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There is no doubt about what Jesus is speaking of in these verses. Wow!

Sin, Faith, Duty
Luke 17:1-3
1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.

We are to help, not hinder. Be a blessing not a taker. To intentionally cause someone to fall or be harmed in any way is worse than so many other things.

This is a warning for those who speak the Word of God. To know that if it is ever used in a perverse way to control people rather than free them, woe to them. Instead, be considerate of the young and the new Christians. Count and mark your words, for our responsibility is great. To whom much is given, much is required. Pray as you share the word, so that the Holy Spirit will guide your words.

Amen.
DK

You cannot take it with you. You were blessed for a purpose…

Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Thomas shows us the beauty in doubt, because he acted on it. This parable shows us what happens when we do not act. If you are given gifts as blessings, be it money, or any other supernatural gift, and it is not used to help others on this Earth, then ask yourself what it will take for you to act. I believe that there are many of us who have had a blatant and obvious sign placed right in front of our eyes by God, prompting us to act for others that need. In those cases, if it is not comfortable for us or just doesn’t “feel” right, we dismiss the prompting and move on.

This is what Jesus is teaching about. What will it take for you to see those in need as an opportunity to bless and be blessed through the giving? Jesus promises us that the reward will be 7  times 70 what was given in Heaven.

Ask the Holy Spirit to activate you today. Ask for your life to become what He wants it to be. What you were destined to be. God will not fail you. He has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you. Listen, learn, love always.

I pray that for all of us now. Lord, that we may all activate as your children in this world and begin to rise up in your Holy name and change the path if the lost and redirect them to you precious Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray this now.

Amen.
DK

Jesus cleaned up the mess, the misunderstandings, the bent and crooked people that manipulated law, and He did it long before we were born…

Luke 16:16-17
16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

It is Grace that allowed you to see again. It is that very gift of grace, given to you by way of faith, that can move mountains. The righteousness of God that we possess in us always comes directly from the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. Miraculous works await your call to action.

It requires belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Once the belief is present, faith will follow, which is the root of grace. Let grace be your rule. Law does not apply to grace. It is freely given to us by Jesus, and requires no sacrifice. You just need to ask.

Today , you are lovely. You are beautiful. You are made by God for a purpose bond what you see or can comprehend without the help of the Holy Spirit. He is with you. You need only ask. He will provide.

Amen.
DK

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