SHARING BREAD²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Luke 10:23-24 (NIV)My friends, Jesus has a word for us today!  Like the disciples He spoke privately to, He speaks a blessing to us.  Peter gives us a bit more insight into Jesus’ words: ¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, ¹¹ trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV) The prophets searched their own Spirit-guided writings intently and with great care desiring to grasp and fully comprehend the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.  This gives us a practical illustration of the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture.  The prophets themselves were left scratching their heads over their own words.  Peter later tells us: ²⁰ Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. ²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.   2 Peter 1:19-21 (NIV) How blessed we are to see and hear these truths as even their own writers did not fully comprehend them – as Peter states, “even angels long to look into these things”.  How often we flippantly handle such precious treasure!  When Jesus calls His disciples (which would include us) “blessed”, He describes a life which shares in the life of God, and one that is being favorably affected and influenced by God.  It also describes a life in which the hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose and thus such a person lives coram Deo, before the face of God.  Imagine, all the affairs of our lives directed towards a divine purpose.  This gives me hope that God will make “beauty out of ashes” from even my poor choices as I repent and bring them to the cross. The prophet Jeremiah’s words ring true: ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.  Jer 29:11-14 (NIV) His desire is for us to be set free from the sin that entangles and to make up for the years the locusts have eaten during our captivities of slavery to sin.  I love the quote by John Bunyan:  “Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.”  It is no wonder that Peter follows 1 Peter 1:10-12 with the following passage: ¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)Because of His great mercy towards us, the pursuit of holiness is the logical and acceptable way of life for the believer.  Paul also echo’s this same theme in Romans 12:¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) This does not mean “perfect” for all of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, what it does mean is separated from ordinary or common usage and devoted to God.  Something holy is that which has been brought into relationship with God and designated by Him as having a sacred purpose or special significance to Him.  How precious that God would look upon us with such “special significance”.  ¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.   Psalms 19:14 (NIV) What I glean from this: 

• We are blessed in “seeing and hearing” the fulfillment of the prophets of God’s word.
• God is directing all of the affairs of my life for a divine purpose.
• I am to be ready for action, self-controlled and holy.

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SHARING BREAD²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Luke 10:22 (NIV) The first sentence of our verse for today is reminiscent of Jesus’ words to us in Matthew when announcing the great commission to His disciples: ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matt 28:18-20 (NIV) Jesus spoke to His followers stating that He had been given the official right and achieving power by the Father and now He was instructing His disciples to go forth in that exact same authority.  I am reminded of Paul’s word to the Colossians: ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.  Col 2:15 (NIV) Christ fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law thus disarming and triumphing over all the demonic powers and authorities.  The only right Satan has over the life of a believer is what the believer allows. They were to make disciples by proclaiming the truth concerning Jesus and their hearers (those that would believe) would be evangelized and enlisted as followers.  Jesus’ commission continues to be applicable for all of His followers (this would include us) and involves the following commands – making disciples through His power and authority and teaching them to obey what He has set forth. In the second sentence of our verse for today Jesus states:  “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” This, too, is reminiscent of another passage of Scripture: ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.   John 1:18 (NIV) Jesus, the One and Only, presently at the right hand of the Father, has made God known to us.  God in His essence is invisible.  Paul tells us in I Timothy: ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.   1 Tim 1:17 (NIV) Immortal and invisible speak of two of the central attributes of God.  This point is reiterated in the last chapter of the same book: ¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time–God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.   1 Tim 6:11-16 (NIV)As children of the King we are to pursue righteousness, fighting the good fight of faith so that our lives will be a continuous testimony of the confession that we espouse. God is the ultimate ruler of the universe and alone is immortal living in unapproachable light.  It is Jesus who reveals the Father to us.  If we desire to know God better, we must know His Son.  He has fleshed out God’s character for us, wooing us to Him by His love.  As John tells us:¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.   John 1:14 (NIV)I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about the above verse: “Christ, the eternal Logos, who is God, came to earth as man. Yet in doing so, He did not merely “appear” like a man; He became one (cf. Phil. 2:5-9). Humanity, in other words, was added to Christ’s deity. And yet Christ, in becoming “flesh,” did not change; so perhaps the word “became” (egeneto) should be understood as “took to Himself” or “arrived on the scene as.” We have seen most naturally implies that the author was an eyewitness. His glory refers to the unique splendor and honor seen in Jesus’ life, miracles, death, and resurrection. The one and only Son (monogenous; cf. John 1:18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9) means that Jesus is the Son of God in a sense totally different from a human who believes and becomes a child of God. Jesus’ sonship is unique for He is eternal and is of the same essence as the Father. The glorious revelation of God which the Logos displayed was full of grace and truth, that is, it was a gracious and truthful revelation (cf. John 1:17).”We are also told by Jesus in John:⁴³ “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. ⁴⁴ “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.  John 6:43-47 (NIV) Again, the Bible Knowledge Commentary gives us insight with their exegesis of this verse:“Without God’s help any assessment of God’s Messenger will be faulty. No one can come to Jesus or believe on Him without divine help. People are so ensnared in the quicksand of sin and unbelief that unless God draws them (cf. v. 65), they are hopeless. This drawing of God is not limited to a few. Jesus said, “I… will draw all men to Myself” (12:32). This does not mean that all will be saved but that Greeks (i.e., Gentiles; 12:20) as well as Jews will be saved. Those who will be saved will also be resurrected (cf. 6:39-40).  6:45. In support of this doctrine of salvation by God’s grace, Jesus cited the Old Testament. The quotation, They will all be taught by God, is from the Prophets, probably Isaiah 54:13, though Jeremiah 31:34 has the same thought. This “teaching” of God refers to His inner work that disposes people to accept the truth about Jesus and respond to Him. Everyone who listens to and learns from God will come to and believe in Jesus.”“He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matthew 11:15What I glean from this:

• All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.  I am to go forth in that same power and authority and make disciples.
• Jesus reveals the eternal, immortal, and invisible God to me.
• Without God’s help I could not understand Jesus’ message.

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SHARING BREAD²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.  Luke 10:21 (NIV) God had removed a veil exposing to open view what had once been hidden, making manifest to these followers supernatural revelations previously unknown, and Jesus was leaping with joy!  The word rendered “joy” here is from the Greek word “Agalliao” meaning “to exult, rejoice with exuberance; often to leap for joy, show one’s joy by leaping, skipping, or dancing, denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.”  In the particular instance of our verse for today, the meaning of “joy” here expresses the inner ecstasy of seeing the kingdom of God in power overthrowing Satan (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids).  Jesus had to have been delighted in seeing Satan’s power thwarted over His sheep.  This reminds me of Job’s words to God: ¹ Then Job replied to the LORD: ² ”I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. ³ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.   Job 42:1-3 (NIV) The 72 Jesus refers to in our verse for today probably experienced some of those exact same feelings Job was speaking about – “things to wonderful for them to know” or to have had hands on experience with!  Responsibility and humility (forced or non-forced) accompanies revelation from God to His people.  As Paul tells us: ⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   2 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV) Divine power is best displayed against the backdrop of human weaknesses.  This is the reasoning behind the remainder of this verse.  Sometimes we simply get “too big for our britches” and miss true wisdom from above and the heavenly blessings that always accompany it.  The wisdom that comes from above is described for us by James:
¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 (NIV) God’s wisdom never fails to bear fruit.  God desires to bestow upon us this wisdom through our study of His precious word and the subsequent enlightenment of the Scriptures bestowed upon us by the precious Holy Spirit.  Yet, because we often lean hard on and trust in our own worldly knowledge and understanding, we miss this incredible blessing.  May this never be said of us!  Worldly knowledge, by the way, will pass away:  
⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 1 Cor 13:8-10 (NIV)Worldly knowledge is incomplete – it is foolish to put our total trust in this.  Paul tells us that in Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”:² My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.   Col 2:2-4 (NIV) Again, he tells us in the same book to watch out so that we may not be taken captive in our thoughts through hollow philosophies: ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Col 2:8 (NIV)If one loves wisdom that is not Christ, he is a lover of an empty idol. It will never satisfy no matter how much he obtains. These are those that Paul speaks of to his beloved Timothy stating that they are: ⁷ always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.   2 Tim 3:7 (NIV)Our immaturity in God’s Word can make us vulnerable to all sorts of heretical teachings that come our way.  In an appeal to “open mindedness” we can easily embrace every fad or whim of false doctrines placed before us.  We must beware of blindly accepting ideas as truths without taking the time to diligently study the Scriptures to see whether they stand or fall.  Remember, that it is God’s Word that “is eternal; standing firm in the heavens” (Psalms 119:89).  God’s Word is our basis for all truth.  May we be as the psalmist who declared:³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. ³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. ³² I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.   Psalms 119:30-32 (NIV) What I glean from this: ·         Jesus delights with joy when I grasp and flesh out Truth.·         God’s power is best displayed against the background of my human weaknesses (thank goodness!).·         I must be careful not to be taken captive in my mind through hollow philosophies.  “Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man.”  Teresa of Avila  *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20 (NIV)The seventy-two had just returned to Jesus filled with exuberant joy over the success of their mission.  Jesus begins our verses for today by turning their attention to what should be the proper source of their joy – the inclusion of their names written in heaven. He begins by stating that He had witnessed the adversary falling like lightning from heaven referring His listeners back to the prophet Isaiah:¹² How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! ¹³ You said in your heart, ”I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. ¹⁴ I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ¹⁵ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.   Isaiah 14:12-15 (NIV) Satan wanted to be God – that wasn’t going to work (to say the least!).  The creature was cast by the Creator from heaven and God’s glorious presence for his pride and arrogance – he now “roamed through the earth going back and forth in it” (Job 1:7). How often man makes this same mistake, in our pride and presumption we desire to be our own god.  We ascend and enthrone ourselves on the mountain of our own hearts and God says, this isn’t going to work (to say the least!)  I love what Spurgeon states:   “O believer, learn to reject pride, seeing that thou hast no ground for it.  Whatever thou art, thou hast nothing to make thee proud.  The more thou hast, the more thou art in debt to God; and thou shouldst not be proud of that which renders thee a debtor.”  Amen!   Maybe we could learn a little something from Satan’s mistake.  Pride is an insidious monster creeping into our lives in many different ways!  Keep an eye out for this deadly foe.   Jesus has given His followers His permission and power to overcome the adversary’s strength.  There was and is nothing earthly to compare to housing the all achieving power of the precious Holy Spirit within our “jars of clay” hence the joy the seventy-two exuberated.  Yet Jesus tells them their joy should not be in this power, as great as it is, but in the fact that their names were written in heaven. This is true for us today too.  Heaven is our home.  Heaven is where our treasure lies.  Heaven is where we will receive our glorified bodies and remain throughout eternity in total bliss and enjoyment; peaceful and untroubled.  We will indeed be undisturbed well-beings.  This peace can only be the result of our reconciliation with God.  Paul gives us insight into this truth in Romans:¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) God’s Word is eternal and stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89-90).  His promises to us are true and secure.  Our hope in Him will never disappoint.  We are told by Jude: ²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen   Jude 1:24-25 (NIV) I love how the Bible Knowledge expounds on these verses:  “Victory over apostasy is found in Jesus Christ! He is the One who will “keep” believers. Christ will present believers to His Father without fault and with great joy—joy both for Himself and for them. Here is the greatest theme of victory to be sounded, the highest note of praise and adoration possible, and the greatest assurance for the redeemed. Jude attributes to God—to the only God our Savior… glory, majesty, power, and authority, which are all available to believers through the Victor, Jesus Christ our Lord. And this exalted position is true of God in eternity past, in the present, and for all eternity in the future.”  Praise Him!  Paul affirms beautifully the certainty of the believer’s salvation in the closing of the eighth chapter of Romans bringing a wonderful closure to our “bread” for today: ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:33-39 (NIV) What I glean from this: 

• I must be careful about pride entering into my life.  “He that is down need fear no fall, he that is low no pride.”  John Bunyan
• My joy should be rooted in my salvation.  “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”  Leon Bloy  “The opposite of joy is not sorrow.  It is unbelief.”  Leslie Weatherhead
• Nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

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SHARING BREAD¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17 (NIV)Rejoicing and gladness will always accompany “vessels” empowered and used by our Lord, even in the face of hardships and difficulties.  “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God” – Leon Bloy.  Quite simply, there is no earthly joy that can compare.  To have the supernatural all-achieving power of the Holy Spirit placed within our “jars of clay” is a treasure indeed! This is why we find the apostles stating the following after being flogged for “performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people”:⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.   Acts 5:41-42 (NIV)Rejoicing in the midst of hardships for being faithful to our Lord in and of itself should give us pause.  There is nothing human about this.  Everything natural within us would want to flee and hide, not to mention whine and complain!  Paul reiterates this same theme to the Philippians:¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.   Phil 2:16-18 (NIV)It was Paul’s desire for us all to experience this same joy towards our own vessels being used for God’s glory and the furtherance of His kingdom.  Peter states this too:¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.   1 Peter 3:13-17 (NIV) ¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.    1 Peter 4:12-16 (NIV) Need I remind you that this was the same Peter that had previously denied our Lord three times to save his own skin?  What is the difference here?  One is natural man working in the flesh – desiring to be obedient but failing miserably: ³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:33-34 (NIV) ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” ⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. ⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. ⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.   Luke 22:55-62 (NIV) The other is the Holy Spirit empowered Peter praising God for allowing him to suffer for Christ’s name.  What a transformation!  Later this same Peter wrote to endure sufferings so that God’s grace would be made manifest in our lives: ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) “Work designed for eternity can only be done by the eternal Spirit.”  A.W. Tozer “The worship of God is not a rule of safety – it is an adventure of the Spirit.”  Alfred North Whitehead   “The same power that brought Christ back from the dead is operative within those who are Christ’s.”   Leon Morris What I glean from this: 

• Joy results in my life from being empowered and used by the Holy Spirit for kingdom work.
• The Holy Spirit overcomes my weaknesses within me.  “No one overcomes the corruptions of his heart except by the enabling strength of the Spirit of God.”  Jerry Bridges.
• If I commit myself to God, I need not fear.  “If a man commit himself to God…that man ought not to be afraid of anything.”  George MacDonald.  

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SHARING BREAD¹⁶ ”He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16 (NIV)Take heart, disciple of Christ, when we go forth on a mission as an ambassador of Jesus to preach, speak or bless in His name, He takes it very personally.  This same theme is reiterated in Matthew when Jesus is speaking to His twelve disciples:⁴⁰ ”He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”  Matt 10:40-42 (NIV) Those who would accept deliberately and readily the message or the acts of kindness the disciples were bringing forth in Jesus’ name, were in fact accepting it as from God.  Those who would reject that same message or act of kindness were in fact rejecting it as from God.  This still holds true for His disciples today.  Jesus wants His followers to be aware that acceptance or rejection of the gospel is not an acceptance or a rejection of the person presenting it but of the Lord Jesus Himself.  The follower of Christ may be called to give up many things – just as the Lord He follows gave up many things, yet the promise of Scripture is one of sure reward:  ²⁸ Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” ²⁹ “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel ³⁰ will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields–and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:28-31 (NIV) Everybody needs a Peter on their team to know where they stand!  How like Peter to ask the question everyone is dying to know the answer to but is afraid to ask!  Jesus does not flinch with His response.  You simply cannot out give God.  Any “measly sacrifice” we may make in following hard after Christ is exactly that, a “measly sacrifice” particularly in light of our eternal heavenly rewards.  “Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call.”  Henry Parry Liddon  It is not wrong to think in this way as Jesus Himself told us to be prudent in storing up for ourselves “treasures in heaven”: ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:20-21 (NIV) Our hearts will always be where our treasure lies that is why Jesus tells us to seek Him first.  That is why He desires to be our Treasure.  This is for our good yet it takes a step of faith to begin to embrace it and flesh it out.  As we seek to place Him first in our lives and to be obedient to His call, He in turn, always proves faithful.  Jesus tells us in Matthew:   ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   Matt 6:33-34 (NIV) “Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God, this is the god of idolatry.”  William Ullathorne We must remember that it is by His power, the precious Holy Spirit, which enables us to do anything of eternal value – “Every act of compassion done by anyone for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working in him.”  Julian of Norwich “Work designed for eternity can only be done by the eternal Spirit.”  A.W. Tozer   When He calls us forth to do His will, He equips us with the Power to carry it through.  The fleshing out of this calling, though His Power makes every other earthly experience pale in comparison.   “Be assured, if you walk with Him, look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.  An older believer who has known the Lord for forty-four years wrote the following as an encouragement to us:  ‘God has never failed me.  Even in my greatest difficulties, heaviest trials, and deepest poverty and need, He has never failed me.  Because I was enabled by God’s grace to trust Him, He has always come to my aid.  I delight in speaking well of His name.’”  George Mueller What I glean from this: ·         I am the vessel used to bring the message or act of kindness to others.  The acceptance or rejection of this message or act is not towards me but towards Jesus, the One who sent me forth.·          I cannot out give God.·         I must seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness.       *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ’Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ ¹² I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Luke 10:10-12 (NIV)This is a warning for those who hear the truth yet do not receive it.  There was a Jewish custom whenever Jews returned home from a Gentile country; they were to shake off the dust from their feet to signify the breaking of their ties with the Gentiles.  This is exactly what Jesus is referring to here and again in Luke chapter 9:¹ When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey–no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.   Luke 9:1-6 (NIV) People are given the same choice today.  The gospel is a gift for all yet many will not listen or believe.  The promise of Jesus is that it is better not to hear than to hear and not believe.  In case you have any questions concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, here is what the Bible tells us regarding its destruction: ²⁴ Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah–from the LORD out of the heavens. ²⁵ Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities–and also the vegetation in the land.   Gen 19:24-25 (NIV) God’s judgment was just.  The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah was so great and the sin so grievous God restrained His righteous right hand no longer.  There is no depth to the depravity of man and there is also nothing new under the sun. Paul experienced this rejection to the gospel also and, conforming to the Lord’s instructions, demonstrated his disappointment in like manner: ⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ “48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.   Acts 13:44-52 (NIV) In presenting the gospel of Christ, what we hold out to others is holy and sacred.  We find Jesus weeping over the lost but not begging them over and over again.  In fact, He oftentimes remained silent.  Perhaps this was just another sign of His mercy.  Better to not hear than to hear and not believe. Jesus’ words in Matthew give us a descriptive account of His heart: ³⁷ ”O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. ³⁸ Look, your house is left to you desolate. ³⁹ For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “   Matt 23:37-39 (NIV) The responsibility of making the choice is ours.  This is presented throughout the Bible; a few examples are as follows: Moses:  ¹⁹ This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live ²⁰ and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Deut 30:19-20 (NIV)Joshua:   ¹⁴ ”Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  Josh 24:14-15 (NIV)Elijah:   ²⁰ So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.   1 Kings 18:20-21 (NIV)Peter:  ²⁷ Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸ ”We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” ²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹ God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. ³² We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”   Acts 5:27-32 (NIV)As believers, we are to hold out Truth in loving manner to those who are perishing in hopes of their salvation.²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.   Jude 1:22-23 (NIV) What I glean from this: 

• I am to be faithful to present the gospel of Christ, leaving the results in His hands.
• I am given a choice whether to believe and follow hard after Christ or not – I can serve other Gods my hands and thoughts have made or I can serve Christ – never both.
• The gospel I hold out to others is both holy and sacred.

SHARING BREAD⁸ ”When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ Luke 10:8-9 (NIV)In sending out the seventy-two Jesus continues with His instructions. By those who accepted and received their message both readily and deliberately with favor and interest, the disciples were to eat what was set before them, heal the sick, and tell them the Kingdom of God was near.  This is an interesting point which teaches us the importance of knowing our audience.  In another passage of Scripture Jesus commands us:⁶ ”Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.   Matt 7:6 (NIV) When seeking to help others, we must exercise care to do what would be appreciated and beneficial.  We should never entrust holy and sacred things to those who would trample and despise them.  I am reminded of Jesus when he remained silent, first in a prophecy given about Him in Isaiah:
⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  Isaiah 53:7 (NIV) And in actuality, given in Matthew: ⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.  Matt 26:62-63 (NIV)Jesus quietly submitted to His death.  He did not try to stop those who opposed Him.  He remained silent rather than to try and defend Himself.  He was willingly led to death because He knew that it would benefit those who would believe.  I am reminded of Hebrews Chapter 12: ² Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Heb 12:2-3 (NIV)Jesus kept His eyes fixed on the end results – “bringing many sons to glory”.  What a wonderful lesson for us all.  In our verse for today, Jesus is not asking of His disciples what He Himself did not flesh out from the beginning of His ministry:¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  Matt 4:17 (NIV) Jesus’ words were not too dissimilar from those of John the Baptist’s, who was imprisoned when Jesus began His ministry.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary states of this verse:  “When John was imprisoned, Jesus began to preach. His words had a familiar ring: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. The twofold message of John was now proclaimed by the Messiah. The work of God was rapidly moving toward the establishing of the glorious kingdom of God on earth. If one wanted to be a part of the kingdom, he must repent. Repentance was mandatory if fellowship with God was to be enjoyed.” “Repent” in Matthew 4:17 is translated from the Greek word “Metanoeo”, theologically means “to change one’s mind or disposition toward God.  More specifically, to repent is to undergo a moral reorientation of the soul in which one acknowledges the error of his ways and turns toward the divinely prescribed way of truth and righteousness.” Interestingly, Paul uses the same terminology when speaking to King Agrippa: ¹⁹ ”So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. ²⁰ First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19-20 (NIV) Here the expression “turn to God” following “repent” simply reinforces what it means to repent.  Repentance was preached throughout the book of Acts giving us the history of the growth of the first church.  One of my favorite verses on repentance is given by Peter in Acts 3: ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. ²¹ He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.  Acts 3:19-21 (NIV) “Times of refreshing” has a wonderfully peaceful ring to it, does it not?  Repentance carries with it a refreshing cleansing of the soul like the spring rain on the dusty barren ground bringing to life vegetation and subsequent fruit for those whose lives are marked by it.  Repentance is not a once in a lifetime occurrence.  As the Holy Spirit brings to light sin in our lives, we are to repent and turn to the Lord, cleaving to Him the wholehearted devotion and a willing mind enabling us to experience seasons of refreshment, relaxation and relief. What I glean from this: ·         Jesus desires for me to know my audience – what would be appreciated and beneficial – not giving dogs what is sacred and not throwing pearls to pigs.·         Jesus calls me to teach repentance – a turning from sin to Him.·         My repentance from sin brings “times of refreshing” to my life. *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD⁵ ”When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. Luke 10:5-7 (NIV)On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends out 72 messengers into all the towns in order to give people the opportunity to accept His message.  He gives them instructions on how to go about this mission.  Peace is stressed in our verses for today.  How like Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to begin His message focusing on this powerful state of untroubled, undisturbed, well-being.  Peace by its very definition is tranquility, repose, calm, harmony, accord, well-being and prosperity.  The New Testament Lexical Aids of the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible adds:  “Such a state of peace is the object of divine promise and is brought about by God’s mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin.  Hence the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace for this peace can only be the result of reconciliation with God, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.”  Peace – who would not want that?  The question begs:  Are we demonstrating that peace, like these 72, to a hurting world desperate for a taste?  We have what the world needs and that is Christ – how are we at displaying it?Jesus speaks many times on this subject.  I am reminded of His words in John:²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.   John 14:27 (NIV)I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about the above verse:“In New Testament times the normal way to say good-bye was Peace (¬¹lôm in Heb.). In His death Jesus provided a legacy for His disciples: My peace I give you. They would have “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1) because their sins were forgiven and the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:7) would guard their lives. The world is unable to give this kind of peace. Fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15) and fear of the future are removed as Jesus’ followers trust in Him. Thus they need not be troubled.”     ³ You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) As believers we have a dual existence, we are in Christ and we are in the world.  In Jesus, we have peace while the world’s system exerts a hostile influence.  The world’s system is in enmity to Jesus and His followers but, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.  He tells us in John: ³³ ”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33 (NIV)Belonging to Jesus does not take away our troubles; belonging to Jesus gives us His peace and strength to walk through them.  Psalm 84 tells us:⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. ⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca (tears), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ⁷ They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalms 84:5-7 (NIV)Lord help us to go from “strength to strength”!  While the offer of this great peace is held out to us, we often do not appropriate it by giving into our worries and fears regarding our circumstances and trials.  If we are not careful to keep our mind steadfast on Christ we will reflect the life of the seed sown among the thorns Jesus describes in Mark 4:¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  Mark 4:18-19 (NIV) May this never be said of us!  The peace a believer exhibits when buffeted by the winds of trials and adverse circumstances points others to Christ because it is simply not natural.  What He promises, He provides.  It is a faith walk to trust in His promises.  His desire is for us to prove Him faithful.  He who calms the sea can calm our troubled souls. ¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalms 29:11 (NIV) ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.   2 Thess 3:16 (NIV) What I glean from this: ·         Jesus desires for me to have peace in all circumstances.·         Jesus keeps me in perfect peace as I keep my focus on Him.·         I am not to let the worries of this life choke out my peace.  *****************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10:2 (NIV)I believe Jesus has a word for us today on the importance of “going and making disciples”.  Now before I lose half of you, I am not just talking about Africa here – although that could include some of us!  What I am referring to, at a minimum, is our responsibility to our own sphere of influence.  I believe Jesus wants all of us to think in terms of being missionaries.  We have mission fields in our own homes, at our offices, when we are dining out, when we are pumping gas, walking the isles of Wal-Mart – wherever and whenever God directs our “temples” during the day, we are to be bringing the “aroma of Christ” into every encounter.  Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. ¹⁵ For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?  2 Cor 2:14-16 (NIV)The answer to such a question is Christ alone.  This is why it is so important for us to grasp the concept of “Christ in us – the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) so that “we will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).  Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20:²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (NIV)The Bible Knowledge Commentary sheds light on this verse in regard to our discussion:“Paul could therefore write, I have been “crucified with Christ” (lit., “I have been and am now crucified with Christ”). This brought death to the Law. It also brought a change in regard to one’s self: and I no longer live. The self-righteous, self-centered Saul died. Further, death with Christ ended Paul’s enthronement of self; he yielded the throne of his life to Another, to Christ. But it was not in his own strength that Paul was able to live the Christian life; the living Christ Himself took up His abode in Paul’s heart: Christ lives in me. Yet Christ does not operate automatically in a believer’s life; it is a matter of living the new life by faith in the Son of God. It is then faith and not works or legal obedience that releases divine power to live a Christian life. This faith, stated Paul, builds on the sacrifice of Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. In essence Paul affirmed, “If He loved me enough to give Himself for me, then He loves me enough to live out His life in me.”May our faith in Him grow in ever increasing measure releasing divine power to passionately pursue every endeavor He places in our sphere!  This indeed enables us to “take hold of the life that is truly life” – after tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, all other living pales by comparison. Jesus tells us that it is necessary that we pray for this particular need to send forth workers into the harvest fields.  Growing up in the south, I have often seen fields bursting forth with “fruit” ripe for the picking yet left to die on the vine.  While granted I am talking produce here, this speaks of waste and death.  We need to remind ourselves that Jesus had His disciples pick up “twelve basketfuls of broken pieces” of bread left over from the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.  If Jesus does not want us to waste broken pieces of bread, how much more the broken lives of men?  Believers are to go and make disciples of all nations – all believers, all to go.  This is not just a call for the few.  Before His ascension, He leaves His disciples (and us) with the following words:¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)Jesus promises us that His spiritual presence will be with us until our tasks on earth are done.  Equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to go forth in obedience to the call – the harvest is plentiful and men are dying on the vine.“All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.”  Hudson TaylorWhat I glean from this:

• Jesus desires for me to “go and make disciples” – He is not asking of me what He did not do.  “God had one Son and He made Him a missionary.”  Leighton Ford
• My faith in Christ releases divine power in my life to accomplish His purposes.  “Faith in God will always be crowned.”  William Plummer
• I am to pray and ask God to send forth workers into His harvest field.  The souls of men are of inestimable value to God.  “The real value of a thing is the price it will bring in eternity.”  John Wesley

NOTE:  Sharing Bread now has a blog site containing all of the past devotionals archived for easy retrieval and also has sites for quotes, comments and A Safe Harbor.  To visit this site, set up by my sweet friend Calee Hopper, go to www.bethyoe.wordpress.com   *****************************************************************************