Month: April 2024

²³ Those who sacrifice THANK-OFFERINGS (THANKSGIVING) HONOUR ME, 
    AND PREPARE THE WAY so that I may show them My salvation.’ Psalm 50, Asaph

Asaph was a leader of the worship in God’s Temple and there are twelve psalms attributed to him or to those of the Asaphite group. The verse before this was a serious warning to, ‘those who forget God’, but it’s almost as if the psalmist was reluctant to end on a negative note. God told Israel that those who offered Him thanksgiving were actually honouring Him! ‘Our thanks’ has the power to honour the God of the whole universe, amazing! God’s Spirit concludes the psalm with a beautiful promise, that those who choose to remember to thank God, ‘Prepare the way that He may them His salvation’.

¹⁴ ‘Sacrifice thank-offerings to God,
    fulfil your vows to the Most High,
¹⁵ and call on me in the day of trouble; (AN INVITATION FOR THOSE IN TROUBLE!)
    I will deliver you, and you will honour me.’ Psalm 50

The end of the psalm is actually a repeat of these earlier verses, God’s willingness to help those in any trouble without judgment. There’s something quite wonderful in these verses, that Almighty God wants to help clean up our mess, if we’ll only turn to Him and Honour Him. Selah, consider.

Turning towards a mighty God and away from our immediate problems and offering God our Thanks and Praise is powerful encouragement. ‘Shopping List Prayers’ have their place but God is so much greater than our problems, think of a child coming to its father for help. We can literally thank and worship our way out of problems, as we wait before our God and Praise Him.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

¹ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH,
    AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging. SELAH Psalms 46, Of the Sons of Korah

Psalm 46 is a Reassuring Psalm and the word SELAH, which occurs three times in our Bible is often denoted as ‘Pause and Consider’, or Think About It, Ponder It. Some scriptures are better read slowly and this is a short Psalm of just eleven verses.

¹⁰ He says, ‘BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.’ 

Graham Cooke says, ‘There is NO KNOWING GOD WITHOUT STILLNESS’. Stillness is not common in this world and much less so in today’s fast paced society. Even in church services people are uncomfortable with silence and stillness, what’s the next thing we need to get done so we can move on? Move on to the next conference, get the next word, or whatever, but God says in this psalm take some time out with Me and be still. We can learn and experience things in the Stillness before God that we may never get in any other way.

¹ My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
² BUT I HAVE STILLED AND QUIETENED MY SOUL,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131, David

Stillness will not just happen, David, who wrote at least half the psalms, tells us he had to STILL AND QUIETEN HIS SOUL. We have a tremendous blessing as believers, an open door and ready invitation to come before God in Heaven. However, we can only hear, like David, while we’re truly yielded to His Voice. Maybe if we listen more and still our hearts, we’ll enjoy our lives more with Him hear in this time.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

 

 

 

 

But Jesus said, ⁶ ‘As for what you see here, THE TIME WILL COME when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’ Luke 21

The twenty first chapter of Luke begins with Jesus observing the people’s giving into the Temple and commending the poor lady who gave two small coins – yet she gave more than all the others, because she put in all she had to live on. The Temple was something that set Israel apart from all other nations on the earth at that time because only the Jewish people could worship the Living God. Then Jesus must have shocked His disciples, because He told them that it was all destined to come down. 

⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how THE TEMPLE WAS ADORNED WITH BEAUTIFUL STONES AND WITH GIFTS dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ ‘ … every one of them will be thrown down.’ 

The outward appearance of the Temple was magnificent, but the armies of Rome, the ruling power of the day would pull it down. However, by that time it would no longer be needed, for men themselves would be living temples of God.

Yesterday, we visited a local town and as we walked along the street lots of people were leaving the local Catholic Church. I didn’t pay much attention to this, but then we saw the priests outside the doors, dressed in imposing white robes. My spontaneous thought was, ‘What are all these people putting their trust in for eternity?’

²¹ ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7

I’m not attacking any church over another, but impressive religious vestments and services will count for nothing before a Holy God. Yes He is loving and merciful but Jesus’ sacrifice alone is sufficient, nothing else will avail. (Modern churches can so easily fall into their own religious traditions and function without any thought for the presence of God’s Spirit.)

²² In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9

We too have entered a new era or age just like Jesus’ time and things will never be the same. Some call this time the Age of the Kingdom or the Age of the Saints, but Jesus told us that EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE SHAKEN WILL BE SHAKEN, NO EXCEPTIONS. I don’t think we realise how deep rooted this cleansing of society and the Church is going to be, much that people trust in will simply disappear.

‘Self-praise is no recommendation’, neither is outward appearance and God sees the reality behind every facade. Lord, give us discernment to see and separate the Holy from the Common in these turbulent days. Hallelujah

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country TO HAVE HIMSELF APPOINTED KING AND THEN TO RETURN. Luke 19

In Matthew and Luke’s Gospels we have the Parable of the minas, with some variations in each. The central theme is that those who use what they’re given, FOR THE KINGDOM and not self, will be rewarded when the Master returns.

³⁵ A KING ‘DELIGHTS’ IN A WISE SERVANT, (I like that word Delights!)
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury. Proverbs 14

But in Luke’s Gospel we have the further statement, that this man will be crowned and ‘then He will return’ to rule as King. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the final time. After this last visit He would be gone for a season and the business of His Hose would be entrusted to His servants. Jesus was speaking about Himself in this part of the Parable.

¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ Luke 19

Jesus was well aware while still on earth that there were those who hated Him, (they’re still here today) and did all in their power to oppose Him becoming King. Ultimately all rebellion is against God and His Kingdom, but there will be a time when multitudes will be swept into the Kingdom before His Return.

The Revelation given to John on the Island of Patmos, the final Book of the Bible confirms Jesus return to Reign, over and over again.

¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

 

³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰ JESUS STOPPED and ordered the man to be brought to him. Luke 18

Three times in Luke’s Gospel (May not be exhaustive) we see people who PRESSED IN TO ENCOUNTER JESUS. On all three occasions they had to overcome obstacles to make their connection.

The first was when Jesus Stopped to heal the blind man as He entered Jericho. The crowd told him to be quiet as he sat by the roadside, ‘but he shouted all the more’. He used the only way he had to reach Jesus, he shouted as loud as he could, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me’. He didn’t have a long time to plan a strategy, he reacted immediately and Jesus heard his cry for mercy.

⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’, Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’ Luke 8

The poor woman who’d spent all she had, but grew worse. She also had no other alternative but the Lord. However, she was regarded as unclean by the Jews, yet she too PRESSED IN AND RECEIVED HER HEALING. Both the blind man and this woman refused to be intimidated by those around them, they were determined to touch Jesus and they received their reward.

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS SHORT HE COULD NOT SEE OVER THE CROWD. ⁴ SO HE RAN AHEAD AND CLIMBED A SYCAMORE-FIG TREE TO SEE HIM, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ ⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. Luke 19

Zacchaeus, because of his tax collecting was also a social outcast, not popular. He was also hindered by the crowd, but he worked out how to overcome his problem. HE RAN AHEAD AND CLIMBED ABOVE THE FRAY. Jesus saw him and called him to come down. He was going to entertain Jesus in his own house that very night. How politically wrong was that, but that Son of Abraham  received healing for his soul and became a believer that very night.

Three people who were desperate to encounter the Lord, they all had to PRESS IN past the crowd who only wanted to enjoy the moment, rather than have their lives changed. Some of us need to PRESS IN, BECAUSE THEIR’S MORE FOR US. JESUS MAY BE PASSING BY NOW.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁴ HE CHOSE OUR INHERITANCE FOR US, 
    the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah Psalm 47

I was impressed by this verse today, God the Father CHOSE THE INHERITANCE OF HIS PEOPLE. How would they have known where to go or what to do when they came out of Egypt (a type of this world system) if God hadn’t led them? Most parents want the best for their children and better than they’ve had themselves. We can be certain that God only wants the best for His sons and daughters as well.

Most of the scriptures on the Inheritance of God’s people are very positive and encouraging. God’s blessings now in this time and for the age to come.

⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    YOU MAKE MY LOT SECURE.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in PLEASANT PLACES;
    SURELY I HAVE A DELIGHTFUL INHERITANCE. Psalm 16, David

In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ AND INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE. THIS INHERITANCE IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, 1 Peter 1

Derek Prince did a short series of ten talks of about twelve minutes each entitled, ‘If you want God’s best then …’. The last talk in the series is, ‘If you want God’s best, LET GOD CHOOSE’. (Available on YouTube) He ends with a quote he heard;

’God gives His best to those who LEAVE THE CHOICE TO HIM’.

A path for individual Believers and for His Church already exists, we don’t have to make up one of our own, but Humility is required to know His Way.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will INHERIT THE EARTH. Matthew 5

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

18 Was no-one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Luke 17

IT’S EASY TO OVERLOOK THE OBVIOUS, both in the NATURAL and the SPIRITUAL!

The Lord had just spoken a word to ten lepers, lonely people isolated from all normal society. But, only one came back to thank Him and give praise to God, and he was a Samaritan, the least of the group. It’s interesting that their sickness allowed the Samaritan to mix with Jews, normal rules forbidding association seemed forgotten. Sometimes problems cause us to connect with people who aren’t our usual company and the Living Church should also be a mixing ground, unless it becomes stagnant without new members. The Bride Church will be from every nation, tribe and tongue, not monocultural.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17

We Believers often excuse ourselves and say we don’t have this or that spiritual gift, but the Lord commended the Samaritan for returning to GIVE THANKS AND
PRAISE for his healing. Barnabas, known as Son of Encouragement, was highly regarded and a powerful figure in the early Church. His character was recorded as an example for Believers of all ages.

It’s possible that the other nine lepers who had been healed were rejoicing so much at being back in society and no doubt the centre of attention that they didn’t return. Though they had been miraculously healed they immediately forgot the healer and many times we receive an answer to our heart’s cry, but forget to give thanks to the one who answered our cry.

“If we praise in the victory we’ll never have to beg (grovel) in defeat”, Jim Mckechnie

Barnabas’ gift of encouragement wasn’t for himself, he used it to build up those near him in the early Church. Surely we too should be aware of opportunities to build up fellow Believers and not tear them down. It’s such a simple thing and yet could make such a difference to the health of the Body if we grasped it. Self-centred people, so prevalent in this age, never think about affirming others, it’s not on their radar.

23
Those who sacrifice thank-offerings honour me,� and they prepare the way, that I may show them my salvation.’ Psalm 50

Will we be the one in ten today who thank God LOUDLY and PRAISE HIS GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS TO US?

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

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. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

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. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 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? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

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.’ Luke 16

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. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

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. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 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? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

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.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

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. Luke 16

Of
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. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

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. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 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? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

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.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

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. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

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. Luke 16

There is praise in this world for dealing shrewdly with the things of the world and with the people in it, but Jesus looked to the time when this world’s treasures would be left behind. He urged His listeners to use their wealth to invest not just for the present but for the future. I was listening to a prophetic minister sharing recently about donating wholeheartedly into a church situation in their youth where corruption was later uncovered. He cried out to the Lord that all their giving had been forfeited because of what had gone on in the church, but the Lord told him it wasn’t so, because they had given with right motives they would still receive their reward. The Lord confirmed that there was a reward for giving to His Kingdom and when given with honest intent it wouldn’t be lost.

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. (A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE) 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? Luke 16

Jesus told His listeners that faithfulness in small things here would determine how much we could be trusted with later. God looks for ways to reward those who have sacrificed for Him, both here and in the Age to come.

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.’ Luke 16

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

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. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

But Jesus reserves His strongest statement to the end of the Parable, NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS! You will hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. I also listened recently to a Christian speaker who was actively involved in high level international finance. He said, ‘Many believers today were trusting in money’. (He also predicted that major western economies were on the brink of collapse). Believers who bear Christ’s name but who actually have their security in the things of this world, all of which is temporary and passing.

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. Luke 16

Of course the ever present Pharisees mocked His words. They loved money and lived for the honour of this world, but Jesus warned them that religious rituals covering unconverted hearts wouldn’t allow them access to the Kingdom of Heaven.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. Luke 14

Would you have invited Jesus to dinner – then be prepared for questions and challenges! The rabbis of the day taught by questioning their students.

The Pharisees (the name derived from the Greek for Separate, they kept themselves apart to remain ritually Clean) were always on the lookout for something with which they could accuse Jesus AND HIS FOLLOWERS. Jesus didn’t modify His behaviour in the least, even in a house full of them.

3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Luke 14

They didn’t agree with what Jesus did but they wouldn’t come right out and say so. Silence doesn’t always mean consent, they couldn’t make a case to oppose Him. Jesus finished this part of the narrative by highlighting situations when they themselves would break the Sabbath.

5 Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ 6 And they had nothing to say. Luke 14

Jesus then made a further observation about the seating arrangements around the dinner table, no doubt just as unwelcome to the religious. They probably thought they were on safe ground in the Pharisee’s house and because of numbers, but Jesus still spoke of their self-centredness.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, 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.” … 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 14

He further remarked regarding the feast he attended, about the attitude behind it and who was invited. A major problem for those who complained that He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Inviting the rich and influential in hope of some repayment might be favourable in this world but would disqualify from any reward in the world to come.

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 Religious had more than the food on the table to chew on when they invited Jesus into their midst and I’m sure He would still try and highlight similar attitudes in His Church. Only two of the churches in Revelation, persecuted believers, escaped the need of correction.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and YOU WILL STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. 23 Watch your words and hold your tongue; YOU’LL SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF GRIEF. 23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue KEEPS HIMSELF OUT OF TROUBLE. Proverbs 21

3
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] PROTECTS HIS LIFE;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] COMES TO RUIN. Proverbs 13 AMP

I listened to a clip about a very talented, high level sportsman recently, who on occasion has been quite outspoken. Apparently he has decided after some bad press that he will no longer make comments about other members of his sport. He probably doesn’t know what the Bible says about this, but he’s learned by experience that he needs to hold his tongue concerning other competitors. It’s particularly easy for gifted individuals to be critical of those less talented who don’t achieve success so readily.

How much trouble would be prevented in the Body of Believers today if only we too would refrain from commenting on our brothers and sisters!

4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Romans 14

Peter was the most outspoken of the disciples and at times that got him in trouble, but the Lord dealt patiently with Peter and didn’t crush his strength of character. God made Peter the way He wanted him, but his character had to be touched when the Spirit fell in the upper room. After that encounter God was able to use Peter to preach the first Gospel message to the multitudes on Pentecost.

10 For,

“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3

The once outspoken disciple shares something precious with us in the first epistle bearing his name. The quality of life we all enjoy on this earth will depend greatly on the use of our tongues.

GOOD SPEECH, GOOD LIFE!

May the Lord’s Spirit sweeten our tongues and our lives this day and every day.

24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’”

27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6

Immanuel, God is with us.