THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

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Read: Luke 16:19-31

"I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment." Luke 16:27-28 NKJV

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Jesus taught in this powerful story of life after death, that the circumstances of this life – wealth or poverty – are of little consequence in comparison to our eternal destiny. The rich man in Hell was concerned that someone would tell his brothers how to avoid this "place of torment." Abraham's answer that the man's brothers would not be convinced, "though one rise from the dead" was prophetic of what was about to happen. Jesus did rise from the dead and the Pharisees still did not believe.

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It is not pleasant to consider the reality of eternal punishment. When people are still alive there is always the potential that they will hear the message and believe. But after death, there is no more hope. Lord, help us to remember this and realize the urgency of getting the message out to unbelievers. Bless our efforts in supporting our church and missions and telling others about the gospel.

* * *

He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:31 NKJV

JANUARY THOUGHTS

     So here we are, approaching the last week of January, 2010. It seems appropriate to stop for a moment to review what I have covered so far and talk about the purpose and goals of this blog.

     My first devotional post on Blogspot.com was February 28, 2008 and it began with Genesis 1:1, “IN THE BEGINNING GOD...” Since then we have moved through the Bible with readings from all of the Old Testament books and now we are in the New Testament Gospels - reading the Life of Christ through the eyes of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

     I have been truly blessed by the opportunity to share from my own devotional reading and to receive responses from so many of my readers, often adding new insights and blessings of your own. God’s Word truly does have all we need for life and godliness in this generation.

     For those of you who are new to my blogs, I would like to explain my purpose for the brief format and how it might be of value to your own devotional reading. Each post gives a reading in bold print. If you look in the right hand column of my blog under “Look up Reference” you will see links to BibleGateway.com and Blue Letter Bible. Someday, if I get quite ambitious, I may link the reading assignments more directly, but for now you will have to look up the reference at the website.

     Because I know that not all readers will take the time to do this, I have included at least two or three direct quotations in the body of the post. This way, you will still get the main thought of the passage. My comments are meant to set the reference in its biblical context and draw attention to the lives of real people who lived in Bible times.

     Each post includes a personal prayer of application for today. You may find that you are prompted to pray a different prayer entirely. What I hope to model is a two way conversation with the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word and we pray about what he lays on our hearts.

     The Bible is a living book and though the truth is unchangeable, our lives do change and God will no doubt have different applications for us at different seasons of life. I have found this way of prayer, coupled with Bible reading, to be far more meaningful and interesting and it gives me confidence to know I am praying in God’s will.

     If the Word says “Be strong in the Lord,” I can pray for strength and believe that it is His will to give it to me. If it says “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God and He will give it to him,” I can confidently ask for wisdom in making a decision.

     Since I first started blogging I have expanded my posts to other networks which reach into different parts of the country and world. I post on Vox.com, Live Journal, Word Press and several others. But Blogspot.com remains my home base to which the others can link. So my goal for 2010 is to continue to write and post and respond to my readers as God allows. Your comments are always welcome.

     It is my prayer that these brief devotional entries that just scratch the surface will inspire my readers to dig deeper into the Word this year, as I continue to be inspired by others who teach and write for the Lord.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

JESUS SEEKS THE LOST

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Read: Luke 15


I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7 NKJV

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It was an affront to the religious leaders when Jesus spent time with "tax collectors and sinners." The parables in this passage were a message to these Pharisees and teachers of the law. He told the story of three lost things: a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son.

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Those Pharisees who complained were like the older brother of the prodigal son who said, "…All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders…But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' (15:29-30 NIV)

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Our role here on earth as Christians is not to congratulate ourselves on how good we have been. Our lives should so shine as to draw lost people to our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, make our home a lighthouse so that those who are lost on the sea of life will find their way to shore. Give us a heart to love and disciple those who were lost and are found.

* * *

“…we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" Luke 15:32 NKJV

TAKE THE LOWLY PLACE

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Read Luke 14:1–24

     So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, Luke 14:7 NKJV

* * *

     Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He was being carefully watched. They were hoping to find something against him, but what they didn't realize was that Jesus was watching them. What He saw was how the guests picked the places of honor at the table. (14:7 NIV)

     In His quiet and straightforward way, Jesus said, "When you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests." (14:10 NIV) One of those at the table said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

* * *

     Jesus went on to tell a story about all those who would make excuses not to come to that feast. The host in the story said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes… that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’'" (14:21b–24 NIV)

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     Lord, thank You for inviting us to the feast You have prepared for us. Help us to give the invitation to everyone we know, regardless of their excuses. Perhaps some will believe and come.

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     For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11 NKJV

THE RICH FOOL

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Read Luke 12:13–34

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15 NIV

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It is a natural instinct to want to add to our possessions. The reasons are many, including the desire for security or just the pleasure of owning beautiful things. God does not condemn financial planning; in fact he condemns those who neglect their responsibilities. But this story of the rich fool, as told by Jesus, is about greed or excessive worry over money. No matter how much we own, we will leave it all behind, either in a natural disaster or at the end of life. The important issue is to be "rich toward God."

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Heavenly Father, Thank You for all You have provided for our family. Forgive me when I worry about money, for You have said, "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?" (12:25-26)

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"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21 NIV

THE LORD'S PRAYER

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JESUS TEACHES HOW TO PRAY

Read Luke 11:1–13; John 14:13–14
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9 NKJV

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Most of us are familiar with the "Lord's Prayer" in this passage. Actually, this was a model prayer for us to follow. Jesus goes on to teach more about how to pray. We should pray to the Father in Jesus name–for our daily needs, for forgiveness, for protection from temptation and deliverance from the evil one. Jesus said we should ask with persistence, because, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13 NKJV)

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Lord, I cannot help but notice in this passage that asking for our daily needs results in the priceless gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said, “He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” (Romans 8:27 NIV) So I need not worry about asking for the wrong thing. If the Holy Spirit is praying for me, the result will be according to God's perfect plan. Thank You, Jesus!

* * *

…We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 NIV