Luke, Chapter 14

In Luke 14 Jesus once again touches on the subject of humility. I have been thinking a lot about this lately because I feel like God is trying to tell me something in it. That is why today, I am trying a new approach to facing the day. As most of you know, it has been a constant struggle lately to find work. Temp work has been few and far between. I have had basketball games, something I actually enjoy, to cover, but that is not really much. The rest of the time I have been seeking and trying every avenue possible in order to find some kind of work. Most of those end up being nos or dead ends.

As I was falling asleep last night, however, I felt God whispering to my spirit to trust Him. As I search, I get more and more frustrated when I don’t find something. It makes me even more tense as each jobless day passes. Compounding matters is the fact we are going to see my in laws in April and I fear that trip is preventing me from taking anything long term even though I don’t have such offers. In this, I have tried to tell myself that God will provide. I haven’t really believed it though.

That is why God was trying to tell me something. I feel like last night He was impressing on my heart to sit back and wait today. I feel I was being told that today needed to be a day where I simply listen for His voice and trust Him to do what needs to be done behind the scenes. Yes, there needs to be effort on my part, but in reality the final act is not something I can do. I cannot force a decision in someone. I cannot walk into some place and start drawing a paycheck. Ultimately, it must be God that decides what He wants in my life. I have lately felt it is something I must go out and do, but that is not the case.

10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." – Luke 14:10-11

This is where the lesson in humility comes in. I see now that I can only do so much. Thinking I can do more, that I am owed a place of honor at these jobs simply because of who I am, is not exhibiting humility. I have been guilty in the past of thinking certain places are beneath me. This is something that needs to stop. Yes, Ic an feel out of place. Yes, I can feel like something isn’t a good fit for my skills, but I need to get past thinking I am above some places. Right now I am the one in the lowest position. I need to commit today to wait and listen for what God is going to reveal about taking a better place. Clearly I am needed where I am at today. In that, I had best find out why and listen to god for that why.

Luke, Chapter 13

It has been a few days, but I have draw encouragement from a number of places. Thank you to the anonymous poster who left a comment after Thursday’s writing. It lifted me up and allowed me to see some perspective here. The situation is slightly better since the second interview that day was a very good one, but I still have no definite offer on the table. It is looking more and more like I am supposed to strike out on my own, substitute teach, and find various freelance assignments in there. I am encouraged because the Lord will provide.

We see examples of that in Luke 13. In the face of opposition Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath. The subsequent humiliations of the synagogue leaders would be another step toward His death, but He still moved forward. To me, that is one of the greatest signs of encouragement. I am merely facing a continued professional and financial struggle. Jesus was facing a painful death on the cross in order to take away the sins of the world. Obviously, this is no small feat.
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " – Luke 13:6-9

I wanted to include this parable today because it make a big statement along the lines of encouragement. Each of us is like this fig tree. We are given a short time in order to bear fruit. Before knowing Christ it is difficult for us to bear fruit as well. With proper care and spiritual nourishment, however, we can reach the point in our growth that we can provide some space for others. This is how our spiritual walk needs to be. I am guilty of not bearing fruit each day. I agree it is very hard to feel productive in my current state, but this blog and daily study of the Bible is a way of watering and fertilizing myself. Other than that, I am on God’s graces. If He can provide for the trees and birds of the air (as seen in the mustard seed parable later in this chapter) I should have no worries that He can provide for me.

Luke, Chapter 12 part 2

I am in dire need of encouragement today. I just got out of a job interview that, in my opinion went poorly. I am not totally turned on to the job, but I need something. I have another interview this afternoon that sounds better on paper, but who knows until I get there. Both could offer, but neither could offer. Even then I feel a deep sadness in my soul. I was asked the question, "What do you want to do?" and I couldn't answer truthfully. What I want to do in this life seems impossible at the moment.

I feel so low that I can't relate to today's message on watchfulness in Luke chapter 12. I do feel like I have been waiting for a very long time for things to come my way. I know in my heart that Christ represents peace when He comes, but I haven't felt peace in ages. As a result, I was not ready today for the interview that faced me. I am lost in a dark room with no light whatsoever. There is an exit, but I don't know how large the room is or where that exit would be.

39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." – Luke 12:39-40

I am extrapolating Scripture here to fit my life, but I feel like today was an unexpected day. I didn't know about either interview until yesterday afternoon, but I still wasn't prepared despite all the time I have been waiting professionally. The first was a mystery about what the position would be and it still is. I don't know if I am a good fit, but I can certainly do the job. The question is, do I want to. I pray this second opportunity is better, will offer, and I won't have to worry about the first, but I rarely get what I want.

I know this doesn't have much to do with watchfulness right now except that I feel I know longer have the strength to be watchful. All I want to do is go home, curl up in a ball, shut off my phone, and cry.

Luke, Chapter 12 part 1

There are days when I question if I have enough faith to truly survive in this world. Those questions come almost daily, but they are offset by the promises that are laid out in the first half of Luke, chapter 12. In this chapter we are asked to speak for the cause of God regardless of the cause. That goes hand in hand with the admonition not to worry. If we anchor ourselves in the promises of God we don't even need to worry about what we will say. God will already prvide the words for us through the Holy Spirit.

11"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." – Luke 12:11-12

I know I do not face persecution except for what is made up in my own little mind. I live in a country where I have the freedom to do and think whatever I feel. In that, I still must rely on the Holy Spirit to give me what I need to say when I represent God. I cannot possibly do this very blog on my own. Each morning I struggle in the flesh to know what to say, yet God always seems to reveal some truth in these words. It isn't always a grand truth, as we saw yesterday. There is still something though. It is my prayer that I represent Him well here.

25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? – Luke 12:25-26

Though I have been given the promise of the Spirit in the Words of this blog it is still one of the things I worry about. Often times when I step back and truly look at the root of my concern I see it is pointless. Last night I was having trouble sleeping because of worry going through my head. In the light of the morning, however, I see that I actually do not control anything. As much as I think I control my life I realize that I could be driving home from substitute teaching today and have a semi plow into me, ending things in a heartbeat. We are literally at God's mercy each day.

Does that mean our lives are pointless? Of course not! We are asked to give God everything we have until His purposes are fulfilled in us. I think that is why, in my human nature, I fear death. That fear comes from thinking I somehow won't fulfill God's promises. In a way, that fear is a good thing. I have long believed that I will not have fear once that moment comes for me because God will prepare me for it spiritually. At that time, it will be merely a transition. It is my prayer today then that I will fulfill what he wants me to do in this life for however long he needs me to do it.

Luke, Chapter 11 part 2

I feel I can relate to this second part of Luke 11. I feel like I am sitting here in my life waiting for a miraculous sign as to what I am supposed to do. I am here because I feel powerless to actually affect said change. Unlike the Pharisees, I see that life must be lived on faith and not on miraculous signs.

That leads into the second part about the lamp of the body. I have let my lack of a miracle hide my light. The fact that I can’t get anywhere causes so much bitterness that I hide myself from the world. I hide mostly out of shame because I feel worthless in the eyes of everyone. This section is very hard to write about. I don’t feel any great insights other than these, so I will allow you to draw your own conclusions from your personal reading.

Luke, Chapter 11 part 1

How is your prayer life today? I ask because that is the early focus of Luke chapter 11. Jesus teaches us to put our heart and soul into prayer. This fits in with the true definition of prayer. I believe that prayer is something special. It is our direct communication with God. Therefore, it is also an amazing gift. Though God already knows everything, we can tell Him exactly how we feel through prayer. Because of this, I believe prayer does not always have to be flowery language. We can fall into that trap where we feel that if we just ask the right way, it will be given to us as it says in this chapter.

I try to pray like I am talking to God merely as a best friend. If I am frustrated (as has been the main theme of many prayers lately), I tell him. If I have much to praise, I let out a spontaneous prayer of thanks. Prayer does not have to be this grand, elaborate production. To me, the best prayers are ones from deep inside. This is why I feel my prayer life has struggled. I have missed that connection with the Father. I feel I am saying the same things over and over again, but He is just not listening. I feel I am missing something.

18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. – Luke 11:18-20

I think the above verses help explain the disconnection that I have felt of late. I am divided between seeking God to get me out of this rut of life, yet I continue to seek my own way out contrary to what God has planned for me. My own plans conflict with God’s plans, so I continue to sit in this place of nothingness. This leads to frustration, depression, and eventually anger.

Luke, Chapter 10 part 2

The other night I was driving home from a basketball game I had covered. We happen to live in a nice building, but it is surrounded by a more run down part of town. This one street in particular is the image many would conjure up when you think “bad neighborhood”. Still, it is the best way to get to two major arteries in the city from our place. When stopped at a light on this street just before turning onto the street our building is on this woman was standing at a bus stop. It was about 9:30 at night, but she came up and started saying, “Sir! Sir!” toward my closed window.

This is where I failed in life’s test.

See, I had a chance here to do what Jesus calls us to do in the second half of Luke 10. Instead, I succumbed to my fear and doubt being in a bad neighborhood.

30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." – Luke 10:30-37

I do not know this woman’s issues. I don’t know if she was homeless, drunk, or high. I don’t know if she was needing legitimate help. I don’t know this because I didn’t bother to find out. I froze, starring straight out my windshield as if she didn’t exist. It’s not like I couldn’t do anything either. I normally carry zero to little cash in this age of debit cards, yet this was a rare time that I had actual cash in my pocket. If it was an emergency, similar to the one described above, I could have helped.

Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite. I do my part to donate food, clothing, money, etc. to various charities throughout the year. I do this without fanfare, not because I have to but because I am blessed and I need to share that blessing. Unfortunately, this leads to an attitude of, “hey, go to where I have donated if you want help.” It is a horrible attitude, and one that must stop in 2009. I am not one who is big on resolutions, but I do want this year to be one of changed attitudes and perceptions, beginning here.