Category: He Sees He Knows He Cares

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Living Faithful in a Faithless Land, Quiet Time

The Hope of His Compassion

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Living Faithful in a Faithless Land/w5d3

Scripture: God’s Road Map for Our Journey / Daniel 9:1-19 (9); Jeremiah 25:3-12

Yet the Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. Daniel 9:9 NET

Wow! I know I’ve said it before but it is worth saying again – I am loving this study of Daniel and the various Scriptures from others like Jeremiah and Peter where we get to see the interwoven tapestry of God’s fingerprints and hear His voice in both the Old and New Testaments.

I also love that Daniel is seen chasing ‘Scripture squirrels” as I do. We see it today in verse two of chapter nine, where Daniel describes how he came to understand from “the sacred books” that the number of years for the fulfilling of the desolation of Jerusalem, would be 70 years. Please excuse me for overusing the word “love” in this post but I simply love his response to the realization that the “end time” wasn’t far off. Oddly enough, his first response wasn’t shouting praises but rather what seems to have been somber, rather gut-wrenching prayer. It was a serious, sackcloth and ashes and fasting prayer. It was a fervent from the-heart prayer of praise, petition, and confession- not just for himself but for the Nation of Israel.

Daniel acknowledged God’s greatness and faithfulness. He confessed the rebellion of the people, who were unfaithful, wicked sinners who had sinned against the Lord God—the great and awesome God. Then, he cites what I call a “But GOD” moment, writing, “YET the Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving—even though we have rebelled against Him.“

Over and over, Daniel cries out to God on behalf of His people, Israel. – As I read it, I could hear the depth of his sorrow over the depth of their guilt. Listen to Daniel’s confession: “We have sinned against You! … We have rebelled against You by turning away from Your commandments and standards … We have done what is wrong and wicked … We have behaved unfaithfully toward You … we have not obeyed, we have ignored the messages of the prophets, we have not turned away from our sins … We have not obeyed the LORD our God by living according to His laws that He set before us through His servants the prophets … All Israel has broken Your law and turned away by not obeying You.” Three more times he says “we have not obeyed … we have sinned and behaved wickedly.”

If you have ever heard or asked the question, “So what is sin anyway?” Daniel makes it clear in his prayer that sin is disobedience to, or breaking, the law of God. Ignoring and rebelling against the teaching of God is sin. All of this, Daniel confesses, is worthy of the calamity and humiliation that came upon Israel by God’s own doing. – Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 25:3-12 verify the reality that while God allowed the captivity of His people, it was because they had not listened to what God had said through the prophet, which angered the Lord their God. “Thus,” the LORD said to them, “you have brought harm on yourselves.”

Disobeying God is to “break His law,” and this is sin. Sin is deserving of God’s wrath and worthy of exile, but our hope is in this truth that Daniel proclaimed in his prayer: “The Lord our God is compassionate and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” 🦋

Encouragement from the LGG Journal entry, quotes from p163 –

We all struggle with certain sins we wish we could be done with once and for all. We feel bad asking God for forgiveness for the same thing yet again. God is patient, compassionate, and merciful. There can be a sin that you struggle to forgive yourself, and you think, “There is no way God can forgive me for this!” That is a lie. Don’t allow a lie to keep you from turning to Him to ask for forgiveness and receive it. – When you are praying over a sin, keep remembering that ‘the Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5;11B).

Daniel’s desire was for God’s people to worship Him in the temple and throughout the land. His desire was for God to be honored, praised, and glorified. God’s purpose for sending His people into exile was to discipline, cleanse, and restore them in order for them to renew their relationship with Him. So they’d no longer be adulterous seeking after other gods.

God’s intention for both Old Testament and New Testament believers is that they would be a faithful light to the nations, drawing others to Him.

Prayer, Our Response to the Journey

Heavenly Father, You are full of compassion, Your mercies are new every morning, and Your faithfulness is great. Thank You that through Jesus, we can know Your forgiveness for our sins. Thank You for setting us free from captivity to sin and from the law of sin and death. May we learn from the wayward ways of Your people before us and the prayer of Daniel – that we are meant to obey You – we are not to ignore You or stay in our sin. Instead, we are to love You with all of our being – and Your Word says if we love You, we will obey You. Remove any love of sinning that we might have and replace it with an unfaltering love for You, which seeks to bring You honor and glory. – Amen

The More We Know

Be sure and visit today’s LGG Blog- for more insight.

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Spirit

By Faith

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based on the LGG Study: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w3d1

Scripture: Genesis 5:21-24 and Hebrews 11:5 / SOAP: Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 NET

Observations and Applications for the Journey

Several things caught my attention in our passages; not the least of which was the fact that Enoch1 was taken up so that he did not see death.2 I was also drawn in by the possibility that he was sixty-five when he began his walk with God, or at least started faithfully walking with God. Some translations, like the KJV and NET, record that “After he became the father of Methuselah at the age of 65, Enoch walked with God.” However, some, such as the NIV, do translate it as: “After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God -” Please note that my curiosity about this statement wasn’t doubting that older people can be saved, but that for some reason the Bible makes a distinction that “after” he became the father of Methuselah he walked (faithfully) with God. Whether Enoch was sixty-five or younger when he became a man of faith doesn’t really matter here, but knowing and having heard many say, ‘I’m too old to become a believer’ or ‘I’m too stuck in my ways…’, gives me/us hopeful encouragement to offer those who are older and have not yet received Christ.

The second thing that came to mind was the heartbreaking thought that God must look at our world and see the same thing (or worse) as He did in the days of Noah, who, by the way, was a descendant of Enoch. Consider for yourself the record in Genesis: “in the days of Noah, the Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time.” I don’t mean to change our focus from Enoch to Noah, but bear with me for a minute and consider not just what God saw but how it made Him feel, as the author of Genesis goes on to describe: “The Lord regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.” So offended was He that the Lord said, “I will wipe humankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—everything from humankind to animals, including creatures that move on the ground and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them.” But please do not miss the next words because they will forever bring hope to us and our lost and dying world: “Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.”

“Noah found favor in the sight of the LORD.”

Genesis 6:8

So here we are in this world, much like, if not worse than, Noah’s day. Surely, few, if any, would disagree that we live in a world filled with wickedness, where every inclination of the thoughts of man’s mind always seems evil. Leaving no room to wonder why we are encouraged to search the Scriptures for hope and cry out – Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Friends, a strong and resilient faith, not just the faith that leads to salvation but the faith that keeps us standing in the midst of the storms and temptations of this life, is essential to our walk with God. This is especially true in a world filled with evil, like ours – enticing us toward ungodly living or striking fear in our hearts – and/or shaking our faith. This, at least in part, is the reason for Paul teaching the church of Ephesus and all other disciples who would read his letter to put on the armor of our faith, the armor of God.3 For we certainly do not have a chance of standing, let alone walking faithfully with God if we are not suited up with His armor – including, the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one who rules this dark world.4

Prayer – Our Heart’s Response to the journey

Father, Thank You for Your Word from beginning to end, from Genesis, where we read of Enoch and Noah and others of the faith, to Revelation, where we read of Your Son’s impending return. From beginning to end, it fills us with HOPE and imparts both saving and staying FAITH to our hearts and minds. Please help us live faithfully in this world of wickedness that is saturated with every evil inclination. Father, we can only stand firm with Your help and effectively do the work You have called us to do when we live and look like Jesus instead of the world. Help us, like Enoch, to walk faithfully with You, our God, until You call us home! – Amen! In the name of Jesus – the pioneer and example of our faith – so let it be!

Reflection on the Journey

How did Enoch’s life please God? What does this teach us about how we should live our lives?

The More We Know: Side trails for the Journey
Posted in Advent, Advent, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, The Promised Messiah

Messengers

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Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-3; Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:1-13 / SOAP: Mark 1:1-2

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way,

Mark 1:1-2

We may not always know or specifically see what the next trial or blessing will be but we can rest assured that they are coming and that God is preparing us for them along the way. We must also remember that Christ has called us, much like God did John – to “prepare the way” for more disciples. Consider Christ’s words to the disciples in Matthew 28:19, when He commissioned them to go into all the world and share the message about/from Christ, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are the commissioned messengers of today. For more insight on what this means read today’s devotional from the LGG Team –

Prayer of Response

Father, thank You that you are a God of purpose – interactively involved in our life. Thank You for going ahead of us and preparing the way and for using us to prepare the way for others. Help us to be faithful to the call upon our lives. Tn Jesus’ Name Amen!

Reflections on the Journey

God is always preparing us for what He has for us – whether that be trials, blessing, or meeting Jesus for the first time. How is God working in you today to prepare you for what is to come?

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Difference Faith Makes

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Scripture Reading: Luke 22:39-23:56; SOAP / Luke 23:41-43

41 And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:41-43 NET

Oh how I hope you read the full passage for today. I don’t want you to miss what a heart wrenching but beautiful scene Luke paints with his words about the journey to the cross, the agony of Christ on the cross, and the love of Christ from the cross. Surely, no greater love has ever been shown than that of God, the Father and the Son! Nor has there been a truer confession than the criminal made when he announced that he is worthy of the death he is facing for the wrong he has done. Sweeter still, is the acknowledgement of the ‘righteousness’ of Jesus, in that, “He has done nothing wrong,” Likewise, perhaps, no greater encouragement for us than Jesus’s words to the criminal, when even in His anguish, yes – even then, Jesus acknowledges the criminal’s faith and promises the man eternal life with Him that very day.

Response to God’s Word
Application

This Scripture is a reminder to believers and unbelievers alike of how they should acknowledge their sin, acknowledge Jesus’ rightness and authority, and either pray for salvation or thank Him and trust Him for the salvation that is already yours by faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Father thank You for loving the world so much, me included, that You gave your one and only ‘begotten sin” to save us from our sins. Jesus, thank You for bearing the punishment I deserved – You could have called 10 thousand angels for help! – You could have come down from the cross by Your power and might, ! But instead, You – who has done nothing wrong – hung there in my place! – My Jesus, I love You – and I know Thou art mine.”

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Inside Scoop

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Scripture Reading: Luke 22:1-38; SOAP / Luke 22:31-32

31 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:31-32 NET

Have you ever been talking to someone, trying to make them aware of a dangerous situation and they just won’t listen? This seems to be the situation in today’s focus text, at least by the opening line. Jesus, speaking to Simon (Peter), uses his name twice, “Simon, Simon”, urging him to pay attention. Then Jesus gives Simon the inside scoop, “Satan has demanded to sift you and the other disciples like wheat.” In other words, he wants to shake up their faith, to test it, with the hope – actually the confidence that Simon and the others will fail the test. Don’t miss the next line though, it’s the best part of the whole passage and the best encouragement for Jesus’s disciples today!

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:32
The Best Prayer Warrior

Can you imagine a better prayer warrior on your side than Jesus, the Son of God? He’s not only specific with what He’s praying but he also speaks words of encouragement, that though Peter will fall, he will also “turn back to following Christ and will be used to strengthen the other disciples to stand firm in their faith. It has been my experience that we often grow the strongest and most merciful through the trials we walk through in this life. So, I imagine that Peter not only strengthened the disciples after Jesus’ departure but that he also showed them much mercy for any failures. May we do the same for each other.

Response to God’s Word

Father, You teach us so much through Your Word. We may be bothered by Peter’s fall but how encouraging it is to know that he doesn’t stay down but indeed turns back and strengthens the ‘brothers’. Help us to listen to and respond to Your warnings .. to be alert to the schemes of the devil! Help us NOT so confident in self that we forego leaning on You. When we fall – for we all do – help us to stand back up and turn back to Your ways – and to encourage others in their walk of faith, and show mercy to others when they fall as You have shown mercy to us. Thank You that Jesus prays for us! What encouragement this is for our day to day living – Yes and Amen in Jesus’ name!

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Because of My Name

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Scripture Reading: Luke 19:45-21:38; SOAP / Luke 21:17-19

17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. 18 Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Luke 21:17-19 NET

Jesus is speaking to His disciples in this passage, both then and now. He is preparing them for what is to come – yet again making the point that –

  • following Him comes at a cost
  • following Him will be challenging
  • following Him may cost us our life (such as Jim Elliott and others) but can not rob us of eternal life – that which really matters
  • enduring trials and testings, hatred, ridicule, and even danger will bring us to a place where, as James wrote, “we are perfect and complete not needing anything.”

In other words, as Luke writes here, as we endure the troubles and hardships of this life we will “gain our lives – that is eternal life, which explains the statement “not a hair of our head will perish. This basically means that while we may perish at the hand of evil doers – but ultimately giving up our life for His sake – we will save it — for we are eternally secure in Christ.

The Reality of His Words

As I sat wondering how in the world to apply Christ’ statement and the reality that we, as His disciples/followers, are going to be hated because of His Name these four thoughts came to mind:

  • “Be prepared” [1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.]
    • Peter wrote his first letter to God’s chosen people who were living as foreigners in the five Roman provinces of Asia Minor- an area currently found in northern Turkey
    • This is quite applicable to believers today as we too find ourselves much like those Peter wrote to, “aliens and strangers in a foreign culture.”
  • “Forewarned is forearmed” [Ephesians 6:10-18 – …  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. …Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.]
    • Apparently, this 3-word phrase, “forewarned is forearmed”, is a saying that must have been in the recesses of my mind because as I started to think of all the implications of Jesus’ statement to the disciples, it was one of the four thoughts I had. Looking it up I found it, not only out their in cyber world, but defined as though it were written as a commentary on this verse – check it out:
      • “prior knowledge of possible dangers or problems that gives one a tactical advantage” – surely this is what Christ intended as He spoke with the disciples about what they would face in the coming days.
  • “Be Still” [Psalm 46:10-11 – Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.]
    • I don’t know about you, but if I am going to have to know someone hates me and that my life is in jeopardy – I need to remember that God, The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is with me. This alone, will help me to ‘be still’.
  • “Trust in the Lord” [Proverbs 3:5 –Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.]
    • No one wants to be hated or disliked. When we are It’s so tempting to do what we know will please others in order to get them to like us – but we must above all else stay the course of following Jesus and not lean toward what we know or think will make us blend in or be more liked by ‘the world’ but instead – we must see the Lord in all we do and allow Him to guide our choices and path.

Though Peter’s Christian readers may have been scattered, in part, by religious persecution, his use of the word “exile” points to one of the main ideas of this letter: that believers no longer call this time and place home. Our citizenship is in heaven; we represent our true king and country while living as aliens and strangers in a foreign culture.

Bibleref.com
Response to the Word
Prayer

Father, there are so many applications I could have written down but as I began to write, Your Spirit – reminded me of your Words and of a “saying” I didn’t even know was a saying – but it’s meaning so applicable to today’s lesson from Your Word. Thank You for all of the ways Jesus prepared us for what is ahead of his disciples. Help us to follow on – not turning away when others hate or mock or accuse us because of your name. help us to remember that if we try to hang on to our life we will lose it but if we give up our life for Your sake we will find it. Help us to daily put on the Your armor and to have the attitude of Jesus – who laid down his life for ours, so that we might live! This is my prayer – in Jesus’ name – Amen and Amen!

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

He Comes In the Name of the Lord!

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Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-44; SOAP / Luke 19:38

The Triumphal Entry

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem has been played out on television, in churches, on flannel graph boards, and in our minds over and over – especially during the season of Easter celebration. It is the scene that is before us today and, most likely, fresh in our minds from last week’s “Passion” celebrations. Jesus, sitting on the robes of His disciples as He rides on the back of a donkey near the path down the Mount of Olives – when the crowd begins to say, in a loud voice:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 

Luke 19:38 NET

Jesus knew what was coming, His death on the cross was imminent, nevertheless, He entered the city on His own volition. This in itself is a beautiful part of the story. Yet, I cannot help but imagine the beauty of the crowd of disciples welcoming Jesus, their voices raised in one accord – in total agreement and declaration that Jesus was who He said He was and that He had come by the power and authority of God.

Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” was not originally part of the passage the disciples quoted from Psalm 118:26. I could not really find out a definitive answer as to why they added this to their prayer of praise; however, Ray Stedman addresses the issue with these insightful words, “as the disciples come over the hill they feel singularly moved by the Holy Spirit to begin to praise God for the mighty works he has done in this nation, which they have seen at the hand of Jesus, and to bless God and cry out, ‘Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.’ The hour called for that kind of proclamation. As Jesus makes very clear, it was necessary to do this, otherwise, the stones would have cried out.”

Response to God’s Word
Application

While we may not see Christ coming down the streets where we live – we can still be resolved to declare Him King of our lives and sent by God – so that others may know Him like we do.

Prayer

Father, Blessed is King Jesus – who came in Your name! Under Your power and authority He came, so that through His blood, there might be peace between You and man.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior” (Colossians 1:21).

 “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son” (Romans 5:10, NLT).

Jesus came, by Your authority – driven by Your love and power to seek and save the lost – so that, as He taught the disciples, You might be glorified in Heaven!

God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9-11

[Jesus said,] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” — John 15:5,8

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.— Psalm 8:1

Want More?

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Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Only One Turned Back

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 17:1-19; SOAP / Luke 17:17-19

Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to the man, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:17-19 NET

Have you ever prayed fervently for something or even quickly called out in the midst of a trial for something – and then seen the answer You cried out for but realized later that you never even stopped to tell God thank you? We don’t mean to ignore or make light of what He’s done but we get caught up with life, sometimes so much so that, occasionally, as the Samaritan seems to do in our story today, we don’t even realize our prayer has been answered. Read the story again, verses 11-19.

  • Ten men with leprosy met Jesus as He was entering a village.
  • Standing at a distance, they called out to Jesus for mercy .
  • Jesus saw them and said to them “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” 
    • And as they went along, they were cleansed.
      • note: not just one but all ten were cleansed
  • Only one of the ten, saw he was healed and turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He fell with his face to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.(Now he was a Samaritan.) He didn’t just run back and thank Jesus and go on his way, instead he worshiped Jesus and gave Him thanks.
  • Not only did Jesus heal the Samaritan physically, but now, seeing his faith – Jesus indicates a spiritual healing as well by saying, “Your faith has made you well.”

Whether we are seeing Jesus for the first time or whether we have known Him all of our lives, we must give God the praise He is due. To do this we means paying attention. When we ask God for something or to do something – and when we see that He has done that which we have asked – we should take time to stop and acknowledge His work/answer. I believe, by Jesus’ response, to do otherwise is to notably offensive to God/Jesus.

Faith is the Victory

To acknowledge what God has done is to speak our faith to Him. It is to say more than thank you – it is to acknowledge our faith/belief in what He has done and to acknowledge that He has heard us.

Response to God’s Word

Father. You are worthy of our praise, worthy of worship!Help us to never be so busy or caught up with ourselves or the world around us that we fail to turn or look up and worship You for what You’ve done. May we always acknowledge the gifts and healing from Your hands – not just to You but to others that they might know Your power, Your goodness, and your mercy.

Want More?

Check out today’s LGG Blog

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Gospel

The One

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-16:31; SOAP / Luke 15:4-7

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Luke 15:4-7 NET
Ouch!

I don’t know about you but when I read today’s verses, especially the focus passage, there was much conviction and it left me realizing how very important this question is for Jesus’ followers.

“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

Luke 15:4

We have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples – to share Jesus and His Gospel message with the world – continuing His mission to “seek and save the lost”. To be clear we can not save the lost, only Christ can do that. However, we can till the ground, plant the seed, and water it so that it can take root and grow. We can study to know His word so that we are ready with and an answer for the hope that is within us, ready and useable to lead the lost to Jesus. We can pray boldly and wait expectantly, to rejoice with every lost person who repents.

Jesus and all of heaven rejoice over every lost person who repents. As His followers, we know what it was like to be lost, and we know the true joy of being found. May we continue to follow Him, especially as we seek the lost. Only Jesus can save, but we can rejoice over every sinner who is found.

LGG Team Member / w5d2 journal devo, P168
Response to God’s Word

Father, how very convicted I am after reading this passage and realizing how very little I actually look for one that is lost. I pray for those who are but I fear I’m too often preoccupied to leave the “99”. Forgive me and help me to be more observant and purposefully diligent to seek the lost and share with them Your Son and the salvation He came to bring. – Amen, in and for the name of Jesus –

Moved to Worship
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 13:10-14:35; SOAP / Luke 14:27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:27 NET

I believe to fully appreciate, understand, and determine to carry our “own cross” we must first have an understanding of what carrying one’s cross means. The Holman Christian Standard commentary defines it like this:

To take up one’s cross daily is to expect painful situations everyday because of allegiance to Christ.

HCSB Commentary

Knowing this helps, but we will find even more help if we read the verse in the context of the verses that surround it, namely verses 26 and 28 where Christ tells the crowd of listeners a very perplexing, if not disturbing statement. He tells them they cannot be His followers if they do not hate their own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even their own life. Since we know from far too many other Scriptures, words spoken by Christ Himself, that we are to love and honor our parents, that we are to love others as ourselves, that we are to love even our enemies – we surely know that Christ is not telling us to hate others. but rather to understand that loving Him above all else, even at the cost of everything else (v28), is a must when we choose to follow Him.

Count the Cost

This is why He talks to the people (and by extension, us) about “counting the cost”, giving them examples of what can happen if the cost isn’t accurately computed. He doubles down on the emphasis in verse 33, with yet another statement that not one of them (not one of us) can be His disciple if they are not willing to renounce all they own – or anything that seeks to take lordship over them.

My pastor said it like this, this morning, “not everyone who follows Christ is a true disciple”; and this is what Christ knew and was teaching in this passage. While large crowds may have gathered and followed Him wherever He went – He knew what the coming days and years would bring and He wanted/needed them to understand that those who were “true disciples” would need to be willing to forsake all others and anything they held dear for the sake of following Him.

Carrying Your Own Cross

As I was rereading verse 27, the phrase, “carry his own cross”, jumped out to me. No one is exempt from carrying their own cross, salvation is not corporate but personal – and it’s important that we understand this. We are certainly called to help bear one another’s burdens and to help those in need – but our salvation is a personal relationship with God, the Father-Son-and Holy Spirit. It is based on a personal faith in Christ. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, Romans 10:17 – Thus to place faith in Christ is to understand the cost and still choose Him above all else – be it people, situations in life, possessions, money, earthly desires, and self – Christ must be first to be Lord of our life.

How DO We Do This?

Seek God’s Word for understanding about what it means to follow truly Christ. Regularly review and evaluate yourself in the light of His words in this passage. Ask yourself, is there anything or anyone keeping you from being a fully engaged disciple of Christ? Remember, there are benefits as well as costs. The list I made looked something like this:

Count the Cost
  • Selflessness
  • Daily struggles
  • Hardships
  • Loneliness
  • Weariness
Consider the Benefits
  • Forgiveness
  • God’s provision and protection
  • The power of His Spirit
  • The 24/7 presence of His Spirit
  • Eternal Life

Both of these lists may look different for each of us, for the benefits of following Christ are as endless as the costs that each new day may hold. However, the benefits will always and forever far outweigh the costs. Thus, I – and I pray you – are left with the obvious conclusion to take up our cross daily. Knowing we may face painful and challenging situations every day – but choosing to trust that He will carry us and give us the strength to follow Him despite our cross.

“Whatever cross we’re carrying grows light when we let Jesus carry us.”

Ann VosKamp
Response to God’s Word

Father, thank you for making Jesus, The Way – The Truth – and The Life, known to us through Your Word, so that we might choose The way of Christ – forsaking our own self and desires and other loves to follow Him. Help us to be faithful followers, to stand firm in the face of painful or difficult situations and choices – knowing You are with us. Blessed be Your Name O Lord! Blessed be your Holy Name!

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