Category: Luke

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager continued…

Luke 16:5-15
5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

That last sentence. Wow! What we value highly… Jesus is letting us know not to allow the world to rule us. Money can grab you and destroy you, as it was doing with the Pharisees. He saw and addressed it. Taught them that what the Father sees, what God sees, is your heart.

As I read the Gospel from Luke’s perspective, I can feel the energy in the Words of our Savior Jesus Christ. As a teacher myself, I do not even come close to the ability that Jesus had to teach and spread truth. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Him.

I am the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. I am made in His image and I am His son.

Amen!
DK

Count your blessings…then, are you managing them wisely?

Luke 16:1-4
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
1 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

Be wise with what you have been given here on Earth. All belong to the Father in Heaven. All belongs to God, meant to provide you with opportunities to glorify Him.

What a way to look at your possessions and your job. Jesus was talking at a particular group of people, and this must have really hurt the Pharisees. Jesus has such a perfect way of showing us how to love.

Our salvation is sovereign and can never be taken away. But, to be able to combine your salvation with the human experience is very challenging. Jesus knew how, and he left us a helper. In order to be able to hear the Holy Spirit,  you must meditate, worship, and pray. Every day. That way you are ready to discern through the power of the Jesus.
Amen.
DK

The last part of this prable of the of the son returning is the brother’s response…

Luke 15:25-32
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Amazing grace. In order to hear the sweet sound of grace, we have to turn down the sounds of deceit. It is through our relationship with Jesus that this power will manifest in you. You might now even notice as it happens. Others will witness for you and see the power of the Holy Spirit in you. Your presence will be enough.

The love of this father for his son reflects exactly what Jesus has done, and continues to do everyday. Forgive us. Christ died for us. Christ lives for us. Christ will come again for us. Hallelujah!

Amen.
DK

A beautiful parable on the love of our Heavenly Father. Grace and Mercy. Unmerited favor…

Luke 15:11-24
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

What love this father had for his son. To receive him back into his arms and his house is just pure grace. No judgement, just grace. To be so full of this pure love and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives is an amazing gift.

Our Father in Heaven waits for us this same way. He blesses us with gifts we don’t even know that we need, and when we squander them and use them for petty things, He welcomes back with open arms. Repentance is a vital part of this, but He knows your heart. The way that this father knew his sone, and then even more.

Our Heavenly Father waits for us with open arms. Our sins forgiven by our Redeemer Jesus Christ, He waits. In love with you.

Amen.
DK

Treasure found…

The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 14:8-10

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The definition of repent is change. It does not mean to walk around for a few days sulking or feeling sad. How? Spend time “In the Word.” Read your Bible or go online and read it.

Any change that is geared at pressing toward Jesus is repentance. So repent by changing and handing all problems over to Jesus tonight.

Amen.
DK

He came for me. Be sure that He has and will come for all of us. What a magnificent day it is to be a Gentile…

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

You know who Jesus is referring to. You have seen them. Perhaps even judged them. Ok. Now. Don’t hold that against yourself. That was never the intention of Jesus. He was not here to persecute us, but rather a He came to Earth as man to redeem and release us. So reframe the judgement and change (repent) today. Go and get them. You know who.

On that amazing day, Jesus rose from the tomb. He rolled the stone away for us to believe. He ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. But He left us with something. Something more powerful than anything ever given anyon3. He gave us the Holy Spirit. Accept it. Receive it. Freely. You will grow. Exponentially.

Amen.
DK

This is a pretty tall order. “To hate your family and love your enemy.”, just doesn’t seem right.

Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will notsit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Renouce all. Give it all to Jesus, then you will be free.

Amen.

 Luke 14:34-

Salt Without Taste Is Worthless

34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

That one is hard. Renounce all that you have. Count it all as loss. After all, life is only temporary, salvation is eternal.

Salt Without Taste Is Worthless

 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

 Get out of your comfort zone. Let Jesus mold you. Get too comfortable, and you lose your saltiness.

Amen.

Luke 14:15-24

The Parable of the Great Banquet
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

The men the man had invited to the house were required to attend to show their respect. They did not, but instead chose to do things that could wait for another time. This was a slap in the face to the man, and so he instead invited all the poor and crippled to come in. Once they were all taken in, even with room left at the table, the owner refused to allow the ones originally invited to attend.

My fellow Gentiles, we were allowed into the banquet hall to feast with our Father in Heaven. Do not get hung up on this temporary life and its trappings. Eternity is coming for those who believe. Choose to believe today and allow your life to be transformed.

Amen.
DK

A direct instruction to invite the poor and crippled to your house for dinner or to a party. Get out of our comfort zones…

Luke 14:12-14
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The resurrection of the righteous is coming. There are many happenings going on right now that point you toward the idea that the End Times are near.

Are you ready? Fear should not exist in you as a believer. But are you ready? Don’t be left behind.

Amen.
DK

Humility…

Luke 14:7-11
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I love these versus. What a practical message that Jesus plainly gives us. The incredible idea with humility is, if you speak of your humility, then it’s lost.

Let others exalt you as a humble person, do not seek it. Just allow the Holy Spirit to work from the inside out.

Lord, we love you. Please continue to work in our lives and encourage us to build a stronger relationship with you. Thank you for your finished work on the cross and the forgiveness of all sin.

Amen.
DK