Author: judyinthesky91

Daily Word

Luke 19

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Read Luke 19 – They get it! 

As Jesus enters Jericho, the chief tax collector strives to hear and see him.  He climbs a tree to see better, and Jesus calls to him by name and tells him to climb down because he (Jesus) must be a guest in his (Zacchaeus) home (:5).  Can you imagine???  Zacchaeus’ repentance that night is so pure that Jesus states Salvation has come to his home (:8-10). 

Jesus tells the crowd a parable about a mean king who entrusted 10 pounds to his servants to invest.  The first servant made 10 times the original amount and the king was pleased.  The next earned 5 times and the king was pleased.  The third feared the king so much that he hid the money in the ground and was only able to return the original amount untouched.  The king was furious… to me this represents one who takes their faith and shares about Jesus, winning souls, or taking that same faith and keeping it private, never telling anyone else the Good News.  Beloved, live to please God over man. 

At last, Jesus has his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Many believers line the street with palm branches and sing, recognizing and revering Jesus as the King who came in the name of the Lord.  Yet, still Jerusalem is blinded and their fate is destruction…. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace.  But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.” 19:42 

Beloved, where do you fit in this?  Is there a song of praise on your lips?  Do you multiply the faith in your heart with those around you?  Do you understand Jesus as the way to peace?  Do you get it too???

Daily Word

Luke 18

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Read Luke 18 – What do you want? 

Consider our parable, when the blind beggar was told Jesus was passing by he began shouting on faith:  JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!  This was a cry to be heard.  The crowd didn’t like it and told him to be quiet, yet he shouted all the louder: SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!   Jesus asked that the man be brought to him and as he came near, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The man was specific – he wanted to see.  Jesus made it so, and the man followed Jesus, praising him with a joy and reverence that was contagious throughout the crowd (:31-34). 

Beloved, learn from this blind beggar.  Cry out!  Shout!  Be heard in your pleas.  Be specific with what you are asking for.  The man’s first request for mercy was broad and when he got specific, that is when the miracle happened.  Is your prayer too broad to even know if its been answered?  Get as specific as you can in your prayers. 

Intercessory prayer, prayers for others, is important, but make sure you pray for yourself as well.  Your own testimony is for God’s glory; your joy for Jesus should be personal. 

In our chapter, we see people with specific needs…The widow wanted justice.  The tax collector wanted forgiveness.  The children wanted Jesus.  The rich man wanted to be good enough on his own terms.  And the blind man wanted to see.  What do you want?  Beloved, pray.🙏🙏🙏

Daily Word

Luke 17

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Read Luke 17 – Just show up.  Jesus takes us through several examples of faith starting with the faith to forgive time and time again.  If a person asks for forgiveness, forgive (:4). 

May your faith be as big as a mustard seed.  Can you manage that, Beloved?  Life will come at you and your faith may take a beating.  When you are weary, remind yourself that Jesus said if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed you can do great things(:6). 

The servant illustration (:7-:10) is rich.  People are always wanting approval and pats on the back, so remember you are simply doing God’s work and there is much more to be done.  You are the servant.  Jesus is Lord.  Keep a clear perspective.  And be like the 10th leper, say thank you(:16). 

Verses :20-:37 speak about the signs for the coming Kingdom of God – you don’t get one – live every day as though it were happening today.  Live trusting that when the day arrives, you will know it, and do not turn back for anything.  Jesus has no tolerance for divided loyalties. 

Beloved, when you pray today, ask the Lord to show you any division in your heart, any idols that you’re holding onto, that are keeping you at arms length.⚠️🚫↩👆↪🚫⚠️

Daily Word

Luke 16

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Read Luke 16 – Make the most of every opportunity.  

We saw the film Sabina last night.   She and her husband, Richard, were missionaries in Romania through Nazi occupation followed by the Russian rule.   They were Jewish by birth, married as atheist, and converts to Christianity. One of the first things they did as new believers was introduce themselves to their neighbors, bringing gifts. It took love and persistence to form relationships during the uncertain times. 

That is what Jesus is expecting of us when he commends the manager for shrewdness.  “I tell you, make friends for yourself by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings, :9.  Beloved, pursue people with every resource.   Love them with the love of Christ.   You have Good News to share; be shrewd and make the most of every opportunity.

Be faithful in little things.   I love that.   We all want to do amazing things, just start with the little things and trust Jesus… he knows your heart and what you can be entrusted with.

Be eternity minded.   Lazarus got it, but the rich man did not.   Success in this life can blind a person.   Beloved, keep your eyes on the prize.🏆👆🌎🙏🌏👆🏆

Daily Word

Luke 15

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Read Luke 15 – I had to catch my breath at verse 1, “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.”  It made me think of the late pastor Chuck Smith.  Once upon a time, church was a place where you put on your Sunday best and behaved.  He made church a place where the barefoot and broken could come and hear about our wonderful Savior, who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one(:4). 

The Word of God has the power to change a person; even the hardest of hearts can crack as love becomes a light.  We see three instances of great joy in our chapter – joy for the lost sheep who was found – joy for the lost coin that was recovered like a lost sinner who repents – and joy for the wild, rebellious, disrespectful son who came home.  All three are cause for great celebration on earth and in heaven.  Beloved, Jesus holds no grudges when a sinner repents.  When the lost are found, there is only joy and celebration! 

We also see the tragedy of the ‘good son’.  His heart was hardened and he was angry that there was a celebration for his brother who squandered his inheritance and abandoned the family…. Like the Pharisees in complaint that Jesus would associate with such sinful people(:2). 

Beloved, bitterness and unforgiveness is just plain ugly.  It will rule your heart and keep you from joy.  Notice the father left the celebration to pursue him(:28). 

Will you pray today:  Search me Jesus, and show me any root of bitterness or unforgiveness that you see – that I may confess it and be clean?  May nothing in my life hinder your joy from shining through me.  Amen 🏳🤲🙏💘🙏🤲🏳

Daily Word

Luke 14

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Read Luke 14 – Are you Christian-lite or Christian-LIGHT? 

Jesus challenges a leader of the Pharisees, and some experts in religious law, by asking about healing on the Sabbath.  He was at a dinner party in the Pharisees house at the time and continued to teach from that setting. 

He taught on humility (:7-14), as he watched the dinner guests competing for seats of honor, like Nascar drivers for the checkered flag (Nascar isn’t specifically mentioned in Scripture, I just wanted to give a shout out to my hubby and a few other fans). 

He taught on those who accept and those who reject the invitation to the banquet in the Kingdom of God.  Here’s where lite/light comes into play – are you too busy for God to use you?  Do you rest on your laurels and not think much about your faith in the day to day?  Or are you humble, hungry and eager to serve the Lord with all that you are? 

Jesus wants to know if you’ve counted the cost and are all in (:15-33)? 

“Salt is good for seasoning.  But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?” :34.   Salt is amazing, it seasons food; it can preserve meat; it can add nutrients to soil, but flavorless salt is useless – even for the manure pile (:35).  

Beloved, live as the salt of the earth, making people thirsty for Jesus.  Live as the light of the world, shining for Jesus.🧂💡🍽💗🍽💡🧂

Daily Word

Luke 13 take 2

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Read Luke 13 again – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – folks want to know what Jesus has to say.  Jesus is asked about the death and suffering of some Galaleans – and he answers with a question.  “Do you think that these Galaleans were worse sinners than all the other Galaleans because they suffered in this way?” :2  Then he gets right to the point, everybody dies, eternity matters more than death.  Jesus tells them: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  He tells them twice (:3, :4)! 

Next, our tender and merciful Jesus heals a crippled woman who had been bent over for 18 years. The synagogue leader did not like this; he used the excuse of it being Sabbath, but it certainly revealed his ugly heart. Jesus pointed out that they untie their donkey’s and lead them to water, even on the Sabbath – and how much more the woman deserved to be untied from her condition(:16).  Jesus calls her a ‘daughter of Abraham’ – Beloved, this is precious!  The priest marginalized her for 18 years, and Jesus reminds him of her intrinsic value because of who she belongs to!  How about you?  Beloved, this is a beautiful illustration of the #2 commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.  The priest failed to do this, but Jesus did it with great love and respect. 

Jesus said we are to, “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter and fail.”  He also says He wanted to gather the children of Jerusalem like a hen gathers her chicks, but they wouldn’t let Him(:34).  Beware of false teachers!  Woe to them, but also a warning to us. 

Beloved, do not take your faith lightly; be discerning; Jesus delights in an earnest seeker.❓💝😍🙏🥰💝💯

Daily Word

Luke 13

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Read Luke 13 – Shhhhh.  Every now and then we need to shush and listen.  

Yesterday, I was chatting with a friend as she became increasingly anxious, trying to find an item that went missing.   It’s gone,  she concluded.   I encouraged her to stop looking,  rest, then pray.   She texted me later with a giant hallelujah and a photo of the item. 

Today, that’s Jesus’s advice to me. I’ve searched commentaries, I’ve written this post four different ways.   I just can’t figure out what to say.   So I’m going to try Luke 13 again tomorrow, expecting my own hallelujah,  close my Bible, and open my journal. 

Beloved, how do you know when it’s time to be still and listen?

Daily Word

Luke 12

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Read Luke 12 – It’s so much more than here and now. 

Jesus warns that hypocrisy and misplaced values will be revealed.  “The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.” 12:2 

Jesus give the example of the man who hoarded his possessions, then died.  “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” 12:21 

He warns that worry does not accomplish anything.  Isn’t that interesting?  Worry feels so necessary sometimes, but the truth is, “Who by worry can add a single moment to their life?” 12:25  And consider how worry shouts:  I DON’T TRUST YOU, LORD!!!!!  – Ouch!  Yes, Beloved, your time, your money, your concerns are best left in Christs care and control – set yourself free to store your treasures in heaven where no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also(:33-34). 

Live close to Jesus, live dressed and ready for his return (:35-47).  And be prepared for the division that will cause.  Many people, even those closest to you, will stand against God.  Stay true, you know what lies ahead.  Sweet Jesus, his “terrible baptism of suffering” (:50) is close at hand, yet he is using his time to prepare us – are you listening?

Daily Word

Luke 11

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Read Luke 11 – It’s kind of like Africa – I went on holiday to Africa in 2017.  It was incredible.  Every day was the best day of my life!  I would lay down each night with such awe and joy, but also a pinch of sorrow that this “best day ever” was over.  What could the next possibly offer?  And then the next day would be a different flavor of “best day ever” too!  That’s how God’s Word is, each chapter is brimming with life – the life of Jesus brings such life, hope, joy and awe to mine!

Chapter 11 – wow!  It holds what we call THE LORD’S PRAYER, yet notice Jesus says this is HOW, and not WHAT, you should pray.  Beloved, model your prayers as Jesus teaches, do not recite verse :2-:4 impersonally. 

Verses :5-:13 further explain that your prayers should be relentless – Jesus says Keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.  That, beloved is permission to dream and dream big! 

The pharisees get themselves in more hot water throughout the chapter.  As you read it, think about the pressure your own pastor is under.  He must lead with impeccable integrity as the judgment for misleading people is not taken lightly.  Beloved, pray for your pastor and pray for yourself – Jesus says, “Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.” (:35)  Are your good deeds done to impress men?  Ask the Lord to show you what he sees. 

Beloved, may your lamp shine brightly!🕯💡🌞🙏🌞💡🕯