Psalm 119:1-2, 89-90, 105 (a paraphrase of various verses) Living God of the Bible, Your word declares that people are blessed, whose ways are blameless.  And there is a reason for that blessing because those people walk according to Your law, Oh Lord. Teach me to follow You and Your decrees…help me to keep them […]

   There are books written about giving or showing hospitality…Jesus gave instructions on how to receive hospitality.   When you are a guest…how do you enter a house?  Do you enter with the expectation of being a blessing to your host/hostess? Jesus said to at least thirty-five pairs of disciples being sent ahead of Him […]

   Jesus gave explicit instructions to at least 35 pairs of His followers and in those instructions He told them what they were not to do. (NASB) Luke 10:4 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.”  What have you allowed to hinder your obedience? What are you […]

   With what do we usually associate the word “no”?  A two-three year old may have the favorite word of “No!”  A parent’s first words of discipline may be “No!” or “that’s a no-no.”  “No” is usually a word that has negative connotations.   But in at least one instance Jesus used the word “no” […]

   The first imperative: Beseech! Ask! Pray! (Luke 10:2)   The second imperative: Go! (NASB) Luke 10:3 “Go, behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” Think about a lamb.  It is defenseless against a wolf.  A lamb needs constant care and protection of the shepherd.  A lamb is dependent on […]

   Jesus used a vivid picture of a field, ripe for harvest. (NASB) Luke 10:1-2 “NOW AFTER this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. 2 And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but […]

 (NASB) Luke 10:1 “NOW AFTER this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.” (Some versions of the Bible say “seventy-two” men were sent out.) Jesus appoints His followers and sends them ahead of everywhere He Himself is […]

(NIV) 1 John 4:10 (paraphrase)  You, Oh Lord God, have defined love, Your divine love. You say “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us” We, as Your followers, know that You loved us long before we came to recognize Your love for us. Your love sent Your Son, Your […]

   A farmer plowing a field puts his eyes on a point beyond where he wants to end a row (to guarantee a straight furrow).   Jesus used this simile to emphasize His call to you and me. (NASB) Luke 9:61-62 “Another also said, ‘I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say […]

 (NASB) Luke 9:59 “And He (Jesus) said to him, ‘Follow Me.’  But he said, ‘Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.’”   Jesus called a person to “Follow Me.”  And the excuse?  ‘Wait, just a minute Jesus…let me wait until my father dies – then I will follow You.’ (Paraphrase, a very […]