Author: Pastor Howie

10 25 Luke 20.9-19 In response to the question raised by the religious leaders regarding His authority and where it came from, Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who rented out his property.  At harvest time he sent one servant after another to receive his payment.  They were rejected and beaten.  The owner sent his son, who was killed.  The truth about Jesus was given and the religious leaders chose to reject it and in essence reject the Messiah.  What will you do with the truth?  There are only two options with two subsequent results.

10 18 Luke 20.1-8 Nearing the end of His life before the crucifixion just after the Triumphal entry and the cleansing of the Temple as Jesus was teaching in the courtyard there, He was confronted by the religious leaders who questioned His authority.  It wasn’t because they wanted a better understanding of who He was.  He had already told them.  They simply did not accept the truth He taught regarding Himself.  No amount of additional instruction was going to change their mind about Him.  How about you?  Are you convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, the One who died for our sins, the One in whom when we confess and believe in Him for salvation are given eternal life?

In an age when we are challenged by so many factors that want to derail our faith, the strength and courage to stand firm in the face of obstacles is seen clearly in I Corinthians 15:58.  Lars Carlson from Youth Haven Ranch shares a timely message.

10 04 Luke 19.45-48 Jesus had a specific purpose in clearing out the Temple.  While worship was going on people were using it for business.  He wanted to bring them back into a right relationship with God.  I Corinthians 3 and 6 remind us that we are the Temple of God.  How are we taking care of His temple?  Does it need some cleaning.  When we neglect the Word of God it is easy to neglect the Temple of God.

There isn’t a one of us that doesn’t need a little encouragement from time to time.  Yes, some more than others and some more often than others.  We all go through times of testing and struggle where we wonder what next, why me, how come, when will it end.  Psalm 23 is one of those Psalms of encouragement that reminds us of God’s presence and provision in such times.  Did I mention it’s always?  Missionary with New Tribes Mission, Mark Fleming, takes us through a journey of the Good Shepherd’s walk with us while we journey this life as a way of encouragement.

09 20 Luke 19.28-44 Crowds flocked to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem believing that He was the Messiah.  They praised God with jubilant excitement.  The Pharisees were none too pleased.  Jesus wept over the city because He knew that their praise was superficial and that they would or had rejected Him as the real king, the one who could deliver them from sin.  They were following the right person, but with the wrong motive.  If we are to follow the king,  obedience is expected.  If we are to follow the king, praise is expected.  If we are to follow the king, opposition is expected.

09 13 Luke 19.11-27 Nearing the final days of His earthly ministry, Jesus is passing through Jericho.  A crowd has followed Him and Luke records that they anticipated that once Jesus reached Jerusalem He would establish a physical, earthly kingdom.  Yet in the preceding passage Jesus explicitly indicated that His purpose for coming was to seek and save the lost.  The correct their erroneous view Jesus told a parable that was about Himself.  The challenge was twofold.  First, it was a challenge to His true followers to be faithful in the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel.  Second, was a challenge not to neglect Him as the rightful coming king.  When He returned He would require an accounting of what was done with the gospel.  Did a person accept it or reject it?  Did a person proclaim the gospel or not? 

What are you doing to prepare for His return?

09 06 Luke 19.1-10 There is someone like Zacchaeus all around us.  Do we see them through the eyes of the crowd – a loser to be scorned?  Or do we see them through the eyes of Christ – lost needing to be saved?  He came to seek and save them.  Are we pointing them to Christ for salvation or are we preventing them from seeing Him? 

08 30 Luke 18.35-43 It was blind ambition that led to the desire of Bartimaeus to want to see on that day Jesus was passing by on His way to Jerusalem.  He called out for the “Son of David” to have mercy on him.  He wanted to see.  How Jesus responded indicated that the blindness of his heart could see, but also healed him of physical blindness.  We may see, but the spiritual eyes of our heart are still in darkness.  Jesus may only be passing by you once.  How will you see Him?

08 16 Luke 18.31-34 Jesus gives some important instructions to the disciples that will help them in days to come.  The news is about what will happen to Him when they reach Jerusalem.  The most important information was about His resurrection.  That is important for us today and for all believers because that even ensures our resurrection and eternal life.  Are you ready?