This introduction is not my own. I borrowed it from the Love God Greatly Journal, and I’m guessing some version of it has been on their blog page, so you may have already seen it. However, if I was going to write an introduction meant just for our little group, one that would encourage each participant to be committed to and participate in this little community – I couldn’t have written it better than this. When I started this group two or three years ago it was in part out of concern for those who couldn’t get out or didn’t have a group to be a part of. Years ago God called me to equip, encourage, and empower women with His Word and I have been trying to do just that since the day He called me. However, because of family responsibilities, health issues of my own, and the whole covid shut-down I was struggling with the commitment of the two in-person groups I led,. So this group became a God directed outlet of hope to help others to stay or be strengthened in their faith by spending time in God’s Word, both personally and also with an online group of women hungry for the same thing. My hope and prayer continues to be that our little community will develop into one where we share/discuss what we are learning or simply a favorite part of the day’s passage, and even praises and prayer requests. To quote the opening and closing words of the following introduction, “- I know this is hard. … but [ladies] we were not made to be alone; we were created for community.”
I’m praying for each of you but I sure would love to know whose participating. It’s easy to let me know, simply share a comment or hit the like button after reading the introduction I can’t wait to see what God has for us in this study!
This morning’s devo is borrowed from a Love in Faith publication. What an inspiration Abigail is for me. She had to have been nervous – even frantic – and upset at the danger her husband was in. Yet, she acted methodically, quickly, wisely, and seemingly calmly. And, as the devotional and the Scripture point out – she brought peace to an otherwise hopeless and what could have been a horrific situation. Only God could have cultivated such a response – both from Abigail and from David and the servant who warned her of the situation.
May God guard our responses today. May He help us to approach each situation with humility, seeking a peaceful outcome for both sides. In Jesus’ name, Amen ~
Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace, I have heard your words and granted your request.” ~
1 Samuel 25:35
[borrowed from “On Finding Peace”, a Love in Faith devotional ~ p17]
Abigail was tending to her home when one of her servants came to warn her. He explained that David and his men had spent months protecting her husband’s sheep and looking out for their shepherds.
“But when David sent a message, asking for food and water for his men, your husband would have none of it. Now, David is headed this way and he looks very angry. All of us will perish for your husband’s insult.”
Abigail quickly mobilized her household. She send food ahead to David and met him on the path up to her house. Quickly, she explained that she had not seen the men and begged his forgiveness.
Rather than respond by showing power or anger, Abigail came humbly. She brought peace into a difficult situation and saved her entire household by doing so.
The next time you’re tempted to respond to someone harshly, remember Abigail. With a soft answer and a kind spirit, she turned away David’s wrath.
God, please guard my responses today. Help me to approach each situation with humility, seeking a peaceful outcome for both sides. In Jesus’ name, Amen ~
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.”
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!
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!
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 kingwho 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
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 tothem “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.
“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 –
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.”
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!
Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 11:14-13:9; SOAP / Luke 12:29-32
29 So do not be overly concerned about what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. 30 For all the nations of the world pursue these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:29-32 NET
In today’s fuller passage of chapter 12, Jesus warns against greed, stressing that man’s life “does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, (15). Jesus then tells the parable of a rich fool. A story which He uses to teach that “life is more than material goods.” He emphasized that the greater importance is our relationship with God, (16-21). Then in our focus passage and surrounding verses (21-34), He warns against worry. He uses the specific example of worrying about what we will eat or wear, and has some great illustrations about how God provides for the birds and even clothes the flowers of the fields – so we can surely trust Him to care all the more for us, His children.
Then Jesus zeros in on the crux of the matter which is this: Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters to God and what He wants to matter most to us – is what we have invested and stored up for Him. Jesus said it this way, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but instead store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor destroy and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also .…” Of course we will be concerned about the things in our lives, like a car that needs to be repaired so we can get to work, or the rising cost of groceries but no increase in pay, or health issues and the myriad of other daily concerns – the issue isn’t that we shouldn’t be concerned but that we shouldn’t be consumed by the concerns. Rather, we should trust that God is taking care of our needs so that we can be about the work of His Kingdom.
Our earthly treasures or possessions, those things that don’t last, don’t really matter to God. What matters is what we have invested and stored up for Him.
Me from the Insideout
So how do we do this? How do we forego greed and letting our possessions and desires control us? How do we not worry about the daily cares of this world? According to the Scriptures, we pursue, or seek first, His Kingdom. This means Jesus and His mission become the driving force in our lives – and we lay everything else at His feet – whether work, play, plans, needs, or relationships. We must die to self and submit every area to His authority. We cannot hold even one part of our life back from His control if we intend to make Him King of our lives. As for combatting the worry, to paraphrase one of my favorite and life changing teachings of Paul: Rejoice in the Lord, pray about everything, tell God what you need, thank Him for what He’s already done (this part is vital), and finally think about the things of God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
Philippians 4:4-8 NET
Response to God’s Word
Our Father, who art in Heaven – Holy is Your Name. Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us our daily needs and guard us from the temptations of this world – May we not become so enamored or caught up with the earthly desires and joys that we miss out on the heavenly treasures that are ours in Christ Jesus. Help us to submit to His authority, to make Him King of our lives, so that we might continue His work on earth with the hope of bringing You glory – both now and forever more == Amen, in Jesus’ name
Me From the Inside Out 