Hearing and Doing

N.T.#524 "Hearing and Doing"

April 9, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 15

LET IT GLOW

For the last three days it has been pouring down rain. Our dirt roads are washing, streams are flooding, and yards are a swamp. However, we did need rain very much, just not this much. Although, my life is built upon the Rock of Jesus and nit shifting sand.

Leadership in God's kingdom bears little resemblance to leadership in the world. Jesus describes the difference using 3 parables:

1. 1. The blind leading the blind (verses 39-42)
2. 2. The produce of good and bad trees (verses 43-45)
3. 3. The wise builder and the foolish builder (verses 46-49)

In the first two illustrations, we find the difference between genuine citizens of God's kingdom and those who merely pretend. A blind person usually takes the elbow of a sighted person who leads the sightless person through unfamiliar territory, helping them avoid obstacles and pitfalls. What good is a blind guide? Those who reject God's Messiah and teach others to do so will lead them to destruction. Is the character and conduct of our Master shining through, because discipleship is a reflection of the Life of Christ?

The third reveals the devastating consequences of disobedience. The spiritually blind cannot lead a spiritually blind person. It's like do as I say, not as I do. The Pharisees were good at that. 

Good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit. Apple trees produce apples. You can identify people who follow God based on what they say and do. Spiritual leaders are to lead by example. The good spiritual leader produces good fruit of the Spirit. Jesus is their authority and teacher, not them. 

We speak and act from the overflow of the heart. (verse 45)

The wise person builds their life on Jesus and His Word. Because his foundation is built upon the Rock, when the rains and flood come, it does not crumble. 

Are we having spiritual eyesight? Does our life produce good fruit? Do we stand firm amidst the storms of life because Jesus is our Rock?

LET IT GROW

If we have a beam (sin) of wood in our own eye, then we should not complain about the splinter in our brother's eye (a minor fault). A hypocrite says one thing and does another. They talk a big game and give an impression of being a spiritual person but are not. Our actions speak louder than words. So let's deal with the larger issues in our own heart before addressing the small issues in the life of a brother or sister in Christ. 

And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (verse 46)

LET IT GO

Is there anything which keeps us from serving and loving God with all our heart? Let it go.

Are we hearing and acting upon it? We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. (James 1:22)

We ask Jesus what He would have us do. If we love Him, then keep His commands. (John 14:15)

Giving

N.T.#524 "Giving"

April 8, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 14

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (verse 38)

LET IT GLOW

We are to love others, not judge them. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, these qualities will come back to us in full measure. Jesus used a parable to picture the measuring grain in a basket to ensure the full amount. (Life Application Study Bible)

I like the way Tony Evans puts it: Kingdom people will give generously in time, prayer, finances, and service. They realize that all they have has been given to them by God, so they can bless others. God rewards sacrificial generosity done in His name with overflowing spiritual and physical blessings. The key is to give to others the very thing that we want God to give us. When we minister to the needs of others, the result is He raises up people to minister in return to us in that same area of need. 

LET IT GROW

The illustration given here is measuring grain correctly and not cheating doing it for a sale. When we give something, it should be from the heart, because we have the love of Jesus in ours. 

The principle Jesus is teaching is that love expresses love, love gives, love overflows, love thinks of others and not self. When we have the love of Jesus within our heart, we give it to others in various forms. Is our love running over? Is Jesus' love in us running over? 

LET IT GO

What is holding us back from giving our all to Jesus and to others?

Mercy and Forgiveness

N.T.#523 "Mercy and Forgiveness"

April 7, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 13

LET IT GLOW

We found out how to treat others. Love our enemies, do good to them, and lend expecting nothing in return. When we do so, we will have a reward in heaven and be called a child of the Highest. (verses 32-35) We need to remember to treat others like we want to be treated. (verse 31) 

In verses 36-38Jesus gives us 5 examples of the grace principle: Be merciful. (verse 36. How are we to be merciful? We have received mercy from our Heavenly Father, so we should, in turn, show mercy to others.  

1.Merciful  means of tender mercy

2. Don't judge (distinguish; try; call in question). (verse 37a) God alone is qualified to judge people. As we distinguish between right and wrong, we must avoid sitting in judgment over people. 

3. Don't condemn.  (verse 37b) Condemn is to pronounce guilty. A follower of Jesus understands the great gift they have received. Gratitude inspires compassion and renders condemnation unthinkable. 

4. Forgive. (verse 37c) Forgive means pardon; release; let go. To forgive a debt is to release the debtor from the obligation to repay. To forgive an offense is to release the offender from any obligation to repair the damage or to suffer similar pain.

LET IT GROW

5. Give in good measure. (verse 38) Mercy withholds justice after a sin; grace gives sacrificially to the sinner despite his or her wrongdoing.  Don't give them what they deserve. We don't want what we deserve. [Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights]

If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, these qualities will come back to us in full measure. A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God's forgiveness. However, if we are critical, we will receive criticism. 

How are we doing? It is through Jesus' help that we can treat others like we want to be treated, to forgive, to give, to show mercy, and not condemn. 

Is there anyone that comes to mind which needs us to do those things toward them? 

This is deep and maybe cuts us to the core. Maybe we need to have a heart-to-heart talk with God and another person if we are harboring ill feelings.

LET IT GO

Help us let go of the painful memories and love those who caused it.

Forgive us of being unforgiving.

Help us to not judge, condemn, but to give good to all around us.

Help us Jesus, to be more like you. 

How to Treat Others

N.T.#522 "How to Treat Others"

April 4, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 12

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (verse 31)

LET IT GLOW

Are you practicing the Golden Rule as it says above? Jesus requires His believers to initiate helpful actions toward others. To sum it up, we are to treat others the way we want them to treat us. It is the standard of kindness toward others. 

 As we show love to our enemies, are we doing good and praying for them? Are we responding with blessing and generosity rather than cursing and retaliation? That is how Jesus told us to react. 

I must admit, praying for them is a lot easier than doing good to my enemies or those who are spiteful toward me. We have to be careful that we don't get the "I don't care" syndrome. I was at that point with a family member. After years of turning the other cheek, putting up with their hurtful comments, and being ugly toward me, I quit showing love. Now I regret it, since they have passed away.

My advice is that we keep showing the love of Jesus, even when it does not seem to matter. They see it.

LET IT GROW

Some call it the grace principle. When we extend grace, the grace of God comes to us in greater quantities, not only to benefit us, but to shower those around us with the goodness of God. (Swindoll)

In verses 32-35, we find why we are to love, do good to, and lend to them which are our enemies. Sinners show love to those who return love, do good to the ones who will return good, and lend to those who will return it. They have their reward. But believer's standards are to surpass that of sinners or unbelievers. 

When we love our enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, then we will have a great reward. Also, we will be the children of the Highest. God is kind to the unthankful and those who do evil. 

Do we tend to forget these principles as we go about our daily routine?  

LET IT GO

Help us let go of revenge, ignoring those who hurt us, laughing when they hurt, Father.

May we show love and not ignore the unlovely.

May we be found faithful to Your Word and loving like Jesus. 

How Are We Treating Others?

 N.T.#521 "How Are We Treating Others?"

April 3, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 11

LET IT GLOW

We are heading to Kansas City on Tuesday, so I'm writing this ahead of time. We are meeting our daughter, her husband, and one grandson there for dinner. Although the trip is a 4-hour drive, I can endure. Its been 5 months since we visited with our daughter and 9 months since we saw our grandson. It is time for him to decide which college to attend, since he will be finishing up courses at the community college in their state. So it will be a joyful few hours spent with our family. I would leap for joy if I didn't have a chance of falling and breaking my ankle bone again.

I ask myself if that is the kind of joy the scripture is speaking of in verse 23. Rejoice and leap for joy when people hate me, ignore me, and say evil about me? Well, I wouldn't carry it to that extreme, but Jesus said to leap for joy because our reward is great in heaven. (It takes me a while to get over those hurt feelings.) We should do this because Jesus told us. I get it. Yet, I can recall many times when church members snubbed me because they didn't like the stand I took. 

It is good to keep in mind that Luke was a Gentile. He was the only Gentile to write a book of the bible. Maybe that is why he left out some of the Beatitudes, not being a Jew. 

Here is what we have learned so far as to how we are supposed to treat others:

Love your enemies, do good to them, lend to them without expecting repayment, bless them, pray for them, turn the other cheek, give to them, be merciful to them. Whew! That is a lot to take in. 

Verse 30 tells us to Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. (NLT)

Jesus requires His believers to initiate helpful actions toward others. (Falwell)

To be honest, I think I am failing more than obeying these instructions. How about you? Do we have some things to work on in our life and attitude?

LET IT GROW

We pick up in verse 31, And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 

This is known as The Golden Rule. Treat others like you want to be treated. If we want to be treated graciously, generously, compassionately, then we need to do so toward others. It will come back to us in full measure, according to verse 38.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to have different values than the world. Are we distinguishable as such? When we show love to those who do not love us, we are showing them Jesus' love. Is our life reflecting the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father? Is it our desire to be like children of the Highest?

I definitely have some homework to do.

LET IT GO

Let go of hurt feelings, being taken advantage of, snubbed.

Help us act like a child of the King, the Most High God.

May I forgive others as I desire Your forgiveness.

Remind me how to treat others today.

Helping Hand

N.T.#520 "Helping Hand"

April 2, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 10

LET IT GLOW 

1. We are learning how to love the unlovable as Jesus instructed us: 
2. 1. Love your enemies.
3. 2. Do good to them which hate you.
4. 3. Bless them that curse you. 
5. 4.Pray for those who mistreat you.

Now it gets more personal:

1. 5. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. (verse 29) this could be a backhanded slap to a sharp punch. We are not to be the world's punching bag, but to endure an insulting slap, not a brutal blow to the face. figuratively, it is a blow to one's ego. Jesus wanted His disciples to lay aside their pride in deference to non-life-threatening attacks from nonbelievers. (Swindoll)

Words can hurt, cut out your heart and cut you to the bone. Yet, we are to die to self and follow Jesus. We are to be different from the world. Our response may open the eyes of this unbeliever. Take our cares to Jesus, for He cares for us, loves us. His Spirit can be salve in the wound.

How do we respond to others? Sometimes we need to just walk away and not listen to their junk. 

LET IT GROW

          6, If someone demands your cloak (robe, outer garment, coat), offer your coat (shirt, tunic) also. Respond with generosity to greed. We are to be generous to those who are selfish, basically. Keep loosely our grip on possessions, which ultimately belong to God. God can replace whatever we give up. 

However, there comes a time when taking advantage of us should stop, in my opinion. When the person continues to use us and do it on purpose, then we are to stop giving. It is tough love. 

Are we valuing people more than things? 

When someone needs a helping hand, sure we are to help. There comes a time when the needy needs to trust in God our Provider and get a job. 

LET IT GO

Give and forgive. That sums it up. 

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How to Treat Our Enemies

N.T.#519 "How to Treat Our Enemies"

April 1, 2025 

Luke 6-Part 9

LET IT GLOW

Blessings and woes are such a contrast between the kingdom of God and this present world order. 

Are you ready for some hard teaching and difficult-to-apply to relationships things to live by? Starting in verse 27, we read some directions from our Savior as an act of the will, which takes a conscious effort for us to do. 

The word good is used 8 times in verses 27-45. It has various Greek meanings as they use various Greek words. I will show the meanings following their usage.

1. Love your enemies. (verse 27) We are to express God's love to our enemies, especially the kind of love modeled by Christ and He commanded in the upper room. Jesus tells His disciples to give this selfless kind of love to the most unlovable people of all-our enemies. Are we being Christlike love in action?

2. Do good to them which hate you.  (verse 27)

    This good means honestly. Hate means to detest (especially to persecute). 

Now, this is especially difficult, yet Jesus want us to show love and honestly love those who hurt us.

Does anyone come to your mind as you read this? Probably we need to be showing them love.

LET IT GROW

3. Bless them that curse you. (verse 28a)  The word bless refers to speak well; thank; praise. Curse means to execrate, which is to declare to be evil or despised. 

As a follower of Jesus we are to respond with blessings and be generous rather than cursing and retaliation. Even when one speaks evil of us or they despise us. These instructions are getting harder to follow, aren't they? Yet, Jesus endured the Pharisees who treated Him like this. 

4. Pray for them that despitefully use you. (verse 28b) Despitefully and use mean the same, threats; to insult; slander. 

Okay, we are to speak well of these mean people who insult us. Consider it all joy? God is in control. So far we are told to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who do not return it to us. In spite of it all, we are to forgive and love. I think that sums these instructions up.

LET IT GO

Jesus loves me, ain't no doubt. 

I haven't been doing this; forgive me Lord Jesus.

Help us love the unlovely.

We pray for those people, Lord, for they need You.

May we do good to them.