March 16 2019

Tax Collectors and Sinners

Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:29-32

The scribes and Pharisees were the “church” of the day.  
When Jesus came he broke a lot of the “rules” by hanging out with those who were living outside the law.  
Because the scribes and Pharisees didn’t understand Jesus’ mission while on the earth, they questioned his actions and his motives. 
Why was He hanging out with sinners? 
Jesus came to free people from the rigors of the law, a law that they were unable to keep on their own. 
The Messiah had come, but many in the “church” of the day didn’t recognize Him because they weren’t expecting what He came to offer and because they were caught up in following the rules which they believed made them righteous all on their own.  
Jesus was much more freely accepted by those who understood that they were unable to keep that law on their own. Jesus came to be sacrificed on the cross, once and for all, to atone for our sins, so that we would be seen as righteous through His perfect work, not our imperfect efforts.  
We need to follow the lead of Jesus.  
Are we spending all our time only with those in the Church?  
Are we wondering why Jesus is showing up among “the sinners”? 
Perhaps it is time for us to be reminded of why Jesus came.  
Jesus came to offer salvation, freedom and joy.  
It is our responsibility to share this freedom that Jesus brings into our lives, with those around us who don’t yet understand who Jesus is or why He came.  
Will you choose to share today?
Question for Discussion Group:
What has your experience been of sharing Jesus’ work in your life with others?

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March 15 2019

“Do What it Takes” Friends

Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. Luke 5: 18-19

This man had “do what it takes” friends.  
He was paralyzed.  
He was unable to get to Jesus on his own for healing.  
They carried him there on his bed.  
When they arrived they saw that because of the crowd that surrounded Him, there was no way to get near.  
They could have given up at this point and went home.  
Surely they had done their due diligence.  
But no, they didn’t stop there.  
They went up on that roof, created an opening, carried him up onto that roof and then lowered him into the midst before Jesus.  
That man received his healing. 
What kind of friends do we surround ourselves with?  
Do we have friends that will not only carry us to Jesus, but will tear apart those things that are keeping us from getting close enough to Jesus to receive our healing? 
Do we have friends we can share openly with without fearing judgement or criticism?  
Do we have friends that will carry us to Jesus when we are weak and tired and can’t take another step? 
Do we have friends that will go to prayer, tear down strongholds in the spiritual, and who will also help us to remove everyday obstacles in the natural?  
Do we have friends who won’t give up on us even when the crowd is pressing in and there is no obvious way in sight? 
On the flip side, what kind of friends are we?  
Would we do for those that the Lord has entrusted us with, what these friends did for that man?  Friendship is a precious thing.  
We can’t let the pressures and busyness of the world block our commitment to building those relationships. 
God has placed people in our lives for a time, season and purpose and likewise placed us in the lives of others.  
We must make it our aim to have and be “do what it takes” friends.
Question for Discussion Group:
Do you have “do what it takes” friends?  Are you a “do what it takes” friend? What does that look like for you? 

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March 14 2019

Prayer

However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15-16

“He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”  
Jesus, the Son of God, withdrew regularly and sought the Father’s face and counsel.  
The crowds were large and needy and He healed their infirmities.  
He found Himself in the midst of the crowds regularly.  
He was busy.  
He was in demand.  
Yet, He made the time to withdraw by Himself and pray. 
Prayer nourishes the soul.  
Prayer strengthens the body and the mind.  
Prayer is the answer to any question you have in your life. Prayer must be a priority in your life.  Time with the Father will guide and direct your feet and teach you who you really are in the midst of the busyness.  
Relationship with the Father will put all other things in perspective. 
Corporate prayer is important but withdrawing to a place with the Father by yourself is also essential.  
Our relationship with Him is deeply personal and can be deeply intimate if we cultivate it. 
If Jesus required time by Himself in prayer, then surely we require the same.  
Begin to prioritize prayer today; the Lord will redeem the time!
Question for Discussion Group:
What are some things you have done, that have been effective, in prioritizing your prayer life? What has been the result in your life?

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