Month: June 2022

Luke 15:18-24, NKJV

When the foolish ways of our choosing overpower us and beat us down, we will come to our senses like the prodigal son. God never stops stirring our heart; “but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). The younger son made the life-saving decision that he would arise from that pig pen and go to his father. He left his father’s house with a rebellious attitude, but his situation had gotten so bad, he repented, and declared that he would humbly confess to his father : “I have sinned against heaven and before you,” (v.18) and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants” (v.19). What a changed attitude!

He arose and went to his father. Praise God for a father who kept looking and waiting for his son. The younger son was still a long way off, but his father saw him and had compassion. He saw that his son was “weary, worn, and sad” because of the false hope the world had dealt him. The father didn’t wait for his son to reach him. He ran to his son, fell on his neck, and kissed him (V.20). The son confessed that he had sinned against heaven and in his father’s sight and was no longer worthy to be his son (v.21).

The father immediately called for his servants to prepare a welcome home celebration for His son. He told them to quickly bring out the best a celebration. In verse 22 he told bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. He told them to bring a fat calf and kill it; let us eat and be merry (v.23). He said that his son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to celebrate (v.24). God’s love and mercy are eternal. Today He’s waiting patiently to redeem His lost. Won’t you come?

Luke 15:11-24, NKJV

Jesus was making His way toward Jerusalem, teaching, preaching, and healing. The parable of the lost son is one of a series of three Jesus taught in response to the self-righteous attitudes of the Pharisees and the scribes. He was teaching on discipleship, and the tax collectors and sinners gathered around Him to hear His teaching. The religious leaders mumbled among themselves, not openly, that He welcomed sinners and ate with them (vv. 1-2). God is no respecter of persons. When His Son Jesus died on the cross, He died for all who believe in Him.

Jesus began the parable saying that there was a certain man who had two sons (v.11). The younger son asked his father to give him the portion of the father’s livelihood that was coming to him. The father granted the younger son his desire (v.12). He soon left his father’s house, and went to a far country. There he wasted all he had with prodigal living (v.13). Then a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want (v.14). The fact that the young man became rebellious and left home was not new then and not today. The young man hired himself out to a citizen of that country who sent him in the fields to feed his swine (v.15), which was unclean (Leviticus 11:7) to a Jew. He was so hungry he could very well have eaten the carob pods from the pigs’ trough. He had nothing, and no one offered him anything (v.16). How ironic, he was in such great need! “There’s no want to them who fear the Lord” (Psalm 34:9b). However, he came to his senses, and remembered that there is plenty in his father’s house. How blessed are his father’s many hired servants, who have enough bread to spare, and he perish with hunger (v.17)! This reminds us of how harsh and miserable life will be when we foolishly choose to leave our heavenly Father to chase after the ways of this corrupt and unfriendly world. Remember, God is stirring the heart of all sinners. He is patiently waiting for you to return to Him.  

Matthew 21:28-32, NKJV

While Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, the chief priests and elders rudely interrupted him, questioning his authority to do “these things” (v. 23). “These things”: His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, and cursed the barren fig tree (vv.1-20). Jesus quieted them, asking whether John the Baptist’s authority was from heaven or men. They knew if they said it came from heaven, Jesus would ask why they didn’t believe him. They also knew that if they said that it came from men, he would say they feared the people; they counted John to be a prophet. So they answered, “We do not know.” Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for questioning His authority.   “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things” (23-27).

Jesus the parable of the two sons, asking, “What do you think (v. 28a)?” The father commanded both of his sons to go, work today in his vineyard (vv. 28c, 30). The first son was disobedient, saying that he would not go work in his father’s vineyard. Afterward, he regretted being disobedient and went. His disobedience to his father was wrong. Scripture demands that children obey their parents in the Lord because this is right. Also parents are to be in line with the Word of God. The first son repented and became obedient to the will of his father.

(v.30). Jesus wanted to know what they thought of the two sons’ responses. They said that the first son did the will of his father. Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you (v.31). For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward regret it and believe him” (v.32). Today repent and respond obediently to the will of both your heavenly and earthly fathers. Have a happy Father’s Day.

During the annual Passover celebration, Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, gave His life for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose from the grave. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended back to heaven. Before He went back to glory, He commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to come shortly (1:4-5, paraphrased).

Jesus didn’t tell them exactly when it was coming, but they were to remain there, expect the blessing of the soon to come Promise. They did as told. Ten days after Jesus “was taken up,” fifty days after His resurrection, the Promise came: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they (about one hundred twenty all together) were all with one accord in one place” (v.1). They were together physically, but more importantly, of the same mind – unified in purpose. Suddenly all those gathered in that upper room heard a sound that came from heaven. The sound was “as of a rushing, mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting” (v.2). “There appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them” (v.3). They were all miraculously “filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately]” in languages they had not learned before (v.4, AMP).

As Creator, God has dominion over the earth; it all belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1). On that Pentecost, He demonstrated His authority and power over nature, man, and His creativity in fulfilling the promise of the Holy Spirit.  “When the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father. He will testify and bear witness about Me” (John 15:26, AMP). Accept Jesus’ work on the cross by faith today, and His Holy Spirit will come and dwell in you at the moment you become born again. Give God glory!

        

Acts 1:1-11

The Acts of the Apostles began as Luke, the author, referred to “the former account” he made to Theophilus (Luke 1:3) of all that Jesus began both to do and teach (v.1) until the day He ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50-52). Acts continues the story from the Gospel of Luke. Before His ascension, however, Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to His chosen apostles (v.2). Jesus allowed the Holy Spirit to lead Him in making preparation for the end of His earthly ministry. We, too, must allow the Holy Spirit, God’s inner agent, to lead us and work the works of God in our daily lives. After Jesus’ suffering, many infallible witnesses saw Him alive forty days, ministering about the kingdom of God (v.3).

While together, Jesus commanded His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the soon coming Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, (v.4) “until they were clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49, NIV). Jerusalem was where their ministry would begin. He told them that John baptized with water, but they will be baptized, empowered, and united with the Holy Spirit soon (v.5, AMP). They asked Him if the kingdom of Israel would be restored at the coming of the Holy Spirit (v.6). Jesus said that the Father had authority over times and seasons, and it wasn’t for them to know (v.7). Instead of concern for what was totally in the Father’s hands, Jesus appointed them to the mission ahead of them to which He had made them responsible. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (v.8).

Jesus’ disciples watched while He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Two angels in white apparel said that that same Jesus will come back just as He left (vv. 9-11). This ended His earthly ministry. Now we are empowered through the Holy Spirit for witnessing. When He returns with the clouds, every eye will see him. Let’s get ready for when He comes.