"How Big is Your Faith?"

N.T.#609 "How Big is Your Faith?"

August 11, 2025 

Luke 17-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW

How is your faith? Is it growing and serving? Or is it just sitting still?

Here we have some teachings of Jesus to His disciples in this chapter:

• Offending and leading astray a little one, child or young believer, with a stumbling block causing them to sin results in divine judgment. (verses 1-2)
• If a brother trespass/sin against you repeatedly in one day, rebuke them, then forgive them if they repent. Forgiveness is an unceasingly, ongoing thing because we sin daily. (verses 3-4)
• Grow in faith, exercise faith, and use the faith they have.  
• Provided it is God's will, we can ask anything and it will be accomplished. (verses 5-6)

Genuine faith is more important than the amount of faith. Faith is complete trust in and loyalty to God that results in a willingness to do His will. (Life Application Study Bible)

LET IT GROW

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou panted in the sea; and it should obey you. (verse 6)

Asking God for anything, even for a tree to be uprooted and cast into the sea, will be accomplished, provided it is God's will. To pray in the will of God we must have His Word abiding in us, (John 15:7) because only His Word informs us with certainty regarding His will. (Falwell)

Do we have genuine faith in our tremendous God?

How are you showing your faith?

LET IT GO

It isn't enough for us to let go of something which is holding us back from exercising faith in God. We must let go and let God. 

What comes to your mind that you need to let go of and let God handle it?

"Protect the Little Ones"

N.T.#608 "Protect the Little Ones"

August 8, 2025 

Luke 17-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW 

Do you remember when traps for small animals (like rabbits, skunks) in the woods would be set using a stick to hold up a wooden box? 

Now Jesus is teaching His disciples some principles to live by concerning relationships. First, He warns against being a stumbling block for little ones. Stumbling blocks was like a stick holding open a baited trap, like a trip wire. Jesus is warning his followers against traps like pride, greed, fear, addictions, compulsions, temptations, distractions. (Swindoll)

We are not to be the reason someone falls into sin. We are not to lay traps for them, the little ones (helpless, innocent children). Those may include needy or emotionally wounded or downtrodden by life or ignorant of spiritual matters. We are not to be users, either.

LET IT GROW

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and be cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (verse 2)

You have probably seen pictures of a millstone used in biblical days. It was a huge, extremely heavy stone used to grind grain into flour or pressing olives into oil. 

Jesus warned of God's wrath for those who offend, abuse, hurt, or lead astray the little ones. This term can also include new believers. It is a terrible thing for children to be abused or hurt by adults. We must be warned to guard them against abuse, mentally and spiritually, as well as physically. Corruption and evil can enter homes through television and internet. We must filter and supervise what is watched. 

One time when our children were little we saw a cute little Smurf call on the name of Beelzebub, another name for Satan. We must guard their innocence. Schools can become a place where homosexuals, transgenders, and perpetrators seek to change that in our children.

It is better for a person to be drown than to face the wrath of God for such things. so be careful what we teach new Christians. Make it Truth from the Word.

LET IT GO

Open our eyes, Lord Jesus.

Help us encourage instead of hurting others.

Give us strength to stand for You and Your Word.

"Are You a Believer?"

N.T.#606 "Are You a Believer?"

August 6, 2025 

Luke16-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

Are you a believer? The only way to heaven is believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Plain and simple. Good works won't get you there. Being born a Jew won't get you there. Being rich won't get you there. Nope. It is by faith and the grace of God only.

We just finished studying about the rich man and the beggar. It could have been written in parabolic fashion to prove a main point presented in symbolic form. The rich man would not have known Abraham and Lazarus by sight for they lived in a different time. Other parables do not use specific names like this one did. Moses, Abraham, Lazarus, and the prophets were real people, as was the certain rich man.  

I think Jesus recounted what happened to these two men after they died. He would have been there before He came to earth. This proves there is a real heaven and a real hell, a place of torment and punishment. However, there is a great gulf or distance between the two so no one can change places. They are there for the duration of eternity. 

Believers in Jesus have the assurance of heaven after death. What peace that gives us. Are you a believer? 

LET IT GROW

Before we move onto the next chapter, there are some gold nuggets for us. I like how Swindoll summed it up:

1. God's written Word is the most important evidence a person can examine.
2. It contains the most compelling information to prepare us for death.
3. The person who ignores the Word of God in life will not be ignored by the God of the Word in eternity.

What does this mean to the unbeliever? Study the Word of God, and examine it closely. History validates there was a man named Jesus who walked on this earth. That makes the Bible to be Truth. Jesus claimed to be God (John 5:17-18); the Messiah (John 4:25-26), and the only way to heaven. (John 14:6)

I write those things because we have visitors who are not believers in Jesus, yet. Perhaps you have believers in your family, work place, neighborhood. We must share the Good News of Jesus.

LET IT GO

Keep us standing firm in the Truth, Jesus.

We owe You our everything because You gave Your everything for us.

Such love, grace, and mercy!

"Are You Ready For Death?

N.T.#606 "Are You Ready For Death?"

August 6, 2025 

Luke 16-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

Going through the doorway of death certainly changed the status of the rich man and poor man. It was due to what was in the hearts of these two men. The rich man becomes the beggar, while the beggar is now the rich man. You must make the decision in this life where you will go after your death. You do not get a second chance after death.  (J.V. McGee)

In other words, is Jesus your Savior today? Today may be all that we have. After death, it is either heaven or hell for the soul forever. This is the most important decision in your life which you can make.

What about our loved ones? Do they know Jesus? Eternity is a very long time, forever and ever.

LET IT GROW

... if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (verses 30-31)

Jesus' friend Lazarus had returned from the dead and the religious leaders sought only to kill him, though some believed through his testimony. (John 12)

Also, Jesus Christ arose from the dead and many back then and now do not believe it happened. 

There is no returning or sending back of messages from hell; no reincarnation, nor spiritism as it is thought of by those who are thereby deceived. (Falwell)

Jesus used this message to warn the Pharisees. They separated obedience to God and compassion for people. A life of abundance and success does not always mean God is pleased with us. 

Watch out for rules, rituals, regulations, and traditions. It is God's Word by which we are to live. In it we find eternal life. Are we sharing it today?

LET IT GO

Make us into what You want us to be, Lord Jesus.

We are here to serve You and others.

"Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

 N.T.#605 "Where Will You Spend Eternity?"

August 5, 2025 

Luke 16-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW

Jesus finished teaching about having the right attitude towards money. He told about the "Rich man and Lazarus." It's about a billionaire and a beggar. Although, it could have been an account of two real men who are known as a certain rich man and a certain beggar. 

Here is a contrast:

• A rich man, which remains nameless, was always clothed in fine linen against his skin and a purple outer garment, that was the most expensive material. (verse 18)
• This man lived sumptuously (luxuriously) every day. (I wondered if he lived in a gated community.)
• He indulged his appetite with any food he desired.
• He received good things in his lifetime. (verse 25)
• He knew about Lazarus the beggar. Maybe he walked around him daily as he went outside his gate to go to work, town, or the store.
• When the rich man died, he was wrapped in aromatic spices and placed in a burial cave.
• Oh, he probably had family, friends, associates, city officials, and professional mourners to weep. 
• The rich man's soul went to hell, where he was tormented in a flame, and needing his tongue cooled by water. (verse 24)
• We know he had 5 brothers, for he begged Abraham to send someone to testify unto them. Yet it was not possible. There is a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell and no one can go to the other place. Ones eternity is sealed once one dies. (verse 28)
• The rich, selfish man thought if one came back from the dead, then people (his 5 brothers) would repent of their sins and believe in Jesus, not having to experience hell.

Hell is a real place for unbelievers in Jesus. It was designed for the devil and his angels to suffer for their sinful rebellion, wanting to be as God). However, when people do not repent and believe in Jesus as their Savior, the Son of God, The only way to heaven, then they spend eternity considering their mistakes.

The rich man did not show Lazarus compassion and this, he would not experience compassion for all of eternity. What a sad thing. It could have been avoided. And so it is for so many prideful souls.

LET IT GROW

Lazarus's life is such a contrast to that of the rich man:

• Lazarus was a helpless beggar who was laid at the rich man's gate, dying. 
• He was hungry, skinny, malnourished, desiring to eat crumbles which fell from the rich man's table. (Just give him some leftovers.)
• He must have been diseased, for Lazarus was full of sores, painful abscesses, which the dogs licked. What a pathetic situation in which to live. (verse 20-21)
• When this beggar died alone, he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, the Hebrew father of faith, surrounded by faithful ones in heaven. (verse 22)
• His body was probably hauled to the city dump-no elaborate burial, no mourners, no family.

The Pharisees had the Law, Moses' teachings, and the prophets, yet they didn't repent of their sins. 

Is heaven yours to gain or hell to receive forever? Friend, have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? 

LET IT GO

We need Your grace and mercy, Heavenly Father.

Thank You for sending Jesus to die in our place for our sins.

How wonderful heaven must be!

Please change hearts today, save lost souls, help others to believe in You today.

Glory to Your name.

"Divorce"

 N.T.#604 "Divorce"

August 4, 2025 

Luke 16-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW

Here we are again on the topic of divorce. I didn't bring it up, Jesus did. Marriage is God's design, His ideal, and the way for a family to be established. The institution of marriage was established before the church. Marriage is a lifelong commitment and bond between one man and one woman. The husband is to love his wife and the wife is to respect her husband. 

To leave your spouse for another person may be legal, but it is adultery in God's eyes. (Life Application Study Bible)

Christ will not allow divorces, for His Gospel is intended to strike at the bitter root of men's corrupt appetites and passions, to kill them, and plucked them up. (Matthew Henry)

Matthew 5:32 gives an excuse for divorce-fornication before their marriage. In the ancient Near East, it  was allowed for a man to verbally divorce his wife. The Arab custom would allow him to say tell her 3 times that he divorces her. There was no legal protection for her. The ancient law of Israel insisted on a writing of divorcement or certificate of divorce.  

Christ allowed it because of sexual unfaithfulness during the engagement period. However, the legitimacy of divorce does not necessarily establish the legitimacy of remarriage. Also, there are many examples of extending forgiveness to the adulterous offender. (Hosea 3:1; Gen. 38:26; John 8:1-11) (Falwell)

LET IT GROW

When there is a divorce involved, both families are effected, and children if present. Heartbreak or anger can result, too. Both should repent of this sin to Jesus, as well when remarriage is involved, in my opinion. Living together is not an option. 

You know, marriage is hard work. Relationships take hard work, too. That is why we need Jesus to be the head of our family. His blood covers a multitude of sins. We should seek the will of God for our life before making such a commitment. 

LET IT GO

Help us stand for Your standards, Lord Jesus.

Forgive our sins today.

"Rules Vs. Jesus"

N.T.#603 "Rules Vs. Jesus"

August 1, 2025 

Luke 16-Part 3

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. (verse 17)

LET IT GLOW

The Pharisees couldn't fool Jesus. He told them that they can't love or serve God and money at the same time. The Pharisees scoffed at Jesus because they were lovers of money. God knew their hearts. What hypocrites they were. They were good at using their wealth to camouflage their greedy hearts. (Tony Evans)

These religious leaders were good at diluting the Word of God into man-made rules and traditions. 

In verse 15, Jesus confronted the Pharisees saying they were:

• justifying themselves before men.  
• God knew what was in their hearts-love of money, which was an abomination to God.

Abomination means idolatry; a detestation.  

The Jews rejected the rule of Jesus over them and when He reigns as King. Have you accepted or rejected Jesus as King over your life? What does Jesus see in your heart?

LET IT GROW

The Law and the Prophets mentioned here referred to the Old Testament, which taught about the kingdom of God. Then John the Baptist came on the scene, preaching repentance and the Good News that its King, which is Jesus, had come. He accused the Pharisees of violating the Law. 

The universe will dissolve before the Law of God passes away. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it. (verse 17)

I pray the Ten Commandments will be hung in the classrooms across our country. Without them our schools and society have become chaos, with killings. With them, we realize we are sinners in need of a Savior, for we can't keep them all. 

LET IT GO

Only Jesus paid the price for me.

Only His love can set me free.

Nobody else could open heaven's door.

Just Jesus and nothing more.

*Please pray that no one hacks into this website so the Word is not destroyed. (especially in S. America)