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Tag: Luke

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15
    Luke 12:15 says, “And Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.” 
    THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS!!

    A double warning of “take heed and beware” begins this verse.  While we should be listening to everything Jesus says, a double warning should have our full UNDIVIDED attention.  ARE YOU LISTENING?  ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?

    Luke 12:15 tells us to WATCH OUT for our hearts COVETING or being GREEDY.  The Tenth Commandment of the Ten Commandments instructs us “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”  Exodus 20:17  Of all the commandments this one is the most personal and secretive as it is broken with an attitude, an attitude that then will lead to actions.  If I am coveting, you do not see it.  If you are coveting, I do not see.  It is an inside sin as one is never satisfied with what one presently has, and they have a driving desire to get more and more.  There is never ENOUGH for them.  There is no CONTENTMENT with the COVETOUS person. The coveting person makes gold their god!  

    The admonition to be on guard, to be watching out for coveting comes in response to an unnamed man in the crowd who has asked Jesus to resolve a family dispute over an inheritance.  While the request was out of line it presented Jesus with a tremendous opportunity to teach one of the GREATEST lessons we will ever learn.  And what is that lesson?

    With the double WARNING of guarding against coveting, Jesus now teaches a lesson that flies in the face of what we have been taught and conditioned to think about money, things, and possessions.  The WHY of why we should not covet (ARE YOU LISTENING) IS your life does not consist in the abundance of things you possess.  YOUR LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS YOU POSSESS! 

    As I write this and I read this statement from Jesus it comes across like a punch in the gut.  We use to say the preacher was stepping on toes with that message.  Well, I have to believe Jesus is stepping on a lot of toes with this teaching.  We have been programmed to believe that money, things, and possessions determine our lives’ VALUE.  The biggest house, best car, nicest clothes, most extensive bank account, 2nd, and 3rd home, etc. determine our SELF-WORTH.  And with one sentence Jesus CONFRONTS and DEBUNKS that thinking.  

    Your self-worth is not tied to your worth!  Your worth does not determine your self-worth!

    Maybe you need to read WHAT JESUS SAID again: “For one’s life (your life) DOES NOT consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.”  

    How do you now apply JESUS’ TEACHING to your THINKING?

    For me, it was a quote that helped me go against the world’s thinking.  It goes, “THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS.”  

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15. It says, “And Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.”

    Are you GUARDING your heart against being GREEDY? Are you CONTENT or does your heart COVET for more and MORE? 
    Are you able to embrace THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS?  

    Continue Strong content, satisfied with Jesus!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 3 (11/3) is Luke 11:3

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 3 (11/3) is Luke 11:3
    “Give us day by day our daily bread.”
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 3 (11/3) is Luke 11:3. Luke 11:3 says, “Give us day by day our daily bread.”

    The PRAYER FOR BASIC PROVISIONS

    Luke 11:3 is part of what we call the Lord’s Prayer but is really the “Disciple’s Prayer” as the prayer that Jesus taught was for the disciples!  You may recall that in Luke 11:1 that as He was praying ONE of His DISCIPLES asked that He teach them to pray!  What followed are some of the best instructions a person can ever learn when it comes to PRAYER!   I suspect many of you can quote by memory but just in case this is what Jesus taught:

    2  So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as [it is] in heaven.
    3  Give us day by day our daily bread.
    4  And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

    When Jesus taught in Matthew 6 He had as the conclusion “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

    Our verse to date on November 3 (11/3) is considered the hinge verse of the “Lord’s Prayer” as it moves us from a time of adoration to God to now a time of asking for our needs.  In verse 2 you find the word “YOUR” 3 times.  In that verse, we adore and praise God.   There is a spirit of submission as we want His kingdom and His will accomplished.  

    Having focused on the adoration of the Father and the agenda of heaven Jesus teaches to ASK for the things needed on EARTH, things the HEAVENLY FATHER provides.  The things we most need are the provision of daily bread, forgiveness, guidance, and protection.  

    I would like for us to consider that in asking for day by day our daily bread Jesus is instructing us to ask for the MOST BASIC of needs.  We need food and water to live.  While we might consider this too small for our Father in heaven, I like to say that while there is NOTHING TOO BIG TO ASK of GOD, there is nothing TOO SMALL to ask of GOD!   After all, He takes care of a sparrow, and He keeps count of the hairs on your head.   YOU must know He is interested in every detail of your life, down to the smallest detail.  It is not petty to ask Him to provide the most basic of needs for your life.  He is expecting you to ASK!

    I also want you to consider that the prayer request here is a prayer of FAITH.  He did not tell us to ask the Heavenly Father for a year’s supply of food.  He teaches us to be DAILY RELIANT on Him. Asking day by day for daily bread brings the immediate reminder that you will be needing to ask DAY by DAY for forgiveness; guidance; and PROTECTION!  

    I also find that as I pray for God to provide for my basic needs I am more grateful of His work in my life.  Asking God to give prompts a spirit of thanksgiving.   The prayer request allows me to reflect on yesterday’s blessings and acknowledge my gratitude for His gracious provisions! 

    In closing, I would like to share one of the greatest “TIPS” I have received for developing a strong walk with the Lord.  Dr. Elmer Towns challenges us to pray the “Lord’s Prayer” as the first thing we did upon waking up.  He taught us to let our first thoughts be of adoration to God and then asking Him to give us what we needed for the day!  This tip has served me well and I believe it will serve you well! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 3 (11/3) is Luke 11:3. It says, “Give us day by day our daily bread.”

    Continue Strong asking your Heavenly Father for daily needs!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD