Monday, February 27, 2017

HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS

WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?

Read Luke 5:17–26

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:20 NIV
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     In this story, some determined men brought their friend to Jesus to be healed. They removed some tiles from the roof of the house and lowered him right in front of the Lord. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." (5:20) 

     The Pharisees thought to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (5:21) and because Jesus was God, he knew what they were thinking. So He said, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?"(5:22)
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     There is nothing that we can say or think in our hearts of which Jesus is not aware–He knows our every thought. Lord, I want to pray, as David did, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)
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     Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 
Luke 5:22–23 NIV

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

A CONVINCING MIRACLE

FISHERS OF MEN


     When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"… Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." Luke 5:8–10 NIV

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     Simon Peter had seen Jesus heal his wife's mother. He had watched as demons came out of people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" (Luke 4:41) Then one day, Jesus went fishing and they caught so many fish that the two boats began to sink from the weight. This was the miracle which convinced Peter that Jesus was no ordinary man – He was the Son of God. From then on, Peter, James and John left their fishing business and followed Jesus.
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     Dear Father, You said, "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9) You knew what Peter needed to bring him to faith, and You knew what I needed. Lord, give me the words to share with others in a way that is meaningful to them. Speak to the hearts of our children to inspire them in a walk of faith throughout their lives. Make us "fishers of men."
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     He and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners… So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:9–11 NIV

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

SATAN TEMPTS JESUS

THE ACCUSER OF MAN


     Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1 NIV
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     Satan, the enemy of God, is ever the accuser of man. In the book of Job, Satan tried to humiliate God by testing his servant, Job. Now, the Son of God Himself has become a man, and Satan continues His war against God and man.
     As Satan tempts Jesus he repeatedly says, "If you are the Son of God," (4:3, 6) mocking His deity. Then as if Satan were God himself, he boasts, "All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me." (4:9) 
   At this point, Jesus responds, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (4:10)
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     Lord, You said that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with the powers of darkness. You are the one who is able to put a wall of protection around our immediate family and our church family. We are no match for Satan who is adept at quoting Scripture for his own purpose ─ we must pray as You have instructed, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (6:13)
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     Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4:11 NIV