John 1,2

Disclaimer:

I and my wife are both abstainers when it comes to drinking alcohol. We were both raised that way and choose to maintain this posture for our own reasons. This post in no way supports or condemns you if you choose to imbibe.

When Jesus turned the water into wine, His miracle produced “choice wine.” It was THE BEST! He didn’t produce the cheapest or most reasonable beverage. He produced a wine that was superior to anything yet tasted at the wedding.

It’s been said, “God don’t make junk!”

He is certainly capable and able to make anything in a superlative way.

A story: My recent mother-in-law, Frances Beck, led ladies’ Bible studies around town. She needed a car to get to them. She began praying for a vehicle.  A friend told her one day, “Go down to the Buick dealer and pick out a new car. I will pay for it.” Frances picked out a gold-colored Buick … the BEST.

I could tell you many other true stories to prove this point.

Luke 24

Clearly the disciples and followers of Jesus were looking for a king that would deliver them from Rome’s clutches. When He began to supernaturally reveal Himself to them after the crucifixion, They began to realize what was really going on.

It’s the same with us. We are only beginning to become aware that the deliverance from life-besetting sin through His blood sacrifice is the most important freedom we can receive.

I sang a song many years ago that says, “Believe Him, come unto Him, receive from His power. There’s life in Jesus’ name.”

http://www.bensonsound.com/lyrics/0491.htm

Luke 23,24

Christ’s suffering brought our redemption. He submitted to the Heavenly Father’s plan for Him to die on a cross to bring about our eternal salvation.

Surely His disciples were perplexed at the way events transpired. They were looking for Him to set up His Kingdom in a much different manner. Yet, this was God’s process to bring about His perfect will.

We don’t understand why our nation is going through the present Coronavirus trial, but we must trust God that there is an eternal and transcendent reason. It shall be revealed as we endure it. God has a plan to redeem us and bring His Kingdom closer.

Lift up your heads …

Luke 22

Christ’s disciples argued over who was to be the greatest in His Kingdom to come. Can you imagine? Here they were with Him at the end of His earthly ministry. You’d think they would have achieved a more mature spiritual attitude by now. Rather, they were showing how carnal and self-serving our human nature is.

Jesus characteristically corrected them by clarifying that the mature disciple chose to serve above being served.

Christ was our example in EVERYTHING. Look for the one who serves … they are the mature ones. They will have a great reward in Heaven.

Luke 21

As Jesus described the events of the end times, He mentioned “Great earthquakes, famines and pestilences (fatal, epidemic diseases) in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” His instruction … “Stand firm and you will win life.”

Paul said, “Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. Eph. 6:13 Amplified Bible

To review:

1. Put on the armor of God
2. Resist (thoughts that contradict God’s instructions)
3. Stand your ground … don’t run from anything and keep your family close
4. Do everything you can that the crisis demands
5. Hold your place, prepared, immovable,  victorious

You probably won’t read these instructions in the newspaper or hear them on TV.

Luke 19,20

The religious leaders of the day tried to trick Jesus concerning authority. They challenged Him on where He got His Authority/ He immediately clarified that Heavenly and human were different.

We have all been given Authority and a commission to spread the Gospel. The power comes as we spend time with the Father in prayer. When we spend the time, it’s like having a tank full of gas so we can step on it and go a long ways.

Luke 17,18

Ten lepers cried out to Jesus as He was near them. “Have mercy on us,” was their plea. He instructed them, “Go and present yourselves to the priest” (for ceremonial cleansing). Their healing occured “As they went.”

Christianity is active obedience to Christ’s instructions.

Faith without works is dead.

Jesus NEVER told His disciples to hunker down in a monastery and hum all day. He told them to get up, hit the streets, and do the work of His Kingdom. He told them to COMPEL them to come in. (It’s hard to compel sitting on the sofa)

Luke 15,16

Jesus told of a rich man and a beggar who both lost their lives and went on. The rich man wanted God to send a warning to his brothers of the agony and torment he experienced after death. His plea was futile. God reminded him of the messages available through the law and prophets.

Now, we have the gospel to share with people. The penalty for rejecting Christ is unbearable, yet people still turn from Christ. We must warn them. We must care that they will likewise suffer the same penalty that the rich man Lazarus did. We must warn them while they yet live.

Luke 14

Jesus encouraged voluntary humility … choosing a position lower than others when given the choice. He demonstrated humility by the way He lived. He always put the interests and well-being of others ahead of Himself. He advocated serving rather than being served. He proposed giving rather than receiving. He taught dying to self rather than pampering self.

When you are looking out for yourself, and everybody else does likewise, it becomes a vicious dogfight to live. When you are looking out for everyone else, and ALL OF THEM are looking out for you, the odds are greater that you will be advantaged.

Christianity works.

Luke 12,13

When I was  growing up I would slouch in my shoulders and my dad would straighten me up. He wanted me to pay attention to my posture.

Jesus saw a woman who was bent over, crippled for 18 years by a spirit of affliction. He called to her, told her that the spirit was commanded to be gone, and he touched her. She was made straight. She could now be upright.

John the Baptist prophesied that the crooked places would be made straight.

Straight is a powerful word and concept. The Lord wants us to be straight.