Wed Devo

Read Luke 24:36-52. 

v. 36-43 Can you picture the disciples with their mouths hanging wide open. They just can't believe it. How gracious is Jesus to prepare them for belief with the testimony from the 2 men from Emaus. How gracious is He to physically appear to them by just appearing in the midst. How gracious is He for inviting them to touch and eating among them. How gracious is God to assist our unbelief. He takes us on baby steps as well. We should follow His example as we lead others to faith - baby steps are allowed by God!

v. 44-52 Can you see the disciples progression? They encountered Christ. He opened their minds to understanding the scriptures. They were told to wait for power from on high. Then they would preach Jesus name to all nations. (v. 47)

This is the pattern for any believer/church. We first encounter Christ and have our hearts understand the scriptures then the Father invites us to join his mission. The cool thing is we keep encountering Christ while on mission with him. The father loves to take us to work - he delights that his children would be busy about their father's business.

questions

1) Who is someone you need to take baby steps with in their faith?

2) Have you encountered Christ? Has your heart and mind been opened to the scriptures? Have you waited for power from on high? Have you joined your father's business?

prayer

Lord give us more of our patience to wait on you. Lord give us more of your Holy Spirit power to serve you. Raise up workers for the harvest

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 24:13-35. V. 16 - It appears their eyes were restrained because they didn't know the scriptures and they had not combined right knowledge with faith. We too will not see the Lord and what the Father is up to if we don't know the scriptures. 

v. 17 Why does Jesus set them up with a question? Why not just tell them the truth from the beginning? Doesn't he know they don't know! The Lord lets us explore - he lets our hearts search for truth. He also lets us discover for ourselves what is in our hearts. Once we have said something - our words expose our belief or lack of belief. (Mk 7:20-23) When we see clearly our lack of faith we then have the chance to repent and believe. Jesus is helping these guys get honest with themselves about their lack of faith. He will then blow them away with his presence so they can become serious missionaries. The Lord loves to take faithless men and change their hearts. Many times these are the greatest witness to others - these are the ones who can say - "we didn't believe it either - but now we can't deny the truth."

v. 19ff - This scares me - how some can be so close to the truth and yet missing the whole point. They had all the information - just not all the truth! Lord open our eyes - we don't want to miss you in our midst!

v. 28-35 Their hearts burned because the presence of the Lord had been with them. When their eyes were opened they could not help but testify. They overcame doubt - overcame fear of being ridiculed by the disciples. When we have let the presence of the Lord burn in our heart we too will find boldness. Not necessarily the removal of all fear but the motivation to overcome our fear to share Christ.

questions

1) Do your words convey faith that God will provide or doubt/ fear when you talk about your future? Our words reveal our hearts! Ask the Lord to help you see your heart as he did these 2 guys. The clearer picture we have of our hearts the better we can repent and get right with God.

2) Do you have fear in sharing what God has done for you? Ask the Holy Spirit to set your heart on fire with his presence. Let that fire drive you to overcome fear - to press on through fear of what people think.

prayer

Lord we ask you would remove the scales from our eyes. You're working around us today - we need to see you. Come burn our hearts with your presence Holy Spirit - give us the courage to take the story of the resurrection - wherever we go!

Friday devo

Read Luke 24:1-12. "First day of the week" of course this is Sunday and in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit comes and starts the church we see it was also on a Sunday. Luke 24 and Acts 2 are the two reasons the church meets on Sunday!

This story is full of surprises. Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions these poor woman must have experienced. He's dead - the angels, he's alive - go tell apostles! The reality is when we are serving God in the midst of revival our emotions will go crazy if we are not really staying yielded to the Lord. When God shows up and does things His way - and they will almost always catch us off guard. If our emotions are having trouble keeping up - that could simply be a sign of our faith in action!

Think about how many times God showed up in a way that was completely expected - not many! Sometimes he sends angels sometimes he speaks through donkeys. We know from the other gospels John also ran with Peter. Jesus' closest disciples chose to believe beyond all doubt - the run was worth it. Their faith seemed completely illogical - they saw him die. 

questions

1) When has it seemed God was taking you on a roller coaster of emotions?

2) Hypothesize why the other disciples might not have gone? What hindered their faith? Would you have gone?

prayer

Lord we love how you show up and we love when you surprise us. Please let us not doubt simply because you do things in ways we don't expect. Let us see what you're doing around us today - let us enjoy and embrace your surprises. We trust you know what you're doing.

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 24. Read this entire chapter. Try to put yourself in the position of the people in the story. What would you be thinking? What would you be feeling?

questions

1) What part of the story impressed you the most?

2) What part did not seem clear?

prayer

Lord we praise you to invading our world! Your faithfulness to us inspires our trust in you!

Wed Devo

Read Luke 23:44-56. I'm just amazed at Jesus' faithfulness. Many start well. Some who don't start well pick it up and finish well. Some might even start a project and start poorly, do ok for a while and finish bad but Jesus was faithful through every second of his death. He truly was the son of God. He truly is our model on obedience to the Father!

I know what it is to be in shock watching a loved one die. Your mind doesn't really work. No one speaks. Food looses its taste and your memory of the events is mostly in black and white. God actually gave us the ability to go into shock to help us manage trauma. These woman are in the early stages. Grief will soon set in and their emotions will start to awaken from their numbness. The real pain is yet ahead - or so it would seem. But Sunday is coming and along with it the greatest deliverance from shock - resurrection.

God loves to let things hit the trauma stage and then show up!

1) What seems to have died in your life and need resurrecting?

2) When God tells you to do something where do you struggle the most - getting started, staying strong in the middle or finishing well?

prayer

Father - increase our will to serve you. Show up Lord and invade our lives with your presence.

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 23:26-43. Lets focus in on the soldiers vs. the thieves. There is a chance that those on crosses with Jesus had more of an opportunity to hear about Jesus and know why he was persecuted. But chances are they didn't know much more than the soldiers. How is it that one thief could come to recognize Jesus as God and the soldiers and other thief missed it?

Three times in the book of Hebrews we are encouraged not to "harden our hearts." Sin will harden our hearts and it seems there is a point we reach where we simply can't see truth no matter how blatantly close it is to us. All but the repent thief had reached that point. 

The soldiers were assign a bloody duty where to just sleep at night they had to work hard to erase the memories from the mind. Many times soldiers even today who have seen the gore of battle, let alone crucifixion, have convinced themselves the only way to survive is to remove their conscience. That is why Jesus says, come to me all who are weary and burden - I'll give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-29)

A thief who continues to steal will either have to live with the guilt, harden his heart or come to Jesus. Judas was a thief. He hardened his heart and became so blind to who Jesus was that he betrayed him. We know sin that is not given to God will keep us from him and if we never give it to God and make him Lord of our life we will spend eternity with out him. 

But also sin will keep us enslaved in this life. To keep sinning and not be constantly miserable with guilt requires us to harden our heart. We have to shut our heart down - the Holy Spirit will just keep convicting us. How could they mock and murder an innocent man - the same way we would - leaving our sin undealt with hardens our heart.

1) do you have a hard heart toward anyone or anything?

2) what unconfessed sin might you have in your life?

3) what practical steps can you take this weak to soften your heart?

Lord we know the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I pray we are ready to lean on you when he comes. Please let us be aware of our sin even if it takes swallowing serious pride!

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 23:13-25. 

This passage demonstrates the importance of leadership. As the leaders goes - so goes the nation. These people really for Jesus' blood don't even know what's really going on. They're just following the opinions of the leaders. Another gospel tells us the Jews stirred up the crowds to yell this.

When a pagan foreign ruler like Pilate can see this is simply done from jealousy and there is no real case here - how amazing the people can. Perhaps they simply don't care they are just bored and want to see some blood.

How low has the father gone to send his only beloved into such a messed up situation. But remember he didn't just send him there - He sent him there to change the situation. If we find ourselves at the mercy of the most depraved of society remember that even in the midst of us being abused we're really sent their as redeemers to take back what was originally God's.

These are God's children doing this. What a frightening thought. How fatherless they seem. Big brother Jesus lets himself go to them in the lowest of ways so he can buy them back. The very ones who shouted "Hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" now they are shouting, "crucify him." And later Jesus will say to the same group, "father forgive them they know not what they do."

1) Has the Lord been asking you to go low for someone? Who and how low?

2) Are you frightened you might be hurt by those God has sent you to? Remember through the pain they cause you - you are redeeming them if you respond in love.

Lord forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Wed Devo

Read Luke 23:1-12. How cryptic "I find no fault..." "But they were the more fierce.." When you have a personal agenda logic doesn't matter. I think of this right now as people are weighing who they should vote for. Some leave their minds at the door but locking into a certain party or fixating on one issue. Here the enemies of Jesus have their mind made up - they are unwilling to listen to a verdic of "non-guilty" they came for blood and they aren't leaving until they get it. 

v. 6-7 Like many who don't know what to do with Jesus Pilate was simply ready to pass him along to others. Let's let someone deal with him. How many times do we come to something Jesus said and as we discover its difficult we simply let others deal with it. Spiritual sloth has caught all of us sleeping on important issues that needed attention.

v. 11 the gorgeous robe was not a compliment but mockery. I had a waiter at this week and I asked him, as I often ask waiters, "how can I pray for you." His first response was a smirk. I didn't know if that meant he had been asked that before by some annoying pastor or he something else. Later I figured it was probably more just simply doubt in the power of prayer. Many will mock the power of God - especially when it looks so weak to the world. Jesus looked weak here. Prayer often looks weak - but by faith we are accessing spiritual power to change the world. No mockery of the kingdom kept Jesus from bringing down satan and no mockery of our faith will destroy God's purpose for our lives if we don't let it.

questions

1) What issue has the Lord wanting to deal with you on but you keep sweeping it under the rug?

2) how did Jesus react to being mocked? How should we?

Lord let us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves!

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke ch. 23. Read this entire chapter and answer these...

1) what did you notice from the story that you have never seen before?

2) what is the main point of Luke 23 - why did Luke include this chapter?

3) what part would you like to study further?

prayer

Lord open the eyes of our heart to what you and your son really did for us!

We love you Lord - we love your presence!

Friday devo

Read Luke 22:63-71. I wonder if those who mocked Jesus had any idea who he was or really understood why he was arrested. It reminds me of those who deny Christ and mock Christians for their faith and yet they don't really know what we believe. It is amazing to me God would allow himself to be treated like this. How much lower and more humiliating can it get - just keep reading!

v. 67 "you will by no MEANS believe." He had already given every means possible. He had calmed the storm - walked on water and raised the dead only to be accused of using satan's power to do it. How low would the savior go to save? He allows himself to be disrespected beyond imagination and the very act of his accusers is the very act he used to save them.

questions

1) is there anyone you would be humiliated for? What kind of love would that take?

2) Who can you go lower to love? How?

prayer

Thank you Lord for going low for us. We want to love with your heart. Let us honor you today with our lives.

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 22:54-62. Can you imagine the shame you would feel. We all have denied Christ in some way. We let a dirty joke go on without saying something. We had an opportunity to pray for someone but we thought they would think us weird. We had a chance to stand up for our faith but intimidation and fear won out. 

Peter though, had it worse. He was Jesus' right hand man and he had made many claims about what he was going to do for God. V. 61 says, "the Lord looked at Peter." Wow - that would have been unbearable. But what were Jesus' eyes saying? It is interesting to think back to the fact that Jesus' predicted this betrayal but didn't push Peter away. He just told him it would happen.

The Lord knows our hearts and he knows as he said on the cross - "forgive them - THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!" Thank you Lord for grace. From here on it will probably be harder for Peter to forgive himself than anything else.

I have noticed in ministry and life that it doesn't seem God really uses anyone until they have really come to terms w/ the condition of their heart. Hopefully we don't have to fall like Peter to discover the corruption in our hearts - but many times we do. The key is - what will we do when we discover we are wretched? Will we run to his amazing grace or make excuses?

1) Is there any place in your life right now where you're intimidated to stand up for God?

2) How can you be fearless for Jesus and yet compassionate to others?

prayer

Lord your grace is amazing - it has saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but know I'm found  - was blind but now I see. Lord unveil my eyes to the true condition of my heart so I don't betray you like Peter. Show me before the time of great testing.

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 22:47-53. How does betrayal work - here we find a case study! John 12 3:-6 tells us Judas was in charge of Jesus' money bag but use to steal from it. Perhaps he came to follow Jesus originally with good motives but over time the temptation of the money took over - satan got a foothold. Perhaps the small betrayal of stealing what was entrusted to him opened the door for a large betrayal. 

Perhaps Judas joined Jesus' group with the sole purpose to steal. His goal being to become famous. I recently watch a Brad Pitt movie on Jesse James. The man who killed Jesse James was a traitor from within his gang who wanted his fame. 

We can speculate but all we really know is that betrayal is the most painful because it comes from those we trust - that is what defines it. It involves deception like Judas kiss where one pretends to be something they are not. It hurts to be betrayed because its always personal.

v. 53 "this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Notice the word "hour" not a long period - bad enough but Jesus is going to raise and destroy the work of the enemy! (I John 3:8)

questions

1) have you ever been betrayed?

2) what are ways we might betray Jesus through our week?

prayer

Lord forgive us for playing Judas. Show us where we pretend to be one person with you but really are just playing. Lord heal us - clean us - purify our hearts - Let your Glory shine on us. Open heaven too us!

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 22:39-46. There is a lot in this passage!

"as was his custom" As John 3:16 is important to our salvation so Luke 5:16 is vital to our new life in Christ. "so he himself often withdrew to the wilderness to pray." We can read this passage in Luke 22 and think that Jesus is dialing home like a young man whose about to be arrested and needing dad to bail him out. He lives a lifestyle in the father's presence. John 5:19 tells us Jesus only does what he sees the father doing!

question: how can you better develop a lifestyle of prayer?

v. 40 Prayer greatly affects how we are tempted and our spiritual strength to endure. I know many at Encounter and other place who are presently in a bad situation financially, relationally, occupationally etc. who fell into temptation and landed there. Prayer keeps us before God so we are in step with his spirit.

v. 41 why did he withdrawl? I don't know for sure but we all need to have prayer with other believers but we must have time alone with the Lord. I have found many times the Lord draws me away from others because he knows they might influence me. My flesh, fear of man might get in the way - but alone with him - its his voice I hear and his heart is shared. Luke 3:21 at Jesus' baptism he prays and heaven opens (as it does for us by the way when we pray). How many times because we're distracted by our noise filled environment do we miss heaven opening!

v. 42 Perhaps here we find the reason he slipped away - to discover God's will. If he has discussed the details here again about his death with the disciples they would have again tried to dissuade him. There are times when God speaks to us - that no one else is going to get it and all our friends who love us will try to keep us from moving in faith. Many times the Lord leads us to our death like He did Jesus. The business man who is called the mission field. The mother who is called to leave her abusive husband. The child who is asked to confront the bully. We must get far enough away from others so we can only hear THE VOICE.

v. 43 Angel - messenger of God - the message - you're not alone - I care even though this will hurt!

v. 44 Is it wrong to struggle with doing God's will. To hate it to some extent. Jesus didn't sin by struggling to do God's will be he eventually did it!

v. 45 There are times when our flesh simply hinders us - there are times when we let the devil in the camp because we're sleeping at the wheel. I have had to start doing prayer walks at times if I'm too sleepy and need to pray. I also lay on the flood in uncomfortable positions which helps. Understand there is a spiritual drowsiness that is a spiritual attack. And there is the drowsiness that is simply fatigue. Either one can work like a sleeping pill for the enemy.

I have come under conviction recently about my need to pray for missions and missionaries more. In America we have been drowsy and distracted. I now try to pray at 9:00 pm for the nations of the world instead of being hypnotized by the TV at that time! Let's wake up saints!

question

ask the Lord "Lord what have you been trying to tell me this week but I haven't gotten alone with you long enough to hear you?

prayer

Lord remind me to get alone with you. Wake me before my alarm to slip away with you behind the door.

Wed Devo

Read Luke 22:35-38. 

It is important to see that there are seasons and shifts in seasons. Our church is in the midst of a shift. This city is in a shift. Churches have relocated, ministries displaced things like that change the spiritual atmosphere. John 3 says the Holy Spirit is like the wind he blows where he pleases. Galatians 5:25 tells us to keep in step with the spirit. How do we keep in step with a spirit that is like the wind.

The disciples here the words, "but now" and must adjust. On a previous ministry trip they were not to take anything with them. It is almost human nature to discover patterns and get in a rut. Well - God did this before - this is how he will do it again. But in transitions the Lord rarely does the same thing twice. What happened on Pentecost could not have been predicted and has not since been duplicated. 

Read Ecc 3:1-8. What time are you in? Have you adjusted? Some are better with shifts in the move of God but we must all make them.

Our nation is in a time of major shifting. Our city is in a time of major shifting. Can we be people who like the apostle John lean on the Lords breast and listen to his heart to know his will and accomplish his purpose? Can we keep up when our general says, "March!"

questions

1) is there something you've been fighting that may be God trying to shift you in a new direction?

2) why is it so important in seasons of change to be in intimate relationship with our father?

prayer

Lord give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. Fire more hunger for your power, presence and inner person.

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 22:31-34. Its amazing how much can be said in a short paragraph.

Here we learn that Satan directly attacks followers of Jesus. When you read this in the NLT you see that sifting is simply an attempt to turn the disciple from Jesus. This has always been the enemies goal and will always be!

Prayer from our Lord was the cure. It did not remove all of Peter's struggle but notice "when you have returned to Me." Just because we prayed for someone yet they still fell away - the war is not over. The Lord heard our prayer - he will finish what he started in that person (Philippians 1:6)

If Jesus prayed for Peter's strength and his prayer was answered by seeing Peter fall yet come back - we should see that will happen with our prayers at times .

v. 33 We also see we can be full of confidence and empty of faith. Faith is being SURE of what we hope for and also hoping in the right thing! Peter was ready to die with Jesus if it meant getting famous in the process but to die an outlaw - he fled.

v. 34 Jesus knows our failures before we fail. Yet do we see him chide Peter here. No he simply is preparing him to know that his love is unconditional. Are you beating yourself up for something you did. Jesus isn't! He hates sin but he also hates our lack of ability to forgive ourself when he has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west. Most of us are more more tough on ourselves than the Lord.

questions

1) How might the enemy being trying to sift you now? What if anything in your life is testing your faith?

2) Would your faith survive a total surprise by the Lord?

prayer

Lord increase our faith!

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 22:14-30. What slippery slope these guys are on. Why in the midst of Jesus' final hour are they talking about who will be the greatest? I want you to remember a time when you caught yourself thinking more highly of yourself than you ought. Many would look at this passage and just tear these guys apart with ridicule but notice v. 28-30. We can over react to this passage and miss what is really going on.

Many times when God has called us out and anointed us we will be tempted with pride but that doesn't mean we should stop moving forward. Yes these guys are way off base in their discussion. Yes the enemy has use the truth against them. They know something is special about them and so the enemy lures them to focus on that too much.

I have see people who are struggling with this over-react to the point where they walk away from what God wants them to do. We can be led astray by our pride or we can over-react and miss our destiny because we're afraid of being confident. Most of the time those attacked with pride have an awesome destiny on their life. They simply need to get their eyes off themselves and on to Jesus so you can fulfill it for them.

questions

1) have you ever not done something because you thought you would be considered prideful by others?

2) have you ever not done something because you thought to yourself - this might give me an inflated head.

prayer

Lord we want you to receive all the glory. We want to wash feet if it would honor you. But Lord we also know you raise up leaders from among us. We know you want to bless us. Let us walk the path of confidence where we know what you've called us to do and our eyes are so set on you that we don't fear our pride getting in the way.

Wed Devo

Read Luke 22:7-13. Honestly I don't get this story. There are details that I just can't make sense of for sure. I don't know why its included in the gospel. Is this all just a way of getting a place to worship the passover so they can stay under the radar of the religious leaders? Did Jesus even know who this was carrying the water pot. Was it a signal pre-arranged for the disciples or was Jesus speaking with supernatural knowledge?

Either way one point I see is that God has a place for us to worship him. He prepares a place for us. In John 14 while they're eating the meal Jesus will say, "I go to prepare a place for you." Well here we see that before he said that the Father prepared a place for them to eat this meal.

God prepares places for us to meet him. He wants us to celebrate him and his goodness. He wants us to feel his presence. He knows what we need. I think about how God has always provided exactly what we've needed. 

questions

1) where have you met with God?

2) where might he be preparing a place for you to meet him again?

prayer - Lord we are looking forward to seeing you face to face one day! Prepare our hearts by meeting with us here - now. We come hungry! Fire hunger in our hearts God! Where do you want to meet alone with me?

Tuesday Devo

Read Luke 22:1-6. 

The plot is quite simple - Kill Jesus any way we can - he's threatening our power, position and prestige. Ironically the religious leaders missed that the passover was a time to remember God saving them so he could lead them. Here again God is trying to save them through Jesus but they kill him because they refuse to be led. In God's amazing wisdom he uses their very treachery to save them. 

Think about the grace of God - he sends a savior - we kill him then he uses that murder to save us - WOW!

Judas was overcome with greed. How many times are we around Jesus because we're using Jesus?

questions

1) what are you fearful God might take from you if you totally sold out to him?

2) how have you been using Jesus?

prayer

Father - your kindness leads us to repentance. We want you to clean us up. We want our hearts pure - pour out your glory on us Lord!

Thursday Devo

Read Luke 21:20-38. It is important to remember the bold headings over the paragraphs are not original. The writers of the New King James Added them. Here they seem to be accurate but there are a few places where they could be miss leading. The main thing is - think for yourself - especially on the parts that are added by man! Some would argue the heading "The Destruction of Jerusalem is also a prophecy of what will happen in the future where as just reading this heading might simply remind us of A.D. 70.

v. 29-33 make it clear that are signs that will hint at what is to come. The key as you look at all the signs is that in the end times they will all be happening simultaneously. 

v. 34-38 gives a general but much needed warning - always be ready.

questions

1) how much do you think about Jesus' return?

2) how that might that change your day - today?

prayer

Lord, let us be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.

Wed Devo

Read Luke 21:6-19. 

v. 6 understand that the disciples ask about the time when Jerusalem will be destroyed but if we look at Matthew 24:3 when Matthew records this they asked about the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming. What makes this passage so tough to understand (like all prophecy) is what parts of Luke 21 are predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem and which are predictions of the 2nd coming!

v. 7 notice that they ask for "what signs" and Jesus doesn't rebuke them - there will be signs but v. 8 makes it clear - it will be easy to be deceived.

here are the signs listed

v. 8 many false prophets saying they are the messiah

v. 9 Wars and rumors of wars

v. 10 Nations against nations

v. 11 earthquakes, famines pestilences, fearful sights, great signs from heaven

v. 12 persecution - you can read about present fulfillment of persecution presently going on in India - emailed to me yesterday

v. 12b brought before kings and rulers

v. 16 betrayed by family

all of these things happened in the first 100 years after Christ but I believe will happen and are happening again. 

v. 19 by patience of some versions say "endurance" you will posses your souls (be saved)

Jesus is coming - we need to be ready. No matter how bleak - how hard - don't quit!

prayer

Lord your word says, if we endure with you we will reign we it you. We long to reign with you - give us strength to endure!