Lesson 3436

 (Lesson 3436)(05-31-21) Luke 14:25-35

    “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus, addressing His Jewish brethren, made it perfectly clear that if they didn’t deny all else and weren’t fully and completely devoted to His gospel, they could not be a part of it.~

Lesson 3435

 (Lesson 3435)(05-30-21) Luke 14:12-24

    “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear to His Jewish host, who was apparently a believer, that because his brethren among the Jews had continued to reject His saving grace, that grace would be given over to the Gentiles also.

    An outstanding lesson herein, is that the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ not be wasted on the deaf ears of those who will not believe it anyway. We are to preach the gospel of Christ exclusively to those who truly want to hear it. “ And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matthew 10:12-15)~

Lesson 3434

 (Lesson 3434)(05-29-21) Luke 14:7-11

    “And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus taught the value of humility in how we should respect those with whom we daily interact.

    The children of God should always humble themselves to any occasion.~

Lesson 3433

 (Lesson 3433)(05-28-21) Luke 14:1-6

    “And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear, to the leaders of the Jews, that there was no day or no time, including the sabbath, that was so sacred so as to prevent a person from helping someone in need.~

Lesson 3432

 (Lesson 3432)(05-27-21) Luke 13:31-35

    “ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus was warned to leave Jerusalem because Herod was going to try and kill Him. Jesus, knowing that His time would soon come, said that he still had work to do before He would be crucified. He then bemoaned Jerusalem and the Jews because they had rejected so many chances to repent and save themselves.~

Lesson 3431

 (Lesson 3431)(05-26-21) Luke 13:22-30

    “ And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.”

   In today’s quote, Jesus made the point that the door to spiritual rebirth will not forever be open. There will come a day when it will be eternally too late.

    Today is the day, and now is the hour to accept the amazing, saving grace of God through faith in the virgin born, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus.

Lesson 3430

 (Lesson 3430)(05-25-21) Luke 13:18-21

    “Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus taught His apostles how a small amount of effort can reap huge amounts of benefits. He related that theory to the inevitable growth of His church as the word was preached abroad.

   If the children of God would, today, apply that same philosophy, we could reach countless lost souls and perhaps show them the light that can lead to spiritual rebirth and eternal salvation.

    It is the duty of every one of us who hold onto Christ to plant the seeds that are provided us in His gospel. ~

Lesson 3429

 (Lesson 3429)(05-24-21) Luke 13:10-17

    “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day? The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”

    In today’s quote Jesus healed a woman and exposed the Jewish hierarchy for their hypocrisy.~

 (Lesson 3428)(05-23-21) Luke 13:6-10

    “ He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."

   The parable Jesus spoke in today’s quote explains how were are to react to deversity. We, the children of God, are to ALWAYs go the extra mile, teaching and allowing those who abuse us a chance to correct themselves before God.~

Lesson 3427

 (Lesson 3427)(05-22-21) Luke 13:1-5

    “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus again warned the Jews of their fate if they continued to reject His saving grace.”

Lesson 3426

 (Lesson 3426)(05-21-21) Luke 12:54-59

    “And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the Jews for having not foreseen His coming, the coming of the Messiah, through the study of the prophets.~

Lesson 3425

 (Lesson 3425)(05-20-21) Luke 12:51-53

    “ Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

    In today’s quote Jesus related that His coming would cause division between people. Even between friends and family members. He was so right. Today, there are many, many families separated by their faith, or lack of it.

    There is but one spiritual truth, and it is our duty, the duty of every child of God to preach it from the mountain tops. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."~

Lesson 3424

 (Lesson 3424)(05-19-21) Luke 12:50

    “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

    Today’s lesson is taken from a part of yesterday’s quote because it expands upon a part of that lesson and reaches into another.

    As was mentioned yesterday, the word “baptize” and it’s grammatical variations, as they were transliterated from the ancient Greek word “baptizo”, DO NOT indicate the a specific definition of the original Greek word, without context.

    The Greek term baptizo, as it is conversationally applied in the original Greek, simply means to place one item or entity into, or inside another, leaving it there to accomplish a desired, and permanent affect. It can also mean to cover completey or enwrap in a certain concept or idea, as the term is applied to a person. A great example of which can be found in Matthew 28:19, wherein Jesus said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, ‘baptizing’ them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”.  This example is a great one because if it were to imply, which it DOES NOT, the use of water as a baptismal medium, there must be three distinct baptismal ceremonies ordered therein.  One would first be required to be baptized ‘into’ the Father, and then again ‘into’ the Son, and then lastly, ‘into’ the Holy Ghost”

    Another example can be found in Galatians 3:26-27 wherein Paul said, “For ye are all the children of God BY FAITH in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” This is the perfect example because Paul directly said that one is “baptized” INTO CHRIST. Not by His authority, bur INTO Christ Himself.  And Paul verifies what I have said by stating that when one is ‘baptized’ INTO Christ, that one has “put on” Christ.~

Lesson 3423

 (Lesson 3423)(05-18-21) Luke 12:49-50

    “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

    In today’s quote, Jesus related that He had come to impose His wrath upon those who would reject Him. He also made it clear that, through His own mortal sacrifice, His mission was to provide a refuge of eternal salvation for those of us who have accepted, and will accept, His forgiving grace through faith in Him.

    NOTE: There is another very important lesson in today’s quote having to do with the meaning and intent of the word “baptism” and it’s grammatical variations, as they are applied throughout the New Testament. The word “baptism”, as it is applied herein, is not in ANY way a reference to the immersion in water as was practiced by John the Baptist, But rather, it is in reference to the sacrificial ordeal to which Jesus was about to be subjected. Yet, the word “baptism”, as it is applied in both instances, was transliterated from the same greek word, ‘baptizo’, that is applied to also difine the water immersion that John the Baptist practiced and was ingrained in Jewish law.

    The point here being that the actual meaning and intent of the word “baptize”, or it’s derivatives, is directly relative to the context within which it is applied.~

Lesson 3422

 (Lesson 3422)(05-17-21) Luke 12:35-48

    “ Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” 

    Today’s quote tells us to be continually prepared and patiently waiting for the second coming of our Lord.

    We are not only to be prepared in our own house, we are also to do all we can to prepare those around us for that great and blessed day. Even so Lord, come quickly.~

Lesson 3421

 (Lesson 3421)(05-16-21) Luke 12:13-34

    “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

    There is no better summation of what God thinks about greed than the last sentence of today’s quote; “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

    God has promised that those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can have anything we want, yet we spend the majority of our valuable time ammassing wealth instead of spreading the good news of God’s amazing, saving grace through faith in Jesus.

    This is verified by what was written in Revelation, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will psue thee out of my mouth.” 

    This should be a wake up call to all of us who claim the Christian mantel.~

Lesson 3420

 (Lesson 3420)(05-15-21) Luke 12:11-12

    “ And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

    To those of us who have been saved through faith in Jesus, the power of the Holy Ghost (God in Spirit form) is real and always present. As Jesus promised, we may use that power to achieve anything we desire, so long as our desire is within the will of God.~

Lesson 3419

 (Lesson 3419)(05-14-21) Luke 12:10

    “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it clear that to blaspheme, or mock, the Holy Spirit is to commit the ONLY impardonable sin.

    I believe that what is intended here is to say that to vocally and permenantly reject Jesus Christ is to indeed blaspheme the Holy Spirit and commit ones eternal soul to everlasting torment with Satan in Hell.~

Lesson 3418

 (Lesson 3418)(05-13-21) Luke 12:8-9

    “ Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.”

    For today’s generations this is one of the most dangerous lessons to be found in the New Testament.

    “Christianity” today is almost nowhere to be heard from as it concerns standing up for Jesus Christ.  Instead of loudly preaching Jesus Christ crucified for the sins of the world, the vast majority of today’s “Christians” only want to vocally condemn, what they see as, the “sins” of the world.

    Instead of just condemning the faulst of those around us, let’s start today and make a practice of preaching Jesus to someone who doesn’t know of His saving grace, every day of the rest of our lives.~

Lesson 3417

 (Lesson 3417)(05-12-21) Luke 12:6-7

    “ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

    In todays’ quote, Jesus expressed how important every detail on earth is to our merciful God.~

Lesson 3416

 (Lesson 3416)(1-1-21) Luke 12:1-5

    “In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” 

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it very clear that nothing that happens on this earth can be hidden from God. All things will be exposed in the end.~

Lesson 3415

 (Lesson 3415)(05-10-21) Luke 11:37-54

    “And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: lying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the scribes, Pharisees and lawyers because of their hypocrisy. After Jesus had berated them, they begon to conspire to find ways to kill Him.~

Lesson 3413

 (Lesson 3414)(05-09-21) Luke 11:33-36

    “ No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.”

    Today’s quote relates that the way we conduct ourselves, in our day to day life, is a beacon to those who might be lost without God. Knowing that, we should let the light of Jesus Christ shine through in everything we do, every minute of every day.~

Lesson 3413

 (Lesson 3413)(05-08-21) Luke 11:29-32

    “And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made it very clear that He is, by far, the greatest of all the prophets yet the ostentatious Jews of His day still refused to believe in Him.~

Lesson 3412

 (Lesson 3412)(05-07-21) Luke 11:14-28

    “ And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus made the point that evil replaced by more evil benefits no one, but rather, evil replaced by good is of eternal benefit to the one into which the righteouness of Jesus Christ has been imputed.

    Just as Jesus removed the evil “dumb” spirit from the man in the quote, if we have faith in Him, Jesus will replace the evil spirit within us with the perfectly righteous Holy Spirit of God Himself.~

Lesson 3411

 (Lesson 3411)(05-06-21) Luke 11:5-13

    “And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

    In today’s lesson Jesus related how easily, and assuredly, God sends His Holy Spirit to those who are willing to believe and ask. 

    Jesus promised that if we who believe ask God for anything, we will receive it in abundance. “For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened." ( Matthew 7:7-8 paraphrased)~

Lesson 3410

 (Lesson 3410)(05-05-21) Luke 11:1-4

    “ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus taught his apostles how they should pray. He accomplished that by quoting what we now call “The Lord’s prayer” as an example.

    The Matthew account of this event goes much further wherein Jesus teaches that prayer is to be a private thing. As Jesus said to His apostles, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

    Almost every church I’ve ever had any knowledge of, in total contrast to what Jesus so obviously taught in this lesson, still encourages standing, public prayer. I will never understand that reasoning. There is absolutely no reason for public prayer other than to draw attention to the one doing the public praying. That is precisely what Jesus stood against.~

Lesson 3409

 (Lesson 3409)(05-04-21) Luke 10:38-42

    “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

    Today’s lesson is a simple one. We are to learn of and serve God before all else.~

Lesson 3408

(Lesson 3408)(05-03-21) Luke 10:25-37

    “ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” 

    In today’s quote, when a certain lawyer asked “what shall I do to inherit eternal life”, Jesus first told him to obey the laws of the Jews, to love God with all his heart and to love his neighbor as he loved himself. When the lawyer smugly, asked who is my neighbor”, Jesus related the parable of the “Good Samaritan”. In essence saying that we are ALL neighbors and are to love each other as we love ourselves.

    To love God with all that we are, and to love our neighbors are the two “great” commandmensts.~ 

Lesson 3407

 (Lesson 3407)(05-02-21) Luke 10:23-24

    “And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus spoke of the establishment of His new law of faith and how it was, and would be, except to a chosen few, a mystery until He had completed His soul saving sacrifice and ascended back to the Father.~

Lesson 3406

 (Lesson 3406)(05-01-21) Luke 10:21-22

    “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”

         Today’s quote relates how Jesus praised the wisdom of God in that He came to earth in human form as His own Son. He did so in order to relate His divine plan more easily to those who will believe in Him.

    To unbelievers, the life of Jesus is a fairy tale. To those of us who have placed our faith in Him, His virgin born life, His death, burial, resurrection and ascension is our free ticket to eternal life. I highly reccommend it to everyone. All you need do is believe and ask.~