Luke 6

(Sorry; this accidentally posted before I could write the body of copy. Merely go to http://www.tcsdevos.org to read today’s complete devotional)

Jesus informed His Disciples that they would receive severe persecution because of their association with Him. This warning also applies to us. In many places in the world, Christians are greatly persecuted and even martyred for their faith in Christ. It is coming to America at some point.

The good news is that Jesus promised a great reward in Heaven for those who suffer here for His name. We should keep that in mind.

Where do you want your reward? Here on earth where life is so transient, unpredictable, and unfair? Or, in Heaven where everything is on God’s terms?

I’ll take HEAVEN!!!

Luke 5

Jesus could be famous if He marketed His “Fish-finder” abilities and sold it at Bass Pro Shop. He knew where the fish were when He instructed Simon Peter to cast in his net. Their haul was enough to make their boat start sinking. Wow!

This is every fisherman’s dream … to know where the fish are. Then Jesus told His Disciples, “I will make you fishers of men.”

The message; Christ will make you a successful fisher of men if you hear His voice about where to fish. Pray and ask God where and how to witness so you can be a soul-winner with lots of salvations.

Luke 4

When the devil tempted Jesus, Christ only responded with God’s Word. He KNEW the Word. He WAS the Word.

A goal of each Christian should be to know God’s Word well enough that you can apply a scripture to every challenge life brings. This only comes through the daily discipline of reading the Bible (or hearing it like I do). When we know the Word, the Holy Spirit can prompt us on how to respond.

How we respond to the enemy is critical. In our own flesh we are no match for his ploys. But, he is no match for God’s Word and God’s power. Even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” [Jude 1:9]

If both Christ Jesus and the warring angel Michael use God’s Word to speak to the devil, how much more should we.

Luke 3

John the Baptist preached in the wilderness and many came out to hear him. What was his message? He hit on the practical application of principles of righteousness. One such point was to the soldiers in the crowd who would extort money from their subjects. He told them to be content with their pay and avoid corruption.

Contentment is something we have control over, not necessarily how big our paycheck is. When our superiors see how diligent we are in our work, they will respond through our pay. If they don’t, God will enter the equation. He will either “inspire” them to raise your pay or open up an opportunity for a better paying job. God will be your agent.

God by nature is a provider. He is ultimately responsible for our support.

Luke 2

Jesus did not enter our world on a laser beam. He was born in a natural way as all of us were. He had a natural mother and father (although His conception was of the Holy Ghost.) He grew up almost like any other young boy in Israel. He was authentically a human.

And yet, His Heavenly Father’s Omnipotence rested upon Him. He was man AND He was God.

We must all live and function in a natural way …. we can’t escape everyday life … but God’s Holy Spirit can rest upon us and perform spiritual wonders through us.

The moral; perform all of your natural functions with integrity and health and allow God’s Holy Spirit to use you. Give yourself to prayer and the study of His Word to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed (of his natural life processes.)

Luke 1

The King James version says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” I like the NIV translation as in the title of this post.

This is another reason why it is good to fill our minds with God’s Word … we will be meditating of absolute truth, concrete knowledge that steadies our life. This is in direct contrast to sports, TV news, stock market investing etc. These are all transient at best. God’s Word is absolute and worth building our lives upon.

How about you. Are you one who reads and studies God’s Word everyday? If you do, He can use your life to bring others to Himself and you will reap the benefits of His favor.

Mark 16

Christ Jesus commanded us to lay hands upon the sick. We are to pray the prayer of faith and see them recover.

Usually we reach for the medicine or think about what doctor should we see when we have an illness. However, our FIRST OPTION should be to lay hands upon them and pray. In fact, praying is ALWAYS a good first option for anything.

Mark 15

The story of Christ’s crucifixion is heart-rending. He suffered violently. His head was beaten with a stick by the soldiers who executed Him. Then, He was tasked with carrying His cross to the hill of Calvary. He was shamed by being striped naked and openly displayed for all to see. He never flinched. He took His abuse and died the death of a criminal although He was the sinless Son of God.

In His act of self-sacrifice, He atoned for the sin of all mankind. We were on His mind when He died. He saved us from the wages of sin, yet He willingly gave His all without any attempt to exempt Himself from death.

Mark 13, 14

As Jesus and His disciples were eating The Last Supper before His crucifixion, He warned them of the falling away. Impetuous Peter, the boisterous man who was always the first to jump in to anything, proudly boasted, “Even if all fall away, I will not!”

Sadly, Peter was wrong. He would and did fall and deny the Lord that night.

Christ Jesus knows our weakness. He forgives us and has committed the preaching of His Gospel to unworthy men such as Peter. We are like Peter. We have all failed and fallen short. Yet, Christ loves us, picks us up and uses us again.

In our weakness, His strength is made perfect. [2 Cor. 12:9]

Mark 12

Jesus called His disciples close to teach them about God’s accounting. As He observed a poor widow put two small copper coins into the temple offering box, He drew the distinction between her very modest contribution and the large amounts of money thrown in by hypocritical rich men. He declared, “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” [Mark 12:43, 44]

God looks at the heart motive more than the surface appearance. Keep your heart and motives pure and Heaven will accrue it to your account.