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Luke

Get Past Your Unbelief!

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Luke 8:49-56

[49] While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
[50] But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
[51] And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
[52] And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
[53] And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
[54] And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
[55] And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
[56] And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Get past your unbelief in your mind! Your doubt! Anything that would hinder you or stand in the way of your faith or belief! I always remember the old adage “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”. In these scriptures, there were people that had to be put out. There will be things in our mind and life that will have to be put out in order for us to see the miracles of God in our life. We might not like it and may not want to do it either, I know. Then again, you have to consider what is of more worth to you: the blessings of God or the one or two things you have been hanging on to for way too long, or some problem that you have had with someone that you need to let go of. Those problems and stumbling blocks will make us walk right into unbelief! O

One thing I have learned in my life is that God cannot operate if I do not believe. End of story. If I carry doubt in my heart, and hold limits against God, things will just continue to stay the same, if not continue to get worse! We HAVE to get past the little things to see the bigger picture!

The Parables Of Prayer

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The Friend at Midnight – Luke 11:5-10

[5] And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
[6] For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
[7] And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
[8] I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
[9] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
[10] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

One word sticks out when it comes to reading this passage.

Inconvenient. I’m sure a lot of people found it or will find it inconvenient to do the work that God has called them to do, but nonetheless with the love and willingness will be bless for the good work. The question that comes to my mind is, will WE as a church be prepared when they come knocking when it is inconvenient for us? Because I’m here to tell you that they ARE going to come. And they will come when you least expect them, and especially when you do not want them to. Those are the tests of a church versus the tests of an individual. Those are how the churches bear the infirmities of a weak and come together to help people.

At first, we are going to want to be selfish and refuse to help. We will not want to sing our song, give our testimony, hug their neck. We’ll say, “Lord I’ve done this all before for someone else” or “Lord I’ve done this 1,000s of times”, but as the passage reads we are FRIENDS so we MUST give to meet the need. I hope that the church never fails before the given time when God calls us to come home. I hope that people always have a place to come where they will feel loved and have the natural conviction power to draw them to an altar to find salvation. We can go to God in this manner, but we as a church must prove ourselves by asking for God to keep us as a body strong in prayer!

And remember, if it ever feels inconvenient for you, check and see why in your heart. You’ll find the problem.

The Unjust Judge – Luke 18:1-8

[1] And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
[2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
[3] And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
[4] And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
[5] Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
[6] And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
[7] And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
[8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Persistent. This man, this judge, had no regard for God or man, and yet, after continual persistence from the widow, avenged her. God has no regard for the enemy, and if we continually seek him, our adversaries will be destroyed. Wouldn’t it be good if we began to have a heart that was persistent and never tiring after God? I hope and pray that we began to be determined to never let go until we see the needs met. We do not have time to stop. We do not have time to let people slip through our fingers and not make Heaven their home.

The Pharasee and the Publican – Luke 18:9-14

[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
[10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
[13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

“I not as others are” Two points here with the first one being more important than the latter. Having the outlook of “I not as others are” should probably be a good indicator first of all. If we ever get ourselves to a place where we esteem ourselves so high, God has to bring us back to a place where we are abased (lowered, brought down one way or another). And I don’t know about you, but I would rather be a humble person in general and give glory to God where it was due rather than abusing pride in things that I should not take the credit for. If you ever see yourself soaring high in confidence and feel above others, you better take the “I not as others are” test. Because it might be time to be abased.

“God be merciful to me a sinner” If all we can say is God be merciful to me a sinner, it’s good enough for me. You have to admit that you stand before God as a person with flaws and mistakes. Come on. You are not perfect, and will never be. And on your best day, there are handfuls upon handfuls of sin that you cannot control. He that humbleth shall be exalted. In other words, you don’t have to lift yourself up at all when your low before God, it does it for you. It shows on you. There’s a glow, a confidence, there is just something about you. Perhaps then that is the sweet Holy Ghost that encourages you along the way, huh?

Tear Down Your Inner Walls

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Luke 5:16-26

[16] And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
[17] And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
[18] And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
[19] And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
[20] And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
[21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
[22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
[23] Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
[24] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
[25] And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
[26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

As I began to read this I saw three things that I needed to immediately put into my life. Jesus withdrew himself before he prayed. We have to began to allow ourselves to be mentally and physically separated from circumstances so that we can begin to pray with a clear mind and heart!

This passage inspires me, because there were a few people that were willing to press pass the crowd of people that were in the way for the needs of SOMEONE ELSE. All I ever hear about anymore are about the needs of “me, me, me”. Sometimes people think that I am honestly crazy when I try to maintain the attitude of preferring my brother over myself. Have we got to such a place where we wouldn’t tear down the tiles for our sick in body and mind?

We have to begin to do some work on ourselves! Let’s begin to tear down the inner walls (our inner man/woman).  Let’s get past mine and your flesh! Let’s get past the multitudes of problems and have faith and take action like they did to believe that the presence of God can begin to heal all of the broken pieces in your life!

The Power Of Our Words

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James 3:4-8

[4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
[5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
[6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
[7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
[8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

One rumor = One Match

One issue = One Spark

One problem = One Coal

In other words, it only takes a little sentence or something small to start something huge, similar to a fire, that is almost impossible to put out.

The tongue is such a small part of the body, but goes such a long way.

What about other than words? As we know, actions speak louder than words!

James 3:11-12

[11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
[12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

We can’t have it both ways! Simple as that!

Proverbs 16:19-23

[19] Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
[20] He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
[21] The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
[22] Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
[23] The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

It is better to be open and loving, compassionate and to dwell there with others in a church service. It is definitely better to serve one another with these humble qualities! People then will get help that way!

Understanding is a wellspring! It only comes from a deep, spiritual learning experience that God through the Holy Ghost can teach you.

Proverbs 16:32

[32] He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

The more control that we have over our flesh by having a stronger spiritual life, you shall be better than mighty, and can take the cities (have control over the things that try and bring you down)!

Proverbs 21:23

[23] Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

If we can learn to be bigger than a conversation of the enemy, you can spare yourself from much trouble!

Proverbs 22:24-25

[24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
[25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

We need to be careful to watch our words, as well as the company that we are in. The longer that we stay in that, the more we become it.
Always remember some old adages:

–          We are what we eat

–          We are what we speak

–          We feel based on how we act and our countenance

In essence, we will become what we are surrounded with!

Luke 11:9-13

[9] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
[10] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
[11] If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
[12] Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
[13] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Let’s see the patterns:

Ask…shall be given

Seek…ye shall find

Knock…shall be opened

Asking is requesting from God by your spoken words.

Seeking is requesting from God from your spoken word and actions.

Knocking is requesting from God as an action.

So in other words, we do not communicate to God by spoken word alone, but by our actions also. Everything in a service counts for something! It is for someone or for you! It is worth the obedience!

Don’t Miss Supper

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Luke 14:8-24

[8] When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
[9] And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
[10] But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
[11] For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[12] Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
[13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
[14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
[15] And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
[16] Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
[17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
[18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
[19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
[20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
[21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
[22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
[23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
[24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Sit not down in the highest, sit down in the lowest

In other words, learn to be humble and to prefer others to be helped and be “above” your priorities and needs when it comes to being in church. You will be rewarded for it!

That he may say “friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee”

We have to enter into the presence of God together, and enter into that higher place together, and partake of the same Godly fruitful things together! When all those pieces fall together, you have wonderful moves of the Lord!

We need to encourage and lift up those, and in the process, worship with them!

Call NOT thy Friends, brethren, kinsmen, rich neighbors (lest they bid again and they recompense thee)

People that are comfortable with others and are used to things being full and fulfilled will often times be spoiled and not care about the fact that they have wonderful circumstances, and we need not ever get to a place where we only worship with ourselves or just a few around us that we like.

When you dine in the flesh (so to speak) with those that exalt themselves, they will call (depend) upon YOU and not God for their feel-goods and pats on the back. I know that sounds harsh, but it is the reality of today. We all want a positive perspective, but life isn’t always that way.

Call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shall be blessed!

Remember, some people won’t be able to pay you back for your efforts in the services, but don’t hold it against them; God will recompense you for your efforts!

Excuses, ALL in one accord!

They all in one consent began to make excuse (that’s sounds a lot like us today)

  • One bought a piece of ground, and had needs to go see it
  • Another bought 5 yoke of oxen, and had to go prove them
  • And another married a wife, and could not come

It seems like anymore that we have every reason in the world why we shouldn’t be obedient to God now, versus the reasons why we should be. What does that tell us? Who are we really listening to? Who are we really serving?

Receive Them Joyfully

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Luke 19:2-7

[2] And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
[3] And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
[4] And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
[5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.
[6] And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
[7] And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

We all know the story of Zaccheus. I’m sure that if you ever attended Sunday school at some point that you have heard it. For those that have not heard it, I will attempt to give an understandable version of it.

Zaccheus was the chief tax collector in Jericho. He was a rich man, and despised by those around him because he took not only the money for the Roman taxes but also kept for himself. In principle, the more money that one could get from the people, the more they could keep.  When he heard of Jesus’ arrival to Jericho, he wanted to see what all the fuss was about.  Being a man of small stature, Zaccheus was so determined to see Jesus that he dropped all he was doing and climbed a tree to try and get a view. Despite the crowd around him, Jesus saw up in the tree and told Zaccheus “Come down at once, for today I must stop at your house”. Being the person that he was, people all around were clearly upset, even by speaking that Christ was going to be a guest with a sinner.

A lot of messages focus on the fact that he was short and climbed up the tree to make the extra effort to get closer to Christ, but we want to take a deeper look into what happened in the before and after.

Zaccheus was a person who did not care to take from people that were poor for his own good. Therefore in essence he was in the wrong for some of his actions. The crowd around him even judged him by calling him a sinner. However, once he knew that Christ had acknowledged him, he came down quickly and received him JOYFULLY.

There will be many people that we come into contact with that may not be on our list of friends or even people that we dislike ourselves. But as Christ was demonstrating, he showed that it IS possible to look beyond the flaws of someone to try and show love to them. There are many people out there today that are “hanging up in the trees”, desperate for something to fill the void in their life. If we are not too careful, we’ll be as the crowd and pass judgment and not give a second thought to it. Don’t pass them by! God can inspire you with the words to say that will not only show compassion, but also a chance to lead them to salvation. This can go beyond friends into the very home that you live in. If you want to see your parents and relatives notice the light you shine, show them that same love that Jesus showed. Get along at home, practice forgiveness, and love them regardless. And in the process of all that, PRAY! He can change their lives! And you can be the light that leads them to deliverance!