Luke 22 - 9.19.25
Scripture
Luke 22:52- But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Observation
Jesus’ followers knew what was about to happen after Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. So, one of them cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus did not approve of this. As a result, he healed the man’s ear.
Application
Be angry, but do not sin. (Ephesians 4:26)
There is so much to be angry about in this world when we look at all the sin and evil happening around us. I know for myself personally, I have had to take myself off of social media for a bit because of certain posts that I am tempted to fight against.
However, the Lord doesn’t want us to fight evil with evil. In fact, He tells us to fight and OVERCOME evil with good (Romans 12:21).
He also says that human anger doesn’t produce with righteousness that God desires (James 1:20) and that self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Instead of fighting those who seem to be for evil, our hearts need to break for them. I know that mine does, especially those who do not yet have a relationship with Christ.
Relationships can only be healthy and healed through the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. His humility and willingness to die for us should cause us to want to die to ourselves in order to build bridges with the lost and depraved of mind.
A Pastor said that the world watches how we suffer, so we need to suffer well.
Who is God calling you (and me) to pray for to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
You know how hard it has been for me to see all of the hate circulating on social media the past couple of weeks, especially when it has been directed towards a fellow brother in Christ. Even though I didn’t know Charlie personally, such a gruesome murder is something I wouldn’t even wish upon my worse enemy, much less a fellow believer. I don’t understand Lord. Please fill me with Your peace and wisdom to respond the way You would want me to respond. Help my heart to break for people who do not yet know You, instead of immediately wanting to answer back in anger and frustration. Please forgive me for the many times my heart has leaned in that direction. I know if you were here on earth today, You would say, “No more of this!” just like You said on the day You were going to be crucified. Not only did You NOT hate your enemies, but You chose to heal them. Help me Holy Spirit to remember that I was once Your enemy too, until Your grace and mercy entered my life. We all need You Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Luke 19 - 9.19.25
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Observation:
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he received so much more. He was already hated by the people as a chief tax collector. They were not going to let him have a spot where he could see Jesus and he was too short to see over them. He did a bold thing, he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a tree. He was rich, so he must have been wearing nice clothes. Scripture does not say whether or not he removed any garments to make the run or climb easier. I’m guessing because this was an impulse, he ran and climbed as is.
Jesus knows when we are seeking Him. Jesus got to where Zacchaeus was in the tree and looked up and told him to come down. The reason, ‘I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus immediately came down and welcomed him . I’m wondering was his house nearby or did the muttering happen before they reached his house and overheard? It says all the people, not just the religious leaders muttered, “He has gone to be he guest of a sinner.” It seems Zacchaeus standing up and declaring he will give half of his possessions to the poor and pay back those cheated four times the amount was a response to their muttering. It is evident that Zacchaeus was truly transformed by his encounter with Jesus. What he did of his own accord something very similar to what Jesus had asked the rich young ruler to do in the previous chapter.
Jesus spoke directly to Zacchaeus that salvation had come to the house because he was a “son of Abraham,” not because of his deeds. Jesus declares His mission is to seek and save the lost.
Application:
Zacchaeus did not let a huge barrier stop him from his goal of seeing Jesus. I want to be like him and not let perceived roadblocks or limitations stop me. His transformation caused him to give generously of what he had to the poor and those he had cheated. When I encounter Jesus there should be a response to give of what I’ve been blessed with. It may not be money. It could be time, a talent or something else.
I also want to join with Jesus to seek and share so He can save those who are lost.
Prayer:
Father God,
You see those who are striving to seek you and you love them. Thank you for rewarding our efforts to come into your presence. May I not take time spent with you lightly. Each day I have opportunity to know you and your heart. Help me to grow more and more like you in all I do. Keep my eyes open for those seeking you so I can be your hands and feet.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
Luke 18 - 09.18.25
SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:8b
“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
OBSERVATION:
Jesus told his disciples a parable about praying. The parable tells the story about a poor widow who “persisted” in seeking justice from a local Judge who “neither feared God nor cared about people”. Without anything to lose, the widow makes herself an irritant to the Judge, coming to him repeatedly with her ardent and persistent request. The correct translation here is that the widow is giving the Judge a psychological ‘black eye’. Although the Judge has no concern for her welfare—to get rid of her—he gives her the justice she is seeking.
When Jesus finishes the parable—he poses the question—
“When the Son of Man Comes—Will HE Find Faith on the earth?”
APPLICATION:
What will you be doing upon Jesus Return
Jesus begins the parable on Prayer as a continuation to the discussion on “The Coming of The Kingdom of God” (Luke 17:22-37). Jesus explains that The end times will not be times of great faith. Eight people were saved in Noah’s day, and only four out of Sodom--and one of them-(Lot’s wife) perished on the way.
Over two thousand years ago Jesus suffered on the cross—demonstrating that HE conquered death and sin through His resurrection--to bring about eternal life for all who would receive Him as their Lord and Savior. AND—HE is coming Back.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end-- shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then --the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)
As I look around and turn on the news or social media-- I am saddened to hear others rejoicing at the cold and calculated murders of someone simply because they disagreed with their politics. When you stop and think about it—really? How did we get here? As believers we KNOW our war is NOT against flesh and blood—but against the authorities and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Truthfully, we have been in the end times ever since Jesus death and resurrection. As a believer I pray that Christ’s Love will abound in me—that His light will shine brightly by His Grace—and and I pray that JOY (which is a fruit of the Spirit) will overflow in me.
“Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
YOU gave us signs so we would be aware. YOU told us to endure. More than that—YOU called us to BE Your LIGHT. No one knows the day or hour. When YOU do come—may I be found to be one who has great faith. May I be found praying for those who are lost and hurting and in desperate need of YOU. May I be Doing what YOU have called us to do. Loving YOU as YOU Fill us daily—and Loving others—as Your Holy Spirit supplies us. Help me to not have anything left unfinished—search my heart before YOU. One day every single deed, word, and thought will be laid bear before YOU. Help me to be living in the fullness of Your Joy and the Truth of Your word. YOU –ARE—the delight of my heart.
In Jesus Name amen
Tina L Kudleka