Tag: Gospel of Luke

Morning Reading: Luke 21.5-32 NLT – don’t panic / stand firm

Reading: Luke 21:5-32 NLT

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Stones from the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.
Stones from the destruction of the temple
in 70 AD.

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”

Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Even those closest to you — your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends — will betray you. They will even kill some of you. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.

“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place….”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give me the boldness to declare the Good News of your Kingdom at every opportunity… and give me the courage to stand firm, no matter what befalls us as the people of God. May all I do honor you. Amen.

Spiritual Songs: “Days of Elijah” – Robin Mark

Morning Reading: Luke 21:1-4 NLT – giving

Reading: Luke 21:1-4 NLT

widows-miteWhile Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I surrender myself and all that I have to you. You are the source of every good thing in my life… you own it all. May I offer my gifts to you proportionately as you have blessed me… systematically from the first and best of any increase… and cheerfully as a continuing act of worship. I came into this world with nothing, and I will leave this world with nothing. To God be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “I Surrender All” – Judson W. Van De Venter (1896)

Morning Reading: Luke 20.27-40 (NLT) – like angels

Reading: Luke 20.27-40 (NLT)

Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees — religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”

angelsJesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

“Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – What will it be like in heaven… in the presence of the living God? What will it be like in your presence at the throne of grace… to see you face to face? What will it be like to see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… to see the prophets and apostles… to see the saints and angels… to see my loved ones who loved you? What will it be like to have a new resurrection body… no more pain, no more heartache, no more tears, no more death and dying? What will it be like in a place filled with your Light and Life… filled with unspeakable joy? I can only imagine.

Spiritual Song: “I Can Only Imagine” – Mercy Me & London Symphony Orchestra

Morning Reading: Luke 20:20-26 NLT – taxing trickery

Reading: Luke 20:20-26 NLT

Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.

image

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I confess that I resent every penny I pay in taxes… not on religious grounds, but on moral grounds. I hate feeding the lying, duplicitous, self-serving snakes running my government who are getting fat at the public trough. Yes, I realize that it’s always been so… and particularly in your day… but it doesn’t make it easier for me. When tax day rolls around, I am left with a profound sadness at the state of affairs in my country. Please forgive me where I am wrong… and change my heart.

Holy Spirit – Help me to pray for my country and its leadership. Give expression to the longings of my heart that words cannot express. And keep me faithful in prayer.

Heavenly Father – It’s all in your hands… my life… my family… my country… and this world in which I live. Work your perfect will through it all… and give me the grace to accept what comes… one day at a time. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen .

Hymn: “God bless America” – Irving Berlin

Morning Reading: Luke 20:9-19 NLT – the cornerstone

Reading: Luke 20:9-19 NLT

Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.

“‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’

The Corner Stone James Tissot (French, 1836-1902).
The Corner Stone
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902).

“But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.

“What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”

“How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.

Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – My hope… my life… is built on your blood and righteousness – I trust in you alone. Your promises… your unchanging grace… support me when everything else around me collapses. Melt me… mold me… fill me… use me. And when you return, may I be found a faithful servant – clothed in your righteousness – ready and able to enter into the fullness of your joy. I ask it for your name’s sake. Amen.

Hymn: “In Christ Alone” – Getty and Townend