Luke 18

Today is the day after. The day after hurts. It`s the day we hear more stories of tragedy and often begin to put faces with names. The day after is just the beginning for those families whose lives have been forever changed.

I`m sure your social media feed is flooded with images asking you to pray for the people of the Covenant School community. Don`t take that lightly; please be praying for these families. They are hurting in so many ways. Many of them are hurting in ways we will never understand because we will only experience things like this from a distance.

In Luke 18:1, we are told the purpose of the parable of the persistent widow. Luke doesn`t leave the interpretation up for debate. He spells it out clearly. This parable is about prayer. It is meant to serve as a reminder that we should not give up on prayer or lose heart.

It`s easy to lose heart on the day after. It`s easy to say that prayers are not enough, and perhaps they are not, but please don`t give up on prayer or diminish the power of prayer. There is something these families need that no amount of therapy, change of laws, lawsuits, or justice will ever provide. They need to know that God understands everything they are enduring and will endure. They need an eternal presence who gets what being us is like. They need to know that someone will walk with them long after the cameras leave town. They need people to pray for them.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 18 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18&version=ESV ...

Luke 17

Participation trophies...there are a lot of strong feelings out there both ways on participation trophies. I don`t remember everyone on my Little League teams getting trophies at our end-of-season pizza party, but I could be wrong. It seems like today, everyone gets a trophy for just showing up. Most who give them genuinely see them as an encouragement for everyone who has put work in, while those against them say that they diminish the meaning of excellence and hard work.

In Luke 17:7-10 Jesus tells us there aren`t participation trophies for Christians. We accept some basic responsibilities if we`re going to be followers of Christ. We are expected to take up our crosses and follow Him (Lk 9:23). We are expected to keep His commandments (Jn 14:15). We are expected to count the cost of following Jesus (Lk 14:26, 27). We are expected to worship God in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24). These are just some examples of basic expectations of wearing the name of Christ. But do we want to give our least or our leftovers to God?

Being a Christian is more than just showing up or doing the least we can do. Christ calls us to change, complete change. If all we ever give is the bare minimum, we shouldn`t expect the full blessings of being a Christian.

Perhaps our consumer-driven worldview has crept into the church and convinced us that being a Christian is all about us. That`s a backward approach to serving the Lord. We can never earn or repay what God has done to make our salvation possible. We can seek to honor that sacrifice by bringing glory to the name we wear through our actions, attitudes, and approach to life. Remember, for those who serve faithfully until death, there awaits a crown of life...that`s much better than a participation trophy.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 17 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17&version=ESV

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Luke 16

The account of the rich man and Lazarus has always fascinated me. There is disagreement about whether this is a parable or an actual account Jesus references. Regardless of its status, it paints a picture of the eternal condition in which we will all find ourselves someday.

You can hear the utter despair and desperation of the rich man who longs for comfort he will never receive. When he discovers there is no hope for him, he turns his attention to his brothers. The answer he receives is even more unsettling. The rich man is told that even if someone were to come back from the dead (see the foreshadowing here), the man`s brothers would not listen. They needed to listen to the word they already had access to, Moses and the Prophets.

Too often, I think I have tomorrow to talk to someone, apologize, or right a wrong. We`re not guaranteed any time other than the present. We need to listen to Jesus now. We need to share His word now and not count on having another day.

The saddest part of this account is that the rich man could see what he was missing. He could see what should have been his goal in life all along. He could watch others receive the comfort that he had denied others. Because he turned a blind eye to following God on earth, his eyes were opened to see what he would miss for all eternity. Open your eyes and heart now to follow Christ.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 16 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016&version=ESV

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Luke 15

Lost & found. In each of the three parables Jesus tells in Luke 15, something is lost, and something is found. In each of the three parables, the thing that is lost has value, and in each parable, there is great rejoicing when that which was lost is found.
The last of the parables is the one we most often identify with.

Most of us can find ourselves somewhere in this parable. Sometimes we are lost. We lose our way once in a while, don`t we? We chase after things that only lead us away from God because they promise things. But hopefully, we realize at some point that they can never deliver on those promises.

At other times we are the ones searching for the lost. Perhaps it`s just waiting for the lost to realize they`re lost and continue to love them even though they keep hurting themselves or others. It`s hard to stand on the porch and keep that lonely watch, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lost. Stay on the porch. And when they do come home, rejoice.

And, yes, sometimes we struggle with jealousy, envy, hurt, etc. It can be easier to find fault than favor when the lost return. Remember that each person has value in the eyes of God. One last thing, older son; it`s easier than you think to become a prodigal. Thanks be to God, who sent His Son to seek and save the lost.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 15 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015&version=ESV

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Luke 14

Who do you invite to your table? Growing up, my house was a hub of activity for my friends. It wasn`t unusual for my parents to wake up to a house full of boys who had crashed at my house overnight. Everyone was welcome all the time.

In Luke 14, Jesus is dining at a Pharisee`s house when he shares important teachings about hypocrisy, humility, and making excuses. In verses 12-13, He asks us to consider our invite list.

Who would you invite if you were to host a dinner party tonight? You would most likely invite your friends, right? The people who invite you into their homes are those you would most likely invite into your home. They are the people we are comfortable with, the ones we share things in common with and enjoy being around.

But that`s exactly who Jesus tells us not to invite. Instead, He wants us to consider inviting the people we would never dine with. Inviting people to your dinner table is one of the most special things you can do.

But Jesus isn`t just talking about inviting people to dinner. He`s asking us to consider inviting people into our lives that we might not first consider. He wants us to consider inviting those who would never be able to offer you the same in return. He is asking us to give of ourselves selflessly. Inviting people who are different from us into our lives takes more work to find common ground and form bonds, but it`s worth it. If we only invite people like us, we never really grow.

As you look around at work or school, who are the people who need an invitation into your life? Remember that as a Christian, inviting people into your life provides an opportunity for them to meet Jesus. Send out an invitation to those who need to meet Him.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~ Jeremy

Luke 14 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2014&version=ESV

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Luke 13

I`m starting to hear a bit of frustration in Jesus` words. He is tired of the hypocrisy.

When a woman who has had a debilitating condition for eighteen years of her life is miraculously healed, all the ruler of the synagogue can see is that it was done on the Sabbath, which he believes to be wrong. He scolds her by telling her there are six other days on which she could have been healed. Really? That`s what you`re going to concentrate on? I mean, you just witnessed a miracle, and that is what you`re going to focus on? Really?

Jesus points out his hypocrisy by reminding him that he would think caring for his donkey on the Sabbath is okay, so why not this woman? Essentially, a donkey was more important than a woman in need.

But am I not more like the ruler of the synagogue some days than I am like Jesus? I am quick to judge according to my traditions, not the truth. I am quick to care for the things I want to care about, but not those who truly need care. I am quick to dismiss those I do not deem worthy of my time. This account humbles me and even shames me.

Do we miss opportunities for people to escape Satan`s hold on them because we view them as inconvenient or unworthy? Remember, everyone needs Jesus, not just those you like and love. It is the broken who need Jesus. Broken people take time to heal. What they need during the healing process is for us to help draw them closer to the Great Physician, not push them away from Him. One last thing...we`re all a little broken, which means we all need Jesus.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 13 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013&version=ESV

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Luke 12

Jesus talks a lot about treasure in our reading today. The key verse is Luke 12:34, " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

As children, we are often fascinated by stories of treasure. I still find myself drawn to treasure-hunting shows on TV. The thing is, we are all treasure hunters.

In this section of Scripture, Jesus calls us to examine what we treasure. The Pharisees would claim it is God and His commandments, but Jesus calls them hypocrites because their actions do not match their words. If we`re honest, we can be more like the rich fool than we`d like to admit. We find ourselves stressed out over the things of this world because we chase after them. We chase after them because they are what we treasure.

If we seek the things that God treasures, it will help us to become more content. It will also help us deal with the anxieties of life. Today seek what God treasures, and you will be much richer than most in this world.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 12 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012&version=ESV

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Luke 11

Prayer is essential in a Christian`s life, but we tend (or at least I do) to struggle with it. Growing up I thought all my prayers needed to sound like the ones I heard on Sundays during worship. I struggled to connect with God in prayer. As my faith matured, I realized that prayer doesn`t have to be so formal.

In Luke 11, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, and He provides a "formula" for prayer. Prayer was not a foreign idea to God`s people in the first century, but the way Jesus taught them to speak to God was new. He tells them they should approach God as their Father. Jesus` approach is a bit more personal.

In the Lord`s Prayer (as we often call it) Jesus reminds us to give God our respect and allegiance, but then Jesus instructs us to address more personal matters. He tells us to request support from God, request forgiveness, and ask for guidance. Those are all very personal matters for each of us. Prayer is meant to be personal.

How often do we find ourselves saying, "I just need to talk to someone about this." Prayer is meant to be a time when we talk with God. We can share words of joy, sorrow, and even frustration with Him. And when words fail, we can take comfort in knowing that He still hears us (Rom 8:26-27). Prayer is meant to be a lifeline for us. It is, in part, how we develop a closeness with God as our Father. God wants to hear from you because He cares for you.

Spend some time with Him today in prayer. Tell Him about your struggles and frustrations, ask Him for guidance, tell Him how hard it is for you to forgive, etc. and take comfort in the fact that He already knew all of it and will help you through it.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 11 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2011&version=ESV ...

Luke 10

One thing is necessary.

As I read about the two sisters who become some of Jesus` greatest supporters, I identify with Martha. I am a Martha; I like to be busy with a lot of things in the work of the Kingdom. That can get me in trouble occasionally because I don`t focus on my work in the Kingdom.

Luke tells us that Martha was distracted with many things. Martha was busy trying to serve Jesus, though, wasn`t she? How could that be a distraction? In fact, Martha gets a little frustrated with her sister. She eventually pauses and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. When Jesus responds, it`s not the answer Martha was expecting.

In the work of the church, I often judge wrongly. I assume that because I don`t see people actively involved, they aren`t involved in the work of the church. That`s not always true. Sometimes they are simply going about their work for the Lord quietly. Perhaps they have just found their focus in ministry, and it is best done privately. I am humbled when I learn of the good things that God does through quiet people.

People like Martha (and me) seem to have the expectation that doing the work of the Lord means doing all the work of the Lord and that it should look that way for everyone. We like to keep busy, and if we think someone is just loafing around, we get perturbed. The anxiety and troublesome feelings come when Marthas decide that if no one else will do it, I`ll take care of it. Newsflash...He doesn`t need you to do it all; only He can do it all. He wants you to find your talent and develop it. And remember, the glory is supposed to be His.

Back to that "one thing is necessary" statement. Mary shows us that Jesus must be our main priority. We can do all the good works in the world, but if we do them just to be busy or to bring focus to ourselves, they only achieve a worldly good. If Jesus is the focus of our lives, our actions will direct the focus on Jesus. If Jesus is absent from our work, we`re just busy. Find the work you can do for the Lord and give Him the glory when you are successful.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 10 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lu ...

Luke 9

The word follow shows up a lot in Luke 9. By my count, it shows up six times in various forms (ESV translation).

Luke tells us about the excitement of the crowds following Jesus before the feeding of the 5,000 (v 11). He reveals Jesus` expectations of disciples (v 23). He gives us a glimpse into the apostles` struggle with excluding those who are not familiar to them (v 49).

But the last several verses of chapter nine draw attention to excuses people make which keep them from becoming true followers (vs 57-61). Some of these excuses sound legitimate, like burying a deceased loved one or just saying goodbye. Jesus` reason for making these seemingly harsh statements is that He knows what lies ahead. His statement is not meant to keep us from caring for our families; His statement is meant to impress upon us the demands of discipleship.

Anyone of us can say we are a follower of Christ, but do our actions show that we are followers of Christ. There are times when it would have been hard for someone to know that I am a follower of Christ because of my actions or attitude. Jesus warns that it can be a lonely road when you stand with Him because it may mean you will end up standing alone. Are we comfortable with that? I think that`s why we make excuses.

Following Christ means not making excuses when we are called to stand for Him. It`s really easy to make our careers, relationships, activities, etc., a priority above Christ, to make them an excuse for choosing something or someone above Him so that we do not find ourselves alone. Let`s quit making excuses and strive to answer the call of Christ when He says, "Follow Me." If you answer that call, you will never be alone; He will be with you every step of the way.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 9 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9&version=ESV

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Luke 8

How did He know? That may have been the woman`s thought when Jesus stopped and asked who touched Him. The disciples survey the situation and tell Jesus it would be impossible to figure out with so many people pressing in on Him. But even though many are touching Him in the crowd, one woman has reached out in faith to touch Him. She has spent twelve years seeing physicians who have been unable to help her. She has spent all her money on treatments that don`t work. She slips through the crowd hoping to go unnoticed. Jesus is all she has left.

Perhaps you understand how she feels. Maybe your family has been to countless specialists and tried various treatments. I`ve never experienced it, but as an observer, I`ve seen how grueling that is for a family. It`s exhausting, expensive, frustrating, and can be depressing. Still, these families fight on, looking for a cure. God sees you. He sees the love you have for your family member and your concern for their well-being. He sees your sacrifice.

Maybe it`s not physical. Perhaps your battle is mental and emotional. You`ve tried any number of ways to heal the hurts of your life to no avail. God sees you. He knows the constant struggle, even on good days.

Even in a crowd of people, Jesus could pick out the person who needed Him most. Maybe you feel like you are lost in a crowd. Jesus sees you. He hasn`t forgotten you. Reach out for Him, and you`ll find Him closer than you thought He was.

For the rest of us...you might be the eyes of Jesus who notice when these people are struggling. You might be the very touch of the Great Physician in the life of a struggling person. Never underestimate the power of comforting words and actions. You might be the way people remember that Jesus never loses anyone in a crowd. Be the touch of the Master for someone today.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 8 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8&version=ESV

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Luke 7

I`ll have to admit that I would have been uncomfortable. When the woman comes to anoint the feet of Jesus with expensive oil, her hair, and her tears, I might have been among those who thought it a bit much. It`s possible that I would have been one of the people thinking to himself, "Does He know what kind of sinner He is allowing to touch His feet?"

I often preach that people should be able to see Jesus in the life of a Christian. That can be easy to say but challenging to fulfill. We want to decide for ourselves what it means to look like Jesus. Also, we want to choose who to show our Jesus-self to. It`s easy to show our Jesus-self to our friends from church, right? It`s easy to show our Jesus-self to other believers.

This woman looked nothing like the "righteous" of the day. She had nothing and was probably treated like she was worth nothing. Yet it is this woman who honored Jesus. She did the only thing she knew to do, anoint Him with the most expensive gifts she possessed, her oil, her hair, and her tears. She sought to give all she had as an act of love for Jesus. That demonstration of love moves Jesus. He states that her sins have been forgiven. The reaction of those present is astonishment.

There is no such thing as your Jesus-self. Either you have truly given yourself to Him and offered Him all of who you are, or you haven`t. Jesus doesn`t want perfect people as His followers. He wants those who understand that they need Him, like this woman. He wants followers who are genuinely striving every day to become more like Him but are willing to admit their imperfections. Some days we`ll get it right, and some days we won`t, but we trust in His forgiveness, mercy, and grace daily while we learn from Him. His love for us should motivate us to give the most expensive thing we can give to Him...ourselves, even as imperfect as we are.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 7 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+7&version=ESV

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Luke 6

The series of commercials entitled "He Gets Us" has caught my attention recently. I know there is some controversy with the commercials, but I personally find them convicting and encouraging. One of the commercials includes the line, "Jesus loved the people we hate." That line came to my mind as I read Luke 6:27-36.

It is challenging to view our enemies with love. It`s challenging because we have been hurt by them or could potentially be hurt by them. God asks us to love them? Remember, God`s definition of love is not the same as ours, though. God`s love is not about emotion; it is a love of choice.

By the way, Jesus is not saying that you should allow someone to abuse you or that you should never seek recourse when someone has abused you (dig deeper on the whole cheek slap thing). What He is saying, however, is that we need to change how we look at the people around us. If we can learn to see the people around us as souls, it can change our perspective of the world. Instead of having hatred for our enemies, we pity them and open ourselves us to perhaps understand how to better reach them. Instead of posting harsh criticisms, we seek to show others mercy and grace while looking for an opportunity to share what is right and true.

If we only love those who love us, we`re no different than any other group on the planet. Christians are called to be different; we are called to be sons of the Most High. If anyone knows how hard it can be to love your enemies, it`s Jesus. I`m thankful that He loves His enemies because, at one time, I was one (Romans 5:6-11).

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 6 Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6&version=ESV ...

Luke 5

Don`t give up! That phrase has been uttered by politicians, coaches, moms, dads, etc. It is meant to spur us on and encourage us in the very moments when we want to stop, but others see something more in us.

As Jesus approaches Peter`s boat, he asks him to push off from shore and go fishing again. Peter has finished a long night of unproductive fishing. He is tired, disappointed, and worn out. When Jesus makes his request, Peters tells him it is useless, but he`ll give it one last try. I can see Peter muttering, "This is pointless." But Peter also trusts Jesus, so he casts the nets. The catch is so immense that their nets strain under the load. Peter bows before Jesus, astonished at what he has witnessed. What if Peter had given up?

Maybe you`ve come to that point with your job, a relationship, or life in general. You`ve cast your nets several times to no avail; you feel like you`re fishing in the wrong place. Perhaps today`s reading is for you. Maybe Jesus is asking you to give it one more try. If you give up today, you may never see the blessing God seeks to provide for you. Life is never easy and is rarely fair. Peter didn`t drop the nets because Jesus was an expert in fishing. Peter dropped his nets one more time because Jesus was Jesus, a man he`d seen do extraordinary things.

Don`t give up; give in. Give in to living for God, not self. Give in to finding purpose for living in God`s word, not man`s. Give in to caring more about what God knows rather than what man thinks about you. Give in to God and see how full He can get your nets.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 5 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205&version=ESV

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Luke 4

Usually, a person’s hometown is pretty supportive of a person if they become famous. That’s not the case when Jesus returns to Nazareth. When Jesus reveals that He is the person Isaiah prophesied about long ago, the listeners are amazed, but their amazement quickly turns to anger.

Part of the issue is that Jesus brings up a couple of incidents in the lives of two famous prophets, Elijah and Elisha, that involve miracles benefiting people other than Israelites. Some scholars seem to think this is Jesus’ answer as to why He has not healed anyone in Nazareth even though He has done it in Capernaum, His new base of operations. Perhaps the hometown folks feel like they deserve more from the hometown boy than what He has delivered.

This is a preview of the wide range of receptions that Jesus will receive in His ministry. Some people love Him, and some hate Him. For Jesus, it’s not how He is received that matters to Him; it’s making sure the people receive the word of God. In the passage that Jesus quotes from Isaiah, the word “proclaim” is used three times. Some will listen, and some will not. Jesus will speak the truth regardless of how it is received.

Do we care more about how people perceive us, or do we care more about how God sees us? Do we go along to get along sometimes instead of speaking the truth in love? Truth isn’t always popular, but it is always the truth. We should always deliver the truth with love, but we must love the truth enough to deliver it.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 4 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204&version=ESV

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Luke 3

The people were living in expectation; Luke shares that John the Baptist`s teaching brought about expectation among the people. They were living in expectation of the Messiah. The people were anticipating the arrival of the Savior.

As a kid, I lived on expectations, whether it was dismissal from school, vacation, Saturday morning cartoons, Christmas morning, etc. I still find myself thinking more about the future than the present at times. But there were times when my expectations didn`t live up to the hype.

John warns the people that Jesus will not be what they expect; He will be different. Even though God has shared with them time after time what the Messiah will look like, the people have formed their own image. They are looking for a conqueror of Rome and a king; they have received a carpenter who will reshape their concept of the kingdom.

What is your expectation of Jesus? Is He a friend, a companion, a counselor, etc.? All those are good images of Jesus, but we must also remember that He is the righteous judge, teacher of truth, the Holy One, etc. He is either Lord of your life, or He is not. When He returns, you can either expect judgment or reward. Your expectation of who He is now will determine how you meet Him in eternity. Let`s live in expectation of the Christ who will reward us in eternity by living for Him today.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 3 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+3&version=ESV

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Luke 2

We know very little about the life of Jesus before His ministry. After the record of the events around His birth, it`s like He disappears. Luke 2 offers a rare glimpse into the Savior`s adolescent life.

If you`ve ever lost your child for a few minutes in a store, you can relate to this account. Joseph and Mary "lose" Jesus on their return trip from observing Passover. I`ll have to say that`s somewhat humorous...they lost the Son of God. Anyway, when they locate Jesus, He is in the temple area listening and asking questions. It tells us that those with Him are "amazed at His understanding and His answers."

When Joseph and Mary find Jesus, they are concerned and scold Him, but Jesus` answer confounds them. He tells them that He must be in His Father`s house. Even before His ministry begins, Jesus is engaging Himself in the work of His heavenly Father. Joseph and Mary were concerned about their physical household, while Jesus was more concerned with His heavenly home.

I`ll admit that there have been times when I have been more concerned with the physical aspects of my household (grades, extracurriculars, etc.) than the spiritual aspects of my household. It`s easy for that to happen, isn`t it? We check our children`s grades, we make sure they get to school on time, we make sure they learn how to drive, we concern ourselves with who their friends are...the list could go on and on...but how often do we check the spiritual health of our homes? Are you having spiritual conversations with your loved ones on a regular basis? Is faith central to your home?

What you focus on in your home is the foundation for your home. Make sure your foundation is founded on the Rock.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 2 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=ESV

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Luke 1

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” These are the words that the angel Gabriel delivers to Mary when sharing with her the good news that she will be the one who gives birth to the Messiah.

Luke chapter one is an amazing chapter. You must read the chapter more than once to soak in everything happening. Luke provides a backdrop for Theophilus that will prove that God has fulfilled His promise to His people. Perhaps Theophilus thought that was impossible. Luke provides proof that nothing is impossible for God.

Zechariah is told that his wife, who is advanced in years and barren, will give birth to a great prophet. That`s impossible, but not with God. Mary, a virgin, is told that she will give birth to the Messiah. That`s impossible, but not with God. Luke`s account begins by reminding us that nothing is impossible for God.

All too often, I am like Zechariah; only seeing the obstacles and not an opportunity for God to do His amazing work. I am like Mary, scared and uncertain about what God is doing with me. But I long to trust God as Zechariah and Mary learned to trust Him. I want to sing Mary`s song, "he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." I want to believe like Zechariah when he proclaims, "the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Nothing is impossible for God. In times of fear, uncertainty, and lack of faith, the task may be impossible for me, but it is never impossible for God. May our souls magnify the God who has done great things.

May God bless you today as you seek to be a blessing. ~Jeremy

Luke 1 reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=ESV

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Mark 16

All four gospels include the detail that it is the first day of the week when the women come to finish preparing the body of Jesus (Matt 28:1; Mk 16:2; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1). That`s not an accident. The writers want us to understand that the first day of the week will continue to have significance.

I often refer to Sunday as the Lord`s Day, although really, every day belongs to the Lord. Sunday is special, though. It`s the day we gather together to worship God.

I have always looked forward to Sunday (and not just because I`m a preacher). Growing up, my family made sure that Sunday wasn`t just another part of the weekend. Sunday was when we put other things aside and devoted time to God. There were a lot of things we didn`t do because of the most important thing on that day we were called to do; worship God.

I`ve learned countless life lessons on Sundays from godly men and women who took the time to teach me, sometimes in Bible class and sometimes just in conversations after worship. I`ve heard so many amazing lessons from God`s word delivered by men who never claimed to be perfect but humbly shared the truth...even when it hurt. I`ve listened to people pour out their hearts before the congregation as they expressed grief over sin committed or just asked for prayers when things were hard. I`ve experienced the fullness of the heart when a soul is baptized into Christ.

I`ve worshiped with tears, unable to sing the words of a song because they touch my heart. I`ve worshiped with frustrations asking God to break my hardened heart. I`ve been lonely in worship, feeling like no one else understands, and I`ve also experienced joys I cannot describe. Sunday worship has always been a source of healing for me, whether through comfort or conviction.

Perhaps you can relate. I`m not naive, though. Some of you have a hard time with Sunday. Let me ask you to give it another try. This time, show up to give it all to God. Don`t expect the people around you to be perfect; they`re not...that`s why they`re there, whether they`ve figured that out or not. Seek to focus your attention on the holy God who knows that Sundays can be hard. ...