Luke 21 - 07.28.22
SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:36 AMP
“But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus concludes His discourse on events that will “precede” His second coming with an admonition to “Keep Alert” and “Be Ready”.
UNDERSTANDING:
Filled with and Living IN Expectation!
There is nothing like that feeling of expectation when you know something amazing is about to happen. I loved Pastor Levi’s reference in last Sunday’s teaching when he shared how excited he was to spend every moment he could and learn everything possible about his beautiful bride to be— Katie, after he had proposed.
Married people can definitely look back on their wedding day, a day I waited for an exceptionally long time! I had longed to be married from the time I was 17 yrs old. Somehow I ended up in a fast paced career that kept me busy until I was 40! Then, Larry showed up in my life. I always joke with him, “What took you so long?!?” 😂
As we counted down the days, spent time together, talked about future plans, sent out invitations—I can tell you we were both FILLED with glowing expectation and joy that has continued as we prepare to celebrate 26 yrs together.
I LOVE how Pastor Levi phrased it in his teaching when he said that God loves us SO much and has waited for us SO long [even BEFORE the world was formed]—that HE Longs to spend time with us.
Just like in marriage where we spend daily intimate time together—sharing all our deepest thoughts and dreams as we lay our hearts bare before each other-God desires this same intimacy with us. HE already KNOWS every thought and Every heartbeat AND we were born for this purpose.
Like the story of Mary and Martha that Pastor Levi shared—only ONE thing is essential. Sitting at Jesus feet—and Mary had discovered it.
May we focus on what’s essential and not let the worries of life ever distract us from what is truly essential—our First Love—Jesus.
“But I have this against you: you have abandoned the passionate love you had for me at the beginning.” (Revelation 2:4 TPT)
LIFE APPLICATION:
LIVE EXPECTANTLY FOR JESUS AND HIS RETURN
How would my Life look if I was genuinely Living my life Expectantly for Jesus Return?
Not concerned with the prediction mongers of the “when”. But, simply knowing that Jesus said that He IS coming back and He wants me to be “Alert” and “Ready”.
May I radiate Jesus everywhere I GO.
“Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Romans 15:13 TPT)
Lord Jesus,
May I be ever awake, watchful, alert and looking forward to Your Return. May it occupy my thoughts in a way that affects my daily actions so that I don’t let opportunities pass me by. May I be about “my Father’s business” with super-abundant JOY in my heart—sharing Your Love and Good News wherever You Lead me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
Tina L Kudelka
Luke 20-7.27.22
SCRIPTURE
Luke 20:45-46
“While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
OBSERVATION-What does it say?
Jesus was calling out the Pharisees! In Luke 14: 7-11, He did a similar thing when He was at a Pharisee’s house. He basically said that it was better to take the form of a servant (take the lowest seat at the table) and be moved up by God, than it was to take the highest seat and be asked to move down.
UNDERSTANDING-What does it mean?
God is attracted to humility.
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” -Matthew 20:16
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” -Proverbs 27:2
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” -James 4:10
Therefore Scripture says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” -James 4:6
LIFE APPLICATION
Humility is a very attractive trait. Be a humble servant and exalt others above yourselves.
In this world, success is defined as being #1. However, the Lord is not impressed with that. In God’s economy, to be like Jesus, we must seek to serve and exalt others above ourselves. As a result, God will exalt us.
Who in our lives do we need to serve, support and exalt/honor above ourselves?
-Michelle Gaddi
Luke 19-7.26.22
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 19: 9
"Today salvation has come to this house," Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."
OBSERVATION:
Jesus was passing through Jericho. A man named Zacchaeus who was a very rich chief tax collector was trying to see Jesus, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was such a short man. He ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house." So, he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, "He's going to lodge with a sinful man!" But, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much!"
"Today salvation has come to this house, Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."
UNDERSTANDING:
Zacchaeus took the first step in approaching Jesus. He wanted to see Him. And as he made his way through the crowd, he climbed the tree. Jesus met him right where he was, and looked up, and called him by name. He gave Zacchaeus an invitation to spend time with him. After his personal encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus had an immediate heart change, and he made right what he had done wrong. He wanted to make restitution by giving to the poor, and he was willing and ready to pay back four times the amount to anyone he had cheated! Those outward actions demonstrated the inward change that had taken place in his heart.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. Giving to the poor didn't save Zacchaeus, nor was it being willing to give back four times what he had cheated anyone that saved him. It was his faith in Jesus that Zacchaeus was forgiven and made new.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Jesus is our example, and He demonstrated countless times how important it was to Him to seek and to save the lost. As Christ followers, we are to pray and ask the Lord of the harvest to help us seek out the ones He wants us to share His love with. He has given us everything we need to partner with Him. He has given each one of us gifts, talents, abilities, and resources to share as we build up His kingdom. It's important to Him that we seek out the lost, so it should be just as important to us!
I pray I will be faithful to use what God has entrusted to me as I go and seek the lost, so that others may also receive what I have been given; the gift of salvation, which God has graciously and generously invited us all to receive who believe that His Son, Jesus Christ is Lord of all!
-Robin Orefice