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John 11:46-53 (NLT) Raising Lazarus from the dead was the prelude to Holy Week.  It threw the religious leaders into a dilemma as they worried over how the news would spread throughout Jerusalem, just a few miles away.  Some scholars write that somewhere between 200,000 and 1 million people were in Jerusalem for Passover that year.  The religious leaders fretted over how the word about Jesus, with His healing and resurrection powers, might spread throughout the population.  Would riots break…

Proverbs 1:28-30 (The Message) You’ll need me then.  You’ll call for me, but don’t expect an answer.  No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.  Because you hated knowledge and had nothing to do with the fear of God, because you wouldn’t take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you. This is a very solemn word from scripture.  “Refusal to respond to God in times of opportunity may bring a consequent silence of God…

Proverbs 1:23 (NLT)  Come and listen to my counsel.  I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.  “Seeking God involves a response in deed as a necessary consequence of a response in heart.”  Do we take time to listen for His counsel?  Do we jump to conclusions or let Him share His heart with us?  Do we respond to His rebuke (vs. 23 NIV) or pay no attention (vs. 24 NLT)?  Do we ignore His advice and reject…

James 4:8 (NIV) Come near to God and He will come near to you… The promise is firm.  If you draw near to the Lord with a sincere heart, God will draw near to you.  Through Jesus we can  “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22).  Times of opportunity to seek God come, but…

Psalm 9:10b (NIV)  …You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Here are God’s promises to those who seek Him.  He will not forsake them (Ps 9:10).  He will manifest His goodness to them (Lam. 3:25).  He will preserve them (Zeph. 2:3).  He will help them (II Chron 20:4; 20:20-25).  He will give rest from the oppression of the enemy (II Chron 14:7; II Chron 15:3-15; Isa. 59:19).  He will give deliverance from all fears of every kind (Psa.…

John 6:44a (NIV)   (Jesus said)  “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” “Fallen humanity is by nature without any desire for God and has no ability to come to God without divine aid.”  But when we start an intentional move toward knowing Him (and stick with it), we can be sure that He intends to let Himself be found (Jer. 29:13- You will seek me and find me when you seek me…

Psalm 53:2 (NIV)   God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  God scans the earth looking for people who seek Him.  Does anyone seek Him and give evidence of that by living righteously?  God waits for people to acknowledge their offenses and turn toward Him in repentance and to receive healing (Hosea 5:15).  He invites humanity to seek for Him and emphasizes His omnipotence (all-powerful…

Luke 5:12-16 (NIV) (Focus verse 16) But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. “There is a time for withdrawing oneself from activity and the crowd for the purpose of prayer.”  If it was important for Jesus, it is important for us.  How often do you get away from your busy daily life to a place of quiet solitude and spend time in contemplative prayer?  Where do you go—the beach, the mountains, a favorite park bench?  Do you allow…

Luke 5:12-16 (NIV) (Focus verse 13) Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.  “I am willing,”  He said.  “Be clean!”  And immediately the leprosy left him. Jesus healed the leper by a command, not by prayer.  Christ’s words were so powerful.  He purposes in coming were to release the oppressed, free the prisoners, give sight to the blind (Luke 4:18).  So, this act was in full accordance with His calling.  No prayer needed here—just a word of deliverance. …

Luke 5:7-8 (NIV) (Focus verse 8) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’  knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” “Demonstration of the supernatural brings consciousness of sin.”  People don’t know how to respond to the supernatural works of God (see Acts 2:12).  It presents for us a reality so far beyond our comprehension that it can be frightening and disorienting.  It can also bring enlightenment (see Isaiah 6:5-6).  Isaiah’s first response…

Luke 5:5-6 (NIV) (Focus verse 5) Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Here is the lesson:  “Obedience brings results in place of failure.”  How many times have we worked hard with no results?  How many times have we done our best only to come…

Luke 4:42-43 (NIV) (Focus verse 43)  (Jesus) said, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Jesus lived under authority, God’s authority.  Living under authority is an important principle of ministry.  We must live interlinked with other believers who are also under authority and who understand the cost of serving God.  It is a life of sacrifice in preference for higher goals.  When you’ve been …

Luke 4:22-24 (The Message) (Focus verse 22)  All who were there, watching and listening, were surprised at how well He (Jesus) spoke.  But they also said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the one we’ve known since He was a youngster?” Jesus was rejected in Nazareth (4:16-30).  In His home synagogue He had read from Isaiah with an anointing of the Holy Spirit that dumbfounded the hometown folks.  They framed Him in the context of Joseph and Mary.  His divinity was not…

Psalm 55 (NIV) (Focus verse 16) But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. David’s deepest wounds came from companions and close friends (vs. 12-14). God helped him work through the pain (vs. 22). “But as for me, I trust in You” (vs 23b). When trust is broken we naturally withdraw, fight, or freeze; and simple forgiveness will not restore the trust. A Christian counselor can help you rebuild your “trust muscle.” People can change, but…

Matthew 14:14 (NIV)  When He (Jesus) landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. The fifth element of trust is this:  “You can trust based on what you have seen someone do before—their track record.”  What happened the last time?  What are their reviews?  You want a doctor who has a good track record.  What are they known for?  “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better…

Psalm 113: 7-9 (NIV)  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap… He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children… “We are able to trust when we feel someone is like we need them to be.”  That is, their character affirms that they are worthy of our trust.  They are compassionate, patient, courageous, and diligent.  They hold up strong under opposition and don’t run away.  They follow…

Exodus 19:4 and Deut. 32:11 (The Message)  You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’  wings and brought you to me (Ex 19:4).  He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly (Deut. 32:11). Here is the second core element in trust.  “You are able to trust when you feel that someone’s motive is FOR you.”  Trust…

Psalm 139 (NIV) (Focus verse 1)  O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. We are wired for trust.  It is essential for life.  We start learning it (or don’t learn it) as an infant.  David said, “You led me to trust you at my mother’s breast” (Psa. 22:9b).  Psychologists say the number one thing every infant needs in those first few years of life is a sense of safety.  If they don’t develop that, then a sense…

Luke 4:14-15 (The Message) Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit… “Jesus emerged from temptation equipped for ministry by the fulness of the Holy Spirit.  His ministry would be one of deliverance by the Spirit “(4:18).  On the other side of your trial lies a great anointing and empowerment if you will respond correctly in the middle of the trial.  Remember God’s Word.  It is truth.  

Luke 4:1-12 (NIV) (Focus verses 1-2a) Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for 40 days He was tempted by the devil… Satan tempted Jesus in three spheres.  In the wilderness, He was tempted in the sphere of need (4:1-4).  On the mountain, He was tempted in the sphere of success (4:5-8).  In the temple, He was tempted in the sphere of religion (4:9-12).  Consider how you…

Luke 3:23-38 (The Message) (Focus verse 23)  When Jesus entered public life, He was about 30 years old, the son (in public perception) of Joseph…  The purpose of Luke’s genealogy was to show that Christ was of Davidic lineage through Mary, since Joseph was only his legal father.  Luke was also showing that Christ was the Savior  “not only of the children of Abraham (as in Matthew 1:1) but also the Savior of the children of Adam (the entire human…

Luke 3:21-22 (NIV) See verses from Tuesday. The great doctrinal truth of the Trinity of the Godhead is revealed in these verses.  Jesus was on earth being baptized.  The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form, and the Father spoke in a voice from heaven.  All three were united in this important moment as Jesus was being launched into public ministry.  The reality of the Trinity has been debated and misunderstood for centuries and it is a stumbling block…

Luke 3:21-22 (NIV)  When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.” Here we see Father God giving His son, Jesus, public commendation.  In a visible and audible manifestation of affirmation, three of the greatest needs in human…

Luke 3:4b (NIV)  …” Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” The general content of Luke 3 focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist, who was probably a second cousin of Jesus.  John was out in the wilderness preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit, evidence that  “God was no longer confining Himself to the religious system of the Jews.”  The baptism of repentance (3:3) was  “a symbol of a change of mind and…

Luke 2:49 (The Message) (Jesus said), “Why were you looking for me?  Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?”  Even as a boy Jesus was aware of His origin and purpose on earth.  You are here for a purpose–to make a difference with your life.  Are you aware of it?  Are you living on mission?  How easily is your attention diverted to lesser goals?  How bright is your light shining?  What…

Luke 2:41-47 (NIV) (focus verse 46) After three days they found Him in the temple courts… The child Jesus had gone with his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover holiday.  “There he was lost by the most unlikely people (His parents) in the most unlikely place (the temple) at the most unlikely time (the time of the Passover) all because of neglect through pre-occupation with other things.”  Do we  “miss”  Christ’s presence because we are caught up in all the…

Luke 1:5-25 (NIV) (focus verses 18-20)  (vs. 18a) – Zechariah asked the angel,  “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah doubted the angel in view of his age and his wife’s age.  “In doing so, he made the fulfillment of God’s promise contingent on natural laws and means.  His unbelief and request for a sign displeased the Lord.”  God doesn’t mind our questions, but it does matter that we believe.  Everything in God comes to us via the avenue…

Luke 1:1-4 (NIV) The Holy Spirit used the personalities of the writers of scriptures.  He used their RATIONAL JUDGMENT (“It seemed good to me”),  NATURAL CONCERN (“That you may know”),  METHODICAL PROCEDURE (“to write an orderly account”),  CALCULATED PURPOSE (“so that you may know the certainty”),  ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE (“of the things you have been taught”),  and OCCASION (“Many have undertaken to draw up an account”).  Luke had a perfect understanding of the events that had happened so he could write…

Hebrews 2:17 (NIV)  For this reason, he (Jesus) had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Luke focuses on Christ’s humanity.  Hebrews unpacks the indications of that reality.  He is  “like us”  in his descent from man (with his genealogy traced to Adam).  He is  “without prejudices or favoritism, which…

Luke 1:4 (NIV)  …it seemed good for me to write an orderly account for you… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke is the writer: a Gentile, an educated man, a physician, and a disciple of Paul.  He wrote to a personal friend and intended to stop the spread of spurious gospels that had begun to circulate.  Scholars believe it was written between A.D. 63 and 68 and records events which cover…

John 10:4-5 (The Message) When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.  They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.  Our spontaneous recognition of the Lord’s voice is learned through experience and divine aid (I Sam. 3:1-7).  Recognizing His voice (which should be the norm) is cultivated by daily contact with Him and obedience to Him.  Counterfeits are best…

John 21:18-19 (NIV)  (Jesus speaking)  “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted;  but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.  Then he said to him, “Follow me!” There is  “a great difference between spiritual immaturity and…

Isaiah 50:5 (NIV)  The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears and I have not been rebellious;  I have not drawn back. “The cultivation of the spiritual faculty of hearing involves a responsiveness to God in submission to His sovereignty and the surrender of our own.”  This chapter in Isaiah is clearly Messianic.  Jesus is  “unjustly sentenced and severely brutalized, but He is certain that He will triumph through God’s help.  Thus He submits to God’s Word like a dedicated student…

I Kings 3:5, 9 (NLT) That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said,  “What do you want?  Ask, and I will give it to you!”  Give me an understanding (discerning –NIV;  God-listening –The Message) heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?  God is always pleased to respond to a person’s request for…

John 8:43 (NLT) (Jesus speaking) Why can’t you understand what I am saying?  It’s because you can’t even hear me! “The inability to understand the voice of God may be due to an inability to hear with the inner hearing of the Spirit.”  The human heart can become so very calloused–fixated on the pride of life, the lusts of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes (I John 2:16) and soon we are not just drifting away from our…

I Samuel 28:6 (NIV)  He (Saul) inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.  Here’s the lesson:  “failure to hear from God may be due to having incurred the divine displeasure.”  Sadly, when Saul could not get an answer from the usual sources, he went to a witch—whose practices are an abomination to the Lord (Deut. 18:9-14).  Where do we go for answers?  Where do we turn to get truth?  Still…

I Kings 3:5, 9 (NIV) (Focus verse 9a) So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours? Solomon asked and God answered.  God is pleased to respond to our requests for  “an understanding heart,” (a  “hearing heart”).  Every phase of life brings opportunities for new lessons to be learned, higher perspective to be gained, compassionate hearts to be deepened.  Do…

Genesis 33:13 (NIV)  …if they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. There is such a thing as moving in the direction of God’s will at a proper pace.  Overdriving, without consideration of the  “tender children”  and the  “cows that are nursing their young”  rather than moving along slowly at the right pace, can be detrimental and, in fact, a nefarious plan of the enemy to destroy us along the way by keeping us in  “overdrive.” …

Acts 9:1-7 (NLT) (focus verses 3-4a) As he (Saul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice… The farther we are away from God, the louder He might have to speak.  Hearing the audible voice of God is not necessarily a compliment (see Numbers 12:5-10).  Our personal relationship to God can be a factor as to whether God speaks more indirectly or directly (Numbers 12:6-8).  We…

Acts 8:26-29 (NIV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip,  “Go south…”   All the necessary guidance from the Lord is not always given at once.  Philip started out in obedience to the angel’s word of direction and God divinely arranged the circumstances: the Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  And the story unfolded.  Accomplishment of God’s purposes may depend upon instantaneous, unquestioning obedience.  Do we comprehend how our day will unfold and…