The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)
18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 77:10-13 (NLT)
10 And I said, "This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me."
11 But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
13 O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?
The Word of God for encouragement:
Luke 11:23-26 (ESV)
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
24 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'
25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.
26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."
My observation:
The underlying message of today's passage from Luke reminds us of how central Jesus is in the life of every person of every generation.
When the question is asked, "What will you do with Jesus?" it demands a thoughtful answer. It is true that neutral you cannot be.
The choices are clearly stated in the gospels:
Luke 11:23 (ESV)
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Luke 9:50 (ESV)
50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."
We need more than renovation, cleaning up our life is not enough, and it does not last. What we need is rebirth, and only Jesus is able to provide that. Who would choose to be against Jesus? Why would you reject one with such a lofty purpose? Jesus came for you. Why not receive the gift he offers to you?
John 3:16-18 (ESV)
16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, as we celebrate this Holy Week, we join with the saints of the ages in shouting "Hallelujah, to Jesus".
Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
--
1 Timothy 4:4-5 (HCSB)
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment