And Luke 8:40 –“On his return, Jesus was welcomed by a crowd. They were all there expecting him.” And Luke 8:48 – “Jesus said, "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!" Ironically, we risk by trusting—we can either reject Jesus because it seems like too much change and we fear. Or we can be ready, welcoming, expecting. I tend to play it safe. How I long to hear Jesus say those words,“Daughter you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole.
ReplyDeleteThen Jesus again reassures: Luke 8:50 – “Jesus overheard and said, "Don't be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right."
However there are no promises of smooth sailing. Luke 9:23-27 - "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels.”
Luke 9:43 – “They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God's greatness, God's majestic greatness.”
Luke 9:62 – “Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
Misers of What You Hear
ReplyDelete16 -18"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We're not keeping secrets; we're telling them. We're not hiding things; we're bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."
Let's not keep it a secret! What a challange to go out and share the gospel.
The most important question...
ReplyDelete"He then asked, "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter answered Christ that he was the Messiah.
Who is Jesus?
The most important answer...
My Redeemer
Went to visit a friend in the hospital and he asked such good questions...and he knows the Word. But he wanted to know this night how he can really know for sure what is the truth. Do you really know? What are you saying about Me? Am I your Christ? I know for sure. I stood beside his bed so wanting my friend to know for sure.
ReplyDeleteBev, your friend reminds me a little of John who knew Jesus but in his distress, asked, "Are You the One or should we look for another?" What he really is saying is "Why aren't You here for me?" I offer a prayer for your friend's healing and wholeness right now.
ReplyDelete