Luke 8 - 4.12.2024

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

It is so strange that the physical storms I  have experienced, are so similar to the emotional and mental storms that I have survived. What could water, wind and lightning possibly have in common with the stresses of my life. Why is it that when I read these words, I just knew exactly what the disciples were going through, despite never having been in a boat during a storm fearing I would drown. Why is it that when Jesus asks his disciples, “Where is your faith?”, I felt as if Jesus was speaking directly to me.

And why, after all these years of walking in Christ, am I not constantly reminding myself: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid… (Psalm 118:6)

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

As I have walked with the Lord, certain storms have ceased to phase me. Hooray for progress. But sometimes all it takes is an ominous forecast, and I am transported to a rocking boat where the wind, rain, and chance of drowning are all too real. It’s moments like these that humble me and remind me that I still have a ways to go – that my faith has a capacity for growth. I will not be afraid today, because God is with me.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Lord, may my application, Your Words of affirmation be also my prayer this morning. I want to grow in my faith. I want to grow in you. I will not be afraid today, because You are with me. Thank you my Savior. Thank you, my Rock. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Luke 7 - 4.11.24

S - Luke 7: 44 - 48

44  Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  45  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  46  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  47  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48  Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.

O – Luke uses this chapter to contrast the Pharisees with sinners – and again the sinners come out ahead. Jesus had been invited to dinner by one of the Pharisees and was reclining at the dinner table when a woman, who was a prostitute, and not invited, walked in and over to Jesus, weeping. The custom for dinner guests was to recline at the table with their heads propped up on one elbow near the table and their feet stretched out behind them. This woman wept over Jesus’ feet and then proceeded to wipe his feet with her hair, kiss and pour perfume over them. His dinner host should have been the one to wash His feet and greet Him with a kiss, as was custom. The fact that he did not isn’t clear. Perhaps this host felt he was too good for Jesus or was giving him a subtle put-down. Whatever the case, he showed little respect, unlike the woman who gave all that she could to show love toward Jesus.

A – It never states why the woman walked in weeping, but I imagine the extreme shame and guilt she felt over her sins, and the overwhelming love she was feeling for Jesus are what caused her to shed those tears and compel her to walk into a room, that we can easily assume was very hostile toward her. I am certain the men in that room were unabashedly uninviting. Yet, she was drawn to Him and let none of that stop her. In turn, He graciously accepted the love she was pouring out on Him. He then poured HIS love out when he stated, Your sins are forgiven and Your faith has saved you; go in peace. Only those of us who recognize the depth of our sins can truly appreciate the complete forgiveness that God offers us. Once upon a time, I felt that shame and wept those tears and He took all of that from me. I never want to forget that I may no longer be THAT sinner, but I am still a sinner in need of His daily love. Do I SHOW appreciation by living a life that reflects gratitude to a loving God who saved me? Do I give back that love by going out and loving on all those who need to be loved on….the ones who really need it? Not just the ones that make me feel good to help. It is important that we get in the trenches and reach the lost, the sick and the hurting. Matthew 9:12-13… “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

P – May we go and love on the broken and not look down on anyone who isn’t yet where we are, in their walk with you, because the walk is an ever lasting journey until we get to go home with you forever. Help us to see the hurting people in front of us and love on them and show them who you are by the way we interact with them. Thank you that you called me to love you. I do love you Lord with all my heart. Let my life show that in every way possible!

Amen!

- Crystal Flory

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