Category: Luke

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In Debt to Love

Dave and I have worked for many years to get out of debt and to stay out of debt. Thank God for the blessing of being debt free. There is one debt however that we will never be able to wipe off the books; it will always be on the balance sheet.

“ Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. ” Romans 13:8 CEV

Each and every one of us are in debt to love.

Love is hard. It requires work and it isn’t for the faint of heart. The good news is that we haven’t been left on our own to pay this debt. We have been given help for each day.

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

There’s an urgency to be loving. The world is becoming more and more selfish; self-centered ambition drives so much of what is being done. Several years back there was a campaign to encourage people to do random acts of kindness.

What happened to that? Did you know that Jesus taught the same thing?

“The man replied, ‘The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’ …

But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, ‘Who are my neighbors?’

30 Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.

33  A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, ‘Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.’

36 Then Jesus asked, ‘Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?'” Luke 10:25-27 CEV

Each one of us have been the man who was beaten and left on the roadside and if it weren’t for God’s unconditional love, we would be dead.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me.” John 15:12-14 CEV

The debt of love is great. Christ freely gave to us, let’s be good Samaritan’s and freely give to those in need!

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Questioning God’s Love

People today often question how a loving God could allow bad things to happen so I would like to answer a bit of that.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

There is a real enemy on this earth, the devil, and he causes and manipulates people and circumstances for evil. God has given us power over all the works of the enemy. And when we get to heaven all will be perfect. No devil, no evil.

I have heard this question asked on several occasions, I’m sure you have too. “How can a loving God send good people to hell?” The answer in their minds appears to be hard and calloused and anything but loving. Jesus addresses that in His teaching.

 “You can enter true life only through the narrow gate. The gate to hell is very wide, and there is plenty of room on the road that leads there. Many people go that way. 14 But the gate that opens the way to true life is narrow. And the road that leads there is hard to follow. Only a few people find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 ERV

No one has ever gone to hell for the bad things they have done but everyone will go to hell for the one thing they haven’t done.

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31

We have to remember that God has the ability to look at the heart while we only look at the outward appearance. It’s only God who can know if someone has accepted or rejected the sacrifice that His Son made for the forgiveness of sin. Good people can’t work their way to heaven, they must have a Savior. On the other hand, bad people can’t be so bad to have God turn them away.

Remember the criminal on the cross. He had a death-bed conversion.

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you begin ruling as king!’ 43 Then Jesus said to him, ‘I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-32 ERV

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 KJV

“This is what the Scripture says: ‘God’s teaching is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.’ It is the teaching of faith that we tell people. 9 If you openly say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. 10 Yes, we believe in Jesus deep in our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we openly say that we believe in him, and so we are saved. 11 Yes, the Scriptures say, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” Romans 10:8-11 CEV

With salvation our whole life is changed. We become new creatures in Christ, we get a heart transplant removing a heart of stone and giving us a heart of flesh and we get our minds washed as they are renewed by God’s word and we no longer conform to this world ways but we are transformed in our thinking, a new mind set.

God’s love is unconditional and reaches to all. Do I question God’s love? No, it’s perfect!

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Love Much

The Bible is all about people and God’s relationship with them. I am intrigued and amazed as I read, and not only read, but study God’s interaction with us of the human race. I hope you allow yourself to see the Bible when you read it.

It’s in “seeing” the relationships that Jesus cultivated that we see the heart of God. This morning, I want you to see Mary. The other day I asked you to identify with the characters in the story of the man who was crippled and today I would like you to see yourself in this story as well.

Mary was a woman with an unscrupulous past. She was a prostitute. Shocking yes; unlovable no. Jesus has been invited to dinner at Simon’s house. He was a religious leader and a citizen of good standing. There were other guests, but it is these three that are important. (Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus and Simon were in the house getting ready to eat when Mary arrives. Who let her in? Had she been summoned for one of the guests? If not, why did the servants let her enter? Why did no one stop her?

She did something strange. She went and stood behind Jesus. Standing behind someone was a place of deference. A place of submission. The custom of the day was to recline at a meal. Mary was standing near Jesus’ feet.

“Then she came and stood behind Jesus. She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.” Luke 7:38 CEV

This action brought ridicule from Simon. He didn’t speak it out loud, but he thought it in his heart – ridicule of both Jesus and Mary. Jesus knew his heart and asked a question about forgiveness.

Two men were in debt, Jesus said. One owed 50 silver coins and one owed 500. Both were forgiven their debt by the moneylender.

“Since neither of them could pay him back, the moneylender said that they didn’t have to pay him anything. Which one of them will like him more?” 43 Simon answered, ‘I suppose it would be the one who had owed more and didn’t have to pay it back.’” Luke 7:42-43 CEV

You’re right, Jesus said.

Simon hadn’t even shown Jesus the common courtesy of washing his feet or given Him a welcoming kiss. Mary not only washed His feet with her tears but kissed them and wiped them with her hair. Then she poured an expensive perfume on His feet. While Simon did nothing.

“‘So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.’ 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.'” Luke 7:47-48 CEV

This is a story of God’s love in action. Both Mary and Simon had debts of sin that needed to be paid. Jesus was there to forgive them both. One harbored resentment in his heart and one was humbled by God’s compassion.

“But Jesus told the woman, ‘Because of your faith, you are now saved. May God give you peace!’” Luke 7:50 CEV

I’ve been like both of our main characters – resentful and critical and humbled and contrite. God’s love and forgiveness was the same toward me in both situations. It doesn’t change. What changed was the peace I felt when I humbly received His forgiveness and His love.

I love much because of His love for me.

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Make Love the Last Resort

I don’t know who you are and I really don’t expect that you will admit this openly but someone said, just last night, “I have come to the end of my rope and I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

Been there – said that! And so have many others. God’s love has a way of reaching people who feel they have no place else to turn; they are at their last resort.

There was the professional fisherman who couldn’t manage the storm at sea.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Mark 4:37-38 KJV

Then there was a woman who spent every thing she had on doctor’s and only got worse.

“And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” Mark 5:26-27 KJV

What about the military leader whose servant was very ill?

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Matthew 8:5-6 KJV

Or the leper whose body was being eaten away?

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 KJV

We can’t forget the rich tax collector who had everything but friends and peace.

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” Luke 19:3-4 KJV

I want you to notice that in every situation Jesus met the need of those who came to him. He didn’t lecture them and say “what took you so long”. Nor did he get offended that they had tried everything else and he was their last resort. Jesus met them where they were and took control over the situation.

He’s still that way today. Jesus isn’t a dictatorial tyrant that comes in demanding allegiance and forcibly takes control; no, he waits for us to come and ask and then He moves with love and compassion to change the circumstances.

Even King David had times that he came to the end of his rope.

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalm 118:5-6 KJV

I’m not sure who you are or what you’re going through but I do know if you’ll call out to the Lord he’ll be there and he’ll take you through to victory.

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Christmas Eve

The family has all arrived; four of us came by plane, nine by car and three live here. Thank God for modern conveniences. Mary and Joseph didn’t have those.

It’s only been about the last 15 or 20 years that I have begun to see what that trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was really like for them. 155 kilometers or approximately 96 miles. This trip would have taken many days, walking and riding a donkey.

“So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. 5 Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) 6 While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.” Luke 2:4-7

If they were able to keep a steady pace of 20 miles per day, it would have taken at least 5 days. Sleeping on the ground, cooking food over an open fire.

I do love to camp, sleeping in a tent – being around a campfire under the stars but breaking camp each morning and setting up again each evening would be a bit tedious and then add to that the discomfort of being nine months pregnant.

Dave and I used to travel a lot and it was always so nice to get to the hotel after twelve hours on the road, get something warm to eat and crawl into a nice bed. But when Mary and Joseph got to their destination their accommodations weren’t quite as welcoming.

Those of us who’ve had livestock know that even when we clean the stalls each day – removing the manure, putting down clean bedding- it still isn’t a place that we would like to give birth. Joseph was Mary’s birth coach and delivery team – he was the midwife! Just the two of them bringing God’s Son into this earthly home.

“Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are.” I John 3:1

God loved us so much that He sent His Son so that we could become His children. AMAZING!!

And what manner of love Mary and Joseph had for God and for each other to go through this difficult journey and less than “perfect” birthing experience. Still they glorified God and gave Him thanks for His wondrous gift.

Is your Christmas this year difficult, not exactly what you had planned?

When our hearts are open God can, and does, fill them with His wonderful love. He can and will fill the loneliness, ease the ache and give us a reason to be thankful. May you experience that love in a very special way.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas Eve!

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Weather Report

This morning we are in California. Had a safe, short flight yesterday from Arizona. All of our family will be at our oldest granddaughter’s home for Christmas. What a joy! I hope you will be understanding if I miss posting a couple of blogs over the next few days.

One of the things we did when packing for the trip was check the weather report. Long sleeve/short sleeve, polar fleece, rain wear, long pants, shorts, hikers or tennis shoes. All these were considerations for our wardrobe.

When we lived in Montana, we always had to look at the weather report, consider any possible storms and plan accordingly. Most anywhere we went we would have 3 passes to go over and winter travelling could be treacherous.

I’ve often wondered what the weather must have been like travelling to Bethlehem all those years ago.

I know it wouldn’t have been subzero but it can get cold in the desert regions or was there rain? Ladies, imagine this, 9 months pregnant, riding a donkey, sleeping under the stars. Regardless of the weather, it may have been perfect, but that’s not the time you want to try out the new tent and sleeping bags you just got from BassPro, right?

What was Mary thinking, this was certainly a “memory maker”? Did the trip affect her disposition? What questions did this young woman have, after all, it was her first pregnancy?

” So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. 17 When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. 18 Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” Luke 2:16-19 ERV

As a mother, I sit here this morning remembering different Christmas mornings with my children and grandchildren. I pray that the significance of that first Christmas morning stays as the focal point in their lives long after I am gone.

Your Christmas celebration may not be perfect, Mary’s wasn’t. Don’t be sidetracked if things don’t go as planned. Keep your focus on the “reason for the season” and even if the weather is cold and gray, keep your heart merry and filled with love.

There are no words of gratitude that can possibly express my heart’s joy over the events of that first Christmas morning and how it’s changed my life.

Thank you, Father for loving me enough to give me the gift of Your Son and relationship of eternal life with You that first Christmas day.

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Where’s Jesus?

I share this story every year because it’s one I want to remember.

Years ago, when we moved back to Arizona from Montana one of our favorite places to go was to Tubac. We had purchased a Santa Fe style home and wanted to furnish it accordingly. This artisan community gave us so many wonderful ideas and was the perfect place to shop. It still is.

Anyway, we had one or two favorite stores and struck up a relationship with the shop keepers. Each year I would decorate our home at Christmas time with nativities and angels. The Country Shoppe had the most diverse selection of nativity sets of any of the stores. It also had the most unusual display.

Looking at each set, small or large, it didn’t take long to notice that something was missing. There was no baby Jesus! Upon closer inspection, shoppers would notice several small handwritten signs.

Please ask for the baby Jesus

I was intrigued. I asked the shopkeeper about the sign. He told me that although the store has little to no theft, the one item that is consistently taken is the baby Jesus. Because of that they keep Him in the backroom, only to be added to the set when a purchase is made.

Who would steal the baby Jesus? But it was definitely a thing. “Ask for the baby Jesus”, the sign was intriguing.

Isn’t that what the shepherds had to do? Ask for the baby Jesus. Afterall, the angels had only told them that He would be laying in a manager in Bethlehem. How many mangers did they stop at? How many times did they ask, “where’s the babe”?

“ The angels went from the shepherds back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.” 16 They went fast and found Mary and Joseph. They found the Baby lying in a place where cattle are fed. 17 When they saw the Child, they told what the angel said about Him. 18 All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:15-20 NLV

It’s an important question for you and I. Where’s Jesus?

Have we left Him as a babe in the manger, only to be brought out of the back room at Christmas? Is He in a picture on the wall that we look at occasionally and then go on about our day? Or, does He live within our hearts as our constant companion, our Savior, Lord and King?

“There was a rich man named Zaccheus. He was a leader of those who gathered taxes. 3 Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus but he could not because so many people were there and he was a short man… 6 At once he came down and was glad to have Jesus come to his house.” Luke 19:1-6 NLV

Jesus desires to live in our house, in our hearts. Invite Him in. Let everyone know the answer to “where’s Jesus”.

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Remember When

Christmas memories…

As I get older memories play such an important part in my Christmas celebration. There are those Christmases past with my dad, mom, brother and sister. Even more of my Christmases with Dave and our kids, and now we are blessed to be creating memories with our grandkids and great granddaughter.

There were some very lean years but even in that they were good because our focus was on it being Jesus’ birthday.

I remember one year, I insisted, yes insisted, that we all write letters to each other on what we loved and appreciated. I still have those letters today – they are tucked safely away. I guess you could say, I pondered them in my heart.

“Pondering” is a good thing. We need to take that lesson from Mary. For that’s what she did that very first Christmas morning.

“All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:18-20 NLV

As the shepherds arrived, telling what the angels had said she pondered – treasured, meditated – them in her heart. I’m sure it wasn’t just the words of the angels but that she relived her visit with Gabriel and then her cousin Elizabeth. The conversations she and Joseph must have had and the trip to Bethlehem and then the miracle of being alone in a stable and giving birth. Each detail indelibly etched on her heart and in her memory.

God’s miracle – God’s provision – God’s love – wrapped in a tiny bundle, cradled in her arms, nursing at her breast! Yes, these would be the things she pondered; these would be the memories she would hold for the rest of her life. As the angel told Mary: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

This morning I was pondering that first Christmas. Trying to put myself in Mary’s place – the sheer joy of giving birth to your first child was enhanced beyond imagination when she contemplated the miraculous way He had been conceived.

I wonder, if for a moment, she may have paused to think about what it meant for her Son to be the Messiah, to save mankind from their sins.

“Jesus died for our sins. He was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” Romans 4:25 NLV

The purpose and plan of God in sending His Son was to provide the path for our salvation.

Let’s take time to ponder – to treasure and meditate – on what God has done in our lives and for those we love. Maybe it’s time to write a letter thanking God for the best Christmas gift ever – His Son.

That seems like a good place to start.

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Peace Keeping

This morning I had a different start to my day. I’ve told you how much I enjoy waking up early, reading my Bible and having my prayer time in the quiet. The only noises I hear are the coffee brewing, the electric fireplace, and an occasional coyote.

Not this morning. I woke with a painful start. I had a charley horse in my right calf and my right foot was in a spasm. As I attempted to stand, another one hit my left thigh. At this point I was trying to maintain my balance; I didn’t want to fall over, and I didn’t want to wake Dave.

This was not the peaceful morning I had planned. That’s how it happens: peace-robbing, joy-stealing, stress-filled moments. Living in the peace of God is not a one-time decision, it is a daily lesson.

So, let’s go back a couple days to the reference I made on Jesus, Prince of Peace. In light of all that is going on in my world I definitely need the Prince of Peace.

Can you imagine being a shepherd, probably dosing off for the night when the entire night sky lit up? Talk about UFO’s – this was an invasion! No place to run, no place to hide and then came the message:

“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.’

13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: 14 ‘Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.'” Luke 2:8-14 CEV

Don’t be afraid – Peace! This isn’t just a nice little story in a nice little book – these shepherds were real people, and they came face to face with talking angels. That would make the hair on the back of my neck stand up!

What is it you’re facing today – a bad medical report, a failing marriage, wayward children, financial failure, world unrest, the collapse of the future you had planned…or just some charley horses in the early morning hours.

Christmas is about a week away. There are still so many things to do; baking, shopping, gatherings, working, wrapping, traveling, resting. Deep breath, peace.

Then listen to what Jesus said

“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:27 CEV

and then just a bit later

“‘I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!’” John 16:33 ERV

This morning, as you are looking out on your world, be still, recover and let the peace of God rule in your heart.

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With God

With God NOTHING is impossible!

Nothing…not your financial situation, not your health, not your kids or your spouse, your job, your safety, your peace of mind. Nothing!

These words were spoken to a young Jewish girl by an angel.

“Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, ‘Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.’

34 Mary asked the angel, ‘How can this happen? I am not married!’

35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God!’

38 Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.’ And the angel left her.” Luke 1:29-38 CEV

What could be more impossible than this – a young woman, who was a virgin, having a child? No situation in your life or mine could be more impossible than this. Truly!

How? God’s power and Mary’s agreement. If Mary hadn’t believed the angel’s message to her, he would have gone to someone else. But she accepted that NOTHING was impossible.

She believed, she conceived, and she received God’s promise.

The hard thing was walking it out. She had to tell her family, she had to tell Joseph and then she had to hear the whispers and the criticism that followed.

God has made us a promise that He will supply all that we need and He will give us the strength that we need in every situation. (Philippians 4:13, 19)

The Bible is filled with promises.

There was another woman who saw the power of God at work. She was old, I mean really old. Almost 90 and her reproductive system had never worked but God made a promise. Sarah saw God work.

” The Lord asked Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Does she doubt that she can have a child in her old age? 14 I am the Lord! There is nothing too difficult for me. I’ll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son.'” Genesis 18:13-14 CEV

Compare your situation with Mary and Sarah. Whose need is bigger or more difficult to fix? God is the same – nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult or impossible for Him.

Time and time again I come back to my favorite verse. It is the foundation I stand on everyday.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Christmas is a time for miracles. Get in God’s word, find His promise then stand knowing that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

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