Luke 12 - 04.18.24

SCRIPTURE -(Luke 12:35-36 NLT)

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 

as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. 

Then you will be ready to open the door AND let—-HIM in 

the moment HE arrives and knocks.”

OBSERVATION 

Keep your lamps burning.

Burning- kaiō means “set on fire,” “burn,” or “consume by burning.”

It is used both literally (of something “set on fire”)

and metaphorically (of “passion, love”).

We are to keep our lamps filled with oil and burning with love for Jesus.

Ready for His return.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you 

when I laid my hands on you.”

(2 Timothy 1:6 NLT)

APPLICATION 

Keep your Lamps Burning 

The answer to “1” question will tell us—IF we are ready.

What do we love most? This is the truest test. 

It won’t matter much what we say.

It will be clear in our actions.

How we Live and How we respond to everyday life.

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 

“I AM the light of the world. 

If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, 

because you will have the light that leads to life.””

(John 8:12 NLT)

Jesus Lights our way in every in every circumstance.

HE is “where” our heart is.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

(Luke 12:34 NLT)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Every generation thinks we are the one that will see your second coming. We do not know the day or hour. You only told us to—be ready. Please continually FILL me with Your oil. Set me aflame with Your Love. Be my constant treasure. Whatever is happening in my life OR around my life—BE my Treasure. Light my path to demonstrate YOU as a very real, present, and Loving— God--who sees others and knows them. A Savior and Lord who is inviting them into a transforming relationship-set free from sin-and an eternity in Heaven.

In Jesus Name I pray.

Here I am Lord, Send me. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Psalm 121 - 4.17.24

Scripture

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1,2, NIV)

Observation

The psalmist reminds us to lift up our eyes in times of need. When we see the huge mountains, we remember God who made the mountains. We are the children of God our Father, who has no scarcity of resources to help us. Our help comes from our Father who is the creator of heaven and earth. The Bible says that He rides across the heavens to help us. The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:26-27). The Lord’s arm is not too short to save, and neither is his ear too dull to hear our prayer (Isaiah 59:1). The Bible says that putting our trust in people is a snare (Proverbs 29:25). “Lord help me”, is a quick prayer that we can pray in every situation. When we trust Him, He will strengthen us and help us (Isaiah 41:10).

Application

Our home is nestled on one of the hills of Santa Clarita, surrounded by mountains in all directions. When I have to face a difficult situation at work, or when I have to deal with an issue at home, I look out of the window to the top of the mountains, and remember that my help comes from my Father, who made heaven and earth.   We have a God who performs all things for us (Psalms 57:2, KJV). If we look at His face for help, our face will be radiant, because He will never let anyone who puts their trust in Him to be put to shame (Psalms 34:5). 

Prayer

Father, I thank you because you are my help. You have said in your Word that you are near to all your children who call upon you (Psalms 145:18). I thank you because you are always with me. Because you are at my right hand, I will not be moved. (Psalms 16:8). Please help me with everything I need to do. Give me your wisdom. Lead my steps. Bless the work of my hands. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Luke 10 - 4.16.24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 10:1-3  "After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go.  He told them: "The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.  Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.  Now go: I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves."

OBSERVATION:  This gospel is a letter from Luke to Theophilus, who was likely a Roman Gentile. Jesus knew His time was short before His crucifixion, and that there were many villages that had not yet heard His message, so He appointed 70 of His disciples to go on ahead of Him to prepare the places where He was about to go.  He told them to PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST.

The need for prayer before is vitally important, and it demonstrates that we are open and receptive to God's guidance, wisdom, and direction.  He told His disciples to GO as LAMBS AMONG WOLVES. 

When Jesus sends us to bear witness to Him in the world, He doesn't send us out as dominant and strong, but as weak and defenseless in ourselves. But... since ALL power and authority has been given to Jesus, that makes us fully equipped as His followers as we go out and solely rely on His Spirit to guide and protect us in HIS power, wisdom, and strength.  They were told to go out and tell the people that the kingdom of God had come near them.

To those who have been born-again, Jesus is within us, and among us, and wherever we go, He is there as we walk in His kingdom authority!  We have been given authority in Jesus' name to do the same things the apostles were able to do: they were given the power to witness and preach boldly, they healed the sick, they casted out demons, they were given the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy!  As the seventy went out, guess how they returned?  WITH JOY!       

APPLICATION:  Reaching people with Christ's message of hope and redemption is a responsibility that is not restricted to the apostles. ALL FOLLOWERS of Christ are to be involved in carrying out the Great Commission.  (Matthew 28:19,20). 

PRAYER:  I pray the Lord of the Harvest will send out workers into His Harvest, including me!   I pray that I will rely on the Holy Spirit to work IN AND THROUGH ME as I carry out the Great Commission.  And I thank God for filling me with joy as I go, AND as I return!

- Robin Orefice