02/27 Luke 15:11
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living.
SELF
We get into great difficulty when we let “self” make life decisions. Are you facing a great challenge? Make sure that you get before the Lord and let Him give you guidance to make your life decision. Jesus knows the end from the beginning and He will give you the best direction for what you should do.
Author - Clay Corvin
02/26 Luke 15:8-10
“Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
JOY
Joy in the presence of the Lord when one sinner repents. Sin is much more devastating than we ever realize. It breaks our relationship with the Lord. It cuts us off from hearing His direction. Our arrogance causes us to be deaf, blind and foolish. Yet the Father seeks us, His grace flowing towards us and when we repent Heaven rejoices. Lord help me to see my sin and repent and turn back to you.
02/25 Luke 15:3-7
So Jesus used this illustration: 4 “If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? 5 And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. 6 When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. 7 In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
LOST
Jesus came to save the lost. He is searching for them every moment of every day. He would that no one be left behind but everyone must make their own choice. Remember we are responsible to share the Gospel but we are not responsible for the decision. Jesus is Lord.
02/24 Luke 15:1-2
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people — even eating with them!
REALITY
The Gospel was made for sinners and not the righteous and thank the Lord that it was because He saved me. Be careful how you judge others. Remember when we look in the mirror we are looking at the real sinner.
02/23 Luke 14:33-35
So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer. It is thrown away. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!”
LISTEN
Jesus changes us or we aren’t changed. I can’t fix me. My life was not on the right track just needing a few adjustments. I was dead in my trespasses and sin and Jesus gave me His righteousness, He saved me from my sin. Now by His power and might I am changed. Alive in Christ I now live to serve Him.
02/22 Luke 14:27-32
And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’ 31 “Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? 32 If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace.
COST
A call to Jesus is a call to follow. He is exclusive in that His way is the way of life. Christ is exclusive because His way is the only way. Jesus is alive and His life guarantees our life. Go to Jesus and give Him your life and He will give it back to you whole and victorious.
02/21 Luke 14:25-26
Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.
ONE
Jesus is the ONE. There is not other ONE. He is the only Son of God and in Him we find life and light for living. Go to Jesus for all that you need. Ask Jesus to lead, guide and direct you. Christ is our life. He is the ONE.
02/20 Luke 14:22-24
After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.'”
INVITATION
Jesus death on the cross was a personal invitation to you. He expressed His love and gives His grace to you. We only have to accept His free gift of salvation to come into His family. Ask Jesus to give you the free gift of life and He will do it. Do not be fooled. Jesus is the only way to the Father. In Christ we have life.
02/19 Luke 14:15-21
Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a privilege it would be to have a share in the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. 18 But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. 19 Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. 20 Another had just been married, so he said he couldn’t come. 21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.’
NEED
We need so much wisdom to live life every day. Jesus is seeking to share wisdom from God with His followers. Every one of us is called of God to follow Him. Only a few will accept that call. Listen as the Lord speaks. Ask Him to guide you. Do what you must do and remember to maintain an attitude of gratitude for Jesus is with you.
02/18 Luke 14:12-14
Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a dinner,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
BELIEVE
Do you believe in Christ? If you do then you believe in the resurrection. We are to live ready to be with the Lord. We are to count the cost of the things we do. Think about your life and how you are living. Make sure you are investing in things that last. Jesus is Lord.