Luke 6 - 4.10.24

Scripture

Luke 6:1-2 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Observation

The Pharisees lived their lives by following a set of rigid rules – not taking people’s needs into account. They also considered themselves righteous for following these rules.

Application

When I was a teenager, back in the horse and buggy days, there were a lot of rules in the church and a lot of things were frowned upon. I’m happy that at Desert Streams, we don’t look down at people for things that ultimately don’t affect their relationship with Jesus – appearance, clothes, income, neighborhood, etc. I’m so glad that we try not to get caught up in rigid rules, and instead try to love people like Jesus does - for who they are and where they are at.

I Samuel 16:7 “ …People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I’m not saying there should be no rules – I’m a rule follower! I remember when I learned that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron. In other words, cheese on your hamburger reduces the nutritional value. I’m guessing this is why there is a Kosher rule to not mix meat and dairy. But if we met a starving man on the street, we wouldn’t say, “I only have a cheeseburger and that is not good for you.” We wouldn’t let the rule overrule our reaction to someone in need. Jesus clearly modeled for us the need to place the highest value on people – all people.

Another danger for us rule followers is to place greater importance on following rules than following after the heart of Jesus. We can feel righteous when we follow the rules – “I did what I was supposed to do, I don’t need to do any more,” or “I didn’t do ____, so I am right with God.” This attitude is so insidious. There is no list of dos and don’ts that I can follow that will make me right with God, only submitting to him daily and accepting his mercy and grace can do that.

Prayer

Thank you God for reminding me again and again of my need for your mercy and grace. Help me to not judge people, but to meet them where they are and extend that same mercy and grace to all that I come in contact with.

- Debbie Dunn

Luke 5 - 4.9.24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 5:27 – 31

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

OBSERVATION

Jesus had just healed the paralyzed man that was lowered down through the roof. When he walked out of the area, this is when Jesus sees Levi the tax collector. I wonder if Levi saw what happened with the paralyzed man because when Jesus says “Follow me”  he just leaves his tax collector booth and walks away to follow Jesus. No matter what, Levi showed great faith in following Jesus.

Levi properly wanted to celebrate Jesus so he threw a big party. He invited lots of people including many other tax collectors. Imagine the scene with Jesus lounging and doing life with all of these very unliked people. Jesus knew these people needed him but the Pharisees had other thoughts.

Tax collectors back in Jesus’ time were considered corrupt, like thieves, who worked for the Roman government. To the Jews, tax collectors were seen as traitors and especially not someone other Jews should be seen with or sit down to a meal. The fact Jesus would even be seen with them was crossing the line. But Jesus sees this as an opportunity to break bread and bring the salvation message.

When the Pharisees complained to the disciples about Jesus hanging out with such hated people, Jesus’ response was priceless: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

APPLICATION

Jesus knew that the “righteous” people (Pharisees and others) felt they had no need to repent because they were righteous. Their hearts were hardened and self-righteous. That’s why Jesus said “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” These “righteous” people had no need for Jesus but we ALL need Jesus. We need to recognize our sin and need for repentance.

Jesus gives us a wonderful example: doing life together as a way to reach others with the salvation message. We have the same opportunity Jesus had – to share the Gospel message as we do life. It’s nothing forced, or an act, but just loving on people.  Whether it’s at the park, grocery store, school, or work, we can reach others by showing God’s love and acceptance for who they are – sinners in need of Jesus. No one comes to the throne of God as a righteous person but as a sinner who recognizes they need Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to have your eyes and heart for the unsaved. Guide me to share your love and acceptance to those willing to listen. Give me your strength and boldness to share the salvation message. I pray for those people who feel they have no need for you. Soften their heart and open their eyes.  I pray for those (family / friends) who continue to say “no thanks” to your free gift of eternal life. Help them to see they need you! In Jesus name - Amen

- Mary Oberg

Luke 4 - 4.8.24

Scripture

Luke 4:13

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

Observation

This chapter is an account of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, where He prayed/fasted and was tempted by the devil.  Scripture says that the Spirit led Him into this wilderness.  Jesus overcame every attack.  With every attack that the devil used, Jesus counteracted it with Scripture.  The devil also used Scripture to tempt Him.  The difference is that Jesus was able to discern that the devil was twisting it for evil, not good.

Application

Set aside daily time to be in God’s Word.

Spending time with Jesus through His Word is crucial! As amazing as Pastor Levi and Pastor Katie are, a Sunday sermon is not enough to sustain us until the following Sunday. A lead poster’s SOAP journal cannot sustain us.  A good sermon or inspirational message on YouTube cannot sustain us.  We need nourishment from His Word every single day. We must study and apply His Word everyday to be able to discern God’s voice vs. the enemy’s voice.  The devil knows scripture too, but Jesus is stronger than our adversary, so we must not let that scare us.  We will be able to discern good from evil because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.  We all get tempted by evil.  Even Jesus wasn’t exempt from it, but He overcame through knowing God’s Word.

Are we reading our Bible daily and letting His Word fill our minds and hearts, instead of all the other noise around us? 

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” -Hebrews 5:14

Let us train ourselves to study and apply his Word daily so that we could distinguish good from evil.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for our daily bible readings and SOAP blogs, where we discipline ourselves to be in Your Word. Holy Spirit, please help us to read, study and apply it to our lives so that we can overcome any evil and temptation the devil throws at us, just like You did. Thank You that we are overcomers through You Jesus. Amen!

-Michelle Gaddi