The good news of Luke

  Luke 15:11-32 Jesus told this story to illustrate a point...He cares for the lost.  It is  interesting to note though that the Father waited for the lost to return to Him.  He didn't go to him.  Lord Jesus, please implore those who have left You to return on their own accord. This passage leaves us with an interesting question...what about those who have never left the fold.  Jesus says to us we have everything that belongs to Him.  This makes me ask the question are we enjoying our time in the Kingdom?  We have the fruit of the Holy Spirit available to us; love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, self control, goodness, patience and faithfulness  Let us walk with the Spirit and enjoy the adventure God has for us so we can rejoice when those who walked away come back.

  Luke 15:8-10 Did you know you are valuable?  So valuable that God is asking us to search for you.  He wants each one of us to come to Him, even if we are dirty because of our bad choices....and when we come to Him the angels in heaven rejoice! Today's passage is a story Jesus told to let us know how valuable we are to Him.  Check it out.  Lord Jesus, even when we fail You, You continue to seek us out.  Thank You for not giving up on us!

  Luke 15:1-7 Jesus gets excited about a sinner who returns to Him; do we?  Jesus encourages us to go out and find the lost.  Lord Jesus, please help us to see this world as You see it.  Give us Your eyes to see the hurt, the lonely and the lost.

  Luke 14:25-35 This is a tough passage.  Jesus is saying it costs something to be a Christian.  Sure there is a banquet and the reward of heaven and the help of the Holy Spirit but it costs everything. You can't serve two masters or you will love one and hate the other.  Jesus wants all of us including our relationships with our family.  Lord Jesus, if there is anything we're holding back from You please let us know and give us the courage to surrender it to You knowing that You make all things beautiful in Your time.

  Luke 14:15-24 One of things we need to be aware of is whose invitation are we turning down.  We can become so busy we miss the invitation to God's banqueting table.  It is said we'll be surprised at who is in heaven because Jesus sent His servants to the poor, crippled and marginalized when the original guest list was too busy to come. Here's a song of the story

  Luke 14:7-14 1) Choose a low position and allow others to lift you up 2) Don't invite folks who can repay you as when you do you'll receive your reward.  Instead, wait for your heavenly reward. Lord Jesus, please help us to bless those who You want us to bless and help us to accept our low positions in humility.  Amen

  Luke 14:1-6 There is a Jewish commandment to keep the Sabbath as holy and as a day of rest but what does that mean?  Jesus makes it clear that it's okay to heal on the sabbath; or rescue a child or ox.  In fact in another passage He makes it clear that the sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath. So what is the purposes of the Sabbath?  It's a time when we can take a break and rest and remember God.  Given that it's a Jewish law I think God knows we need the break for our own health; but if the rules become enslaving it no longer works. Lord Jesus, please help us to enjoy the Sabbath rest that You have given to us and help us not to be enslaved by the rule.