Daily Devotional – Luke 8:22-25

God’s Word

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24The 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.

25″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.”

Tony’s Thoughts

Sometimes I read this section and read too much into it. The fact is there was a crisis in the eyes of the disciples. They lacked whatever they needed to stand and speak to the storm to be calm. And surely they might have died. But they had enough presence of mind to wake up Jesus. And really, for me, that’s the story.

Sure Jesus rebuked them. But they went to the highest authority they knew. They saw His miracles. And they consulted Jesus. Maybe they wanted to just warn Jesus it was about to be over. But honestly, they had enough gumption to approach Jesus with the problem.

For me, I need to always hang tight with Jesus in the middle of my storms. I can look at the storm or I can look at Jesus. I can think about what I can’t do or I can think about what Jesus can do. I can think about the possibility of death or I can look to Jesus as the prolonger of life.

And the reality is, Jesus wants us to choose Him first. He wants us to have faith and believe for the miraculous. But He also is more than happy to have us need Him.

Application

1. Do you consult with Christ in the middle of your crisis?

2. What are the times you most need Jesus to come through?

3. Do you feel like you are on a journey with Christ?

4. What adjustments can you make to get Jesus on your first call list?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 8 1-18

God’s Word

1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities-Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him[a] from their substance. 4 And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” 10 And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘ Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. 16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Tony’s Thoughts

We simply have to keep on giving and sowing and loving. We have to. For sure, there is a law at place here that what we sow, we will also reap. But obviously, we have to be people that are doing what Jesus asked us to go and that means we sow. We pour our lives and hearts and souls into people. We give our all. We ignore our needs for others. It can be thankless. It can be tiresome. It can be tedious. But it is the way of Christ.

Honestly, Jesus rewards those who love Him. He cares for those who serve Him. And He gives generously to those that give. It’s not tithing alone. It is a life lived for Christ and Him living through us. We must be counted in the group that receives God’s word with joy, and sets out to understand it and accomplish it. And we, when we are hearers and doers, will be receivers.

Application
1. What does reaping and sowing mean to you?

2. Why is it pretty impossible to get passed this principle

3. How is tithing different and related to sowing and reaping?

4. Are you prepared to sow more in the way of time, talents, and abilities?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 7:36-50

God’s Word

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Tony’s Thoughts

I really would love to be able to physically show Christ how much I love Him. Reality it’s challenging. We don’t have physical presents we can buy Him. We are having to live by faith. And so we find ourselves wrestling with the process of demonstrating our commitment to Him. So what do we do.

We spend time doing what He would want us to do until He returns. We spend time committed to His word. We spend time praying. We spend time blessing others. We spend time just waiting on Christ’s presence to surround us.

Jesus could care less about how busy we are. He proved that here. He really doesn’t think about all we have to do. He wants us to spend all we have doing what He thinks about. Our thoughts have to be His thoughts. Our ways have to be His ways. When they are, we find ourselves waiting on Him and realizing His goodness.

Application

1. What do you think Jesus wants you doing for Him?

2. Do you think you are too busy?

3. Do you get frustrated with people who have time to spend reading their Bible and praying more than you do?

4. What else can you do to do what is most important in the eyes of Christ?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 7:1-10

God’s Word

1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnes, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Tony’s Thoughts

We all know what Jesus is capable of. And in this story, someone heard about Jesus’ capability. And he sends his friends to get Jesus attention and for the healing to take place. Here is the underlying story for me. When we know the power of Christ, we must call on Him to to do what only He can do. Sometimes I just try and do things myself. And when things are hopeless, I just give up or just drop it.

Jesus is able. And we have to understand He has no problem helping us or coming to us or healing or whatever. Yes we have to expect God to work within the confines of His will. But Jesus is willing and ready and able. We just have to start with Him first.

Application

1. Is Jesus the first person you go to?

2. What are some things you need Jesus to do right now?

3. Why do you not go directly to Christ all the time?

4. What part does faith play in all this?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 6:37-49

God’s Word

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Tony’s Thoughts

Here are the simple statements in this passage in summary. Jesus is either Lord 100% or He is not Lord. We are either going to follow Him, listen to Him and obey or we are not. We either fully embrace obedience or it’s not really obedience.

I think Jesus wants us to try, to attempt, to put in the effort at letting Him be Lord. And it is not too much to ask. He doesn’t expect perfection. That’s why the cross is there. But he expect us to take hold of His Lordship.

Lately I have been wrestling with the gap between His Lorship and my resistance to it in some areas. I have the will to give it my all in all areas. But some are not giving in too easily because I have not determined that it is a priority. So as I read this, and I call Him Lord, I find in me a couple of areas that are not really lining up with that. So today, I need to give 100% of the Lordship to Christ.

Application

1. What areas are you wrestling with in giving Jesus Lordship?

2. What is keeping you from giving in to Jesus on it?

3. What is the downside of not letting Christ rule and reign?

4. What one change can you make today towards that goal?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 6:27-37

God’s Word

27 ” But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 “bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 ” Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Tony’s Thoughts

I am not sure we have all the kind of enemies today that Jesus wrestled with in those days. But we have them. We have people in our lives that take advantage of us, use us and abuse us. And as much as we want to justify behavior, Jesus lays it out here on how to respond. It’s not in there to get even, to repay evil for evil, or even to get bitter or angry. Repay with good. Go the extra mile. Take it.

Why? Why should we roll over? Three reasons. One. Jesus will eventually settle all accounts. Two. People need someone to display Jesus to them. Three. It is the way Christ went to the cross.

So we find ourselves at the place of decision. Do we be like Christ and bless our enemies. Or do we be unlike Christ and do things our way. It’s really true that wide is the gate that leads to destruction and narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life.

Application

1. Who do you consider your enemies at this moment?

2. Is there anyone you are holding a grudge against right now?

3. Why is it so hard to do what Christ asks here in this passage?

4. Are you willing to do some of these things for your enemy? Why or why not?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 6:12-26

God’s Word

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Tony’s Thoughts

I read this and wonder if Jesus would have picked me if I was one of the guys standing near Him. What would He have seen in me to pick me or not have seen in me to not pick me? What would I think about others that were picked and not me or vice versa?

The interesting thing is that today, we don’t have to wonder. We are all picked. The cross has determined for us we are picked. It’s not like the school yard baseball game where we don’t know if we will get picked, for what team and in what order. Nope. We were picked all at the same time. We are all first choice. I don’t always feel like I deserve to be picked. I don’t always feel like I rise to the level of feeling like I understand why I was picked. But I was.

And this information should change me. It should motivate me to be appreciative of being picked despite my obvious lack of real understanding of what Jesus sees in me. It should motivate me to love others that are picked too, but just don’t realize it yet. It should motivate me to want to please Jesus and make Him feel like I was in some way worth it. Today, I am a disciple of Christ. And He chose me to be on His team.

Application

1. Do you believe in yourself in the same way Jesus does?

2. Why do we have a hard time accepting the fact that we are picked by Christ?

3. How should this change you knowing this truth?

4. How should you treat others knowing they are picked by Christ?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 6:1-11

God’s Word

1 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?” 3 Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11 But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Tony’s Thoughts

The Sabbath was a big deal then. It was a sacred and protected day. It was a part of the Mosaic law to do nothing on the Sabbath day. And Jesus reminds everyone Who is the Lord of the Sabbath and what it was designed for.

On one hand, we need to do the Sabbath day. We need to cease from work, get rested, catch up on our Spiritual nourishment, and just unwind. On the other hand, it does not give us an out from helping others and doing what is right and needful.

In this passage, Jesus knew full well some people would be highly offended at His activities on the Sabbath. But the real message is that we cannot let our interpretation of Scripture become a god to us. And it’s not difficult to tell when we live for rules and religion. It is at the point where the rules and religion get in the way of helping or loving or caring for someone else.

Application

1. Do you have any rules or regulations for church that you think may be too strict and get in the way of helping others?

2. If Jesus knew some would be offended at what He was about to do, why do you think He did it anyway?

3. What is the difference between religion and spirituality?

4. Do you do a good job of keeping a Sabbath day?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 5:26-39

God’s Word:

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” 27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. 29 Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. 30 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 33 Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” 36 Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. 37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 “But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 39 “And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ “

Tony’s thoughts:

We all understand this Scripture for the most part about old wine skins and new wine. And we have all come to understand the wine, the new wine, represents the New Covenant, that of Jesus being our sacrifice and the notion that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. And we all pretty much want that. But then there is that whole wine skin issue. We want the new, but we are not fully engaged in the notion of having a new wine skin.

So what does that entail? For me, it requires that I be renewed day by day. I must continually make myself new so as to receive the power and unction of the Holy Spirit. It means that to have Jesus do something new in me, I have to empty myself of the old stuff and prepare for the new stuff. I must let go my grip of how I want things, when I want things and why I want things. I must be ready to receive from Christ 100% with no reservations.

Wine skins stretch. They expand to handle the contents of the wine. And the best wine skin is a full one ready to be used. That is us. We are to be full of the Holy Spirit, ready to be poured out in service and love and care and prayer and ministry to others. And on the emptying, we get to become new again and be filled again!

Application:

1. Are you in the routine of asking God to fill you with His Spirit on a regular basis?

2. Why should we continually seek the filling of His Spirit?

3. What would our world look like without the work of the Holy Spirit?

4. Do you also think this verse is talking about the Jews of that day who had an idea of God, but not the indwelling of God and why is it at all important?

 

Daily Devotional – Luke 5:12-25

God’s Word:

12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” 15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Tony’s Thoughts:

The leper was healed. Jesus says not to tell anyone. Are you kidding me? If I am cured of something that drastic, I am going to have a really IMPOSSIBLE time telling people what happened. And that has me thinking. I want Jesus to do stuff in my life that is so amazing that I can’t not tell about it.

Today at work, a pastor called. He is working for the church and a full time job. Today he got laid off from his job. He poured out His heart to me. And I could not help but to encourage Him and pray with Him and be His cheerleader. OK. It’s not leprosy. But it was Jesus, working through me to help someone out. Yeah!!! Go God! I want those moments.

But to have those moments means I have to be where He is. I can’t be where I am by myself. I have to invite Him to be around. And if I do, I also have to accept what He does. He is unorthodox. He is unusual. He does odd and unusual things. And those are the stories that I want in my life. And I want the news about Jesus to spread!!!

Application

1. What stories do you want to tell about Jesus?

2. What is keeping you from having those amazing moments?

3. Are you amazed right now at all Jesus has done and will do?

4. What are some things miracles you would love Jesus to perform for you or others?