Raging Winds and Waters Calm

 N.T.#540 "Raging Winds and Waters Calm"

April 30, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Is there anything raging in your life? Here is the answer. Read on, friend.

Several times Jesus stilled the waters or walked upon waters. On this particular day, Jesus said to His disciples for them to cross to the other side of the lake. Probably, the guys left the area around Capernaum and set sail on the Sea of Galilee. This Sea was notorious for the wind whipping through the mountains surrounding it and churning a calm sea into choppy waters.

 So they got into a boat, maybe a Roman ship, and started across. While they sailed, Jesus took a nap in the stern on a cushion. (Mark 4:38) However, soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, waves lapping over the hull, putting them in real danger. Can you see the men bailing water?

Really guys, the Son of God was there with you. Do you think He was going to die by drowning? They didn't think, chances are. Someone woke Jesus up and probably yelling, 

Master, master, we perish. (verse 24)

In the Greek perish means die.

What did Jesus do?

• He arose;
• He rebuked the wind and the raging of the water;
• They ceased and there was a calm.

Mark told this event a little differently from Luke:

• When they awakened Jesus they said, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38)
• Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace be still. 
• The wind ceased and there was a great calm.

The two references are basically the same. I like Jesus saying, "Peace be still."

Have you had times when storms are raging either around you or in you? Life isn't always calm for us all of the time. Problems arise, issues come to be dealt with, troubles attack us, splashing on us, hitting us, trying to knock us down, cause us to give up, or quit trusting in God. Health issues of loved ones or ourself challenge our faith, problems at the job arise, kids get cranky,-you name it. We all find ourself there in a rocky boat of life, filling up and sinking us.

What do we do when that happens? Do we cry out to the Master for help? Or do we try to handle it on our own?

LET IT GROW

Jesus can calm the raging storm with peace for us to endure. 

Matthew recorded that Jesus asked the disciples why they were so fearful and how it was that they had no faith. (4:40)

Luke recorded that Jesus asked them, Where is your faith? (This was after He calmed the wind and water.)

The disciples didn't respond to Jesus' question. Being afraid, they said among themselves, What manner of man is this! For He commanded even the winds and water, and they obey Him. (Luke 8:25)

Mark 4:41 says the disciples asked, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?

Really guys? You have admitted Jesus is the Son of the Living God and yet you doubt His ability? The Creator of everything, who spokes planets, earth, sun, moon, and stars into existence, you wonder who He is?

Well, let's not be too harsh on them. Do we even ask Jesus for help when something comes up? At least they did that. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, make a way when there seems no way.

You can do all things and do them well.

Calm our anxiety, fill us with hope, grace, mercy, and love from You.

Help our faith grow.

Are You a Part of the Family?

 N.T.#539 "Are You a Part of the Family?"

April 29, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

How important is your family? Are you shunning them if they are not believers in Jesus? We should be a witness to them of our faith and show them the love of Jesus. 

Where Jesus and His disciples were, Jesus' family showed up. (verse 20) His blood-relatives wanted to talk to Jesus. 

Do we tend to forget that Jesus had siblings and a family back home in Nazareth? I do. Mary and Joseph had a good-sized family by today's standards. According to Mark 6:3, He had 4 half- brothers (James, Joses, Juda, and Simon) and sisters (unknown number).

Jesus' half-brothers didn't believe in Him until after His resurrection. Look at who or what they became in the spiritual world. James became a leader in the Jerusalem church and wrote the book bearing his name. Jude (Judas) wrote the last New Testament epistle. We deduct that their faith and commitment. Jesus had at least 2 sisters, for the word is plural.

LET IT GROW

With that said, Mary and her sons came to speak with Jesus. He didn't downplay their importance, yet Jesus stressed the more important relationships were in the spiritual realm. Those believing in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior was why Jesus was here to teach them.

Jesus recognized that a prophet is without honor in his own country, kin, and house. He didn't disrespect His family but emphasized the supremacy and eternality of spiritual relationship/ After all, even His own family needed Jesus as Savior. (John 7:5) (MacArthur)

Jesus' true family is comprised of those who hear and obey His words. (verse 21)

Are you one of God's children.? Have you come to Jesus through faith, asked His forgiveness, and made Him Lord of your life?

According to Paul in Romans 8:16-17, when we do so. we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus. 

What a thought-being a part of the family of God! One day you and I will meet in heaven and discuss life. How great it is have spiritual brothers and sisters.

LET IT GO

I'm a part of the family of God. I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod. I'm so glad to be a part of the family of God!

Secrets

N.T.#538 "Secrets"

April 28, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

Is your light shining on unbelievers? God's ultimate purpose is not to hide the truth, but to make it known. (MacArthur)

Inconsistency, unkindly words and acts, disobedience to our known duty will prevent our light from shining. If Christ has illumined your wick, see that you trust Him to find for you your stand, from which you may emit the clearest rays. You are lighted to shine! (Meyer's Commentary)

All truth will be manifest in the judgment. 

Luke 8:17 tells us, For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 

Whatever was wrapped up in parables and dark sayings, or was secretly, and in a private manner, committed to them, should be made manifest by them to others hereafter. For what had been whispered to them, in the most secret and silent manner, was to come abroad not only in Judea, but in all the world, and to be published upon the house tops. (John Gill's Exposition)

As Christians we are to bring all our sins to the light now so that the blood of Jesus Christ might cleanse us from all sin. (1 John 1:9) And then, when that day comes we will have nothing to fear, for all our sin will have been dealt with. 

Is our light shining brightly for people to see? Is Jesus your Light?

LET IT GROW

We were in darkness until the light of the gospel got through to us. When we respond in faith to God's truth, more truth will be given. The one who refuses to respond to the truth will be lost. (verses 17-18) Tony Evans

The Master did not give us talents and spiritual gifts to be buried, but to be used for kingdom work. These will either be used and continued in us or taken from us when not used. Let's be hearers and doers of the Word. 

It's our choice. Let our light shin or hide it. Grow in grace. 

LET IT GO

Help us turn from sinful habits, a critical spirit, a lukewarm heart.

Set our souls afire for You, Jesus!

To You be glory forever!

Is Your Light Shining?

 N.T.#537 "Is Your Light Shining?"

April 25, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 4

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

LET IT GLOW

Are we good-ground Christians? Are we bearing fruit as our character and conduct are transformed as we live in obedience to God's Word? In order to be one, we must come clean with God, confessing sin and seeking change. (Tony Evans) 

These are an outward indication of our salvation. There should be no secret believers in Jesus. Really saved people will grow in grace, while mere professors will lose even that which they seem to possess.

In verse 16, we conclude that lighting a candle and blocking its light is absurd. The purpose of light is to dispel darkness and make all things visible. 

LET IT GROW

This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, no, I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine til Jesus comes, I'm going to let it shine.

Did you learn that song as a child or teach it to your children? 

Light represents truth. Jesus is our light, truth, and His purpose is to shine through us. When we respond to the light, then more light will be given. However, if one chooses darkness, then they will lose what they think they have, as they reject God's Word.

The thing is, you and I were in darkness until the light of the gospel got through to us. Others around us remain in spiritual darkness. Are we shining our light on them, bringing them to Jesus? It is our duty. Our witness for Christ should be public, not hidden. 

Are we looking for opportunities to shine our Light when unbelievers need help to see?

LET IT GO

Let our light shine today so others see Jesus in us.

Let love radiate to others.

Do You Have a Good Heart?

 N.T.#536  "Do You Have a Good Heart?"

April 24, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Jesus gave His crowd plus disciples a parable of the seed/soil for a life lesson to consider. In the last post we discussed the details of the 4 various types of ground the seed full upon whenever the farmer sowed them-a wayside path, rocks, thorns, and fertile soil.

Jesus explained what each soil type represented, spiritually speaking, in simple terms:

• The seed is the Word of God. (verse 11) Only the seed remains the same, but the soil changes. 
• The farmer could be anyone: a pastor, an evangelist, a writer, a Christian in the workplace, a teacher, students; anyone who communicates God's truths. Success depends upon the soil, not the sower. The soils represent the hearts or minds of people. The farmer plants seeds of the Word taking it to others. 
• First is the wayside or pathway soil. This heart is hardened and uncultivated soil. The Word of God is never given a chance to sprout and put down roots because the person remains impervious, allowing the devil to pluck it from the surface. These people are "beside-the-road-soil people and will not believe, thus well not be saved. (verse 12)
• The second kind of soil, rocky soil, represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. (verse 13) Yet, it doesn't last since their roots are not deep in the Word. They fall the last away as soon as problems or persecution comes. This is an emotional and superficial person, without roots deep in the Word. They lack spending time studying the Word, and with God, living in obedience to His Word, and serving others.
• The third kind of soil is choked-with-thorns soil. (verse 14) The message is crowded out by the worries of this life, lure of wealth, desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Like kudzu in the south, which grows rapidly and choked out other plants.) They produce no spiritual fruit.
• The last type of soil is good soil. It represents those who hear and accept the Word of God, then produce fruit and a harvest. They have an honest and good heart, hear and keep the Word, so they bring people to Jesus and share His Word with patience. They seek Truth and welcome reproof, confess sin, and seek changes.

[Resources: New Living Translation Chronological Bible, Swindoll's Living Insights on Luke, Liberty Bible Commentary]

Which type of soil is your heart? Is God's Word working in your life?

LET IT GROW

Jesus rebuked the first three kinds of soil/hearts. The main purpose of Jesus' parable was to reveal the obstacles to the Word's full potential. The main things is our discipling others, sharing the Gospel, living the Word, maturing faith, producing fruit. Pray for the baby Christian and encourage them.

Is this you and me?

I appreciate your faithfulness to study the Word with me. 

LET IT GO

Jesus, produce fruit in me and through me.

Help me let go of the past hurts and live in the now for You.

Your love and forgiveness never fail.

Glory to God in the Highest, grace and mercy never cease!

Soil and Seed, You and Me

N.T.#535 "Soil and Seed, You and Me"

April 23, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 2

A large crowd from many towns had gathered to hear Jesus. They came to see His miracles and hear Jesus' teachings. Jesus used metaphors and illustrations, but this is the first parable in Luke's writings. 

Jesus told the crowd a parable, which we consider a heavenly story with an earthly meaning. It teaches us a life lesson. 

In the Greek, parable refers to a fictious narrative (of common life conveying a moral). 

This parable is about a farmer who scatters seeds across his field. We call it a parable of the seeds, but it is actually a parable of the soils. The seeds land on 4 various types of soil:

1. The first type of soil where seed landed on was a footpath where it was trodden upon and eaten by birds. (If seed survived the trampling, then it became a treat for the birds)
2. The second type of soil was rocky ground. The seed began to grow into plants with the rocks but wilted and died for a lack of moisture. (A slab of limestone could have been just under the surface. Roots could not push down into the soil for nourishment to grow and anchor the plant.)
3. The third type of soil had thorns that grew up with the seeds' plants, but the plants were eventually choked out and died. (Grain stalks wouldn't compete with briars, weeds, nor brambles. Those could grow as high as 6 feet tall.)
4. The other soil was good, fertile ground for the seed to grow and produce a crop of a hundred times as much as was planted. (Grain stalks had ample opportunity to grow. The harvest was a great return for the farmer's investment.) (New Living Translation, Swindoll's Living Insights on Luke)

We studied this parable back in Matthew 13 and Mark 4. It must have been important for us to have it recorded 3 times, wouldn't you say? 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can understand the parables of Jesus. The Lord promised to teach anyone willing to learn. Parables equip serious disciples of Jesus while repelling hostile skeptics. (Swindoll)

Do we have a willingness to understand what Jesus is teaching us? Do we have spiritual discernment? 

LET IT GROW

What does this parable mean? You may be wonder the same thing as the disciples. They know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but others are given parables in order to learn, but they don't understand it.

Isaiah 6:9 uses an idiom, seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not see. 

They Lord sent Isaiah to rebuke the leaders of Israel but was warned that they would not understand with their hearts, return to God, and be healed. It was a heart problem not a head problem. Willing hearts will comprehend, but rebellious hearts will not. The natural mind can't grasp what God has to say to His people. 

Maybe the crowd was looking for a military leader or a political Messiah, so they were blinded by their own preconceived ideas. Jesus faced the same kind of reaction by people as did Isaiah. So may we.

Which are we? Will we see and hear with our hearts the meaning of this parable? Tomorrow we will study Jesus' explanation of it.

LET IT GO

Are our spiritual eyes and ears open to what God has to say to us?

Help us understand what You have to say to us, Lord Jesus.

May we show fruit of the Spirit today.

Forgive us when we do not.

Keep us in Your will, walking in Your ways.

You Are Important

N.T.#534 "You Are Important"

April 22, 2025 

Luke 8

LET IT GLOW

Do you sometimes feel insignificant or unimportant in kingdom work? If you are a child of the King, no need to worry. He loves you so much that Jesus died for you to provide everlasting life.

It seems that Luke was taking a break in his writings here in verses 1. It could be an overall synopsis of Jesus' ministry in the Galilean area. He didn't stay in one place long, traveling from one town and village to another.  This was so He could preach the good news of the kingdom of God. 

Many followed Jesus, but there was a core group that went with Him everywhere:

• This included 12 apostles whom He chose,
• Several women who were supporting Jesus' needs from their possessions-Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast out 7 demons (8:2),
• Joanna was the wife of a highly placed official in the court of Herod Anatipas (verse 3)
• Susanna, of whom nothing is known, yet she is mentioned here (verse 3).

It was two women who witnessed the Resurrected Christ Jesus at the tomb. Women were looked down upon during that time. However, Jesus made them important enough to mention them in the Scriptures, several times. 

LET IT GROW

Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you sharing His resurrection that gives us hope of life after death? Is He your Savior. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes unto the Father except by Him.

May we live by faith today, trusting You along the way, Sweet Jesus.