S – Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—¹⁵ and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

Hebrews 2:14–15 CSB

O – Jesus came to earth as a man so that he could experience similar experiences as humans in their physical bodies and inner workings.  The devil had dominion over death and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross destroyed Satan’s reign over death and its consequences to sin.  By offering the plan of salvation, we are free to accept that plan.  In doing so, the fear of death is removed because we are no longer bound to our sins.  Our relationship with God that started while on earth will continue after our physical death.

A – I am grateful for the cross and the love that God had for me.  

R – Lord, help me to walk in that gratitude and share your love with others today.

S – In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe^, through him. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.^{, 4} So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs

Hebrews 1:2–4 CSB

O – Love these verses because it clearly establishes Jesus as God’s Son.  It also describes the role he played in the creation of the world, his dominion over everything and that Jesus is in relationship with God.  He also describes Jesus as the reflection of God’s nature.  That means the more I learn about Jesus through God’s word, the more I learn of the nature of God.  It validates Jesus’ actions on the cross and His rightful place in heaven.

A – I want to pursue God’s nature today.  I recognize the brokenness of my human nature and choose to move toward His.  

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened.

Luke 24:21 CSB

O –  The Greek for hoping (trusting) and redeem (loosen, ransom, redeem).  Even with all of Jesus’ teaching, his followers were expecting and believing for some action for Israel.  Moses physically took Israel out of Egypt. A strong expectation would be a different relationship with Roman oppression.  Jesus’ crucifixion didn’t meet their expectations.  And three days later, they had no change and a missing body.

A – It is very challenging and difficult when God doesn’t meet your expectations.  How do you express that to a God you cannot “see, touch, or feel.”  You pray but it feels like you are speaking/listening in a vacuum.  You don’t see any tangible difference in things and situations around you.  This is a real part of the Christian journey.  

I have been through this numerous times.  I focus on the fact that God wants relationship.  Similar to all relationships, there are times when the other doesn’t meet our expectations.  I share everything I am feeling with God in prayer, no matter how it feels.  I “let him have it.”  He can handle it…with this caveat.  You need to be committed to listening.  As quiet as it seems when you start, there will come a time when you “hear” God just like when things are “good.”  There is no time frame for this.  It is a relationship, not a formula.

R – Lord, help me to do this.

Starting Hebrews tomorrow!

S – “When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous.”

Luke 23:47 CSB

O – The Roman officer glorifies (esteems glory and honor) to God.  And he fulfills a  prophecy in Isaiah 53:11 “After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.  It would be fascinating to watch this soldier do his job of leading his men through this atrocity and have some connection to God afterward.  The range of emotion and humility must have been astounding.

We have the same opportunity when we repent – for the first time or daily.  We are doing our own thing and then we recognize the bigness of God is greater.  Humbling.

A – I want to be quicker to repent.  Embrace my own humility and what God is showing me.  Then, turn to glorify God for the victory instead of walking in shame where I was defeated.

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” ²³ So they began to argue among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it. ²⁴ Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.

Luke 22:22–24 CSB

O – Two arguments broke out at the last supper.  It is mind-boggling to think that Jesus’ last meal with the men who walked with him for three years turned into a mess.  They had enough “stuff” on each other that they weren’t sure who would betray Jesus.  “Then” it transitions from the loss of their rabbi and Messiah to who will be the greatest.  What a crazy pivot.  Losing the most influential person in their lives (and history) turned into “who is at the top” in his kingdom?  Imagine how Jesus felt going to the garden to pray and knowing his time was at hand…what confidence did he have in his guys that they were ready for after the events to come?

A – Quick application thoughts:

• Be present in the moment today.
• Believe the best in others.
• Listen before speaking.
• Influence is stronger than title.
• Trust in the team.
• I can only control me.
• Do what God has purposed me to do.

R – Lord, help me to do these things today.

S – “He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.^{, 3} “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. ⁴ For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” 

Luke 21:1–4 CSB

O – The widow gave out her poverty.  While others gave out of their surplus, she gave out of her lack.  There is an element of faith in that step that is astounding.  It is counterintuitive and brave. In doing so, she fulfills another scripture in 2 Cor. 8:12 -For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.  She is giving according to what she has.  God wants us to give this way and not in comparison to others.  If every person does their part, their generosity will be enough to meet the needs and vision of others.

A – I want to continue to grow in my generosity.  I want to be led by the Holy Spirit to give according to what I have and when He deems it.

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came ² and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?”

Luke 20:1–2 CSB

O – Two simple questions with a lot of weight behind them:

The first question dealt with the kind of authority Jesus was using. Was He a prophet, a priest, or a king? No doubt the words doing these things referred to His cleansing the temple. The second question dealt with who was backing Him. Did Jesus believe that He was acting on His own or was He acting for some group?

Jesus responded with a question. He asked them about the authority behind John’s baptism. So Jesus therefore refused to tell … by what authority He had cleansed the temple. The implication was that He was doing His work with the same authority—God in heaven—by which John the Baptist baptized

 John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – What authority or role do I walk in my daily actions?  Who do I represent in those actions?  I want to answer both with God as the center.  Just like I am still my father’s son today, I am God’s child in all that I do.  I don’t take that off to do a certain task.  I need to do my very best in my relationship with Him, Kristin, my family, as a leader to the GFC staff and to our church.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 

⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” 

Luke 19:39–40 CSB

O -Jesus shifts from the early ministry of “tell no one” to allow the others to praise Him.  An important step in allowing people to publically witness His fulfillment of prophecy.  Great lesson for believers to honor Him as God in human form.  

A – Great reminder of our need to acknowledge God’s place in our life.  Honor is a big deal.  I need to make sure my honor for God lines up with Him.  Also, a great reminder to worship outside of church.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S  – Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up

 Luke 18:1 CSB

O – We need to pray and not give up.  Simple principle – tough application.

A – I was struck that Jesus wanted to tell his disciples to pray and not give up.  The two work together. My journey with Christ is more of a marathon than a sprint.  Yet, I wonder why he doesn’t answer some prayers faster.  I have learned his timing is better than mine.  Hindsight has proven numerous times to reveal God’s will and purpose.

Also, surrendering the situation to God is not giving up. Surrender is an active state of yielding your will to God’s.  Giving up is quitting.  As long as you are not quitting, you are growing.

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – ³ Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 

Luke 17:3–4 CSB

O – Forgiveness is a common theme in Christianity and one that is truly essential to a healthy walk with God.  Ironically, “rebuking” someone gets overlooked.  The Greek word is ĕpitimaō, meaning “to tax upon, censure or admonish; forbid (straitly) charge.  We need to call out the sin to the person in truth and love.  And we should do this by diminishing the sin or its results.

A -Failure to be honest, trying to give the “outward show” of nothing wrong when there is something wrong, isn’t God’s way.  Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Real love speaks out to illustrate the sin so it can be dealt with by the person.  I have said, “One of the greatest ways you can show love to someone is by being honest with them.” 

These are painful conversations where you have to check your own heart as well.  If you are pulling punches, not good.  If you are enjoying the other person’s pain, not good.  Keep your eyes on the truth and the sin.  Stay humble.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.