November 3, 2024

We will continue reading of Jesus' Perean Ministry, the few months before His crucifixion. He traveled to many cities across the Jordan River and His teaching became more urgent as the time was drawing near. This week we will read in Luke 10:25-37 of a conversation Jesus had with a lawyer. It starts with the question, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

October 20, 2024 Recap

Our scripture yesterday was from Matthew 8:19-22, Luke 9:51-10:24. Jesus was leaving northern Israel and the small fishing villages that He had been living in and set His face towards Jerusalem. His crucifiction is close and He would travel through Samaria to Jerusalem to make His way to the Cross. Jesus appointed 70 to go before Him into the cities. He directed them to take nothing with them and warned them of those who would try to devour them. Jesus sent them out as lambs among wolves. There are a great number of people who are hungry for the gospel and there are those who want to stop it from spreading. We are The 70 and our commission is to make disciples. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

He teaches us in Luke 10:1-16 that there are two responses to The Gospel. The Kingdom of God is near to both and we are to go to everyone. However, some will receive it and others will reject it. There's no gray area. Even a "not now" is a rejection.

Jesus in Luke 10:5 told the 70 to go into homes and speak peace to the house. NO matter what house you enter, we are to share peace with everyone. And some will receive the offer; yet, others will send it back to you, not willing to accept it. Those that receive the Gospel will be given Life, Hope, and Peace in the Name of Jesus. Even if we are not able to go into all the cities or nations sharing the message of Jesus, as these did, we can help them through prayer and support. When you see someone working for The Kingdom, encourage them, pray for them, support them.

Receive v. 5-9

Kingdom of God is near v.9

Peace is upon them and added to them

Generous to those who are sharing the gospel

Received healing (life)

On the other hand, some will reject it. Even though the Kingdom is near and you offer peace to them through Jesus, their hearts and minds are not open to the message. Jesus says in v.11, they should wipe the dust off their feet and move to the next town. Some see this as harsh, I see it as the Father's grace. The Word has been shared and the Spirit is able to minister through that Seed. Let the Word do its work and move on to the next person who needs to hear about Jesus. Dusting your feet off is not condemnation, as James and John wanted to do in Luke 9:54 when they asked to call fire from heaven and burn the whole thing down, it's about moving forward. We know the Word is alive and active and will not return void. Faith says, I trust You and Your power to save! Rejection comes in many shapes and sizes. In Luke 9:57-62 we see two examples of why people choose not to follow Jesus, the comforts of the world and the relationships in the world. Letting go of the sin that entangles us is hard when we don't understand the Life that we are given. No matter what the reason, there are consequences to this rejection.

Reject v. 10-15

Kingdom of God is near v. 11

Reject Jesus and His peace

No repentance

Brought down to death

We have been given authority to do miracles and speak boldly in Jesus Name. But, our joy and blessings do not come from those outward signs. It comes from knowing that we have eternal life through Jesus. The greatest miracle He does is when He gives life for death. He breathes into us His Spirit and changes us into a new creature. And our names are written in heaven!

Rejoice in that my friends! Sonya

XVI. G. Perean Ministry 1.a.b.c.

Outline XVI Life of Our LORD G. Perean Ministry

 

October 20, 2024

Good morning friends. I am looking forward to our Scripture reading this week. Jesus sends out His disciples and 70 others to preach the Good News of the Kingdom. He tells them to "GO"; but, not without warning them that they will be as sheep among wolves. Luke 10:1-24 helps us understand that when we share the message of the Gospel, there are only two responses. They will either receive it or reject it. The Kingdom is near in both scenarios; but, the outcome is different. The fields are white for harvest but the laborers are few. Pray to the LORD of the harvest that He will send out laborers unto His harvest. Love to all, Sonya

October 13, 2024 Recap

Jesus' words to us yesterday were meaty! In John 8:12-59, He has a discourse in the Temple with the Pharisees. It starts with a testimony of who He is and, as expected, it ends with the Pharisees picking up stones. It's much like the conversations we see today.

Jesus gives them TRUTH and testifies that: He is Light He knows where He came from and where He is going He does not judge according to the flesh His judgements are true He is sent from the Father He speaks what He hears from the Father He does what pleases The Father He is TRUTH He seeks the glory of The Father The Father glorifies Him He is I AM This is such an important teaching moment not only for the Jewish leaders but for us. Because, it is THE TRUTH that makes us free (John 8:32) Free from darkness Free from sin and death Free from bondage Free from the lies of the devil Just like Pilate in John 18:38, we want to know "What is TRUTH?". In John 17:17, Jesus said to The Father, "Your Word is TRUTH." How can we take the WORD and narrow it down to the TRUTH that will set us FREE?

The TRUTH of the Word is: CHRIST DIED FOR YOU!

Saturday, October 12, 2024 was the High Holy Day of Judaism. The Day of Atonement when the sins of the people are forgiven. Under the Old Covenant, when the Temple was still standing in Jerusalem, the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies and offer a blood sacrifice for the nation. The blood of bulls and goats was sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant behind the veil in the Most Holy Place. On Yom Kippur, the High Priest would intercede for the people. Leviticus 16 - Day of Atonement

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:11-14)

So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (Heb 9:28)

We have been delivered from darkness and can walk in freedom from sin and death because Jesus tells us in John 8:36, "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

Love you all, Sonya

XVI F. Galilean Ministry 14.c.(1)(2)(3)

October 13, 2024

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." Have you ever been in the dark? I mean dark-dark. This week we are reading John 8:12-59 and Jesus' discourse on who He is. To walk in The Light, we must know The Truth.

October 6, 2024 Recap

Happy Monday! The LORD is so good to us and He has faithfully spoken through His Word and answered so many of our prayers!  We are blessed!

Yesterday was a great day and it's always good to look back and remember what the LORD did.  In Acts 8:5-40, we read the account of Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen to minister to the Jewish converts.  The Bible says that these deacons were full of the Spirit and wisdom.  And, after the stoning of Stephen, they were dispersed throughout the region thus fulfilling Jesus' words in Act 1:8 that they would be His witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.  What the enemy meant for evil in the stoning of Stephen, God used for good. (Gen 50:20)  We can be comforted in the fact that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)  After the death of Stephen, the Gospel will now be shared outside of Jerusalem. 

Philip goes to Samaria proclaiming Christ and performing signs of healing and deliverance.  Many there believed and were baptized, including Simon the Sorcerer.  Simon practiced magic and amazed many in the city.  Clearly, his power was not from the Holy Spirit.  The Bible teaches that there will be false prophets that will arise and wil show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Matt 24:24)  Ladies, we must test the spirits and discern the spirits.  Spending time in the Word, meeting with other believers, and keeping our eyes on Jesus will protect us from false teachers and prophets.  That's why it is so important to not forsake the meeting together and to encourage each other, all the more as you see the day approaching. (Heb 10:25)

Peter and John then traveled to Samaria to lay hands on those who had believed and been baptized, they then received the Holy Spirit.  Simon, not fully comprehending the Holy Spirit, offered money to Peter and John in exchange for the authority to lay hands on others to receive the Spirit.  Peter, in his kindest, gentlest voice (insert sarcasm) rebuked Simon and told him to repent because Peter saw in him the gall of bitterness and bondage of iniquity.  Simon's sin was thinking that the power of God is for sale.  He was accustomed to his magic for entertainment purposes and for his own praise.  He assumed the signs and wonders of the Holy Spirit for that same purpose.  Maybe Peter's sharp rebuke is what made him ask for prayer.  Although he believed Jesus and was baptized he did not understand His power.

Philip then travels to Gaza and encounters an Ethiopian who also did not understand what he read.  He had a desire to know the Scripture; but, he needed a teacher to explain what he was reading.  Isaiah 53 is an OT passage that prophecies of Jesus being the sheep led to slaughter and the lamb before the shearer.  The Ethiopian invited Philip to come and sit with him.  Philip points the man to Jesus and explains how Jesus fulfilled Passover.  Once the man heard the truth, he believed and was baptized.   

Both Simon and the Ethiopian needed a teacher.  Someone who could explain the scriptures, both Old and New.  Philip was obedient and moved out of his comfort zone and presented the Gospel message.  Maybe God is calling you to help someone to understand more of Jesus.  Or maybe you would like to know Jesus more.  The answer is in teaching of the WORD.

Have a great week! Sonya 

XVII A. First Records of the Early Church at Jerusalem 3.h.

October 6, 2024

After spending several weeks in Acts reading about the growth of the early church, it's hard to walk away. This week's scripture is about another one of the chosen deacons, Philip. After the death of Stephen, he travels to Samaria. There he preaches the gospel and performs miracles. Philip encounters two men who, for different reasons, need someone to explain the scriptures and teach them about Jesus the Christ and the great power that is given through His Spirit. As I stated last week, the world believes there are many paths to God and faith can mean different things to different people. But, Jesus taught us that He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. Therefore, it stands to reason that if there are many ways to God then Jesus' statements of Himself excludes Him from the path. We must sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope that is in us, but with gentleness and respect! Let's read Acts 8:5-40 and witness the Holy Spirit continue to glorify Jesus and strengthen His followers.