Walking Through The New Testament

As servants of a mighty and wonderful God, we have a duty. A servant that should look forward to rest and paradise, once the job here on Earth is done…

Luke 17:7-10
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

As a high school teacher, one thing that I can count year after year is that kids want discipline. They want to be directed and told what is right from wrong. I have made my share of mistakes, after all I am only human.

I would have to say that one of the biggest would be giving reward for actions too early in the process of teaching. Students have a job to do, as do I. As does my supervisor. When rewards and celebration for duties that are simply required are given at too early of a time, or too late of a time, the or done is not truly beneficial.

Jesus tells us that ad servants of God, we are to do the duty not expecting our reward to come in the form of something we can see or understand here on Earth. But rather, our treasures will be in Heaven.

All we have, can be counted as loss. But to carry the cross, the way that Jesus did, that is the true treasure. The reward will be eternal. This temporary world will fade, and the glory of God will be upon you forever and ever.

Lord, help us to do you will. Help to become all you want us to be today. Heavenly Father. Help us to live in the moment. To live for today, the present. This day is a gift that you have made for us. Let us rejoice and be glad. Thank you Jesus. For our eternal life and freedom from sins.

Amen.
DK

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