04/02 Luke 19:6-7
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
CHANGE
Christ changes us. When we surrender our life to Him He gives us a new heart and puts us on a new path for out life.
Author - Clay Corvin
04/01 Luke 19:1-5
Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there. 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”
KNEW
Jesus knew what was going on around Him. The Father guided His every step. The Lord will guide you and even when you don’t know what is going on around you, you can be confident that the Lord does and He will guide you!
03/31 Luke 18:31
Gathering the twelve disciples around him, Jesus told them, “As you know, we are going to Jerusalem. And when we get there, all the predictions of the ancient prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. 32 He will be handed over to the Romans to be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. 33 They will whip him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” 34 But they didn’t understand a thing he said. Its significance was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. 35 As they approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. 36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. 38 So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 The crowds ahead of Jesus tried to hush the man, but he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. 41 Then Jesus asked the man, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he pleaded, “I want to see!” 42 And Jesus said, “All right, you can see! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
TRUTH
It is difficult for us to handle the truth. The truth is we want our bias on the things we believe and say and do. The real truth is that partial obedience is complete disobedience. Jesus showed us that He was God. He proved to us His immeasurable love. We are without excuse: Jesus is Lord therefore we are charged with the responsibility to believe in Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will save you. That is the truth.
03/30 Luke 18:18-30
Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But as for your question, you know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ” 21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.” 22 “There is still one thing you lack,” Jesus said. “Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this, he became sad because he was very rich. 24 Jesus watched him go and then said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.” 28 Peter said, “We have left our homes and followed you.” 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving eternal life in the world to come.”
SELF
When we serve self we are floundering in sin. New life in Christ is a free gift from the Lord. We cannot buy it nor can we earn it only Jesus can give it to us. Seek the Lord and follow Him. Jesus is Lord.
03/29 Luke 18:15-17
One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.”
CHILD
We are called to pray like a child and plan like an adult. As you get before the Lord remember that you are desperately in need of His wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding. He knows what is going on and will guide us in all that we do. Rejoice in the Lord for He is good.
03/28 Luke 18:13-14
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”
HUMILITY
Come before the Lord with humility and gratitude. He is Lord. He has saved you. It is a free gift. He would that all be saved. We are called to share the Gospel and not be a judge.
03/27 Luke 18:9-12
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. 11 The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t sin, I don’t commit adultery, 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
ARROGANCE
It is good that we know Jesus. Being in the family of God we are called to be ambassadors of Christ. He wants us to seek the lost, to share the Gospel. We don’t judge the world because that is God’s job. We are called to be salt and light and to share Jesus with everyone we meet. Note that there is great arrogance in the Pharisee. We should learn to lead humble lives and be the emissary of light and life.
03/26 Luke 18:6-8
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this evil judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?”
FAITH
Have faith in God. Jesus will see you through and when the end comes Jesus will be standing there to greet you. Have faith in God. The Lord will not disappoint you. We have an eternal relationship. Have faith in God.
03/25 Luke 18:1-5
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. ‘I fear neither God nor man,’ he said to himself, 5 ‘but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'”
STAY
Stay the course as you seek to live a Godly life. Do not give up on Jesus. Keep asking. Keep seeking. You will find Him and His direction for your life. If you need a miracle keep talking with Jesus. Let Him know of your need. Make it the center of your thought. Talk to the Lord and He will hear you every time you speak with Him. Do not give up. Hang in there.
03/24 Luke 17:30-37
Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns. 31 On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town. 32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. 34 That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. ” 36 37 “Lord, where will this happen?” the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”
NOW
There is no need for Christ to wait to return for all the signs of His return are evident. Now is the time to turn to Jesus. Now is the time to grow your faith. There may be no tomorrow. Now is when you are called to serve Him.