Luke_12

 

Scripture Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Observation Jesus was speaking to the thousands that had gathered to hear him.  Understanding Greek definition of Treasure - a store-house for precious things;including (treasured) thoughts stored up in the heart and mind."a receptacle for valuables" Imagine you had a treasure box filled with valuable items to keep safe. What is in that treasure box?momentos passed down from relatives, books maybe weapons, old pictures, chocolate :) Jewelry, money.  Treasure box is where you put things that have value to us.  What do we have stored up in the treasure box in our hearts and minds?  Memories of our kids, our wedding day, celebrations and mournings. Relationships with our family, friends, and community.  If there was a fire in your house what would you make sure goes with you?  When you leave this earth, what would you like to take with you?  Application While taking things with us to heaven may sound appealing we know it is not possible.  Jesus said that we should store up treasure in heaven. He didn’t want us to store up possessions and money for its own sake. It would eventually be destroyed.  We know that even now in our own country how quickly jobs and money can be taken away. Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What are we doing here on earth that is building up treasure for us in heaven? Giving to people in need. Loving people when it's difficult. Sharing the love of God with others.  Luke 12:31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 

We don't have to worry about not having what we need if our “treasure box” is filled with kingdom valuables. 

 

-Deborah Lee

 

Luke 11

Scripture

Luke 11: 24-26

When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.

 

Observation

Jesus just gets finished teaching the disciples the Lord’s Prayer and then he continues on to another village where He performs a miracle. He drives a mute impure spirit out of a man, to which the crowd responds contrary to what He expects or desires. Jesus then tells the crowd of people there this.

 

Understanding

Always be on your guard.

For some reason, I always skipped over this section of Luke chapter eleven because it scared me (which is why I don’t read Revelation often either, if I am being honest). Believe it or not this time I think I got a valuable lesson out of the scary bit I would skip over. I don’t think that Jesus tells these people this reality to scare them, but rather to warn them to always been their guard. The enemy loves to steal what the Lord has made whole, and he rests at nothing to do so. It sounds extremely foreboding, trust me I know, but the minute we let our guard down the enemy strikes. If he doesn’t succeed the first time either, he goes back for reinforcements as Jesus so joyously points out. To make matters even worse, I know for a fact that the enemy is attempting to strike us right now when we feel vulnerable. He strikes in ways that we least expect, he leaves us captive to ourselves with a seemingly impossible escape. He intensifies a spirit of apathy, rather than one of hunger and devotion. He always lurks, and he never rests.

But our God never rests or ceases fire either. As I read this passage today I was struck with that reality. Jesus drove out many impure spirits when He walked the earth, but more than that He empowered others to do the same. The enemy may come at one point in my life and “see the house clean and swept,” and he can go back for reinforcements all he want because I will too. Here’s what I am driving at: we are in a battle that is already won! Right now it is so easy to get caught up with the world and this overwhelming feeling of “What’s the point?” (as a best friend of mine put it), but all we have to do is put up our guard because Jesus does the fighting for us. We can’t give in right now or ever because too often we let the enemy win. But not anymore! It is time to fight back, no more waiting and complaining at home during quarantine. Let’s be people on our face in prayer contending for our world that is confused and scared. Let’s come out of this stronger than when it started.

 

Life Application

Keep up your guard, but remember to look around the ring.

We have to remember who is on our side and who is fighting against us, so familiarize yourself with your team. In other words, spend time in the word of God and understanding who He is, but also don’t neglect your brothers and sisters in Christ either. Let’s encourage one another, rather than cutting off communication from each other. We may be in separate houses, but that does mean that communication has to cease either. And when you feel discouraged and feel the enemy knocking on the door of your house remember:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

-Allison Khan 

Luke__10

Scripture  Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Observation-What does it say?  Jesus was addressing Martha’s complaint against her sister for not helping her with the preparations. Instead of working to make everything perfect for Jesus, Mary was just sitting at His feet, listening to HIm.  Understanding-What does it mean?  Martha’s focus on the wrong thing led her to become worried and upset. Mary focused on Jesus and her relationship with Jesus. Martha focused on the work she needed to do for Jesus.   Jesus is always great at digging at the heart. It wasn’t the fact that Martha was doing work for Him, because working for Jesus is what being on mission means. It was Martha’s heart that was wrong. Her heart is what Jesus had to correct. Jesus pointed out that she had become distracted, worried and upset about many things. What she needed to do was focus on their relationship, just like Mary was doing.  Life Application  When we are worried and upset about many things, we must ask ourselves, “When was the last time I sat at Jesus’ feet in prayer and just listened?” “When was the last time I opened up God’s Word?” The lesson we learn from Mary and Martha is very relevant to today. People are distracted, with their complete focus on Covid-19. They are meditating more on the news and media than God's Word. People are worried. People are upset. This is why we need to point them to Jesus (if they don’t have a relationship with Him already) or remind them to fix their eyes back on Jesus, if they have a relationship with Him already. Jesus is the only One who can calm our storms and like the awesome message last Sunday, we just need to surrender and give up control. Holy Spirit, Please forgive us for focusing on the wrong thing at times. Please continue to remind us that when we focus on You and our relationship with You, that all of our distractions, fears, anxieties, anger and many worries will dissipate. I pray that we would not keep our relationship with You hidden, but boldly share with those around us so that they could also experience Your love, joy and peace through this time. Thank you Jesus! Amen. -Michelle Gaddi