Lk20

One of the earliest tricks of a legalist is to "pretend to be righteous"! Anyone who is not humble about the reality of their sin, is only pretending to be something they are not.

Jesus came to save sinners. We will either fall on His righteousness and be saved, or we will be crushed by His justice and be damned. This is the good news of the gospel. We don't have to be righteous before God will accept us! We don't have to pretend to be something we are not. Jesus desires to make us "righteous" so He can live through us.

Lean into His work today. Obedience to Jesus is the key to christian living. It always has been. It always will be. Apart from Jesus, we are all utterly lost.

Lk19

"Bring these enemies of mine, who did not want me to rule over them, and slaughter them in my presence."  -v27

I have heard this parable taught many times and have even taught it myself. Never had I stopped to think about this particular verse. Wow, Jesus actually took the parable to a whole new level! In this case, the steward who thought wrongly of the master and did not invest his money was not just rebuked but slaughtered with others in front of the King!

This is how Jesus ended this parable. Then he just left for the next place. What were people thinking? The first part of this parable makes sense to everyone. The illustrations are simple. They go like this. Whatever we have has been given to us by God. We should use what we have for His purposes.

But what if we don't? Have you ever heard a teacher say, "And if you don't God will call you into His presence and have you slaughtered."??? These were strong words from Jesus. Wow. I am thinking a little differently about this parable today.

Read the whole text.

Lk18

God desires for us to pray. He does hear and respond to those who call on Him! Even when we don't see results, we should continue to depend on Him in prayer.

I was encouraged today that God is not frustrated with my continuous pray for those I love who are not pursuing Him. I pray for them to come back to Him and to truly follow in all His ways. I pray that they will know the love of Christ, His church and family with complete fellowship. I pray for the light of the gospel to shine in every aspect of their life, everyday of their life, every moment of their life.

Today's chapter has encouraged me to continue to pray and never give up.

For those of you I love….I am praying for you.

Lk17

Are you the kind of person who expects to be complimented and praised for only doing your job? Or are you the kind of worker who works hard and thanks your boss for giving you a job and pay check?

Frankly, I am a bit put out by our culture these days. Most employees feel as though they deserve not only their paycheck, but also large amounts of praise for doing what they are supposed to do. They want praise even when they are doing a poor job! The job and the paycheck are the reward.

Jesus made an analogy with the servant in this chapter. He said, "Does a master thank a slave for doing what he was commanded?" The obvious answer is "no"! Instead, Jesus said the slave should say, "I have only done what I was commanded, I am a good-for-nothing slave; I have only done my job."

Don't be the kind of person who expects praise for doing what you are supposed to do! Especially, if you are getting paid to do it and if you are responsible to get it done. Praise and affirmation is in the check. If you desire extra affirmation, go the extra mile! Even if your boss doesn't see you…God does. He will reward you.

Be an employee pleasing to God today.

Lk16

"What is highly admired by people is revolting in God's sight" -Jesus 

What was so revolting that Jesus was referring to? First, it was the pharisees' "love of money". On the outside they appeared to be righteous, but on the inside their motives were selfish and temporal. They had no desire to use money to serve God. In fact, money was their God. Jesus used several terms to describe them but the two often used were, "hypocrites & lovers of money."

Secondly, Jesus was condemning their low value on marriage. They had reduced the covenant of marriage to personal preference or happiness and not a solemn vow before God and others. They held a high view of personal righteousness, yet a low view of interpersonal relationships…primarily marriage! Their "love" for God was not evident in loving people! Even their wives!

Don't be like the pharisees. Use money to advance God's kingdom and value marriage above all other human relationships. Two signs of a healthy christian are a healthy loving marriage and generous giving toward God's work.

Lk15

Perspective is essential to proper understanding! It is hard to gain perspective in the midst of prosperity!

Generally, we don't value what we have until it is lost. Why is that? The younger brother thought he could make his life better by demanding his inheritance and going out on his own. What he discovered was that life was better for the "slaves" in his father's house than the life he had "made for himself". He returned and was able to celebrate the goodness of the father.

The older brother, on the other hand, called himself a "slave" in his father's house and was irritated at the goodness of the father to his younger brother. He had never felt the sting of being out from under the blessing of his father's household. The older brother was unable to enter in to the joy of the younger brother's return.

In the same way, we often don't enter in to God's joy because our perspective is out of focus. God has been so good to us that we are unable to see clearly the realities of others around our lives. 

Let God shape our perspectives.

Lk14

Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. - Jesus

It comes naturally to us to want to be honored. We want to be recognized. We want to win. We want to hear those "words of affirmation." Today's challenge is to be the one who gives honor to others. Be the one who recognizes what others are doing and encourages them with words and actions.

Think about the feelings you have when you have been honored. It feels good doesn't it? Now think about the feeling you get when you truly honor another. That feels good as well. You can't control whether someone will honor you today, but you can determine to build up someone else. It will do your heart good and that IS something you can control.

Plan to honor others today. It's a good plan.

Lk13

In response to "how many go to heaven" Jesus said, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…" It is an ominous passage in the middle of several of Jesus' instructions on fruitfulness. Jesus was indignant with hypocrites. People who claimed one thing with their words and their lives claimed a different thing.

Who truly owns your heart? Are we producing fruit for the kingdom? Do those who know us know what our greatest value is? Jesus was not saying that salvation can be earned by our own effort. He is saying that without effort and fruitfulness, have no confidence that you are saved! The religious leaders were confident….and lost.

Everything takes effort. Make the effort to live for Christ today.

Lk12

Nothing is covered that won't be uncovered and nothing is hidden that won't be made known. - Jesus

The most dangerous sin is the one that is kept secret! Unconfessed sin will eventually destroy one's faith. Secret sin is the most destructive because we try to deal with it on our own. One on one with the devil is a sure loss for us. It is when we confess our sin, that we find forgiveness and mercy. When we walk in the light we have freedom from sin.

My dad always says, "families disfunction over secrets". The devil loves darkness and he operates in the dark. We, on the other hand, are created to function in the light. Confess your sins. Be honest and open. Deal with secret sin before it robs you of your spiritual life.

Lk11

Generosity that comes from within is pleasing to God. Man looks on the external things, but God sees our hearts. Both actions and motives matter to God.

Jesus often "insulted" the religious leaders of His day because of the duplicity of their lives. They appeared to be one thing on the outside, but were in fact a completely different thing. They did what they did to be applauded by men, but their hearts were far from God. External "obedience" to God is pure duty. Obedience that flows from the heart produces true joy.

When the disciples observed the life of Jesus, they desired to be more like him. They longed to have a meaningful relationship with God. They eagerly desired for Jesus to teach them to "pray". What we desire from God is often telling of what our heart desires! We need to be in a place where we want Jesus to "teach us to pray".

My prayer life reveals the reality of my heart. I am convicted by what I can observe.

Lk10

Where is spending time with Jesus on your "to do" list? Mary got it right. Focus on the main thing today. Don't get distracted by the "many things" that matter little; instead focus on pleasing Jesus.

Martha was a busy woman and had many things to do. Her "to do" list was always longer than she could get done and there was always more to do. I am sure people often praised her for her ability to "get things done". Yet, in this chapter, she was the one who got rebuked front the Lord. Her busyness kept her from sitting at Jesus' feet and learning from Him.

Mary, on the other hand, was focused on the main thing. She knew that there was nothing that needed to be done that was more important than spending time with Jesus. Martha was frustrated with Mary. Jesus was pleased with her. Mary received affirmation for her priority. Martha got a rebuke.

Spending time with Jesus should be the first thing on your "to do" list? Mary got it right.

Lk9

Whoever said following Jesus was easy has never read the gospels! Jesus challenged his followers with strong words and, most who heard him, chose to walk away. It has never been easy to follow Christ.

He said His followers must, "Deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him." All three of these things are difficult. Every day I wake up wanting to "not follow" Jesus. Daily I have to choose to say "no" to me in order to say "yes" to Him. My nature is to do my own thing. His desire is for me to do His will.

Following is hard. It is still the best choice.

Lk7

The best way to care for the poor is to share the good news of the gospel with them. Jesus demonstrated His deity by not neglecting the poor. He shared the good news intentionally and specifically to all people. In fact, sharing the gospel with "all peoples" regardless of their social, ethnic, economic or cultural differences was prophetic evidence that He was the Messiah.

Jesus loved people period. His desire was for all people to know and love God through Him. Jesus became poor in this life so we all could become rich in Him in the life to come. Jesus was intentional in this life to spread the message of the gospel to everyone He encountered. Although he met many physical needs of those who sought Him, He never let healing the sick or feeding the hungry become His primary mission.

In the same way, God calls us to reflect His son in the way we treat people and who we share the good news with. There is no greater sin when it comes to sharing Christ than to value a rich or influential man over a poor man. Everyone needs Jesus…and the poor man is way more likely to respond because he likely recognizes his need.

Neglect no one. Especially the poor.

Lk6

Jesus spent an entire night in prayer! If He needed that, how much more should we spend more time in prayer?!

I struggle to pray as I should. I know that God desires to have a more intimate relationship with me and that relationship is partially had through prayer. As my dad always says, "Jesus said, "fast and pray" and most christians "pray fast" if at all!" Prayer was the one discipline Jesus' disciples wanted Him to teach them.

We all know we should pray more. Make this lent season a purposeful time of intentional prayer!

Lk5

Jesus call us to follow Him. Following Him requires that we actually do what He says. It amazes me the number of "Christ followers" who don't listen to the clear teaching of Jesus. It is one thing to be an observer of Jesus, it is a completely different thing to be His follower.

Following Jesus is hard work. My tendency is to go my own way. I often even try to get Jesus to follow me! I suggest that this is a bad plan.

Follow Jesus today.

Lk4

Jesus grew up in a violent culture! The crowd gathered at the synagogue often wanted to kill him! Imagine preaching a sermon and then, after you were done, the crowd dragging you out to hurl you off a cliff!

Too often we see the first century as a "peaceful" period of time. Not so. Jesus grew up in a time of political unrest, spiritual bigotry, military rule and ruthless violence! The gospel came to earth not in a time of peace, but in a time of chaos. Satan was having his way. He offered the rulership of earth to Jesus because it was his to offer. (vs.6)

For Jesus earth was not His home. He encountered daily things that made Him long for heaven. He lived on this earth to redeem men for a different place. He called His followers to live for the the kingdom of God.

This world in not our home. Live to please Jesus today.

Lk3

The evidence of spiritual birth is spiritual life! Repentance toward God will produce "fruit" in our lives. John's expectation was that the gospel would produce radical change for all those who embraced it. To think that we have embraced the gospel without repentance in our lives is to be self deceived.

Jesus said, "these people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." John was a "truth speaker" that called it as he saw it. His preaching landed him in prison and, eventually cost him his life! Yet, his eternal life will be full of great reward. He lived his life in order to enjoy forever.

Let's listen to the message of John's life today. Let's live to produce fruit toward God which evidences that we are truly His.

Lk2

A small sacrifice of two doves was all Mary and Joseph could afford, yet there has never been a gift of greater pleasure to God! Their sacrifice was well pleasing to God.

God could have chosen to place Jesus in any family. He could have miraculously provided wealth for Joseph and Mary, but He did not. When they brought Jesus to be dedicated, they could only afford doves to be sacrificed. A meager gift, appropriate for a poor family. I am confident God took great delight in their sacrifice.

God is not interested in amounts! He is interested in our hearts and obedience. We are to give a "sacrifice of praise" to God. We are to present our whole lives as a "pleasing sacrifice" to Him. His desire is for us to experience the "life that is real". That life is only experienced as we walk in obedience to HIm.

Today begins Lent. Consider following the Glad Surrender Blog and using these 40 days to draw close to Jesus. He sacrificed HIs life for us.

Lk1

God, make us humble servants of Your word. Help us desire to pass on what you have given to us. Don't let the truth of the gospel or the power of Your scriptures be abandoned on our watch!

As I open the gospel of Luke, I am stuck by Luke's desire to join with other witnesses and servants to pass on the word of truth to all who would read. He carefully "investigated everything" and wrote down an "orderly sequence" for Theophilus. I am so grateful for this gospel.

Now this precious treasure has been given to us. Paul told Timothy to guard this faithful deposit and to proclaim it to the world. That same commission comes to each of us who have been given this treasure. It is our job to make the message known. Who knows because we know? Are we being faithful with this awesome gift?

Pass it on today.

Mk16

Overwhelmed with fear, the first women to hear of the resurrection, ran from the tomb and told no one…at first! Later these women, along with the other disciples, would began to share with everyone! 

Wednesday this week begins Lent. It is the time when believers around the world remember what Jesus did on the cross and begin to prepare for the celebration of Easter! I would encourage each of us to make this lent season rememberable. Choose to follow the "glad surrender" blog. Decide to give up something significant! But most importantly, share Christ with someone who doesn't know Him yet.

Help someone truly celebrate Easter for the first time! Don't let fear or busyness keep you from the main thing.