Scripture:
Luke 8:16-18 (English Standard Version)
A Lamp Under a Jar
16(A) (B) "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17(C) For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18(D) Take care then how you hear,(E) for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."
Cross references:
Luke 8:16 : For Luke 8:16-18, Mark 4:21-25
Luke 8:16 : Luke 11:33; Matt 5:15
Luke 8:17 : Luke 12:2; Matt 10:26; 1 Tim 5:25
Luke 8:18 : Luke 8:11-15
Luke 8:18 : Matt 13:12
Reflection:
What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom? Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception. Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them form others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek this truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Daily Word - Pick Your Seed - Luke 8:4-15
Scripture:
Luke 8:4-15 (English Standard Version)
The Parable of the Sower
4(A) And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5(B) "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up,(C) it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7And some fell among(D) thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded(E) a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, (F) "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The Purpose of the Parables 9And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10he said, (G) "To you it has been given to know(H) the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so(I) that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 11(J) Now the parable is this: The seed is(K) the word of God. 12The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not(L) believe and be saved. 13And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it(M) with joy. But these have no root; they(N) believe for a while, and in time of testing(O) fall away. 14And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but(P) as they go on their way they are choked by the(Q) cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and(R) bear fruit(S) with patience.
Cross references:
Luke 8:4 : For Luke 8:4-10, Matt 13:1-15; Mark 4:1-12
Luke 8:5 : Isa 55:10; Amos 9:13
Luke 8:6 : John 15:6
Luke 8:7 : Jer 4:3
Luke 8:8 : Gen 26:12
Luke 8:8 : Matt 11:15
Luke 8:10 : Matt 19:11; Col 1:27; 1 Cor 2:6-10; 1 John 2:20, 27; Matt 11:25
Luke 8:10 : Rom 16:25
Luke 8:10 : Isa 6:9, 10; Matt 13:13
Luke 8:11 : For Luke 8:11-15, Matt 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20
Luke 8:11 : Luke 1:2; Mark 2:2; 4:33; Acts 8:4; James 1:21
Luke 8:12 : Mark 16:16
Luke 8:13 : Isa 58:2; Ezek 33:31, 32; Mark 6:20; John 5:35
Luke 8:13 : Gal 1:6; Hos 6:4; Gal 5:7
Luke 8:13 : 1 Tim 4:1; Heb 3:12
Luke 8:14 : James 1:11
Luke 8:14 : Matt 6:25
Luke 8:15 : Hos 14:8; John 15:5, 6; Phil 1:11; Col 1:6
Luke 8:15 : James 5:7; Heb 10:36
Reflection:
How good is your listening, especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to the things of God. Then there is the shallow hearer who fails to think things out or think them through; such a person lacks spiritual depth. They may initially respond with an emotional fervor; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else. Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is for ever too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word. He or she may work so hard that they are too tired to even think of anything else but their work. Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. Do you hunger for God's word?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it.
Luke 8:4-15 (English Standard Version)
The Parable of the Sower
4(A) And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5(B) "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up,(C) it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7And some fell among(D) thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded(E) a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, (F) "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The Purpose of the Parables 9And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10he said, (G) "To you it has been given to know(H) the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so(I) that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 11(J) Now the parable is this: The seed is(K) the word of God. 12The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not(L) believe and be saved. 13And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it(M) with joy. But these have no root; they(N) believe for a while, and in time of testing(O) fall away. 14And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but(P) as they go on their way they are choked by the(Q) cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and(R) bear fruit(S) with patience.
Cross references:
Luke 8:4 : For Luke 8:4-10, Matt 13:1-15; Mark 4:1-12
Luke 8:5 : Isa 55:10; Amos 9:13
Luke 8:6 : John 15:6
Luke 8:7 : Jer 4:3
Luke 8:8 : Gen 26:12
Luke 8:8 : Matt 11:15
Luke 8:10 : Matt 19:11; Col 1:27; 1 Cor 2:6-10; 1 John 2:20, 27; Matt 11:25
Luke 8:10 : Rom 16:25
Luke 8:10 : Isa 6:9, 10; Matt 13:13
Luke 8:11 : For Luke 8:11-15, Matt 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20
Luke 8:11 : Luke 1:2; Mark 2:2; 4:33; Acts 8:4; James 1:21
Luke 8:12 : Mark 16:16
Luke 8:13 : Isa 58:2; Ezek 33:31, 32; Mark 6:20; John 5:35
Luke 8:13 : Gal 1:6; Hos 6:4; Gal 5:7
Luke 8:13 : 1 Tim 4:1; Heb 3:12
Luke 8:14 : James 1:11
Luke 8:14 : Matt 6:25
Luke 8:15 : Hos 14:8; John 15:5, 6; Phil 1:11; Col 1:6
Luke 8:15 : James 5:7; Heb 10:36
Reflection:
How good is your listening, especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each of us and to give us understanding of his word. Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to the things of God. Then there is the shallow hearer who fails to think things out or think them through; such a person lacks spiritual depth. They may initially respond with an emotional fervor; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else. Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is for ever too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word. He or she may work so hard that they are too tired to even think of anything else but their work. Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. Do you hunger for God's word?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Daily Word - Women Accompanying Jesus - Luke 8:1-3
Scripture:
Luke 8:1-3 (English Standard Version)
Women Accompanying Jesus
Luke 8
1Soon afterward he went on(A) through cities and villages, proclaiming and(B) bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2and also(C) some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities:(D) Mary, called Magdalene,(E) from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and(F) Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them[a] out of their means.
Footnotes:
Luke 8:3 Some manuscripts him
Cross references:
Luke 8:1 : Mark 6:6
Luke 8:1 : Luke 4:43
Luke 8:2 : Luke 23:49, 55; Matt 27:55; Mark 15:40, 41; Acts 1:14
Luke 8:2 : Luke 24:10; Matt 27:56, 61; 28:1; John 19:25; 20:1, 18
Luke 8:2 : Mark 16:9
Luke 8:3 : Luke 24:10
Reflection:
Are you eager to serve the Lord and to support the work of the gospel with your personal resources? During his three years of public ministry Jesus traveled extensively. The gospel records that a band of women accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles. This was a diverse group of women; some were public sinners, others from rich or prominent families. We know that Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled and tortured life. The gospel records that Jesus freed her from seven demons. Joanna, wife of the king's chief financial officer, held significant social and political standing. What brought them together and united them in a bond of friendship and common service? Certainly Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God had transformed this group of diverse personalities and temperaments. Each brought their gifts and resources to Jesus. Paul the Apostle reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives his gifts and graces to each and everyone for the common good of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). While God needs no one, he nonetheless, chooses to work in and through each of us for his glory. No one is unimportant or unnecessary in God's economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus' side. Do you know the joy of serving Jesus in company with others who love him?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, set my heart on fire for you that I may give freely of the gifts, talents, and resources you give me, for your sake and for the work of the gospel.
Luke 8:1-3 (English Standard Version)
Women Accompanying Jesus
Luke 8
1Soon afterward he went on(A) through cities and villages, proclaiming and(B) bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2and also(C) some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities:(D) Mary, called Magdalene,(E) from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and(F) Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them[a] out of their means.
Footnotes:
Luke 8:3 Some manuscripts him
Cross references:
Luke 8:1 : Mark 6:6
Luke 8:1 : Luke 4:43
Luke 8:2 : Luke 23:49, 55; Matt 27:55; Mark 15:40, 41; Acts 1:14
Luke 8:2 : Luke 24:10; Matt 27:56, 61; 28:1; John 19:25; 20:1, 18
Luke 8:2 : Mark 16:9
Luke 8:3 : Luke 24:10
Reflection:
Are you eager to serve the Lord and to support the work of the gospel with your personal resources? During his three years of public ministry Jesus traveled extensively. The gospel records that a band of women accompanied Jesus and the twelve apostles. This was a diverse group of women; some were public sinners, others from rich or prominent families. We know that Mary Magdalene had lived a very troubled and tortured life. The gospel records that Jesus freed her from seven demons. Joanna, wife of the king's chief financial officer, held significant social and political standing. What brought them together and united them in a bond of friendship and common service? Certainly Jesus and his message of the kingdom of God had transformed this group of diverse personalities and temperaments. Each brought their gifts and resources to Jesus. Paul the Apostle reminds us that the Holy Spirit gives his gifts and graces to each and everyone for the common good of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7). While God needs no one, he nonetheless, chooses to work in and through each of us for his glory. No one is unimportant or unnecessary in God's economy. The least in his kingdom find a home and a mission at Jesus' side. Do you know the joy of serving Jesus in company with others who love him?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, set my heart on fire for you that I may give freely of the gifts, talents, and resources you give me, for your sake and for the work of the gospel.
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